Preaching from a mountainside (in a Winnipeg hotel parking lot)

When a local church that was hoping to minister to forest fire evacuees encountered issues because of COVID restrictions they chose to adapt and the end result was ministering to even more people than those originally intended.

Evacuees from Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi First Nations have been living in Winnipeg hotels for months after forest fires destroyed power lines into the two communities. The Red Cross reached out to local church Encounter Life Ministries on the weekend, saying the people would like to hold a worship gathering. 

When Pastor Marty McLean and other ministers from the church arrived at the hotel conference room they found it almost empty. They found out that most people didn't have COVID vaccination QR codes, and the hotel could not allow people into the room without proof of vaccination.

"So quick thinking we just said 'OK,' and we got a hold of the hotel manager and he says we could set up outside so within a matter of 15 minutes we took down the equipment and set up out on the parking lot. We had church outside, in a parking lot, at a hotel."

Sharon Thomas and others from the Encounter Life worship team ministered to people with music. (Marty McLean)

What might have seemed like a roadblock to some simply became a small detour for McLean and his team. "You know, just going out there, I think it was a lot better actually being out there than going into a closed conference room," the pastor says. He also says it meant that many people who might not have come into the church service ended up hanging around and hearing the worship music and the Gospel preached.

The preaching took place because Pastor Hilda Leveque was able to attend once the team decided to set up outside. She shared the good news of Jesus with those present in both English and Ojibway. "Thank God for touching the people's lives this evening," Leveque writes on a Facebook post Sunday evening.

"The team prayed for people as they came to the altar on the street.  The music was so anointed. God made a way for me when I thought it wasn’t possible for me to be there. God made a way for Encounter Life to minister in such a way they never expected. I give Him all the praise for what he’s done tonight. Miiway!" 

Pastor Hilda Leveque preaches to those gathered. (Marty McLean)

Pastor McLean says that there wasn't much frustration when first told their plans wouldn't work as intended inside. He says that management was helpful when he said, "It's OK! I'm just going to be like Jesus and I'm going to find a mountainside to preach on." They discussed going outside, and the hotel staff helped the team tear down all their equipment and find electrical outlets outside.

McLean says he even prayed for some of the hotel staff that were present who did not have a Christian background but were facing difficulties in life. They prayed for several others, as well.

"There was a great response when it came to telling people that if they need prayer they could come and pray," McLean says. "I believe it was something they really needed. It brought them a lot of hope and joy."

Hydro was just restored to the two communities that are approximately 235 kilometres north of Winnipeg over the weekend. Pastor McLeans asks people to pray for the community members as they finally head home and transition back to life in their communities.

Ministers from Encounter Life Ministries pray with those in attendance.