“Urban Saint” story released
WINNIPEG, MB—A new book by Paul Boge offers a lively retelling of the life of renowned inner-city pastor Harry Lehotsky, who died in 2006 at age 49. The Urban Saint: The Harry Lehotsky Story was launched November 5 at the Ellice Café and Theatre he founded.
Boge, an award-winning author and practicing engineer, was "blown away" when he was asked to write the book. "Harry's life is a signpost directing people to Christ," he says. "The book is important for people to learn how much Harry loved. As the author, I got to see his ability to impact and change people's lives for the better. He really helped."
Harry and his wife, Virginia, came to Winnipeg from New York in the early 1980s and moved into one of the roughest neighbourhoods in town where they bought a home, planted a church and raised a family. He often wore a clerical collar, unusual for a Baptist minister. "Pastoral care for people has motivated the style of my involvement," he said.
With New Life Ministries as his base, Lehotsky began taking on a host of core-area problems. He mixed it up with street gangs, shut down crack houses, cleaned up pawn shops, pestered politicians, blasted slum landlords and got into the building and restoration business.
The community felt the benefits of these efforts. New Life developed and maintained transitional housing suites, rebuilt derelict homes and renovated others. It continues to provide employment through the café and theatre.
"I hope this book can instill the need to change people's lives for Christ," continues Boge. "I would like it to encourage both ministry workers and down-and-outers. I want people to know it's okay to pursue a risky faith. It's okay to pursue what really counts in life, to let go of personal ambitions."
The story begins with the portrait of a rebellious young man who overdosed on drugs and was left for dead. But Lehotsky got turned around and went on to demonstrate what can happen when "God puts His hand on a life."
"Harry had a remarkable passion for Christ," says Boge. "He loved people. How many of us really love our neighbours? Harry really cared for all, and especially for those who couldn't love back. He helped those who are unlikely to be able to return the favour."
While much of Lehotsky's ministry involved tough slogging and difficult situations, he also saw many positive results. By the time cancer struck suddenly in 2006, Lehotsky was a well-known personality, a mover and shaker with friends in both low and high places. He had a way of modeling compassion that made sense across the barriers of rich and poor, left and right, sacred and secular. The city mourned his untimely death.
"He was a real guy," insists Boge. "I know he looked like Superman to many, but he was really quite ordinary. We can identify with him."
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