Richard Long
Guest Columnist

When I was still a Baptist pastor in Toronto, I looked enviously at what was happening among the churches in Ottawa. I was trying to bring Christian leaders together in the GTA, but I had heard about amazing things happening in the nation’s capital. In fact, I asked leaders of Mission Ottawa to spend a day with Toronto leaders so we could learn and be inspired to do better in our own city. We had heard about the large annual worship and prayer event happening at Scotiabank Place and the yearly gathering of pastors for a prayer summit. We wanted to learn why and how it was happening.

I didn’t imagine that my wife, Terry, and I would ever get to be a part of this unity. We have now been Ottawans for over a dozen years and I have had the privilege of leading Love Ottawa (formerly Mission Ottawa) for the last six years. Truly I can say that it is a blessing to be in Ottawa and to be in the middle of how God blesses unity.

Those who were raised here may not realize, but the experience of Christian unity in Ottawa is fairly unique. Quite often Love Ottawa gets asked to share with other city-wide movements in Canada. They are curious, like I used to be—even envious—of what God is doing in the capital. I share with them that the Scriptures are very clear that it is “good and pleasant” when God’s people dwell together in unity. Psalm 133 gives us two pictures of how God blesses unity. The image of the inauguration of the high priesthood with the anointing oil that represented the power and presence of the Holy Spirit tells us we can expect the same anointing. Secondly the abundant fruitfulness of a well-watered city of God is the promise given to those who practice unity. I love the ending of this short psalm: “There God commands His blessing, even life forevermore!”

“Something’s different about ministering in Ottawa.”

I used to believe this in theory, but without any personal evidence to back it up. Having lived in the tangible blessing of unity in Ottawa for over a decade, I can confidently say to any other city, “It’s true, I have seen it. I get to live in it.”

I heard it again in the last few weeks; a pastor who is new to the city commented, “Something’s different about ministering in Ottawa.” Often newly-arrived ministers remark on the Holy Spirit’s presence. It is then my joy to tell them about all the ways we are seeing God bless the unity in our city. Maybe some of these evidences are new to you, as well.

Did you know that we have many powerful, locally-led ministries to men in this city? To name the obvious ones: Souly Business, Band of Brothers, Nextlevel Ministries, Ottawa Pointmen, and LeaderImpact. What’s amazing is these groups don’t compete—they walk together. Hundreds of men are being discipled as a result and other cities are now being impacted.

What about young adults? Researchers say the Church is losing the next generation, but when I look around Ottawa I see a dozen churches that are filled with young adults. They are some of the fastest growing and most evangelistic congregations in our city. Great new outreaches are happening on all of our university and college campuses. Student ministries and student-focused churches are not competing, but rather enjoying the synergy of working together. Friends for Dinner, which focuses on the 10,000 international students in Ottawa, is just one of those city-wide efforts that has benefited from this cooperative spirit and has now expanded to several other cities in Canada.

Personally I am most encouraged by the story of church planting in Ottawa.

There is a good chance your church has participated in “The Big Give”. This wonderful united day of generosity harnesses hundreds of volunteers and touches thousands of lives every June. Their motto is “One Community. One Day. One Statement”. What started with one Ottawa church is now touching the nation!

There are so many examples. Maybe you have attended the interdenominational Civic Prayer Breakfast, or enjoyed the combined impact of the Capital Region Alpha campaign or the New Evangelization Summit. All are efforts that rely on churches working together.

Personally I am most encouraged by the story of church planting in Ottawa. I remember praying with some senior pastors a few years ago about the need for new congregations. We now have a monthly “Cadre” gathering for church planters that is in its fifth year. I can name over 40 churches under 5 years old, from many different traditions and nationalities, using different approaches to reaching the lost in our city.

At Love Ottawa we think it is time to celebrate all of this. We want to invite you to join us at our CAPITALYZE conference in mid-January 2019, where we will tell the stories, learn from world-class speakers, and let God inspire us to go deeper. We are also inviting city-reaching teams from across Canada to come and see how God blesses unity.