Winnipeg, Man.-On October 26, 2024, more than 150 people gathered at The Meeting Place in Winnipeg, Man. to offer praise to the Lord for the outreach and effectiveness of Indian Life Ministries.
Attendees from Canada and the United States reflected on Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 and the goodness of God in every season. And the theme was carried throughout the music and message.
Chris and Rochelle Creasy led the participants in worship and blessed the crowd with their music. Chris and Rochelle, from Winnipeg, came from Island Lake Anisininew Nation, Wasagamack and Garden Hill. Chris's first language is Ojicree-Island Lake Anisininew dialect. He works full-time in pre-cast. Rochelle has her Bachelor of Social Work and is currently completing her Master of Social Work. She works as a Jordan's Principle tribal coordinator in the health field. With their commitment to music ministry, they follow in the footsteps of Rochelle's parents and Chris' late grandmother.
Derek and Sonia McLeod, from Kittaning, Pennsylvania, shared a triumphant story of how the Lord intervened in their marriage by bringing deliverance and restoration. Sonia explained how, feeling betrayed and hurt by her husband's sin, she'd had enough and kicked him out of their home.
But when Derek moved to a different city to start his life over, Sonia began to cry out to God. Through prevailing prayer, God intervened to save their marriage and their family of seven children (see the September/October 2024 issue of Intertribal Life for more information about their story and Sonia' books Rise Up My Beloved, Teach Me to War, and 100 Days Walking By Faith Journal). Now, ordained with the Independent Assemblies of God International (Canada) since 2011, they encourage believers to walk in intimacy with Christ. They are working to establish a Christ-based substance abuse rehab center and to support single parents and those who are in struggling marriages.
Of course, no event would be complete without a delectable dinner. Indian Life Ministry supporters Florence and Conrad Flett, of Flett Catering, provided moose stew and beef stew, along with all the extras!
Todd and Krystal Wawrzyniak, of the Indian Life Ministries director team, also presented a summary of how the Lord has blessed in this season-and shared with the group goals for the New Year (see Directors' Corner, p. 4).
"This year's banquet brought a lot of us together, especially with me and my family," wrote one participant afterwards. "Even though we lost many of our loved ones who were close to us, we remember the memories and the love we shared. There were tears, and of course we couldn't go without laughter. Our biggest Blessings were to see many happy faces from near and far that came together to worship . . . Thank you to the amazing cooks and volunteers that fed us, and thank you to the McLeod family who fed us spiritually . . . My family will surely come back for more."
One of the fifteen volunteers from three provinces noted, "ILM banquet 2024 was awesome. We have been helping with this banquet for the past six years and every year, it's been incredible. We encourage you to order an ILM newspaper or books or attend any of their events."
Another attendee wrote, "I just wanted to reach out and say how wonderful the banquet was! The hospitality and food were amazing. I enjoyed the speakers and music for this year; it covered a wide range of topics and testimonies.
"My fiancé, Peter, and I attended this year because we are trying to get more involved with the church. I was raised in a Christian household and have always been a believer, but more recently, Peter and I are currently walking on red road with two-and-a-half years of sobriety. Peter and I are reaching out for more resources and connections to keep us busy and to fulfill the desire we have to serve the Lord! We will be definitely be attending the banquet again and any other events you guys will hold."
"The banquet was such an encouragement," Todd and Krystal Wawrzyniak said in summary. "There was a beautiful mix of people in attendance representing so many tribes and nations. Believers and not-yet believers sat shoulder-to-shoulder and listened as Chris and Rochelle shared their gift of music, and Derek and Sonia shared their testimony.
"We are encouraged because we felt God's presence at the banquet. We are encouraged because many people shared that they were encouraged. We are encouraged because there were many new people in attendance who hadn't attended before.
"And we are encouraged because God's Word was proclaimed! We consider it an honor and privilege to get to be involved with Indian Life, and are blessed by the sweet friendships we have made. It is our prayer that the mandate of Indian Life would continue to be fulfilled in restoring hope, healing and honor within Indigenous communities across North America through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ."
