GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

First Pastors Email of 2012

For our friends who are extended Oasis Family not living in South Florida I wanted to share with you an update of what is going on this first week of 2012 and a recap of Christmas. I hope you are having a great new year so far. God bless and have a great weekend.(Below is our email to our local family)

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family,

 

 

Happy New Year! Welcome Back everyone. We have missed many of you who were away during the holidays on much deserved vacations. You are back just in time for one of the most important message series we have ever had at Oasis Church. "All Are Welcome Here" begins Saturday night at 6 p.m., and all three services Sunday, 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon.

 

I know you might have heard me say similar and it might be true, but I really don't remember a January when I was more excited about the upcoming year ahead for our Church. We have had many banner years. We have had many successes and many blessings. I mean, it doesn't take much to see how God has blessed this young church. But really, I believe this year has the makings of a year we will be talking about for years to come. We aren't going to WOW or try to dazzle you, although we might along the way a few times, but what we are going to do is focus like a laser on what we are called to do like never before. We are beginning that FOCUS this weekend as we begin this new series.

 

I keep thinking about the illustration I heard years ago about legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi. Each season before the pros would begin a new football season he would hold up a Football and say, "this is a  Football!" He would remind them of the most basic truths of what their goal that year would be. While they were the premiere football team of that era, Green Bay Packers, (ironic the Pack is back.) the coach still realized it all went back to the basics.

 

Even more so Jesus was always taking His team of rag-tag disciples back to the basics; helping them keep their focus on the goal line the prize. That is what this series is all about. Taking the Mission and focus of Jesus and makiing sure we are aligned with it. I'm telling you I am so stoked for this weekend and this month, I wish it were here right now. And the year 2012. Strap on your seatbelt, it's going to be a wild ride. In a good sense!

 

I want to close with something I shared with our Pastor's Prayer Partners yesterday in their weekely email. (BTW, if you are not part of our Prayer Team at Oasis, you can email me at guym@visitoasis.org and I'll share with you how you can join this powerful ministry.) The last four January's I had to come back from Christmas and realize we had to cut budgtets, cut staff, lay off employees and cut ministries due to the recession and how it was affecting Oasis Church. I am so excited to share with you this 5th January I do not have to do this. God has blessed us so much the last 5 months that we are not making cuts this winter and we are actually planning to begin to do some ministry we have not been able to do in recent years. So let me share some things we have to be thankful for during Christmas.

 

Will you join me today in thanking God for His blessings and the answered prayers?

*  We don't have the counts yet, but I am sure we had in excess of 40,000 guests to our light display and other Christmas events during December. We might have even had more. This is with losing 3 nights to rain when the lights had to be shut down. This has been an amazing month!

 

* I am thanking God for the 100's who came out to volunteer for Christmas at the Oasis this year.  While you can always use more and there are still many who missed the opportunity to serve others, we had more volunteers this year than I have ever seen. The way our teens came out multiple nights blew me away. Our Community Groups came out. Our Women's Ministry and every other ministry in the church did an incredible job. Thank God for all our volunteers!

 

* Thank God with me for the key Staff Leaders who led us this year and have been working all year to prepare for December. They have been awesome. “Pastor Christmas” - James Brown, Coordinators Luann Willix, Garfield Lowe, and Nativity Display Director, Debby Brown -- Thanks to you guys for leading all of us in a great Christmas!

 

* I am thankful that not one injury or electric shock took place during the set-up or the display. As Pastor, this is always a major concern of mine, and I praise God that no one was hurt!

 

* I thank God for those who served and blessed the 2 homeless families we housed during December.

* I am thankful to God for all those who generously gave the 800 “Operation Christmas Child” boxes to Haitian children and who gave toys to Sheridan House single parents…and on and on it goes. For Collide young adults who raised funds for a well in Africa. For our teens who ministered to the homeless in Miami and to His House ministries.

