Meet Gerry and Shirley Falk,
Gerry Falk grew up on Vancouver Island before coming to Saskatchewan to attend Bethany College, where he met Shirley (Toews), a local from Guernsey, SK. They both went overseas afterward on a three-year apprenticeship program with Mennonite Brethren Missions (now known as Multiply); Gerry went to Paraguay, and Shirley went to Spain. Upon returning to Canada, they married in 1986. The Falk’s served for sixteen years in church-planting ministry in Peru. The Falk children, Sara and Tim, grew up in Peru and were a vital part of their outreach and church life. It was and continues to be our joy to introduce people to Jesus and see them grow in Christ. In 2005, the Falk’s came to Saskatoon and joined Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, where they minister to international students at the University of Saskatchewan.
The Falk’s vision is that international graduate students, and visiting scholars, would come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. Gerry and Shirley’s mission is to provide wholesome activities for all, giving opportunity for them to hear about and experience Jesus, and for those who are Christians to grow as His disciples.
COVID-19 has changed our ministry somewhat, but Gerry and Shirley have become friends with ZOOM and make good use of their account; meeting for prayer meetings and Bible study and other social evenings online. Over the summer, the Falk’s have been doing outdoor safe-distance events like picnics in various parks, KUBB, disc golf and hiking. Fewer new international students have arrived but most of those who were here before the lockdown have stayed. Although the University is physically locked to those who don't have a key, making it difficult for the two of us to meet new students, students who take part in InterVarsity community are telling their friends and inviting them to online and in-person events.
Pray that as the Gospel continues to be proclaimed in word and deed, many will know Jesus and follow Him.
Meet the Huculak Family,
James and Theresa Huculak serve with Power to Change in the Philippines.
James and Theresa have two children; Matthew, a lawyer, in Vancouver and Michelle, a nurse, who is married to Jim, in Papua New Guinea. Jim and Michelle have served with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea for 6 years. Jim works in information technology services, while Michelle helps new arrivals adjust to their base, as well as homeschooling their 5 children.
The Huculak’s have served in the Philippines for the last 40 years. They work in the area of leadership development as faculty members at the International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL). James and Theresa train, equip, and disciple Christian leaders from around Asia. IGSL draws students from throughout Asia – South East Asia (such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand), East Asia (like China, Vietnam, and South Korea), South Asia (such as Pakistan, India, and Nepal), and occasionally
from Central Asia (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). Due to the pandemic, our IGSL training for this school year is entirely online.
The Huculak’s students come with 5-15 years of Christian service behind them, the average age is between 25-45 years old. The students come to prepare for new roles of service in their countries and in missions. As a result, the Huculak’s get to work with a group of highly committed, very teachable believers. James and Theresa serve in different ways. Jamesteaches New Testament classes, disciple, and coach their present students and our alumni. Students approach me with a desire to learn and, on occasion, a look of confusion (an experience common to teachers). Theresa leads the Community Services Team, helping their students face their life challenges for everything from health, visa, and issues about family needs.
Meet Kirstie Kline,
Kirstie Kline has been working at Youth for Christ Regina since 2012. As the Discipleship Coordinator she has the privilege of facilitating a variety of community youth programs as well as discipleship of the youth in these programs. She loves seeing youth find community in YFC programs, learn more about themselves, and discover more about God. As with Youth for Christ across the world, Kirstie truly sees the hope and potential in every young person. Her desire for them is that they see the hope and potential in themselves and have a personal relationship with their Creator God.
The programs she is directly involved in running are:
Rooted Youth – youth group for youth grades 9-12 where they play games, have a Bible study, and participate in small group discussions.
BBG’s – support group for girl grades 9-12 where they make food together and have discussions on the issues that are faced every day.
Lambs Boxing Club – free boxing club for youth ages 10-18. Training includes; skipping, heavy bags, speed bags, abdominal, cardio, and sparring. Youth can join for fun, fitness, or competition training.
Uprooted Young Adults – for young adults ages 18-25 who have aged out of other
YFC programs, but still seek to connect with community.
One on one discipleship – every youth who is involved in a YFC program is given the opportunity to meet one on one with a YFC staff or volunteer. One on one discipleship gives the youth the opportunity to ask questions they can’t ask in a large group, helps them to feel important and cared for, and aids in tremendous personal and spiritual growth.
YFC Camp – summer camp for youth grades 5-12. A week of adventure, connection, and spiritual growth for only $50.
Over the years at YFC Kirstie has had the privilege of sitting with youth as they accept Christ, crying with youth as they mourn the loss of loved ones, hearing stories of trauma, pain and triumph, and attending the high school graduation of youth who are the first graduates in their families.
To contact Kirstie for more information or to support the ministry email kirstie.kline@yfcregina.ca
Meet the LaCoste Family, (Jared, Courtney, Brodie, Boston, and Owen)
Jared LaCoste has been serving with Athletes In Action since 2012. AIA is a missions organization that serves under the national missions organization Power to Change. Athletes in Action mission is to help people know Jesus and experience His power to change the world through sport. Over the course of the last 9 years he has had the joy of serving multiple teams in the Regina area as a Sport Chaplain, such as the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Regina Thunder Football, U of R Men’s Hockey, and Notre Dame Jr A Hounds.
Jared is often asked what does the role of Chaplain include. Typically our roles and responsibilities fall into one of these categories: Shepherd (Pastoral), Trainer (Life Coach), and Minister & Disciple (The Great Commission Matthew 28)
The uniqueness of Jared's current role as Chaplain or the Saskatchewan Roughriders presents me with opportunities to minister to and influence some of our provinces most influential public figures. The LaCoste's believe that the message of the gospel spoken and demonstrated through the lives of the athletes they serve will have kingdom impact in our province. Chaplaincy at its core is to love and serve people well. Which is exactly what they have committed to doing. The LaCoste's appreciate the support from CFC as it enables them to continue leading in this area of ministry.
Additionally, Jared has been asked to serve on a team of Prayer Igniters with AIA & Power to Change Nationally. It has provided him an opportunity to connect and serve fellow missionaries across our ministry platforms.