This week in good news (Mar. 28-Apr. 3)

A Winnipegger celebrated cracking one million followers on a popular social media platform, Easter celebrations bring church families together again, and a Manitoba woman baked her 1,000th loaf of bread.

New program to help bring home missing Indigenous voices

A new program is going to pay for information that helps lead to the finding of missing Indigenous people.

The new Pey Key Way Ta Hin program, Michif for "bring me home," was announced by the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) during their annual general assembly this weekend.

Through the program, $10,000 rewards will be given for information that helps locate missing people in the hope that those who have lost loved ones may get their voices back.

Winnipegger celebrating 1 million Tiktok followers

A local comedy video maker has almost as many social media followers watching as there are people living in Manitoba.

In the spring of 2020, Tope Babalola sat having "literally nothing else to do" as he was out of work and school for the season. To help pass the time, he downloaded an app he knew teenagers were using, trying it out for himself as an "older person" with hopes of combatting boredom.

"It was boredom that finally made me do it and I honestly didn't think anything out of it."

YFC volunteer proves age isn't a factor in making a difference

"Sometimes I'm blown away by the depth of their understanding," says a senior who volunteers with Youth for Christ Winnipeg.

While Sue Simpson hasn't parented teenagers for many years, she had the opportunity to be apart of a lunchtime ministry with Youth for Christ (YFC) out of her church, and she took it.

"I'm a member at Kildonan Community Church, so when Kevin came on, I guess he started coming to our Bible studies and I got to know him a little.

New library honouring Metis settlement, former mayor

A library sitting on what was known as Rooster Town is dedicated to Winnipeg's 39th mayor and his wife.

Bill and Helen Norrie are the namesakes of the new, 14,000 square foot library. The new space replaces the River Heights Libary which was located at 1520 Corydon Avenue.

“The new Bill and Helen Norrie Library is an exciting addition to our city’s community services facilities,” Sherri Rollins, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks, says in a statement.

Generous donation leads to second space for Bible ministry

Give the Word ministries is expanding and setting up a second office and warehouse in Steinbach, Man.

Ryan Rempel is the founder and director of Give the Word ministries, which gives away Bibles to anyone who is looking for it all across Canada. They give Bibles to individuals all the way to groups of people in remote locations.

"As Give the Word continues to grow, we are opening up an actual office and warehouse space in Steinbach," says Rempel.

Christian summer camp movie cracks global Netflix Top Five charts

A musical about a teen experiencing Bible camp for the first time is making its praise-worthy debut.

The star-studded film A Week Away follows a troubled teen, Will as played by Kevin Quinn, as he experiences the joys of Bible camp for the first time as he attempts to avoid juvenile detention.

The movie's trailer begins with Aweegaway's owner, played by David Koechner telling Will the camp's name comes from everyone being "a week away" from a life-changing experience.

Providence planning to welcome students back to campus

Providence University College is looking forward to the possibility of welcoming students back to campus this fall.

Dr. Nicholas Greco is Associate Professor of Communications & Media and Registrar at Providence. He says they’re anticipating a full return to in-person instruction for 2021/2022.

"We're hoping to welcome students back to residence in the fall, and we're hoping to provide in-person instruction in the fall as well," says Dr. Greco.

Pastors discuss Easter celebrations second time since COVID

This is the second time churches in Manitoba are celebrating Easter during pandemic restrictions and yet for many, it looks different than last year.

Andaza Hezekiah is the lead pastor at Joy Fountain Church. At this point, they don't have a physical space to call their own.

"This year we're probably just going to do an online service. We have a situation in our own context where we don't have a building, we're renovating a building, so that makes it a little different. We have no choice but to go online," says Hezekiah.

Walking as a healing spiritual practice

A mental health expert says that healing can come from simply walking and it helps heal the body and the soul.

"There is a wooded river trail that I walk daily. There are times when I begin my walk with something very upsetting on my mind. I rant and rave, mostly in my head, and sometimes I say things out loud," says Terry Warburton, the Clinical Director of Recover of Hope Counselling in Winnipeg.

Whether she is feeling overwhelmed emotionally, or she has a physical issue, Warburton has found there are many benefits to getting outside for a walk.

'We’re here for His glory': Christian university headed to NCAA Final Four

Christian schools continue to turn heads in the NCAA's basketball championship tournament known as March Madness.

