Credentials

The CSMC board certified Rev. Raymond Louter as an Appointed Designated Minister – Counselling Ministry. He is an insightful and compassionate minister in Hamilton. A wonderful and vivid storyteller, Ray is a great listener and communicator who has a passion for advocacy, especially for those on the fringes of society.

Education

• Canadian Ministers Institute 
• Master of Arts, Playfulness and Performance, University of Guelph
• Master of Fine Arts, The Story of Job, York University
• Bachelor of Arts, Theater/Communications, Dordt University

Ministry 

Ray looks at the whole person, not just the spiritual or the physical dimensions of the human person. He finds himself finding opportunities to minister everywhere he goes. In his rich career as a teacher, Ray discovered the tumultuous and challenging lives his students who identified as LGBTQIA+ experienced. They felt so comfortable with Ray, that they started confiding in him, and he responded with a strong sense of advocacy to ensure their safety and full integration in campus life.

He uses his refined listening skills to make himself available to anyone seeking understanding and support. Ray is not afraid of tackling the hard questions, especially when dealing with faith and sexual identity challenges, not only with his students, but with anyone who approaches him for support and care.

Ray belongs to KENOSIS, a faith-based group which seeks to educate white people about the power and effects of white supremacy culture. They seek ways through their own cultural blind-spots to a place of knowledge and healing so that they can effect change in themselves and their communities. 

A Personal Side to Ray

I bring a robust appreciation and love for shared performativity to ceremonies. I am emotionally intelligent and caring in my work.

I hold to the hope that comes from seeing the world as a masterwork of Love. I follow the path of Jesus in sorting how love is articulated. His heart was with the poor and broken and lost, as is mine.