 

* While we don't yet know what our final Christmas Offering was, I know our offerings have been great in December; and we not only met our regular ministry budget but exceeded it because of the giving of our Oasis Families. I thank God He led us to give 1/2 of our Christmas offering away this Christmas. Can’t wait to begin to do that! I also am grateful that for the first time in five years, during our first four months of the new ministry Budget year which began September 1, we have actually received more in offerings than our budget. This is going to allow us to do even more ministry as we move into 2012. While the recession has not ended and we still have many hurting people, I think in spite of it, His people have been generous and obedient anyway. I thank God for this. Last week I heard our Online Giving for the final week of the year actually exceeded our giving during the services. It was amazing. That means even when people aren't here they are remembering their obedience in giving back to God. God is good!

 

P.S. You can continue to give online right here 24/7, and if you still want to give toward our Christmas Outreach offering or Bike For Haiti, you can do that online also.

P.S. 2 We have Christmas Take down this Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Would you join myself and our staff in taking down lights and displays this Saturday morning? If you can't stay the whole time then it's fine to come as long as you can. If you need more info about the Linwood Ross Memorial service this Saturday you can go here to our Oasis Church Facebook page and get the information.

 

I love you guys and can't wait to see you this weekend. Remember no matter who you are, "All are Welcome Here".

 

Guy Melton

Sr./Founding Pastor

Oasis Church 

 

BIG Announcement Saturday Night Live online

Dear Extended Oasis Family; (this is the weekly email sent to our local family. There is an important announcement at the bottom you might be interested. Merry Christmas) I HAVE A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT TO TELL YOU ABOUT WHICH I’LL BE BRINGING LIVE THROUGH OUR INTERNET CAMPUS ON SATURDAY NIGHT. I’LL SHARE IT DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.   Whoaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Is Christmas really just 10 days away? How could this be? Unbelievable! But true. I’m sure by now if you were here last weekend and heard the message you are prepared and have planned ahead! Right! Ok, if not, there is always next year. Remember in our Series, from Week #1 "We are Rich" Yes we are. Week #2- Preparation and Planning is important. (Check both out on our Video Podcast at www.visitoasis.org)  Week #3 in our "One for the Books" Series will be another practical yet powerful truth from the Word about how to make this the Best Christmas Ever. A record Breaking Christmas! Not much time to make it that. See you this weekend. 6 live opportunities: 4 at our Pines Campus, and 2 on our Live International Internet Campus @ Visitoasis.org   "Christmas at the Oasis" has been incredible the first 2 weeks. The best is yet to come though. Even though our "Guinness World Record Nativity Display" is put away for another year we have sooooooooo much more to bring your friends to for the next 3 weeks. This weekend, Friday - Sunday, is the last weekend of the Live Nativity with the live animals and the drama by our Surge/Youth. Lights are on 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. every night. Ice Skating Rink is open every night through Christmas beginning Friday night. Don't miss out on the opportunity to skate on a 22nd Century Ice Rink and Snow every night. Thanks to all the volunteers and for those who brought your nativities again this year. I know it’s a lot of work, but so worth it when THOUSANDS GET TO SEE THEM and experience Live Music while reliving the Christmas Story.   Start inviting your friends and Family to our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. We have 7 to choose from Next Weekend. Christmas Eve Candlelight Services are at 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 11 p.m. Christmas Morning 10:30 a.m. and Noon. (We will not have a 9 a.m. service Christmas day or New Years day).  For those traveling, there will be two Christmas Morning services with our Live International Internet Service 10:30 a.m. and Noon. (All services are identical. More details in your bulletin this Weekend)   Christmas outreach and Mission Offering has three more weeks to raise our goal of $100,000. (Over and above our Tithes and regular offerings.)  This year 50%, 1/2 of the offering is going to our Missions Partners here locally and internationally. I am praying each one of us will give the Largest Gift this Christmas to the Lords work. I can’t think of a better place than Oasis Church. You know us, you know our ministry and you know how hard we work at being good stewards at spending the Lord’s monies given by you and me. You can go on now and give your Christmas offering here. You can also use the special Christmas Offering envelope you have been given and will receive this weekend at church again. You can add it to your regular envelope with your tithe and mark "Christmas” on the other line.  Your gift each Christmas is what allows Oasis Church to touch 50,000 people in our Community. I don’t know of any church in our South Florida area that touches so many in such a personal way right on our property. It’s amazing. It’s all because of your giving. If you want to give some each week, you can break up your Christmas Giving through December 31st.   NOW FOR THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7:07 P.M. I WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE DATES OF OUR ISRAEL 2012 TRIP.  For those who WATCH live you will have a chance to Register Early and save $50.00 and to find out how you can get an application this weekend. We only have 50 limited Applications for this weekend. The first ones that pick them up and register have the best chance of getting the Early bird discount. But you have to be Listening Live!  I will be making the Announcement LIVE on our internet Campus at www.visitoasis.org, just click it on and go to WATCH NOW! You can remain anonymous or you can get on the chat and ask questions and ill try to answer them live right then and there. If I can't answer them, I'll get back to you. 7:07 P.M., this Saturday Night. All details, Dates and Cost will be given in this LIVE Broadcast I am doing following our Saturday night 6 p.m. service.  Space is limited since we can only reserve so many airline seats and hotel rooms. What a great Christmas gift. Tell Santa that is what you want for Christmas. Or tell the IRS man to rush your tax refund this Winter so you can go on this Trip of a Lifetime. And if you ask anyone who went last year they will tell you it will change your life.   P.S. Just a reminder if you have not given the Lord His Tithes and your offerings this week you can go online right now or 24/7 and do it. Do it NOW! God bless you and thanks to the hundreds of you who give to the Lords work here at Oasis. I am so grateful to be your pastor and have the honor of pastoring a generous people.   Guy Melton Senior / Founding Pastor Oasis Church of South Florida

