It is notably one of the most visited Canadian provinces by U.S. citizens. Situated just miles across from the coast of Maine, Nova Scotia has been a popular tourist destination of whale watchers, seafarers and natural beauty seekers. But, sadly, Nova Scotia remains largely spiritually stagnant with more than 80 percent of the population remaining unchurched.
This year, the South Carolina Baptist Convention has paired with the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists to seed the beginnings of new church starts in Nova Scotia, a relationship that is a part of a larger church-planting movement known as Encounter Canada 2008.
Small teams of missions volunteers are sought to travel to the province as tourists to interact with the Nova Scotian people and ascertain where God is working among them. Each team will be asked to spend time in a particular area at a local inn or bed and breakfast, eat local foods and spend time with people anywhere from fishing villages to large metro cities. Teams will also be asked to pray over the city while present.
“The amazing thing about these teams is that most of Nova Scotia will be uncharted territory to Southern Baptists. – While in these communities, the teams will be praying and meeting the needs of the lost people in that area. Their job will be to find out what God is doing in these various communities,” said Gary Smith, Canadian field coordinator for church starting.
Each team will then post a report of their activities on the Encounter Canada Web site for missions personnel working in Nova Scotia to better know the needs of their area. The goal of the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists is to plant 54 churches in the area by 2020.
Marshall Fagg, director of the South Carolina Baptist Convention evangelism and missions team, says the opportunity is appealing on numerous levels.
“The Nova Scotia project presents us with one of our most exciting North American mission opportunities. Just being a part of starting 54 new churches in a region where up to 80 percent of the population has not heard the gospel is kingdom work at its best,” said Fagg.
The proximity of Nova Scotia and the fact that the province is English-speaking is attractive for many mission volunteers.
But overall, Smith and Fagg both hope God will issue a strong call to people across South Carolina to see this area of North America reached for his glory.
Smith quotes Matthew 9:36 as a driving force behind the initiative.
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he had great compassion on them. We invite [anyone] to come and walk and pray among the lost people of Nova Scotia. Come and allow the Lord’s compassion to overwhelm you for these gracious people who have gone unreached with the gospel – and South Carolina Baptists can impact the entire province of Nova Scotia by praying to the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers for the beautiful but needy harvest fields.”
Information sessions on the Nova Scotia initiative are offered at the following times: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 5-7 p.m., Rock Hill Baptist Church; Wednesday, Feb. 27, 9-11 a.m., South Carolina Baptist Convention, Columbia; and Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6-8:30 p.m., Rocky Creek Baptist Church, Greenville.
If you are interested in traveling to Nova Scotia at as a missions volunteer, you are encouraged to attend one of these training sessions. For more information, contact the SCBC missions mobilization group at (800) 723-7242.