Happy summer days, HMI Pacific teammates!

What a summer day! As I type this update, beautiful sunshine is streaming through the window into my office, and I’m having a bit of difficulty concentrating…. So if my thoughts wander off and make little sense, blame the Okanagan summer.

This time of year sees a bit of a different vibe in chaplaincy ministry. Ministry among hockey chaplains is always happening, but the ice in most arenas is out and the players have long gone home. These months are a time to search for new teams who don’t have a chapel program yet and for new chaplains. It appears that we will begin some new chapel programs this fall: in Richmond, White Rock, Williams Lake and in Quesnel. I believe that I have found chaplains in 3 of these 4 places, and I would ask you to please pray more new teams would have a chaplain. (There are also a few more possibilities yet to come.) I recently returned from the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s AGM in Nelson, BC, where I was given a 10 minute presentation to all owners and head coaches. I feel that my presentation on chapel programs went quite well, and I am hoping for a few more teams to inquire about having their own chapel program.

This is also the time of year when I officiate summer hockey weddings. I’m including a few pictures of weddings that I have officiated since the season wrapped up and I ask you to pray as more weddings are scheduled in the upcoming months. These occasions are wonderful open doors; opportunities to share the love of Christ.

In the last month, I was pleased to connect with the new chaplain of the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Andrew Lacey. Andrew was referred to me by the outgoing Capitals chaplain, Kevin VanderVeen, who served well and was an excellent chaplain. (Kevin recently moved to Alberta.) It will be good to get to know Andrew; I am glad that he is on the HMI chaplains team here in BC.

A similar story has taken place in Alberni Valley, where Rob Penny has taken the chaplaincy reins. I want to thank Dave Knudsen who has served the Bulldogs in Port Alberni for a number of years.

During these warm weather months, I venture out into a few secondary areas of chaplaincy. I serve as the chaplain for the Kelowna Falcons baseball team and also the Okanagan Sun football club. By the time late August rolls around, I am ready to get back into the rink and start up with the hockey teams that I serve.

I ask you to pray for our Hockey Ministries camp at Shawnigan Lake, scheduled for July 21 – 26. I’m believing that this camp will be a very special week, and we need your prayers for campers and staff alike. This year, our camper registration is a bit larger than other years, and we are thankful for that. I pray that during the camp, many young campers will commit their hearts to Christ

Oh… one more thing…. I am significantly down on monthly financial support in the last year. If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining the HMI Pacific team, please let me know and I will connect with them. You can always call my cell at 250 808 5653. Thank you for your help with this.

May the Lord bless you all this summer!
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points:
-Shawnigan Lake Camp
-summer hockey weddings
-new chapel programs in Richmond and White Rock
-for a few new chaplains
-for new supporters to join

Spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for an reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.

Hello to the HMI Pacific team!

As we close out April and head into May, the weather gets warmer and so does the temperature of playoff hockey. I am so blessed to be able to be a part of the junior hockey scene, as young men put everything that they have into having success on the ice. My work is to support them and to help them have equal success in life when they are away from the arena. A huge part of that is to build upon the foundation that is found in Christ.

Let me share a few things that have gone on in the last few months.

April began with a bang as we hosted the 14th Annual West Kelowna Warriors Faith Night at one of their home games. A record Faith Night crowd was on hand to enjoy a great evening of celebrating the Warriors chapel program, the Christian faith community and local churches. One of the staples of Faith Night is Pastor’s boot hockey which is a big hit with the crowd. (Of course, throwing chocolate bars into the stands at the intermission doesn’t hurt either…!) I have included a few shots of this year’s Faith Night.

In March, I was asked to attend the Kelowna Chiefs spring camp in Rutland. It was good to say a few words to prospective players and their parents about the Chiefs chapel program and what they can expect. It is a tremendous honour to be a part of a secular culture that will give time to something like a HMI chapel program.

Towards the end of March, I was involved in the season ending Warriors awards ceremony. It was great to present the Chapel Program Award at centre ice after the final game of the regular season. A few days later I held an ‘in-between’ chapel… in between the regular season and the first playoff round. I have included a chapel picture, but obviously my hand moved because it is a bit blurry!! (I still wanted you to see my chapel boys…. these chapel times are the very best.)