Baylor University defeated Arkansas 81-72 on March 29 to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1950.

“First and foremost, we’ve got to give all the honour and glory to God, for blessing us with this,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew said in an interview on national television immediately following their win. Drew was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year earlier.

Agape Table blessing over 500 people with to-go Easter meal

Agape Table has seen its guests grow since the pandemic started, and this Easter they'll be handing out more meals than usual.

"We're giving back to the community like we always do, but today is our Easter meal. We've combined forces again with Diversity Foods and making ham, potatoes, cooked vegetables, dessert and a drink," says Dave Feniuk, the General Manager at Agape Table.

Instead of sitting down at the centre, people will line up six feet apart to pick-up their containers.

St. Boniface Archbishop sharing message of hope

The leader of Archidiocèse de Saint-Boniface Archdiocese says this year's Holy Week is one people will never forget.

Finding hope in Jesus Christ, Archbishop Albert LeGatt says love is important to share with others.

"As we enter Holy Week this year, it is marked very much by the pandemic that we have lived, I am going to say lived together but also lived alone," he says, talking about loneness.

Carrie Underwood celebrating Easter with new gospel album

Seven-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood is excited to be releasing her first Christian gospel album, My Savior, right before Easter.

While Underwood has never shied away from her faith as her first hit single as an artist was 'Jesus Take the Wheel', this is her first full Christian album.

"Everybody's lives were changed and affected over the past year. Normally we're just go, go, go, so busy. I just felt so fortunate throughout that entire time, I just got to go into the studio and sing these songs that are so hopeful," Underwood says on the Today Show interview.

Strange news coming out of Winnipeg, CMU

Canadian Mennonite University is bringing back an elementary school habit, the City of Winnipeg is preparing people for "ruff" bike rides, and the world's longest rollerskating trail on a river is opening this spring.

After years of fighting with students to keep their shoes on, it looks like a compromise has been found.

Giving in to slippers, Canadian Mennonite University says they are implementing an indoor/outdoor shoes strategy.

'We'd like to give them the very best we can': UGM prepping for Easter

A ministry in the heart of Winnipeg is preparing to serve others a special meal this weekend.

With the hustle and bustle of Union Gospel Mission in the background, the Development Manager, Martin Chidwich, says they are preparing for Saturday's Easter dinner.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to just welcome people and love on them in the name of Christ. It is always a privilege to share the gospel," he says.

Fort Frances sisters gain over 10 million views for 'An Easter Hallelujah'

A pair of sisters are overjoyed as a song they recorded for their nana and papa has reached millions more.

Two Fort Francis sisters making a video for their grandparents are being heard far and loud this Easter.

"Sisters Cassandra (10) & Callahan (19) wanted to record this beautiful & meaningful version of Hallelujah especially for Nana & Papa since it’s their favourite," their mother Nikki Armstrong-Wiedenhoeft writes on Facebook.

Bible translation organization equipping Arabic churches in 19 countries

Bible translations will be expanding into 19 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The translation organization, unfoldingWord, is broadening their reach to these areas to give Christians tools and training to complete Bible translations for their communities and churches, Mission Network News reports.

"Now is the time to do this," says unfoldingWord CEO David Reeves. "So many people are hungry for the gospel and coming to Christ."

Manitoba pastor reflects on the constant celebration of Easter

Easter weekend is filled with special church services, music, candlelight, flowers and the ringing of church bells. It's also a special day for spending time with family and friends and enjoying delicious food.

This weekend, believers around the world are observing Easter, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion.

Mark Tiessen-Dyck, lead pastor at Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church, reflects on the significance of Easter season.

Manitoba woman celebrates milestone 1,000 loaves of bread baked for others over past year

Just over a year ago, on the fourth day of spring, Joan van der Linde had an epiphany: she sensed a whisper in her heart telling her to bake bread for people.

Moments later, the Morris resident attached a bread basket to the lamp post at the end of her driveway. The bread would always be given away at no cost to anyone.

A friend of van der Linde's was the first to benefit from the free bread and picked up her first loaf the very next day. The creator of the Bread Basket then posted her initiative on social media and now, 12 months later, Joan van der Linde has reached a milestone, she has baked 1,000 loaves of bread in one year.