Transformation
At FamilyLife Canada, we take the long-view and seek to build practices and values that prevent the marital or family breakdown. This happens over time with the small habits and decisions we make that fortify our family against the storms of life. Read the following transformational stories.
About Steve
Want to be an agent for positive change in your community…? Here’s an opportunity to help. Let me introduce you to Steve Bourque. He has been my mentor in children’s ministry for many years and the children’s pastor at the church we both attended. He has a heart for families and has mentored…parents who were interested in improving their parenting skills and teaching their children about Jesus. ~Joanne
I am excited to partner with Steve because I have known him for almost 20 years and during all that time he has faithfully served God. Steve served as the children’s pastor at our church for many years and his ministry and his heart have always been to teach the children and to provide parents with sound guidance for raising their children in the Lord. Steve and his wife, Daphne, have led by example and I am very thankful for them. I believe that Steve’s ministry with FamilyLife Canada will be a help and a blessing to many families. ~Friend
You are entering into an area of great need. In a culture that is throwing out so much confusion and fear, it is more important than ever that our homes are anchored in the truth that only Jesus gives. ~Phylis
“You are a ready-made addition to [FamilyLife Canada’s] amazing team.”
— Jim Jackson, Founder of Connected Families
We know the family at [FamilyLife Canada] well. You are a ready-made addition to their amazing team. I am sure your ministry will be missed greatly at Bluewater [Church], but I look forward to see what God will do through you to bring hope and help to Canadian families. ~Jim Jackson, Founder of Connected Families
Thankful for the 20 years you have served the kids and their families at Bluewater [Church]. You built an amazing program that will continue to bless and help families for generations to come. ~Jenn
I’m so grateful for the support you’ve given me and my family over the past years. Serving along side you has been such a gift to our lives. ~Laurie
We have been praying for more labourers for both Ontario and our parenting initiatives. Steve brings 19 years of experience in both of these areas so we are confident that his presence will bring help and hope to many families and will have an impact across Canada. ~Brent Trickett, FamilyLife Canada National Director
“Many families will be blessed in the years to come.”
— Joanne
Many families will be blessed in the years to come because you have spent time with them. I have seen first hand your heart for people in need. ~Joanne
Thanks for your faithfulness, energy and commitment to the Lord, and to families. May He bless and expand His reach through you as you enter this new chapter! ~Pastor Deve
About Coaching and Content
“[Family Rhythm holds] great promise for helping families take the Gospel into the everyday patterns of life.” ~Dr. Denise Muir-Kjesbo, Professor of Children’s and Family Ministry, Bethel Seminary
“Connection over consequence has completely changed how we parent on a daily basis.”
— Laurie
Connection over consequence has completely changed how we parent on a daily basis. An example would be how our daughters had been fighting whenever our 13 year old daughter had friends over. Our 9 year old daughter wouldn’t give her and her friends space…We were able to sit down with our 9 year old and learned that this behaviour was rooted from wanting to spend more time with her older sister. In the past we would have sent them to separate spaces and not had the opportunity to connect with her and build a new connection between the siblings. The girls ended up sitting down and made a schedule to make sure they were prioritizing spending more time together. It led to them feeling more loved and connected instead of continued frustration with one another and a more peaceful home. ~Laurie
I think I was pretty anxious, just typical feeling I get in the situation with my kids. The empathy that he provided, just affirming what I was feeling was helpful. He was very helpful at reframing and rephrasing, like helping me to give words to my son on how he could handle the situation better. It was wonderful…I’m going to take those suggestions home and try them out. Absolutely. ~Marni
We feel a lot more confident in knowing that we have a guidebook and direction for creating a more peaceful, loving and God-centred home. We approached pastor Steve to ask him for advice on discipline and he offered to do some coaching sessions with us. We were struggling with a few things at home such as our daughter being defiant when it came time to do school work and resistance at bedtime from both of our middle children…Steve gave us some great examples of questions we could ask our children to soften the mood when they are angry or frustrated. He encouraged us to show curiosity and really try to connect with our kids one-on-one. We tried changing the words we used to let our daughter know when it was time to do school work…and adding in tea time while we read to make learning more fun. This really helped her willingness to listen and learn. ~Laura and Manuel
About Events
“We’ve attended a few events with Steve and the take away is so big and encouraging every time we’re there.”
— Laurie
The time you spend investing into your family is invaluable. We’ve attended a few events with Steve and the take away is so big and encouraging every time we’re there. Recently, at an event we were able to see the big picture of the limited time we have with our kids as they grow and how to best use that time. It’s so important to stay connected while we have that time and build a lasting relationship with them. If we don’t take the time to do that now, then it will be even harder after they leave the home. Our children will be able to get through life’s hardships and are more likely to turn to us for love and support, instead of the world outside our home, if we make sure to prioritize our relationships with them now. ~Laurie
This class was extremely refreshing. This was a great class and I would attend it 100 times over. ~Anonymous
“This event was a great reminder of ways in which we can keep Christ at the centre of our homes” ~Parent workshop attendee
I thought this morning was awesome Steve! Really practical I loved how you weaved Hebrews and James in there. I already got to practice! Literally right after I texted you we had a blow up and I got to put the learning into practice and it worked!!! Crazy! I even had them high-five to celebrate haha. ~Matt
Provided a means to start a conversation with my wife. ~Anonymous
Let’s build strong families together.
More Testimonials
We really appreciate your impact on these kids to learn and grow in the word and having relationship with Jesus! ~Carissa
Welcome to the Cru Family Steve Bourque. We are lucky to have you!! ~Taylor
You and your family have helped me so much over the years. ~Amanda
Thank you for how you and your family have served the families in our church for the past 20 years. So many of our young people have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ because of your willingness to care for each one of our young people individually also. You had an amazing team behind you also. ~Sandra
“This was an excellent workshop. I am encouraged and feel more equipped with new tools.”
“Simple, achievable resolution process that can be used immediately. Thanks.”
“Love the practical and personal applications.”
“Several tools for handling myself better when situations come up which will help the boys start from a better place.”
“…allows me to better manage my family in a godly and healthy way.”
“Helps me to frame my mind before I need to direct the emotions and situation with small children.”
“Provided a means to start a conversation with my wife.”
“Helped us find areas where we can improve in our standards…and strategies to implement them.”
“Helped me “check-in” and evaluate my evolving role as a dad.”
“I loved how you went back to the hope of the good that’s going to come.”
“It’s always good to talk with other parents.”
“This class was extremely refreshing. This was a great class and I would attend it 100 times over.”
“Tools are ideas that can even be implemented with very young children.”
“It has provided a better lens to look at conflict and the ideal way to resolve it.”
“This was an excellent workshop. I am encouraged and feel more equipped with new tools. Your child is not your report card. I think all parents need to hear this.”
“I just really need to focus on how I interact with my kids—recognize if I need to step back for a minute, etc.”
“Encouraged to take a moment to respond appropriately. Also a beginning of a framework for proactively developing skills in our children.”
“Great steps to follow to resolve conflict.”
“Simple, achievable resolution process that can be used immediately. Thanks.”
“It helped me to see things clearly, it gave me practice tools to help my sons learn conflict resolution skills.”
StevenBourque.com 