June 2022
Dear Innercity Intercessors,
I do appreciate your support, your prayers and encouragement as you have faithfully prayed for our OIM staff, volunteers and street friends. It is genuinely appreciated! I am counting on you!
First of all, you are aware that we are having our regular fund raiser event at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club on June 3, this coming Friday. Please pray that this event is delivered smoothly, that all participants do well and most of all that our guests, sponsors and visitors hear the OIM story and are moved in their hearts to support the ministry.
Once there was a donor, when he understood how our story telling fundraising strategy works, said something like, "Oh, so you are looking for a cheque." I responded, "No actually I don't want your cheque, I am hoping to get your heart." This perspective makes fund raising so much easier and the task is to find people whose hearts are touched and for which OIM's values and outreach fits into their philanthropic goals.
We are in need of continued prayer also as we are experiencing continuous increases in numbers both at Street Level Door Outreach and also on Street Outreach. We will have between 50 and 60 plus guests coming to our door for food hampers and lunch both on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Just this morning Brian, our Volunteer Coordinator, informed me that Street Outreach Teams are finding their carts empty after walking just three blocks North on Bank Street. Certainly it is common for carts to be empty long before the Byward Market is reached. Pray that we will be able to manage these increasing demands for food, especially when our food supply chain is threatened and costs are so very high. God is greater.
Just today I had opportunity to have guests from the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa for a site visit, and they were amazed at how the Lord has provided all that we need for 391 Gladstone. Sunshine poured through the stained glass with red, orange, green and gold patches splashing on the floors and furniture. Beautiful.
Finally, as we are in the beginning of our Capital Campaign for paying down the mortgage of 391, please pray that we will connect with the right people who will be able to help us with Leadership Gifts. If that is you, please contact me and we can talk about such things as multi-year pledge, stocks and securities, life insurance policy, bequests and the like. All for God's glory.(you might expect me to say this!). Bless you and thanks so much for your support!
Ken MacLaren Executive Director
391 Gladstone Ave. Ottawa, ON K2P OY9 (613)237-6031 • ottawainnercity@rogers.com • www.ottawainnercityministries.ca
