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HMIBC SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 NEWSLETTER

The Lord's Prayer Okanagan SUN Football
The Lord’s Prayer Okanagan SUN Football

Hello out there, HMI Pacific crew!

I trust that this info blast finds you doing well. Here is the latest scoop on what is going on in the hockey ministry world in BC.

As the summer ended and hockey season began, things really started to happen. But fIrst, I’ll diverge for a second. In the off-season, I serve as the chaplain to the Kelowna Falcons baseball club and the Okanagan SUN football club. Here are a few shots of wonderful times of sports chaplaincy that extend to the summer months as well. I had the honour of holding chapels out in right field for the Falcons and also pre-game chapels and prayer for the SUN.

Warriors at pre season camp
Warriors at pre season camp

In late August, I connected with all the hockey chaplains in BC. It is a way to get the ball rolling for the programs that are spread out all over the map. We have some wonderful chaplains serving in cities, in large and small towns all across the province.

In early September I attended the West Kelowna Warriors and the Kelowna and Chiefs training camps. These are great times to be introduced to the players on the team and let them know about what the chapel program is all about. I am thankful that the coaches are open to having me there and to introducing me to the players. These are also opportunities to get to know new staff members and re-connect with returning coaches and staff.

At the Chiefs training camp
At the Chiefs training camp

Over the last short while, things have been a wild whirlwind… but I am thankful for the health and strength to enjoy the pace and busyness of the ministry. On a late September Warriors road trip to Vancouver island, I was pleased to meet with the opposing coaches from the Victoria Grizzlies, Rylan Ferster and Geoff Grimwood. Also in the picture is the Warriors athletic therapist Mike Bois.

Sharing a chat and a prayer
Sharing a chat and a prayer

A few weeks after the road trip, I attended the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack. Because all league teams are there, it is a great opportunity to connect with many players, coaches and staff. It is here that I met with Nanaimo Clippers Coach Colin Birkas and the Clippers chapel program was re-started. It was also in Chilliwack when I met with ex-Warrior Damon Jugnauth, who is now playing in Merritt. Damon is a great young man; it was good to chat and pray with him. ‘

Pregame visit with Victoria Coaches Rylan Ferster and Geoff Grimwood
Pregame visit with Victoria Coaches Rylan Ferster and Geoff Grimwood

In late September I was invited to The Landing Church in Vernon to speak on Sunday morning at their western days service. I decided to look the part, and wore my cowboy hat while I preached! What a great time we had that morning! (Maybe that’s why my HMI pals call me ‘West’…!!)

Preaching Western Style
Preaching Western Style

Back at home, I was honoured to MC an on-ice memorial for Warriors Assistant Captain from 2017-19, Parm Dhaliwal. This was an incredibly difficult opening ceremony, but I did feel supported by the love of the Lord and the prayers of the saints. Please pray for the Dhaliwal family, as they deal daily with the loss of Parm.

With Warriors President Chris Laurie, on Truth and Reconciliation Night
With Warriors President Chris Laurie, on Truth and Reconciliation Night

Also, I was pleased to be a part of the West Kelowna Warriors Truth and Reconciliation game night. I am a big supporter of this initiative, highlighting the terrible abuses that Indigenous people suffered at the hands of government and school authorities. Here is a picture of me standing with Warriors President Chris Laurie, both of us wearing orange.

Finally, I have a wonderful story for you. Recently I had a call from a lady who is connected to the Warriors hockey world. She told me that she had come to believe in Jesus as her Saviour and that she wanted to serve Him for the rest of her life. She also asked if she could be baptized. I responded by saying “Absolutely!” So, on a very cool day (Oct 20) in a very cool Lake Okanagan, I had the great joy of baptizing her in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. What a great testimony to the eternal fruitfulness of sport chaplaincy! Needless to say, I was pretty pumped!

Hockey related baptism
Hockey related baptism

Thank you for your prayers and support in so many ways. God bless you as you serve the Lord in the ministry area that He has called you.

Greater is He that is in us,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points

  • the new chapel program in Nanaimo
  • for a chaplain in Langley
  • for the Dhaliwal family
  • for safe travels on winter roads
  • for hockey chaplains across BC
  • thanksgiving for fruitful ministry

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.

