Orim M. Meikle
| Orim M. Meikle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Orim Mel Meikle December 24, 1967 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Residence | Markham, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Jamaican-Canadian |
| Citizenship | Canadian |
| Education | BA, Religious Studies |
| Alma mater | Tyndale University College & Seminary |
| Occupation | Executive Chairman, Rhema Canada, Inc. |
| Spouse(s) | Judith Meikle (m. 1999) |
| Children |
Jalen (born 2000) Jasmine-Rose (born 2006) |
| Website | Rhema Canada |
Orim M. Meikle (pronounced o'rum meek'ul, born 1967) is the Senior Pastor and Chairman of Rhema Canada, a rapidly growing church and ministry organization headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with flourishing congregations in the cities of Toronto and Ottawa, holding a variety of weekly services in English.
Meikle is a graduate of Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto, earning his Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies in 1996. He taught religious studies at the Toronto chapter of The Aenon Bible College from 1997 to 1999. Following this he founded Rhema Christian Ministries of Ontario Inc., (now known as Rhema Canada, Inc.) a registered charitable not-for-profit ministry organization currently operating in historic Parc Downsview Park, a 600-acre urban park earmarked for green space and urban design.
Early Life & History
Born to Anditta and Theophilus Meikle, Orim Meikle spent his first 7 years of life growing up in Jamaica where he lived in a rural setting with his brother, cousins, and grandparents. Like many immigrant families in the 1960s and 1970s, Meikle was raised by his grandparents until the age of 7, while his parents migrated to Canada in pursuit of a better life. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1975 where he attended elementary, high school and college.
Personal & Family
Meikle met his wife Judith James in 1998 at Revivaltime Tabernacle where she was a conference host and he was a speaker. They began dating shortly thereafter and were eventually married in July 1999, shortly following they had their first child a son, Jalen in 2000, their daughter Jasmine-Rose followed in 2006.
Christian Ministry
In 1999 Meikle founded Rhema Christian Ministries of Ontario Inc., now referred to as Rhema Canada, Inc. (Rhema) a non-denominational, multi-ethnic evangelical church and ministry organization, where he serves as Senior Pastor and Executive Chairman.
As a Christian spiritual leader he is an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies, (FCA). The FCA is a global fellowship of autonomous, evangelical churches with a mutual commitment to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
Under his leadership, Rhema has grown into a flourishing multicultural community in a relatively short period of time with a focus on community outreach, economic and spiritual empowerment. This is demonstrated locally through youth education and employment programs and stretches internationally through missionary efforts with the La Montanita school project in the Dominican Republic. The ministry has been responsible for the establishment of national branches in urban centers such as Toronto and Ottawa, with future expansion planned for the cities of Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Quebec City and Halifax.
Meikle's central message of empowerment and hope has taken him throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and Africa. He has a special heart for the economic and educational development of Africa, to which he travels on a yearly basis.
In the media, he is recognized as an expert on youth violence and measures to deal with it. He has spoken at town hall meetings, given live, on-air interviews on various television and radio stations, and participated in citywide Summits where the chief of police, the mayor and other key political leaders were also in attendance.
He is the initiator of Community Prayer Patrol 24, a series of prayer walks that target specific areas in the Greater Toronto Area.
He has been recognized for his work in the community by major newspapers and magazines, most notably by Maclean's, Canada’s leading news magazine, on their 2006 honour roll of “Heroes and Builders”.
His former television broadcast Rhema Today was viewed by millions, airing three times per week on the Crossroads Television System CTS Channel 09 and daily via webcast. The ministry plans to once again return to the airways in the fall-winter of 2016.
Philanthrophy
In 2007 Rhema Canada launched its philanthropic division, The Rhema Foundation Canada, of which Meikle serves as the Executive Chairman. Originally established to administer scholarships for worthy students in need, this unique entity has broadened its mandate to address global humanitarian causes, working both locally and around the world to make a positive impact in the lives of the vulnerable and marginalized.
With a steadfast commitment to its mission of “changing and affecting lives” the Rhema Foundation Canada is currently engaged in humanitarian projects in Canada, Africa and Asia with investments focused in three primary areas: Human Settlement, Health and Well-Being and Strengthening the Family Unity. Using these core areas as missional drivers, the Foundation works tirelessly to build sustainable communities, improve health and well-being for children and youth, eliminate poverty and food insecurity, while supporting families in need.
Music
In 2004 Meikle launched the Zhanre Music Group, an independent music and entertainment label for the purpose of producing and promoting the burgeoning market of Gospel music in Canada. Since that time Zhanre has produced several albums including Richard Brown --- Heart of A Worshipper (2006) and Rhema Worship & Praise --- The Experience (2004).