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.

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.

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.

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. ‘

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’…!!)

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.

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!

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

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