What is like all others, like some others and like none other? We are! This question was the focus of the lunchtime discussion during Together, the Ontario Central-East multicultural conference in April. It captures the theme of the weekend-embracing diversity, journeying together in Christ.

 

The conference’s keynote address was given by Michael Casasola, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who shared with conference delegates the plight of millions of refugees living in substandard conditions and dangerous situations in refugee camps in many parts of the world.

The Salvation Army’s role in helping people worldwide was addressed in workshops on refugees and human trafficking. Presenters shared the conditions, unimaginable to most North Americans, which people around the world live in. Refugees come to Canada seeking more than just a better life. They leave their own countries because they belong to a threatened racial, religious, social or political group. With no government protection, they are in danger if they remain at home. They come to countries like Canada to preserve their lives and seek freedom for their families.

The Salvation Army assists refugees with basic needs like housing, employment and education. It provides free language classes, counselling and chaplaincy and also helps prepare them for the process that will hopefully allow them to live in Canada permanently.

More than 2,500 people are brought into Canada each year through human trafficking. Victims are typically young girls between 14 and 15, although men, women and boys are targeted as well. The Salvation Army has been involved in rescuing these victims for more than 100 years. Workers address their physical needs for shelter, safety and often health care, as they help them to move along the path to regain their self-esteem and learn independent living skills.

Other parts of the conference focused on ways that congregations can reach out. Embracing those who are different from ourselves is not easy and can even be intimidating. Delegates were reminded that, in a multicultural setting, the person next to us may not look the same, talk the same or do things in the same way, but each unique individual is part of the body of Christ, which includes the local congregation. Just as all have unique backgrounds and abilities, each can strengthen the church when their gifts are encouraged to flourish.

Individuals from a broad cross-section of corps and social ministries participated in this weekend event. Major Donna Millar has seen encouraging changes in her five years as divisional multicultural ministries secretary. “The look of our corps is changing,” she says. “There are more culturally diverse lay workers and leaders in our congregations. More and more, I see diverse people willing to be led and taught by each other.”

Coming to Canada
 

Four members of Erin Mills Corps, Mississauga, Ont., know what it’s like to come to Canada and find acceptance at The Salvation Army. In each case, what impressed them was the warm and sincere way they were greeted and made to feel welcome. Each arrived in Canada under different circumstances, yet they shared the experience of being touched by God’s love as they sought the fellowship of a new church home. In addition, the Army has provided each one with a place to participate in Christian ministry.

 

Vianney Fernandes, who had a successful business in Dubai, now runs the community and family services office at Erin Mills and organizes its successful Christmas kettle campaign.

Margaret Odutayo, originally from Nigeria, is an active member of community care ministries (CCM). Her children have also eagerly joined in youth discipleship and music programs.

Efren Palma, Guatemalan by birth, is now a Canadian citizen and a Salvation Army soldier. He, too, is a CCM member and is always available to lend a hand with any task required around the corps.

Edelyn Musara, a recent addition to the corps, grew up in The Salvation Army in Zimbabwe. She has found her place in ministry through the songsters as well as teaching Sunday school. She is returning to Zimbabwe this summer to be married and will sponsor her new husband to join her in Canada.

A Place of Welcome
 

Major Jim Anderson knows what it’s like to live as a foreigner. He and his wife, Darlene, left Canada in 1995 to minister in Russia. Since their return, he has had a passion for intercultural ministry and the Toronto suburb of Agincourt is the perfect setting. Visible minorities make up more than two-thirds of the population in the neighbourhood surrounding Agincourt Community Church, where they are the corps officers.

 

Multicultural ministries have been part of the fabric of the corps for many years. In September 2007, because there was no existing lay intercultural ministry position, they wrote a covenant, recognizing the leadership of Thomas Yoo in Agincourt’s intercultural ministry. The intercultural ministry co-ordinator promotes the intercultural ministry approach, and helps to educate the corps members to value newcomers and provides service opportunities that make all feel valued. Both he and Major Anderson are excited at the doors it has opened into the community.

Each week, between 30 and 70 people attend English conversation classes in the building. Special occasions such as Chinese New Year and Intercultural Sunday are some of the highlights of what they describe as an international community. Every ministry at the corps is enriched by the diversity of its participants.

Diversity of language is also counted as a strength. Most people who walk through the doors can find at least one other person with whom they can speak in their native language. Corps leaders consider this part of their Kingdom approach to ministry-Kingdom people communicating the Kingdom gospel.

Support For New Canadians
 

One of the hallmark ministries of The Salvation Army is providing the needy with the means to prepare Christmas dinner. However, for recent immigrants from non-European backgrounds, what to do with a turkey or ham, stuffing, potatoes and vegetables can be puzzling. Tina Fluke of Cornerstone Community Centre, a ministry of Spryfield Community Church, Halifax, realized that her clients, while grateful for the assistance, did not all know what to do with the provisions they were given.

 

In response, she and her father spent Christmas Day with a family who had recently arrived from Africa. They prepared the traditional English meal, while the African family prepared some African dishes, sharing other holiday customs as well.

Addressing this need on a larger scale, the New Country Café ministry at Cornerstone helps newcomers to Canada learn about how to live as part of North American society. Participants are introduced to North American food and its preparation, as well as nutrition and budgeting.

They meet at the centre and plan a menu, using food items available in a local grocery store. The group travels to the store, shops for the items required, and returns to the centre to prepare the meal. At each step in the process, there is the opportunity to practise language skills and interact with others in similar circumstances.

Captain Kim Walter, Editor, Edge for Kids