Last full day of ministry

March 29th

This year's SOAR Heartland has been much different than other years. Teams who have been on the SOAR program before have commented on how passionate their team members were. There was fresh energy fuelling everyone here this year. This energy was a result of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of everyone here, preparing the ministry hosts for this week and opening the hearts and minds of people all around Winnipeg. Today we shared how well the teams were doing at their ministry locations, and how participants had been so blessed by the people that they were serving. So often we think that we are coming to serve and teach people; when the Lord has so much to teach us through the people we have served. 

I was struck by how many people said God bless you today that weren't SOAR participants. They are full of so much joy even though they don't have much. It might be because they are not distracted with material things that they can take the time to focus on the good that is introduced into their lives. The greatest good that people can experience is the free gift of a relationship with God. There was a lot for us to learn this week at SOAR and everyone came away with life changing experiences.

The Lord worked within the times and provided us with so much unity, focus, and passion for the people of Winnipeg. We had amazing opportunities to respond to what the Lord was doing and to see what the way that He saw the city of Winnipeg. Some people avoid certain areas of Winnipeg and will never be convinced that they are thriving communities. That is why we showed people how much we believed in what was happening to renew this city by participating in it. SOAR will continue to impact the people of Winnipeg because of the continued effort to submit to the call of God. 

Communion

March 28th

The Passover meal is meant to remember the faithfulness of God. When Israel was enslaved by Egypt, and The Lord delivered them from their hand. He sent plagues to loosen Pharaoh's grip, and the last plague was the death of the firstborn son. For Israel to escape this plague, they had to put lambs blood on the doorframe of their houses. Then the the Lord would know which houses to spare. The Lord passed over each house that was marked by the blood. The Lord commanded the Israelites to make sacrifices for worship and for sin offerings, to remind the Israelites of the covenant that they had with God Jesus came as the last sacrificial lamb, to defeat the power of destruction and death. Now there is no longer any need to sacrifice anything, Jesus paid the ultimate and full price for our sins. 

Tonight we shared communion together, to remember when Christ shared the Passover meal with his disciples. '"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.' (1 Corinthians 11:23)  Jesus was fully human and fully God and came to renew his entire creation. We had the opportunity today to worship this God, to serve his creation, and to show him how much we love him. We celebrated as a body before participating in communion. The Easter story is heartbreaking, but also enriching and immeasurably hopeful. When we sung worship songs, we joined with a world full of other believers; praising the holy name of God. If we did not worship, the very rocks would cry out. 

The Word says that The Lord will never give us anything that we can't handle. He will test us to our limits but will not let us break. Sometimes he breaks our hearts for the things that break his, but He only gives us a glimpse of what it is like to be sensitive to a world full og pain. During their ministry outreach, SOAR teams have encountered a lot of pain. Pain is present in every situation, but some people deal with it differently. These teams do not come with a quick solution to pain, but serve a God who took on a universe full of pain to be close to us. He suffered death to bring us life. SOAR is about stretching out to build relationships with suffering people. We are the arms of the kingdom, reaching out to invite new people to join the Kingdom of God. 

Carinval Day

We started off today preparing for a Carnival at William Whyte school. Volunteers from SOAR have been preparing the school all week, clearing snow, setting up booths, and making sure that the Carnival was going to be the best experience possible. At twelve, volunteers began to set up the Carnival, with booths for magic, mini golf, a hockey shoot out, and also balloon animals.  Students brought groups of kids from their ministry locations to experience all the event had to offer. So often kids from the inner city of Winnipeg grow up too fast. This was an opportunity for them to be kids again. We had over 700 kids and community members from Winnipeg.

