By Peter Tilley

I often bring a friend or supporter on a walk through the Ottawa Mission. Many times on these occasions people have said to me, “You are so blessed to be able to come into a job like this every day.” They are right; I am. During these times, I often say a quiet prayer, thank the Lord above for this calling, and reflect on the journey in life that has brought me to this point.

When I reflect on God’s grace, I am reminded of the scriptural principles I focus on to guide my work as the Executive Director of the Ottawa Mission and to guide my personal life.

I am blessed to be surrounded by so many employees and volunteers who reflect the spirit found in two key scriptures. In Matthew 25:35–40, Jesus reminds us that how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, strangers, and the naked is, by extension, how we treat Him. Luke 14:12–13 remind us that, when we set a banquet, rather than invite our “friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbours” we should invite “the poor, the disabled, and the blind”. How appropriate.

All of us here at the Ottawa Mission like to think that there is no better place where our clients could be at this point in their life.

Those who come into our doors—and, as such, into our care—here at 35 Waller Street often suffer from any number of struggles, sometimes the result of challenges they endured in their youth. We offer them a clean and hospitable environment, nutritious meals, and support at our client services centre. Services there can extend from something as simple as a heartfelt smile and a warm greeting, to more in-depth services like mental health support, help to find employment and housing, and addiction and trauma services. All of us here at the Ottawa Mission like to think that there is no better place where our clients could be at this point in their life.

In my personal (and business) life I reflect on three scriptures in everything I do. First Corinthians 14:33 reminds us that God is a “God, not of disorder, but of peace”. This scripture is a reminder to me, the board of directors, and the senior management team of the importance of applying structure and process (and of course prayer) to the decisions we make in directing this organization.

In guiding the organization, as well as in my personal choices, I particularly focus on Luke 12:2 (“Everything covered over will be revealed.”) and Luke 16:10 (“If you are faithful in the smaller things, you will also be faithful in the larger things.”).

Due diligence in the smallest areas keeps us in good stead for when we are confronted with the larger decisions.

These passages remind me that we must conduct all our activities with the utmost transparency. Due diligence in the smallest areas keeps us in good stead for when we are confronted with the larger decisions.

Keeping scriptural guidance in mind as I work makes things much better for me, the staff/volunteer team, and for the people we serve. These principles are true in any business, but I am truly blessed and thankful to be engaged in the work of the Ottawa Mission.

Peter Tilley is the Executive Director of the Ottawa Mission. Under his leadership, the Ottawa Mission recently extended their services to include mental health support, addiction and trauma service, and housing outreach. Peter also teaches the Introduction to Non-Profit Management Course at Algonquin College.