Ordination

Rev Robert has been an Ordained Minister, for over forty years, since 1972 with the Baptist Convention of Ontario & Quebec. Upon his retirement in 2012 as pastor and chaplain, Robert contacted Clergy Support Memorial Church to make himself available to continue his outreach and pastoral care ministry. The board wholly supported his offer, acknowledging his office and his many years of service, and respected his desire to continue with the important and meaningful events in his community through Clergy Support Memorial Church.

After serving twenty-two years as pastor in five churches across Ontario and serving eighteen years as Chaplain to Ottawa Community Housing neighborhoods in Ottawa’s west end, Rev Robert has the experience to serve as the church representative to the Christian Council of the Capital Area (Ottawa), an ecumenical dialogue group.

A long-time supporter of Matthew House, he assists with accommodation for asylum seekers seeking refugee status in Canada.

Academic Achievements

• Master of Divinity, McMaster Divinity College at McMaster University
• Bachelor of Arts, major in Geography from Brock University
• Institutional Internship and Pastoral Counselling with Toronto Institute of Human Relations

Memberships

Rev Robert continues to act as a member of Credentials Committee for The Gathering of Baptists in Ontario.

Awards

• Advanced Standing with Clinical Pastoral Education
• Member of the Over 40 Club, in recognition of 46 years of Ordained Ministry

Giving Back with a Passion

Robert always makes himself available to conduct worship when a pastor is on holidays or in an emergency. He will also conduct, weddings, funerals and provide bereavement counselling, as required.

Following in the footsteps of the ministry of Clergy Support Memorial, Rev Robert serves as an Outreach Minister to other ministers who need support. He acts as the Coordinator of Retired Pastors Fellowship, Ottawa. He’s also in demand as the Coordinator of Pastoral Care services of First Baptist Church, Ottawa and Coordinator of Refugee Support Committee of First Baptist Church, Ottawa.

He also offers his time as a consultant to Ottawa West End Community Chaplaincy, as well as participating in the efforts to help people see the importance of a basic income guarantee for all Canadians.

Hobbies

Definitely an outdoor buff, Robert enjoys gardening and cycling. When possible, he packs up and goes camping, hiking and canoeing in our beautiful Ontario Parks. He also enjoys reading and finds interest in the daily meditations of Richard Rohr to help him rethink much of his spiritual tradition. He admits he cannot get enough of anything by Henri Nouwen who has formed his understanding of the art of Pastoral Care.

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