Attached is the link to the Lifetime TV show the Balancing Act which featured our Bike for Haiti , ride raising funds for the Haitian Peoople.
http://www.thebalancingact.com/story/?id=3480
You can also find out more about Bike for Haiti at our Website www.bikeforhaiti.com
Discipleship is far more than a book or a program. Almost every time I hear someone refer to discipleship they go directly to, "What program are you using? What meetings are you having, and what book did you read or copy?" I get so weary of this kind of human, man-made discipleship talk that once in a while I just have to go back to the basics and get on my soap box.
Last night God sent me a great gift and reminder of what true discipleship is, and that it's not in a book or someone's program they sell you or design. It's in scripture and it works all the time. During our first Church Council meeting of the new year, as we welcomed our new members and said goodbye to each of our rotating members, we introduced ourselves and shared a little of our journey here at Oasis Church, and who we are.
I have done this now for almost 19 years with several hundred Lay Leaders who have served on this council, and until last night I never realized the beauty of how God has continued to use Oasis Church to continue to build disciples in a natural and organic way. I was so blessed when this thought hit me. I was giddy and I shared it with our Council. Those in the picture you see here tell an amazing story of Discipleship in the local church and how it happens. Organic and naturally. (not effortlessly though.)
8 of 11 people you see in this picture were all baptized and began their spiritual journey here at Oasis Church. Most of their spouses were also baptized here. They went through our new members classes, joined Community Groups, started serving in the most obscure ways in most cases. Some who have actually been here from the beginning (Paul, Nancy, James and Kim) 19 years ago and they even got that famous phone call we made in order to invite people to our first service. Yes, it has taken years of loving, teaching, walking wit , encouraging, etc to see these men and women become Mature, Devoted disciples of Christ. In order to serve on our Church council, they must be tithing, serving, and in a community group. (Each serve 3 year terms)
This is true discipleship. You don't bottle this and you don't put this in an 8-week course. So, when I hear all those people from reformed, to conformed, to transformed, deformed, informed and everything in between talking about making disciples I just say, "Quit talking and start walking!" Jesus was the best model and still is today.
How did He do it? Not some 10-step formula, didn't write a book, do seminars on Disciple-making or got a degree. He simply lived out what He taught and walked with the men He said, "Follow Me" to. No matter the education, baggage, age or cultural background, He just said, "Follow Me" and He taught them.
Why is it important for a pastor or leader to stay one place for a long time? Because Discipleship takes a long time. It's a Journey, not a Sprint. Most want to give you a few books, have a few months of classes or even a year of mentoring and then some magical thing takes place...instantaneously a disciple comes out. I wish it were that simple.
I have never been more proud of being a part of Oasis Church than I am at this moment when I look at that picture and see a picture of what God has been doing these past 19 years. Building Disciples one person at a time. Now these men and women are leading, and duplicating by building disciples by serving in all areas of our church. Man, this gets me so excited I can hardly stand it!
So my advice to anyone in Ministry -- Lay or professional. Get somewhere, STAY, STAY and STAY and be faithful in teaching and living out the Gospel; and God will build Disciples. His Disciples not MINE!
Matthew 28:18-20 Still applies today. It's not complicated, but it does take time!
BTW, In this picture is a beautiful picture of what Heaven will be like. Not only do you see many shades of color but also cultural diversity.
Countries of Birth from those in this picture:
Vietnam, Colombia, Nigeria, Britain, Nicaragua,Trinidad, and the USA! Just a small taste of the 80+ countries of Disciples God is building in Oasis Church.
Occupations of this Diverse Group:
Pharmacist (2)
Speech Therapist
Contractor
Automobile Dealership Owner
Accountant
Pharmaceutical Executive
Social worker
High School Teacher
Biologist
Mechanical Engineer
All humble Followers of Christ and I'm so honored to serve with them here at Oasis.
(Missing Nikki and Ruth, sorry ladies we missed you last night. You are both awesome!)
Today I shared a video update from Israel with our Oasis Family. I also give an update on the Rocket that was shot into one of the cities here. Have a great week. God bless.
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Dear Extended Oasis Family, 
Hello from Israel! We are having an incredible time here and I have given an update on Video below. On the video I took on the Sea of Galilee today, I not only share some of what we have experienced but also an update of the Rocket attack on one of the cities here in Israel last night. (You will note how low the water is at the edge of the Sea of Galilee. This is a serious problem here since it's the only fresh water source in the entire nation. It is down 30 feet from its normal level). 
Check out what's coming up around Oasis:
God Bless and have a great weekend! Guy Melton |
(Part 1 is here if you didnt read my first post on Radical Decision)It would be September of 2010, before I actually visited Haiti for the first time. By the time I visited , I had read a book by David Platt, called "Radical". A group of young staff guys had read the book over the summer and at the end of the book it called for a Radical decision to what are you going to do with what you now know. Haiti, was going to be part of my Radical Decision, but even then, I didn't know what that would mean. When you look at a country with so many problems, it is overwhelming. When America and the World pumps billions of dollars into this island country and it seemingly has done nothing to improve the peoples day to day life and the most horrendous political situation Ive ever seen, the question begs to be asked? What in the World am I going to do with my little bit.
