Hello out there!
In July I was involved again with our annual Westside Daze parade, representing the West Kelowna Warriors. I feel that it is very important to be visible in my community, letting people know that I am involved in the club. It’s a good way to gain trust in a secular world where trust is at a premium; a world that simply needs the message of Jesus. As I walked the parade route, I met and chatted with hundreds of folks These kinds of things are part of the ministry of chaplaincy.
On the hockey camp front, it was good to go to Williams Lake in July for our 8th Hockey Ministries camp. Corwin Smid does such a great job of directing this camp, and his commitment level to making it happen is second to none. The registration in Williams Lake was in the mid 40s, which made for an excellent week on and off the ice. In August I was excited to attend my second camp of the summer which was at Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. We were at Shawnigan Lake School, which is a premier facility. We are so blessed to be able to use a fabulous venue like this. I am thankful for the incredibly low rate that they charge us as a Christian based hockey camp. Their regular rate is much much higher. It was good to have former Vancouver Canuck and Stanley Cup Champion Ryan Walter at Shawnigan Lake as our lead instructor. Ryan came to camp with most of the his family, who served as counsellors and on-ice instructors. The Walter family’s help was invaluable, for which I am very thankful. At these two camps, a good number of young players received Jesus into their lives for the very first time. How awesome is that?
This summer I had a chance to spend a bit of time with Riley Fiddler Schultz, who plays hockey for the Calgary Hitmen in the Western Hockey League. I was privileged to baptize Riley and his family last year, and it was great to meet with him again this summer. Riley is doing very well in Calgary, and is a leader on and off the ice with his team.
Over the last short while, I became aware of a young man from the east Kootenays named Brayden. He is a 19 year old junior hockey player who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Brayden is now in Vancouver undergoing chemo treatments. This is heartbreaking for anyone at any age, but I guess I was surprised to find a young strong athlete battling this disease. Please be praying for Brayden and his family.
In the last while I have been able to spend a bit of time with a few chaplains. I have included a picture of my time with Rick Gay, who serves with the Summerland Steam Junior club. Summerland is just down the road from me, so it’s not that difficult to connect with Rick. Rick is doing a standout job with the Steam, and they hold him in very high regard not only at the arena but also in town. I was also able to connect with Kevin VanderVeen, the brand new chaplain in Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Kevin serves the Cowichan Valley Capitals Junior club.
Finally, some very difficult news. I have been asking in my last few newsletters for prayer for the Kelowna Chiefs co-owner, Grant Sheridan who had contracted bacterial meningitis in late March. The hockey world was rocked with the news that Grant passed away on July 28 at 47 years of age. His memorial service was held on August 8th here in Kelowna. I was asked to say a few words and read some scripture at his service, which I was honoured to do. Close to 800 people jammed into First Lutheran Church that day, in a beautiful auditorium that generally seats about 600. Almost all of the people that attended were from the hockey community, and for me it was good to point the people to the only hope that we have; a hope that is found in Jesus. Please be praying for strength for Grant’s wife Cherie and his teenage son Tanner. There are trying and long difficult days ahead for Cherie, Tanner and for her and Grant’s families.
These next months, I will be travelling around the province, encouraging chaplains and hockey people, waving the freedom flag of the gospel of our Saviour Jesus. Please remember all the chaplains and the programs that will be starting up again very soon. I would appreciate your prayers also as I am still looking for a few chaplains for some teams in the province.