It started as a celebration of a successful past but ended with a new covenant for the future.

The Full Gospel Church in Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba, gathered recently to recognize 30 years of fruitful ministry for Pastor George Disbrowe, who has led the church since the end of Pastor Alan B. Harper’s 54-year ministry there. Just two pastors in 84 years! A remarkable record.

Roger Armbruster, senior pastor at Maranatha (Niverville, Manitoba) has traveled to the Red Sucker Lake First Nation eleven times since 1992. When Armbruster spoke the afternoon of July 16 about the power of praise and prayer, a number of youth responded. They wanted to do a prayer walk through the community—covering several miles and requiring several hours. Even when high winds and heavy rains soaked the walkers, several youth, joined by their deputy chief and other community gatekeepers, hung in there to the very end.

That’s when God blessed them with a sign from heaven—a rainbow, reminding them of his covenant promise to bless his people:

Rainbow—a promise over Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba!

“And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you for perpetual generations. I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth'” (Gen. 9:12-13).

Like so many First Nations communities, the youth of Red Sucker Lake have reached a crisis point regarding serious issues—life-and-death matters such as suicide, mental depression, alcoholism, and drugs. In the midst of social disintegration and crisis, however, God is also raising up a new generation in the community—youth who are building upon the spiritual legacy of Alan B. Harper and George Disbrowe; young people who are desperately crying out to heaven for a fresh movement of God in their community.

On this day, their commitment and prayers brought a renewed promise of God’s covenant.