Our speaker for tonight's session was Lisa; here is a little of what she spoke about tonight:  "Loved seeing you hold their hand, watching those moments of Jesus working in you. Kids would be bouncing in the bounce houses, stop bouncing, then look around for you, look you in the eye, and keep bouncing. Those are beautiful moments, they may not seem like much, but those are powerful moments. A man was sleeping in a bus shelter, and this man was telling josh later, that at four in the morning, someone gave him a cup of coffee. He was so overjoyed at receiving this coffee, he had an enormous smile. Giving out food to someone is so significant. Jesus becomes flesh and blood and moves into the neighborhood. All of a sudden, people who didn't have access to God suddenly do. It's absolutely mind blowing that God would step down into the chaos of this world. He not only came to be our messiah and savior, but to become our friend. In the midst of the many, God sees each individual person. He loves the one so much, God desires for you to experience his love. I can get overwhelmed by the security of the issues, and it is paralyzingly sometimes. How can I make a difference in all of these issues? And then God reminds me of his love for the one and the many. The parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd leaves behind the 99 sheep to search for the one. The parable of the women and the lost coin, she searched all over her house, and when she found it she celebrated. In one moment we have the opportunity to shift the trajectory of someone's life. This week you have the opportunity to participate in those trajectory shifts because God is at work in their lives. You have two more days of ministry, and God is calling you to pour out yourself, but he is also calling us to trust him. To trust that what God is doing in people's loves is beyond anything that we can imagine. I am coming to believe that Jesus began a good work in each one of you, and God will continue to change people after we have left."

One of the many booths set up

 

Day two of ministry

March 26th

There are so many ways to pray, and God uses all of them. Prayer is a way to join with God in the work that he is doing. The Father is the master of the universe, he could complete all of his plans without us, he is all powerful. But he chooses to use us even though we are broken people. 

During session, there was a chance for people to share. Katie from the Steinbach team had this to share: "This girl came up and said that she wanted to give me a piggy back ride. There were these other two girls on the risers, and the wanted me to climb up and I am afraid of heights, and this girl said that if you fall I'll catch you. I climbed up and didn't fall, it was amazing. That girl, Cheyenne, made me a craft, smiled at me and said: "I want you to remember me, I'll see you at the carnival. She smiled at me and left." The media team also shared a video about how people tend to act at SOAR: Don't be that Guy at SOAR.

Jamie Niven said this during worship: "It was like the finger of God touched my heart, and it broke into a thousand pieces. He let me feel a fraction of what God feels for the lost. I need you to open my eyes to see that you are shaping my life." The Lord has really opened our eyes to see what he is seeing in Winnipeg. 

Tonight's session was about intercessory prayer that was lead by Carol. She was talking about experiencing brokenness: "It's in those moments when I hear God's heartbeat. My people are like sheep without a shepherd. Who will pray for them? No matter how much brokenness is in the world or in your life, nothing can separate us from the love of God. He rose form the dead to be victorious over all the brokenness in the world."

Participants at their ministry locations

Can we still stay on the fringes of ministry? When people think about missions and missionaries, we usually think about overseas missions. Missions work begins in your backyard. It begins when you step out the door. Not many people are going to pray the way that you pray. Sometimes it takes the to seek out how your prayers are expressed. Some people here really struggle with prayer, it may feel forced and uncomfortable. God places truth in your heart that he wants you to express in some way. Some people are quiet and gentle, God wants you to pray in your own way. Someone like Matt Bergen uses Graffiti to pray; he prays through it. Lloyd is an artist, he prays through painting. Some others, like Greg Denie use spoken word to pray. God reveals to us his heart for a certain community. Romans 8:36-39 "As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long  we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord Sometimes we just need to allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us. The most powerful tool that we have to use in this life is the Word of God. The most powerful tool that we have to use in this life is the Word of God. 

The First day of Ministry

March 25th

Today in session we played a video about the impact that the church can have on people, that you can view here: The Bride of Christ. The media team also showed a video about foot washing, that you can watch here: Foot washing People tend to underestimate the impact that their actions and words can have. We affect the outcomes of things in a big way; and sometimes we don't notice that. Jamie Niven, the leader of the worship team, brought his daughter to the church before session. There were a couple of girls practicing dancing in the gym, and Jamie's daughter wanted to practice with them. They could have said that they were too busy, and told her that they didn't want to dance right then. But they welcomed his daughter and danced with her. She had a big smile on her face and that made an impact on Jamie. Jamie had this to say about it: "Parents are gonna come and see some of those things, and that is going to bless their heart. Memories are being created for these children, they are going to remember siting on your lap, laughing with you, and getting you out in dodgeball and you laughing. If you have had a frustrating day, you have no idea how God is going to use that frustrating day."

