Back to the Bible in Canada

In a recent poll by Ipsos-Reid (April 2006) 62% of Canadians stated that they believed that “through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God provided the way for the forgiveness of sins.” Unfortunately, the percentage of those that attend church doesn’t come anywhere near 62%. Just one in four Canadians attends church on a weekly basis. Just a generation ago most Canadians had at least some knowledge of the what was in the Bible, but with the increase in the secularization of Canadian society over the past three decades, Biblical illiteracy in on the rise. Even though Back to the Bible has been a part of Canadian life for over 50 years, its presence is more important then ever.

Facts:
• The Canadian Radio and Television Commission, the media regulating body for Canada, didn’t allow any Christian radio stations until 1988. Since then, dozens of new Christian radio stations have gone on the air, and many of them now carry the programs of Back to the Bible. As new Christian stations get up and running, more opportunities become available.

• The province of Quebec, the heart of French-speaking Canada, is the least evangelized region in all of North and South America. Less than 1% claim to be evangelicals. The need for French-speaking Bible teaching radio programs is great.

• Back to the Bible Canada spends $850,000 a year on buying radio time. Much more is needed to impact non-English speaking Canadians with the Gospel.

Ron Hs is following