"Occupy Pembroke Pines " Rallies this Saturday and Sunday

 

Dear Oasis Extended Family; I want to invite you to join me for the "Occupy Pembroke Pines" Rally this weekend. We will gather at the corner of S.W.14th Street and Flamingo Road. There will be 4 different Rallies so pick your time! Saturday 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and noon. Our purpose is to disrupt traffic, jam parking lots and spill out into the streets. We want to create some havoc and let Pembroke Pines and Miramar know we are fed up with the status quo and we as the 1% are coming after the rest of you 99%. This could get ugly! (Our Oasis Family makes up about 1% of Pembroke Pines and Miramar; there is lots of territory to take!) Ok, so this is a little confusing, but honestly this is what Jesus told His disciples to do. "Occupy till I come" In Luke 19:13 we find in the Parable Jesus sharing this very principle through the land owner in the story. Later He told His disciples to Occupy, to GO, Go everywhere and be Radical, tell my Radical story. Disrupt the status quo. This is still our mission. There is no better time of year to Occupy the corner of 14th Street and Flamingo Road than Christmas. Christmas is in full gear even though not a light is lit yet. Please make sure you are "Occupying” these various opportunities to not hurt, burn down, or defame others but to bless them, to give to them and to share the Love of Christ with those in So Broward and North Dade. Check out all the ways below we can Bless our Community this Christmas Season. *Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes. Congrats to Kids World for leading the effort to give 700 + Haitian Children a Christmas gift this year. You guys are awesome. The stories I am hearing are killers. Love them. Keep sharing them. And Kudos to our Teens in Surge who on the spur of the moment last Friday night at their meeting took another 40 Boxes to fill. You guys Rock!   *Hundreds of Spots are open to Occupy various parts of our Property during December and our Christmas Light Display, Live Nativity and World Record Nativity Display.  Just as it takes hundreds to block and disrupt the streets of New York City, it takes hundreds of us as Oasisers to fill all the areas where we will bless up to 50,000 people during December.  Please Sign Up, fill out the volunteer insert.  Pick one up at the service (Occupy Rally) this weekend.   *Bring your Nativities! Once again it will take us all if we are going to Jam and take over the entire Oasis Auditorium and surrounding rooms with Nativities this Christmas. Someone asked me this week if we were going for the Record again this Year! I say, are you kidding me?  NO!  We have the Record! It’s someone else’s role to break our record. But we want to have hundreds, actually several thousand again. We can’t do it without YOU! Whether you can bring one or 100, please pull them out of the attic. It’s time anyway. You are getting ready for Thanksgiving, and that means you are pulling down the Christmas too. So put them by the door and this weekend we will tell you when and where to bring them.     *Christmas Worknights are now Monday - Thursday, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. We are in a sprint to have everything ready for Light up Friday Night, December 2. You guys are doing great. We need more of you each night to Occupy this property and jam it full of lights and displays. No experience necessary. Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. you can come down to work also. Our Lay Pastors came out as a group last Saturday to hang lights.  These guys are incredible. Thanks guys!   *Sponsor a Display for Christmas at the Oasis! Brochures are still available at the Information desk or online here! This along with our Annual Christmas offering is the only way we are able to offer this "World Record” Winning display to up to 50,000 people each year. For as little as $350, you and your family or your business, civic group can sponsor a display . Check it out now and please consider sponsoring one this week. You have until December 31, to make the donation.      *"Stories - Everyone Has one"!  If you are able to attend just one week in November, this weekend better be it. The story you will hear will rock you and you will be moved. I am not exaggerating! You need to hear this. It is powerful. Just wait and see. Praying God does some incredible work through Kai's Story this weekend. Don’t miss it!     *That’s it for now. So much more but got to let you go! See you at "Occupy 14th Street" this weekend.   If you can’t make it to the Rally in person, join us on the web at our International Internet Campus live services at 10:30 and Noon. Invite someone to join you! Maybe a friend or family member from another country. Love to hear stories of those joining us from around the world. And here at home too!   See you this weekend!   Love you guys,   Guy Melton Pastor Oasis Church

