The Canadian Census

The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness… “Take a census of all the congregation of the peoples of Israel.”  Numbers 1:1-2

This is the time of year when many people write their annual Christmas letter - that one letter that tries to capture all of the growth, changes, additions, or losses that we experience as a family. They often start out with, “I can’t believe another year has passed” and conclude with something like, “I am sorry this letter was so long.”  The point is, we like to tell people about our family. Heather and I became Grandparents this year and we love every opportunity we get to pull out our phones and show pictures of our amazing little granddaughter. 

Canadian Census

When the Lord spoke to Moses and ordered their first census, it was an opportunity for them to pause and take note of who they were as a nation.

Every ten years, the Canadian government takes an extensive census of our nation. This research provides an amazingly detailed look at who we are and how we have changed or grown in the past decade.

Canada conducted our ten-year census last year and the results are out. Our team is reviewing the data and looking for important trends and revelations that help us as Christians to understand our country.

• Some of what we are seeing is not very encouraging. Our country continues to become more secular, and we are seeing a decline in the number of people who identify as Christians.
• However, there is also encouraging news. Immigration is expanding our ethnic diversity in Canada but it is also bringing significant numbers of Christians here from other nations. 

Here is a helpful report from our friends at WayBase: Christianity-in-Canada-2011-2021.pdf (waybase.com)

We look forward to sharing more insights from the census with you in the new year.

Dr. Craig Kraft is the Executive Director of Outreach Canada. After 15 years of pastoral ministry in western Canada, Craig, with his wife, Heather, served with OC in southern Africa before returning to lead the ministry in Canada. Craig is a graduate of Northwest Baptist Seminary at ACTS and a graduate of Asia Graduate School of Theology with a Doctor of Intercultural Studies. His study has focused on diaspora missiology in Canada.  His dissertation explores the potential for revitalizing Canadian churches through the practice of biblical hospitality with refugees and immigrants. Craig loves to watch sports, work in the yard & spend time in the woods.