Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Winnipeg Wednesday night for a sold-out evening bringing together professional athletes, fans, and faith.
The annual Pro Sports and Faith Night at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre raises support for Lorne Korol, the chaplain for the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Manitoba Moose.
Korol serves as a full-time staff member with Athletes in Action, but does not receive a salary from any of the three professional sports organizations. He is responsible for raising 100 per cent of his salary and ministry expenses each year, making Wednesday’s event his major annual fundraiser.
The evening also gave fans an opportunity to meet members of the Jets and Blue Bombers who are connected with the chapel programs.
Jets players in attendance included Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, Josh Morrissey, Gabe Vilardi, Parker Ford, and Cole Koepke. Blue Bombers players and coaches included Willie Jefferson, Sergio Castillo, Evan Holm, Nick Hallett, Tui Eli, Jarell Broxton, Michael Fletcher, Taylor Elgersma, Nuer Gatkuoth, Richie Hall, and James Stanley.
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Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry signs an autograph on a jersey for a fan. (Mike Thom/PNN)
Ministry beyond the rink and field
Korol’s ministry includes leading chapel services and Bible studies, meeting one-on-one with players, coaches, and staff, and praying with them and their families.
His ministry also reaches support staff, management, and office employees within the organizations.
Korol’s wife, Heather, is involved in the ministry as well, including leading a Bible study for wives of Winnipeg Blue Bombers players.
Wednesday’s event also featured music from Winnipeg singer-songwriter Don Amero before former professional football player DeQuin “DQ” Evans took the stage as the evening’s keynote speaker.
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From gangs and incarceration to faith in Jesus
Evans shared his testimony of growing up surrounded by drugs and gang violence, eventually becoming involved in gangs himself and being incarcerated as a young person.
Football helped provide Evans with a path out of that life. His career eventually took him to the University of Kentucky, where he became a team captain, followed by time in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and four seasons in the CFL. He was part of the Calgary Stampeders’ 2014 Grey Cup championship team.
But Evans told the crowd Wednesday that football wasn’t the end of his transformation.
A teammate who authentically lived out his Christian faith began sharing Jesus with Evans. That relationship eventually led Evans to put his own faith in Christ.
Evans encouraged those gathered at The Met to consider whether they had made room for Christ in their own lives.
He also challenged those in attendance to generously support Lorne and Heather Korol and the ministry they carry out within Winnipeg’s professional sports organizations.
That ministry, Evans emphasized, extends well beyond the athletes fans see competing on the field or ice. It also reaches coaches, staff, wives and girlfriends, and families connected to the teams.