THE SOMERS MINISTRY
WELCOME
Welcome to the Somers family ministry page! We're so thankful you've taken the time to visit. Whether you're here to learn more about our ministry, pray for us, or partner with us in what God is doing, we're grateful for your support and encouragement.
Our journey to this point began more than 30 years ago. In the spring of 1995, a missionary with Word of Life Canada invited Chris to join a short-term missions team serving throughout the Maritimes and Quebec. That invitation became the starting point of a lifelong calling to ministry.
Since then, God has faithfully led us through many seasons and adventures. Together, Chris and Shelley have served in camp ministry, attended Bible college, participated in mission trips to more than 30 countries, and invested in local church ministry through worship, youth, children's ministry, discipleship, leadership, and pastoral care. Along the way, we have had the privilege of seeing lives transformed by the hope of the gospel and have continually witnessed God's faithfulness in every season.
Now, in 2026, God is opening a new chapter in our story. After much prayer and seeking the Lord's direction, we are humbled and excited to return to where this journey first began—Word of Life Canada. Chris has accepted the opportunity to serve as Ontario Regional Director, based out of the Owen Sound office, where he will have the privilege of encouraging churches, developing ministry partnerships, and helping reach the next generation with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
As you explore this site, you'll find updates on our ministry, opportunities to pray with us, and ways you can partner with us in this calling. Thank you for being part of our journey. We are excited to see what God has in store in the years ahead, and we're grateful to have you walking alongside us.
We believe the next great movement of God in Canada will not happen by accident.
It will happen as ordinary Christians faithfully invest in children, teenagers, and young adults with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. That's why Word of Life Canada exists. And that's why we have answered God's call to serve.
WHY CANADA?
Canada is changing rapidly. While Christianity no longer occupies the place it once did in our culture, today's generation is not as closed to the gospel as many assume. In fact, recent research shows that young Canadians are asking spiritual questions, searching for purpose, and looking for authentic community. We believe there has never been a more strategic time to invest in reaching the next generation with the hope of Jesus Christ.
10 Reasons the Next Generation Matters
1. More than one-third of Canadians now claim no religion.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 34.6% of Canadians report having no religious affiliation, more than double the percentage from twenty years earlier.
2. Nearly half of Canadian teens have unanswered questions about faith.
Barna's Canadian Open Generation study found that 53% of Canadian teenagers have unanswered questions about faith, showing that many are still searching for truth.
3. Almost half of unchurched teens are curious about God.
Perhaps most surprising, 49% of Canadian teens who don't attend church say they are curious about God. The opportunity for meaningful conversations is enormous.
4. Teens still have a positive view of Jesus.
Nearly half of Canadian teenagers describe Jesus as loving, and many associate Him with compassion, forgiveness, and hope—even if they don't yet know Him personally.
5. Many identify as Christian—but few understand the Gospel.
While 47% of Canadian teens identify as Christian, only 33% believe Jesus rose from the dead, and just 21% believe He is active in the world today. There is a tremendous need for biblical discipleship.
6. Today's generation is facing unprecedented pressure.
Canadian youth report increasing struggles with anxiety, loneliness, identity, and uncertainty about the future. Many are searching for meaning in a culture that offers few lasting answers.
7. Youth leaders say busyness is the biggest obstacle.
Across Canada, 86% of youth ministry leaders identify over-scheduled lives and competing priorities as their greatest challenge in discipling students.
8. Young adults are showing renewed interest in church.
In an encouraging and unexpected trend, Barna reports a historic reversal: Gen Z and Millennials are now attending church more regularly than older generations did, signaling fresh openness to the gospel.
9. Young Canadians care deeply about justice and purpose.
Today's generation is passionate about issues like mental health, poverty, and caring for others. The gospel provides not only answers but also purpose and a mission worth living for.
10. The next generation will shape Canada's future.
The students being reached today will become tomorrow's parents, pastors, teachers, business leaders, first responders, missionaries, and government leaders. Investing in one young life today has the potential to impact generations to come.
PRAY WITH US
We believe that every effective ministry begins with prayer. As we step into this new season of serving with Word of Life Canada, we recognize our complete dependence upon the Lord for His wisdom, provision, strength, and direction. We would be honoured to have you join us in praying for our family and ministry.
Our Current Prayer Requests
A Grace-Filled Transition
Please pray for us as we transition from the ministries and relationships in which God has allowed us to serve over the past several years. We are deeply thankful for our church family, ministry teams, young people, and community. Pray that we would finish this season faithfully, transition our responsibilities wisely, and encourage those who will continue the work.
Relocating Our Family
Please pray for our family as we prepare to relocate to the Owen Sound area. Moving brings many practical decisions and emotional adjustments, particularly for our children. Pray that God would clearly direct each step, provide the right home, help us establish meaningful relationships, and give our entire family peace and unity throughout the transition.
Prayer Partners
We are asking God to raise up individuals, families, and churches who will commit to praying regularly for our family and ministry. Pray that the Lord would surround us with a faithful team of prayer partners who will stand with us as we serve churches, leaders, children, teenagers, and families throughout Ontario.
Financial Support Partners
Our ministry with Word of Life Canada is made possible through the faithful financial partnership of individuals and churches who believe in reaching the next generation with the gospel. Please pray that God would provide the monthly and one-time financial support required for us to begin and sustain this ministry. Pray also that He would connect us with partners who share our burden for young people and desire to invest in gospel ministry across Ontario.
Will You Pray With Us?
We know that we cannot accomplish this calling in our own strength. We need the Lord, and we need the prayers of His people. Whether you are able to pray for us regularly, receive our ministry updates, or gather others to pray with you, your partnership is deeply valued.
Thank you for standing with our family as we follow the Lord into this next chapter and seek to reach the next generation with the hope of Jesus Christ.
GIVE
From the very beginning, God has chosen to accomplish His work through the faithful generosity of His people. Just as the Apostle Paul partnered with churches and individuals who shared in his ministry, Word of Life Canada continues to be sustained by those who invest prayerfully and financially in the work of the gospel.
As missionaries with Word of Life Canada, our family serves through a faith-supported model of ministry. Rather than receiving funding from a central budget, we are responsible for raising the financial support needed to serve full-time. Every gift—large or small—helps make it possible for us to invest in churches, disciple young people, equip leaders, and share the hope of Jesus Christ with the next generation across Ontario.
Become a Ministry Partner
Our prayer is that God would raise up a team of faithful monthly partners who believe in the mission of reaching children, teenagers, and young adults with the gospel. Monthly giving provides a stable foundation that allows us to focus on ministry while knowing that our financial needs are being met through God's provision.
Whether God leads you to give $25, $50, $100, $250, or another amount each month, every gift becomes part of a much greater story of lives being changed for eternity. If monthly giving isn't possible, one-time gifts are also a tremendous blessing and help us meet start-up and ministry expenses.
Our Support Progress
The graphic below shows where we currently stand in raising the monthly support needed to begin and sustain this ministry. We praise God for each person, family, and church who has already partnered with us, and we trust Him to faithfully provide the remaining support in His perfect timing.
Thank you for considering partnering with us. We don't see financial support as simply meeting a budget—we see it as joining together in the work that God is doing. Your generosity allows us to go, minister, and invest in the next generation while knowing we are supported by a team of faithful partners who share in this calling.
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19