“It is not our table to which we welcome people; it is God’s table to which we come as equals.” 1 Christina Pohl makes a theological statement of hospitality, calling the church to welcome people as equals, as God welcomes each of us. While it may seem like such an obvious statement, it has proven to be a much-needed reminder for fallen people who often lose sight of God’s ways in favour of the self. In 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Paul rebukes the church for the divisions and pa

At OIM, we deeply value our connections with our street friends. If you were to talk to any of our staff or volunteers, they could likely name at least one person they see and talk with regularly. When you first join OIM, you might not expect to form genuine friendships with those facing poverty and homelessness. It’s often an unexpected outcome, but a welcome one. While I think of several individuals I’ve come to know over the last few years, one person comes to mind immed

As Ottawa slowly shifts from winter’s cold grip into the uncertain warmth of early spring, many of us welcome the change with relief. For our Street Friends, however, this season brings a mix of hope and hardship. Moments of possibility paired with very real risks. And during this transition, your support becomes especially powerful. The warmer days ahead do offer some comfort. Heavy layers can come off. Frostbite becomes less of a daily threat. For many of our Street Frien

I’ve seen a beautiful display of God’s love at OIM, and God has invited me to be a part of it. I’m humbled and thankful that He has shown me how He seeks to save the lost and how he has a particular love for the one, particularly the overlooked one. In January, we began a new curriculum for the ESL class. It is a more advanced level, taking scripture from Luke about the birth of Jesus and using the written Word for English comprehension. I was excited to have material that di

No power, then what? Everyone has heard the line "Where were you when the lights went out?" Have you really thought about that? In 1998, Ottawa experienced an ice storm, which shut down parts of the city for days at a time. Some locations lost power for a week or longer. I’m sure everyone remembers where they were when that happened. Recently, a blackout happened at OIM that made me think of it again. Back in 1998, it was January and cold. On this particular night wasn’t as c