This week in good news (Apr. 18-24)

CFL fans found out this week they get to return to stands in August and miracle baby Levi celebrated his first birthday in this week's good news.

Sunshine Fund hoping to still send kids to camp this summer

With the ever changing restrictions from the pandemic, summer camps are still hoping to have campers in some capacity during the 2021 summer.

Kim Scherger is the Executive Director of Manitoba Camping Association, home of the Sunshine Fund.

"The Manitoba Camping Association is an organization where we set standards and best practises for overnight summer camps in Manitoba, as well as some in North Western Ontario," says Scherger.

Congregation sees over 1,000 baptisms in under 4 months as revival breaks out

A pastor says what simply started as a prayer on his porch has turned into a move of God that has seen over 1,000 people baptized since the end of December.

Pastor Robby Gallaty of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., tells the Baptist Press that it all started after the suicides of two close friends in ministry, pastors Jarrid Wilson and Darren Patrick.

“Both of those men preached at Long Hollow within six months of their passing,” Gallaty says. “They both sat at my dining room table. It made me realize that the last person to say he’s burning out or that ministry is tough is usually the one burning out.

Tasha Layton's newest single shares powerful message on identity

Once Katy Perry's backup singer, Tasha Layton continues to release songs of hope and identity in Christ.

"Life is full of accusations. 'You’re not good enough. You really messed that up'. Or, 'how could you have done that?' Accusation is a tool used to bind us and keep us from being who God made us to be," says Layton on her Facebook page the day her new single was released.

'Look What You've Done' is the brand new single from the CCM artist, released April 16, 2021.

Cece Winans and Carrie Underwood bring down the house at ACM awards

An awards show for top country artists, the ACM Awards on April 18 featured a stunning performance of gospel hits with Carrie Underwood and Cece Winans.

This was the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards event.

"Thank you to the legendary CeCe Winans and the amazing choir and musicians for joining me on the #MySavior performance last night!" posts Underwood on her Facebook.

Teacher says faith and work connection 'beautiful part' of her job

A Catholic school resource teacher with St. Maurice Catholic School is being recognized by the province for her dedication to students.

Brenda Grieve is the resource teacher for St. Maurice Catholic School's Kindergarten to Grade Six students and has been a part of the school for decades. She is one of the latest recipients of the Teaching Excellence Award, given out by the province during Education Week.

"Vice Principal Bob Beaudry called me for a meeting in the library and I was not certain what the meeting was about. I went up and down the hall to find out from the colleagues (asking) 'why are we meeting' and everybody was grinning at me, not saying anything," Grieve says.

Biz buzzing in excitement for outdoor spring activities

A former youth pastor is behind a Winnipeg summer staple offering a different experience for couples and families.

Chad Celaire and his wife Kim own an outdoor service called Bee2gether Tandem Bike Rentals and Sales, but many people just call it Bee2gether Bikes.

"We started back in 2007 with one location at The Forks in Winnipeg. I was the only one working it and it was quite an endeavour," says Celaire.

From contestant to guest performer, Lauren Daigle returns to American Idol

Two-time Grammy award winner Lauren Daigle returns to the American Idol stage to perform one of her hit singles.

"Just finished on American Idol and it's the first time ever that I've gotten to play on the big show," Daigle posts on Facebook with a video.

She sported a new hairdo with bright blonde highlights.

Bullied, but not broken: Former RCMP officer using art to recover

A former RCMP officer is using her mental health therapy to help others.

Michelle Aldie's small stature and sweet voice are a stark contrast to the stereotypical police officer, but it was her dream. Aldie grew up in Nova Scotia and later in life found herself in Saskatchewan to take her RCMP training.

"I graduated in 2012 and after that, I was offered a constable's position in Thompson, Manitoba. I'm from New Brunswick so I had to Google Thompson. I had always wanted to be a police officer my whole life. The RCMP was an organization I really looked up to and believed in."

Queen quietly celebrating landmark birthday

Just four days after burying her husband, the Queen of England is celebrating her 95th birthday.

Queen Elizabeth II has issued a personal message on her birthday, thanking people for their 'support and kindness' over the past few days.

"While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and hear the tributes paid to my husband," the message says.

