Tom Oshiro, a Canadian Baptist pastor, is being honoured with a lifetime achievement award from Leadership Victoria for his work as the Director of Victoria's Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank

Leadership Victoria will present Tom with his award during a special ceremony at the 6th Annual Leadership Awards on Thursday, January 28th. The celebration will take place at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in the inner harbour at 4 to 6 pm.

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When asked about the award Mr. Oshiro says, “I’ve expressed my gratitude to this community because it’s given me a wonderful setting to carry on this ministry. So I think we’ve made a difference being here.”

Jeremy Bell, the CBWC's Executive Minister commented on Mr. Oshiro and the award, “I will never forget several years ago attending Banff Pastors’ Conference with my wife Kerry. We were thoroughly enjoying an animated conversation with Tom and his wife Vi on an elevator. As we got off and the elevator doors closed, we were struck by their profound sense of clarity and purpose. Secondly, we noticed what beautiful faces they had. I shall always remember Tom’s radiance, which comes from his care and concern and kindness that are all rooted in the Biblical conviction that the love of God is unconditional. We should also know that he can be tough about that conviction.”

Tom, with his late wife Vi, has devoted his life to ministry and caring for communities. since entering the pastorate in 1956. They moved to Victoria in the early 1990’s to take up a calling at Royal Oak Baptist Church before taking on the leadership of Mustard Seed. In 2002, Tom was honoured as Victoria’s Citizen of the Year.