Pastor Changsub Kim addresses the recent crisis in Pelican Narrows
Introducing Pastor Kim
Changsub Kim came to Saskatchewan 17 years ago sponsored by the faith mission group SIM Korea (one of many affiliated missions of SIM International, including SIM Canada which sent first missionaries to Nigeria in 1892 under the name of Soudan Interior Mission). He and his family are centered in Prince Albert where he has an active ministry with a church, with the prison system, and where he attempts to engage the home communities of those to whom he thus ministers.
Let me share below just a couple of the mailings (primarily his supporters back in Korea) distributed in recent months via his Facebook Messenger support network.
Many readers here may recall not one by two two shooting events in recent weeks in this troubled community.
On May 22, after the first shooting even, he wrote:
Subject: Urgent Prayer Request — Standing with Our Neighbors in Pelican Narrows
Dear Church Family and Fellow Congregations,
I am reaching out to you today with a heavy heart to ask for your urgent prayers for our neighbors to the north in Pelican Narrows. We recently received heartbreaking news regarding a severe crisis unfolding in their community—a situation that we, as a broader Northern Saskatchewan church family, simply cannot ignore.
The Cry from Pelican Narrows
Yesterday, local Indigenous leadership released a desperate plea for help following the tragic loss of two young lives: a 16-year-old boy and a 26-year-old man. This small, close-knit community is currently enduring an unimaginable wave of gang-related violence, including drive-by shootings and targeted attacks.
What makes this situation even more devastating is the profound isolation and lack of support the community is facing:
Critical Policing Shortages: Despite declaring a local state of emergency, Pelican Narrows has fewer RCMP officers now than before. There are no specialized gang or drug enforcement officers stationed there to protect the 1,100 students in the community.
Failing Infrastructure: They lack the basic, reliable cellular service needed to support emergency alerting systems, leaving families without a way to receive warnings during violent incidents.
Overwhelmed Resources: Community leaders and residents are doing everything humanly possible—setting up checkpoints and safety plans—but they are overextended and fighting this battle alone.
Children are growing up in an environment of fear that no child should ever have to witness. As a neighboring community, it breaks my heart to see them geographically and systemically isolated from the basic safety we often take for granted.
How We Can Pray Together
Please share these prayer points with your congregations, small groups, and prayer chains. Let us stand in the gap for Pelican Narrows:
For Deep Comfort and Healing Pray for the families who have been shattered by the sudden loss of their young men. Pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard the hearts and minds of the children, parents, and Elders who are living under the heavy weight of daily fear and trauma.
For Immediate Action and Protection Pray that the federal and provincial governments, alongside the RCMP, will respond swiftly to this cry for help. Ask for the immediate filling of vacant police positions and the rapid installation of crucial communication networks so the community can be properly protected and alerted to danger.
For Deliverance and Systemic Change Pray for the breaking of the strongholds of organized crime, gangs, and drug trafficking that prey on vulnerable, isolated communities. Pray for strength, wisdom, and endurance for the local leaders (PBCN and PAGC) as they advocate for long-term, community-led solutions and healing programs for their youth.
Thank you for joining me in lifting up our neighbors. Let us pray that the darkness over Pelican Narrows is pierced by light, and that they feel the profound support and love of their brothers and sisters across the region.
In Christ,
Pastor Changsub Kim
The next day, he followed up with:
Urgent Prayer Request / We have received news that the girlfriend of the young man murdered yesterday in the Pelican Narrows took her own life last night. It appears she could not bear the immense grief. We earnestly need prayers for this cloud of darkness to be lifted from the village and the family as soon as possible.
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On June 2, he followed up with this call for prayer:
Urgent Prayer Request — A Critical Mission Field Under Attack in Northern Saskatchewan
Dear Church Families and Prayer Partners,
I am writing to you today with a heavy heart, asking for your urgent and unceasing intercession for our northern neighbors in Pelican Narrows. We are not just facing a social crisis; we are in the midst of intense spiritual warfare.
The Current Crisis
Just yesterday afternoon, a horrific shooting occurred in broad daylight near the local health clinic, leaving one person dead and another severely injured. The community was thrown into an emergency lockdown. While a suspect has been arrested, the schools and band office remain closed, and the community is paralyzed by fear. Tragically, this comes only two weeks after the community suffered the profound heartbreak of a murder and a suicide. The compounded trauma is truly unimaginable.
A Message of Faith from the Frontlines
This morning, I reached out to Chief Peter Beatty of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) to assure him of our prayers. Despite the overwhelming darkness, his response was a powerful testament to his faith:
“Thank you Pastor Kim for all the prayer support. We need it more than ever. I believe the Lord will answer our prayers and provide a way through this difficult time for our community… we continue to pray and work with the authorities to alleviate the problems that are devastating communities.”
The Spiritual Battle & Our Mission
Friends, as we witness these tragedies, it is undeniably clear that the enemy is desperately trying to keep these communities in darkness. After 17 years of dedicating our lives to Indigenous missions, we are finally beginning to see precious fruits and open hearts. But as the light of the Gospel takes root, Satan’s interference and attacks are becoming increasingly severe.
This summer, we are preparing to host two Children’s Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) in Deschambault Lake, the community right next to Pelican Narrows. Last year, just two days after we finished our VBS, a fatal shooting occurred. This year, the atmosphere is even more tense, unstable, and heavy.
We absolutely cannot let fear intimidate us, nor can we allow the doors of evangelism to close. This is a critical mission field. We must not let the tears, labor, and prayers of the last 17 years be thwarted by the enemy’s schemes. These children desperately need to hear the life-saving message of Jesus Christ.
Please join us in spiritual warfare and pray for:
Unstoppable Evangelism & VBS: Pray fiercely that our upcoming summer VBS programs in Deschambault Lake will proceed without any hindrance. Pray that the enemy’s attempts to block the Gospel will be completely destroyed, and that the children’s hearts will be open to receiving Christ.
Protection over 17 Years of Ministry: Pray that the spiritual fruits born from 17 years of Indigenous ministry will be protected and multiply even in the face of these severe spiritual attacks.
A Way Through & Comfort: Just as Chief Beatty is believing for, pray that the Lord will make a clear path of healing through this darkness, and pour out His deep comfort over the grieving families and terrified children.
Strength for Leadership: Pray for supernatural endurance, protection, and heavenly wisdom for Chief Beatty and all local leaders working to end this devastating violence.
Thank you for standing in the gap with us. Your prayers are our greatest weapon and shield on this mission field.
In Christ’s Unwavering Love,
Pastor Kim
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Another time I will attempt to fill our readers in on the broader ministry of Changsub Kim and his family.
Remarkable people.
This page by: Ron Richmond
First published: 2026/06/14