Faith Night Wrap Up

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:46:22 +0000

Bruins Faith Night is now over and we trust God that he will generate the fruit and bless the results.

There were so many good things that happened leading up to Faith Night and I continue to hear stories after. We didn’t win on the ice, but there were other victories that night. We had more churches than last year take interest and participate. Crossroads and Mountview both had big groups at the game. Evans Hundermark was so excited he wrote to the editor in the Chilliwack Times. You can read it here. Many of you prayed or had a booth or just showed up to support the event. There was a group of teachers that purchased a box and they had a ton of fun. Some groups raised money, others promoted their faith based cause and many of us enjoyed the hockey.

Paula Quick and the choir sent chills down my spine during the singing of the anthems. A lady in our church (Patt Elzinga) who lost her 18 year old son in a farm accident in May, sang a solo “When Peace Like A River.” Knowing her story and her grief, I was touched deeply by her proclamation and words of hope that was in the song — “Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.” She said if grace was a person, He was holding me during the song.

Curtis Fast and the Liberty Band was outstanding. They rocked the house. With the boys from BC Teen Challenge and the sound piped through the house sound system, they were loud and proud. It was a powerful moment when they sang the David Crowder song, “Here is our King.” ”Here is our King, Here is our Love, Here is our God who’s come to bring us back to him. He is the one, he is Jesus.”

I am continually amazed at the support we receive from the Bruins. Their video pro, Robbie Snooks, (who will be working with NBC during the Olympics) filmed and put together professional level videos of three players who shared their faith. He showed the video a number of times during the game. He also aired the BC Teen Challenge video which was bold, tasteful and Jesus honouring. If you need video work done, talk to Robbie - he is first class.

Our booths received more traffic than last year. Joy Moravec was our booth hostess and she was on top of things making sure the agencies were taken care of and questions were answered.

I feel the event is still in it infancy. We are learning how to do this type of thing within the context of a hockey game.
My goal is to proclaim the person and message of Jesus without compromise and continue to get invited back. There is a fine line there.

We had 3330 people at the game. Who knows what next year will bring. But keep it in mind. If you have ideas for improvement or how you want to get involved, I’d love to hear from you.

Keeping the Faith,

Mike VanderKwaak

Bruins Faith Night Featured In Chilliwack Times

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:20:22 +0000

The Chilliwack Times wrote a feature article on Faith Night.

Vanderkwaak keeping the faith

Cornelia Naylor, The Times
Published: Tuesday, January 19, 2010

When Bruins’ chaplain, Mike Vanderkwaak came to the team almost four years ago, he had to carve out a role for himself without much direction.

In the fast-paced, elite hockey environment, it was sometimes a challenge to connect with players while keeping out of the coaching staff’s way.

Over the years, though, a few defining moments have made his role with the team crystal clear.

More here.

Date Change: From January 26th To 27th, 2010

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:46:46 +0000

Please note, Faith Night has been changed from January 26th to the 27th.

Looking For Choirs For Faith Night

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:40:18 +0000

Any local Chilliwack Choirs out there that want to be a part of Faith Night? We’d love to have you in the stands and singing the national anthem and faith inspiring songs.

Let us know if you are interested or want more info.

Looking For A Band To Play At Faith Night

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:37:26 +0000

Last year it was Sterr, this year who will it be? We are looking for a live band to play at Faith Night. If anyone knows of a good band, that can play up-beat, driving and inspiring music with Biblical roots, let me know.

The band can have their own booth, sell their own merchandise and promote their cause.

Bruins Faith Night 09

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:06:57 +0000

Bruins Faith Night was on February 20th as the Bruins hosted the Rockets.

It was worth all the effort leading up to the event. This was my first large event that I was a part of - the Bruins staff put on one every home game. I am amazed at how much work goes into putting on a WHL hockey game. There are the rink operations staff, the Bruins staff, people that we brought in from the community to promote their cause and the band Sterr who provided great music for us. It was a lot of co-ordinating for everyone.

I was left with so many impressions. The Bruins staff were wonderful. They wanted to make this event positive for everyone and they went out of their way to do so. Thanks Barry, Derek, Vanni, Jacob, Andrea, Janice, Zelda, Robbie and Randy. The coaches, Jim and Dan were very supportive and assisted us with the players when we needed to have their involvement.

The causes/agencies that came in to promote their cause, they were all very positive about how things went for them. MCC, Worldvision, Salvation Army, Hungry for Life, BC Teen Challenge, Stoney Creek Expeditions, Unity Christian School were terrific to work with and I’m so glad they were all there. Hopefully they will be back and maybe be able to have an additional 4-8 more causes/agencies.

The Prospera staff were very helpful and wanted to make this event a positive one and their contributions certainly paved the way. Thanks Lars, Greg (and his staff) and Willa.

Heartland was tremendous in giving me the permission and blessing to be involved with Faith Night. Many too were at the game.

Looking forward to Faith Night 2010!

Sterr

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:44:43 +0000

The band Sterr was simply brilliant at Faith Night. We were so fortunate to have them come. They played when the doors opened at 6:00pm till 6:20pm and then throughout the game as a house band. They also finished the night with a few of their numbers when the game was finished.

Steve, Glenn, Kris and Jared were great to work with.

I love the cause they are associated with too - Worldvision. Worldvision and their sponsor a child program has helped so many.

There was this really great moment when they were playing their first set, Steve gave an intro to World vision and then said something that captured the whole event - he invited us all to get involved in something “bigger than ourselves.” It sent tingles down my spin.

I think his words captured what I think Bruins Faith Night was all about - something bigger than ourselves.

Thanks Sterr.

Hope to see you next year.

Welcome Hungry For Life!

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:19:48 +0000

We would like to welcome Hungry For Life to Bruins Faith Night.

They will be having a booth to promote their cause on February 20th!!

Oscar Moller Back In Kings Lineup

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:31:10 +0000

This just in from TSN:

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday activated forward Oscar Moller from injured reserve and placed defenseman Tom Preissing on IR.

Moller has been out since January 8, when he suffered a fractured collarbone. Prior to the injury, the 20-year-old Swede posted six goals and 13 points in 30 games.

Preissing is on the injured list, retroactive to February 1, with an upper body injury, and has missed LA’s last four games. The fifth-year pro collected three goals and seven points in 22 games before getting hurt.

The moves come one day before the Kings begin a three-game homestand by welcoming Calgary.

02/11 17:56:53 ET

Oscar Moller Charity Auction

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:07:41 +0000

We have two signed LA Kings #9 Oscar Moller Jerseys that will be auctioned off at Faith Night on February 20th. We also have game action signed photos of Oscar that are nicely framed that will be also available for auction.

The proceedes will go towards Hockey Ministries International and towards helping build a home for a homeless Mexican family.