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By Don LiesemerJesus said: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.” (Revelation 3:20)On Friday afternoon, August 23, the HMI camp season came to a close in the Kirkland Lake Arena as a Zamboni made its way around the ice, gathering up a ton of snow and melting the cuts and grooves left by a team of energetic HMI hockey players. And while the marks of competition have been erased and the snow has disappeared into the atmosphere, the memories and impact of the HMI summer of 2024 will last a life-time and beyond.Prayer Teammate, Doc Emrick, wrote: “What a grand feeling. Work done. Souls won. Skills taught.” Work Done! During the months of June, July and August HMI staff personnel and many hundreds of volunteers conducted Christian Hockey Camps in 7 countries.
A Dallas volunteer wrote to HMI staff member, Stacey Bauman: “This may have been the most positive experience of my entire life. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this.”
The sweetest sounds of the summer are of young hockey players praying to receive Christ. Sometimes just 1 precious soul and other times 2,5,10, 20, 30, 40 or more pray in unison. With the utmost of sincerity and child-like faith they respond to the message of God’s great love for them, repent of their sins, open their heart’s door and receive Christ. Sheer joy!
Skills Taught: For the 48th year God provided some of the very best of hockey training. Local coaches join HMI lead coaches in providing excellent on-ice instruction. Aspiring athletes develop skills and learn new ways of improving their hockey talent.
After camp, God’s work continues: from PEI: “Two of our campers were baptized last night. God is great! We saw one of the kids from camp who gave his life to Christ, at church today. Many other campers and counsellors were there as well. The community is really growing from the camp.” - Adam McQuaid
From Columbus: “I received word that a group of kids want to start a hockey Bible study with friends from camp. Join me in asking God to give these young people courage and perseverance to begin taking what they found during a week at camp to their friends and teams during the season.” HMI staff member, Rob Globke
Well friends, while you may not have been on ice or at rink-side you were with us in thought, spirit and prayer. Your prayers reached God, Who, opened hearts and minds of our young athletes enabling them to understand His great love and receive Christ. As you think of the HMI camp mission, please pray that Gospel seeds planted in summer of 2024 will grow to maturity.
