Pastor Rick described it this way:

The mid-week ministry is based on building relationships with individuals, couples and families who have lived in the area for years, or are just “passin’ through.” The Pastor visits and prays with people in their homes, in hospitals, Remand Centers, prisons and on the street, offering a ministry of presence. Through brief encounters on the streets and in the drop-in centers, many individuals will ask for further conversations. In need of a quiet moment, a listening ear, the office has been a place where one person after another has opened their hearts. Rough and tough men and women speak of the losses and challenges of their lives.

ICPM’s many forms

• Sunday worship: Key to the ministry is the weekly gathering of the Community of Emmanuel for Sunday Worship with 100+ community members and volunteers participating. This service takes place in Bissell Centre’s west building on 96th Street. The room used as a drop-in during the midweek becomes a sacred place of worship 52 Sundays of the yar. Though the community gathered is humble and sometimes down trodden, the sense of God’s presence is evident as we sign, proclaim the Good News, and pray.
• Lunch: After worship, lunch is served. The luncheon will host on average 250 individuals, breaking bread, sharing and growing closer to one an9other as a community. Within an average year, more than 12,000 lunches are served. These lunches are provided and served by volunteers from more than 75 faith communities, the churches and synagogues volunteering from across Edmonton and throughout the Capital region area.
• Mid-week activities: Our goal is to build relationships with and offer pastoral care amongst the people of the inner city community. The Pastoral Team is kept busy with visits within the many drop ins, homes, city hospitals, remand centers, prisons and on the street. These are important times when the pastoral team and supporting volunteers get to know community people and better understand their lives. Often pathways and openings for positive changes occur, particularly in regards to spiritual care and prayer and in regards to concerns regarding homelessness, aboriginal healing and reconciliation and women’s wellness.