25-27 September 2015
by Carol Campbell
The Ottawa Church of God located at 1820 Carling Avenue celebrated its 40th anniversary on the weekend f Friday 25th September. The Senior Pastor, Bishop Jean Bruno, First Lady and members of the OCOG former pastors; Bishop Canute Blake and Bishop Hugo Nelson. Special guest was Mayor Jim Watson along with members of the Ottawa Police Service Community and Police Action Committee.
A brief history of the Ottawa Church of God – We’ve Come This Far By Faith
The Ottawa Church of God began with a small group of believers who first met for Prayers and Bible Studies at the home of Mildred Wisdom. From that initial group the church is blessed to still have Lineth Malcolm and Mildred Wisdom functioning as key members in our church family. The grace of God was evident on the group as it grew and in June of 1975 the Ottawa Church of God was organized under the leadership of Bishop Jeremiah Mcintyre. Bishop Mcintyre, assisted by Bishop Canute B. Blake, held the first official worship service at the YMCA on Argyle Street in Ottawa. The Lord added new believers daily who assisted in the work of spreading the Gospel and nurturing one another. In 1977, Bishop and Mrs. Jeremiah Mcintyre were appointed as the District Coordinator for the Montreal District. Bishop C.B. Blake became the Senior Pastor for the Ottawa congregation. Bishop Blake, with the brethren, worked unceasingly to harvest the souls in this community. Their labour oflove, both in the church community and Ottawa society, produced much growth. As a result, in March 1977, the Ottawa Church of God relocated to St. Barnabas Church Hall on James Street. The Lord continued to bless His work in such a tremendous way resulting in a move to Spencer street. In November of 1981 the Church needed a larger place of worship and purchased 1319 Wellington Street. By 1990, the Church needed more space again and God, in His great mercy, provided the purchase of 1820 Carling Avenue. In 1994, Bishop & Mrs. C. B. Blake were appointed Regional Overseer for Ontario and Superintendant of Canada. Consequently, Bishop & Mrs.
R.C. Hugh Nelson were called to pastor the Ottawa Church of God and became Overseer ofthe Ottawa District. Bishop & Mrs. Nelson began their ministry with the same vision and mandate of the previous pastors: that of winning souls for the harvest. In 2003, Bishop & Mrs. Nelson were called to pastor Flatbush Church of God in New York. Bishop Jean W. Bruno was then appointed as the Senior Pastor of the Ottawa Church of God. His beautiful wife Renny oversees the Ladies Ministries in the Ottawa District. Together they are producing excellent results for the Lord.
For more information on The Ottawa Church of God:
613-729-3172
www.ottawaocg.org
About the writer
Carol Campbell grew up in the church hence her involvement with the Ottawa Church of God, from the time of her arrival in Canada in 1983. She has served as 2nd and 3rd Vice President respectively with the Jamaican Ottawa Community Association (JOCA). Among her past duties was hosting the association’s annual fundraiser and coordinating the Jamaican Idol competition. Since 2003, she has represented the Jamaican community on the Community and Police Action Committee (COMPAC). In 2007, she received the prestigious Black History Ottawa Community Builder’s award. Carol is also a Certified Girls’ Club Counsellor, bringing together girls ranging in age from pre-school to Grade 6 weekly, at the Ottawa Church of God, for an exciting learning experience through personal development, fellowship and recreation, all in a Christian atmosphere.