HMIBC JULY/AUGUST 2021 NEWSLETTER

Dear HMI Pacific crew,

Distanced meeting with Jiri Novak in Revelstoke
Distanced meeting with Jiri Novak in Revelstoke

I trust that you are all doing well, in spite of so many distractions and heartaches going on in our world. Hurricanes, chaos in Afghanistan, Indigenous residential school news, divisive Covid issues…. these are all enough to bring us down, but we will choose to trust in the Lord and stand in His strength. But, in the middle of all this chaos there is good news! Here are a few of the good news stories that are going on at Hockey Ministries in BC.

Teague Patton Baptism
Teague Patton Baptism

Lorraine and I took a quick trip to Revelstoke, (we really enjoy spending time there…) and I met with the Revelstoke Grizzlies Assistant Coach Jiri Novak. Jiri is from the Czech Republic, and is planning on developing a coaching career in Canada. It was good to have a meeting with him. I am grateful to the Grizzlies head coach Ryan Parent who is so open to chapels.

On ice at Shawnigan Lake Camp
On ice at Shawnigan Lake Camp

In July, it was an honour to spend some time with junior player Teague Patton, chatting about matters of Christian faith. It was at one of these meetings at the beach when Teague prayed to ask Jesus into his heart. What a wonderful decision that Teague made! It was just a short time later that his family gathered at Rotary beach in Kelowna and I had the privilege of baptizing him. (The picture is slightly blurry but the reality of the baptism is not blurry at all!) Teague will be playing in Medicine Hat this year for the Tigers. Please keep him in prayer. Also, just recently in Trail, BC, Chase Dafoe was baptized. Chase comes from an NHL family background, and was the Captain of the Trail Smoke Eaters. An exciting development is that Chase has just been traded to the West Kelowna Warriors, so I will have him in my Warriors chapels this year! Amen!

With Kevin VanderVeen at camp
With Kevin VanderVeen at camp

In the middle of the summer, I travelled to Shawinigan Lake on Vancouver Island for an HMI Christian Hockey Camp. It was at this camp where two young hockey playing girls prayed to accept Jesus into their hearts and lives. Even though Covid rules made us conduct chapels outside, we still had decisions for Christ, right out in the open air. Here are some pictures from the camp; both on the ice, and the outdoor chapel.

With Dave Steingard Victoria Royals chaplain
With Dave Steingard Victoria Royals chaplain

Also it was an encouragement to meet with the chaplain of the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Kevin Vander Veen during the camp. Kevin is a great young guy, and I would ask you to hold him and the Capitals chapel program up in your prayers. I was also able to connect at camp with Dave Steingard, chaplain of the Victoria Royals. Dave is such a wonderful Christian man; I always love spending time with him. I want to give a shout out to Norm Sowden, who arranged with his church (Mill Bay Baptist) to provide all the staff lunches for the entire week. Thank you so much for your service, Norm and MBB….. May the Lord bless you.

With Ryan Walter at camp
With Ryan Walter at camp

I am also including a picture of one of our instructors, Ryan Walter. Ryan, as you may know had a very successful 1000+ game NHL career with Washington, Montreal and Vancouver. He is such a tremendous asset to hockey camp and I am thankful that Ryan and his wife Jenn made the time to come and help out. One last huge thank you to Ryan’s son Ben who served as the lead on-ice instructor and to Jason Beckett who assisted Ben.

Good bye to my office of 13 years
Good bye to my office of 13 years

I’ll end with this: I am in the middle of moving office right now, so things have been a bit chaotic! My old office was familiar territory for 13 1/2 years and at present I am ‘camping’ in a spare office at Evangel Church in Kelowna. I am thankful for the office space at Evangel and will be moving into my new ‘digs’ in a few weeks. I am remined that even though moving offices isn’t comfortable, it is so minor compared to the discomfort that so many are going through right now. And so…. I am thankful.

Camping in my temporary office
Camping in my temporary office

The coming season will be much more normal that the last one, and for that I am thankful as well. I look forward to chapels, the games themselves, numerous coffee chats, doing colour commentary in the broadcast booth, singing National Anthems and simply being a light for Christ in the arena.