‘Tomorrow is not yours’: Extreme violence meets radical faith in Nigeria

Inside Nigeria’s northeast region lies the sprawling city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. With a population of 1 million people, the century-old city is the largest in the area.

Maiduguri has always called itself the “city of peace.”

And then, Boko Haram was born. In 2002, a radical cleric founded the group, and since then the city and surrounding areas have been the place attacked most by Boko Haram.

CFL season planning to resume in August with fans in stands

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers players and fans will be donning their jerseys this summer.

On Wednesday the CFL announced the league will be returning to gameplay on August 5. To accommodate a regular but shorted 14-game season, the Grey Cup will be hosted in Hamilton on December 12.

“We are prepared to be creative as well as prudent. For example, if we are unable to host fans in the East because of COVID-19, we are prepared to start play in the West, provided eastern teams can return to their home provinces, and play in front of their fans, later in the season," Commissioner Randy Ambrosie says in a statement.

Dental support extended for EIA recipients with $32 million in funding

Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) recipients and children in care will continue to receive oral health care coverage for the next several years.

A renewed agreement and $32 million funding over the course of the next three years will ensure Manitobans will be able to see the dentist.

Minister Rochelle Squires says all children in care continue to have their dental work covered by the province. They will cover 90 per cent of care costs and the dentists are covering the other 10.

Cremona makes Samaritan’s Purse honorary citizens

An Italian city that was the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic one year ago is thanking a Christian NGO for building a field hospital that cared for patients in the worst wave of the virus.

Italy was the first epicentre of the COVID-19 epidemic in Europe and specifically the north of the country.

Cremona, a city of 77,000 inhabitants in the Lombardy region, has thanked the ‘Samaritani’ (as they have been known in the city) for their help in the midst of the chaos that broke out in the region in February 2020.

5 ways to celebrate Earth Day from home!

Every April 22, Earth Day is celebrated by more than 1 billion people around the world. How do you plan on marking the day?

Ideas ranging from spending time outside to picking up litter can be ways for you to show your appreciation for God's creation.

'God's hand visible' for second COVID-19 Bible camp summer

While most of Camp Arnes will be closed to the public this summer, the director is sharing some amazing things she's witnessed over the past year.

Audrey Hicks is the current acting Executive Director of Camp Arnes, located one hour north of Winnipeg.

"The decision got made that realistically, we're probably better to go into somewhat of a shutdown mode and lay off some staff," says Hicks.

PRAISE: Levi Guenther turns one after difficult year

A couple from Steinbach is joyfully celebrating their miracle son on his first birthday after a year of fighting for his life.

Sonja and Jaydan Guenther are from Steinbach, Man. and they have been through a lot of ups and downs in their first year of marriage. This included finding out they were expecting twins, to having many medical complications.

"Looking back a year from now and looking how far he's come is definitely mind-blowing and melts your heart a little. The last year has definitely brought a ton of challenges as well as a lot of milestones that have been reached," says Jaydan.

Local leader encouraging residents to explore West End with free food

city councillor is bringing cheer to her neighbours, encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors and support small businesses this weekend.

Councillor Cindy Gilroy's Daniel McIntyre neighbourhood is filled with small local businesses and many different people who are strong supporters of their communities. Wanting to draw attention to some and encourage people to get outside, Gilroy created a plan. She is working with three local businesses to give away Winnipeg-centred snacks, hoping to encourage people to explore and get outdoors.

Parks, trails, getting combined total of $22.5 million boost

Nature-lovers are getting welcome news, just in time for summer.

Two new funds are coming to Manitoba focussing on outdoor recreation, totalling $22.5 million.

Standing on the not-yet green grass of Beaudry Provincial Park, Premier Brian Pallister and Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced a $20-million Provincial Parks Endowment Fund. This Earth-Day announcement is to aid in the new and changing costs and demands in provincial parks.

Jordan St. Cyr joining Jeremy Camp on tour

A Manitoban musician is heading south to join a Christian music legend in shows across the United States.

While sad to leave his bustling family home, Jordan St. Cyr is excited to get back on stage.

"I am just excited to connect with people and hear their hearts in person and just be able to pray with them and really just minister," St. Cyr says. "I think that is the whole point of Christian music and why it exists."