\u201cToday we\u2019re in a very different place and today is a day of opportunity,\u201d\u009d Bishop MacDonald told First Nations, Metis and Inuit Anglicans gathered at the 6th Indigenous Sacred Circle here.<\/p>\n
While some might predict the collapse of the church in indigenous communities across Canada, said Bishop MacDonald, \u201cI would like to predict that we\u2019re going to see great things happen.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
History has shown that the greatest revival of the church in other parts of the world took place when missionaries left and native congregations took up the responsibilities of being church, Bishop MacDonald said in his keynote speech. He noted that American and European missionaries predicted the \u201ctotal collapse\u201d\u009d of churches in Asia and Africa when they left in the 70s due to lack of funds. What took place instead, he said, was \u201cthe greatest revival and greatest turning to Christ in any period since the time of the apostles.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n