Heart for the Nations Ministries' pastors and staff have been involved in ministry to the Indigenous community since 1994. 

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Pastor Carol Brzezicki is a Metis' person who was born in Peavine Metis Settlement which is a 300 member community just north of High Prairie, Alberta.  At age she 18 moved to the City of Edmonton where she met Rick Brzezicki, two years later they married and they started a family.  Carol worked as a Correctional Officer for almost a decade, it was during this season (January, 1986) that Carol  and Rick received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

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At the age of 30, Carol left her position and started post-secondary education at Concordia College, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Sociology and minor in Psychology. Carol went on to earn her Master's Degree in Health Studies from Athabasca University, her Master degree is suplimented by three summers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Along with her education and growing up in an Indigenous community, she has worked in Child and Family Sevices on reserve, for both Metis organizarions in Alberta (the Metis Nation of Alberta, Metis Settlements General Counsel), and the Indigenous Health Program at Alberta Health Serices.

 

Presently, Carol  is back at the Metis Nation of Alberta she is responsible for the drafting and establishing of the Metis Nation within Alberta Child and Family Services Law. This Law empowers the community to have their own Child and family service laws which focuses on  prevention and support for families. 

 

Throughout Carol's career she was an advisor to the Federal Government in the Law Commission of Canada report "Restoring Dignity" - which included Indian Residential Schools; she was a member of the Aboriginal Working Caucus which were special advisors in the  Indian Residential School Resolution Settlement Agreement.

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Pastor Rick is first generation Canadian born to his parents who came into this country as immigrants during the WWII.  Rick's mother was taken from her home in Ukraine the Nazis and then shipped by cattle car to Kiel Germany where she was put in a concentration camp.  Rick's father fled from Nazis and Soviets into Poland and joined the Polish Paratroopers.  Rick's parents met in the United Kingdom then eventually immigrated to Canada and built a life.

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Through the trauma of WWII and the effects of PTSD on Pastor Rick's family, Rick knew the effects of trauma upon a family.  There is dysfunction and lack of life social skills that are imputed upon the family dynamic.  Pastor Rick attended Bethesda Bible School and Christian Life School of Theology received his Bachelor of Theology Degree and now rapping up his Masters of Theology.

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Through the years Pastors Rick and Carol knew what it was like to navigate through life's battles and challenges.  Combined with their education and experiences they are able to help ministries, churches and church leaders to navigate the question of:

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1. What is the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) and its "calls to action" relate to your church or ministry.

2. What are some of the effects of Residential Schools and how do they affect reaching the Indigenous People

3. What are the different Indigenous People of Canada and why are they unique

4. What are the best ways to minister and reach out to Indigenous people

5. Share experiences on how responsible missions or ministry can be accomplished with honour and dignity.

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Call us for more information and we would love to meet with your leadership teams, local ministerial or churches.

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Email us for more information at the email below or call 780-914-3115

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