Breaking news from Oasis, Grandma got run over.........

Dear Extended Oasis Family,

 (This is our latest Email to our local Oasis Family. I know we have hundreds of friends , family and former Oasis Families scattered around the US and around the world and wanted to give you our latest updates with all that is  going on around Oasis Church during this incredible time of Year) 

Yes, its time for "Thistle Hair the Christmas Bear" and "Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer" again. Two of my all time favorite Christmas songs. Actually I love all Christmas songs. Actually I love All Things Christmas! Actually I love Christmas at the Oasis the Most though!  Christmas is in the air. It was actually a little "Nippy" today and we are seeing Christmas all around us. Not just at the stores. Tonia actually told me that our downtown Hollywood actually had their poles lit already, wow, they even beat Oasis Church!

 

As we prepare for Christmas I want to share some things happening around Oasis Church. This is the time when the activity really Ramps up. So mark these things down. Put them in your smart phone calendar, set the alarm/alert so you don't forget all the opportunities this season. What I love about Christmas at the Oasis is that it is mostly about giving. Giving of ourselves, giving of our resources and giving love to our community. After all Christmas is about Giving. God gave His Son, Jesus Gave up Heaven and so on and so on. So now we have a chance to give.

 

This is your last weekend to turn-in your boxes for OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD.

 

Women's Ministry is leading the way in Giving: This week is the last weekend to bring food for the Sheridan House Thanksgiving Baskets for Single moms. Anyone can bring food and drop it off in the lobby in the "grocery basket".

  

Our Women's Ministry is also gearing up for our Homeless week during December 12 - 17 when families who are homeless are housed in our church, fed and loved on all week. If you want to be a part of that week email Debby Brown debbyb@visitoasis.org  or Sophia Kennedy sophiak@bellsouth.net

 

Guinness Book of World Records presents the Worlds Largest Nativity Display here at Oasis Church. Just in case you haven't heard we broke the "Guinness World Record" for displaying 2,150 Nativities last year. This is still surreal to me. What an accomplishment, Debby Brown and all of you who loaned your nativities had in this. This year we are celebrating that Record by once again displaying hundreds of our displays. Don't miss the "PLAQUE" that we now have displayed in the Lobby with our World Record.  Now lets all bring our Nativities back this year. We need everyone to participate.  You can begin dropping off your nativities November 29 – December 1 anytime from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. in the auditorium.  All the details will be in the bulletin this weekend.

 

Hundreds of Opportunities are available to be a part of the Largest Christmas display in South Florida. Don't miss the opportunity to sign up for many things this Christmas. From hosting during the Nativity display, homeless week, parking lot during the light display , setting up displays, stringing lights, and tons of other things. You will have an insert with all the details and opportunities this weekend at all services.

