GLOBAL YOUTH DAY

Sometimes, God has plans for you that you never would have expected. God can take you from the lowest experiences and transform you for a greater purpose. That’s what happened with Mathew Feeley, our guest speaker for Global Youth Day in Calgary.

The funny thing is I knew of Mathew Feeley in my high school days. However, Mathew Feeley was not the same person preaching the gospel today. The story goes like this: Mat grew up in the area of Scarborough. My girlfriend at the time, who went to Senator O’Connor College School, would always tell me about this funny, crazy guy who had dyed hair and was always high on different kinds of drugs.

It wouldn’t be until 2003 at Canadian University College where God allowed our paths to cross. God had transformed Mat's life when he walked in off the streets and into a crusade at the Scarborough Adventist Church. He heard the message and was baptized. God wanted him to hear the gospel preached and eventually become a gospel preacher himself.

Pastor JP leading Urban Ministry Outreach.

For our Global Youth Day weekend, on Friday night, Mat brought a powerful word, sharing his testimony of how he used to fight all through high school until one day when he was alone at a bus stop without any help from friends, he was jumped. It was a humbling moment that would make him never want to fight and beat people up again.

Pastor Bryan leading food program at the downtown Calgary.

A powerful testimony, along with an inspiring video, was shared by Kamika Guerra Walker. Kamika is an inspirational speaker. She started the Walker Foundation, which focuses on mental health, due to mental health issues that impacted her father. She shared this heart-wrenching testimony of meeting her father as he was homeless on the streets, suffering from mental health issues. That experience impacted her so much that it shaped her life and ministry from that day on. She operates a street feeding program in downtown Calgary. This amazing young woman continues to travel the world and share her story of love, empowerment, and resilience.

Pastor Feeley speaking with Kamika.

Sabbath afternoon, with the help of Christina Lister and Calgary pastors such as Marc Leslie, Jonathan Deximo, Anthony Kern, Paul Antunes, Seth Bussy, and Bryan Saint Louis, there were astounding outreach opportunities around Calgary. Some youths were taken to Samaritan’s Purse to help with Operation Christmas Child, led by Pastor Paul Antunes. Another group was taken to a downtown drop-in center to serve food and clothing, led by Pastor Bryan Saint Louis. Another group was taken to 16th Avenue to do an urban ministry outreach challenge, led by Pastor JP and Christina Lister. And another group was taken to the outside of the Mustard Seed, giving out care kit bags to the homeless. This was led by Pastor Bussy.

The evening worship experience concluded with Pastor Moises Ruiz and his youth praise team from Red Deer Church leading in wonderful praise and worship music.

There were powerful, inspirational messages from Kamika and spiritual, motivational messages from Pastor Mathew Feeley. We had a stunning gym night social with lots of pizza and basketball. Once again, another youth played me for a pair of Yeezy shoes. I won’t say who won this time for the sake of my pride.

We thank Pastor Marc for accommodating us at the Bridgeland Church that weekend. And a big shout-out goes to AY leader Allie and her team for helping to organize the food for the weekend.

Pastor JP leading Urban Ministry Outreach.Pastor Bryan and cowboy Troy.

Our theme for the weekend was "Loving the Forgotten." This Global Youth Day weekend in Calgary, we did just that. We loved the forgotten and served them through the love of Jesus Christ.

By Dr. Lyle Notice, Alberta Conference Youth Director