WHO WE ARE
A Video Introducing our New Vision
OUR NEW VISION
“A caring, diverse community, Rooted in Christ, Growing a new generation of faith.”
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OUR MISSION
To develop and inspire passionate followers of Jesus Christ.
To be intentional in evangelizing the Oakridge area, and the wider London community.
To initiate and support mission activities, locally, nationally, and internationally.
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OUR VALUES
Our relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
The Bible as our primary guide for Christian living
The power of prayer
Inter-generational involvement in all aspects of our church life
Diversity in worship style, teaching, music and all programmes
Trust and integrity in all of our ministries
PERSONNEL
Rev. Dr. Tim Archibald
Minister
Phone Extension: 222
Email: tarchibald@oakridgechurch.ca
Tim grew up in Nova Scotia where he was formed in faith by Glenelg Presbyterian Church. He received a BA (Hon) from Acadia University and a M.A. from Saint Mary’s University (both in History) before discerning a call to Christian Ministry. He graduated with an M.Div. from Knox College, University of Toronto. After serving in Tyne Valley, Prince Edward Island, he was appointed as a Church Planter in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. During his 23 years at Kings Presbyterian Church, he led this fledgling aid-receiving group through early formation, a building program and finally to mortgage-free, full self-supporting, missional ministry. While there Tim married Joyce, a registered nurse, and they had three children: Noah, David and Laura. During this time, at Kings Church Tim completed a D.Min. at Acadia University with a concentration in vision and congregational vitality. Tim was then called to lead a ministry of renewal and re-Visioning at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Calgary, AB. In the spring of 2022, Tim was called to Oakridge Presbyterian Church, London, ON. Tim’s greatest passion is growing deeper Christian discipleship, vital spiritual engagement and missional ministry. Tim enjoys running, swimming, cross-country skiing, hiking, and camping with the family.
Laura Altenmueller
Laura joined OPC as the Music Ministries Director in September 2022. She has been studying classical piano since the age of 4 and is happy to share her faith and her love of music with the congregation. Her musical studies have taken her across the country. From 2012-2016, she completed a Bachelor of Music degree at University of Victoria. She moved to Ottawa and completed a Master of Music degree at University of Ottawa in 2018. Finally, she completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Western University in 2022. In her spare time, Laura enjoys baking bread and going on walks.
Jeff Hopkins
Jeff was born and raised in London and began his faith journey right here at OPC at a young age. After receiving God’s call on his life as a teenager to become a youth pastor, he continued on his path and attended Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Graduating in 2009 from the Bachelor of Theology program with a Major in Youth Ministry. He desires to see people begin a personal relationship with Jesus and a passion to share God’s love with all those around him. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Brittany, and they have three young children: Charlie, Benjamin and Sawyer.
Sonia Brule
Sonia joined the OPC staff in April 2009 with the goal of encouraging and nurturing children to grow in relationship with Christ. Sonia has led and created many community programmes at OPC including Kids Camp, Kids Club, fun family activities, and Culture Shock: An International Food Festival celebrating diversity at OPC. Her role at Oakridge also includes providing spiritual care and education to parents, including equipping them with tools to build their children’s faith at home; as well as providing pastoral & emergency pastoral care to those within our congregation and community. In her spare time, Sonia volunteers as a Prison Chaplain at Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre in London, ON. Sonia graduated from Sheridan College, Oakville ON with a Diploma in Classical Animation in 1996. She completed her Master of Divinity at Huron University College, London ON in 2021. Sensing a greater call to ministry of Word and Sacrament, she completed her Certificate of Theology at Knox College, Toronto ON in 2022. She was certified for ordination in June of 2022. Sonia is married to Chris. They have two children Connor and Giuliana. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, drawing and walking her dog Samson.
Jan Bracken
Jan grew up in London, nurtured in faith in her family and at Metropolitan United Church. She enjoyed music through her school years and still sings in a community choir. Jan completed a BA in Zoology at Western, a BSW (social work) at McGill and an MSW at U of Toronto. She and her husband Martin enjoyed living and working in Timmins before returning to London. They spent 3 years in the 80s living and working in Haiti with a Christian economic development organization. Jan was on staff at OPC as Adult Ministry Coordinator 2002 – 2006, after which she returned to her vocation as a clinical social worker until 2022. Jan’s two children grew up at OPC and now live in Port Dover (Tara) and Thunder Bay (Graham) where Jan has one young grandson. Jan participates in a spiritual direction group and serves on the Board of Directors of Pathways Employment Help Centre. She is always interested in people’s stories of how their life experiences intersect with their faith journey.
Kathy MacDonald
Kathy has been the Office Administrator at OPC for over 10 years and a member for nearly 30 years. She is kept busy with the day to day running of the office in this very busy church. Kathy enjoys the theatre, reading and spending time with her family.
John Radossevich
Lawrence Mizzi
Custodian
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John has been the Business Administrator of Oakridge Presbyterian Church since March 2019. He is in charge of many different tasks including bank deposits, rental bookings for events, maintaining the church calendar, cheque requisitions, and building maintenance, etc. John has been married for 21 years and has two teenage boys. In his spare time, he likes to keep active. He enjoys playing squash, working around his home, and going for walks with his family.
Lawrence was born in Malta and came to Canada when he was a child. He has been working at OPC for more than 15 years doing cleaning, set ups and maintenance. He has been in the cleaning business for over 40 years. Lawrence is one of the youth leaders on Friday nights. He is married to Karen, has two sons, Tyson and Joshua.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CANADA
“Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we proclaim the love and good news of Jesus Christ through our words and actions. As a reformed church, we rely on the truth and inspiration of Scriptures for God’s guidance into the future—a future that we approach with wonder and anticipation, knowing God is with us. As worshiping communities joyfully celebrating the sacraments, we are supported, strengthened and equipped to share the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.”
Find out more about the PCC, including Organization, Beliefs and Others.
SESSION
Presbyterians are known for the type of leadership we have. The Greek word presbuteros means elder and it is from this word that we get the word Presbyterian. We are led by elders, who are discerned by the congregation, together with the Session, and are ordained to serve (normally for a six year term). Sessions are made up of elders – ruling elders and the minister(s) (teaching elders). The Session leads the overall ministry of the congregation, including pastoral care, worship, Christian education, stewardship and mission. It has representation at presbytery. The minister is the moderator of Session, while one ruling elder serves as Clerk—the administrative lead elder.
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WHAT WE BELIEVE
Please visit the PCC's Living Faith page, HERE:
Robert Shirley
Clerk of Session
Email: rdshirley@sympatico.ca