Some first ministry days are a hard time for participants. Some people aren't used to doing ministry in the inner city, and aren't used to a large volume of kids. Today was different, there was so much joy present during session that was provided by God. God walked with the teams and prepared their hearts and minds for ministry.

I had the opportunity to spend time with the MBCI team at a ministry called the Manitoba House. This ministry is open to younger children, and the MBCI team put on a VBS for the girls. The girls also had an easter egg hunt; and I was blown away by the initiative that the MBCI took, and how mature they were.Today was a fantastic plunge into different ministries. The Lord prepared the ministry hosts and leaders and allowed us to partner with him in the work that he has already been doing. 

Pictures from the Manitoba House

A Day of Serving: Palm Sunday

McIvor Team doing foot washing

There is something personal about MB Mission that is distinct from other missions organizations. The leaders take time to connect with the participants, and participants feel comfortable with the leaders very quickly. Because of the care and attention that the leaders take, SOAR becomes a peaceful place to grow, discover yourself, and discover God. Before the teams arrive at North Kildonan Mennonite Church to eat at 7:45, lots of preparation has taken place. Volunteers set up tables, chairs, and prepare food that is then cleaned up by more volunteers. Service is a huge part of SOAR Heartland, and is evident every time you interact with a person. 

Teams rotate through cleaning up dishes and helping keep the church clean. A lot of what was done today was done separately, we all went to different churches for service this morning. We had team time, then came back to the church to eat supper. After supper the session was about the foot washing that happened tonight. After a very uplifting worship experience, Lloyd gave a talk about intercessory prayer. He explained that there were many different dimensions to praying in a specific way for someone. You should never try to correct a person when you are washing your feet. Usually one of the team members that you are with does not have a long history of relationship with you. You should only correct a person that you would feel comfortable in correcting. Foot washing is also not a time to predict a person's future, you should not be telling a person what they should do with their life.

Foot washing is a time to encourage and strengthen the members of the team. When a word of encouragement is given by a team member, your team is encouraged to test that word through the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. The point of foot washing is to serve each other, just like the Lord Jesus did with his disciples. During the session we had a time to think of a particular person and receive a word of encouragement for them. We got a chance to share some words with the group with words of encouragement. Sometimes the Lord would give them with verses, single words like love or hope, and also pictures. The Lord used all of these to prepare the group for when the teams would go out and wash each other's feet. 

SOAR is full of new experiences for students, some of them have never practiced intercessory prayer. The worship may be a different pace then they are used to, especially for those students and leaders that are used to singing hymns instead of contemporary worship songs. The program for SOAR was carefully constructed to encourage people to us their gifts in service of the Lord. Today we learned how to make ourselves into servants, exemplifying what Christ did. 

"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me "Teacher" and "Lord", and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very turly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."  (John 13:12-17)

