You are going to Gather? Is it worth it? 

I believe our world is transformed when God’s Girls Gather. My world has been transformed. On November 13th, 2017, I received the text message: “A young 12 yr old tried to commit suicide tonight .. en route to hospital right now.” This from my friend Janice Sasakamoose.

My friend Janice was the Principal at Ahtahkakoop Christian Academy. We became friends a few years ago when I visited the school at Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. When I visited her, there was stark contrast between her excited expression as she spoke proudly of her school and students and the difficult aspects of hopelessness she described. The suicide crisis is ugly and the Christian Academy is facing it head on with mighty big Hope for kids and families. 

“Sorry sis … the ambulance is calling, can’t talk now.” – Janice Nov 2, 2017 4:04pm… Another suicide crisis, she is only 10 years old… Her text message causes my heart to burn and I ask God to heal our land. 

On Friday September 8th 2017, I’m standing at a youth conference aimed to combat teen suicide called Project Hope SK. God himself had given instructions to a God-fearing Metis woman from Ontario, Crystal Lavallee, to come to Saskatchewan and Gather his hurting youth to receive HOPE. I met Crystal Lavallee because Christian women decided to Gather in Saskatoon Saskatchewan on a Saturday morning, and Crystal thought it would be worth it to be there.

Crystal travelled the province planning and promoting the event for 6 weeks before welcoming 400 youth to Saskatoon to meet Jesus in Saskatoon. When the Gospel was presented, almost every youth in the house rose up to begin a relationship with Jesus. 400 of them. Our prayer team was about 9. I can’t forget the girl tethered to my side. Her eyes were lifeless and her story, heartbreaking. She was only ten years old – and had experienced more devastation than any child should. She wouldn’t leave my side, but my prayer was finished … What more can I give her, Jesus? What more can I do? What purpose can I have here? I am one. I didn’t know what to do or say – she just kept staring at me like I should have more to offer … and there were countless other kids to pray for. I lost her. She disappeared into the crowd, and I couldn’t find her again. I haven’t stopped thinking about her large brown eyes and her desperate plea for hope. Where is she now? Is she safe? Is she afraid? What can I do, God?

Romans 8:29 says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

In the midst of my questions, I am reminded by Romans 8:29 that I can do nothing apart from Him, and apart from others. In the original language, there is a stress on “MANY” – I am reminded: It is never about what I can do. But instead, what HE can do through many. In this verse, the Brotherhood, refers to the family of God, And the Sisterhood is included.

The miracle of massive transformation comes when many are transformed and connected. This is the work of the Gospel. That we are transformed by love to make love known so that it can stretch through our Gathered hearts to the Hope Hungry girl, who has been forgotten, whom I cannot forget.

1 John 3:16 says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” “The Brother” refers to the family of God and the Sisterhood has always had a role. And the role of the Sisterhood is not below that of the Brotherhood, but a perfect match.

It began in Eden. I may have lost the girl at Project Hope, but Jesus has not. There is much I don’t know about her, but this I know. To her and to me, and to the entire Canadian Sisterhood, He speaks, “In the garden, I called your heart: Ezer Kenegdo. This is the name God embraces for himself in the OT. Yes, he named his daughters after himself. The word that accompanies Ezer is Kenegdo, typically translated as “suitable” or “helpmeet.” This doesn’t mean assistant – it means that woman is the perfect match to man. The word carries with it the idea of a powerful and passionate warrior – it is a fierce name for God used 23 times in the Old Testament.

Today, in Canada, we must believe that the fierce heart of Sisterhood has a pivotal role to play bringing the Kingdom of God to the hopeless and the lost ones in our Nation. The defenseless and the broken… But she can only do this when she knows who Christ is, who she is IN HIM, and what He can do through her – Ezer Kenegdo. Warrior Woman.

On Saturday October 21, 2017, I literally ran right into a beautiful young women as I shuffled through a stuffed foyer to catch a glimpse of the incredible Anne Voskamp following her dynamic talk at Gather Rise 2017. That day I began an amazing friendship with the gorgeous Brooke Nichols who is blazing a trail for Canadian worship leaders to continue to unleash hearts of worship across the country.

I told Brooke about the girl I had lost at Project Hope SK. I told her my dream that the Sisterhood in Saskatoon could Gather together to raise funds so that a diverse group of Saskatchewan youth could come hear the Gospel Hope that changes lives and changes our world.

Brooke reached her hand from Ontario to strengthen my hands in Saskatchewan – and we began to plan her trip. And the Sisterhood raised $30,000. Brooke led 900 people in worship and invited the HOPE of Jesus to the first Youth Conference called Inspire YXE. And Crystal Lavallee stood with me at the back of the auditorium…. we marveled.

All because, girls and women Gathered.

You’re going to Gather? Is it worth it? Is it worth it to keep Gathering? It costs. It costs money and time and energy. Oh but Remember daughter, the Miracle of Mighty Transformation comes through the Gathered family. Connected. Strengthened. Over the centuries of history – every people group is strengthened when they are connected. If you isolate the members of any group – you weaken their heart, and you weaken their mission.

Wherever your place, your space, or your mission – you must keep Gathering. Because today, right now, In Canada, The Sisterhood has a potent role to play.