It鈥檚 an early start for four Redeemer students. As hockey teammates, it鈥檚 not unusual for them to have morning practices together on the ice rink. But this morning brought them together for a whirlwind ministry opportunity to use their gifts and skills, to serve an incredible community far north of their usual home rink.
Led by Andy Grinbergs, Redeemer鈥檚 maintenance supervisor, Noah Wildeboer, Adam Beatty, Hudson Kosloski and Nick VanderWier were heading to Muskrat Dam, a fly-in Indigenous community of about 250 people in Northern Ontario near the Manitoba border who speak Oji-Cree. For two decades, Grinbergs has led missions trips to Muskrat Dam. This trip began with an invitation from Chief Carla Duncan, asking if he knew of any hockey players who could teach kids how to skate and prepare the youth for a tournament. Working with athletic director James Kryger, an email was sent to the entire team鈥攁nd the response was nothing short of overwhelming.
This was an opportunity for the athletes to live out the expression of Redeemer Athletics鈥 Vertical Purpose, where sport becomes a platform for discipleship, service and Kingdom impact. Through hockey, mentorship and presence, these student-athletes stepped into Redeemer鈥檚 call to pursue excellence for gospel purpose.
Wildeboer, a second-year business student, knew this opportunity to go to Muskrat Dam might not happen again and jumped at the chance. 鈥God gave me the gift of hockey, and I thought this was a great opportunity to give back and teach some kids how to play hockey, and be an example of Christ up there.鈥
In his final year of teacher鈥檚 college, Beatty was naturally looking for teaching opportunities. 鈥淚 thought this was a really cool opportunity 鈥 and the fact that I would get to do it with my teammates and it鈥檚 teaching hockey and it鈥檚 a sport that I love.鈥
After a three-flight journey, they touched down at a small airport in Muskrat Dam. As soon as they stepped out of the airport they were received by a welcoming party of community members eagerly awaiting their arrival. They drove on a small country road to the heart of the town at a t-intersection anchored by the bandhall, a clinic and local store.
Their days started with Grinbergs cooking breakfast and a time of shared devotionals, with each athlete taking a turn to lead. Their morning skate sessions were spent with children as young as four, teaching them how to skate and proper technique. There may have been some falls along the way, but by the end of the last session, kids who didn鈥檛 know how to skate were flying down the ice! Their afternoon sessions were dedicated to the youth to help train and coach them for the upcoming tournament.
In the evenings, they joined the community at the band hall for a time of fun and games. These simple moments, being present, listening and laughing, embodied core values of Redeemer Athletics lived out through relational ministry. The team entered into another community鈥檚 story with humility, compassion and Christ-like presence.
The students spoke of the incredible hospitality and generosity they received. One local woman and her family prepared delicious feasts of fresh bannock, moose stew and homemade pies for dinner, while other families opened their homes to host the students for lunch. 鈥淭heir hospitality is another world,鈥 Beatty noted. 鈥淭hey are so hospitable and welcoming 鈥 They鈥檙e so inviting into activity and into their homes, but also into conversation and into the way they live.鈥
It was a community that exuded such grace, warmth and hospitality, yet it was not lost on the students that this community and its children had walked through significant tragedies.
On one particular afternoon, a few of the children remained on the ice to play as Wildeboer and Beatty were watching from afar with the chief. In that moment, they learned of tragic losses that each child had faced.
鈥淚 remember that being really eye-opening,鈥 Wildeboer shared. 鈥淭hat really reminded me of my purpose just to be a Christian example and be almost like a figure in their lives that they can look back on.鈥 This was a reminder that servant leadership often begins simply by showing up with compassion in places of pain.
Having positive role models and a supportive community is essential for these children. A lot of people are raised by grandparents, uncles and aunts, or neighbours. 鈥淭hey all just call the kids their kids,鈥 Beatty shared, 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 know whose kids are whose. The community comes around the children to help them.鈥
The local church is also present in this community and the students had the opportunity to join a service. It was a small gathering, with only six members of the community attending, but a reminder that God鈥檚 presence was still there as they came together and listened to a sermon by a local missionary.
鈥淲hat really dawned on me was Luke 10:2 鈥 that there is a large harvest but the labourers are few. This really reminds me of Muskrat Dam because it鈥檚 not the largest community, but [there are] a lot of people there.鈥 Wildeboer recognized the need for more labourers to share the Gospel and the love of Christ. This Scripture aligns with Redeemer Athletics鈥 sending vision, equipping labourers who bring the hope of the Gospel wherever God opens doors.
They both expressed gratitude for the opportunity to go to Muskrat Dam. Beatty shared how the community at Redeemer prepared him to mentor the children he met. 鈥淭he community I鈥檝e been surrounded with is full of people who sacrifice in different ways 鈥 [like] my coaches 鈥 having them in my life and realizing I get to go and teach and mentor and take what I learned. The people that Redeemer has put around me have helped me to grow in my own faith and trust in the Lord, and this now is starting to pour out.鈥
“The people that Redeemer has put around me have helped me to grow in my own faith and trust in the Lord, and this now is starting to pour out.鈥
And just as the community had welcomed them with open arms, they were sent off by a large crowd at the airport. The students reflected on how God is faithful and working in the Muskrat Dam community. 鈥淚 learned that God works in mysterious ways,鈥 Wildeboer described, 鈥渆ven in a secluded environment like Muskrat Dam, he still cares for his people, even though it can be harder to even see up there, especially when there are not many people who do believe in God.鈥 Their time in Muskrat Dam reaffirmed that God often does his most powerful work through ordinary acts of presence, service and love.
Beatty鈥檚 faith assures him that 鈥渢here鈥檚 light in the world and the darkness will not overcome it. There鈥檚 still darkness. They鈥檝e suffered in different ways, [but] the hospitality we saw, and the joy and the excitement 鈥 there is light. The light is going to take away the darkness 鈥 the light will not fail, God will not fail.鈥