Tell them I love them! - Agape Street Ministry · 2018. 9. 24. · page 1 • agape street ministry...

PAGE 1 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER  • www.agapestreetministry.org • WINTER 2013

WINTER 2013

Tell them I love them!

• BIRTHDAY BAGS • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY • MENTORING •SANCTA MARIA HOUSE • SURREY STREET M

INISTRY • OUTREACH

BREAKFAST TEAM •DELIVERY • CANDY PACKING • PRAYER •

• CHI

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Tell The WomenThat I Love

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131120_Agape Winter Newsletter 1 11/19/13 6:46:21 PM


AGAPE HOUSE887 Keefer Street

Vancouver, BC V6A 1Y8604.215.4115

CONTACT US!

Looking to volunteer? 604.375.4847

Email: 

[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.agapestreetministry.org

SANCTA MARIA HOUSE

House of healing in Vancouver

604-731-5550

DONATION INFORMATION

Agape House: 604-215-4115

NEW! Donate Online

canadahelps.org

(Sancta Maria House Vancouver)

Agape Street Ministry Board of Director’s would like to share the Three Phase Vision given by the Holy Spirit to the Lay 

Founders as they answered God’s personal call in their lives.

First Phase: Agape Street Ministry Catholic, Christian Street Outreach

Second Phase: Healing Recovery Home: Presently Sancta Maria House

Third Phase: Rural Healing Community.  

Agape Street Ministry Volunteers are called to bring the Love of 

Jesus to women who work as prostitutes and or have drug or alcohol 

addiction. Through non-judgmental and prayerful actions and words 

we share God’s unconditional love for the women.

Dan Dobin, President ASM, and Director at Large SMHSharon Dobin, President, SMH, and Director at Large ASM

Austin Peterson, Vice President, ASM, and  Director at Large SMH

Wayne Brazeau, Director at Large, ASMAngela Kaiser, Director of Finance, ASM and SMH

Marla Poirier, Agape Street Ministry Newsletter EditorDior Drego, Secretary, ASM and SMHTara LaLanne, Director at Large, ASM 

Every Tuesday, 8:30am - 10:00am


PAGE 3 • AGAPE STREET MINISTRY NEWSLETTER  • www.agapestreetministry.org • SPRING 2013

History of Agape Street

MInistryDo not be afraid...for I will be with you to 

protect you, says the Lord. Jeremiah 1:8

Over 16 years ago Pat and Vicki Conroy founded Agape Street Ministry in Vancouver when they responded to a call in their hearts to “Walk the streets of Vancouver — at night!” 

These instructions were simple enough, but frightening. Stories of crime and violence on the streets of Downtown Eastside Vancouver had reached them in Texas and even in Central America! 

But they had learned to trust God’s Voice, “Do not be afraid ….for I will be with you to protect you, says the Lord. Jeremiah 1: 8, and His Grace, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil. 4:13. 

The first night Pat and Vicki saw more than a hundred women, aged 12 to 55 working as prostitutes. Before long they were sharing the call from Jesus to, “Tell them that He loves them!” An image of a small bag of candy with a beautiful prayer card led them to collecting and bagging these as little gifts for the women they would meet each night. 

The bags were an instant hit and gave Pat and Vicki the opportunity to explain the scripture verse and pray with the women right there on the street. In a short time they were reaching many women each night and Agape Street Ministry, as it exists today, began to unfold.

 In 2001, the current leaders of Agape Street Ministry, Sharon and Dan Dobin, began the Agape Street Outreach in Surrey and in 2012 the Agape Street Outreach began to unfold in the Chilliwack area. Included in this ministry is our Healing/ Recovery Home —  Sancta Maria House — where since 2004 over 100 women have found a home, a family, and they come to experience the healing love of Jesus. The vision and mission of this wonderful ministry is “to reach out with the gospel message and share Jesus’ love with the women.” We are often reminded that the Lord has formed this ministry exclusively for the “working women” and our call is “to listen to the women, to pray 

with them, and to tell them that Jesus loves them.”

SUR



Dear Friends, At this very special time of the year, we wish to send you a personal thank you for all the support you have given Agape Street Ministry.

Without your prayers, financial support and care, this work of the Lord would not exist.

Recently one of our woman shared just how much her life had changed over the last four years. She said she “just didn’t realize that it was love that was missing.

She needed to be loved first, before she could love herself and then open up to receive God’s love.”

The expression of God’s love is experienced and made tangible to the women when we minister to them on the streets and in our healing home. The gift of God’s love is present in our encounters blessing souls that are literally starving for love and

healing. Your gift is priceless and life changing to them.

We are so grateful to you all for enabling Agape Street Ministry to continue to fulfill our Mission of bringing the love of Jesus to the women who are enslaved in

addiction and prostitution.

