Rob and Fran Parker are the founders and Directors of NHOP. They heard the call to create an "Embassy of Prayer" in the nation's capital on Canada Day - July 1st, 2000 after Rob had made a 73 day Prayer Walk from Calgary to Ottawa. After several years of sharing the vision with other leaders across the nation they moved to the capital in 2004 to begin establishing a ministry that would mobilize prayer for government.
Rob is originally from Victoria, B.C. and had a career as a paramedic working both in the Canadian Arctic and the Saharan desert before studying at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland and returning to pastor a church in his home city. Fran was born in Calgary but raised in Cape Breton and served in the health care field, while working alongside her husband with the Baptist congregation in Vernon, B.C. They live in Aylmer, Quebec with their dog - Oakley, and have two adult children, Andrea and Rob Jr. who is married to Brandy.
Richard and Terry Long have been Associate Directors with NHOP since Januray 2006. They work alongside Rob & Fran and assist with the overall leadership of the ministry. Richard was born in Malawi, Africa, (his parents were missionaries), and he grew up as a pastor's kid in Ontario. Richard has degrees from the University of Waterloo (History), and Central Baptist Seminary. Terry is from the Hamilton/Burlington area of Ontario and until recently worked for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. She has degrees from Mohawk College (Radiology) and London Baptist Seminary. Richard and Terry pastored 3 congregations in the Greater Toronto Area, the last one being Runnymede Baptist Church where they served for almost 14 years. Prior to joining the NHOP team they traveled nationally working with City Church efforts to encourage unity in the Body of Christ. They have a daughter Robin who attends the University of Ottawa.
Michèle Cloutier has been working as our Administrator since January 2006. She is an Ottawa native, although she's also lived in Alberta, B.C. and the Northwest Territories, and is the first bilingual member of our staff. She worked for her church for 14 years, where she was very actively involved in many city-wide undertakings such as March for Jesus and the Pastors Prayer Fellowship. She most recently worked for Watchmen for the Nations, before coming to work at NHOP.
Iain and Susan Wilson Iain Wilson comes to NHOP as a ‘sent one’ from Scotland. Born in Kilsyth near Glasgow, Iain has worked with various Christian youth organizations and churches as a youth leader for over 16 years. He brings with him a passion to see young people on fire for God and passionate about praying for their nation and its leaders.
Iain is married to Susan, also from Scotland. She is a physiotherapist currently working here in Ottawa.
In 2006, Iain and Susan undertook our 3 month internship programme before returning home to Scotland. Over the following year, God worked in a miraculous way to call them both back to Canada.
Kirsten Harty
Kirsten comes to us from Alberta, where she spent eight years in the software development industry, and was also involved with various prayer/inner healing initiatives including Ellel Ministries. In 2000, she heard a call to "head west". She was one of twelve people to commit to being part of a House of Prayer in Kelowna called The War Room which officially began on September 11, 2001. She continued there until November 2003. That same year the Lord began speaking to her about moving to Ottawa, and that it was about "Canada and the Canadian government". Kirsten joined our centre in that capacity in May 2007 and after 12 months was invited to a permanent position on our team. She combines a life of devotion with a great organizational mind, and is invaluable in keeping our prayer room and other ministries active. She continues to raise her financial support, and would welcome other partners to stand with her as she serves the Lord at NHOP.
Our Staff
When you visit the National House of Prayer you will meet other key members of our staff. Some of them are in the Kitchen, or serving as Prayer Missionaries. At other times you will meet interns or others who are doing a short term work program with us.
It takes a whole team to deliver the ministry that God has called us to do in our nation's capital.
