What a joy for me to spend last weekend with about 40 Manitoban Vineyard men (including 5 Vineyard pastors). Pastor Jan Steffen from the Brandon, Manitoba, Vineyard asked me to lead a men’s retreat October 29-31. Jan (on left) and I (on right) are shown talking with one of the brothers during a break after one of the sessions. The presence of the Lord was very powerful as we all got in touch with some deep emotions that had been buried for a long time, in some cases.
One of the brothers who works in Winnipeg picked me up at the airport and told me it was a “short drive” out to the Ridge Retreat Center and Pelican Lake, where our meetings were to be held. 150 Miles later (during which time we must have passed hundreds of recently cut wheat fields) we came to the beautiful property. I kidded him, saying, “You told me it was a short drive.”
“Listen, brother,” he answered, “anything under 3 hours is a short drive in Manitoba.” About two-thirds of the way into the drive we stopped at an ice cream shop and fueled our insides for the rest of the trip. I knew I was going to like these Canadian men.
Indeed, there are wide open spaces in Manitoba. It is a solidly agricultural and very beautiful province, as indicated in the picture here of some of the Vineyard men fishing on Pelican Lake next to the retreat center.
I was deeply touched during one of the sessions as I spoke about allowing ourselves to be filled with positive emotions. I mentioned the emotions of encouragement, respect, appreciation, etc. One brother raised his hand and said he thought it was very important that we give our wives our blessing. I sensed the Spirit of God on that comment and responded by saying, “When we bless our spouse it allows her to speak truth and blessing into our life.”
Suddenly I found myself giving these men — especially those who never got it from their father — a blessing. “Some of you men never got your own father’s blessing,” I said. As I prayed for them, we all began praying blessing upon our spouses, too. We found ourselves thrown into a powerful time of ministry. There was a great deal of affirmation that came from the Lord last weekend. Who wouldn’t like that?
In short, what an honor to be with the Vineyard men of Manitoba. They layed hands on me, asking for the power of the Holy Spirit. They even made me an honorary Canadian. God’s richest blessings upon them all and their families, eh?
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