CALLING LAKE 2022 (AGM 2023)

I would like to give you an update on what has been going on up in Calling Lake. We are continuing to find new ways of serving the community and forming meaningful relationships while spreading the gospel.

I may live in Edmonton but my heart is in Calling Lake. I have found many ways with which to serve, even when it comes to bringing those without vehicles or financial means to and from Calling Lake over the past year. Picking up prescriptions, driving people to rehab, or too and from Edmonton are just a few of the ways we are able to serve when it comes to outreach ministry.

The continued support from the Athabasca Food Bank has been instrumental and a less intrusive way of spreading the gospel, which means that by meeting the physical need it has now opened a pathway to meet spiritual needs.

The ministry that we are doing up in Calling Lake has also caught the attention of those on Bigstone counsel, and they are wanting to continue a partnership with us, which hopefully might be a way of generating some extra revenue as well, for the church.

Through the health and wellness department at Bigstone they are also wanting to send up a counsellor that could possibly rent space on our side of the building one night a week, which would not interfere with our ministry plans and could become another way of supporting the community by offering addiction counselling. (praise)

There have been recent converts made and I ask for continued prayer for those that are searching. A few that come to mind are Kyle, Gwen, and my friend Tracey and her girls, with many more that are taking notice because of our continued efforts. There really have been impacts made in the community and this is just to name a few.

We have been working tirelessly with bible studies and services every week as well as with other outreach opportunities such as weddings and funerals. Many of you may of heard me talk about Kyle, now and then and I feel he is the benchmark when it comes to servitude in the community of Calling Lake.

He is currently in a rehabilitation facility, and is doing better than he has done in over 15 years he said. (Praise God)

The prayers from the Athabasca church have been much appreciated and I don’t believe things would be moving as fast as they are, without your constant prayers, as well as your perseverance to answer the difficult call that God has placed on this church.

There are so many up there that we can now see God working in their lives, even though, maybe they are tip-toeing around the outside. It really is just a matter of time. (For a real revival)

We have a base of about 20-25 people that join us each week for service and with about 8-10 for our weekly bible study group. About 5-6 of the Calling Lake congregation have now started a weekly prayer group for Calling Lake and is really quite astounding considering we are still in our infancy.

The hunger and growth have been great among the people mostly because we are getting down to brass tacks or basics when it comes to the gospel. We are showing Christ through serving and by our fruits they will know we are Christians.

Here are a couple of ways and the direction that I feel God is leading when it comes to outreach. One is that we are going to try and open some financial opportunities with other churches for ongoing support. Two we will also be looking at more of an involvement with the youth of Calling Lake. Timing is essential when it comes to ministry and I feel that the timing is now for the youth. We are trusting that God will continue to provide for the completion of our beautiful building and the provision as well for the youth leader. There are also grants and other financial means that we will be looking into as a leadership team. Trusting that God will find a way.

The patience and love that we are showing the community is sometimes overlooked and can be hard to receive for some, because of past hurts with the church. The gentleness and the tolerance and lastly the grace that has been bestowed upon us, we now give to them.

The way in which we are going to heal my people and this community is through Love, Faith and Hope - the love most were never shown, the faith that will move mountains, and by restoring hope back into their community the healing has now begun to take shape. Thank you all for your continued support.

We live because He lives.

We move when He says move.

We love them because He first Loved us.

Blessings to you my friends.