Love New Canadians

Building friendships and pathways toward Jesus

Love New Canadians equips churches to develop ministry with newcomers through coaching, curriculum and practical support. The goal is not simply to provide programs, but to create safe and welcoming opportunities where genuine friendships can develop. From those relationships, newcomers who are interested can explore increasingly faith-focused opportunities at their own pace.

What this means for your corps

• Stage 1: Begin with friendship, practical support and activities with little or no spiritual content, such as English conversation groups, meals or community events.
• Stage 2: Offer a gentle introduction to Jesus and Christianity for newcomers who are spiritually curious.
• Stage 3: Provide opportunities such as ESL Bible studies, Alpha, small groups and worship for those who want to explore or follow Jesus more deeply.
• The emphasis throughout the pathway is on listening, building trust and allowing newcomers to choose how they want to participate.

An opportunity to offer welcome, community and the love of God

People arriving in Canada may be adapting to a new language, culture and community while having very few established relationships. Local churches are uniquely positioned to offer practical help, friendship and belonging. For Christians, welcoming newcomers is also an expression of the biblical call to love our neighbours and care for those who are new among us.

Why this matters for local ministry

• Newcomers may be navigating language barriers, unfamiliar systems, cultural differences and social isolation.
• Churches can provide something particularly valuable: consistent relationships, community and genuine friendship.
• Many Salvation Army corps already serve newcomers through food support, children’s programs, camps and other community ministries.
• These existing connections can become opportunities to build deeper relationships and, where there is spiritual curiosity, pathways toward Jesus.

Newcomer ministry should fit your local context

There is no single model that every corps needs to reproduce. Each congregation can consider its mission, community, strengths, limitations and existing relationships, then develop an approach that makes sense locally. Corps surrounded by large newcomer populations may have more options, but smaller and rural churches can participate meaningfully as well.

Start with what you already have

• Look at activities your corps already offers and consider where newcomers could naturally be included.
• Interests such as music, hiking, crafts, recreation, meals or community activities can create opportunities for conversation and friendship.
• A small corps does not need to create a large new program. It can begin with a few people or collaborate with other nearby churches.
• Even in rural communities with fewer newcomers, intentional friendship can make a meaningful difference.

Start small and build newcomer ministry into what you already do

Sustainable newcomer ministry does not have to become another department or major program. It can begin by making small changes to the ministries, activities and relationships that already exist. A welcoming congregation already has the most important foundation: people who are willing to be friendly, listen and build relationships.

Keeping the ministry manageable

• Begin with a small and realistic commitment rather than trying to build a complete ministry immediately.
• Look for ways newcomers can participate in activities your corps is already offering.
• A conversation group can begin with only a few volunteers and may simply extend an existing ministry by 30 or 60 minutes.
• Short trial periods can help volunteers participate without feeling that they are making an indefinite commitment.
• If your corps is already at capacity, consider whether existing commitments need to be adjusted rather than continually adding new programs.

Corps are creating community, relationships and pathways to faith

Across Canada, Salvation Army ministries are connecting with newcomers through English conversation groups, meals, employment support, community events, food assistance, advocacy and other practical ministries. While every setting looks different, a common theme is the development of genuine relationships that help newcomers find belonging and become more connected to the wider life of the church and community.

What corps are seeing

• English conversation ministries are helping newcomers practise language skills while forming friendships with volunteers and other participants.
• Corps are combining practical support with meals, social activities and community experiences that strengthen relationships.
• Some newcomers who first connect through Stage 1 activities later participate in worship, volunteering, small groups and opportunities for the spiritually curious.
• The examples range from small trial programs to established ministries serving many newcomers each week, showing that the model can adapt to different settings.

You do not need to figure it out alone

Begin by connecting with Corps Mission so that your local context, resources and ideas can be explored together. One common first step is a simple Stage 1 English conversation café. It meets a practical need while creating a safe and friendly environment where newcomers and volunteers can get to know one another.

A simple starting pathway

• Gather people who may be interested in volunteering.
• Choose curriculum that fits the group you hope to serve.
• Select a meeting time that works for your volunteer team.
• Promote the opportunity through the community connections your corps already has.
• Build in informal opportunities such as a meal, potluck or social gathering where relationships can grow.
• Use the available coaching support for questions about curriculum, volunteers, advertising and challenges along the way.