Joan's Ministry Story
OUT OF THE ASHES is the phrase that best describes the story of FINISHING WELL. My 28-year marriage fell apart between 2014 -2019. We had been in full-time ministry for 23 years. Very long story…when it all crashed I cried out to God…” What do you want me to do?” His very clear whisper in January 2019 was…”You will start a ministry called FINISHING WELL, primarily serving Seniors through song, connection, pastoral care, love & friendship.” FINISHING WELL was launched in September 2019. My passion for singing and bringing joy to Seniors' lives began.
Then 6 months later… COVID-19. What now, Lord? “Start baking bread and giving it away.” Loaf #1 was given away on March 23, 2020. Next week Saturday, March 23, Loaf #5000 will be baked. Thousands of people have enjoyed fresh, warm, free bread. And when we couldn’t hug, the tagline to this project was “Taste the hug”. It is a divinely appointed project that is all about connection. I connect with the "bread receivers" on Social Media, and then they tune in to my FaceBook Live on Sunday mornings…a half hour of worship every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (Another COVID project that Jesus had lined up for me…which began nearly 3 years ago). So now, post-COVID, the Bread Ministry and FaceBook Live ministries have continued, plus I’m back in Senior Centres and Personal Care Homes, doing programs, which is my passion!
The big project I’m working on at the moment is getting MISS DAISY (an electric assist bike) from Denmark to Manitoba. It’s a CYCLING WITHOUT AGE bike. I would appreciate prayer for the finances to come in and for all the details to work out so that myself, and a team of people, can start to bring joy to Seniors through these bike rides this Spring.
The ministry of FINISHING WELL is multi-faceted. I have worked in the region of Southern Manitoba for 25 years and so, with strong relationships with local ministerial, I end up serving in multiple churches in our region. I am so grateful to God for leading me in a way that is so tailor-made for me. I am also so grateful for a ministry like THE GREAT COMMISSION FOUNDATION. I am so well supported by family and friends and the gifts of administration that GCF give to me, allow me to serve in this unique way! My heart is overwhelmed! Thank you!!
Prayer Request:
Pray for Joan's ministry, Finishing Well, for continued support and provision to increase its capacity to share Jesus's love and serve seniors through songs, connection, pastoral care, and the blessings of love and friendship.
*GCF operates on the basis of Donor-Advised Funding. It is our utmost goal to meet the Donor’s desire and intent to provide support to particular GCF projects but, ultimately, the responsibility for the disbursement and ministry use of funds is the Great Commission Foundation’s.
*You will receive an official Canadian tax receipt for all eligible donations by the end of February of the following year. Thank you for your support of the mission and programs of The Great Commission Foundation (“GCF”).
