Hanna (Lafferty) Lee enrolled at Redeemer after escaping an abusive relationship, looking to study in an area where she could help women and children in similar situations, specifically in the church. A second-term social work class with Dr. Jim Vanderwoerd, professor of social work, prompted her interest in policy, a topic he touched on in class. In her third year, the Policy and Procedure class quickly became her favourite, affording her the opportunity to present and submit her analysis of a policy to her member of parliament (MP) at the end of the term.
“It wasn’t until that class that I realized how much I love policy,” Lee reflects. The idea that developing good policy is a way to love people “hit me like an arrow through the heart and I was like ‘Okay God, what are you doing here? I came to Redeemer to do social work, not policy creation, right?’”
God began to stir a passion in Lee’s heart for politics as an area where she could use her gifts, preparing her for a future she had not previously imagined. Classes like Policy, Social Work with Communities and Social Work with Individuals continued to foster a love for helping others through policy.
Concurrently, Lee continued to grow in appreciation for Dr. Leslyn Lewis, the member of parliament in her riding of Haldimand-Norfolk. Lee began dreaming about interning for Lewis and the possibility of a future job in her office. As the Policy and Poverty class drew to a close, the Canadian federal election approached and Lee volunteered to work for Lewis’ campaign. “I credit Redeemer for a lot of my ability to know what to do and how to act in different situations,” Lee says of her volunteer experience. After the election, she asked if Lewis would take her on as an intern. In the midst of a whirlwind season, Lee received a life-changing call offering her a full-time job instead.
“I credit Redeemer for a lot of my ability to know what to do and how to act in certain situations.”
“It’s all been a God thing,” Lee marvels. She admits that the process of surrender was, and sometimes still is, difficult. “It’s a tug of war,” she says, “trusting God that he knows what he’s doing and will open up the right doors at the right time for the right thing.”
As she finishes her fourth and final year of study, Lee works as MP Lewis’ community outreach coordinator, a position she absolutely adores. One of her current projects is creating a database to catalogue all nonprofits and service providers in the area. Between Lewis’ Parliament Hill and constituency offices, 80 per cent of Lee’s coworkers are Christians. “I’m working with dynamic, incredible Christian men and women who are out there in the political field making a difference and who care about their community,” she shares, adding, “I love my job. And I love being able to be there to pray for [MP Lewis] and support her and be someone she knows she can rely on.”
“It’s been an honour and a privilege to study here and I’ve loved every minute of it, even when it’s been hard.”
Looking back, Lee can see how God used Redeemer to help her regain her voice and prepare her for this incredible career. “It’s been a journey the entire time here,” she admits.
“When I started I was feeling very down and was struggling with discouragement because I had walked through abuse. I felt like I lost my voice and my ability to stand up for myself or [have] anything important to say. God used my time at Redeemer to help me regain my voice.” She also credits the relationships she built with her professors as being wonderfully formative, advising current students to talk to their professors and never shy away from asking questions. When reflecting on her years of study at Redeemer, Lee adds, “It’s been an incredible journey of learning, growing and becoming more fully who I believe God created me to be. It’s just been an incredible time of seeing him work, connecting with amazing people and professors, and deepening my walk with him. It’s been an honour and a privilege to study here and I’ve loved every minute of it, even when it’s been hard.”
Lee has felt God clearly confirm her calling into the political arena and looks back in awe at how much higher his plans are than her own. “We might go into school with one idea of where we’re going, but we need to be open to God changing our minds and our paths. Just [be] open to God’s leading … he will lead you where he wants you to go.”