My first recollections of Ernie date back to the early 1970's when I observed him unconscious on a drug overdose in the men's washroom at a large Vancouver church. My initial response was "here was a loser". He would never make it in society, let alone as a Christian. How wrong we can be. When God gets a hold of a life, "HE" changes it. It has been a marvelous inspiration watching Ernie's transformation and growth over the past twenty-five years. In October 1985 I first became involved with Ernie, walking the drug infested streets of downtown Vancouver. It was usually a Friday night from 11:00pm to 2:00am. For the first time in my life I got a glimpse of the devastation caused by the drug culture. I was fascinated and moved by Ernie's compassion for these "souls" which most of us have forgotten about. I later became a board member of Set Free Ministries and worked with Ernie in most of the penal institutions in British Columbia. I have been encouraged and blessed by the commitment made by Set Free Ministries to serve and minister to those lives that have seen and caused so much pain. As the scriptures tell us "go ye into all the world and preach the gospel"....this also applies to prisons. Although I am not actively involved with Set Free ministries as I was previously, I highly endorse the work been done and continue to support this ministry.