About Us - Love New Canadians

Love New Canadians is a ministry that equips local churches to serve new Canadians in their neighbourhoods and to be intentionally welcoming for immigrants, refugees and international students. We equip local churches to understand the immigrants in their neighbourhoods, create settlement programming to help new Canadians adapt well here in Canada, and then help those immigrants connect with mature believers in our churches who will show them the love of Christ. We equip local churches to begin a Bridges class that provides a gentle and non-threatening introduction to the life and teaching of Jesus.

Founders Rick and Patti Love

Rick and Patti have been involved in cross-cultural ministry since 1994. They served with the C&MA mission in the Philippines from 1994-2005. In 2006 Patti began her role as Pastor of Intercultural Ministries at Foothills Alliance Church in Calgary. Rick has been assisting Patti in this ministry since its inception. Rick’s education includes a Master of Divinity degree with a focus on cross cultural ministries and a PhD in biblical studies. Patti has a Masters degree with a focus on cross cultural studies as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching English Language and Literature. Patti has been certified with ATESL (Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language) since 2006. Together Rick and Patti share a passion to find ways to help immigrants become friends with those in our churches and through this to learn about the joy found in following our Lord Jesus Christ. Immigrants who have been assisted through our ministry come from all over the world including South East Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America.

Jacob Birch

Jacob became a Christian in a youth group in the 90s. He’s married to his high school sweetheart Heather. They have 4 young adult children in various stages of living in or out of their home. Jake and Heather began their married life together in Scarborough and have spent 28+ years in local church and denominational ministry together, 25 of them in The Alliance Canada. They live in Holland Landing, Ontario and are excited about seeing Greater Toronto Area churches embrace Love New Canadians.

Rhonda Wilson

Rhonda was born in Kamloops, British Columbia. She went to Canadian Bible College in Regina, Saskatchewan and worked at Deer Park Alliance Church in Red Deer, Alberta. Rhonda has spent the majority of her career as an international worker with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in the Philippines and Thailand. She has spent over 20 years teaching and studying languages, development and peace. She has a Masters of Intercultural Studies and is ordained by The Alliance Canada.

Erich Wong

Rev. Erich Wong was born and raised in Suriname, Caribbeans. During his university years he moved to the Netherlands, and there he discovered God’s call for him to serve in ministry. Over the years God led him to serve in different ministry capacities in several countries. Erich comes from a multi-cultural background, and also has a special interest in learning languages so he can share the message of Jesus more globally. He spent 7 years on the pastoral staff at Westside Chinese Alliance Church and currently serves as the Intercultural Ministries Associate Pastor at Foothills Alliance Church, also in Calgary.

Jakob Koch

Jakob was born in Hamilton, Ontario and has resided in Canada for most of his life. He and his wife Lorie have been blessed with 3 children and 4 grandchildren. His 40+ year career in Christian ministry has been predominately cross-cultural, including several years as a missionary in Cameroon, West Africa. He also provided leadership as the Executive Director to the Liebenzell Mission of Canada, particularly in preparing and supporting new missionaries entering service worldwide. Jakob has served with The People’s Church in Toronto and West Highland Church in Hamilton, Ontario. He is currently the Vice President of the International Student Ministries Canada. Rev. Jakob Koch is a graduate of McMaster University, did part of his training at Ontario Theological Seminary Toronto (now Tyndale) and graduated from the Edmonton Baptist Seminary (now Taylor Seminary).

Bethany Love Ulriksen

Bethany has volunteered with intercultural ministries for over a decade and has worked in communications with Love New Canadians since 2020. She has a background both in ministry and in the settlement sector, having taught English language, worked as a youth pastor for immigrant and second generation kids, and as a career counsellor for immigrant women.

Further Information