 

Sponsorships Available for Christmas at the Oasis.  This might be one of the most critical parts of this email this week. We can’t do Christmas at the Oasis without having folks like you and me who sponsor this month long outreach of love to our community. We have sponsorships available from $350 - $5,000. For as little as $350 you can sponsor a small light display. It cost up to $50,000 each year to present this incredible ministry which is only about $1.00 a person when you consider we have between 45,000-50,000 people come through. That doesn't include thousands who drive by and see the lights but don't drive through. It is an amazing opportunity to be a Part of Something huge. Please pick up the sponsorship form this weekend at the info booth in the lobby and turn it in. It can be donated anytime between now and December 31st. But we need the form now so we know how many sponsors to count on. Please consider being a Sponsor this year. This is a very worthy cause.

 

Christmas Work Nights, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Morning Workdays are going on every week through the end of December.Pastor Christmas, James Brown, his chief Elves Luann Willix and Garfield Lowe are here virtually every night. But the Tuesday and Thursday nights are crucial to finishing up all the preparation. This past week they had 20 people out working on Tuesday, that is awesome. But we can use more. Consider coming out anytime between 6:00-10:00 pm to help out. No experience needed. Food provided. Can’t beat that deal. 

 

"Everyone has a Story", What's Yours? continues this weekend. Last weekend kicked off with Ken McCord. Wow, we had tons of comments about how much God used Ken’s Story to challenge each of us. This weekend I will be introducing you to two more incredible people with stories that will Rock You! They are that awesome. But people just like you and I. Don't miss this weekend. I want to ask some of you Sunday morning types to join me on Saturday night this week. Saturday is growing and really is buzzing. Come try it out. Every person who attends Saturday night is actually opening up a seat on Sunday morning for a new guest. You open a seat in Kids World and you free up a parking space in our parking lot for new folks to attend. Many of the new attenders will find Christ and have their lives changed forever. Try out this Saturday night 6:00 PM. Ill see you there    

 

While there is so much more I want to share with you I am already maxed out in words. What's new? See you this weekend.

 

 

P.S. Don't forget to "Test God" this week by bringing His Tithes and your offerings to church as we worship Him in giving back what He has blessed us with. You can even go online nowand give and do it 24/7. It’s easy and fast. Try it. Oh, and its safe and secure giving by doing it online. It’s been incredible to hear the stories of those who for the first time are tithing. Check out this story on our Oasis Church of South Florida Facebook page of what God did in this person’s life. Powerful.

 

  

Guy Melton

Pastor

Oasis Church

 

http://www.BikeForHaiti.com

http://www.guymelton.com

http://www.visitoasis.org

 

Weekly Oasis Pastors Update..............March 18, 2011

 

I hope your having a great week. Lots to share with our extended Oasis Family this week. I hope you will check out my email below. Thanks for being either a friend of Oasis Church or for being a part of Oasis as an extended member. What does that mean? You might be part of our International Internet Campus, you could be someone who moved away but still considers Oasis to be your home while still making your local church where you live your present Church home. You might even be a family member or friend who have adopted us like so many I know. In any case I am glad to have you as part of our Oasis Church family. I know many who pray for us, encourgage us, send guest our way and even give toward the ministry here in South Florida. Im grateful to you . God bless you and enjoy all God has been doing here, below.  

