SLM Canada
Joe Homontowski
Joe and Penny Homontowski knew God wanted them in full-time ministry for many years before He made the way clear for them. The Homontowskis have been serving the Lord through Source of Light Ministries International for sixteen years, twelve of those reaching North America in the country of Canada. Though not native to Canada, God showed them the way north step by step.
The Homontowskis researched potential locations for a Discipleship Training Branch until finally settling on Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — a western Canadian city. During several years of training and deputation, God led them to contact Western Tract Mission in Saskatoon, which was already using the Mailbox Club materials. This mission was instrumental in sponsoring them to get into Canada. After Joe and Penny finally were able to make their way to their new home in January of 2005, they partnered with WTM to help them run their established Mailbox Club and to use their building for storage of the lessons they brought up from Georgia.
Living in Canada is quite a different experience with the first snow often coming in October and not going away until possibly April or May! Natives of Wisconsin and Michigan, Joe and Penny are not normally bothered by cold and snow, but after living in Florida and Georgia for the previous sixteen years, the weather was a bit of a shock that first week (–50 degrees Fahrenheit).
The weather may often be cold, but the Homontowskis met many warm hearts excited for their arrival and the integration of a wide variety of Bible correspondence courses to ship across the expansive Canadian landscape. Because they did not need to start from scratch establishing a distribution office and mailing list, Joe and Penny saw nearly immediate results and expansion of the current mailing list. Those beginning years were exciting times.
Along with a warm office full of happy volunteers, Joe and Penny also joined a close church family for which they are incredibly grateful. They help in the AWANA program and Joe preaches regularly. Penny was a co-Sunday School Superintendent for five years. Their fellow church members provide the family they often miss, since their three grown sons, daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren still live in the States. Their church family often provides support to help them with office work, office construction projects, and even fundraising. The most recent blessing was when they were able to freely use the church building to host a hymn “Singspiration” and dessert night raising nearly $3,000 for postage!
God’s grace and blessings in those first years were so important to establishing this growing ministry. The Homontowskis have now transitioned away from WTM, who gave SLM the established Mailbox Club, to establish their own Branch office and continue the work of reaching Canada with God’s Word.
What does Source of Light in Canada look like? The driving force is the Mailbox Club reaching hundreds of adults and children across every Canadian province. Churches often use the materials for children’s ministries and small group studies. Prisoners and nursing home residents use their free time learning God’s Word.
Source of Light Canada does use some unique methods to keep their faithful students engaged. One example is the acquisition of hundreds of Sugar Creek Gang books. Joe and Penny use these books as incentives to expand the mailing list. Any student who submits five names and addresses can earn one book. There are thirty-six books in the series. One 13-year-old boy from Ontario was able to acquire the entire series over a period of two years by submitting five names and addresses with each of his lessons!
Another unique way to engage students in addition to the regular Source of Light material is the Good News Express. The Good News Express is a quarterly brochure including a short devotional by Penny and creative drawings and poems submitted by Mailbox Club students. It is geared for young people, ages 16 and under, featuring Josh the Mouse. Joe and Penny have found this to be a great way to retain students and encourage interaction, making the Mailbox Club more personalized and engaging.
A 13-year old from Ontario included the following testimony when she sent her first lesson that she received because of the contest.
Dear Club,
I just want to thank you for starting the club. I love receiving mail just for myself. With school coming to a close I didn’t know what I’d do all summer long, except work. Well, the Mailbox Club gave me something to think about. I’m excited about it. I, too, am one of God’s children, and I think the Club is a wonderful way to spread the Good News! Thank you! May God bless you all real good.
Sincerely,
Hannah H.
Pray for our health, support, and more opportunities to reach throughout Canada.
