I’ve followed the story since it broke last Thursday, July 17, 2025. A tunnel collapse (“groundfall”) in a gold and copper mine in Northern British Columbia called Red Chris Mine here in Canada occurred blocking the way forward for three men working 600 metres inside. They were ordered to begin their egress to what had been established by mining safety protocols as a “refuge chamber”. Then a subsequent second groundfall between them and the entrance sealed them in.
That second collapse cut off all communication with the outside world. Gold and copper mines are usually open pit mines where tunnels are dug to explore areas deeper or wider than the pit, and the soil is subsequently allowed to collapse into the tunnel so as to widen the pit. Unfortunately, the collapses that occurred on Thursday weren’t planned. At present, 30 meters of rock and dirt separate the men from the entrance of the tunnel, and heavy machinery has to be used carefully since movement above the tunnels may cause further collapse. Rescue isn’t so easy, and it has already been a week. Despite the provision of food, water and oxygen in the refuge chamber, time is limited.
As I pray earnestly for the three men, their families and their rescuers, my mind quickly drew parallels to the spiritual reality of lostness. We walk the uncertain tunnels of our lives searching for gold and copper, maybe for a day’s worth of provision, or maybe for riches that someone else would reap. We don’t think about much else, hoping somehow that those before us had done a good job keeping us safe, or that we by our own wits would live another day. Then, the ground falls out from under us and the roof caves in cutting us off from help. We could not run fast enough before we realized we were trapped.
Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10). In our lostness, He is our Rescuer. The Cross, His resurrection and His ascension is His rescue plan. What struck me was those “refuge chambers” required by mining authorities. That is the place of refuge where those who are lost can find a place of safety and thus of rescue. It is the place where spiritual food, living waters, and the essential air of God’s Spirit can be found. That is us – the church, believers in Christ who are called to “occupy till He comes” (Luke 19:13).
I asked myself the question: Is the church, our church, truly a place of refuge? Then another thought came to mind. Remember that second tunnel collapse? It cut off all communication to the rescuers outside. This is what makes that rescue effort in BC more harrowing. Let me say now what seems so obvious. The instrument of communication given freely to the church is prayer. Prayer calls upon the God of the Universe, unleashes heaven’s myriads of angels, strengthens the believer, pours out the Spirit’s power and causes us to “know that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28).
Here’s my question: Are we praying together as a church? Are we diligent about making time to pray? As you hear more news about our three miners in BC, be reminded of the lesson. Come for prayer meeting. Make the time. Come and call out to the Lord who says, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things you have never seen” (Jeremiah 33:3).
Just Church
At Just Church, we are committed to do what Jesus did – to love Him, to love the lost and to call on Him with all our hearts: “The vision of Just Church is to establish a church in just the way Christ called the church to be – true to His Word, loving Him, loving one another, and loving the lost.”
