Robert Greaves, Senior Pastor
Born and raised in the Caribbean island of Barbados, Robert Greaves became a member of the Welchmann Hall Seventh-day Adventist Church in the parish of St. Thomas at the age of 19. It was there he met and married his wife and life partner, Ernell. The Greaves immigrated to Canada to further his studies in Civil Engineering Technology in 1989. Together, they attended the Newmarket and Barrie Seventh-day Adventist Churches. Robert characterizes this time in his life as a journey from “faith to failure and back” as it was during this time that he struggled spiritually. However, with the guiding patience of his wife, in 2006 he recommitted his life to Christ through the preaching ministry of Pastor-Evangelist Bill Santos and has not looked back since. He surrendered to his call to ministry after wrestling with the urge for three years. Finally, in 2009 he gave in. This led to his resignation from Magna International – Canada’s Automotive Giant in 2010 where he worked for sixteen years in senior technical capacities in product assembly supervision and quality control management. It was a good professional exposure to have contributed to the design and manufacture of numerous vehicle platforms for Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler Corporation, but nothing beats the experience of serving God through serving others.
Pastor Robert Greaves is a graduate of the Ministerial Program at Canadian University College, now Burman University located in Lacombe, Alberta. In May 2019, he completed his Masters in Theology Studies Degree at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto. He looks forward to beginning his Doctor of Ministry Degree in the area of Christian Leadership. His focus will be training others to see their day-to-day professional work as a ministry calling from God, and a means through which God bestows his providential care to humanity.
Pastor Greaves’ ministerial service includes pastoral internship in Alberta, Youth Pastor as well as Community Services and Evangelism Lead at Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Assistant Pastor at Apple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church. With years of ministry to Canada’s first nations people, ministry to those imprisoned, spearheading and preaching in evangelistic campaigns, engagement in Community Services activities such as health expos and soup kitchens, ministry to the autistic, and countless Bible studies, Robert has led many into a life saving and satisfying relationship with Jesus Christ. Robert believes that if Christ is lifted up in all that we do, He will draw all humanity towards Him (John 12:32). His favorite hymn is “Live Out Thy Life Within Me” and his favourite Bible texts are Philippians 3:8 and 4:13.
Robert looks forward to serving the residents of the City of Ottawa and trusts that all will find the church family and community at the Ottawa Seventh-day Adventist Church the place to be.
Robert and Ernell have two children – Ambra a school teacher, and Kayla who is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Wellness Management.
Deon Colleen Rose, Assistant Pastor
Deon Colleen Rose was born in the parish of Hanover, Jamaica, but grew up in Montego Bay St. James. She pursued legal studies in the United Kingdom, completing a Master’s degree, and worked in the justice system (Home Office) for seven with the National Probation Service for England and Wales.
In 2010, Pastor Rose migrated to Canada and spent more than eight years serving seniors within the healthcare system. She experienced a personal conversion in 2011 and, after sensing a call to ministry in 2019, enrolled at Burman University to study theology.
Pastor Deon Rose served at Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church (Toronto) for eight years, four of which she served as a Board Member. She has also served as a pastoral intern at Scarborough Adventist Church, Friendship Company, and Lacombe Community Church, contributing across all areas of ministry. As a spiritual mentor, she desires for others not only to know Christ as Savior but to grow in their relationship with Him. Pastor Deon Rose is passionate about community service, relational evangelism, and building up the Kingdom of God in preparation for Jesus’ second coming. Above all, she models servant leadership, with prayer and the Word as the foundation and driving force of her life.
Pastor Deon enjoys traveling, creative writing, and spending time in nature. She is the mother of two children: Ramone, who is completing a biology degree, and Skye, who is in high school.
Our Leadership Team
At Ottawa Adventist Church, the church board serves as the central body where pastoral staff and elected ministry leaders work together to provide leadership by shaping the vision and priorities of the congregation in line with the church’s mission.
The role of each board member is to act as faithful stewards, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the church and its mission. Through prayerful consideration and collaboration, they help nurture the spiritual life of the church and encourage initiatives that strengthen spiritual growth, fellowship and outreach.
By balancing vision with responsibility, the leadership team ensures that Ottawa Adventist Church remains a vibrant community dedicated to worship, service, and the advancement of God’s work.
Senior Pastor – Robert Graves
Assistant Pastor – Deon Rose
Head Elder Deputy
Head Elder
Church Clerk
Treasurer
Head Deacon
Head Deaconness
Adventist Youth
Adventurer Club
Pathfinder Club
Master Guide Club
Children’s Ministry
Communications & Web
Community Services
Education
Family Life Health
Interest Coordinator
Multi-media Council
Music
Personal Ministries
Prayer
Property Management
Sabbath School Superintendent
Seniors’ Ministry
Social Committee
Stewardship