I had a pretty good day yesterday
Every once in a while, at the end of a day, I look back and say to myself, "Thank you God. That was a pretty good day." Yesterday was one of them.
I started with an early lunch meeting with two chaplains from a maximum security institution, along with John and Roxana Kreklo, Alpha's National Coordinator team for Prison Alpha. It was fascinating to hear them discuss their challenges and issues. I found myself more of an interested listener than an active participant in the conversation. Times have changed, even since I was involved in prison Alpha about 15 years ago, plus, ministry is far more challenging at a maximum security institution than the medium security one I was involved with.
Then on to a church I discovered online was planning to run Alpha. This was a church I was surprised to see run Alpha, in a denomination that one does not usually associate with Alpha, but the pastor grew up in a Pentecostal church, and was hoping to bring back some of the more fundamental truths of the Christian faith to the congregation.
Then an evening appointment with a church who ran Alpha in a street ministry context downtown. They had some very encouraging reports. I was pleased because that type of setting can actually be both the most rewarding and the most disappointing type of ministry. But they loved Alpha and plan to run the Youth Film Series for their own youth. In addition, they asked about Prison Alpha and running Alpha for First Nations People. What hearts they have for the marginalized! I have long hoped to run Alpha in a certain Native Healing Centre near Edmonton, so perhaps God is working in that direction.
There is so much to do, but so many opportunities.
Blessings,
John
I started with an early lunch meeting with two chaplains from a maximum security institution, along with John and Roxana Kreklo, Alpha's National Coordinator team for Prison Alpha. It was fascinating to hear them discuss their challenges and issues. I found myself more of an interested listener than an active participant in the conversation. Times have changed, even since I was involved in prison Alpha about 15 years ago, plus, ministry is far more challenging at a maximum security institution than the medium security one I was involved with.
Then on to a church I discovered online was planning to run Alpha. This was a church I was surprised to see run Alpha, in a denomination that one does not usually associate with Alpha, but the pastor grew up in a Pentecostal church, and was hoping to bring back some of the more fundamental truths of the Christian faith to the congregation.
Then an evening appointment with a church who ran Alpha in a street ministry context downtown. They had some very encouraging reports. I was pleased because that type of setting can actually be both the most rewarding and the most disappointing type of ministry. But they loved Alpha and plan to run the Youth Film Series for their own youth. In addition, they asked about Prison Alpha and running Alpha for First Nations People. What hearts they have for the marginalized! I have long hoped to run Alpha in a certain Native Healing Centre near Edmonton, so perhaps God is working in that direction.
There is so much to do, but so many opportunities.
Blessings,
John
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