Update from our Refugee Ecclesias

From baptisms to new meeting places, refugee ecclesias across North America are growing in faith and hope.

As our refugee brothers and sisters continue to settle across North America, we give thanks for the resilience, faith, and fellowship evident in each emerging ecclesial community. The following updates from Montreal, Green Bay, and Des Moines highlight their progress, ongoing needs, and the many ways God is strengthening these families as they establish new lives and worship together in their new homes. May these reports inspire our prayers and support for the important work being undertaken in each region.

Montreal and Quebec City, Quebec

The Montreal and Quebec City brothers and sisters continue to make steady progress in faith and fellowship. On June 8, 2025, the ecclesia rejoiced in the baptism of Sis. Justine Kassanga, held at the home of Bro. Dan and Sis. Maribel Archibald, with several visiting brethren in attendance. Throughout the year, the ecclesia has been blessed with visiting speakers, including Bre. Ken Easson (Toronto East) in August, Devan (Texas) in mid-October, and John Perks (Ottawa) later that month—each providing uplifting words of exhortation and encouragement.

A family newly relocated to Saint-Jérôme has added a fresh opportunity for outreach. The wife is baptized, and her husband is beginning baptismal instruction. Recognizing the transportation challenges faced by several families in Saint-Jérôme and Joliette, the brethren are considering holding memorial services in that area every six to eight weeks, using a meeting room at a local Super 8 Hotel as a potential venue. Support from CBMA is being explored to help with this initiative.

The ecclesia continues to meet weekly at Le Centre du Sablon, where fellowship remains strong and steadfast despite the distances involved. The brothers and sisters extend their thanks for continued prayers and support as they work to strengthen ties throughout Quebec.

Green Bay, Wisconsin

The Green Bay brothers and sisters remain deeply committed to establishing a local ecclesia and continuing the Lord’s work in their community. Despite earlier encouragement to consider relocating to Des Moines, they are confident that it is God’s will for them to remain in Green Bay, where several families and interested friends continue to meet together and preach the truth.

During a visit last month by Bro. Tony and Sis. Amy Ball and Bro. Benoit Mukendi, a suitable location for Sunday memorial services was found—the “Canterbury” room at the Comfort Inn & Suites, which perfectly meets the group’s needs. The brothers and sisters were able to tour and use the room for their first memorial service there, a wonderful answer to prayer.

In addition to the fellowship, the visit included providing winter clothing and Sunday School materials for the children, which were much appreciated.

Looking forward, the ecclesia hopes to hold a joint Swahili Study Day with the Des Moines ecclesia in 2026 to strengthen connections between the groups.

Des Moines, Iowa

The Des Moines ecclesia continues to move forward with plans to establish a more permanent meeting place. During another visit last month by Bro. Tony and Sis. Amy Ball, and Bro. Benoit and Sis. Leah Mukendi, possible venues for the memorial service were narrowed down to two locations, both meeting rooms in nearby hotels. The ecclesia is excited to meet in a larger space, as they have outgrown their ability to meet in homes.

Sis. Justine Kassanga, whose baptism in Montreal is referenced above, recently married Bro. Victor Kiza of the Des Moines ecclesia and the young couple now enjoy married life in Des Moines.

The ecclesia remains active and spiritually healthy, though attendance was lighter during this visit due to several family wedding celebrations. One of the weddings involved a young woman in the ecclesia, who recently moved to Ohio. Efforts are underway to help her and her husband connect with the Paris Avenue Ecclesia.

Eric Hawthorne,
CBMA Link for Refugees
and
Mark Carr,
CBMC Link for Refugees