Phyllis Brunton Ortiz has been a Canadian missionary with Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec since March 1, 1994.  She is founder and director of the Oasis Dufferin Community Centre, located at Dufferin Street Baptist Church.  Born in an Ottawa hospital, Phyllis grew up near the Ottawa Valley towns of Vernon and Osgoode and graduated from Ottawa Teachers’ College.  She accepted Christ at a Youth for Christ rally when she was 18, and was baptized at Bethany Baptist Church, Toronto, while working toward her Bachelor of Religious Education at Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale).  From 1970-1975 she served as Canadian Baptist missionary in Bolivia, where she met and married Dr. Sigfrido Ortiz. She taught in the American co-operative schools in Cochabamba and La Paz from 1976-1987.  In Bolivia she completed a Master of Arts in social sciences from Azusa Pacific University, California.  The Ortiz family moved to Canada in 1987 when Sigfrido became pastor of the Hispanic congregation at Dufferin St. Baptist Church.  Although the English congregation disbanded in 1993, the Hispanic congregation has continued to meet and grow under his ministry.

Erika Abele was born in Bolivia South America.  She lived there for 10 years until her father was called to serve as pastor at Dufferin Street Baptist Church in Toronto.  In 2001 Erika graduated from the University of Toronto, where she completed a BA in Social Sciences.  Upon graduating from university Erika began working at the Oasis Dufferin Community Centre.  Her ministry at the Oasis involves working with women and children in evangelism and discipleship.

The Oasis Dufferin Community Centre opened in 1994 with the purpose of helping immigrants flocking to Toronto from 204 nation-groups around the world adjust to our Canadian community.  Toronto is an ethnically diverse city where there is true potential for new comers to hold their own culture in balance with the new culture found here.

The city’s reputation for diversity is well earned, but Toronto’s attraction for people around the world is that the city simply shows that it cares for immigrants and refugees.  Within this city Oasis was formed to help newcomers adjust to their new culture.  Erika has been involved with counselling abused women and helping them with their integration process as well.  In 2003 the Oasis began to work with children from the community.  Each week children come to the Oasis to receive help with their school work in a safe and nurturing environment.  With the help of many volunteers Erika currently coordinates this program.  The vision is that these children will be impacted in a way that will enable them not only to succeed in school but come to know about God’s plan and purpose for their lives.

Currently, Erika is also studying part-time at Tyndale University.  She is working on her Master of Divinity with a counselling focus.  Erika is married to William Abele and are proud parents of Sarah born Feb. 27, 2005.

In July of 2006, Lisa Shung joined the Oasis team as the full-time Outreach Coordinator.  Her role as Outreach Coordinator will include developing relationships with the goal of creating community by demonstrating God’s love and care in such ways as to help them attain their fullest potential.  Her previous experience working as a Community Connections Coordinator will aid her in her time at Oasis Dufferin Community Centre.   

Lisa was born in Toronto and has spent all her life in Scarborough in a multicultural area of the city.  She graduated from Master’s College and Seminary with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology in 2002.  Lisa has spent time as a pastor for young adults, and participated in ministries such as Angel Tree Toys, Christmas Baskets, Back-2-School Packs, Community Dinners, Conversational ESL and a Community Connections bus outreach.  In her spare time Lisa enjoys reading, working out and spending time with family and friends.

Chris Ortiz is a recent addition to the Oasis team.  His position as Director of Operations entails a variety of tasks, but is focused in three specific areas; communications, finances and volunteer supervision and training.  As Director of Operations, Chris is responsible for the day to day activities at Oasis.  

Chris was born in Bolivia and at a young age moved to Canada. After High School he studied Business Administration at Humber College.  After receiving his Diploma from Humber College, Chris continued his education and received his Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University in 2006.  His major focus of study was in the field of management and enterprise development as well as communications.  His previous work experience such as billing administrator for a large telecommunications company along with his education make him a perfect match for the role he has assumed at Oasis.

Chris is thankful for the opportunity he has had to volunteer in the past at Oasis as well as working part-time for 3 years during his studies.  During that time Chris learned of the many programs Oasis offers the people of the community and felt a passion for the work that goes on at Oasis.  In a short term mission trip to Bolivia that Chris participated in with 24 other youth and leaders, he was able to see the need abroad and identified with the needs he sees right here in Toronto.  Chris enjoys travelling and adventuring as is evident by his trip down “the most dangerous road in the world” while he was in La Paz, Bolivia in 2004. His future ambitions include possible theological studies, writing and perhaps missionary work.