Based out of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Michelle spent her teen years in northern Ontario before moving to the Greater Toronto Area in 1968, after marrying her husband, Ian. Two sons followed, one with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. As is the case with most couples, challenges arose.
In 1982, Michelle's life was forever changed. During a devastating national recession, Michelle found herself on her knees crying out to God — a God she had decided, as a teenager, to no longer believe in.
After finishing Bible college and receiving the honor of becoming Reverend Michelle Sim, she accepted a pastoral position in 1986 at a large church in a nearby city. She spent the following five years loving the people of that community and looking after multiple aspects of the congregation, from leading a worship team of 30 people, to facilitating and being the keynote speaker at women’s events in the region.
In 1991, Michelle founded Northern Praise Ministries, Inc., a Canadian registered charity specializing in spiritual, practical, and personal support for thousands of musicians and other artists. In 2017, the charity was handed over to a couple with a similar vision and a broader focus. NPM became The R-Factor Ministries: "Restore, Renew, Revive — People, Places & Purposes." Michelle and Ian now hold local meetings in partnership with RFM.
Michelle wrote her first book in 2008 and is presently working on her fourth. This element of Michelle’s career has been the most daunting, and yet the most rewarding, too. Positive encouragement from Michelle's audiences at speaking engagements prompted her desire and necessity to write about her exploits, and it was a difficult task. With the understanding she gained through the process, Michelle now facilitates a Mastermind class via Zoom for first-time authors, From Pen to Print.
Michelle is also a recording artist, songwriter, playwright, music industry seminar organizer, and an executive producer on two CDs for other artists — one of which received Canada’s highest music industry honor, a Juno Award. But her greatest accomplishment has been to walk one-on-one alongside hundreds of people over the years, affecting change and healing as well as giving professional, spiritual, and personal guidance. This is all due to a loving and pastoral heart that really cares about each individual with whom she interacts.
It’s now time for Michelle to spread her wings and fly to anywhere in the world she is invited! Having overcome life's challenges and spent nearly 40 years in full-time ministry, combined with a servant's heart and an authentic, humorous, and vivacious personality, Michelle is a perfect candidate for your event. As an ordained minister, Michelle is also a registered Officiant with the Province of Ontario and performs weddings, funerals, and baptisms upon request.
On May 19, 2018, Ian and Michelle celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! They are a team in life and in ministry. Ian is a career fire fighter who both developed and ran the Pre-Service Fire Fighter Program at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (Humber College), and served as a District Chief, both in Toronto. Michelle honours Ian’s ongoing support and unconditional love to her and their two sons.
In 1982, Michelle's life was forever changed. During a devastating national recession, Michelle found herself on her knees crying out to God — a God she had decided, as a teenager, to no longer believe in.
After finishing Bible college and receiving the honor of becoming Reverend Michelle Sim, she accepted a pastoral position in 1986 at a large church in a nearby city. She spent the following five years loving the people of that community and looking after multiple aspects of the congregation, from leading a worship team of 30 people, to facilitating and being the keynote speaker at women’s events in the region.
In 1991, Michelle founded Northern Praise Ministries, Inc., a Canadian registered charity specializing in spiritual, practical, and personal support for thousands of musicians and other artists. In 2017, the charity was handed over to a couple with a similar vision and a broader focus. NPM became The R-Factor Ministries: "Restore, Renew, Revive — People, Places & Purposes." Michelle and Ian now hold local meetings in partnership with RFM.
Michelle wrote her first book in 2008 and is presently working on her fourth. This element of Michelle’s career has been the most daunting, and yet the most rewarding, too. Positive encouragement from Michelle's audiences at speaking engagements prompted her desire and necessity to write about her exploits, and it was a difficult task. With the understanding she gained through the process, Michelle now facilitates a Mastermind class via Zoom for first-time authors, From Pen to Print.
Michelle is also a recording artist, songwriter, playwright, music industry seminar organizer, and an executive producer on two CDs for other artists — one of which received Canada’s highest music industry honor, a Juno Award. But her greatest accomplishment has been to walk one-on-one alongside hundreds of people over the years, affecting change and healing as well as giving professional, spiritual, and personal guidance. This is all due to a loving and pastoral heart that really cares about each individual with whom she interacts.
It’s now time for Michelle to spread her wings and fly to anywhere in the world she is invited! Having overcome life's challenges and spent nearly 40 years in full-time ministry, combined with a servant's heart and an authentic, humorous, and vivacious personality, Michelle is a perfect candidate for your event. As an ordained minister, Michelle is also a registered Officiant with the Province of Ontario and performs weddings, funerals, and baptisms upon request.
On May 19, 2018, Ian and Michelle celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! They are a team in life and in ministry. Ian is a career fire fighter who both developed and ran the Pre-Service Fire Fighter Program at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (Humber College), and served as a District Chief, both in Toronto. Michelle honours Ian’s ongoing support and unconditional love to her and their two sons.