Urban Abbey Welcomes new Youth Pastor

It was a tense afternoon at Urban Abbey on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022.

The High family were making their way to the border crossing at Niagra Falls Canada from Souderton PA, USA to seek a Religious Worker’s visa from Canadian Border services. Prayers were ascending to the heavens while stomachs were churning with hopes and frankly the occasional conversation about “Plan B” was being engaged.

The High family did not apply for the visa through a Canadian consulate or online service in advance.

Kevin & Kerry and their two teens drove up to the border, paperwork in-hand to seek safe passage into Canada so that they could begin their work. Kerry is the new Youth Pastor at Urban Abbey and will begin creating curriculum, learning, and programming for the youth of the City. Kevin will volunteer in various ways as a support to the work of Urban Abbey.

This seeking safe passage sounds familiar. The ancient writings of Nehemiah say this: “I also said to him, ‘If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-passage until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my request.’ Neh 2:6-8

The gracious hand of God was on the High family and Border Services granted the request for a Religious Worker’s visa. We thank God for his generosity and kindness, as he continues to give good gifts to Urban Abbey.

We are excited to have the High Family join us at Urban Abbey as we seek to reflect the face of Jesus to the City of Thunder Bay and beyond.

Sam Kakegamic: Brother & Friend

Sam and the piece of art he helped construct

Sam Kakegamic - our friend, brother, co-laborer, advisor and dear family member went to be with Jesus this week.

What can we say to honor this man? I think he would want to have us first mention his great sense of humor! Sam could tell a funny story with such dry humor, then throw his head back and laugh.

Sam gave of himself in so many ways to work on projects at the Abbey.

Perhaps most memorable is Sam’s work on the artwork in the picture above. Once the design had been completed, Sam laid out, in complete detail where each block of color should go. He spent hours meticulously marking the grid so that all we had to do was place each piece. Sam loved this work and was so excited on the day we lifted it onto the wall - with his help!

Sam lived with us on many occasions - from 2000 to 2002, Sam helped to pioneer Saturday Night Life, a neighbor meal to the urban core of Thunder Bay that is in its 20th year! In 2014-2016, Sam joined us off and on as we pioneered the Abbey - helping with winter construction projects.

Sam was great at staying in touch through facebook and always sending words of love and encouragement.

Sam you are missed - you reminded us of our humanity and how much we all need Jesus. You showed us so clearly the difference God can make in a life when we choose to follow him and not our own ways.
We shall see you soon!