Americans, U.S. in Canada

Introduction / History

The American people group is the second largest worldwide and therefore diverse in its ethnic expressions. Only the Han Chinese, Mandarin in China is larger. Understanding the modern American people group starts with knowing how its unique melding of nationalities, ethnicities and races made it what it is today.

Rising from the original thirteen British colonies, the United States (US) declared independence from Great Britain in 1776. By 1776, people of English, Irish or Scottish descent mostly inhabited the colonies. After the American Revolution, those who wanted to remain under British rule moved north to Canada. There was another wave of Americans moving to Canada during the 1960s to escape the military draft.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Americans often live in Canada because of a work assignment, they are students or retirees.

Americans have a more individualistic than group mentality. Typically, individual achievement is valued over brining honor to one's family. Most American couples live together before they are married and more than half of children are born to parents who are not married. Such lifestyles are not acceptable in rural Canada, but in urban centers, it’s easy to hide what one is doing.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Secularism has affected American thought. A high percentage of Americans in Canada are either secularized or they do not allow biblical teachings to affect their lives. This kind of thinking is common throughout Europe as well.

Traditionally Christianity influenced most aspects of American values, morals, laws and customs. Though Christianity has undergirded American life for most of its history, economic and political ideology has a great influence on American forms of Christianity. Political ideologies, especially Christian nationalism, compromise adherence to foundational biblical principles. Often political ideology is held higher than the actual beliefs and practices of the religion itself.

American's value of individualism extends to religion in that individuals are encouraged to choose their religion over simply accepting their family's beliefs.

What Are Their Needs?

Though Christianity is the majority religion of the American people group, one great need is for the American people to be re-evangelized with the gospel.

Prayer Points

Pray for a revival to stir American Christians in Canada to deepen their faith in Christ so they can be Christ’s hands and feet in Canada, especially among the Muslims.
Pray for a revival of biblical Christianity that will trump secularism and political ideology.
Pray for Americans to disciple others in Canada.

Text Source:   Joshua Project