God is doing something rad in the midst of our city’s young adults.
Back in mid-August, Graeme (our Sr. High & Young Adult Pastor) was sitting in his office starting his day in prayer, when he felt like he had a vision. He had a picture of The Study Coffeehouse at Lakehead University – a major hub on campus for students – packed with young adults, singing and worshipping Jesus together.
The picture was so compelling that Graeme and Joel (our Executive Pastor) immediately hopped in the car to drive over and check out the space in-person. Physically seeing the space was inspiring, but both Graeme and Joel assumed it would be a long way off before any fulfillment of the vision would take place.
Instead, God immediately began throwing open doors.
Within just a few weeks, Graeme had connected with university staff and leaders who met the opportunity with graciousness and hospitality. The folks at LU were incredibly accommodating, inviting our Young Adults ministry into community events and answering every question we had.
And before long, a gathering at The Study was officially on the calendar.
As the fall semester kicked off, our Redwood Young Adults ministry at stepped into the season with fresh anticipation. At the end of every one of our regular weekly gatherings, our young adults stayed late simply to pray into what God might want to do in our city’s young people. They spread the word, put up posters around town, shared social media posts, and invited people to the gathering ahead.
Then, on October 5th, it happened.
Back in mid-August, Graeme (our Sr. High & Young Adult Pastor) was sitting in his office starting his day in prayer, when he felt like he had a vision. He had a picture of The Study Coffeehouse at Lakehead University – a major hub on campus for students – packed with young adults, singing and worshipping Jesus together.
The picture was so compelling that Graeme and Joel (our Executive Pastor) immediately hopped in the car to drive over and check out the space in-person. Physically seeing the space was inspiring, but both Graeme and Joel assumed it would be a long way off before any fulfillment of the vision would take place.
Instead, God immediately began throwing open doors.
Within just a few weeks, Graeme had connected with university staff and leaders who met the opportunity with graciousness and hospitality. The folks at LU were incredibly accommodating, inviting our Young Adults ministry into community events and answering every question we had.
And before long, a gathering at The Study was officially on the calendar.
As the fall semester kicked off, our Redwood Young Adults ministry at stepped into the season with fresh anticipation. At the end of every one of our regular weekly gatherings, our young adults stayed late simply to pray into what God might want to do in our city’s young people. They spread the word, put up posters around town, shared social media posts, and invited people to the gathering ahead.
Then, on October 5th, it happened.
In the beautiful space of The Study Coffeehouse, the room came alive with coffee & hot chocolate (provided by The Study’s wonderful staff), board games, conversation, live worship music, and a short message. Fifty-five young adults packed into the space, with another dozen or so peering in through the doors throughout the evening asking, "What is going on in here?" It was a beautiful glimpse of what God is stirring among young people in our city.
Yet as encouraging as that first night was, we know the work is only beginning.
Between Lakehead University and Confederation College, there are over 15,000 post-secondary students in Thunder Bay – and that’s not including the thousands of other young adults working trades, starting careers, or navigating life outside of school. There are so many young people in our city, each of them working through unique challenges and transitions in this stage of life; often lonely and longing for meaning.
We are beyond grateful for the hospitality and kindness of Lakehead University, allowing us to participate in the health and happiness of students. We can’t wait to continue gathering, and hopefully see more and more young adults find meaningful community.
And yet, ultimately, none of this is about packing a venue or building our own Redwood-branded vision for young adults to campus. There are so many amazing clubs at LU – Christian and non-Christian – that care deeply about the health of young people. God is at work there and it’s a privilege to be able to join in with what He's already doing.
Instead, our desire is to see lives transformed and a whole city impacted by the hope of Jesus. God’s vision isn’t simply to see a room filled; it’s to see a city changed. What if he wanted to use our young adults to do that? What if that change, that movement, were to start on campus?
If you’re a young adult, we’d love for you to join us for our next gathering at The Study on November 16th at 7:00 PM. Bring a friend, share the upcoming post on Instagram, and help spread the word.
And if you’re not in this life stage, please pray for what God is doing. We long to see Thunder Bay be one of the best place to lives for young adults in all of Canada, and we believe this is a part of how He wants to see that come to pass.
Yet as encouraging as that first night was, we know the work is only beginning.
Between Lakehead University and Confederation College, there are over 15,000 post-secondary students in Thunder Bay – and that’s not including the thousands of other young adults working trades, starting careers, or navigating life outside of school. There are so many young people in our city, each of them working through unique challenges and transitions in this stage of life; often lonely and longing for meaning.
We are beyond grateful for the hospitality and kindness of Lakehead University, allowing us to participate in the health and happiness of students. We can’t wait to continue gathering, and hopefully see more and more young adults find meaningful community.
And yet, ultimately, none of this is about packing a venue or building our own Redwood-branded vision for young adults to campus. There are so many amazing clubs at LU – Christian and non-Christian – that care deeply about the health of young people. God is at work there and it’s a privilege to be able to join in with what He's already doing.
Instead, our desire is to see lives transformed and a whole city impacted by the hope of Jesus. God’s vision isn’t simply to see a room filled; it’s to see a city changed. What if he wanted to use our young adults to do that? What if that change, that movement, were to start on campus?
If you’re a young adult, we’d love for you to join us for our next gathering at The Study on November 16th at 7:00 PM. Bring a friend, share the upcoming post on Instagram, and help spread the word.
And if you’re not in this life stage, please pray for what God is doing. We long to see Thunder Bay be one of the best place to lives for young adults in all of Canada, and we believe this is a part of how He wants to see that come to pass.
Posted in Community Life