Dear Guy, My question all week has been "Where are YOUUUUUUUU???????" I know many of you are out of town this week with your family for Spring Break. I'm so glad you could get away. You deserve it and your family needs it. I am a little jealous since I'm working all week, but I'll have my chance coming up. ;) Have a safe, happy time.   Now for those of us who are still here. Even though there were many out for Spring break last weekend, not to mention Time Change, we still had a great weekend. I am just amazed how God works and how He is always working. James and Debby did a great job of bringing The Story of the Judges in one of the more unique ways I've ever seen it done. If you missed it, I'll just say you need to go to the Podcast and watch it.      This weekend will be another adventure in "The Story". This week we will be having a Panel and it will not be anything normal! But it will be good I promise you this. Make sure you read the short passage in the Story this week before Sunday. It's only four Chapters, Ruth 1-4. In The Story it is Chapter 9, page 99. This is one of my favorite passages. Don't miss it.  Don't forget on our Web site, visitioasis.org there are notes and discussion questions you can do each week to correspond to the message on Sundays. This is a great way to go deeper.   Last Sunday I was blown away with your response to our Bike Ride. Over 100 families pledged to be part of our Bike for Haiti, and the $55,000 goal of delivering food, medicine and education to the children and families of Haiti. (This will be done directly through our partners there. No middle man or government to get in the way and waste it). I can't wait to share what the initial pledges are this Sunday. If you missed this past Sunday or did not turn in your Pledge card, please make sure you go online now, click here and fill it out or make sure you fill one out this weekend. I don't want a single person or family to miss out on being part of the incredible blessing we are going to be to hundreds of Haitians. You can be a part of something huge, even if you can only give a little. Don't miss the blessing of what Jesus calls the most important ministry you can have - to the poor and orphaned. (You can go now and fill out the pledge card and send it back to me at guym@visitoasis.org. I would love to hear from you). To find out more about our Bike for Haiti mission, you can go to www.bikeforhaiti.com and even share it with your friends. You can give either on this site or our regular giving page at visitoasis.org now through December 31st. But please pledge something. It will be a great eternal investment.   We also announced three Missions trips to Haiti this summer beginning with a Medical Missions trip on May 27-30, Memorial Day weekend. I hope some of our medical personnel will sign up. More details in the bulletin this weekend, or you can contact our Nurses leading the group at: Amina Dubuisson (adubuisson@netzero.net / 305-389-9485) or Elsie Justilien (ejust@bellsouth.net / 305-333-9567). The other two will be at the end of July. You will hear more in the next couple weeks about those trips. Come join us in Haiti this summer. It will be life changing.   In just 2 weeks we will have another "Discover Oasis" Class for those who would like to know more about our church and how to join if you desire to. It does not commit you to membership but gives you the path to take. It also gives you our history, beliefs, ministries and an overall view of who Oasis Church is. Myself and our pastoral team lead this complimentary luncheon and meeting. It begins following our noon service, April 3, at 1:30 p.m. and goes until just after 3 p.m. The additional few hours will be well worth it and a free meal. So if you have never attended Discover Oasis whether you have been here for 2 weeks or 10 years, mark your card this weekend, or go online now and sign up (go to visitoasis.org and click on "event sign-up").   Don't forget Kona Cafe is always open before and after each weekend service. Our teens run it and any extra tips and proceeds go to helping them go to camp and on missions trips. So when you purchase a drink or snack, give them a good tip! It's more than a tip, it's an investment in a teenager's life. You will always be able to visit our Oasis Small Groups Resource Center when visiting Kona also. It is manned each service by our Community groups. Drop by and ask questions and find out how you can join one today. Every believer MUST be in Community. If you're not in one WHY aren't YOU?   Did you know Christmas is just around the corner? Yes, I said Christmas. Well, here at Oasis it is always just around the corner. Our leaders are starting early this year. There are people already coming on Tuesday and Thursday nights fixing and stringing new lights. This is the Biggest Outreach of our year. It's not just lights. When you come and give your time, it's actually doing evangelism! Come any Tuesday or Thursday night to the Surge building on the east end of the property from 6 - 10 p.m. Come as long as you are able. Come anytime during that time frame. Come one night or both.    Now for a few more things to check out:   On my blog this week I have a word about Prayer you might want to check out. I also give some behind the scenes information and answer questions I get the most about our Haiti Bike Ride.  Meet our new Church Council and find out one of the things that makes Oasis Church so Special. This is worth the read I promise. Don't miss it.  Have you been to our Oasis Facebook Page lately? If not check it out. You don't have to be a FB member to visit our page. All the latest happenings and updates are there. it changes daily. If you aren't our Friend then just click the tab and become our friend. I'ts easy and quick. Have you given the Lord His tithes and your offerings this week yet? If not go ONLINE NOW and give! I heard someone say this week, if you think your tithe check you're writing is too big, then ask God to reduce your Income! I thought that is sooooooo true. The reason we might need to give is because God has given us so much! Amen! Don't forget to invite your family and friends to join us for worship this week. If in town, invite them to a great hour of Worship, Saturday at 6 p.m. or Sunday at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. If they aren't in town, invite them to join us online for our International Internet Service at 10:30 a.m. and noon at visitoasis.org. Ok, enough for this week. If you're in town this weekend, I can't wait to see you . I have a BIG announcement to make about our initial Pledge totals for Haiti!!!   Guy Melton Pastor Oasis Church http://www.guymelton.com http://www.visitoasis.org

Welcome 2011...........

