Rick and the Blue Bus

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

This Sunday, Rev. Irwin was away. He's doing dishes at Camp Imodene. In his stead, we welcomed Rick Wismer to the pulpit. He's been here before and brings his big Blue Bus with him, along with boundless enthusiasm for the work he does with Youth for Christ Mobile Outreach.

I first posted about Rick and his bus on this blog in 2014, https://saanichpeninsulapc.blogspot.com/2014/05/blue-bus-ministry.html. Back then he was all excited about the "new" blue bus. The one his ministry started with was an old double-decker with a funky paint job and an iffy suspension. 

By the next year, the Youth for Christ Mobile Ministry, (that's the official name) had a fancy new bus. It is sleek, reliable, roomy and Blue!  

Back in 2014 the "Refuge" bus was intended to provide a safe and wholesome alternative to youth hanging out on street corners and parking lots. Now, it serves Indigenous youth, offering snacks, games and gentle mentoring. You can find their website here for more details.

One of their changes in their ministry is the "cultural jam."  I think of a jam session as a gathering involving jazz musicians and a lot of improvisation. In this case, the jam session is an opportunity for youth to learn the songs and dances of their culture as passed down from the elders. The intergenerational nature of these gatherings provides some challenges -- the Blue Bus ministry is focussed on youth -- but Rick and his team are dedicated to listening to the Holy Spirit. Right now these jams are highly attended -- 160 at a Tseycum event last month -- and that presents opportunities.

The ministry is still dedicated to their after school program, and youth are still eager to attend. They just need to find a time slot that works for everyone.

SPPC has been a long-time supporter of the Blue Bus especially as a provider of cookies, snack and dollars. We also have members of the congregation, Norma, Pam and Joan, to name a few who are dedicated volunteers. While these material offerings are most welcome, what Rick and his team crave are our prayers. His sermon on Sunday encouraged us to listen for God's direction in our lives. The best way to listen, is to pray.

Thanks Rick, for filling the pulpit on Sunday morning, and for your dedication to ministry, and for sharing your love of Jesus.