Rev Harry LehotskyVery sad news.  Reverend Harry Lehotsky, founding member and Pastor of New Life Ministries, a community church on Maryland Street, Winnipeg, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  In over two decades of inner-city community ministry, Harry has had an immeasurable impact in Winnipeg by providing food and housing for the poor, helping them connect with jobs and caring friends, and speaking out effectively against crime and easy availability of drugs and alcohol.

Well known minister and outspoken activist Harry Lehotsky, who has spent years fighting drugs, crime and disrepair in Winnipeg's West End neighbourhood, now has another struggle ahead of him, this one for his life.

Lehotsky was diagnosed Monday with pancreatic cancer, which has spread to his liver, spleen and other organs. He says his doctors have told him his cancer is inoperable and have given him six weeks to nine months to live.

"Oh, man, you think, 'Why me?' and then the next thing you think is, 'Why not me? What makes me different from anybody else?' There's mothers and fathers, daughters and sons that die of cancer and so many other things. I mean, we're all finite. So I think about that," he told CBC News on Tuesday.

"If God chooses to do a miracle, that'd be awesome and I'd be very pleased and thankful. If not, what I've been living for my whole life is just the ability to meet Him one day and for Him to say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"

Rev Lehotsky writes a weekly column for the Winnipeg Sun, the most recent of which is posted here.  He says he will continue in the work to which our Lord has called him for as long as he is able.

Lehotsky, 48, is well known because of his work to discourage violence, gangs, drugs and other problems that plague his neighbourhood.

He's been a vocal resident of the West End for 24 years, establishing New Life Ministries and raising three sons with his wife, Virginia.
. . .
He's drawing strength from his family and prayers. He's vowing to remain positive and continue working to help and guide people.

Lehotsky said he is not going to take off his writer's cap because he thinks his weekly column will be therapeutic.

Published Sundays, his thought-provoking columns revolve around raw issues such as prostitution, violence and drugs.

They pressure political leaders and suburban Winnipeggers to pay attention to the plight of people living in the city's core.

Please pray for him, his wife, and three sons as they face this time of trial.  God be with you, Harry.

CBC Manitoba link via Dust My Broom.

Other bloggers with today's news about Harry:

Harry recently discussed his travails getting diagnostic health care in Manitoba.  He was in such agony from abdominal pain that he finally went to a doctor in North Dakota.

Rev Lehotsky was born in New York City and has lived in Winnipeg since 1983.  He received his M.Div. from North American Baptist Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1982 and is ordained by the North American Baptist Conference.  More biographical information can be found here.  The website of New Life Ministries has a great deal of detailed information on their community service work, philosophy of urban ministry, and theological beliefs.

I blogged one of his columns here.

UPDATE (21 May): Harry Lehotsky testifies.

UPDATE (12 Nov.): Harry Lehotsky succumbs to cancer.