Above photo: Rev. St-Onge Charles serves as the pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Montreal, Canada. Photo credit: Johanna Heidorn

The quarantines and shutdowns aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 have made ministry difficult this year. But the Lord uses for good even the evil effects of sin in the world – like viruses. Teaching English online, for instance, has turned into one of the great outreach opportunities of this time.

Ascension, Montreal, a joint mission of the SELC District and LAC Region, is using English to bring the Gospel to the many immigrants in Quebec’s largest city. Deaconess Intern Emilie Prozenko is leading this outreach to immigrants, helped by eight local Lutheran volunteers as well as LCMS missionary Pastor Charles St-Onge. Each Tuesday a dozen or so students meet to learn English from these faithful volunteers. The desire is to build relationships between Christians and non-Christians while learning words – which leads to sharing the Word, Jesus Christ.

Screenshots from the online class give an idea of the student experience
Photos: Rev. Charles St-Onge

Students also receive a weekly newsletter that includes a tricky English expression, a simple Bible verse, and a Canadian word of the week. The second week of September discussed the expression “be there FOR nine,” included John 5:8, and explained that the “Loonie” is the common name for Canada’s one-dollar coin.

Ascension, Montreal, is only one example of how the Lord is opening doors for sharing the Gospel across the Latin America and the Caribbean region, and elsewhere.