Strategic Catalysts for Internationals
The tri-cities: Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Members, CBF Global Missions Internationals Cluster

In support of CBF Global Missions’ ministry among the most neglected, Kim and Marc work to empower the Kingdom efforts of churches, missions organizations, and individuals who seek to minister among internationals in the urban centers of Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. The Wyatts coordinate strategies for reaching these internationals — refugees, immigrants, international students and others — who hail from approximately 210 people groups.

THE NEED

Montreal is home for the 600,000 refugees, immigrants, and international students who reside there.

Ottawa is known as “Silicon Valley North” for all of its technology companies which attracts the people of the world. 18.5% of its residents are foreign born.

Toronto has been described by the United Nations as the most multi-cultural city in the world. Half of Toronto’s 4.6 million residents were born outside of Canada. Virtually every religious and political opinion can be found within this city.

These refugees, immigrants and other internationals certainly count among the worlds most neglected — people with great needs and few resources. They seek welcome and friendship as they arrive. Many have need of the basics — shelter, food and clothing, for example — and they often need help learning English or filling out paperwork necessary to stay in the country. They also have the need to hear of Christ, as many arrive from countries with no access to the Gospel.

SARA AND TARIQ — A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES
Refugee Children
By Marc Wyatt

Like the millions of refugees who flee their homes each year, Sara and Tariq did not know peace. But that changed when they arrived at Matthew House-Toronto, a refugee ministry we assist. Each arrived with only one of their parents. Sara has not seen her father since he last kissed her on the forehead the tearful night her mother led her toward safety. When Sara draws a picture of her family, she often asks her mother, “What does Daddy look like?” Tariq and his father spoke no English when they stepped toward the cold, bland-colored booth where a tired immigration officer greeted them with a stark, “What is your purpose for coming to Canada?” The only word his father could say was “refugee.” Tariq has not heard his mother’s voice or felt her hugs for years now. He wonders if his mother still remembers him. Sara and Tariq are among the 70 percent of the world’s refugee population who are women and children.

THE MINISTRY

In 1998, Canadian Baptists in Toronto invited the Wyatts to partner with them to start their pilot refugee project, Matthew House. There are now three such resettlement projects, each located in strategic entry points to Ontario — Matthew House-Toronto; Matthew House-Ft. Erie, which borders Buffalo; and Matthew House-Windsor, which borders Detroit. Marc and Kim partner in several significant ministry relationships. Their ministry friendships and projects include The Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, Canadian Baptist Ministries, The Transformational Ministry Movement which is a multi-denominational group focused on multi-cultural neighborhoods,  three unreached people group ministries, and the Union of French Baptist Churches of Canada.

Local Baptist leaders and churches are developing an awareness of the missional possibilities that exist among international peoples living in Canada.

One such task has been to develop missional strategies in Toronto multi-cultural neighborhoods such as St. Jamestown, the most multi-cultural neighborhood with 169 language groups represented. Encouraging volunteerism in the local schools and community has been key in “being the presence of Christ”.

In St. Jamestown and other neighborhoods, Kim and Marc initiate relationships and services among internationals that will lead them to faith and create cell group starts, ministry replication, and practical field training opportunities for mission teams, mission organizations, and local church volunteers. This initiative carries the project name of “Love thy Neighborhood”.

As they begin connecting with the Kingdom of God in Montreal and Ottawa they are looking for how God is moving his people in those cities to “welcome the stranger”.

More about the Wyatts:

Graduates of Wingate University, they have been CBF global missions field personnel since 1996, serving in Thailand and Canada. Kim holds a master of education degree from Virginia  Commonwealth University, and Marc has a master of divinity with Christian education degree from Southeastern Seminary. They worked in North Carolina and Virginia before their CBF career began.

The Wyatts have two children — Rebecca Joy and Jon Marc. They enjoy being a foster  family for injured, sick or unwanted pets, phone calls from home, grits and new friendships. They also enjoy Canada’s museums, street festivals, and the beauty of walking along the lakes, canals, and rivers of their focal cities.

PARTNERING WITH THE WYATT'S

Churches and individuals can partner with Kim and Marc to carry out their ministry among internationals in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and beyond by:

• asking God to lead the Great Commission Christians in Canada  to share Christ’s love with internationals in culturally relevant ways
• Praying that God will open the hearts and minds of Canada’s internationals, that they might hear and respond to the Good News
• Pray using CBF’s Monthly Prayer Update: Prayer Associates
• Sponsoring a ministry project (For an updated listing, contact the Wyatts.)
• Volunteering with after-school, refugee resettlement, international student, or English as a Second Language programs in your own community

The Wyatts are also committed to assisting churches and individuals as they sense their God-given mission to share the love of God in Christ in culturally sensitive and creative ways. They welcome invitations to consult with your church as it develops missional responses toward international neighbors and friends.

CONTACTING THE WYATTS

Mailing Address: 1776 Dorset Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1H-5T8 Canada
Phone Number: 613-521-4918
Email Address:  wyatt@thefellowship.info