Rosanna Soh is the mother to 4 children, 3 of whom are Act Five alumni (Jacob, ’19-’20, Ellie, ’22-’23, Nathaniel, ’23-’24). She also served on the Act Five board from ’24-’25.
Witnessing Change
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ
Jesus.
— Philippians 1:6
What started as a gap year for one child became something much bigger. Over 4 years, three of our children journeyed through Act Five and changed our family in ways we never expected.
In 2018, when our oldest child, Jacob, was considering post-secondary education, we encouraged him to take a year to explore and gain some independence.
He was only 17, and we thought, “What’s the rush?” We wanted him to take the time to grow both spiritually and personally before stepping into the next season. Our search for a Christian discipleship program led us to Act Five. Inspired by Jon Berend’s vision and hope for Act Five, Jacob enrolled in the 2019 inaugural cohort. He was drawn to community living, the mission trip to Zambia, and a year of hiking and canoeing. In 2021, Ellie joined after witnessing the change in her older brother. Then, the following year, when Nathaniel was considering his next steps, he saw an opportunity for self-development and exciting adventures. While each child entered Act Five with different personalities, strengths, and challenges, all three left with a deeper appreciation for people and connection, more confidence in navigating life, and a stronger understanding of who they are in Christ and how God has uniquely gifted them.
4 Different Experiences
As parents, we hope for many things. At the top of the list is seeing our children
grow into men and women who walk with integrity, love, and grace, and whose lives
reflect a deep devotion to Christ. We pray they will know who they are and bravely live out their faith with conviction and purpose. To our utter disappointment (said with much humour), Act Five did not come with a parenting shortcut, nor was there any magic formula. Instead, it provided them with intentional opportunities to practice responsibility, serve others, think deeply about important questions, and mature through difficulty and encouragement.
Three different children entered 75 Blake Street. Three different experiences
unfolded, but one common thread emerged: a love of adventure, the joy of meaningful
relationships, and a growing desire to look beyond themselves and serve others. We
look back on our journey with Act Five with deep gratitude. The values we longed to instill in our children were not only reinforced but also beautifully reflected in the cultureand heart of the program. However, the impact of Act Five did not stop with the three children who attended. There is one more part of the story. Our fourth child, Abby, chose something different and decided that a gap year was not for her. Yet, in many ways, she still experienced it. She listened to her siblings tell stories from their many trips, share what they were learning, and talk about the highs and lows of community living. Through those stories and in everyday conversations, she caught glimpses of their values. While Abby never walked through the doors of 75 Blake Street, she was still shaped by what happened there.
The Impact of Act Five
As each child continues to grow into adulthood, still discovering their place in this world, we see the seeds that Act Five has planted. The lessons, habits, and experiences from their year have continued to take shape and nudge them forward. In a world full of competing voices and distractions, we notice small moments that show us what has stayed with them and continues to bear fruit. Each in their own way and at their own pace, we see our children invest in relationships and community. We see a willingness to pursue reconciliation, to stop and pay attention, to wonder and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation, and to sit with both the joy and the messiness of life while trusting that God is at work.
In many ways, the impact of Act Five has been quiet and small, yet deeply significant. It did not come in dramatic moments or instant transformation, but through ordinary moments accumulated over time. What started as a gap year for one became something that will forever be a part of our story.
Thank you for joining us in the learning of our community. We regularly publish new reflections and conversations. We’d love to have you continue the journey with us.
Keep Exploring
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