Our OCPB 2023 Speaker

Major Jim Mercer

Major Jim Mercer was the Ottawa Prayer Breakfast 2023 speaker. In the light of his present role as the Social Mission Officer at the Ottawa Booth Center here in Ottawa, Jim answered our annual OCPB question of “Who is Your Neighbour?” through the lens of his work with the vulnerable and at-risk population among us.

Jim is passionate about sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Christ and seeing lives transformed in community. He has a heart for those who are marginalized, those with substance use disorders and Jim counts it a privilege to share with them along their journey.

Jim and his wife, Michelle, have shared the blessing of pastoring three congregations – one in Nova Scotia and two in Ontario – over the past 20 years. Jim completed further studies in the field of Not-for-Profit management in 2021 and the following year was appointed to his present role at the Ottawa Booth Center, where he is now in training as an Executive Director.

Jim grew up in Grand Falls-Windsor, NL and after graduating from High School, pursued a career in teaching. After completing his studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Jim went on to teach middle school as a math and special needs teacher for ten years. Near the end of this tenure, Jim had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ that totally changed his life and path.

In 1999, Jim felt a call to full-time ministry, and following marriage to his wife Michelle in July of 2000, together they entered The Salvation Army College for Officer’s Training, and they were both ordained as Pastors in 2002.

Jim enjoys reading, working out at the gym, family time, and cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs (with apologies to Ottawa Senator fans). Jim lives in Ottawa with his wife Michelle and has two amazing children, Kaelan and Olivia.

Prayer for Elected Officials and First Responders

Heavenly Father, we stand here in your presence, in reverence of you. You are good, holy, pure, loving, and just. Thank you for the grace you have given us by Jesus Christ’s coming, how He willingly fulfilled your purpose of paying for our sins with his life and giving us peace with you. He is worthy of everything we could say about his goodness, power, and supremacy over us and all the world. You know our city by name, you know every one of its residents intimately.

Hear our prayers now for our civic authorities.

For the outgoing Mayor Jim Watson and the 12 councillors leaving at the end of this term, would you bless them and revive them for all that they have poured out of themselves. Thank you for their service to us. Where you see good things growing because of their efforts, would you further establish what they started and the people they invested in. Thank you for working through them.

For the incoming Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, 11 returning incumbents and 13 new councillors, thank you for giving them this authority and responsibility. Give them the spirit of wisdom, love, and justice. Every day, help them be humble, clear minded, compassionate, and informed. Give them united purpose and common ground, being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

For our Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Paramedics, 911-Dispatch, By-Law Officers and Hydro Crews: Would you revive their hearts and heal their souls and bodies from every kind of injury and fatigue. Give them what they need spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Supply them inwardly with intuition and outwardly with all the equipment they need to do their jobs with excellence.