3 Powerful Encounters With Ex-Convicts & The Broken

When we take the message of unconditional Agape love to the streets, we are met with incredible encounters with ex-convicts, the broken, and the sick. We don’t bring condemnation; we simply introduce them to the reality of their perfect, unbroken union with the Father.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” — Matthew 25:35-36

Deliverers of Hope

Twenty “Deliverers of Hope” came out to minister this week and went to St. Boniface Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, Quest Inn, and Portage Place.

One of the people who came out for the first time was Benjamin, a visitor from Germany. He was deeply impacted by watching how the Holy Spirit provided words of knowledge and prophetic words to team members, and especially impacted by witnessing people being physically healed.

He plans to take this style of ministry back to his home church in Germany. As we drove him back to his car, he asked for prayer to experience a renewed awakening to the Holy Spirit.

Gaylene’s Report: Encounters with Ex-Convicts

I teamed up with John, Lani, and Tyler. After a few stops and starts, we ended up upstairs at Portage Place in front of Dollarama. It was there we had a series of powerful encounters with ex-convicts.

We met Eddie, who initially said he didn’t want prayer but then shared he’d just been released from jail and needed a job and freedom from addictions. John shared his own history of being incarcerated and how recognizing God’s love completely changed his life. Eddie was tracking with us and was about to receive prayer when he suddenly asked what we felt about the Jews and Israel.

I said Jesus was Jewish and Israel is the backdrop to God’s whole story. Eddie launched into a tirade about his beliefs. Earlier, God asked me to bring a Bible, so I asked Eddie if he’d like it, and he said yes. We are believing he receives true revelation of Agape love as he reads it. When we parted ways, I simply asked the Lord to bless Eddie and shine His face upon him.

Lance’s Daily Prayer

Only a few feet away, we met Lance, who immediately said he needed prayer because he’d lost his mom to alcoholism. Lance was recently released from Milner Ridge and had a lifelong belief in Jesus because he was an Aboriginal pastor’s kid.

He admitted that although he knew a lot about Jesus, he wasn’t really walking in his identity. We prayed for Lance, and he definitely felt God’s presence. John shared some of his story, and we talked with Lance for quite some time. These types of encounters with ex-convicts prove that God’s love is actively pursuing everyone. Lani gave him a prophetic word before he had to go meet some friends.

Wayne and Feather

A little further along the skywalk, we met Wayne and Feather, a married couple who are currently homeless. Feather had just been released from jail after a toxic altercation with Wayne. John shared some of his story with Wayne and showed him scars from an accident, and Wayne showed us multiple stab wounds all over his body.

Wayne broke down weeping, telling John his story of childhood abuse, and the two of them prayed and hugged. Feather was ecstatic to receive many of the toiletry items and socks I was carrying. We prayed for creative solutions to their housing situation, and they were thrilled. Later, Lani gave them a Bible. As we left Portage Place, we noticed Wayne and Feather reading it together.

Pastor Thomas’ Report: A Prophetic Picture

While others were having encounters with ex-convicts downtown, tonight I went out with Ed, Michelle, and Tanya to St. Boniface Hospital to pray for Sadie, a 94-year-old believer who had a serious lung infection.

As we walked through the lobby, I was drawn to an Aboriginal couple. The woman, Hanna, shared that she was pregnant, her water had broken, and she was waiting for her baby to be born. As we prayed for her, I had a prophetic picture for her husband: a broken glass that had been put back together but needed to be filled.

This really impacted him, and he confirmed it was true. He shared how he had a lot of brokenness in his life but wanted the Lord to fill him. We all held hands, and both of them committed to awakening to the Lord’s love for them.

Joy on the Fourth Floor

We then went to the fourth floor to pray for Sadie’s lung infection. She was so grateful for our visit. We also prayed for Betty, a believer in the bed beside her who had swollen feet. As we prayed, she was filled with joy and gratitude that we cared enough to stop.

We went across the hall to the visitors’ lounge and asked if anyone needed prayer. We found a Filipino woman in a wheelchair who had cancer in her brain and back. Her twin sister and 80-year-old father were also there. You could feel the heaviness on her, but as we prayed, she shared that a lightness came upon her and she felt much, much better. We are believing for all cancer to be completely gone. They were overjoyed with our words of hope.

Pastor Lorraine’s Report: Peace in the Chaos

Audrey, Jerrold, and I started out at HSC, where we prayed for an elderly man with swelling in his body. He was recovering well and was very receptive. I gave him a men’s toiletry kit, and we prayed for his continued healing. His roommate, a spunky elderly woman named Bernice, was listening.

Initially, she was hesitant to hear the Gospel, but we simply loved on her and shared our kindness. I believe God used our visit to touch her heart, and we are trusting the seeds of Agape love were planted.

The Quest Inn

Just like the encounters with ex-convicts at the mall, the hospital provides incredible opportunities for peace. Our next adventure was at the Quest Inn. It was mostly quiet in the lobby, except for an angry man outside the entrance who was threatening people. He was trying to smash open the doors and appeared to be high on drugs.

While inside, our team rested in our union with God and prayed peace over the hotel, the patrons, and this man. We also prayed for the success of our Alpha program that we would like to host there. Because this hotel sees mostly Aboriginals from northern communities flying in for medical treatment, we often have the honor of praying for their healing.

Later, we went to Portage Place and ministered just before the Food Court closed. Jerrold and others prayed for a young woman with a leg injury (she started to walk better!) and another woman awakened to the Lord’s love for her!

Darlene’s Report: Speaking Life

Last week Kevin, Jeremiah, Gelane, and I went to Portage Place. On the way in, we met a young Métis man named Lily. Kevin asked if he was hungry, invited him into the mall, and bought food for him.

Kevin, Gelane, and I prayed for Lily, telling him exactly who God says he is. I prayed for Lily’s friend Wilcox, asking the Lord to reveal his immense value.

Afterward, I talked with Sisario, shared the good news, and Kevin prayed for his eyes as they were blurry at a distance. Then I met Abraham and prayed for guidance. He knew God and really believed Jesus had helped him recently when he reached the end of his rope. Whether it is praying for the sick or having encounters with ex-convicts, the entire night was spent speaking life into people.