Our Staff
|
Nicole Millage
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I always had a plan for what I was going to do with my life, but one day while reading my bible and praying I realized that my life was not my own, so I said "God, what do you want me to do with my life?" In that moment God told me that he wanted me to open a homeless shelter in North Bay. At that time I was 20 years old and going into my last year of University. While I wrestled with what God called me to do I kept telling God that He had chosen the wrong person - I was a young woman that knew nothing about starting a homeless shelter, surely there must have been a better candidate than me. However in 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." In the world's eyes I was not a good candidate for this task; but through my weakness God's glory is revealed.
As I continue to move forward in the calling God has placed on my life I am forever grateful that God has given me the opportunity to be His hands and feet in North Bay. The scripture that continues to move me in ministry is Matthew 25:37-40 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" Thank you for partnering with me both in prayer and financially. May God bless you for how you bless us! |
|
Gene
SHELTER CARE WORKER I have been involved with Hope Awaits from the very early stages, first as prayer support and then as spiritual adviser. It was during this time that Holy Spirit started speaking to me about being a doer of the word and not a hearer only;
Jesus said to His disciples that feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison, and ministering to the widow, was being His hands, His mouth, and His feet. When asked if I would consider being a missionary at Hope Awaits, the Lord spoke to me clearly that He was asking for my obedience. I have long learned that obedience is the highest form of worship, and confirmed it with great peace in accepting this call. |
|
Phillip
SHELTER CARE WORKER It is with great joy and gratitude that I come to be here as a member of the Hope Awaits missionary team. Since the beginning of my Christian Journey over 35 years ago, I have always felt the missionary impulse. This has brought me into relationship with people throughout Canada and around the world. For the last decade, the main expression of this call has been with children through the direct sharing of the Gospel on Sunday mornings, the beautiful ministry known as The Catechism of the Good Shepherd, and the indirect work of coaching children, particularly young female athletes in soccer and ringette. That God has opened up for me this new opportunity to share the Good News with adult men is a great boon for me, my family, and, God willing, for the church community with whom I worship. I am equally excited to be sharing this work in an ecumenically diverse team. I believe God desires unity and this unity must be seen by the world such that the world can give praise to our Father in Heaven for the good deeds he accomplishes through us because of that same unity. (Matthew 5:14)
To this end I invite you to share in this ministry which God has established to accomplish His good purpose. First and foremost, what I ask for is that you join with me and the rest of the Hope Awaits team in prayer. As Oswald Chambers said, “We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.” and “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” As well, I ask you to pray about how you might be able to join in this ministry through the sharing of your financial resources. I am not asking you necessarily to support me by becoming a direct sponsor of me here at Hope Awaits (if that is what God wants you to do, then you should likely do so). Rather, just like I am a member of the team, I would like you to become a member of our team. As such, I ask you to consider financially supporting the whole ministry. By both your spiritual and temporal support, we, the missionary team can become your representatives, the “face” of all the benefactors of this ministry, as we proclaim the love of God to the men we serve and support here at Hope Awaits Ministries. |
|
Michelle
SHELTER CARE WORKER I have had the privilege of being involved in Hope Awaits since nearly the beginning, when Hope Awaits was only an idea in a business plan. At that time, I had never considered that one day I would be working as a missionary here. I have always had a heart for the homeless and for people who are in need, but my interests and schooling took me into forestry for nearly nine years. But God was transforming my life, my heart, and my future. The desire to serve Him wholeheartedly in everything and to let Him direct my path began to supersede any of my own plans and I could not deny that He was calling me to something new.
Hope Awaits is so much more than just a homeless shelter - we are a family. As staff, volunteers and supporters, we have the great opportunity to come alongside homeless men in their time of need; to encourage them, to help them find stability, to help them navigate the challenges in life and most importantly, to pray with and for them, and watch God transform their lives. I know that Christ is reaching out to every man who walks through the doors of Hope Awaits. Thank you for partnering with us, through prayers and financial assistance, to help those in need in North Bay. |
|
Devin
SHELTER CARE WORKER Since a young age I have wanted to honour and serve the Lord with my life, and He assured me that I would be able to do whatever it was that He had in store for me. Yet somewhere along the way I fell into the trap of trying to figure out my life in my own strength. God had to show me that I cannot do it on my own, but only as I rest in Him will I be able to do all that He has for me to do. As a follower of Christ that is really our first responsibility- abiding in Him. Then, out of this can properly flow all life and ministry.
God made it clear to me that I was to come to North Bay and serve through Hope Awaits. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that He has provided so far to both grow in my faith and share it with others. I look forward to continuing to serve and support the men that God brings to us. |
|
Alec
SHELTER CARE WORKER “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
My journey as a Christian came a bit later in life, I was 19 when I confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In those 19 years, I learned a lot of valuable life lessons, a lot of which were learned the hard way. My pastor and mentor would always say to me, “Alec, you can’t turn a ship on a dime”. Basically, what he meant by this is that we are all full of sin and that we can’t be perfect or completely transformed overnight. I remember slowly getting more involved with the church but I couldn't shake the feeling that I did not belong. I felt like I had sinned too much to be saved. Little did I know that this was the furthest thing from the truth. That was when I began to turn my life around for the better and started to learn and understand the teachings of the bible and it all started to make sense. I’ve been with Hope Awaits Ministries since the beginning of September 2020. In my time here, I’ve had the privilege to be able to openly express my faith in the workplace, with fellow co-workers who have the same beliefs as well as clients who may or may not understand some of the teachings of the bible. In my time here, I have learned a lot and grown stronger in my faith with God. Being able to connect with some of our clients and be able to relate to some of their struggles has been a blessing. Not only do I feel like I’ve been able to make an impact on their lives, but I feel as if they have impacted mine and taught me things as well. |
|
Kim
SHELTER CARE WORKER I am thankful for the privilege to join the Hope Awaits team as a part time missionary. For many years I have taken part in many missions’ trips around the world. Helping the hurt and struggling was not a new concept to me; however, experiencing it in your own country can be eye opening and life changing. God has been preparing me for this role for some time. He was stirring a passion in me to help those in my community. I have worked as a youth leader helping kids who do not have any background in faith for many years. Showing them the love of God has been fulfilling because I know I am planting seeds in them. I knew there was more I could do and for many months prayed about joining the Hope Awaits team.
Helping the homeless men in our community when they are at their lowest point to become the best version of themselves is what this ministry does. By helping them get the tools they need to move forward in life, praying for them, and showing them Gods love, a transformation can be made in each man who stays at Hope Awaits. God called me to be apart of these transformations and do my part to show His love to these men. 1John 4:7 “Beloved, let use love one another, for love is from God.” |
