Endorser profile: Al Letkeman

I first met Al when I attended Providence College for one year after grade 12. He and his wonderful wife, Monica, were working at Providence College, and I probably bumped into Monica more than him as she helped me find the textbooks I needed at The Book Nook–what a cute name for a bookstore! A few years later, they accepted a role as a pastor couple at our church; Al served in the role of Outreach Pastor. Eventually, he became the senior pastor and has been in that role for about two decades (I’m guessing).

He’s been a supportive and caring pastor to me, and I’m honoured that he wrote an endorsement for Invisibly Ill and Living with Hope. I gave him a lot of homework when he agreed to the task, and I think he even worked on reading the manuscript while on vacation.

Al is serious about a number of things: God, his family, his church family, sports, and certain sports teams. He grew up in Saskatchewan and is the most faithful Rough Riders fan you will ever meet. He’s also a big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs–can I just say that it’s always rubbed me the wrong way that the team is called Leafs and not Leaves? I guess the English teachers weren’t consulted when the Original Six came to be named. Although, there are some who wear green when the Riders play, there is a notable representation of blue and gold worn by attendees of our church when its Bomber game day. The prairie rivalry has resulted in a lot of good-hearted ribbing from pulpit to pew and within the church staff. Al is a humble man, always elevating his wife and also freely admits that his allegiance to sports teams doesn’t correspond to selecting teams with the best current track record. My daughter recently explained epigenetics to me, and I think Al is epigenetically predisposed to cheer for the teams he does.

I asked Al to consider endorsing the book because I talk about my faith at times, and I wanted someone in the category of “spiritual advisor” to weigh in. I forgot when I first talked to him about this that he youngest child went through a period of illness that also had a version of relapses and remissions, similar to the rollercoaster MS can be. When I read his endorsement, I remembered that he was qualified to reflect on the manuscript from a spiritual standpoint as well as from the perspective of a family member who has cared for someone experiencing an invisible illness. Thanks again, Al! When the Leafs win the cup after almost 60 years, you can bet I’ll be smiling.

The Endorsement

With wit, humour, and honesty, Robyn points out the very real struggle between proclaiming the sovereignty and goodness of God while living with disabilities that change our lives. Having personally witnessed Robyn’s journey over the years, I believe she has the qualifications to speak into this reality, sharing the difficulties of her life while also challenging the reader to better understand the world so many with disabilities live in. I’d highly recommend you read it to better understand the journey of so many.

Al Letkeman, MDiv
Senior Pastor at Nassau Street Church, Winnipeg, Canada