It is our heartfelt prayer that you and your families will be showered with God’s great graces as you celebrate the greatest gift of love,

The Birth of Christ the Lord.

Dan and Sharon and the Board of Directors Of Agape Street Ministry and Sancta Maria House



The Face of Addiction: Who Am I?Lost.....

Who Am I?The little girl whose soul was shattered when you exploited her in the night.Who Am I?The scared little girl that looked through the window to see if her Mom or Dad was drunk before she entered her home.Who Am I? The woman who just could not bear the pain, challenges or grief that the world delivered.Who Am I?The sweet 9 year old girl that sipped her first drink of alcohol from her parent’s glass which set in motion the insanity of an addicted brain.Who Am I?The teenage gal who felt alone, unaccepted and out of place who soon found her way to the wild kids at school. Who Am I?The lovely, happy, young girl who inherited the genes of mental illness that would one day carry her into blackness where she would seek comfort and release through drugs and alcohol.Who Am I?A child disadvantaged and marginalized, growing up amid poverty, aimlessness with little hope or direction or success.Who Am I?The promising, successful young gal who got caught up in the party world who lost everything and everyone to drugs.Who Am I?The little girl, hurt, confused and deeply wounded as she is abandon by her parent.Who Am I?The broken woman who lost her identity living with an abusive partner.

Who Am I Really?A precious child, beloved of God, made in His very image

and likeness. Jesus says to Agape “Tell the women, that I love them.” Agape Street Ministry is a prayer ministry

that brings the gospel message along with prayer to women caught in the snare of prostitution and drug and alcohol

addictions… Jesus will show them…who they are.


Agape Street Team volunteers are ministering to the women they encounter on the streets in Vancouver, Surrey and in Chilliwack. Relationships with the women are being fostered while love, care and concern are shared through the conversations, hugs and prayers of the volunteers.

The sorrows and burdens of the women are sincerely heard as the volunteers offer support and love. Birthday gifts are given, Happy Birthday songs are song, rosaries are given out and prayer requests are carefully transcribed and brought to the altar at Sacred Heart Parish.

Little by little the light of Christ illuminates the darkness, lifts the discouragement and brings hope to hearts heavily burdened.

The Good News… scriptural messages bring the Word of God to the hearts of women open to hear. Seeds are being sown and God’s Kingdom expands and grows.


“Hey that’s my toast and cheese whiz” exclaimed the gal in the pink ski  jacket and pig tails. When she turned to grab  the  toast  from  the  breakfast  volunteer  my  heart dropped as I immediately recognized her saucy voice and her “that’s mine” attitude. Her beautiful green eyes had dulled,  her  strawberry  blond  hair  had  faded,  her  once 

amazing smile held sparse and decayed teeth and her once lovely face had hallowed and darkened. Yet still evident was her engaging childlike demeanour and playful manner that captured our hearts. Nine more years in addiction had robbed more than her vibrant youth and beauty. Nine more years of addiction had robbed her of the promises that God had for her; promises of abundant  life,  love,  joy and fruitfulness. As we sat together I loved her for just who she was right then and there. “Agape” love flowed through us — through the grace of God and the Holy Spirit. I know she was confirmed and blessed by the Lord and as she left she raised her hand to her ear signaling with her twinkling eyes 

and hand movements indicating that “yes” she would phone us. 

Come Holy Spirit, Come.

Come to your precious daughter and set her free.

THE TUESDAY BREAKFASTAs we sat together

I loved her for just who she was right

then and there.



But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against

him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little

children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed

and in truth.1 John 3:17-18

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the

law of Christ.Galatians 6:2

Early Tuesday morning a wonderful team of women rise up and leave their home well before 7 am. These wonderful dedicated women set off to Agape House at 887 Keefer Street Vancouver. There they lovingly prepare a wholesome breakfast for women who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction and for those who are working in the sex trade. There is a lot of hustle and bustle where as many as fifty women come to receive acceptance, encouragement and friendship and a hot breakfast. Volunteers sit and chat while some scurry around seating women, bringing a warm cup of coffee and serving up a nice meal. Off to the side are a group of men and women along with two nuns from the Sisters of Charity who come to gather prayer requests, to pray with the women, to offer intercessory prayers and songs of praise and worship to the Lord. Agape House is filled with the fellowship of women who feel love and accepted while praise and worship fills the hearts and halls of the Kateri Center. A great big thank you to all who make this day possible.

“The Lord inhabits the Praise of his People”

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I

have loved you, that you also love one another.”