I have met a number of great people over the past little while. I was at a game one evening, I received a text from old friend and HMI camp veteran Corwin Smid that he was at the game too! So we connected during an intermission and shared a wonderful moment. Corwin is the greatest guy and it was good to see him. I have also had the privilege of connecting at times with some former NHL players.

Two of them here are Cory Cross (Tampa Bay, Toronto, Edmonton) and Dean McAmmond (Edmonton, Chicago, Ottawa).
Thank you for your faithful support, your prayers and encouragement. I am so very grateful for you all.

Still flyin’ down the ice,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for an reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.

Happy March days everyone!

While most folk are glad to see longer daylight and springtime warmer temps, in the hockey world this time of year means one thing – playoff time is close! The performance pressures around the rink increase as do the opportunities for chaplains to speak with their players. I am honoured to be with players when they are going through stressful times like this.

One morning after breakfast, I decided to text a few players to see if some might meet me for a coffee, a chat and a prayer at Tim Horton’s. I had no idea if anyone would show up, and when I drove up, no one was there. (I was a bit disappointed…) A few minutes after I sat down with my coffee, a couple players came in and sat down with me. Over the next five minutes or so, eight young men were sitting around a long table with me. I was able to chat with them all and finish off our coffee with a prayer, right in the middle of Tim Horton’s!! I now refer to that coffee meeting as the ‘8 man J&J’!

I recently was pleased to accompany the West Kelowna Warriors on their Vancouver Island road trip to Nanaimo and Port Alberni. I appreciate the coaches of the team for allowing me to hop on the bus and be a part of the trip. Let me share a few highlights from that road trip. On Saturday morning after breakfast I let everyone know that I will have a voluntary team chapel in my hotel room. (Chapels are always voluntary.) I went to my room and waited… and all 23 Warriors players filed through the door and absolutely packed my room! It was wall to wall players at chapel that day, my room was packed!

While I was in Nanaimo I met with the Nanaimo Clippers chaplain Peter Bird. What a wonderful young man he is! Peter is just starting chapels with the Clippers, and I’d appreciate it if you could remember him in your prayers. I also met with my good friend Trevor Kempner while I was in Nanaimo. Trevor is a sports nut and has a great love for the Lord. We had a great time chatting. The next evening in Port Alberni, I was able to meet with Dave Knudsen, who serves as chaplain for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Dave is a busy man, but still makes time for chaplaincy. Please remember Dave in your prayers as well.

 

Shortly after I got back home, I hopped on the bus with the Kelowna Chiefs hockey club and went on a short road trip to Osoyoos with them. Again, the coaches made me feel like a part of the team for which I am so thankful. As soon as we arrived back in Kelowna. the owner of the team said,’Donnie, we have team pictures tomorrow at 1 o’clock. I’d like you to be here”. So I was there…… On picture day, my life long pal Tom Linge from Victoria came to the arena with me. God bless you Tommy, you are a true beauty.

 

Recently I gave out 32 Hockey Ministries New Testaments at my last few chapels with the Kelowna Chiefs and the West Kelowna Warriors. I am so glad when these players make the choice to receive a Bible, because it is entirely optional. I pray for the guys that took these New Testaments, that they would be drawn toward Christ.

Finally, I look forward to the Warriors 14th Annual Faith Night on March 1. On that game night, we pack the arena with Christian people from many churches, and celebrate the Warriors at that home game, as well recognize the Christian community and the Warriors chapel program. I am including a Faith Night poster that the Warriors office made for that night, and posted on social media. Man, I have so much to be thankful for!

 

I am so, so grateful to my fabulous wife Lorraine, who lets me galavant all over the country, doing hockey ministry. I couldn’t do what I do without the support of Lorraine. Thank you my dear.
Well, that’s it for this edition of my Hockey Ministries update. I hope that you will enjoy it and also keep the ministry in your prayers.

 

Going hard into overtime,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points:
-Powell River chaplain
-Trail chaplain
-Peter Bird in Nanaimo
-Dave Knudsen in Port Alberni
-New Testaments recipients
-Upcoming Warriors Faith Night
-closing chapels well this season
-financial support

Spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for an reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.