Spoken Word Ministries is offering a free seminar, Freedom through Forgiveness, Feb. 4 to 6 at TCU Place in Saskatoon.
The course was created by Pastor Boyd Hopkins of Spoken Word Ministries, Saskatoon.
Pastor Boyd Hopkins emphasized that the purpose of this seminar is to bring freedom to people who are struggling with the pain and anger of betrayal. And to also give people the tools that will assist them in helping their friends find freedom too.
"We want to lay a foundation to assist each person with achieving their freedom," says Pastor Hopkins. "We will be exploring the cycles of unforgiveness and will learn how to break out of those cycles. We want people to be able to live in the joy God made for them. We want people to regain their lost joy so that they can develop healthy relationships with others around them and with God.
Through this process of teaching, Hopkins touches a deep and painful spot in many lives.
"Forgiveness is a many layered thing," says Jacqueline Hopkins, administrative assistant at Spoken Word, explaining that it is a process of revelation and application.
"I call this weekend a catalytic event," adds Hopkins. "It is a process oriented weekend where those in attendance will learn how to forgive and receive forgiveness in a way that changes their lives."
During the weekend seminar, Hopkins will focus on themes such as: "what has unforgiveness cost you?"; "what are you holding onto that prevents you from experiencing forgiveness?"; "What happens when it is not fair?" Questions to be addressed will include "Who do you need to forgive? Others? Yourself?" Some even blame God.
Not everyone is ready to hear what is taught in this seminar, Hopkins always expects people to walk out. Some aren't ready to go where they need to go or face what they need to face. Some aren't ready to let go of their anger and resentment.
This course is being offered to the community at large at no cost, although there will be opportunity to give a free will offering toward event costs. A lot of thought went into doing this event at TCU Place. Pastor Hopkins commented the committee did not want cost to stand in the way of people receiving the help they need. Hopkins and his team felt TCU Place would be a venue where some people who struggle with 'church' would be more comfortable.
Hopkins served for several years as a pastor at Rock of Ages Lutheran Brethren Church in Saskatoon, where he still attends with his family, before moving on to work full time with Spoken Word Ministries. Spoken Word Ministries is a Christian based charity organization whose work primarily focuses on activity in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan with offices in Mission, B.C. and Saskatoon.
