The Rev. Andrea Omojola joined the EMO leadership team in January 2025. She provides oversight for EMO’s community health programs including Daily Bread Express, HIV Day Center, Northeast Emergency Food Program and Second Home, as well statewide public health outreach.
Tell us about your background.
If you ask me where I’m from, I will have a hard time answering you! It may seem odd, but I’m one of those people who finds it difficult to pinpoint my “from” merely because my formative years were spent in a variety of places. My parents are from two cultures (Conakry, Guinea and Dallas, Texas); I was born outside of the United States (Nigeria); and I’ve lived and invested in communities across the globe. So, the best way I’ve found to describe my experience is “globally diverse,” and that holds true even today—in both the personal and professional sides of my life.
Why did you choose to work for EMO?
West Texas is a long way from Oregon in so many ways—geographically, socio-politically, spiritually and more. Though it’s not where my story begins, it’s where I was last before joining EMO and, in many ways, the differences between the places speak to why I am here. My family and I needed to be in a place where we could actively engage in meaningful work. We needed to also know that we, ourselves, would be safe. EMO has helped to create some of that safety in the context of this meaningful work.
Furthermore, I hold closely the words of Matthew 25:35-40, which allude to Christian service to “the least of these” as though unto the Lord. With dual master’s degrees in Public Health and Divinity, and as an ordained pastor, I am deeply committed to the intersection between faith and health. EMO is a place where these passions collide—where I can combine both disciplines to advocate for those in need and speak boldly on issues of social and human justice.
What is your vision for the future of EMO’s direct service programs?
Almost daily, I encounter people who have not heard about EMO, despite its long history. They may know of the food pantry or of the efforts of SOAR Immigration Legal Services, but often get lost when I say, “Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.” Part of the task at hand is to change that—not merely for the sake of notoriety, but for the sake of truly meeting the holistic needs of our communities.
Thus, I join with the senior leadership at EMO to continue the work of uniting the voices of the direct service programs into one. I want them to shine individually but also function as a part of a seamless whole—helping people understand the numerous ways that EMO can serve both them and their/our neighbors. The vision is to ensure that the community is aware of all we offer and for our programs to find ways to better address the needs of each community member, client, family and partner across program lines.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I love getting to support leaders in this work. I love to serve the community. I love to advocate for people who sometimes don’t have the opportunity to use their voice. Ultimately, I’m grateful for the opportunity to simply make a difference one person at a time. Recently, our [now former] Finance Director Jillann Johnson made a reflection that sums it up perfectly: Though neither of us spend our day doing direct service, we feel as though our contribution saves lives. We get the privilege to participate in this important work and serve out of the space of our gifts. Not everyone finds that in their lifetime.
How can people get involved with EMO’s programs?
To steal the words of a famous shoemaker: just do it. I encourage people to check out our website (emoregon.org) or talk to our team members. Consider what you’re passionate about, so that we can connect you with the best place to serve. There are so many ways that community members can feel free to join in the work—be it as Second Home hosts; helping hands at the Northeast Emergency Food Program; advocates for those navigating the immigration system; encouragers or group leaders at the HIV Day Center; defenders of our environment; donors to fund a program’s unmet needs; or in prayer for everything in between.
Anything else you’d like to add?
With so much going on in the world around us, it’s often easy to get overwhelmed. No matter what your political leaning, religion, economic status, race, sexual orientation or gender, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon has shown itself to be the type of place where everyone can be a part of the solution. There’s truly a place for everyone to contribute and see love in action.
