Seeing Lives Changed

Winnipeg, MB – Amie and I are so grateful for the ways you support us in this work, including your prayers and financial support! This makes it possible for me to continue leading and supporting the Community Discipleship team as they mentor youth as well as for me to personally walk with so many men on their journeys of healing, growing and going deeper as disciples of Jesus.

In March, for the third year in a row, our Youth Discipleship group was able to send a team of youth to the SOAR Heartland youth mission conference in Winnipeg. We are thankful for the funds you helped us raise to send six youth, along with leaders, Jenny and John. As the weekend progressed, these youth grew close, becoming a unified team that carried each other through hard things, was gracious, respectful, and playful. John and Jenny saw them coming out of their shells, becoming friends, boldly praying for each other, expressing freedom in worship, learning new things about their faith and themselves. And having snowball fights! Once again, the outreach day was spent connecting with our friends at the KeKiNan Centre Indigenous elders’ residence. Please continue to pray for the youth who were at SOAR, along with the others in the Youth Discipleship group.

Men’s Bible studies have been going well, and it is beautiful to see men paying close attention to what Scripture is saying and seeing the connections to their own lives. Please pray that God will help the men who want to be there to overcome the obstacles, stresses and distractions that often get in the way of regular involvement. Also pray for Terry and me as we lead.

This spring and summer we are looking forward to some outings and retreats with the youth and men who are part of these groups. Terry and I are looking forward to taking our group on a spiritual retreat in nature at the end of May. Please pray that these would be refreshing and impactful times.

I continue to have many meaningful one-on-one connections with men who are seeking spiritual growth and healing. It has been encouraging meeting with one of the Step Up coaches who was baptized last year and wants to build a stronger foundation for his faith. God has led several men to seek support in inner healing and overcoming destructive patterns. A few of these men have started working through the Genesis Process with me. Please pray for the work of the Holy Spirit deep in the hearts and minds of these disciples.

New Beginnings - Please pray for these friends as they embark on new opportunities and face new challenges:

• Two of the men I’ve been mentoring have recently been hired as trainees at Step Up Construction.

• A man I’ve been supporting has faced obstacles to independent living, but this spring, for the first time was able to move out of his family’s house and into his own apartment.

A few weeks ago, a friend of ours was released from prison into an addictions recovery program in Winnipeg. He used incarceration as an opportunity to focus on recovery and healing. As I spent time with him last week I was amazed to see how much healthier he is in his body and his mind. I am so encouraged to see how he’s seeking to move forward in his life as a father and as a man who serves his community.

Inner City Youth Alive / Community Discipleship

Home church: Altona EMMC, Manitoba

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This article was originally published

in The Recorder Vol 62, No. 3