 

 

May the Lord bless you,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points

~ Teague and Chase, who have been baptized
~ Young campers who have accepted Christ
~ For new chaplains
~ For new chapel programs
~ For liberty to conduct chapel ministry
~ Thanksgiving for new opportunities this fall

HMIBC MARCH/APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER

Echoes around the rink
Echoes around the rink

Hello to you all on a beautiful end-of-April day!

Are you still encouraged that we’ll all make it? Or… at least hanging in there? These crazy days are lasting a lot longer than any of us first thought, aren’t they? But, we will continue to trust the Lord to lead us in His way. Let’s put our trust in the Lord during these difficulties. I encourage us all to keep our focus on Jesus, and to know who our enemy is. Our enemy is not people who disagree with us, nor the government. Nope, our enemy is Satan himself. When we realize that, I believe that we will engage in the right battles, the bigger battles, not the smaller ones. Okay, okay, my sermon is over…. 🙂
First game back!
First game back!

Here are some of the things that have been happening at HMI Pacific since my last newsletter. I was invited by the President of the West Kelowna Warriors hockey club to attend a couple Warriors games during their pod season in Vernon. Attendance at these games is very restricted, with Covid protocols taken very seriously, so it was quite an honour to be invited.. (The Warriors are playing in a ‘pod’, with Salmon Arm and Vernon. It’s a way to give the players a chance to play games and be seen by scouts and colleges/universities, not just practise all season long.) Even though the rink was empty, (and felt quite strange) I was glad to sing the National Anthem and also just be there. Sitting alone during the game, I wondered why I was there, but then it became clear. There were only 5 or 6 people in the entire arena that seats 3,000, and at the intermission I began to have a conversation with a fellow standing a ways away. (Masked and distanced….)  It turned out that he was the Executive Director of the BCHL, and when I introduced myself, he knew who I was. I immediately knew that this was the real reason why I was at the game. Because of that conversation, I now have an opportunity to be a part of the league coaches meeting, giving a report on chapel programs.

Echoes around the rink
Echoes around the rink

I’m pleased to report that we have new chaplains in Langley and Surrey, and I am very thankful for Jason and Brent who are taking up the chaplaincy with these two clubs. I pray that in September that they (and all of us chaplains) will experience a more ‘normal’ start to a hockey ministry season. Also, I was honoured to sing to an empty arena this year at the Warriors Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night. This is an important annual event for most hockey clubs, and of course, we were asked to wear something pink if we could. (I kind of liked wearing my pink tie….!)

Surrey Eagles
Surrey Eagles

I’m quite pleased that team chapels are still happening with a number of clubs around the province, and of course they are online… mainly on Zoom. I have had a regular Zoom chapel with the Warriors, as recently as April 28th.

Warriors Zoom Chapel
Warriors Zoom Chapel

Finally, I ask you to pray….. please pray for Gavin and Brayden, two young players that are battling with cancer. Also, please remember the two HMI summer hockey camps that we will run in BC; one in Williams Lake and the other in Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. These will be day camps, as we cannot hold overnight camps due to Covid protocols. I would also ask for prayer as I plan to meet the president of Kelowna Minor Hockey in the next short while, talking about what minor hockey chapels could look like. And last but not least, I ask for prayer concerning financial donations to the ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness in this area as I am acutely aware that these are not easy days for so many.

May God richly bless you,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region
HMIBC
Prayer Points
-for growth in the ministry
-for players response to Zoom chapels
-for new chapel programs
-for financial support for the ministry
-for potential minor hockey chapels
-for upcoming summer hockey camps
-for young Gavin and Brayden (cancer)

HMIBC MARCH/APRIL 2020 NEWSLETTER

Distance J&J with 2016 National Champion Coach Rylan Ferster
Distance J&J with 2016 National Champion Coach Rylan Ferster

Dear HMI Pacific team,

Can you believe it, our lives have changed pretty drastically in the past few months! I pray that you are healthy not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally. We chat often these days about social and physical distancing, and I am following all the rules but have found that it actually takes a real toll on my emotional well being. We need the strength that is found in Christ as we face these unprecedented days. He certainly is our Firm Foundation and our Anchor.
March 12 -Last pre COVID road trip
March 12 -Last pre COVID road trip

