THE NEED

 In the 1950's there was a spiritual awakening among aboriginal people of North America. Many came to know Christ as personal Saviour. But of the hundreds reached, only a small fraction were taught principles of Christian growth.

The last three decades has seen an epidemic of social ills weave its way into the fabric of aboriginal society, impacting successive generations.

In 1994, NEFC founder Tom Francis was asked what he believed to be the greatest need of the aboriginal church. He responded that there were 5 things the aboriginal church was in need of : “Teaching, Teaching, Teaching, Teaching and Teaching.”

The Response

Teaching is empowering. Have you considered how Jesus empowered His followers? We suggest that the way in which He empowered His disciples serves as model that works today in our native people being empowered for effective ministry.

As NEFC founder Tommy Francis used to say, “The five greatest needs of Native people are teaching, teaching, teaching, teaching, and teaching.”  Sharing information is the first key to empowerment.

Jesus did this everywhere He went.“And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach . . . and many hearing Him were astonished . . . and Jesus saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion . . . so He began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:2,34)

Why is teaching so empowering? Jesus explained, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Empowerment is so important to indigenous peoples across Canada—and really to all peoples around the world. Even when people don’t know Christ, they are made in the image of God. God has designed every human being with longings to be free to think, free to choose, free to feel, free to grow—free to live out the identity He gave us at birth.

This is the age of self-determination. To Aboriginal people (and really to all peoples), strong empowerment happens primarily through community, relationship, serving, teaching, teamwork, and partnering. These values reflect God’s heart.

People without information cannot do ministry responsibly. People with information are compelled to do ministry responsibly.

Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (NEFC) seeks to be a light to future generations of aboriginal people of North America.

NEFC desires to assist aboriginal believers in being "rooted
and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith,
and overflowing with thankfulness."
(Colossians. 2:7)

We must be a " LIGHT " for future generations.

Our native churches are experiencing a tremendous spiritual hunger. Our people need a better understanding of the Bible and its teachings. And our native pastors need a firm grasp of the Scriptures. NEFC seeks to meet the need expressed by the leadership of the aboriginal church for strong Bible-teaching that will encourage spiritual growth among native Christians and native pastors, many of whom live in remote, isolated areas.

NEFC exists to help aboriginal believers grow to a greater maturity in Christ, to equip them to live as disciples of Christ and to challenge them to a walk that honors Christ. Central to this purpose is our desire to offer every person an Encounter with Christ.