MEET OUR TEAM
Full-Time
Executive Director
Gerry Potter
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Gerry’s extensive experience in bi-vocational ministry spans over four decades. He has provided leadership within established churches, new church plants and non-profits across Canada, the US, Western Europe and Afghanistan. His service on short-term missions in Indonesia, Guatemala, Ukraine, and Poland, along with his 35 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and over ten years as a consultant, showcases his diverse and robust skill set.
“My faith in Jesus is simple: I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and I take Him at His Word. Early in my journey as a follower of Jesus, three intertwined values began driving my thinking, doing, and aspirations. Two come from Mark 12:30-31, and the third comes from Matthew 28:19-20. In short:
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Love the Lord,
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Love others,
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Serve the mission.”
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“I am grateful to have the privilege of serving the OIM mission as a member of the OIM team. We are called to come alongside and support people in Ottawa’s Innercity who are experiencing poverty and homelessness by demonstrating the message of Christ in action and word. Together, we bring the hope of the gospel to those whom Jesus loves and gave Himself for.”
Volunteer Coordinator
Brian Griffin
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Brian has a BA from Memorial University in Political Science, History and Economics. He has spent over 25 years as a Commercial Banker with 3 organizations across Canada. From 2013 to 2020 he worked as an independent consultant in the Ottawa area, helping clients meet their organizational, governance and financial goals.
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Volunteering has always been a part of Brian's life and he considers giving back to the community to be of the utmost importance professionally as well as spiritually. He has volunteered with Junior Achievement, Scouts, Meals on Wheels, Rotary Club as well as numerous church organizations.
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Joining OIM is providing Brian a way to serve the most deserving of our community. He is reminded constantly that no matter how good or bad things are, he remembers to be grateful and thankful to God and trust that what he has provided is enough.
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Youth Program Coordinator
Jordan Levesque
B.R.E.
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Jordan joined OIM in the role of Youth Outreach Coordinator in August 2021.
He studied Youth & Family Ministries at Emmanuel Bible College, graduating in 2016. He then worked as a youth pastor for a few years in Kitchener, Ontario, before moving to the Ottawa Valley to be closer to family.
Apart from working with youth, Jordan is also a passionate musician, enjoys playing sports, weightlifting, and spending time with his wife and dogs.
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IVOS (Veteran Program) Associate
​Elizabeth Sutherland-Beaven
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After 15 years of administrative work at various government and private industries, Beth took 10 years off to concentrate on her family before returning to the workforce as an Adult Crossing Guard at a local school, then back into administration at a local church before trying the retail industry. Beth has never stopped volunteering at local charities and events since coming to Ottawa.
She obtained her Ministerial Diploma in 2014 at Ottawa School of the Bible.
Beth then took the plunge and joined OIM, first as Administrative Assistant. She progressed to Administrator in 2021 and mid-year 2022 joined the IVOS program to help deliver unique outreach and support to Ottawa's at-risk veterans.
Beth is married and has two grown sons, who often join her in various volunteering events.
IVOS (Veteran Program)
Support Worker
​Peter Stuart
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Peter is a native of Quebec. After Basic Training in the Naval Reserve, Peter studied in English and French in Ontario and Quebec, eventually seeing all ten Canadian Provinces, and the Yukon.
Peter remained engaged as a volunteer and a worker for his faith community and in such fields as manual labour, customer service, PSW, travel and tourism (Tour Guide at Vimy Ridge, and the Citadel in Quebec City). Subsequent to a spiritual awakening resulting from recovery from a Concurrent Disorder, Peter felt called to minister to persons who were struggling with these conditions. He became involved in advocacy work with people with Concurrent Disorders, peer to peer advocacy in the Recovery Community, as well as a PSW with seniors.
Peter volunteered for the Mission in Afghanistan at CFB Valcartier to support spouses of CAF personnel deployed overseas. This motivated Peter, at 50, to train in Social Work at Niagara College and Trent University. Peter looks forward to the challenges of addressing issues facing Veterans at OIM in a Spirit of Gospel Truth.
Administrator
Ellen Niekoop
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After years employed in the private sector functioning in various roles as Relationship Manager, Quality Assurance Analyst and Network Support Engineer, Ellen followed her passion, and decided to make a switch to community work to be able to help those struggling.
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She began volunteering at OIM in 2020 in various outreach activities, such as door- and street outreach work. She has completed her chaplaincy training to be better equipped to further connect, support, and share the love of Christ with the vulnerable served by OIM. Whatever her roles, Ellen has always looked for opportunities to serve clients more effectively and more efficiently.
With a background in Business, IT and Community Work, she accepted the role of Administrator within OIM in mid-2022. She is excited by the opportunity to work alongside her brothers and sisters, to contribute to OIM's vision, and serve and empower our street friends in downtown Ottawa.
Communications & Connections Coordinator
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Andrew Murphy
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Andrew joined OIM in February 2024. At his local church, he leads an outreach ministry that serves those facing poverty and homelessness, which is where he found his passion and desire to help the vulnerable population.
