Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how did you become passionate about missions?

• My wife and I were interested in missions since our early days. We have always been involved with missions and been supporters of missions.
• When we moved to Toronto I became involved in starting up MissionFest Toronto. I’ve always been committed to missions.
• One day I saw the Perspectives flyer in the church and decided it was something that interested me. I took the course in 2007 and it rocked my worldview.  I started out as a student of Perspectives and have now become a leader of Perspectives.

Can you tell us a little bit about the Perspectives course?

• Perspectives started in 1973 due to Urbana. Many of those who had attended that year were looking for a training course on world mission. There wasn’t much and so Ralph Winters felt inspired to create a world missions course.  It has grown significantly since then.
• Perspectives came to Canada in the early 1990s to Ontario and BC. The course is now offered in four provinces.
• The course has several different formats. It can be done one night a week for 14-15 weeks. It can be done in a 3 weekend intensive or a 1 week intensive as well.  There is also an online option available as well.

What are the topics covered in the Perspectives course?

• The course presents four perspectives:
  • Biblical – what does the Bible say about missions?
  • Historical – shows how God has been a missionary God from the beginning
  • Cultural – how do you share the gospel cross culturally?
  • Strategic – after everything you’ve learned, what are you going to do?
• There are also many different presenters and so we get each of their perspective on the topic as well.
• Of course, each student brings their own perspective to the course as well

The purpose of Perspectives is to help mobilize the Canadian church.  What has the impact of the course been in Canada so far?

• There have been more than 4,000 students so far
• 80-90% say that they have a better understanding of missions and God being a missionary God
• More than 80% have started giving more to missions and supporting missionaries
• 30% have gotten involved in STMs and in mission committees
• The course is meant to make you missional where you are – taking the course isn’t going to make you become a missionary.
• We all need to be missional and find the role that God wants to us to play in the Great Commission.

What does it look like for a church to host a Perspectives class?

• We look for a partnership with a church that can offer a facility and who are looking to have their congregation impacted and see the value in the course.
• The church should also be able to offer a coordinator who will give oversight to the class and someone else who can build up a task team – a group of volunteers who will help make the course happen.
• We usually start planning a course 9-12 months in advance.

Are there strategic places that you’re looking at to offer the course?

• We’d like to see more classes in the Maritimes and in Montreal
• We’d also like to see the course offered in French.
• The course is offered in both Mandarin and Cantonese – the first Cantonese course was offered in Canada!

If a church wanted to learn more about Perspectives, what steps should they take?

• Visit our website – perspectivescanada.org
• Send an inquiry to Wayne Matthews
• We encourage the church leaders to meet with Wayne or another one of his coordinators to explore the fit

Are there different levels of study for Perspectives?

• 10-12 Bible schools in Canada give credit for the Perspectives course both at an undergraduate and a graduate level
• Certificate level is the most common – it requires 5-7 hours a week of homework
• The course can also be audited – this options requires a couple hours of reading a week

What is the cost of the course?

• The course costs $390 including books – you can get $100 off if you sign up three weeks early
• Church discounts are offered as well
• Family discounts are available too!

Are there any stories that you can share with us about the impact of this course?

• One church sent their whole missions committee and board of elders to the course and it greatly impacted them. This church ended up sending their associate pastor to India as a church planter.
• Many students come feeling guilty that they aren’t missionaries. They end up leaving the class feeling affirmed in their call to ministry where they are.  One woman was involved in a prison ministry and she left the course feeling very affirmed in her role in this ministry.

Why should someone take this course?

• This course will profoundly impact you and raise your awareness that we have a missionary God. He loves us so much that he wants us involved in his kingdom building.
• It’s the best course for discerning your role in God’s plan for the world.

Contact Wayne: perspectivescanada@gmail.com