GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

Man Up Warrior......... Weekly Pastor's Email

Dear Extended Oasis Family;   Easter! Another one has come and gone and how quickly each year seems to go these days. Each Easter is very special, but this year Easter at Oasis Church seemed to take on a much deeper and profound meaning. It will be one of the Easters in the years to come that stands out to me. Let me share some of my thoughts on Easter. I think you will be pretty excited too!    This year our church made 2,500 phone calls to those on our attendance roll. We sent hundreds of post cards and gave out hundreds of Easter Invites. I am assuming hundreds of us Prayed over this past week.  (Check out this excerpt from a note I received this week from Luann Willix and this is just one of the same type of notes and thoughts like this shared with me this week. "I just wanted to let you know that I think the Easter phone blitz was a huge success.  As I was running around Saturday,  I had several people tell me they were there because of the phone call. Then again Sunday almost everyone that came to the welcome center said they were there because of the phone call. I also wanted to tell you what a great idea the beach baptism was. It was a great end to a wonderful weekend I was so excited because one of our community service workers accepted Christ and was baptized. God is Good! ")   Now for those of you who made phone calls, now you know it was worth it. Did you catch her mentioning one of our community service workers becoming a Christian and being baptized? This is a ministry my son started many years ago and it’s amazing how God has used it. For those of you who tithe and give at Oasis, now you see first hand where God is using your gifts. There is no doubt all of these things, and many more, contributed to such a great Easter. Not only did we have 1,000 of our people attend the 3 nights prior to Easter in order to make room for those visiting on Easter Morning, but all 3 Easter Morning services were full. Not just full, but the last two saw not only our Community Café and Auditorium full…but the Lobby filled with chairs and people who did not find a seat inside. (Thanks for moving to another service last week for those who did. You allowed us to seat everyone Sunday.) I could go on and on about this past Easter but I must say the thing that really put the cherry on top of the day was our Beach Baptism and Concert. We baptized more on Easter Sunday this year than we did the entire year last year. We have a lot to thank God about. BTW, many of you did not attend Sunday morning for Easter but we had more than 20 people come to Christ in our last two services. To see them coming down the aisle, many in tears, was a sight that I can’t get out of my mind. I want to thank all of you who prayed and continue to pray for Oasis Church. I also want to thank God for all of those who served in so many ways and continue to GIVE. It was just an amazing weekend.   This weekend begins a new Series, "Man Up”.  This men’s series is the first one we have done in years but it will be memorable. We aren't going to be bashing you guys. Don’t worry. But we are going to challenge us all to be the Warriors, the Leaders that God has created us to be. Women don’t worry there is going to be plenty in this series you will enjoy and be able to use. You will better be able to love your man when you see how God has created him to be unique and fulfill the role he is made for.  Don’t miss this week.    There is just TOO MUCH going on to be able to share it all here, but let me just list these items and you can check them out in the bulletin this weekend or go online and read more.    *Smiles for Haiti:  Sunday morning, April 22 from 9 am – 1:30 pm in the lobby we will be taking family portraits to help raise money for our SURGE mission trip to Haiti.  They are asking a suggested donation of $10 for the portraits.   BTW, Tonia and I will be going on this trip with our teens and medical team. If you want to join us, then mark your connection card "Haiti Mission Trip". We will contact you.   *“Helping Handbags” Mission for Haiti:  The Oasis Women’s Ministry is hosting a “Handbag” sale on Friday, April 27 (7pm-10pm at the Movie Night) and Saturday, April 28 (9am - Noon).  These are gently used designer handbags at affordable prices.  All proceeds go toward our missionary efforts in Haiti.     * Women’s Ministry presents:  “Movie Night with Girlfriends” April 27, Friday 7 pm – 10 pm Tickets are $5 and can be purchased either on-line or at the Information Center at all services.  Childcare is available upon registration.   *Porn and Pancakes Saturday, April 28th, 9 – 11 am, Cost $10.  Tickets are available on-line or at the Information Center.  This will be a morning filled with straight talk about porn and the issues surrounding porn.    *Chick-fil-a Leadercast is a day of inspiration, learning, connection and more.  Oasis Church will be hosting this one-day leadership event.  Friday, May 4th, 8am-4:30pm, the cost is $75 and you can register on-line atwww.visitoasis.org.    Can’t wait to see you guys this weekend, I love Oasis Church and "U" are Oasis!  I love you.   Guy Melton Senior/Founding Pastor   P.S. Thanks to all of you who tithe and give the Lord your offerings each week. Last week was one of the largest offerings in the past year. We continue to meet our new lean , mean ministry budget. If you haven’t given yet this week you can do it now ONLINE! P.S.S.  For those of you who missed Easter Sunday Service, you can go on-line and catch the last sermon series of“Worst Week”.

 

Free T's & the Elephant in the Room

Lots of info to share this week so I am posting my weekly email to our local Oasis Family for all those who follow Oasis as Friends or part of our Church family extended. Hope you have a great weekend. If you are local please join us. If you are out of town just a reminder we have two live "International Internet Services" each Sunday at 1-:30 and Noon (EST) .