The Radical Decision was taking place. The actual radical decision for me personally really had been made. I was going to make Haiti, my calling outside of Oasis Church. It would be just the beginning of what I hope to see going on in our Members countries around the world. With 84 countries in our church , Haiti is not the only one that needs Jesus, that needs His love, shown through His servant. They don't need our monies as much as they do our love and care. As I began to think about what God wanted me personally to do, it became evident it was going to be bigger than anything I had ever thought of or even would want to do. It was going to be for a country I would have rather to continue to ignore as too big to be fixed, to broken for me to help any.
With my 5 year Sabbatical coming up the coming summer, God began to plant seeds in my heart to how I would spend the time. Yes, Sabbaticals are for rest, renewal, refreshing and spiritual growth for a pastor. They also can be a time for futher education, and a time to serve beyond what we might be able to do in the course of a normal year. I knew some of my sabbatical was going to be done serving Haiti and the Haitian people. After 3 trips now, I am sure I will be back to Haiti at least a couple times during my sabbatical this Summer.
For years I had prayed that God would somehow allow Oasis Church to do missions in a different way. A way that would actually partner with our own people and their countries and the ministries already in their homeland. I just had not figured out how. I had prayed it would be in other countries in the Caribbean or South America. But God said, I want it to be Haiti. But I ran into roadblocks and seemingly dead ends in every way I looked. But after months and now years, God opened doors and when he began to open doors, he kicked them down. Now we have more partnership opportunities just from those families in our membership of Oasis in Haiti than we could possibly accomplish in my lifetime. But in the next 15 years I think God will allow myself and Oasis to actually make a difference in the lives of the children and families of Haiti. We will start small. We have to start small. We will continue daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. It wont be just an annual missions trip. It will be year round. My prayer is this model will begin to spark other Oasis members to begin to partner with their churches families and other ministries in their homeland, and leverage the incredible resources we have been given in America to bless and serve other countries.
Months ago, God revealed how He would use me to make a difference and hopefully inspire others in and outside our church to do something Radical for God and His people. Those He loves as much as He loves us so blessed in America. I knew in the Summer what God was doing, but didn't want to say it publicly. It was too scary. Too many questions and details would have to happen. What would my family think, friends, and Oasis? How in the world could I do this. But God continued to impress it on my heart to where I could not think of doing anything else. He sent others into my life that had done something like this and He was beginning to give me a plan. Still with fear and trembling I knew I had to share it with Tonia first, than my boys and finally with some close staff and our church council. I wish I could say it was received with yes, great idea and yes, you can do it. But it wasn't and still isn't by all people. I understand and I know its only out of love and care for me. My wife has put it best when she has been asked what she thinks. Yesterday she told my mom, I have learned to stay out of his way and just deal with it. But she is amazing at supporting me in whatever I think God has called me. Amazing wife. My sons I think , think I'm crazy, but they have at least not try to discourage me and have even been encouraging and supportive. (Corey did ask me to double my Life Insurance though! LOL) Others have tried to get me to do anyting but this, or to cut it back or to modify what I'm doing.
Finally , I have to do it. I know its the right thing to do and it begins tonight. (Saturday February 13, 2011) The journey which I have no idea how it will end, begins when I share with our Saturday night service, and then Sunday at our Sunday services. I have no idea how our people will feel or react. I pray its with support and prayer. I know Oasis Church and if I know them like I think I do , they will respond like they always have. Whatever it takes, we will follow and we will team up and do it if it is Gods will for us. I am confident. Not all will understand. Not all will agree, and not all will even support this but overall Oasis Church will do what it takes. I know it will.
(To Be continued. Written February 13, 2011)
Almost 2 years ago while watching ABC's Nightline, they were doing an investigative story on Slave trafficking from Haiti to New York City and around the country. I was shocked. I had heard of Slave and sex trafficking in many countries in far away places like Asia. But not just 750 miles from Miami .
I had never had much if any burden for Haiti. I knew some Haitians. I knew we had alot in South Florida and a few in our church but I would not say its was a place I ever prayed over very often or even desired to visit. My heart was broken after watching that show, showing how kids could be bought for $150., $200. or even free from Haitian families and brought to America thinking they were giving their kids a chance at the American Dream only to have them sold into slavery in America and even worse Sex Slaves.
I couldn't get the Night-line Show out of my mind. I remember being overcome with the immensity of the Haitian problems. By then, I realized we had alot of Haitians in our church not only in Pembroke Pines but in our North Miami Campus. I wrote a blog and even mentioned it in church and in my weekly Pastors Email that Oasis Church needed to do something. But I had no idea and it would not just be a Missions Trip. But I began to pray and wait on the Lord.