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Andrew received his B.A. in Communications from the University of Ottawa and his M.A. in Strategic Communications from Liberty University.
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Coming from a diverse background in non-profit, church, retail, and construction communications and social media management, Andrew is excited to bring his passion for communications and passion for serving those facing poverty and homelessness to OIM.
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When Andrew is not working, he serves at his church's outreach ministry, serves at his church's men's ministry, and freelances as a social media coordinator. He also enjoys spending time with friends, building LEGO, playing board games and watching movies.
Part-TimeÂ
OIM Pastor
Shawn Ketcheson
B.Sc., M.Div.
Shawn is excited to join OIM's team as Chaplain as he has been connected with OIM since it's infancy stage over 3 decades ago when Susan Brandt was the founding director. Earlier in life Shawn worked as a co-ordinator and counselling supervisor in a half-way house for Federal prison inmates.
Shawn retired from full time pastoral ministry in 2020 after 40 years as a lead pastor in several churches, the majority of those years was spent in the Ottawa area.
Shawn and his wife Sue have been married for 40 years and have been blessed with 3 daughters (3 son-in-laws) and 7 grandchildren. Family gatherings are a rich part of their lives. One of Shawn's favorite moments is when his grandchildren say, “Papa, let's play!” And off they go.
The OIM mission opens the door for all to experience the fullness of God's presence. Some of the best preaching Shawn has heard is through the voice of our friends on the street. What a rich blessing.
Senior Research & Grants Coordinator
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Jelica Zdero
B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
After volunteering with OIM in 2007/2008, Jelica responded to God’s call to join the team in October 2008. She is honoured to be working alongside the caring staff and volunteers of OIM who joyfully give of themselves to work alongside our street community.
Jelica brings with her a skill-set that includes university teaching, research, and writing as well as a variety of volunteer experiences in her church and community.
Donor Care Administrator
Sue O'Neal
After volunteering behind the scene with OIM since 2011, Sue came out of retirement to accept a part-time position as Office Assistant.
She currently splits her time between babysitting four of her eight grandchildren and helping out at OIM.
Sue’s 30 year experience in the workforce includes full-time ministry, banking and as an industry analyst in the Federal Government. She’s honoured to be a part of this amazing team and ministry.
Resource Coordinator
Sarah Pearce
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Sarah initially joined OIM as the Volunteer Coordinator in 2020. After a short time in that role she moved to serve as a Street Outreach volunteer.
In the fall of 2022 Sarah rejoined the staff team as the Resource Coordinator. She is excited to support both the staff and volunteers by equipping them with the resources they need to effectively meet the needs of those they aim to serve in Jesus' name.
Sarah has served in many roles in her church, local summer camp, and community. Both she and her husband serve weekly as Street Outreach volunteers and have three grown children.
Youth Program Assistant
Deborah Palmer
Deborah (Debby) spent 40 year working in Social Services, (Developmental Services and Gerontology) and in institutional and group home settings as well as in elementary school.
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She first came to Ottawa when hired to work at the Ottawa Rotary Home. This parental relief facility was a pilot project, the first of its kind in Ontario and 6 were chosen from 500 applicants. Before retiring, Debby enjoyed her last 6 working years at Algonquin College, teaching in a special program for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
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Her history as a volunteer is a long one. At the age of 14 Debby began volunteering at a large institution (Rideau Regional Centre) in Smiths Falls. Other volunteer ventures include "friendly visiting" in hospitals as well as many other opportunities within her home church. Before the birth of her son, she spent a year volunteering as Volunteer Coordinator for an OPP Victim Service Unit.
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Before joining as a member of staff on February 7, 2024, Debby had been volunteering with OIM for more than 10 years. For the first few years, she provided foot washing at OIM'S (then) weekly drop in, eventually moving on to the Innercity Arts program.
Community Engagement Support
Stephen Prendergast
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Stephen is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic who graduated from the Teen Challenge program in 2008. He has travelled the country throwing "seeds of hope" by sharing his testimony hundreds of times in churches, prisons, and schools across Canada.
Stephen graduated from Emmanuel Bible College with a BRE – Professional Studies in Counselling and Youth & Family Studies and has earned a Professional Studies Certificate in Addictions Counselling. Most recently, he acquired an Advanced TESOL Certificate in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages and a TESOL Specialization Certificate in Teaching Business English
In 2018 Stephen moved with his wife Rachael and sons Cullen & Caden to the Ottawa Valley to get the newest Teen Challenge Centre up and running where he is the former Development Officer & Director of the Eastern Ontario Men's Centre. Stephen then joined The Grind Pembroke in the role of Field Operations & Client Support until late 2023. Stephen was excited about joining OIM and being able to utilize a skill set he has honed over 16 years.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Chair
Taffy Nahas
Legal Counsel, City of Ottawa
Doug Cooper
Lieutenant-Commander (ret'd)
Walter Semianiw
Lieutenant-General (ret'd)
Alysia Lau
Kari Yli-Renko
Area Manager,
Leader Impact Ministries
(A Division of Power to Change)
Karen Fishwick
VP of Admin & Finance, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada