Hockey Ministries International - British Columbia

Don Richmond
Hockey Ministries International
BCHL Chapel Program Coordinator
Chaplain, Westside Warriors Junior A Hockey
PRAYER POINTS APRIL 2009 NEWSLETTER

  • --for a Christian witness at the Royal Bank Cup tournament
  • ----the new HMI Summer Hockey Camp at UBC
  • ----for the possible Olympic Chaplaincy opportunity
  • ----for new chaplaincy programs in Richmond and Victoria
  • ----for the players and fans that I am meeting with
  • ----for the upcoming Smart Hockey magazine article in the fall
  • ----for the BCHL Board of Governors chaplaincy program presentation in June

A warm hello from Kelowna -- April is now gone and May is starting with some beautiful days!

Let me fill you in on many of the details of HMI BC ministry during April:

This month has been full of 'God moments' ... moments to meet with players and staff of my local Junior A hockey club. Since the playoffs are over for us, there is a bit more time for personal talks and private reflection. This time of year is a good season to speak of serious spiritual things with them. Also, I have been asked to perform the wedding of one of the owners' sons this fall. There are never shortages of God-ordained opportunities! Lorraine and I were recently asked to come for supper to the home of one of the fans, and I believe that these people are not far from the Kingdom. I have met with these people several times since then.

Lower Mainland chaplains
I have also been meeting with new chaplains. One of these is Scott Atkins from Richmond, who desires to be the chaplain for his men's recreational team. This is a first for HMI BC; it is so so fulfilling! Also, please pray for Dave Steingard, who has been conducting a new chapel program with the Victoria Salmon Kings, a pro team playing in the East Coast Hockey League. This has come after a long time of prayer and perseverance. Thank you Lord for Your faithfulness and thank you Dave for not giving up!

Don Liesemer Sr. and
me in Vancouver
On April 8-10, I travelled to Vancouver to help set up the HMI Christian summer Hockey Camp at UBC. This camp will run August 2-7; you can check for it online at www.hockeyministries.org. We had a wonderful lunch with some of the HMI chaplains in the lower mainland, and then I had private supper meal with Don Liesemer Sr., President of Hockey Ministries. The next day we took in a Vancouver Canucks game. One of the Canucks players, Darcy Hordichuk is a Christian. (He will be teaching at the UBC Summer Camp.) After the game, he invited us down to the dressing room for a tour and then out onto the players bench. That was pretty special! Then after the game, he took us out for supper. Darcy was so very hospitable, and I really do appreciate it.

I have been talking to the editor of Smart Hockey magazine, the official publication of the BC Hockey League. He is wanting to do a story on chaplaincy in the fall. This is another great blessing and opportunity. Please pray for this upcoming opportunity.

This next week, I ask for prayer as I travel to Victoria for the Royal Bank Cup Canadian Junior A Hockey Championship tournament. I will be singing the National Anthem in both English and French, and praying at the tournament banquet. This is one more opportunity to let the light of Christ shine. As well, I will make a chaplaincy program presentation to the BCHL Board of Governors in early June.... one more prayer item... Oh, and one more thing; I just finished sending in my 2010 Olympic Chaplaincy application, please pray that I am accepted by the Olympic Committee.

I really do need your prayers, the harvest field is all around...... and thank you again for helping me in this ministry,

Going over the boards and into the game,

Your local missionary,
Don Richmond
2 Corinthians 5:14 "For the love of Christ compels me."

ps. You may want to check out the updated list of chaplains in the attached graphic. You could use it as a reminder to pray for the chaplains in the province.

.