Members only...not really

Last night, Great Oaks held their annual member's dinner. 24 people were in attendance - this includes staff & their spouses as well as board members with their spouses. So yeah, there weren't many of us there. Apparently our membership has fallen in the recent past and the hope is to rebuild the membership. I was asked to present a little about what I do and my vision for the follow-up ministry that we're doing throughout the school year. I decided to build it around the first part of our mission statement which reads: To glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, Great Oaks will:
Partner with local churches to evangelize and disciple economically disadvantaged youth through a year-round, Christ-centered camping and follow up ministry.


I put together a powerpoint presentation with lots of pictures from this summer. I took some quotes from camper follow-up information forms where counselors noted key decisions & information about their campers. For example: “Jayde made a decision this week and wants to be baptized. She also wants to be set up with a church home.” I spread these throughout the slides. And I split the mission statement in half and show how we will & are working towards that goal. The entire presentation was set to Chris Tomlin's song, "God of this City." It's a beautiful song that captures my heart for the city.

I created a prayer card of sorts where I took the information forms that I already mentioned and printed the campers photo. I attached the photo to the form and encouraged the members to take one or two or a few and pray for those students. It was almost like a sponsorship but rather than giving us money, they pray for that child. It was so encouraging to see how many people took these cards and were excited about this opportunity.

Here are the lyrics to "God of this City":

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

You're light in this darkness
You're the hope for the hopeless
You're peace to the restless
You are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here

You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings
You Are

You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You are

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for you and love for you
In this city

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here