At OIM, one of the ministries we perform is street outreach. Street outreach generally consists of one to two teams of two to three people who tow large wagons filled with sandwiches, snacks, cool and hot beverages, blankets, and sometimes sleeping bags. Every afternoon/evening, OIM teams of volunteers distribute the contents of their wagons to those in need living in Ottawa’s inner city. Not only do they provide these goods, but they also provide companionship, encouragement

As I sat and mulled things over this quiet Monday afternoon in November, I felt the chill in the air and the coming of winter as a harbinger of further cold and darkness. I could not help but think about how the lack of light and warmth of a temporal nature makes folks instinctively more vulnerable in their need for light and warmth. I say this because, as soon as the Thanksgiving long weekend was over, and the chillier weather descended upon Ottawa, I noticed a big uptick in

Last week, we started running an Alpha course at OIM. I was really excited as I’ve actually never done one, but I’ve heard really good things from many people who have. I figured, why not throw myself right in and help lead one?  Part of me was nervous, questioning “what if nobody comes?” Yet there was also a very real excitement for an amazing opportunity to share the hope of the gospel. Knowing that it is God’s will for people to come to know and accept him eased my worries

It’s no secret that building a genuine connection with our street friends, one that’s more than a transaction, can be tough. When our friends on the street need basic necessities, such as food, water, and clothing, they'll do almost anything to obtain them. That might mean they'll listen politely when you share the gospel, even if they're not truly receptive, just because they know it means they’ll get the thing they need.  So, it makes it hard to know if you're actually bu

At Ottawa Innercity Ministries (OIM), we’ve seen firsthand how simply being present and listening without judgment can be a turning point for someone experiencing homelessness, trauma, or isolation. It’s not about having the right answers. It’s about creating space for someone to be heard. One of the biggest issues of our society is loneliness, and for our friends experiencing poverty and homelessness, it is multiplied. They are on the streets of a city of 1 million-plus peo