City of Empty Steeples
When you look out from the top of Mont-Royal you can see dozens of ancient steeples popping out between the modern high rises. It is no wonder Montreal has been famously nicknamed the “City of 1000 Steeples.” Walking through these gorgeous structures built to glorify our Creator can leave you breathless. From the intricately detailed woodwork to pristine stained-glass windows, the heart and dedication placed into these structures is more than evident. Yet these churches that once held thousands of dedicated Christians now stand empty with dusty pews and not much more than tourists with cameras.
What happened to this City? Once vibrant in the faith, and now with less than 5% who would claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Montreal was established in 1642 as a missionary post for Europeans bringing the Gospel to North America. Sadly, after Canada was formed, the Catholic church was given an incorrect amount of power over the people of Quebec that was corrupted and misused. The Province was slower to progress than the rest of Canada and in the 1960s the Quebecois had had enough. The years that followed, known as the silent revolution, were marked by the most rapid decline in Christianity than at any other point in history. The people of Quebec blamed God for what the church leaders had done and shut him out completely turning themselves into an atheistic province.
Yet, God is still the God of this city and the God of these people. No matter how far away and hardened their hearts may seem, there is no heart too far from God’s love. He placed eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11) and the people of Quebec are searching. They are seeking something more than anything in this world could possibly attempt to fill. A gap within each of our hearts that can be filled with Jesus alone!
I was blessed with the opportunity to speak with a number of students this week at a local Cégep (a school between high school and university). I was amazed by how many were open to talking about spirituality and the idea that God exists. Yet, at the same time, it broke my heart for just how little they knew! The first two girls I talked to had no idea what the Gospel was and had never heard it before. God was able to use me to share the Gospel with them for the very first time! As well as give them a bible. It opened my eyes to the reality that there are unreached people right here in Canada! And the need for the Gospel to be spread.
Another girl I spoke to had a Catholic background and believed in Jesus as her Saviour yet didn’t know she could talk to Him! Unfortunately, many of the Catholic traditions originally created to help people get closer to God have turned into barriers that keep them away from him. I asked her if I could pray for her and she was taken aback saying “How do you pray?” I was able to share with her how relational and loving Jesus is and how prayer isn’t just reciting other people’s words but rather a conversation with our creator! Her excitement at this news filled my heart with such joy! God is so at work in this city!!
“You are the light of the world.”
{Matt. 5:14}
“Vous êtes la lumière du monde. Une ville située sur une montagne ne peut être cachée.”
Would you join me in praying for this city? That the people of Montreal would return to their first love. That revival would come to this city and the empty churches would once again be filled with people worshipping their Creator. That the love of Jesus would overcome any past hurt the Quebecois have experienced from the church and that God would call more people to spread His love to this province!
Because Jesus changes everything,
Melinda
