Connections

Due to COVID-19, grief is rampant across the world. As a result, there is an urgent need to address the ever-present sense of loss and despair that many may be feeling.

“We all need resources to become equipped on how to respond when those around us are hurting,” said Dr. Eric Scalise, Chief Strategy Officer for Hope for the Heart. “Learning what to say or what not to say and how to behave may be the most helpful thing we can do for those we care about.”

Between 2009 and 2013, Tara Shannon experienced more grief than most people experience in a lifetime. 

She experienced a miscarriage, the end of her marriage, the loss of both of her parents, and a cancer diagnosis. To top it all off, while on medical leave from work, her job was also terminated.

All of these circumstances left Tara in a dark, cold and lonely place, but she knew sooner or later she would have to work through all of her feelings.  

For Kelly Kennedy, life was always a competition. She grew up in a verbally abusive home with ten siblings including seven brothers and three sisters.

When Kelly was young, sports and in particular basketball, was an outlet for her. It was a  place of safety and a place to get away from the chaos that was happening at home.

"It was my happy place. It gave me peace from the home inside that was tumultuous," Kennedy explains.

Kennedy ended up going on to play high school basketball and eventually college-level basketball. 

A recent study conducted by Barna Group on behalf of Alpha revealed some surprising insights about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on evangelization as a result of churches going virtual, and how the Church should respond in a more hybrid-model future.

"We never had anything called Alpha online pre-pandemic. In fact, we thought in person was the most important," says Shaila Visser, national director at Alpha Canada and senior vice president for Alpha International.

This week is National Nursing Week, an opportunity to shine a light on nurses across the country.

Cameron Dueck grew up in a Mennonite family on a remote turkey farm in Mennville, Manitoba.

In spite of growing up in a small town in the middle of the prairies, Dueck chose to become a journalist, a career that would take him across the world. 

When author Dione Martin was a girl, she often thought about her biological father. Who was he and what did he look like? Did he ever think about her and wonder if she was okay? 

Dione was born in New Orleans. She grew up with her African American mother and stepfather, as well as her four siblings. When she was just five years old she noticed she looked different from her brothers and sisters. She questioned her mother and that is when she found out that her biological father was white.

A pastor says what simply started as a prayer on his porch has turned into a move of God that has seen over 1,000 people baptized since the end of December.

Fear can cripple our futures. And Migdalia Smith had a lot to be fearful of. As a survivor of abuse and sex trafficking, she wants other victims to know that they are not alone.

“I want sex-trafficking victims all around the world to know that God is real, and He is the ultimate rescuer,” said Smith. “I am determined to prevent sex trafficking through awareness from experience. 

Chris and Steph were high school, mission trip sweethearts who met and began falling in love on a 13-hour road trip from Nashville to Pennsylvania.

While dating through high school and marrying in college, they were volunteer worship leaders and served together in a variety of ways.

However, things started to change when Chris entered a season of doubt that many people walk through on their faith journey.