Embracing Hope: Resources for Renewal
by Matthew 25 Initiative
When Vicky Hedelius joined the Matthew 25 Initiative's first REVERB Leadership cohort, she was not sure if Anglicans for Life Canada would be able to continue operating. The organization had been struggling both in a transitional space and with the political push in Canada towards MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) which has been rapidly expanding.
Vicky was at a crossroads. She was seeking guidance in attracting and supporting new leadership and finding direction for involvement of local parishes outside of a simply "political" lens.
"Many times, [Anglicans for Life Canada] is seen only as 'political' which puts a barrier up and misses the heart of being Life Affirming."
Through her time in REVERB, Vicky found a renewed sense of mission.
"If we dare see with the heart and eyes of Jesus, we will see a person's true being—a creation of God, made in His image." (Vicky Hedelius, First National Director of Anglicans for Life Canada, now Board Chair.)
REVERB "filled in a whole bunch of pieces" for Vicky, and exposed her to new organizational concepts. With these new resources, and a recognition of her own leadership-development needs, Vicky found opportunities for renewal.
Rather than closing Anglicans for Life Canada, she began exploring a deeper vision focused on the need for a tangible place where lost lives can be named, remembered, honored, and grieved—especially when there is no gravesite or physical place of remembrance.
Embracing Hope, a new affiliated project from Anglicans for Life Canada, focuses on a physical and digital memorial space for people grieving miscarriage, abortion, suicide, medically assisted death, and other losses. Through her experiences in REVERB, Vicky was able to envision a ministry where people's grief could be acknowledged and where healing and hope in Christ could be offered.
Vicky's is just one story of the impact of REVERB. If you are a leader in a ministry or nonprofit space, ask yourself:
Are you achieving the ministry impact you desire?
Do you want to grow your leadership?
Could your team be more effective?
Do you feel like you keep hitting barriers in ministry?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then REVERB is for you!
