HAY RIVER - Matthew Nimegeers is a licensed practical nurse in Hay River, but his profession offers little clue about what he does with the rest of his life.

Nimegeers recently released a book on religion entitled 'Cosmology of the Divine Form.'

Matthew Nimegeers of Hay River is a nurse and a writer - of songs and a book on religion. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The book is essentially a study of the theological basis of the resurrection as prophesized in the Old Testament, he explained. 'There is a connection that we fail to look at from the Old to the New Testament.'

Nimegeers, who describes himself as an avid student of The Bible, believes the world is on the edge of new and expanded enlightenment about scripture.

'Why don't we admit it?' he said. 'There is a lot about the Bible we don't understand.'

'Cosmology of the Divine Form' is his first published book, and is available at selected bookstores in the North and on the Internet.

'I hope to inspire a lot of other people who have been flowing in God's revelation to share,' he said.

Nimegeers doesn't believe anyone is more of an expert on the true meaning of scripture than anyone else.

'It comes to who God chooses,' he said.

Aside from being a writer on religion, Nimegeers said his biggest hobby is writing songs.

'I'm probably into the hundreds now,' he said.

Nimegeers describes most of the songs as having a 'retro folk style,' although others are gospel or Christmas tunes.

Some of the songs have been recorded by Nimegeers at home studios in Hay River, but none have been released commercially.

Nimegeers doesn't intend to switch to a full-time career as a writer or musician.

'Everything would be a sideline to nursing,' he said.

Nimegeers, 36, has lived in Hay River since 1992.

At that time, the community's hospital was operated by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and he came up on a mission to work at the hospital.

'I've been here ever since,' he said, noting he had no idea how long he'd stay when he arrived.

Nimegeers, who was born and raised in Weyburn, Sask., liked Hay River from the beginning.

'It just seemed like doors continued to open for me, both spiritually and professionally,' he said, noting there's always something new around the corner, such as becoming a volunteer firefighter about a year ago.

And he likes the mixture of people and cultures in the North, noting he worships at the Dene Pentecostal Church on the Hay River Reserve. 'It's a total blend of people where I attend church.'

Nimegeers is married to a woman from Cambridge Bay. Together, they have had two children, raised others from her previous marriage and cared for many foster children.