God has allowed Parry to do things this year beyond his dreams and expectations. One of those is his new book and the other is his weight loss. Thank God for the many ways He has used and is using Parry in ministry in the Edmonton area and across Alberta and further via radio and his book.
After graduating from Taylor Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, with a Master of Divinity Degree, I wasn't sure I was a master of anything. I had no definite prospects for working in ministry. Yes, I had completed tons of volunteer work, but who was going to pay me (even a small amount) to do ministry? Yes, God had looked after me all the years before this and so why was I worried or fearful?
The reason why I was worried and fearful was because my heart was failing me and it needed healing. How was this healing going to take place? I already knew Jesus and His Word and all about the church, but why was I wavering in my faith and my heart?
I was wavering because I spent four years in seminary trusting God that He would have something for me when I was done, yet like many of us, I got impatient and in a hurry for something now. This is not the way of our God. He takes His time to put things in order because He knows best. This part of my journey was being put to the test.
Now I share with you how God healed my heart and calmed my fears with regards to finding my area of ministry to work in. There are four main areas that have blown me away in regards to how God worked things out.
First, I was voted in as chairman of the board at my home church (First Nations Alliance Church) in Edmonton, and I started to learn the responsibilities of this new challenge. This happened a number of months before graduating, but I said to God, "I need more than this. This is another volunteer job!" Little did I know that this was only part of the "big picture" puzzle that God was putting together in my life. I love my church and this has brought me to a new level of leadership and challenge that I would not get anywhere else. Yes, God knows what He is doing.
Second, CIAM Radio approached me, after struggling through my first summer with no job, after graduating. One of the main leaders of this radio ministry told me that if I wanted to be trained in recording my own messages, the radio would broadcast these messages and we had the potential to reach thousands of people instead of just a few people who attended church on the Sundays I preached.
After spending time with him at the station over four months, he helped me get my own website up and running. It was at this time that I founded Word of Hope Ministries Society (WOHMS). The goal of the website is to offer free Bible-centered resources to my Aboriginal People and anyone else that may come across the site. On the site you can also download or listen to free Bible stories that I record at the CIAM Support Center. WOHMS is a not-for-profit society now (with an official board), but we haven't as yet obtained charitable status. Our website is: wordofhopeministries.ca
Third, CIAM Radio also gave me the opportunity to have my Bible stories on 22 of their radio satellite stations that are broadcast over northern British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. You can find all the frequencies on their website at ciamradio.com Word of Hope Ministries Society has a weekly program on Sundays at 11 a.m. and Wednesdays at 8 p.m., when I teach the Bible from a practical point of view. WOHMS is also seeking other stations to connect with in other parts of Canada.
Fourth, I wrote a book while in seminary and got help formatting and designing it. After publishing it myself through Word of Hope Ministries Society, this dream also came true. You can find the book on the WOHMS website and also in stores in Alberta.
God really healed my troubled heart and calmed all my fears with regards to how He could and would use me if I let Him. I am also very grateful to Indian Life for allowing me to write a regular column for the past year.
Isn't it amazing all the wonderful things that happened in such a short amount of time? In addition to graduating, God opened the door for: 1. Church involvement; 2. Starting a ministry; 3. Starting a weekly radio broadcast; and 4. Publishing a book.
All for the glory of God. He is the one who did it. God is amazing and if you let Him, He can do amazing things in your life and ministry. He will blow you away and at the same time heal your heart and calm all your fears.
Parry Stelter is from Alexander First Nation and is Founder of Word of Hope Ministries (www.wordofhopeministries.ca) He wants us to know that in addition to his changes and accomplishments, God has helped him to lose 150 pounds and he will lose another 100 pounds as a result of surgery. Congratulations, Parry!
