To my Hockey Ministries teammates,

‘I thank the Lord for you and pray for you every time I think of you.’ Philippians 1:3 And I do…..

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…! Okay, I realize that hockey season is definitely not what Andy Williams’ Christmas song is referring to, but to me the fall is pretty fabulous, in that it offers awesome opportunities for ministry. After a busy summer of hockey camps (I’ve included a picture from the Chilliwack camp when I was telling my traditional Wolf Story) and multiple weddings, it’s great to be back in the rink.

In the last six to eight weeks, all of the Hockey Ministries chapel programs in BC have begun. I am privileged to lead two of them; in Rutland with the Kelowna Chiefs Jr. B club and in West Kelowna with the Jr. A Warriors. We’ve held a number of chapels already, which always thrills my heart.

In September, besides starting the chapels, I was able to travel to the BC Hockey League annual Showcase in Chilliwack. It is here that I am able to connect with a few chaplains as well as some of the hockey personnel around the province. I met a few of these chaplains and HMI people over lunch; Larry Wendel from our Hockey Camp in Chilliwack, Danny Stebeck with the Vancouver Giants, Emil Fernandes with the Abbotsford Pilots, and my youngest son Lane.

Also, I’m including a picture of meeting up with chaplain Graham McMahon with the Chilliwack Chiefs.

I had a chance to make a trip up north, where I was encouraged to connect with Prince George chaplains Jim Brown Jr. (Spruce Kings) and Elliott Harder (Cougars). Elliott is brand new at the Cougars chaplaincy, so please lift him up in prayer. I am also including a few pictures of two other chaplains around the province: Kevin Ewaskow in Cranbrook, Harry Haberstock in Creston. Kevin is the Pastor at First Baptist in Cranbrook and Harry is the Pastor at Christ Church Anglican in Creston.

Occasionally I have the privilege of meeting up with players who have been traded to another club and then return as part of the visiting team. One of these was Tanner Marshall, who attended my chapels when he was a goaltender with the Kelowna Chiefs. Tanner was picked up by the Trail Smoke Eaters, and was part of their club when they came to play the Warriors in West Kelowna. I have a close relationship with Tanner and his family, so after the game I went to the Smoke Eaters bus to meet him. Here I am in my Warriors jacket with my arm around a Smoke Eater player!! This is a good example of how that off-ice relationships far exceed on-ice competition!!

A memorable highlight for me was our Annual Hockey Ministries Conference, which was held this fall in Charlotte, North Carolina. While I was there I had an opportunity to tour the well-known Billy Graham Library. The tour was very moving and memorable in realizing just how that God has used Billy Graham in spreading the message of the gospel around the globe. At the conference it was so encouraging to meet up with other HMI staff members, to pray together, to strategize and to enjoy great times of fellowship and fun. Also, during my stay in Charlotte, I was thrilled to be given a ticket to the Carolina Panthers/New Orleans Saints NFL game, which was a fabulous time! I went to the game with my HMI friend Wayne Land and fellow HMI staff member Steven Burch.

In conclusion, I ask you to pray for new chaplains serving in Kamloops and Campbell River, as well as Elliott Harder in Prince George. Also, it would be wonderful if you could remember me in prayer as I travel to many communities in BC in the next three months. As well, please remember to pray for and uplift the HMI Ministry Centre leadership in Montreal. Don Liesemer Sr. is a wonderful Christian man who serves as the President of Hockey Ministries International. (Don founded the ministry back in 1977) I feel that it would be encouraging to take time to pray for Don and the entire staff in Montreal.

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter, and may God bless you as you shine your lights for Christ Jesus.

Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
Pacific Region

Prayer Points
-my winter trips
-new chaplain in Kamloops
-new chaplain in Campbell River
-new chaplain in Prince George
-the chapel programs in BC
-HMI leadership in Montreal
-continued support of the ministry