EFC Establishes Research Centre

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has established the Centre for Research on Canadian Evangelicalism (CRCE), which seeks to enhance the effectiveness of ministry carried out by Evangelicals in Canada and shed light on the character and role of Evangelicalism in Canada.  The Centre conducts research projects and engages in research partnerships; results will be published in Church & Faith Trends. The Centre will also act as a clearinghouse and portal for external research on Canadian Evangelicalism.

Bruce Clemenger, EFC president, states that, “The Centre will provide relevant Canadian data and analysis that will help us understand Evangelicals and trends in Canada and will also assist us in communicating who we are to other Canadians.  As an EFC initiative, it will be responsive to the research and information needs of pastors, ministry leaders and evangelical scholars, and will provide data that has previously been unavailable in Canada.”

Rick Hiemstra has been appointed program manager of the CRCE, and will oversee project development, data management and communication.  Hiemstra, a former pastor with a background in mathematics and education, brings a diverse wealth of knowledge to this position. “We established the Centre to fill a need for information on Canadian evangelicalism, churches and ministries; our neighbours are asking questions also,” says Hiemstra.

Dr. John G. Stackhouse, Jr., Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Culture at RegentCollege, has been appointed as senior advisor to the CRCE; he will also chair of the CRCE's advisory council. “The advisory council will include people who bring academic credentials,” explains Stackhouse. “Credibility is important to the success of any organization trying to persuade other people; academic experience will be critical to guiding the development of the Research Centre's parameters.”

The addition of Hiemstra and Stackhouse to the CRCE has been made possible through the generous support of Bridgeway Foundation, which has also provided funding for current and future research projects apart from the staffing component. The Bridgeway Foundation collaborates with innovators to grow healthy and productive non-profit organizations, and to help them engage in creative transformational projects both within Canada and the developing world.

Don Hutchinson, EFC general legal counsel, notes that, “Despite the number of sources for information on evangelical and religious trends in Canada, there are gaps in information, particularly in comparison to American data, when it comes to preparing public policy presentations for government or submissions for legal interventions. Researchers will be working together to fill those gaps and further develop key information relevant to Canadian Evangelical Christians. This will be vital in our work of presenting biblical principles in settings that require presentation of social science evidence.” 

[CENTRE FOR RESEARCH ON CANADIAN EVANGELICALISM]