Hello to the HMI Pacific crew!
I trust that you are enjoying a good fall season. As we have recently come through Thanksgiving, let me tell you, I thank the Lord for you! You are such a faithful blessing to me personally and also to the ministry. Here are a few of the latest ‘goings on’ in the HMI Pacific world.
In early September, I had a pretty cool tour of one of the very best training facilities in the BCHL. Penticton Coach Fred Harbinson showed me around the Vees state of the art training room, video centre and dressing room. Oh man… that was something else! With me that day was the new chaplain of the Vees, Brock Greenhill. I ask you to pray for Brock and the many chaplains who have started brand new this year.
Within a week of touring the Vees facilities, training camps began in most junior leagues around the province. I had two full team introductions, with the Kelowna Chiefs and the West Kelowna Warriors. Other chaplains had their own introductions to their respective teams. And so the season began, with a certain strangeness, as only a limited number of fans were allowed back in arenas. (Wow, real live fans in the arena! What a wonderful atmosphere!) It had been way too long since there was cheering, passion and energy in the rink!
On opening night in Kelowna, the team management decided to honour West Kelowna Fire Rescue for their great work during the recent Mt Law and White Rock Lake forest fires. Yours truly, as chaplain of the Fire Department, sang the Anthem that night. What a wonderful night that was, being back at the rink and doing double chaplain duty!
I had the opportunity to be in Medicine Hat quite recently, where I was pleased to have coffee with young Medicine Hat Tigers forward Teague Patton. In my last newsletter, I believe that I mentioned that I had baptized Teague this past summer. I was able to attend a Tigers game and ended up having coffee with Tigers Head Coach Willie Desjardins, who was the Vancouver Canucks Head Coach from 2014 – 17. It is always an honour to chat and pray with people in the hockey world!
Back at home, what a joy it was to connect with Lee Young, the new chaplain of the Summerland Steam junior club. Lee is the pastor of Summerland Baptist Church. He will do an excellent job serving the hockey club in Summerland. Also, recently I travelled to Revelstoke to meet with the new chaplain of the Revelstoke Grizzlies junior club. Bob Loeppky has been involved with the team for years, and has felt led to serve as their chaplain. I believe that he is the right man for the chaplain’s role there. Please be praying for Lee and Bob as they shine for Jesus in the arena.
Let me tell you a little bit about chaplain Bruce Taylor, of the Trail Smoke Eaters. Bruce has been one of the very finest chaplains that I’ve known in Hockey Ministries. As far as chaplains go, Bruce is a perennial All Star. I was sad when he let me know that he was stepping down from chaplaincy, but in true Bruce Taylor fashion, he mentored a young man to take his place. Josiah Blencowe will be assuming the role of chaplain with the ‘Smokies’, and I want to extend a very warm welcome to him. I have included a picture of Bruce leading the Smoke Eaters in a pre-game prayer, which is an amazing testament to the kind of influence Bruce has and the love that the club has for him. God richly bless you Bruce. You have been and continue to be a blessing to me personally and to all those who know you.
Last, I will include a picture of Lorraine and I. She is the love of my life and I appreciate her more than words can describe. Lorraine is a big thinker with an incredibly sharp mind; she is a tremendous encouragement to me in ministry,
Thank you for taking the time to read about some of what is happening in Hockey Ministries around BC.
Keep your eyes on the goal,
Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region