This ministry is made possible only by the grace of God. All glory and praise go to our Lord Jesus Christ for making this possible.

​

Our story begins in October 2023, I returned to Prince Edward Island to visit family. Upon arrival, I discovered that my nephew was living on the streets and struggling with drug addiction. My brother-in-law and I set out to find him, hoping to offer our support and love if he was ready to make a change. We searched the areas of the city where destitute people congregate, meeting many amazing individuals and hearing their moving stories along the way.

​

Late that night, we discovered that my nephew had checked himself into rehab earlier that day, meaning we didn’t need to be out there searching. But a fire was lit within me. The next day, I went back out to hear more stories from the people I had met, which led to a week-long journey of living on the streets and sharing the life of a homeless person.

​

I came to realize that some of the most amazing, talented, and beautiful souls are often the most forgotten and rejected by society. It was during this time that I felt a calling—a calling that became clearer after I found out my nephew was already in rehab. It was as if the Lord had planned for me to be there for a different reason, not just for my nephew, but for the people who are living a lifestyle they may not be able to escape on their own.

​

Before going back to Prince Edward Island, the Lord was already working in my heart. My sister had sent me a picture of my nephew, which inspired me to return. My mother had booked me a ticket, asking if I wanted to come back home for another week. Though I had just returned from a previous visit, I felt a calling, a prompting to go back. I thought my trip was going to be about visiting family and relaxing on the beach, but once I arrived, I realized the real purpose was much deeper.

​

I was in a strong place in my walk with Christ at this point, almost exactly a year after I had committed my life to Him. I kept returning to the homeless shelters and drop-in centers to get to know people better. It turned out that I knew some of these people from my younger days, and I realized how easily I could have been in their shoes. The Lord had pulled me out of a wreckage but left me with enough understanding of that lifestyle to relate to them—not to judge them, but to empathize with their struggles. If God could save me, I knew He could save anyone, and I wanted them to know that.

​

I kept feeling a prompting from the Lord to stay out there with them. I had never wanted to be anywhere more in my life. My vacation turned into sleeping in alleys and hanging around homeless shelters, just loving everyone I met and preaching the Word of God. I shared my faith and testimony with anyone who would listen. I turned my rental car into a temporary homeless shelter, detox ambulance, food truck, and Uber. I used every resource I had to help whoever needed it. I bought blankets, jackets, pizzas, hamburgers, water, pop, toiletries, and snacks, and handed them out. I drove people wherever they needed to go. I lived with them, slept on the street with them, and saw the difference it made.

​

While I was out there (God through me), the 'dog-eat-dog' attitude among the homeless began to soften, and people started to care for each other, finding hope and supporting one another. They accepted me as one of their own and showed me how hard their lives truly are. The vicious cycle of being on the street can drag you into addiction, mental illness, depression, and hopelessness, and once you're in, it's very hard to get out. I even went to addiction services posing as a homeless man to see what the procedure was, and it was frightening to see how few resources are available for those who truly want to change.

​

The whole time, I felt God's prompting that this was where I was supposed to be—that I was put on this earth to serve others, especially those who have nothing. When I returned to Alberta, I quit my job and started this full-time ministry. I was prompted by the Lord to leave my pipe-fitting job in the coal mines, where I made a good income, and rely totally on God's resources and goodness to survive. I resisted, but ultimately, the Lord won.

​

Before coming to the Lord in October 2022, I was a devout atheist, living a sinful and destructive lifestyle. I was deeply involved in addiction, criminal activity, greed, lust, idolatry, and hopelessness. One night, out of nowhere, I had a supernatural encounter with Jesus Christ. A friend of mine was discussing the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, and even though I was reluctant to listen, I had a miraculous encounter with Jesus. He showed me how He sees me—with great love and affection, not how I saw myself—and in an instant, my life changed. I fully committed my life to following and serving Christ from that day forward. Seeing the love that Jesus had for me was life-changing, and I knew I needed to share that with others. From that moment on, I knew my purpose was to serve the Lord full-time and live off His provision.

​

Ellavatedlife is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. We strive to empower individuals and communities by providing access to education, resources, and support. Our team is passionate about creating opportunities for growth and development, and we are committed to making a difference. Our story is one of determination, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a chance to thrive. What sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to uplifting others and fostering a culture of kindness and generosity.

​

- Josh Martin follower of Christ