OIM Chaplaincy Program

Shortly after starting at OIM in fall 2024, I noticed a need for chaplaincy services among our street friends, volunteers, and staff. Although OIM had a chaplain at the time, the need exceeded what one person could meet. I knew of one denomination that offered a chaplaincy certification pathway, but because OIM was interdenominational and included a broad spectrum of Christian Churches, that denomination would not work with us to develop a chaplaincy program. They said they needed to be confident in individual chaplains' biblical knowledge, statement of faith, and accountability to validate a chaplain's credentials. Their logic made sense. So I began investigating how OIM could develop its own chaplaincy program to produce a cadre of chaplains who could confidently minister the gospel among the staff, volunteers, and street friends OIM served.

In 2025, I met Stefan Cherry, the National Director of the Navigators Church Discipleship. I shared OIM’s needs and my desire to develop a program to train chaplains. Stefan, who had served as lead chaplain at the Mission, as a church planter and Senior Pastor in Vanier, and as an overseas missionary, recommended the Navigators 2:7 series as the foundation for preparation, along with a nine-month (three semesters) weekly training, mentoring, and coaching program. I asked Stefan to co-lead the program with me, and he agreed. We are midway through the third semester and will graduate 8 outreach chaplains by December this year. A second cohort will begin in January 2027.

Volunteers and staff with OIM bring a foundation of gospel knowledge. However, ministering the gospel in the Spirit of Christ to support our street friends requires more preparation than most Christians experience. The Navigator’s 2:7 program, along with weekly mentoring and coaching and practical application through OIM ministries, is producing Outreach-qualified Chaplains.

I am grateful to Stefan Cherry and the Navigators for helping OIM develop a customized chaplaincy program that produces chaplains capable of operating effectively in Ottawa’s inner city.

~Gerry, Executive Director