It is so strange to see arenas all over the country….  empty!!  No coaches, players, fans, no noise, no skates, no sticks and pucks, no burgers and fries, and… no chapels. For me, this Covid pandemic really hit me personally on March 12. That day I was on the Kelowna Chiefs bus heading for a road trip to Princeton. I have included a picture here of myself with Alex Draper, who is the Chiefs marketing director. We were anticipating a good trip and were not social distancing at that time… and didn’t have a clue about what was about to happen in the next 30 minutes. The bus stopped at a roadside pullout and after a few phone calls, the bus turned around. The road trip was cancelled, the entire season and playoffs were cancelled. It was very difficult for all of us, especially for the few 20 year old players who were enjoying their last year of junior hockey. What a disappointing way to end your junior hockey career! In addition to this, I had no choice but to cancel my ministry trips to the BC Junior B championship in 100 Mile House and the Canadian Junior A Championship tournament in Portage, Manitoba.

'Distance' J & J with Chase Johnston
‘Distance’ J & J with Chase Johnston

With the season so abruptly ending, I’ve had to reach out to players, fans and coaches in different ways. Just a few days ago I dropped by the empty arena in West Kelowna to ‘distance chat’ with the coaches. They are renovating the dressing room, so I was able to see them for a bit. I have also been able to do some social distancing ‘meet you in the park’ sessions. It’s pretty good bringing my own lawn chair and coffee and sitting in a park to chat and pray. I’ve had 5 of those in the past few weeks. I have included pictures of my ‘park’ sessions with Chase Johnston, (Warriors play by play broadcaster) and with Rylan Ferster, (2016 Warriors Canadian Championship coach). I have also included a picture of one of the last games this year in West Kelowna when I was with Head Coach Simon Ferguson and Assistant Coach Ayrton Nikkel.

Every two to three weeks I have been involved in a continent-wide Zoom call with Hockey Ministries International staff members. We are literally from all over the USA and Canada, and it’s a real privilege to be a part of this ministry team.
With Warriors Coaches
With Warriors Coaches

I’d ask you to pray for a few things with me. First, that junior hockey clubs in BC would be able to financially survive through this pandemic. The financial losses have been enormous, and with many clubs barely able to pay their bills as it is, this situation is a real threat. Of course, we can only have chaplains if teams continue to operate, so I am asking the Lord to keep the doors open across BC. Also, our HMI summer hockey camps (Williams Lake and Shawnigan Lake) are in uncertain territory. Every camp has it’s own arrangements with arenas, campers, cooks, counsellors, accommodations, etc. We are not at all sure if we will be able to have these camps this year. Please pray…. Also, I am believing God for ministry finances to continue as I am looking to the summer and the next season.

I’m looking to the Lord for His leading through this strange time. He is not surprised by any of this, so I will trust Him to guide through this. Things will slowly start to move again and I want to be ready to roll when that happens.
God bless you today and please take care,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region
Prayer Points:
  • -for chaplains in BC
  • -for survival of junior hockey clubs
  • -for summer hockey camps
  • -for new chapel programs
  • -finances for the ministry

