Healing the Heart of the North: What God is Doing in the North Right Now
There are moments in ministry that quietly reshape your perspective; moments where you’re reminded that no matter how heavy things may feel in your context, God is still moving powerfully in places you may never see.
Our recent Healing the Heart of the North trip was one of those moments.
A small, faithful team from Nelson, BC, and La Crete, AB, journeyed into Northern communities—Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife—not with polished programs or big production, but with a simple conviction: Jesus still heals hearts.
And He does.
What we encountered across the North wasn’t hype or surface-level response. It was deep, quiet, often tear-filled transformation. The kind that doesn’t always make headlines, but changes families, leaders, and futures.
For those of you faithfully pastoring, leading, and serving week in and week out, this is meant to encourage you: God is moving. And He hasn’t forgotten the hard places.
When Opposition Comes… Keep Going
Our first stop in Hay River didn’t start smoothly.
Just before the gathering, the water line at our venue froze. Plans changed quickly, and for a moment, it felt like everything might unravel. But instead of stopping the weekend, it became a defining moment.
We relocated. We prayed. And we moved forward.
And what followed? A powerful reminder that when God wants to meet people, He will make a way.
Over the weekend, 22 people gathered, each carrying their own story, many carrying deep wounds from childhood, family brokenness, addiction, and generational trauma.
But something shifted.
In small groups, walls came down. People shared honestly. And in those sacred moments of prayer, we watched as truth began to replace long-held lies.
One of the most powerful moments came as people were led to release old identities—labels shaped by pain—and receive who they are in Christ.
You could feel it in the room: freedom, clarity, and hope returning.
Pastor, if you’ve ever wondered whether the quiet work of prayer and presence really matters, it does.
That weekend didn’t happen because everything went smoothly. It happened because people showed up, stayed faithful, and trusted God to move.
Small Rooms. Deep Work.
In Fort Smith, things looked even smaller on the surface—just 10 participants. No big crowd. No stage. No spotlight.
But what happened there was some of the deepest ministry of the entire trip.
In those smaller circles, people opened up about generational pain, family wounds, and identity struggles, especially among Indigenous participants carrying the weight of history and personal loss.
And again, God met them.
There’s something powerful about environments where people feel safe enough to be real. Where ministry isn’t rushed. Where prayer isn’t a transition—it’s the moment.
We also had the opportunity to minister to a young First Nations man during our time there. It wasn’t scheduled. It wasn’t part of the program. But it mattered deeply. Because this is often how the Kingdom moves—not just through platforms, but through presence.
If you’re leading a smaller church or feel like what you’re doing is “not much,” hear this clearly: God does some of His deepest work in small rooms.
Hunger is Growing
By the time we reached Yellowknife, there was a noticeable hunger. Across multiple sessions, up to 26 people gathered, each leaning in, ready to confront lies, process pain, and encounter truth.
We walked through themes many of you are familiar with:
Identity
Generational brokenness
Childhood wounds
Hearing and receiving truth from God
And once again, we watched as people responded. Not out of emotion, but out of a genuine desire to be free.
What stood out in Yellowknife wasn’t just the response; it was the alignment. Local leaders, including Pastor James and Korina Clarence, are carrying a deep burden for their city and region. Spending time with them, encouraging, praying, and simply being present, was just as significant as the sessions themselves. Because if the North is going to be reached, it will be through leaders who are planted, persevering, and filled with vision.
And they are there.
A Bigger Picture is Emerging
As we stepped back from the trip, one thing became increasingly clear: This isn’t just about a few weekends of ministry. God is stirring something deeper.
There is a growing sense that the North is ready. Not just for moments of healing, but for ongoing, sustainable ministry. There’s a vision beginning to form around establishing places where people can consistently encounter healing, discipleship, and training.
Not imported.
Not dependent.
But raised up from within the North itself.
Imagine local leaders equipped to minister healing.
Imagine Indigenous voices leading the way in restoration.
Imagine communities becoming places of refuge, strength, and identity.
That’s where this is heading. And it’s already beginning.
Pastor, Be Encouraged
If you’re reading this as a pastor or ministry leader, here’s what we want you to take away:
God is still healing deep wounds. Even the ones that feel generational and immovable.
Small gatherings still matter. Some of the most powerful moments happen off the stage.
The North is not forgotten. God is actively moving in remote, difficult, and overlooked places.
Faithfulness is working. Even when you don’t see immediate results.
You may not be in Northern Canada.
You may not be leading gatherings like these.
But the same Spirit at work here is at work where you are.
The same Jesus who met people in Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife is present in your church, your community, and your leadership.
“Look what the Lord has done.”
We found ourselves saying it over and over again throughout the trip: “Look what the Lord has done.”
Not because everything was perfect.
Not because every problem is solved.
But because healing started. Hope returned. And identity was restored.
That’s the work of the gospel. And it’s happening—right now—in the North.
God is moving. Keep going.
Rev. Alan Pysar is Co-Lead Pastor at New Hope Christian Assembly, bringing over 25 years of ordained ministry experience. He previously served for two decades as Lead Pastor of Hope Mission Community Church, where he faithfully ministered in an inner-city context. Alan also spent 10 years as an Addictions Counsellor with AADAC, shaping his compassionate, people-centred approach to ministry. He and his wife, Catherine, have been married since 1982 and continue to serve together with wisdom and faithfulness.