WORD International Ministries Ottawa (WIN Ottawa) started off as a spiritual burden
from bro Harold and sis Gemma Aguinaldo, as well as sis. Laureen Manganip for meaningful fellowship based out of their common church in the Philippines. With the approval and blessing from the Aguinaldo’s previous pastor from WIN Singapore, Pastor Butch Yu, as well as the Senior Pastor of WIN Ontario, Pastor Jong Duterte, WIN Ottawa was officially formed. Its first Bible study called Koinonia (Greek for Christian fellowship) started on Jan 22, 2012 at the Aguinaldo's rented apartment around the Bayshore area. Sis Mila Teofilo and the Aguinaldo's young son, Nathan rounded up the first 5 members of the church.
As the number of people grew, the Bible study gatherings naturally transformed to a regular Sunday Service and the very first one was held at Bronson Centre on Aug 5, 2012. WIN Ontario's pastor/mentor to WIN Ottawa, Pastor Ramon Solidum officiated the blessing of the Sunday service. It was a few months after that bro Harold and sis Gemma Aguinaldo were officially appointed as WIN Ottawa's church coordinators. To better serve the growing needs of the brethren, the Sunday morning services were moved to Sandy Hill Community Centre. However, in the course of time, God slowly revealed other plans for the church. WIN Ottawa had entered a very challenging phase in its short history. Due to several significant internal and external events, the church membership had shrunk back to only 5 people and
stayed that way for nearly 2 years. Aside from the Aguinaldos, sis Luz Binwag and bro James Juan were the only WIN Ottawa church members at that time. On numerous occasions, the Aguinaldos wanted to quit and end the church, however, WIN Ontario pastors had beckoned the couple to continue as they emphasized that WIN Ottawa is and always will be God's church and He will be the one to take care of it. During these low points, sis Gemma had constant dreams that the church’s Sunday services were always filled with people - which she thought was impossible, considering the prolonged down state of the church.
In early 2016, sis Gemma had an unplanned trip to a local Asian grocery store in Kanata. This was where she first met sis Angel Laya who, in turn readily accepted an invitation to join the worship service the following Sunday at the Aguinaldo’s house. Sis Angel brought another friend, sis Elly Sagusara and it turned out that they were already born-again Christians and their husbands were actually pastors. They were both awaiting their permanent residence approval, as well as for their families. After a few weeks, sis Angel expressed her commitment to help WIN Ottawa and sis Elly did the same soon after. God slowly revealed His plan in bringing the right people at the right time in the right circumstance. On April 10, 2016 on a spring Sunday evening, where the burden of church leadership was taking its toll, bro Harold fervently prayed to the Lord that if He will only lead 3 more people to church the following Sunday, he vowed to continue the work at WIN Ottawa. On Tuesday of the same week, bro Manny Jimenez, a former church mate of the Aguinaldos in WIN Singapore phoned bro Harold and mentioned that he and his family had successfully landed in Montreal, Quebec as permanent residents. Bro Manny was with his wife, sis Gigi and their son, Sean. The Aguinaldos fetched the Jimenez family from Montreal, who had decided to move and settle down in Gatineau. The following Sunday on April 17, 2016 all 3 of them attended the Sunday Service. Bro Harold's prayer for 3 new people was graciously answered within a week. The Jimenez family also committed to help build up the church not long after. This started a phase of a cycle of people inviting new people and they invite others too. Sis Gemma’s previous dreams of many people attending WIN Ottawa to worship the Lord was gradually coming to reality.
Due to this church growth, on July 9, 2017. WIN Ottawa had moved its Sunday services to its
present location at Hintonburg Community Centre. As of May 2018, WIN Ontario officially installed an interim pastor, sis Elly’s husband, Pastor Oscar Sagusara Jr., who has been tasked to continue the Lord’s work in WIN Ottawa, while the Aguinaldos were led by the Lord to other endeavors outside of Canada.
Though the work seems laborious and often times filled with challenges, WIN Ottawa will always be inspired and encouraged by its history of how God's timing is always perfect, just as He is and His faithfulness never ceases to amaze.
WIN Ottawa Interim Pastor: Ptr. Oscar Sagusara Jr. & sis Ellynore Sagusara
VISION: To raise up a Holy Spirit filled family of believers, fully equipped to share and defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
MISSION: To live by Faith, to manifest Love and to be beacons of Hope through the Gospel.
CORE VALUES:
1. GOD centered (Luke 10:27)
2. Relational focus (John 13:34)
3. Outreach driven (Matt 28:19)
4. WORD defenders (1 Pet 3:15)
5. Prayer focused (James 5:16)
Worship Service:
Sunday @ 10:45am
Basement #2
Hintonburg Community Centre
1064 Wellington St W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y3
WINKids Sunday School
There are 2 classes divided by age group:
Twinklers - 6 years old and below
Sparklers - 7 years old up to 12 years old
11am to 12pm
