“Many people have been praying for something like this event to happen for years.”

Jenny Burr
Spur Ottawa Correspondent

The Dunamis Army is preparing for a major outreach targeting young people in Ottawa. The street-evangelism group, led by Israel Gimba, is hosting a free music festival August 27 and 28, at Richelieu Park, in Vanier.

Gimba moved to Canada from the U.K. in 2014. Although he intended on pursuing a law degree, God had other plans.

“Soon after my arrival, God began shifting my focus to an unexplainable love of preaching Christ to the unsaved youth and seeing the lost saved,” he says. “I completely overcame my fear of street evangelism. Within two months God connected me with other young people with the same passion.”

The youth who joined Gimba in street evangelism began sharing what they were doing with others on social media. Soon more friends joined, as well.

“We decided to name this movement ‘Dunamis,’ which is a Greek word meaning miracle-working power. Later it became known as the Dunamis Army, as we carried out our weekly outreach work of feeding the hungry, clothing the homeless, and praying for the sick. Young people from 19 different churches across the city join us on the streets, three times a week.”

“I believe this could be the start of a great revival in Ottawa and I wanted to be a part of it.”

As the group prayed and did research, they realized music is one of the best methods to reach large groups of people with the gospel. They decided to host a music festival as a vehicle to increase their ability to reach nonbelievers with the message of salvation. The upcoming event includes six D.J.s and two bands.

“Aside from enjoying EDM [electronic dance music] and Hip Hop, the attendees will also have access to a dunk tank, a soccer game, and our healing/prayer tent and prophetic tent,” says festival coordinator Nora Torres. The team also arranged for local food vendors and other activities.

Mitchell Doe recruits and directs volunteers for the event. He shares, “This responsibility has been exciting, especially telling people about the music festival and seeing their reactions. Many people have been praying for something like this event to happen here in Ottawa for years—even years before I was born. I believe this could be the start of a great revival in Ottawa and I wanted to be a part of it.”

The festival’s marketing director, Kristina Wazen, is also getting really excited.

“I became involved because I loved the reasoning and the idea behind it. Our goal is to save the lost and help youth. What better way to do that than by approaching it in a way young individuals would love: a music festival. People are loving it. It’s amazing and we’re so pumped!”