Dreaming. That is perhaps how I would describe the summer of 2025. Dreaming about what the Lord could be inviting us in to, and what He may be encouraging us to set aside. We spent much time in reflective prayer, whilst remaining diligent in ensuring we continued to produce a top-quality newspaper such as Intertribal Life, for you, our dear readers.
As we kick off the next four months, the last four months of 2025, we are delighted to report that we will be heading down to Bemidji at the beginning of October to advocate for Intertribal Life at the STEER conference. This is a fabulous ministry that gives farmers and ranchers an opportunity to be involved in missions work, when they otherwise may not be able to. If you are a farmer or rancher, and have considered partnering in ministry, but have been curious how you can, check out http://www.steerinc.org to learn how.
A few short weeks after we return, we will head back to central Canada where we will host our annual fundraiser, November 1. In years past, our annual fundraiser in Winnipeg has been a banquet dinner. This year, after hosting a dessert night in Alberta in April, we felt prompted to host a similar event in Winnipeg instead of a banquet. There will still be wonderful native gospel music, this year; it will be bluegrass style with the fabulous Elias Family. We will still hear encouraging testimony from people who have been impacted by, or encouraged by, the ministry of Intertribal Life. And there will still be an opportunity to invest financially in the ministry of Intertribal Life. However, we encourage guests to have a hearty meal before attending the evening, as we will have a plethora of dessert options available.
Please note, we are looking for table hosts who can fill a table of seven people who are interested in learning more about the ministry, who will partner with us in prayer, and who can partner with us in finance. All are welcome, whether you come with a table host or on your own. There is room for you.
Intertribal Life has the blessing of getting to be involved in planning the Native Youth Conference, an event that happens every May. Preparations are starting now, and the planning team intends to get together for a retreat, Lord willing, before the end of the year. If you are a youth between the ages of 13 to 18 and want to attend NYC, or know someone who is, check out their website for more information: http://www.nativeyouthco.org. Or, if you are interested in volunteering for the event (must be 18 or older), please reach out to us at the ILM office directly, and we can talk to you more about the opportunities.
December 5, 6 and 7, we are working alongside leaders in Mini Thni, Alb. Canada, to plan what has become an annual Christmas Gospel outreach. It is a wonderful time where the community gathers to share a few meals together, hear native gospel music from people across western Canada, encouraging hope stories, and be taught from the Word of God. If you are in the area, we encourage you to come say hello. The event is free and really is an inspiring time.
Lastly, we are in the beginning stages of planning two Every Story Matters . . . Including Yours, testimony conferences in the first quarter of 2026. We are in communication with the local church elders in Garden Hill, Man., as well as Sioux Lookout, Ont. Would you pray with us as we plan these two events? It is powerful when people gather in the name of Jesus, and we know forces of evil seek to steal, kill and destroy. But praise Creator God, "For greater is He who is in you (and me), than He who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