HMIBC JULY/AUGUST 2018 NEWSLETTER

HMI Camp intensityTo the HMI BC crew,
I trust that your summer is going well, even with the crazy amount of smoke that is filling BC skies. Whenever I look at these hazy skies, I try to think of the firefighters that are battling hundreds of blazes across the province, and I pray for them. It must be a terribly difficult job to fight fires all summer long.
With Williams Lake Camp Director Corwin Smid (1)I want you to know about some of the activities that have been going on this summer. Of course, HMI summer hockey camps are always a highlight of the summer. I was involved in two camps this year, one in Williams Lake (8th year) and the other in Shawnigan Lake (1st year) on Vancouver Island. I am so pleased to let you know that we had 20 young campers pray to give their hearts to the Lord Jesus at our two HMI hockey camps in BC this summer.  Amen!!  At camp, after we go through morning and afternoon ice times of 90 minutes each, we also have a dry land training time and huddle times with campers and counsellors.  Besides all of this, we have three great meals and end with a chapel every night. One of the favourite camp songs in Williams Lake has always been O Happy Day, and believe me, it gets a little crazy when the campers get going!!  Oh how much fun we have!  I want to thank Williams Lake Camp Director Corwin Smid for doing such a wonderful job year after year. (Although last year we had to cancel because of the Williams Lake fires)
hmibc
Shawnigan Lake Dining HallWe had our first HMI summer hockey camp at Shawnigan Lake, and what a facility we had!  Just look at the dining hall at Shawnigan Lake School!  This is an exclusive private school that we ordinarily could never afford, but God has given us favour and we feel so blessed. I want to thank Camp Director Ted Neustaedter who did an excellent job. Both Corwin and Ted could use help with their respective camps in future years, and I am praying that there will be people to come alongside of them.
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With Cody PorterI want to write a bit about the April 6th Humboldt tragedy.. Cody Porter is one of my close hockey friends. He has had a successful junior career in Junior A and in Major Junior Hockey. Cody is a serious young man and when Humboldt happened, he flew from Vancouver to Saskatoon to attend the huge vigil service in Humboldt. On the way, Cody had a stop over in Kelowna, and I met him in the airport for a coffee and a prayer. I am so very proud of Cody, who was moved by the Broncos tragedy and just had to get himself to Humboldt. Just the fact that he would want me to meet him at the airport for prayer and support was absolutely amazing. God is close to Cody and I believe that He has a plan for him. Also with Humboldt, I was able to get my hands on a Broncos jersey and so this year I will be wearing it when I sing National Anthems. I believe that it is proper to do that, to honour the memory of those who died, those who are still injured and for all their grieving loved ones.
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Wearing my Humboldt Broncos jerseyAlso with Humboldt accident, the ripple effects are still being felt. There will be a new chapel program in Port Moody with the Panthers, in Fernie with the Ghostriders, in Nanaimo with the Vancouver Island University Mariners and in Grand Forks with the Border Bruins. Much of this is because of renewed conversations around the subject of chaplaincy. I am humbled and thankful that we are allowed to serve the Lord like this in the wild world of Canadian hockey. It is possible to have good things to come out of horrible tragedies like Humboldt.
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With Max French and Monique ViensAlso, I have had the honour of officiating at many weddings again this summer. I consider this as a very meaningful part of hockey ministries. Many of these wedding have close ties to either players or fans. I am glad as the chaplain to serve in this way. I am already starting to book next year as well… I know it seems like a long ways away, but my calendar starts to get full a long way in advance. For example, one of the Warriors past Captains, Max French asked me for coffee and when we met he was with his girlfriend Monique. Over the course of the conversation, he told me that they were planning to be married and asked me to officiate the wedding. You can imagine how wonderful that was!  Of course, I would move heaven and earth to make sure that I am able to do their wedding…
hmibc
Speaking to the Fire DepartmentOne last thing, and it doesn’t really belong here but I wanted to let you know anyway. I serve at the Chaplain for the West Kelowna Fire Department, which has been another great blessing. There is great ministry happening there on an ongoing basis. I am always asked to say a few words at every function of the Fire Department. I was honoured to be presented with a lovely gift by the Chief and the Assistant Chiefs at their annual awards night. I thought you might like to know about that ‘other’ chaplaincy that I am involved in.
hmibc
I have just found out that my good friend Rylan Ferster has resigned as Head Coach of the West Kelowna Warriors. I was very sad to hear that, because Rylan is not only a great friend, but with him the door has been wide open for chapels with the Warriors. His brand new assistant coach Geoff Grimwood is now the interim Coach of the team and after coffee and prayer with him, (yes, I took him for J&J already!) he let me know that the door is still wide open!  Thank you Lord!
Finally, (and believe me, this is very difficult)  I am asking you to please pray with me about ministry finances. My account at Hockey Ministries has been slowly sinking over that past year or so, which is starting to hamper me. I am having to decide if I am able to travel to see chaplains, coaches etc., all because of finances. I am asking for you to prayerfully consider the possibility of raising your support slightly or maybe speaking to someone that you know about perhaps joining the HMI BC support team. I am doing my very best to keep going, and I am in need of some help. I absolutely love this ministry and have promised the Lord to go as long as I am able, and I aim to do just that. Please email me back and let me know if you can help further in any way.
Thank you for your love, encouragement, your prayer and your financial support. God bless you all.
All for Jesus,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points:
-new chapel in Fernie
-new chapel in Port Moody
-new chapel in Grand Forks
-new chapel with Vancouver Island University
-start up of all chapel programs
-for new West Kelowna Coach Geoff Grimwood
-safe travels as I start up again
-new financial support for the ministry

HMIBC JULY/AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER

Blessings to you all; the HMI Pacific team!