Guy

Dear Extended Oasis Family   P.S. First today. WE WILL NOT BE GOING BACK TO ISRAEL IN 2013. READ THE DETAILS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS EMAIL. Now for the rest of my letter to you.   Hope you're having a great Thursday. I can't wait to see you this weekend at one of our 4 live services or one of our internet campus services if you are traveling or sick. This is going to be a great week. I am anticipating some BIG things happening. Pray that God will do something really BIG at Oasis this weekend. I think He is going to. Pray that He rocks some lives of our attenders and changes some of them dramatically. Pray He changes each of us matter of fact. We want Him to, right?    This weekend we are actually going to be giving away 5 Free Oasis T-Shirts in each service. There is a catch though. Five lucky Oasis'ers will get a FREE, yes, Free Tee in all 4 services. But the Catch is you have to be early. Just prior to each service we will be giving them away to those already in their seats. So see ya early this weekend. You really DON'T want to miss a single minute of this Service.     We wil conclude our "2012 - The Event" sermon series this weekend with a final look at Revelation and the End Times. Hey guess what? We WIN!!! Well sort of. Find out who the losers and who the winners are this week as we conclude this way too short Series on the end times. Bring a friend. They really, really need to hear this one. (If you missed any of these messages you really need to go here now and watch the video podcast.)     What in the world do Haiti, Isaiah 58 and Quilting have to do with anything? How are they connected? Seems strange to hear about a Quilting exhibit at Oasis Church. Just doesn't seem to fit does it? Well, maybe it does. For years some of our women who enjoy Quilting or wanted to learn have Quilted on Tuesday. It's not just a gossip session that some might suspect. No, it's an actual Missions group. They have given away scores of handmade Quilts to families as a ministry not only here in the USA but in other countries. Three Years ago they held an auction of their Quilts and raised about $4,000 to put a well in a village in Africa. How cool is that?    Here is how it works. Our women spend up to 150 hours hand making a beautiful Quilt. You come this weekend, look them over, make a Bid and the highest bidder for each Quilt gets a beautiful Quilt and all the Money goes to our Haiti Missions. Specifically it will be used with our group who is going in March to Haiti to work with viillages that are poor and totally forgotten by most. So come this weekend ready to do Missions. Donate for not a Quilt but to save a child's life and to give a child a chance at education or literally feed a starving person in Haiti. This past week one of our partners told me they are literally having a famine in two villages where they have a church. We are going there in March.   I have been reading and meditating this week on Isaiah 58. In verses 6-9 it actually tells us that God made a promise to His people. He said if you take care of the poor and feed the hungry I will answer your prayers. This is a conditional promise God made to His people. Some of us wonder why our prayers dont get answered. Maybe it is because we have neglected to give to those in need. To love those that others have forgotten. Through Oasis you are able to do this every week. Our minsitry continues to expand our reach to the poor and needy not only here but around the world and specifically closer to home in Haiti. I hope you are being a part of the incredible work that God is doing through Oasis and our ministry. If you have not yet given this week, you can do it now right here and now. Don't miss out on God's blessings and on your obedience to give back to God what is His already. I have some cool stories coming soon about giving. Can't wait to share them.   This weekend is the deadline for bringing your Hope Tote Bags back to help Broward Outreach Center minister to the homeless right in Downtown Hollywood. Bring them to the lobby. Remember the Purple Bags?  Good way to live out Isaiah 58! WE WILL NOT BE GOING BACK TO ISRAEL IN 2013. SO IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS TRIP OF A LIFETIME YOU NEED TO GET REGISTERED ASAP. We will be going back this year. Time is short. Get registered today. The dates are April 30 - May 9th. You can go here and see the brochure and copy it out and send it in. If you have questions about the trip you can also call our tour company whose phone is listed in the brochure. All the info you ever wanted about the trip is right here.   Guy   P.S. 2- The first two weeks in March we will be talking about the "Elephant in the Room".  Next week I will bring a message on Mormonism and how it stacks up with Christianity and is it true Christianity? This has been in the news a lot lately with two presidential candidates this year being Mormon and other known radio and TV personalities Mormons. So what's the truth?  The second week of March we wil look at the religion of Islam and see what Muslims truly believe and how it stacks up to Christianity! This is bound to be interesting, informational and maybe even controversial but it's the "Elephant in the Room" and everyone is afraid to talk about it. Well no more. We are talking about it in March. Be here.

 

Post Its..............

Post It!  That was our action step to the invitation during our message this past weekend.  I know most of you were there and probably posted the names of those you know who do not know Christ as their Savior and Lord.  We did not just Post the Names on the wall of our Lobby, but we committed to pray for them.  As you can see in the pictures below, our staff did just that this week following our Staff meeting.  We are committed to continue to pray for your friends, loved ones and acquaintances.  I hope you will find time when you’re at Oasis to do the same.

As an Oasis Member, I am asking you to remember these names and be praying with us each time you pass by them.  I wanted to share a few verses that clearly give us our reason and purpose to pray and to see others come to Christ.

We Pray for those needing salvation!

Romans 10:1 – “Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”

We Pray because God desires ALL to be Saved!

