Figures prove that the Province of Quebec is the most unevangelized area in the North American continent. It has a population of over 7 million. Montreal, without counting the metropolitan area, is the largest city in Canada with a population of 1.7 million. These statistics underline the fact that Quebec is a needy province.
Work in Quebec, directly linked with faithful New Testament assemblies, is minimal. By this, we mean assemblies who gather to the name of the Lord Jesus, seeking to follow the pattern of Acts 2:41,42 and preaching the gospel clearly We do not despise other places, but the NT assembly is a separated place (2 Cor 6:17-18). Quite often, various groups of believers quote Matthew 18:20, but fail to follow closely the teaching related to it that is found in the Acts and Epistles. The pattern of gathering has been taught by the Lord Himself as well as by the teaching of the Spirit through Paul. It should not be changed to suit our thoughts. Paul stresses that the origin of his teaching was from the Lord (1 Cor 11:23) and what he wrote on assembly truth was “the commandment of the Lord” (1 Cor 14:37).
The preaching of the gospel to the unsaved as well as the teaching to the people of God must be undiluted; the presentation must be clear, so that no one is confused. We must preach the ruin and total depravity of man and that salvation can only come by grace through faith, not of works (Eph 2:8, 9). Hence we must stress that each individual must know when, where and how he was saved.
During the spring and summer of 1998, we sought to help the believers in the French speaking assembly in Montreal. We believe that God has taught them a lot in the past few months through a great trial of affliction. They had to pay a very great price because they wanted to honor their Lord and Savior, but since they have obeyed the Lord, He has shown His hand in much blessing.
In March and April, Gerard Roy and I had a few weeks of gospel meetings during which one woman professed to be saved. It was hard to preach, no doubt because of difficulties the assembly was going through. Less than two months later, many left because they desired an easier path. Four weeks later, the believers that remained lost their building. But the Scripture still stands, “Them that honor Me I will honor” (1 Sam 2:30). They were unable to pay the rent anymore and could not commit themselves to a new lease. Unexpectedly, the hand of the Lord was manifested. Their landlord, a Jewish lawyer, offered them another building in Longueil, absolutely free of rent for one year. A good businessman does not deal in this manner unless the hand of the Lord is moving.
Seed Sowers had previously planned an intensive distribution south of Montreal. The local brethren intended that this work should precede the tent meetings at Iberville with Larry Buote and Shad Kember Jr. A total of 65,000 John 3:16 texts were given out with invitations to the meetings. The interest on the part of the unsaved was very encouraging. God graciously saved a woman whose exercised husband has been in assembly fellowship for seventeen years. God also saved the daughter of another believer, as well as two outsiders who attended the meetings.
On Nov 15, our brethren Leslie Wells and Gerard Roy began gospel meetings at the new location in Longueil. In the past, these brethren faithfully worked to help the assembly in preaching the gospel and teaching the believers.
In Quebec, we feel free to have fellowship with the assemblies at Longueil and Sainte-Flavie (formerly Price). All correspondence to the French assembly in Montreal should be addressed to Mario Plante, 1318 rue Holmes, Apt. 8, Saint-Hubert, Quebec J4T 1P5; Phone 450 678 2917. The address of the hall is 1470 Chemin de Chambly, Longueil Quebec. The order of meetings is Lord’s Day, Breaking of Bread 10:00A.M., Gospel meeting 7:30 P.M., Wednesday, Prayer and Bible Reading 7:30 PM.
