“There was no indication whatsoever there was even a chance this would happen.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

After a disheartening move and years searching for a new location, Ottawa Innercity Ministries (OIM) has landed in the location of their dreams: back in their former home at 391 Gladstone. The ministry held an open house on October 16 to share the testimony of how God answered their prayer and brought them home.

“The journey towards acquiring OIM’s new office and program space was a near impossible task. Yet, here we are,” says Doug Cooper, OIM’s board chair. “Now, OIM occupies a beautiful, newly-renovated, heritage building in the downtown core.”

The ministry, which works among Ottawa’s poor and homeless, was forced to leave the Gladstone facility in 2012, due to the discovery of black mould. Factoring in the presence of asbestos, the Salvation Army Church that owned the heritage building could not afford the repairs, so it was sold.

“At some point of our use of the 391 Gladstone property, from 2007 to 2012, I had inquired of the Lord if He might give me this building for OIM.” Photo courtesy of Ottawa Innercity Ministries.

“In the next 12 months, the building was gutted and refurbished with the intent of hosting a restaurant,” explains Ken MacLaren, OIM’s executive director. “Then the property went up for sale again. I met with the first seller in 2014 and inquired if he might sell the building to OIM. The asking price however, was far beyond OIM’s capacity.”

The building sat empty and was eventually sold again in 2016. MacLaren reached out to the owners to ask about rental opportunities, but had no response.

“At some point of our use of the 391 Gladstone property, from 2007 to 2012, I had inquired of the Lord if He might give me this building for OIM; it was a great location, an appropriate size, with parking and a kitchen.”

Two years went by and OIM struggled with their need for a versatile, affordable, downtown location. MacLaren says he periodically passed the empty building and asked God again to make a way for them to return.

“There was no indication whatsoever there was even a chance this would happen. We were desperate in search for space. We had been close to obtaining space for our office several times and each time the rug was pulled from underneath us. Then, on June 19, 2018, I received a call from the present owners.”

“What a demonstration of the grace, mercy, and provision of God!”

The owners’ plans had been held up indefinitely and they wanted to know if OIM had any interest in using the space. On July 12, they offered OIM a two-year lease at significantly below the going rate—two years to the day from when MacLaren first reached out to them.

MacLaren was not alone in praying for better ministry space. This past May, 1,600 people joined OIM for 30 seconds of prayer for 30 days, asking God to provide suitable space as they approach their 30th anniversary.

“What a demonstration of the grace, mercy, and provision of God! The property is a very appropriate space for our needs and has been totally refit. It is a building that, when created, was dedicated to the glory of God and the accomplishment of His purposes in Ottawa, through the Salvation Army.”

Cooper adds, “Through prayer, seeking God, and doing our part to find space—at an impossibly low rent—God cleared a path for OIM. We are so thankful to God for all the nudges throughout the process and truly feel this is His plan to better serve the community.”

Now properly settled in, OIM is finalizing preparations for their 30th anniversary celebration dinner and live auction.