Ottawa Mission Board Statement on Anti-Black Racism

Here at the Ottawa Mission, “Our Vision is to become a collaborative leader and innovator in empowering those we serve in transitioning to wholeness,” and part of our core purpose is to “reflect Jesus’ love”. Jesus made it clear that one of the reasons he was sent by God was to “set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18). In our commitment to transition those we serve to wholeness, here at the Ottawa Mission we are privileged to come alongside a wide diversity of people including an increasing number of Black individuals, who benefit from our services.

As an act of witness to God’s work of setting “the oppressed free”, we the Board of the Ottawa Mission denounce the systemic anti-Black racism that poisons our society and this world that God so loves. With humility and courage, we commit to praying and to learning how God would have us combat the systemic injustice that undermines the dignity, God-given rights and well-being, of human beings made in the image of God.

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me…whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”    

• Jesus (Matt. 25:40, 45)