Equipping Christians. Engaging Officials. Educating the Public.
You don't have to be religious to know that when governments violate the Charter rights of some Canadians, they can violate the rights of all Canadians. They may target the rights of Christians to practice their faith today and in doing so, establish a precedent to violate the rights of other Canadians, tomorrow.
Unfortunately, a disturbing trend has emerged in Canada's laws and political decisions. Canadian governments are forcing us to compromise our conscience or change our beliefs. This includes federal bans on Christian counseling, discrimination against Christian medical staff for being pro-life and internet censorship. This is also happening at the local level. For example, the provincial government in Quebec is currently seeking to ban religious expression, including public prayer of any religious group. These bans clearly violate our Charter rights.
The Cornerstone Institute equips the Canadian church to thrive in this age of persecution. We're distinct from other groups protecting religious freedoms because our strategies reflect the reality that persecution is already here. Whether it's bans on prayer, online censorship or the firing of Christians for their faith, the persecution is escalating. Without decisive action they will threaten our ability to live out our faith openly.
Because our opposition has become so entrenched in Canadian culture, the Institute will address root causes. Engaging political leaders is part of our mission, but our aim is to first work with believers to give them the tools and tactics to stand firm on our faith and participate in the conversation. This is what the church has always done in such times: when we know what we believe is still Good News, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can stand strong.
The first century church survived (and thrived in) persecution because they were fresh witnesses of His power, His resurrection and the incomparable love He modeled. Canadian Christians need to be grounded in these very same truths.
The Cornerstone Institute of Canada will empower Christians to respond publicly and confidently to issues like abortion, LGBTQ issues, euthanasia, and biblical reliability. We will start by creating a Christian civics course that explains a Christian theology for engaging the political world.
Unlike other persecuted groups, Christians don't just speak for our self-interest but see civic engagement as an act of service for others. As our capacity expands, we will provide tools and resources to help Christians shape the public conversation. This will include a one-stop app that offers answers to the difficult questions that challenge Christians.
The inclusion of Christian voices in the public conversation is increasingly rare. This has a trickledown effect in living room and watercooler conversations where Christians are being left out of conversations.
Our approach merges top-down and bottom-up education by being a voice and empowering a voice for Christians in the media, prioritizing outreach to reporters and social media influencers. The most powerful tool, however, is what Christians used in Roman times: everyday conversations.
We will focus on conversation training at local churches, understanding that we can't expect believers to talk to their political leaders if we don't know how to talk to our neighbours and friends. One key focus will be on the next generation. We need to instill confidence in young Christians to enter politics or law through youth events, social media and conversation training just for them.
The Cornerstone Institute of Canada will coordinate with elected officials who share our values by giving them communications tools to help persuade the public of our views. We will connect local persecuted Christians to political leaders to enhance their effectiveness as they defend religious freedoms in the marketplace of ideas.
We'll also engage the political fence-sitter, politicians and cabinet members, by demonstrating how a biblical worldview is foundational to Canadian flourishing. Many of the laws targeting churches exist simply because political elites in our country have never met thoughtful Christians who are able to engage them as winsome ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
If this vision resonates with you, become a partner of the Institute! Only God can heal a broken world, and we need a faithful team to consistently pray for us, remembering that Jesus warned certain things can only be removed through faithful prayer (Mark 9:29). God empowers us, His image-bearers, to advance His kingdom, even in the face of persecution.
To launch this vision, we are asking for monthly financial partners who can give regularly, even $20 a month. Partners get special access to resources and events. We are looking to raise $200,000 for our 2026 launch. If you personally registered for the Summit, you will be given a chance to register with the Institute.
The loss of Canadian's religious freedoms didn't happen overnight. Through changes in our culture, the significance of religious freedom has waned in the Canadian mind. Many are hostile towards believers who bring their values to the public arena. Because of this, we know it will take a persistent remnant to help the church thrive in this moment of history.
The good news is that the church has a legacy of thriving despite persecution. But what we learn from history is that persecution itself doesn't grow the church. It's what we choose to do despite the persecution that is a powerful witness God uses to grow the church. And what we choose to do now to prepare for persecution is what will safeguard the Canadian church for the next generation.
The Cornerstone Institute is a registered charity.
Have questions or want to learn more? Get in touch with us.