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Pastor Mathew Feeley of New Life Church in Oshawa recently achieved a remarkable feat at the Restored and Empowered Ministerial Summit held at Burman University in Alberta last week. Among fierce competition in a "Shark Tank" style competition, Pastor Feeley successfully presented "The Productivity HUB" and secured a winning prize of $7200 towards the project.

The Ministerial Summit brought pastors from all over Canada together, fostering collaboration and innovation. One of the highlights was the "Shark Tank" competition, where churches had the opportunity to pitch their projects in hopes of receiving funding.

New Life Neighbourhood Centre (NLNC), an extension of New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oshawa, emerged as the deserving winners of this year's award. The win was announced at New life last Sabbath, July 8. Treasurer Noel Thompson announced the win, receiveing cheers and applause from the congregation. “When you need a home run, you put in your Ace player,” Noel quipped. He further praised Pastor Feeley, nicknaming him “Pastor Ace.”

For over 25 years, NLNC has been committed to supporting marginalized individuals in Oshawa and the surrounding ares. The centre operates on dual fronts- as a food bank and a Productivity Training Hub (HUB)

The food bank plays a crucial role in meeting immediate needs, providing meal boxes, hygiene packages for the homeless, and hosting a monthly pancake breakfast, among other initiatives. Every year, NLNC distributes groceries to approximately 3,000 clients, serves 4,000 weekend meals and snacks to school children, and delivers 2,000 hygiene packages to those experiencing homelessness.
The $7200 funds from the Shark Tanks will be directed towards the development of the Productivity HUB, an impactful community outreach ministry. Where the foodbank takes care of care of basic needs, the HUB provides a 12-month program that includes self-empowerment workshops, skills training, one-on-one coaching, mentoring and coordinated support geared toward readiness for employment and other productive pursuits. After the first year since the HUB was launched 32 individuals were placed on pathways toward employment, volunteer work or further education. Without this program, these individuals may have fallen through cracks in the system. For more information on New Life Neighbourhood Centre programs, visit newlifeneighbourhoodcentre.org.

In addition to New Life, Ontario churches received most of the funding towards community and Ministry Projects. Ontario Conference congratulates the pastors and their churches for innovation and supporting their communities. You can read more about the various projects in upcoming issues of the Ontario Highlights.

1st place – Mathew Feeley – The Hub - $7200
2nd place – Keneth Aphia- Kubi – Toronto and Heritage Ghanaian Churches- $5200
3rd place – Marcio Sousa - Hispanic Refugee Project – Niagara Falls - $4200

Other recipients:
Anthony Reid – Mt Gilead Church - $3200
Harold Novak – Toronto Hungarian Church - $3200
Donfille Cooper - Agape Temple Church - $3200