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A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #487)
Tommy Francis: A Vision for
Native Churches
 Thomas (Tommy) Francis, a member of the Kahkewistahaw First Nation,
was born at Broadview (SK). He attended residential school at Round Lake
(SK) and then joined the Canadian Air Force. Upon returning home from WW
II duties, he became a conservation officer. It was at Cumberland House
(SK) that he met his wife Helen.
While working at La Loche (SK), Tommy and Helen were saved as the
result of the ministry of NCEM missionaries, Art and Dorothy Wellwood.
Sensing God's call to full-time Christian service, they attended
Mokahum Bible Institute in Cass Lake, Minnesota.
Tommy and Helen served with NCEM from 1956 to 1967, most of those
years in itinerant evangelism and field administration based at The Pas
(MB) and at Prince Albert (SK).
Though Tommy's evangelistic ministry saw unprecedented numbers of
Native northerners make decisions for Christ, he would become better
known for his role in founding and leading the Native Evangelical
Fellowship of Canada. Tommy taught and promoted the idea of the
indigenous church and carried the vision for a national association of
Native churches, officially organized in 1970 and now based in Calgary,
Alberta.
Tommy served full-time in the administration of NEFC until his
retirement in the early 1980s, and then continued preaching. He also
taught Cree language classes and, with Helen, served as an Elder Advisor
for his Band. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Briercrest
Schools.
Tommy passed away on January 31 at age 79. He is survived by Helen,
his wife of 53 years, their four children and their families.
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