Ministères Multilingues

Assemblées de Pentecôte Du Canada

Diffusion Vie

Language Literature Ministries: the challenge of communicating the Gospel to the French-speaking world

Few are those, in Canada — and even Quebec — who are aware of the work and the mission of Language Literature Ministries. In these few lines, we would like to help you become better acquainted with its ministries and its mission to reach, mainly through the printed page, the French-speaking world for Jesus, and to equip Christians and leaders with quality materials in the French language.

Reaching French people for 30 years…

Language Literature Ministries celebrated, in 1999, its 30^th anniversary. 30 years of ministry towards the French-speaking Christians in the country, and more recently around the world. Started in 1969 as the Quebec Literature Crusade, the ministry had slowly and  modestly grown until it literally exploded in 1995, under the leadership of its present Director, Mr. Joel Gerbore. The annual revenues, prior to 1995, were just above 100 000$, which came in great part as subsidies from the Canadian Ministries Department, to whom LLM was accountable. We are excited to report that we ended the fiscal year 1999 with revenues in excess of 1.1 million dollars, and subsidies from the national office are being reduced every year with the goal of reaching financial autonomy very soon. The activities have multiplied over the last five years, and God has opened tremendous doors of opportunity, not only here in Canada and Quebec but in Europe and French-speaking Africa.

A broadened vision

Although the work of LLM has been concentrated on the French-speaking world, its name reflects a desire to expand to all ethnic languages represented across our province and our Fellowship. From its humble beginnings as the editor of a French bible correspondance course, and later distributor of VIDA publishers, LLM has now broadened its vision to become the exclusive distributor of over 40 publishers (in French and Spanish) in North America, as well as a full-fledged publishing house — we have already translated and published in the French language numerous books, Sunday School Curriculums and resources for youth workers and ministers, thar are sold and used not only in Quebec, but in Europe, Canada and some parts of the United States. French-speaking Africa is just starting to open its doors, and we expect to be able to channel massive quantities of French materials there; we are currently providing some of our missionaries with materials, as well as a few missionaries from the Assemblies of God.

We are currently working on the production of the first ever study bible with Pentecostal distinctives, a French adaptation of the “Full Life Study Bible”, which will be published in 2001. We are seeing even further: a few years ago, we had launched a music translation project that saw the production of two song books in French, complete with music sheets, overhead transparencies, and cassette tapes to learn the songs. This year, we started a music committee that will act as a channel to translate and distribute worship songs in the French, in partnership with Christian Copyright Licensing in the US.

We have, furthermore, faithfully served our Fellowship in the administrative role of being the official translating agency for all PAOC documents and correspondence with its churches and credential holders; we are responsible for the translation of the Minister’s Information Packet, as well as the MAC Pac and all related materials. Finally, we are the publisher of all official PAOC publications in the French language and others, such as the Local Church Constitution, the General Constitution and By-Laws, the Statement of Fundamental Truths, as well as other publications.

Special challenges

Despite this advance, much work remains to be done in the French speaking world. The restraints imposed by a very small commercial market result in one of the toughest challenge that LLM is continually seeking to overcome: the difficulty to produce quality printed materials, particularly in the area of resources for Sunday School workers, pastors, youth workers, as well as leadership training and development; furthermore, the production of quality reference works for the serious bible student and the Christian worker (individual commentaries and sets, bible study aids, counselling textbooks) remains almost impossible without missionary donations. For similar reasons, music and worship resources have been very hard to produce on a regular basis and with a reasonable level of quality and excellence. With creativity and hard work, we have been able to be successful in these areas, but we are continually seeking to remove barriers, and are committed to that vision.

A spiritually dry land…

The French speaking world in general — with the exception, of course, of Africa where revival is sweeping the continent — is a spiritually dry and parched land. Despite great advances during the 70’s and the first part of the 80’s, and diligent labor by countless individuals and anointed men and women of God, we are currently seeing fewer conversions than in the past. France, Belgium, Switzerland, as well as Quebec and the French speaking parts of Canada, need a mighty touch of the hand of God.

In Quebec, this difficulty is explained in part by the oppressive power and control exerted, until the 60’s, by the institutional religion; because of this reality, we find a great resistance to anything identified with any form of “religious apparel”. Surveys reveal, however, that most people still believe in God and are intrigued by the person of Jesus-Christ — they are reticent mostly with the institution of the Church. It is a challenge, however, that many are now undertaking with vision, determination and great courage.

And despite the obstacles, there are many encouraging signs that point to a coming visitation of the Lord. What we are experimenting here at LLM cannot be described otherwise as the blessing of the mighty hand of God. The incredible growth of the last five years leads us to believe that God is preparing and equipping his people for what he is about to do. Also, some churches are starting to experience growth and blessing, and are seeing people saved and integrated into God’s family. Many pastors and churches, despite visible signs of blessing, are moving with bold faith and a conviction that the time has come for Quebec and the French-speaking world.

A foundation established

The foundation needed to reach Quebec for Christ has now been officially established and recognized within the PAOC with the creation of the District of Quebec, a geographical entity that will constitute a much better organization to support the church in the province, and the evangelism efforts of local assemblies. A significant result of this effort is that the operations of Language Literature Ministries have officially been transferred from the Ministries Department of the International Office to the District of Quebec. LLM is now a full-fledged Ministry/Department of the District, in partnership with the PAOC’s International office. This special partnership ensures that the missionary heart of our vision remains aimed at the entire French-speaking world, including the rest of Canada — and not just Quebec.

According to many, the greatest challenge at this time is to create a sense of unity among the churches, and help create a team spirit within the constituency of the province of Quebec. Many pastors report a renewed favor with local and municipal authorities, in the creation of programs that seek to respond to the communities’ growing needs. With government cutbacks in social services, there is an emerging openness towards the church that wasn’t present only a few years ago; that is certainly encouraging, and at the same time it is an opportunity to be seized.

Your prayers are needed!

We believe that the time has come for the French speaking world, including Quebec, to be powerfully visited by the hand of God, and by the outpouring that is currently sweeping entire continents. At LLM, we are endeavouring to develop all the avenues afforded to us in order to become self-sufficient, and to truly bless our churches, our pastors and our people with quality materials that will benefit them and the Kingdom as a whole. We are requesting your prayers, for nothing we accomplish could ever be without his mighty hand guiding us and opening the doors that absolutely need to be opened if we are to see the French-speaking world evangelized and brought into the Kingdom.