January 12, 2010, the Worst earthquake to hit the Western Hemisphere occurred in Haiti, in which at least 300,000 Haitian died.They were Buried in makeshift graves dug by bulldozers and dumped from dump-trucks and it was heart wrenching. Finding the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere now mired in Political unrest, poverty, and a total disaster, already in chaos now was totally destroyed by an earthquake. How much could happen to one country of 10 million people that live on a small island in the Caribbean? This was once the most prosperous island in the Caribbean and a worldwide tourist destination.
The world ran to Haiti as they should have. Our church along with thousands of others sent aid and monies. This was all appropriate, but I knew a trip to Haiti after the Earthquake was not our calling. Our calling as a Church in South Florida with hundreds of Haitians was going to be a lifetime call for the rest of my ministry at Oasis Church. How , who knows. That was the 64 thousand dollar question. The Sex Trafficking burden and thoughts were put on the back burner after the Earthquake.
(To be continued)
Below is my weekly update to our Local Oasis family. I know we have many extended Oasis family all over the USA and the World and want to keep you up on whats happening around Oasis. God bless you and have a great weekend. BTW, just a reminder, our Blog format does not always fit your format, so sometimes a word or two is cut off.
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Dear Extended Oasis Family, Are You Ready? I know the anticipation is killing you! You can't wait and you just want to get on with it right now. Ever been so excited about something, you could hardly sleep? Maybe your kid's first trip to Disney World, or yours if you can remember that far back. Or a trip back to your homeland to see family you haven't seen in years. I've been there actually many times. I'm not sure this is up on your list but it is on mine. We kick off our new Series this weekend, called "The Story". This is going to be a journey that will take us from the highs of some of the greats of history to the lowest of lows. This will be a series from the outset you will identify with. I know in a couple of weeks we will look at Joseph and everyone of us can identify with him. What great lessons to learn and apply. But this Sunday we start from the beginning. As Pastor Pat brings this first message to the Pines campus and I bring the Intro message to Hollywood and NoMi, I am just so excited. You are going to be blessed if you have committed to be here every week during the series unless sick or away. Don't forget the Deals we made last week. Start off right by being at one of our many services this weekend or during our nights of Worship, After Hours. There are limited books left so come prepared to buy one, and for those on the waiting list for kids and teens, we have ordered more for this week. Don't miss this. It will be the Trip of a lifetime!! If you are not in a Community Group, why not? We have some spots open as we start the new year and the new Series "The Story". We also have a new starter group beginning next Saturday following Saturday night worship which will be discussing the Story and sermon each week. There will be a Monday night group starting next week also. Check out all our community groups and our new ones at our Community Cafe, Small groups Resource Center. tel 954.433.4838 | fax 954.433.2004 | info@visitoasis.org |
While the process for the Guinness World Record is ongoing. The paper work, pictures , stories etc are all being worked on and sent in the next week or two, we have already been notified by the "World Records Academy" that we are now recognized of having the largest collection/display of Nativities in the World, 2150. Of course we all already knew this but you can see the verification on their web-page.
While it might take a while to get all the things in to receive the Certificate from them and from Guinness we will notify Oasis Church once it is complete.
Congrats to Debbie Brown and her team who did the impossible. I'm so proud of all who participated and made it happen. Debby has called it the "Miracle on 14street" Go Debby.
There are millions of things a day that I could post. That is not an exaggeration. Just google almost any subject you will find millions of possibilities. So how do you come up with one? That is not an easy question, but I will say this, networking is huge in this. Through Twitter, Face Book, emails, blogs and other types of social media, not to exclude traditional magazines and books is where I find it.
Thanks to Tony Morgan and his ever creative way to find things, I saw this short video. Don't know the guy, and not recommending him necessarily. But this one video could change a persons life if they just listen.
For those of you especially who work and serve with me at Oasis Church this might help you to see into my twisted mind of just how in the world I come up with some of the things that I have over the years. So when you roll your eyes, at my next thought and vision, understand it might have been percolating for many years. You just got to be the one who got "Spewed" on !;) Im sorry!
This video really did help me to say "Yes, Yes, Yes" this is it. This is the way it happens with me. For instance, i have tons of ideas. Some only in my head, some now in folders or papers tucked away for no one to see, and I mean no one. Their time has not come. For our staff and lay leadership, if I shared them all right now, you might all kill me or put me in a padded cell. But my question is? Don't you have vision, dreams, and thoughts that you think might work and cant wait to see what God does with them? I hope you do. If you are a leader you better have them. Ok, as usual I went longer than the video will even be. So these are my Face Book thoughts on this video and then see for yourself and let me know if this guy isn't onto something. Now go and "Have a Good Idea" ;) This is just "Leadership 101"
If Churches and Pastors could just catch this and not try to fight Creativity... we might be able to move into the 19th Century if not the 21st;) You add the Holy Spirit's Power and guidance into this equation and its dynamite powerful.
http://lifehacker.com/5646251/chance-favors-the-connected-mind