Chilliwack Camp Chapel
Chilliwack Camp Chapel

Welcome to the end of summer! Does that sound like a bit of a ‘downer’ to you, or are you excited for what the Fall will bring? (Probably a bit of both I would assume…) Now, one might assume that Hockey Ministries takes a break in July and August, but nope, that would be wrong! There really is no break at all, because the ministry is really not about winter, skates, ice, sticks and pucks, but about relationships with people. Therefore, Hockey Ministries is a 365 day per year ministry.

With Camp Director Larry Wendel
With Camp Director Larry Wendel

At the beginning of July I was involved in the Westside Daze Parade with the West Kelowna Warriors. As a team chaplain, I try to make myself as visible as possible all through out the year, and the parade is certainly one way. Throughout July, I was able to connect with a number of players who spend time in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. This summer I have had good chats with NHLers like Colorado Avalanche executive, former All Star and Hall of Famer Joe Sakic, former West Kelowna Warrior and 2 time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguin Justin Schultz and Florida Panther goaltender James Reimer.

Instructors Carl Benoit and Greg Egan
Instructors Carl Benoit and Greg Egan

HMI SUMMER CAMP UPDATE: This year Hockey Ministries ran 33 summer camps; 12 in Canada, 16 in the USA and 5 in Europe. Throughout the summer, out of 2,200+ total campers, 600 campers prayed to receive Christ! I am grateful that the Lord is so very faithful! In our Chilliwack camp, (which was our first year) 16 campers prayed to give their hearts to Christ. As you will see in some of the pictures, the entire camp was very successful. Praise God, we had a week that was really above and beyond what we could have imagined. I am very thankful to the Lord for our Camp Director, Larry Wendel and his wife Min, and a multitude of volunteers who worked so very hard. We were honoured to have Carl Benoit, Nat Halbert, Josh Tjordman, Robert Rawlins and Greg Egan come as on-ice instructors. The venue for the camp was the Pacific Regional Training Centre (RCMP training centre), which was fabulous. I have never had such excellent food at any camp in my entire life! Sadly on a difficult note, we had to cancel the Williams Lake camp this year (which would have been our 8th year) because of the BC wildfires that caused the evacuation of Williams Lake and much of the Cariboo region of BC.

Matt and Josh at Chilliwack Chapel
Matt and Josh at Chilliwack Chapel

In early August a couple of good hockey friends Kolby Barnstable and Jayson Zilke, put together a wonderful luncheon at a local restaurant, and invited a dozen guys to listen to the HMI story. I am grateful to the Lord for Kolby and Jayson, and we will wait to see what comes out of that luncheon.

Summer wedding
Summer wedding

A huge part of my summer has been officiating at weddings. I was honoured to officiate at 10 weddings this summer, all in the ‘Okanagan Way’; held outside in parks, outdoor wedding chapels, patios and at wineries. Eight of the weddings were hockey related: either former players and or staff, season ticket holders, family members, etc. I find that with the serious talks involved in the marriage process that the gospel opportunity is absolutely amazing.

Instructor Carl Benoit at chapel
Instructor Carl Benoit at chapel


COMING UP:
COMING UP:
On Sept. 20-21, I will be in Chilliwack at the BC Hockey League Fall Showcase, where all the teams in the league gather to play 2 games each over a 5 day period. It is primarily designed for NCAA University and College scouts to come to one place to get a good look at potential players for their schools. I will be there to chat with as many hockey people as possible, so please pray about that. I will also connect with local chaplains in the area.

With Trail Smoke Eaters Chaplain Bruce Taylor
With Trail Smoke Eaters Chaplain Bruce Taylor

On Sept. 22-28 I will attend the Hockey Ministries International Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. We haven’t met as an entire ministry since 2013, so I am really looking forward to seeing the HMI staff and missions family. Please be praying as we strategize and plan for the future.