 
This morning ushered in another new year. As I sit in front of a fire in one of my fav places , Gatlinburg , TN I have been reflective and sobered by all God has blessed me with this past year. Its been a great 2010, with many victories and Blessings, but also a challenging year. I'm not sure as we grow older there is ever a year that is without challenges and disappointments. That is life. I am blessed to have far more ups than downs. But today I just want to begin to look ahead. I have no idea if Ill be here for January 1, 2012. None of us do. Reality is if I am the things I'm thinking will take place now and the plans I have today wont necessarily turn out just the way I planned. I will have many surprises as you will and some will be pleasant and some will be sad. But through it all I plan on taking on 2011 with everything I have and asking God to be honored in my life and to let me make an impact in others lives for HIM.

This might be one of the most eventful years of my life. I am not ready to share all my plans and things that will unfold but I am ready to begin to unfold them and peek inside the coming year. Then Ill head out for a day with my family as our vacation in the Mountains winds down and the realities of 2011 kick in at warp speed.

* The year begins with a sobering and honest look at our Oasis Church ministries and how we will sharpen and refocus our vision and mission. It will include making some big decisions with our church council in the next couple weeks. The realities of the now almost 4 year recession in South Florida has caused us to stay on top of finances and make sure the financial recession does not keep us from Accomplishing what God has led us to do.  Some deep cuts are coming this year , but I also plan this year at the Oasis to be one of the greatest yet. You don't have to have lots of money and resources to do a work for God. Christmas at the Oasis this year  the new mission in North Miami and internet campus along with a strong launch of many small groups prove this.

*Oasis will read through the Bible this year and all small groups, ministries and messages will all be themed around our reading that week. Its going to be a breakthrough year spiritually for hundreds at the Oasis.

* 3 of our Pastors will take a well earned Sabbatical this year. Our council approved this 5 years ago following my Sabbatical. This is going to not only renew our pastors but will allow them to be greater leaders and servants to Oasis Church. If more churches unselfishly did this for their pastors, there would not be the burn out, sexual immorality and pastoral turnover we see in many churches.  Pat Roberts will take his this spring. Ill take mine this Summer and James Brown will take his in the Fall.

 

* 30 of our Oasis Family will join Tonia and I for the first Holy Land Tour we have led in 13 years this year in Feb. This is going to be a life changing trip for many. The trip is full, but if you missed it, we hope to go again in a few years. Start saving your money. 

* I have lots of plans for my Sabbatical this summer. Some will be announced shortly which I am very excited but also will be challenged like never before. Look forward to announcing a BIG decision happening during my Sabbatical in the next month .

* Oasis Church will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in September of 2011. Hard to believe with 11 core group we launched on Sunday , September 15, 1991 and now we are 20 years old.

Just a few thoughts on the New Year ahead. But in reality, God is in Control and only He knows what will really take place in 2011. Happy New Year and may God be more in control of your life and your life be God blessed like never before this coming year, as you grow and trust in HIM.
 
 
 

This week the Sun-Sentinel had a column about the Nativity Display at Oasis Church. This was not a report but opinion piece. Ironically our Nativity Display and Light Display started 15 years ago as a result of the Pembroke Lakes Mall Banning the Nativity Display . I was also part of the City of Hollywood many years ago putting the Nativity in City Hall. :Done by the way with Private monies. Interesting thoughts all these years later. 

 

Holiday displays: Better at church than city hall

• Antonio Fins
• 

Kudos to the Oasis Church in Pembroke Pines for its effort to break a record, and in the process again demonstrate why the private sector knows best.

Last week, the nondenominational church in Southwest Broward set out to set a world's record for the biggest collection of nativity scenes, with 2,150 of them.

I'm making a big deal out of this because I want to stress the positive in another holiday season that was momentarily disrupted by rancor over decorative displays.

Earlier this month, for example, the Catholic League in New York took issue with Boca Raton over its holiday decorations.

Continued Here

Oasis Weekly Email, December 24, 2010.............

