Last week during the Multipliers Summit at Bonfire, two NAB church plants were honored to receive the coveted Harry Lehotsky Award.
In recognition of their significant contributions to the NAB and the Four End Goals for missional and formational movement making, and through a generous partnership with Church Investors Fund, Garden City Church in Prince George, British Columbia, and Hope Community Church in Antelope, California, were awarded this honor named after beloved NAB pastor Harry Lehotsky.
Rev. Harry Lehotsky planted New Life Ministries in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1983. Through the next twenty-six years until his death from pancreatic cancer in 2006, he led New Life in focusing on justice issues, renewal, and safety in the west end of the city. He also helped found the Lazarus Housing and Nehemiah Housing programs, as well as the Ellice Cafe and Theatre. He was well known for his advocacy on behalf of the poor and his dedication for improving the living conditions of his city and neighborhood. Shortly before he passed, Rev. Lehotsky was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.
Fingerprints of his ministry continue to be found throughout Winnipeg, and his legacy continues even beyond Manitoba. Part of that legacy is the Harry Lehotsky Award, which was previously given out at the NAB Triennials in 2012–2018. Through the generosity and partnership of CIF, we have resurrected this award, bestowing it upon two Multipliers for their contributions Four End Goals of the NAB, which focus on missional engagement, cross-cultural engagement, development of spiritual leaders, and international missions. (Check out the full summation of the NAB End Goals.)
In their own ways, both Garden City and Hope Community embody the spirit of Harry Lehotsky and his heart for people on the fringes.
From the very beginning, Garden City Church has had a clear focus on far more than mission in the city or for the city. Garden City is with the city, entering into its rhythms, recognizing its deep need for a redeeming presence on the North Side. Pastor Micah Brookhart started with a heart to see the people of Prince George understand the fullness of the Gospel and engage the goodness of Jesus, leading a city-wide effort to make the Alpha program available to all. Garden City embodies the NAB’s formational focus beautifully as well, practicing the Lord’s Table in significant ways, as well as hosting formational retreats.
Hope Community Church started with a call from God but was quickly embodied when Pastor John Cassidy began simply walking the park in Antelope and praying. The stories he tells of people coming out of the woodwork and having transformational experiences through those prayer encounters set the stage for Hope’s relentless commitment to move with the Spirit. Put plaining, John is a good pastor. You will be hard pressed to find a more caring and committed pastor who leads out of his call and identity in Christ. John is also one the NAB’s most engaged planter coaches and has served on staff at all eight of our Fit Assessments.