We are driven by the knowledge that every soul matters to the Lord. It was our driving force when we first became a Fellowship in 1919, and it is still our driving force today—spurring us on in advancing the cause of Christ, demonstrating His love and care, so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to know Christ as their Saviour and Lord. Working out of our International Office in Mississauga, Ontario, and in collaboration with our churches, missionaries and national partners in Canada and around the world, we facilitate the important work that is reaching communities and changing countless lives. Here is a look through the lens of Fellowship Services, Mission Canada, Mission Global and ERDO. Each plays a special role in what we do as The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
What We Do
Fellowship Services
As the largest missional organization in Canada, it is important for us as an organization to ensure that our ministries are served by individuals who are appropriately qualified, demonstrate Christian character along with a correct understanding of Bible content and doctrine, and understand the mission and vision of the PAOC. Fellowship Services facilitates much of the administrative work and constitutional governance that helps our 1,100-plus churches, nine districts, two branch conferences and more than 275 missionaries to carry out their mandate effectively in communities all across Canada and around the world.
PAOC churches and ministries play an important role in the life of our Fellowship, and carefully kept statistics reflect the important work that our churches and credential holders carry out in every province of Canada. To review the most recent statistics for the Fellowship, please see the link below.
Mission Canada
Since its inception, Mission Canada has fulfilled a two-fold role as the national mission arm of the PAOC. Mission Canada works with districts and churches in a national networking role around our five key missional gaps or priorities (Cultural Language Groups, Quebec and Francophone Canada, Next Generation, Aboriginal Canadians, Urban Centres) and in three strategic actions (Discipleship, Church Multiplication, Social Responsibility). Secondly, Mission Canada facilitates the identification and release of called personnel to fulfil the missional gaps in Canada.
We are all on mission. It is a continuation of Jesus Christ’s work while He was on earth—“To seek and save the lost” is how He described it. He clarified the mission for us when He told his followers to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This is who the PAOC is: a relationally based mission family working together to see Canadians transformed by Jesus’ good news.
Mission Global
Mission Global seeks to glorify God by making disciples across cultural boundaries by proclaiming and practising the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Mission Global works alongside individuals, churches and their leaders in fulfilling Christ’s mission around the world. For over 100 years, Canadian Pentecostals have obeyed the Great Commission and followed Jesus to the ends of the earth to bring hope and life. We are committed to continuing that tradition by:
- REACHING lost people, wherever they are, by every means;
- PLANTING communities of authentic followers of Jesus;
- EQUIPPING and empowering national leaders to multiply our impact;
- CARING for people in crisis
Over 300 workers serve in 59 countries, spanning Africa & the Middle East, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean and Asia. Priority is given to the 1.5 billion who have never heard the good news, to the poor and marginalized—particularly children—and to multiplying our impact through the training of national leaders. More than 3,000 students in affiliated Bible colleges and 15,000 students in extension programs are being trained to be the next generation of leaders that will make a lasting impact on their nations.
As we work together, we can reach the entire world for Christ. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations [people groups], and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14, NIV).
ERDO
In 1983, a massive humanitarian crisis began in Ethiopia with widespread famine. When the media began its focused attention and people saw children too weak even to cry, hearts around the world were moved. Leaders within The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada made a decision that would bring focus, energy and resources in a new way to serve the emergency needs of Ethiopia and other countries around the world in years to come. From the biblical call to “do good” (Isaiah 1:17, NKJV), Emergency Relief & Development Overseas, or ERDO, was born.
ERDO’s mission is to provide compassionate, practical assistance to strengthen people and communities in developing countries through the four areas of crisis response, food assistance, child sponsorship and community development. In 2011, ERDO served over 1.8 million people in 35 countries. As of October 2013, 7,000 children were sponsored through ChildCARE Plus. In partnership with global workers, local churches and trusted partners, ERDO delivered almost $800,000 in aid to victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Justice and mercy drive us. Christ’s compassion guides us. Your support empowers us.