African Christian Churches Integration and Adaptation of African

African Christian Churches Integration and Adaptation of African Newcomers

a. Alberta: immigrants (census 2006) Nonimmigrants Number Percentage 2 702 225 83 % p p Immigrants 527 030 16 % non permanent Residents 27 100 1% Total 3 256 355 100 % 5, 4 % (28 525 ) of the 527 030 immigrants, are francophones. Source : Stat. Canada, Census 2006, Product no 97 -557 -XCB 2006021 au catalogue de Statistique Canada.

b. Alberta: Francophone immigrants by country of origin , 2001 -2006. Country of origin Number Repubublic of congo 320 France 205 Rwanda 175 Algeria 155 Marrocco 105 Burundi 85 Cameroun 45 Ivory Coast 45 Tchad 30 Total 1230 Source: stat. Can, Census 2006, produit 97 -557 XCB 2006007, Stat. Can cat.

c. Where do they live? City Franch as official language Bilingual Franch. English Edmonton 135 1720 Calgary 120 2375 Brooks 10 60 Source: Stat. Can, Census 2006, produit 97 -557 -XCB 200 -6021, Stat. Can. Cat.

2. Partners in settlement process a. The subsidized francophone organizations p b. Associations organized by country of origin p c. Churches p

a. Francophone institutions in the community p Lack of resources to take up new challenges related to p Cultural barrier: - a cultural identity - Minority thinking p Lack of competence to work with newcomers p Difficulty to build networks with francophone newcomers

b. Responses from Immigrants p a. Associations by countries of origins Dominations City The morocco community Edmonton The Rwandans' community Edmonton The Guinea community Edmonton The Haitian community Edmonton The Congolese association Edmonton of Edmonton The Ivory Coast community Edmonton

b. Churches Religious groups fill in the gap left by the government and francophone organizations; p Attempts for newcomers to solve their own challenges; p

b. Churches… Church City Leader Members (estimate) Christian city multicultural Calgary church of calgary Past. Mondo 50 -60 Cité de reveil spirituel Calgary Past. Vincent 90 -10 Deeper Life Bible Church Edmonton Past. Jacob 65 -70 Église source de vie Edmonton Past. E. Bumba 15 -25 Fellowship Christian Reformed Church Edmonton M. Huizinga 87

c. Churches Church City Leader Members (estimate) Église francophone de Brooks Past. P. Tandu Pas disponible Jerusalem City Church Edmonton Past. N. Kayumba Le corps du Christ 130 -135 40 -50 Life of faith Christian Church of Calgary Past. Bukasa 200 -250 Penuel Christian Assembly Edmonton Past. R. V. Tshubula 20 -25

Church Restoration and victory international ministries City Edmonton Leader Members (estimate) Past. Serge 45 -50 Shiloh Baptist Church Edmonton Past. A. Karekezi 110 -120 The kingdom citizen ministry internantional Red Deer Past. P. Kabengele 30 -40 Victoria Church Edmonton Past. J. Mwamba 25 -30 Zion Temple Celebration Centre Edmonton Past. B. Tuyikunde 65

Remarks: p Even though, the names are in English the main language spoken is French p The numbers presented in this Power. Point are estimate given by the leaders of these churches.

Characteristics They are principal support of the majority of African newcomers settled in Edmonton p Positive social changes: welcoming of newcomers, housing etc. p They are deeply rooted by their African values p Leadership is somewhat familiar with the Canadian culture; p Monoethnic; p

right and wrong information A 1. Family, friends p 2. Churches, 3. Country associations B Public institutions, Schools etc. p Right informations ?

d. A Survey How are Church actions and initiatives bound to emerging Canadian values? p 68. 1 % of the response thought Francophone immigrant churches should be more involved in the social integration of their members in Alberta: p Connect the welcoming communities to the immigrants p networking; p Eliminate isolation; p Share experiences;

Challenges Strengthening of traditional African values: (same sex marriage…) - Management problems - Leaders are newcomers -

Final remarks Contemporary society: p Tendency « to ignore religion until some religious group or individual behaves well rather badly » ; p Religion is an important factor in the settlement process of african immigrants.