God bless you team, I am so very grateful that you are partnering with me in this ministry.

Old man on the ice
Old man on the ice

Prayer Points:

  • HMI chapel programs in BC
  • Summer Camp respondents
  • Chaplains across BC
  • BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack
  • HMI Staff Conference in Charlotte, NC
  • Ongoing support of the ministryAll for Jesus,
    Don Richmond
    Hockey Ministries International
    Pacific Region

HMIBC SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 NEWLETTER

Many hello’s to all of you from one of me,
2015 Opening Night puck drop
2015 Opening Night puck drop

I trust that you are doing well during this hectic fall season.  Lorraine and I are certainly busy; our days are packed full.  This is a fabulous time of year for me, with hockey in full swing, and ministry spilling all over the place!  Ready to read about what’s going on?  Okay, here goes…..

 hmibc
Coffee with two Kelowna Chiefs players
Coffee with two Kelowna Chiefs players

September began for Lorraine and I with a rush, as it usually does with most people.  I was asked to take part in the West Kelowna Warriors opening home game ceremonial faceoff which was a great way to start the hockey season.  In mid September, after attending the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, my chapels began with both the Kelowna Chiefs and the West Kelowna Warriors hockey clubs.  These chapels are held every two weeks, and almost all the players attend.  It is so wonderful to discuss ‘God Stuff’ with the guys and end with a prayer!

West Kelowna Coach Rylan Ferster
West Kelowna Coach Rylan Ferster

Besides the chapels, I try to get together for coffee (as you can see with these two Kelowna Chiefs) or sometimes host players for an evening in my home.  Lorraine and I had a great evening recently as four Warriors boys came over to our house.  (We watched the Blue Jays win an game vs. the Royals, followed by a good talk and then ended the evening with prayer.)  I have also become a good friend of Warriors Head Coach Rylan Ferster, and we have J & J and chat often.  (J & J is our slang term for Java and Jesus; we never have coffee without prayer. It’s my rule!)

  hmibc
At home with 4 West Kelowna Warriors
At home with 4 West Kelowna Warriors

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, there were numerous changes in chaplaincy personnel this past summer.  I thought I would introduce two of the new chaplains to you here. Dave Funk serves as chaplain of the Penticton Vees and Terry Dyer serves the Powell River Kings. Terry is also the team trainer and athletic therapist.  I am so very glad to have these two join the family of HMI BC chaplains.

  hmibc
Penticton Vees Chaplain Dave Funk
Penticton Vees Chaplain Dave Funk

In early October, I made a quick trip up the road to Vernon, where I met chaplains Joel Olson (Revelstoke Grizzlies) and Michael Fox (North Okanagan Knights).  Just a few days later, I was honoured to connect for a visit with Murray Fairweather who has been a great long time friend and HMI BC supporter.  In mid-October I was privileged to sing the National Anthem for the Kelowna Rockets, something that I never tire of.  I find that it is a wonderful opportunity for visibility and influence in the world of hockey.

  hmibc
Powell River chaplain Terry Dyer
Powell River chaplain Terry Dyer

In the next few weeks I will be traveling to the north part of Vancouver Island and then I’ll head out to the East Kootenay’s (Invermere, Cranbrook/ Kimberley/ Creston and the Nelson/ Trail area).  I have many appointments during these trips, and I would appreciate it if you could remember me in prayer during these times.  Of course, safety on the roads is a big factor as well praying for good meaningful connections.

  hmibc
Chaplains Josiah Olson and Michael Fox
Chaplains Josiah Olson and Michael Fox

Thank you for believing in this ministry and for supporting what we are doing here.  I am so grateful to the Lord for His provision and grace and to you for your assistance.  May the Lord bless and strengthen you, and reward you for your Kingdom faithfulness.
  hmibc
All for Jesus,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

  hmibc

Great HMI friend Murray Fairweather
Great HMI friend Murray Fairweather
Prayer Points:
  • For safe travels on our BC winter roads.
  • For the 40 chaplains across BC.
  • For the players attending chapels.
  • For my trips with a few teams this winter.
  • For added support for this HMI BC ministry.
  • For new opportunities to minister.
  • Thanksgiving for many good ministry moments.
  • Upcoming HMI trips to North Vancouver Island and the Kootenays