John 13:34



Koz-e Quilts

Made by Sancta Maria Women

Sancta Maria women have  found  their  niche  so  to speak. Our work room is a hive of busy activity not only  during  our  service  blocks  three  times  a  week but  during  spare moments  one will  often  discover someone  getting  in  a  few  moments  to  work  on that  great  quilt  that  is  underway.  New  talents  are discovered, skills are being developed and beautifully designed quilts are making their way to family homes, baby’s cribs and to those in the community wanting a  handmade  to  order  quilt.  One  of  our  greatest delights  is  to  see our Mom’s making a  special quilt for their child. It is hard to express the love and care that is woven into the quilt that a Mom creates for her child.  It is a joy to behold. We are so grateful to our quilting facilitators, donators and supporters of this program. Hope you enjoy our pictures. 

To order call 604-731-5550



I had wondered if I had any hope left or even if I would ever see goodness in my life again at

all.

As a matter of fact, I had resolved that I would never ever be happy again or feel a sense of wholeness within myself again.

Through Christ’s redeeming grace I was brought to Sancta Maria House. I walked through the doors wounded, terrified and so broken to pieces.

I was embraced by love. At first I did not believe that I was loveable and so I projected that, driving everyone away! To my amazement you never gave up on me and you cared enough about me to keep me and not throw me away like so many have in the past.

It is Christ within you all that has played a huge role in reshaping my life. Praise Jesus that He is not through with me yet, There is much more in store for me. I don’t wish to die every day as I did before. I am getting better, growing stronger day by day and I actually have moments of excitement of what the future holds for me.

After all, the bible says that I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony and so it is. Praise the Lord!

I was embraced by love.

(a testimony from Sancta Maria House)

Sancta Maria House facilitiators:TOP: left, Cecilia, right, Angelina

MIDDLE: left, Jessica; Maureen, Deanne,BOTTOM: Sue



NEEDS LIST

A CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN OUTREACH

AGAPE HOUSE887 Keefer Street

Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1Y8Tel: 604 215-4115

Email:[email protected]

Website:www.agapestreetministry.org

SANCTA MARIA HOUSEHOUSE OF HEALING IN 

VANCOUVER604 731-5550

DONATION  INFORMATIONAGAPE HOUSE

604 215-4115On line: canadahelps.orgº

Remember to pray for our ministry.SANCTA MARIA HOUSEHouse of Healing in Vancouver

Note: The following items to be donated must be marked on package ‘Santa Maria House’.

Household Needs:- Comforters single (Twin)- Kitchenware- New Brooms and Mops- HE Laundry Detergent

Education Program- Journals, spiral notebooks,

8.5x11 paper

Creative Arts and Cottage Industry Programs:- Scrapbooking and card

making supplies, old greeting cards.

- Card stock, Sizzix Dies, envelopes, glue sticks, scissors, ribbon

- Cricut cartridges- Skeins of yarn_Quilting Cotton,Flanelette, Thread.

Personal Needs- New Underwear & slippers, socks- Deodorant, shampoo and conditioner

Food & Groceries & Household Products- Canned goods- Fresh produce- Cereals, pastas & rice- Dairy products- Baking ingredients- Napkins, paper towels,

toilet paper and tissue- Cleaning supplies

Gift Certificates for Special Occasions- Gift certificates to Tim Horton, Starbucks

-Bowling gift certificates- Passes to leisure or fitness facilities-Kerrisdale area

- Family orientated entertainment outings

AGAPE HOUSEMain Office

For Street Team MinistryRosaries

Wrapped candies eg. caramels, mints, sours, suckers, & chocolate kisses(250,000 pieces of candies needed yearly to make 35,000 individual candy bags. They serve as a means to give a small spiritual card with an encouraging message & Detox contact phone numbers into the hands of the women that are ministered to.)

- Chocolate bars (small size)- Sandwich bags (fold top), curling ribbon- Rosary booklets- Pocket size New Testament Bibles- Umbrellas, gloves, toques- Prayer cards

For Breakfast Team- Oatmeal (long cooking oats & instant pkgs) - Brown sugar, white sugar- Cold breakfast cereal (Rice Krispies)- Jam, honey, Cheez Whiz, margarine, canned

juice, powdered milk

- paper napkins, paper towels- Coffee, hot chocolate, tea, & juices- Canned meat (prem or ham) eggs, and

pancake mix- Diswashing liquid and bleach- Cling wrap and aluminum foil.

Birthday Bags (New Items Only)

- Medium sized gift bags 20x25cm & tissue- Christian birthday cards- Catholic Bibles- New/Gently used small (6 inch) Stuffed animals/toys- New only: perfume, cosmetics, nail polish, toothpaste, toothbrushes, ladies socks

- costume jewellery- sanitary napkins, & tampons

CONTACT US!

Looking to volunteer? 604.375.4847


Tell them I love them! - Agape Street Ministry · 2018. 9. 24. · page 1 • agape street ministry...

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