Teams washing each other's feet

Day of Prayer: Saturday

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." - Deuteronomy 30:19

Today was a day of preparation and training. The church was full of workshops and training sessions that equipped SOAR participants and leaders for a week of ministry. We began this morning with a message about hearing the voice of God from Carol Letkeman. From there we went off to sessions like: Journaling, Intercessory Prayer, Lecito Divina, and Worshipping Through Dance. Participants and Leaders had a chance to go to two of each the workshops offered. When people were finished with these workshops, they split off into team times. There was an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement for the coming week. 
After lunch, teams attended larger workshops that taught them how to do particular ministry. One workshop focused on ministries of compassion. Those ministries would offer hospitality, food, shelter, and give those participants a chance to serve in a very physical way. 
After supper, the session in the evening focused on choices. Cory, the youth pastor from Eastview Community Church, shared about his experience of auditioning for Big Brother. He saw it as an opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ in a unique way. Cory went through several rounds of auditions, and during one of the last rounds, he had an opportunity to share his faith with the producers of Big Brothers. They asked him very in-depth questions about his faith, and it had never been tested in that way before. Unfortunately, weeks after the auditions, the producers informed Cory that he did not make the cut. He was told the cut was not for any particular reason, the producers just needed to cut people out of the top 40. Cory emphasized the choices that he made during his life, and always told his youth that they needed to make wise choices. Making those choices takes discernment when you are choosing between the good and the better. 
Tonight there was a sense that SOAR was covered in prayer by people both inside and out. Thank you for your continued support, we definitely felt your prayers today!

Cory sharing about making choices

SOAR participating in worship

A FULL Day: Day One

March 22nd was a day of orientation, learning and prayer. The teams went into the city of Winnipeg on a learning tour. A number of different ministries opened their doors and let participants experience what it was like to live in the inner city of Winnipeg. Lunch bags were provided by the North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, but supper wasn't so easy. Teams only had two dollars a person to spend on supper. 

SOAR participants and leaders had an opportunity to feel with their hearts, and fought their preconceptions with their minds. We were sensitive to the fact that in the midst of the darkness, God is the light that shines. He is near to the broken. We were able to cheer on people, and realized that God saw the people we met on the street as treasures. Can we see these homeless people with new eyes, fresh eyes? Do we need to label them, or can we see them through the lens of Christ?. During our session tonight we learned that our gifts were aimed outwards, spiritual gifts were never intended to be used selfishly. These gifts are given to us so that we may serve. It was a real privilege to hear the stories of the participants tonight. There were moments of frustration and celebration; and God revealed himself to us today. 

A SOAR Participant named Christina talked about a man that she encountered on the street named Harvey. Harvey said that if he was born three blocks in the other direction, then he would have been great friends with some other boys he knew, instead of enemies. Such is the reality of gangs in the inner city. 

Nathan, another SOAR Participant, had an opportunity to share hot chocolate with a couple he met named Gordon and Jennifer. When he was ready to pack up, he was met by Jimmy, who also wanted to enjoy a hot chocolate. Jimmy was determined to pay for the hot chocolate, so he offered Nathan three pennies. Nathan decided to buy him a burger instead, and heard a bit of Jimmy's story. 

Mikaela shared about getting lost in the north end of the city. She was in charge of the map, and after walking for a while, she realized that she didn't know where she was. She encountered a friendly man on the street,and he asked what their group was doing. Mikaela and her group were praying for the city. He shared how he had moved to Canada in the past year, was a medical practitioner before living in Winnipeg, and he wanted prayer that the Lord would provide him with a job. This was all happened around noon, and and after speaking with the man, the group continued on some side streets. At three o'clock, Mikaela's group encountered that same man on a street corner. He had an enormous smile on his face; the Lord had blessed him with a job! 

During the session, we spoke about the effectiveness of prayer. A passage from Ephesians 1:18-19 "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe..."

Nathan sharing his story

Christina sharing her story

Matt Bergen sharing his testimony at the Vineyard

Worship at North Kildonan Mennonite Church

Welcome to SOAR 2013!

We're back and ready for another season of SOAR!
This is the 11th year of SOAR Heartland in Winnipeg and we're excited to be spending the next 10 days living, eating, and serving together.

We hope to keep you in the loop with glimpse of what happens on SOAR through stories, images, and videos.
We also hope this blog will be a place to encourage you of how God is active in the lives of youth, their leaders, and the people they interact with here in Winnipeg. It's an intensive 10 days so please partner with us in prayer. Prayer for wisdom, courage, discernment, unity, safety, health, and peace as we encounter the challenges and joys of SOAR.

*Please note that all older posts are from SOAR 2012. Feel free to read them, enjoy them, and continue to share the stories of God at work in Winnipeg.