african christian churches integration and adaptation of african newcomers

African Christian Churches

Integration and Adaptationof African Newcomers

a. Alberta: immigrants (census 2006) Number Percentage

Non-immigrants

2 702 225 83 %

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-XCB2006021 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-XCB200-6021, Stat. Can. Cat.

2. Partners in settlement process

a. The subsidized francophone organizations b. Associations organized by country of origin c. Churches

a. Francophone institutions in the community Lack of resources to take up new challenges related

to

Cultural barrier: - a cultural identity - Minority thinking

Lack of competence to work with newcomers

Difficulty to build networks with francophone newcomers

b. Responses from Immigrants 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 of Edmonton

Edmonton

The Ivory Coast community

Edmonton

b. Churches

Religious groups fill in the gap left by the government and francophone organizations;

Attempts for newcomers to solve their own challenges;

b. Churches…

Church City Leader Members(estimate)

Christian city multicultural church of calgary

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

Brooks Past. P. Tandu Pas disponible

Jerusalem City Church

Edmonton Past. N. Kayumba

130-135

Le corps du Christ 40-50

Life of faith Christian Church of Calgary

Calgary Past. Bukasa 200-250

Penuel Christian Assembly

Edmonton Past. R.V. Tshubula

20-25

Church City Leader Members(estimate)

Restoration and victory international ministries

Edmonton 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: Even though, the names are in English the

main language spoken is French The numbers presented in this PowerPoint

are estimate given by the leaders of these churches.

Characteristics They are principal support of the majority

of African newcomers settled in Edmonton Positive social changes: welcoming of

newcomers, housing etc. They are deeply rooted by their African

values Leadership is somewhat familiar with the

Canadian culture; Monoethnic;

A 1. Family,

friends 2.Churches,3. Country

associations

BPublic institutions,

Schools etc.

right and wrong information

Right informations ?

d. A Survey

68.1 % of the response thought Francophone immigrant churches should be more involved in the social integration of their members in Alberta:

Connect the welcoming communities to the immigrants

networking; Eliminate isolation; Share experiences;

How are Church actions and initiatives bound to emerging Canadian values?

Challenges- Strengthening of traditional African values:

(same sex marriage…) - Management problems- Leaders are newcomers

Final remarksContemporary society: Tendency « to ignore religion until some

religious group or individual behaves well rather badly »;

Religion is an important factor in the settlement process of african immigrants.