YFC Canada
Registered Charity #132943721 RR 0001
© 2023 Youth for Christ Steinbach
Mike Kehler
Mike was born and raised in Altona (Southern Manitoba) and was baptized at the age of 18. Through a string of events at the age of 19 and 20 God did some moving and shaking and Mike’s faith grew and became his own. It was during that time he had a real burden for working with young people and their families within the context of the local church and through a para-church ministry called Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Prior to coming on staff at Steinbach YFC Mike served in 3 different churches over the past twenty-five years and has always had some kind of involvement in the sport community. It is this combination of interests that have brought Mike to YFC Steinbach in August of 2013.
This staff position with YFC Steinbach involves two main ministry areas – Hockey Chaplain and Sport Huddle groups.
Personal Key verse – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.” Ambassadors in the arena of life.
The vision of Sport Huddle groups is to see young men (and women) have a place to talk about life and faith and combine it with the sport they love playing.
The vision as Hockey chaplain is to reach the world of hockey in Steinbach and area with the message of hope found in Jesus. At present it means and involves serving alongside the Steinbach Pistons Jr. hockey club. This time would include regular chapel times, organizing some team-building exercises, connecting players with volunteer opportunities in the community, and offering support and resources to players, coaches, parents, and billets throughout the year. These young men are at a very vulnerable time in their life, many living away from home, and yet making some key decisions in life and we want to create opportunities to speak into their lives regarding life and faith issues.
Mike Kehler
Family: Married — June 25, 1988 — wife: Cheryl
We have four children. Our oldest daughter, Amanda who is married to Kyler and 3 children (Liam 6, Mia 4, and Emily 1), a son Ryan who is married to Annabelle, a daughter Kaycie who is married to Nathan and 3 children (Nya 10, Jude 7, and Havan 1, and Tyson. We presently live in Steinbach where I serve with Youth for Christ Steinbach (Sport & Faith Ministry)
Brief Testimony and ministry timeline: I was born and raised in Altona (Southern Manitoba). I came from a home where mom and dad believed in church attendance and making Sunday school a priority. I’m told that at the age of 5 I prayed to accept to Christ into my life even though I don’t recall this. At 14, while watching a Billy Graham Crusade in our family room, I made a conscious decision to confess my sins and invite Christ into my heart and to be a part of my life (The movie WOODLAWN really hits home). My high school years proved to be a time of ups and downs in my commitment and spiritual development. I was baptized at the age of 18. It was through a string of events while I was 19 and 20 that God did some moving and shaking and my faith grew and became my own. At that time I had a real burden for working with young people and their families within the context of the local church and through a para-church ministry called Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
After working for a few years, I was encouraged to attend Bible College (now called Providence University/College – then Winnipeg Bible College). It was following that I worked 2 years with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (ISCF in the high schools) in the Pembina Valley area, followed by 5 years of Youth Ministry in Morden, Manitoba.
After 5 years in Morden God lead us as a family to Briercrest Biblical Seminar where I completed my Master of Arts in Adolescent Ministry. This included my thesis work: SMALL GROUPS AND YOUTH MINISTRY, which became the foundation of my future ministry. After seminary God lead and guided us to Steinbach where for 17 years, I was involved in two different churches in the youth ministry and as Pastor of Family Ministries and Small Groups. In the spring of 2013 God directed my path to Youth for Christ Steinbach do begin a ministry that had always been dear to my heart – sport and faith. My journey in Ministry has been exciting, adventurous, and very rewarding. God has been working to break and shape me as a man – helping me develop a greater dependence on Christ. I keep trusting the Lord and the Holy Spirit to guide and give wisdom during this journey.
Recent Sports Involvement – I have been involved in a variety of ways over the past 16 years – including coaching and leadership in Steinbach Minor Baseball and presently as Chaplain with Steinbach Pistons of Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Including the beginning of some Huddle groups in the community.