Dear Extended Oasis Family; Well, it's almost here!! Yes, just a day or so away and it's Christmas. I don't even pretend to be ready. Not even close. If you are then, Congrats! You are my hero. Enjoy. If you're like me, you still have gifts to finish, details to get done and business to do! The great thing about Oasis Church that I love is we do Christmas the whole month, and so we really get to celebrate this season every night if we choose. I love all of you who have volunteered to make Christmas at the Oasis the best it has ever been. I'm not just saying that, it has been phenomenal. Maybe it's just being off last year that made us that much more prepared and excited, I don't know, but I have never been prouder of our Oasis Family. We have even had our Hollywood and NoMi Campuses have folks come out and host and work during the Pines display. That has really been a blessing to me. Remember the Lights and Christmas Village where it snows every night and Skating every night is on through January 1st. Make sure you bring family and friends out. This is the easiest you will ever have it to invite your friends to check out your church. The neat thing for me is every night I'm out here on the campus, I meet families who introduce me to either their family or friends. That is what really gets me jazzed! Ok, i know that word is Old School but hey! Speaking of Christmas! Nothing symbolizes the coming of the Savior and the real meaning of Christmas than our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight services at Oasis. If you are not ready for Christmas and you're having a hard time really focusing, this is a must tomorrow night. We have 3 at the Pines campus, at 6, 8 and 11 p.m. We have a 7 p.m. service at our Hollywood and North Miami Campus. All candlelight services on Christmas Eve will be an hour or less, but a great time to sing the traditional Christmas carols and a short message reminding us to Celebrate the Reason we have Christmas. I hope to see you at one of the 5 services Friday night!   There are a number of changes to our normal service schedule during the next two weeks of the Holidays. You will especially want to go to our web site and check out the schedule changes. Especially to our "Oasis After Hours" Services. This coming Sunday, the day after Christmas, all campuses will have regular services. We will complete our "Christmas around the World" series with a special message challenging all of us as we move into 2011. I hope you will be here Sunday. At our NoMi and Hollywood Campuses the service times are as usual. At Pines we will not have our 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. services. We want to give our families, volunteers and worship teams a little extra time on Sunday morning. WE WILL HAVE OUR 10:30 a.m. AND 12 NOON SERVICES. WE WILL ALSO HAVE OUR LIVE INTERNET SERVICE AT 10:30 a.m. AND NOON (EST) FOR THOSE TRAVELING. Next week January 2nd, all the services will be back to normal on Sunday morning at Pines.   May I ask you if you have not yet given to our Christmas offering this year, would you do so this week or next? We are still far away from meeting the needs of our Christmas display and the cost of it. You can go online and give, or put it in an envelope you received in the mail a couple weeks ago, or mark your envelope on the "other" line for Christmas. If you have not yet given the Lord's Tithes and Offerings this week you can also do so online, 24/7. Our ministry doesn't take a vacation during the holidays and as you know we ramp up in December, so it's more important than ever for our Oasis Family to continue your faithful giving at this time of year. Thanks to those who have already given and give so faithfully weekly. God bless each of you.      P.S. If you plan to give a year end gift to Oasis Church it is important that it is given prior to January 1st. The government does not allow us to record any gift for 2010 that is not given or postmarked no later than December 31st.  You can even give online until 11:59 p.m. Friday night December 31st.   Guy Melton Pastor Oasis Church

We are officially the World Record Holder.....................

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. 

 

 

Breaking News, Live Coverage tonight on WPLG, Channel 10........

We got word today from WPLG, Channel 10 here in South Florida that they will do a live cast story tonight from our Pembroke Pines, Oasis Campus. Come check it out, or watch between 6-630. Might be on the 11 pm news as a story tonight. Yesterdays Blog post gave all the details of the Record attempt.

We also have confirmed the Miami Herald will be out to do a story on our "Guinness World Book of World" for the Largest Nativity Display, on Saturday during the counting process. The record is presently 1,802. The most we have ever displayed is 750.  They will join WHIM, 1080 Radio who will be out Saturday night also.

Praying we hit 1,803 ! If not , hey there is always next Year!!

You can watch Channel 10 live on the internet tonight if you are an Oasis Extended Family outside of South Florida.

Announcement of the World Record attempt outcome Saturday night at the end of our 6pm Worship Service.