ARTICLE

Holiday Outreach: Serving Oshawa with Love

December 18, 2025 | Andrew King | Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

On December 10, 2025, the Ontario Conference office staff has once again embraced the meaningful task of extending a loving hand to the Oshawa community during the Holiday Season. This annual tradition has become a cherished opportunity for our team to live out the compassion of Christ in practical, tangible ways.

Last year, the office staff had the privilege of blessing a local women’s shelter. The positive impact of that experience inspired us to continue reaching out with even greater intentionality. This year, we were impressed to support the YMCA—WISH Shelter, located in the heart of downtown Oshawa. The WISH Shelter provides essential services to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community, and we felt honoured to partner with them in their important work.

Earlier in the fall, we contacted the YMCA team to introduce ourselves and to share our annual initiative. Each year, the Ministry of Compassion of the Ontario Conference selects a local charity that we can support through donations of goods, gift cards, and other needed items. After identifying that year’s charity, our directors, administrators, and office staff eagerly take up the mission—gathering lists, shopping for items, and contributing generously to the cause.

The office staff then set out, often in small groups, to purchase the needed items—groceries, toiletries, winter accessories, gift cards, and presents. These items are then carefully packed into boxes and bags, which soon begin to overflow as everyone contributes with heartfelt enthusiasm. It is truly inspiring to see how our staff goes above and beyond, ensuring that each donation reflects both care and dignity for the recipients.

As the Director of the Ministry of Compassion, I have the privilege of personally delivering these items to the chosen charity each year. Walking through the doors of these shelters with boxes filled to the brim is always a humbling and emotional experience. Without fail, the staff at the community shelter received the items and expressed overwhelming gratitude. Their appreciation is sincere, often accompanied by tears, smiles, and words that remind us of just how meaningful even small acts of kindness can be.

Each year, one question inevitably arises: “Why are you doing this?” It is in those special moments that we are able to share the heart of our mission—“We are Jesus’ hands and Jesus’ feet.” We want our community to know that they are not forgotten, that they are valued, and that God’s love is active and alive through His people. And with joy we can say, “You are welcome.”

Next year, we will choose a different group and a different shelter to bless.  We encourage each church to choose a shelter in your community and bless them.

As we look ahead to the coming year, we will once again prayerfully select another group and another shelter to bless. The need in our communities is great, and the opportunity to serve is always present. We strongly encourage each church within our Conference family to consider doing something similar: choose a local shelter or charity and bless them generously. Acts of compassion ripple outward, touching lives in ways we cannot fully measure.

Let us remember these words: “People do not care how much we know, until they know how much we care.” When we show care, we reflect the character of Christ far more powerfully than words alone ever could.

May God richly bless each of you during this Holiday Season and throughout the New Year. May His love continue to shine through your acts of kindness, your willingness to give, and your heart for service.

Pastor Andrew King
Director, Ministry of Compassion