A Memorial to Remember

On Monday, August 4, I received a very difficult phone call that would instantly launch the McKenna family back home into our most personal mission field.

My mother called to tell me that Sean, my 55-year-old brother, had died very suddenly of a heart attack and his former spouse and children were left to pickup the scattered pieces. Thankfully, they were open to being helped.

CLICK HERE or the picture box above to play Sean’s tribute video.

Sadly, Sean’s passing was very sudden, but not overly surprising. During the covid season he had made the decision to leave his wife and children and re-chase his dreams of working as a professional drummer.

Suffice to say that my older brother’s lifestyle choices during this season adversely affected his family relationships…and his health.

How God Comes Through

With so much prayer happening before, during, and after Sean’s memorial and committal services, I am humbled with how God again came through…right down to His miraculous provision of holding the evangelistic event in a disarming hockey arena rather than a “churchy” religious building! Further, not only were my words warmly received, but I believe that God is graciously drawing Sean’s surviving family into salvation through Christ.

As I process God’s amazing grace and power through this difficult experience, here are 3 takeaways He taught me that apply to all His followers and gospel witnesses:

Pray. In the context of evangelism, Paul says: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”(Col. 4:2, ESV). Let’s pray continually and thankfully for more boldness and more gospel opportunity.

Preach. In this same passage Paul also says: “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (Col. 4:3-4, ESV). Let’s also ask others to pray that God will open doors for us to preach His Word to lost loved ones in clarity and power.

Persevere. Finally,Paul pleads: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Among other things, this is a clear call to persevere in wisdom and grace with all the lost loved ones God has providentially surrounded us with, trusting He will eventually save them!

Will you please continue praying?

Please continue praying for God to graciously grow all the gospel seeds that were sown back home in Halifax this summer, and that He would lift our lost family and friends out of the mud and mire and set their feet upon the Rock of Christ!

In closing, I personally praise God for graciously using me as His mouthpiece to honor my brother and give an entire arena of lost loved ones a memorial to remember!

In His Love,

• Please pray for God to graciously grow all the gospel seeds that were sown in the hearts of all those back home in Halifax this summer.

• Please pray for our ministry as we on-ramp new team members to further our goal of equipping entire churches for evangelism together.

• Please pray for the planning and promotion of our November Gospel Galas and for every table to be filled with generous supporters.