We Have A Dream
Throughout our marriage, we’ve kept a “dream board” on our living room wall: A board full of words God gives us, ideas we have, and dreams for life. While our time in Hawaii came to its end and we were considering our future plans, we noticed our dream board was full of ideas and words for Niagara more than any other of the 10+ locations listed. Was God calling us back to Niagara?
Holdup. The world travellers returning to Niagara?
Yeah that’s right, God sure works in mysterious ways! Even though going home may seem out of character for us, it gives us all the more confidence that this is a word of God, not just our own ideas. God’s dream is for everyone in Niagara to have a relationship with Him and to go out from Niagara to impact the nations with His love. This has been God’s dream for all of history, but just three years ago, He began to invite us into it slowly and surely.
So here’s the scoop.
Upon returning to Niagara after DTS back in 2016, Melinda presented the idea of a YWAM community to be formed in Niagara to Tanner and our friends who were ecstatic. This was a response to seeing and admiring the way YWAMers live obedient to God in all aspects of their lives. We wanted this for our friends, family, and the entire community! But the idea didn’t see much action… yet.
A year later the idea resurfaced after returning from Greece when our eyes were opened to the rough side of Niagara Falls. During a prayer walk over the city, Tanner ran into an elderly man who recounted the troubled history of the area with his experiences growing up there. Nearing the end of the conversation he exclaimed, “this area could use a great school.” Yes! A school that will raise up missionaries to care for the hurting and share the good news – a YWAM centre. However, we soon realized we needed some more leadership training before we take on starting a movement and felt God calling us to Adelaide, Australia.
Throughout this year we have found YWAM Adelaide has been in a season of “re-establishing”. We have had the privilege of serving with them and learning with them the stages of building a YWAM centre. Just a few months ago a prominent YWAM leader visited Adelaide from YWAM Brisbane, a centre quite familiar with pioneering new ministries. Over dinner Tanner was casually picking his mind and soon found out he had a big heart for Canada. After sharing our dream, he ecstatically offered the support of his base to send us! All to say, we have realized that being at YWAM Adelaide has been an essential piece of God’s plan for us.
So yes, when reflecting on our dream board, all the God-ordained events over the past 3 years, and our deepest conviction, we believe returning to Niagara is what is next, and with an intention to start a movement that God has placed in our hearts – YWAM Niagara.
Our Vision for Niagara
Niagara is an area famous around the world drawing every kind of visitor from absolutely every nation. Niagara is host to a large and diverse population with a deep rooted history of Christianity that carries on today. However, amidst this, our vast Christian community struggles to keep up with the demand for Christ-like care and the opportunities for sharing the Gospel. All levels of poverty are represented throughout many of Niagara’s communities and millions of international visitors leave without an invitation to hear of Christ and return to a country that may never allow them such a gift. Our heart is to see YWAM Niagara work alongside the local and international church inspiring Christians to live a life of knowing God and making Him known by providing opportunities for training, evangelism, and mercy ministries locally, nationally, and abroad.
YWAM Niagara will exist to empower the church to be one community fulfilling the great commission among our neighbours and visitors spreading a revival of Christ’s love across North America and into all the nations.
Will you join us?
Prayerfully consider how God might be inviting you into His dream of transforming Niagara with the Gospel and empowering them to reach the nations with His love. We know this is a calling far greater than just us and something that requires the entire church to join together to complete.