1 Timothy 2:1-6 – “ ¹ I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.”

We Pray because God answers the prayers of Godly people!

James 5:16 – “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

We Pray because we NEED Boldness in order to proclaim the Gospel clearly and to open doors to witness!

Ephesians 6:19-20 – “¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

Colossians 4:3 – “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

We Pray because we need Wisdom in how to share and when to share the Gospel to unbelievers!

James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

We are to Pray that the Big Harvest of Souls would have more of us Sharing and Reaping it!

Matthew 9:37-38 – “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

There are many reasons to pray for those who need Christ.  I might come back to this since there is so much more I would like to share.

My heart is so burdened that there are hundreds, literally thousands we know as an Oasis Family who need the Lord.  I am sooooooo, sooooo burdened that I am faithful and you are faithful in inviting them to Christ and in praying for them.  We don't save.  We can’t save.  But God has put us here to share.  My prayer is that the Post-It Notes won’t be the final step, but just the first step in Praying for, then sharing with our loved ones and friends the Good News of the Gospel -- Christ Crucified, Buried and Risen!   Good News.

Let’s Pray, then Share it.

Israel Tour 2012

                                       

   Check out the video I did in preparation for the trip.  

http://t.co/eg7wJKqp

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 

 

"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

Lifetime TV , Balancing Act show interviews Bike for Haiti

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

 

 

 

Is Social Media Evil? Facebook The Anit-Christ, Twitter -The Beast?

Twelve years ago around this time, I began having issues with my throat. My voice would be hoarse and almost gone every Sunday after preaching four services. We were in our little trailer building out of space and I was leading the construction of the building we are presently worshipping in at the Pines Campus. After several months and a number of tests the Dr's. diagnosed nodules on my vocal chords and said normally surgery is needed but we will first try therapy of which they did and it improved. Since that time I have had to change every aspect of my ministry. I am a people person and the more I'm hugging and being around people the more happy and energized I am. But the Dr. said you either "change your habits" or "change your career". Well I don't consider Pastoring a career, it's a call of God. So everything had to change. How many meetings I have, how many times I can speak on a weekend, (I'm speaking too much right now but will start to get back into my normal rhythm soon after our Lessons from the Road series.) I can't do counseling anymore and had to ramp back all speaking in order to protect my damaged vocal chords.
 
I remember like it was yesterday the talk the Dr. had with me. I came back to the office and wrote a letter to our then small congregation and explained I would not do all the speaking any longer and it would be a team. That is where the team speaking concept began. I also remember him mentioning a little known thing called "Email". I had it but rarely used it. He said you better replace your talking and meetings with emails. Now some 1/2 million emails later, email saved my ministry! Well, not really but it helped.

Today email is almost out of date. Social networking of all kinds is in. Smart phones that can do more than the Personal Computer could do 10 years ago are carried by most of us. Facebook, Twitter and texting has replaced letter writing, phone calls, sending cards and having meetings. Ok, maybe not totally and I hope it never will be but we must realize the world has changed and is changing everyday.

This week I shared a leadership talk with our church staff about how important it is for each of us to be on Social networks. Now to hear some speak of the different digital realities and Social networks it would sound like they are of the Devil. That is just a statement that is not true. Now are there dangers, of course, so are there in any form of communications. Can it be abused? Certainly, it can always. Check out the Bible, they had no problem sinning and getting involved with illicit affairs and they didn't even have Facebook.

What I am trying to say is let's, as believers, put safeguards in our Social networking life just like we have always in other areas of our lives. But let's leverage and use the digital age as a way to bless people, share the gospel and to share what Jesus is doing in our lives.

I challenged our staff to everyday when they are on the different social networking sites to also do a post about Oasis Church and the great stories and things going on in the life of our Great Church. Stories abound. We have one of the most diverse and exciting churches in all of America and especially in South Florida. Let's get the word out. I challenge you to begin to share your love for the Lord, and what He is doing in your life on your social networks, and share what's happening at Oasis. Link our sites, share our Oasis posts from our different pages and share the different Oasis happenings with all your friends and families. Can you imagine how many thousands can hear about what God is doing at Oasis Church if all of us would do at least one post a day on one of our Social Media sites? Try it. It is actually fun. I mean if I can talk up a Chick-Fil-A sandwich on Facebook and have people telling me they want to try the Spicy Grilled sandwich and driving across town to the CFA store that sells them, then how much more should we be sharing what God is doing in our lives and church. Try it.

Here's a few links you can add to your own sites and pages:

Oasis Church of South Florida (Facebook) Click on and Like us and be our friend. Then share us with your friends.

Guy Melton (Facebook) Come on click on my name and come along and be my friend. I'm only 7 friends away from 2,000. I would love you to be my 2,000th friend. If you are I'll send you an Oasis 20th Anniversary souvenir Mug, or T-Shirt.  (Sorry I am now over 2,000. You missed your chance!!)
 
Surge, our teen ministries (Facebook) have their own page. They share on it all the time. Keep up with what's happening. Click on and follow our teen ministry.

Collide our young adults (Facebook) have their own page. Whether you fit in their 18-30 year old age group or not, you can follow what God is doing in their lives.

The Oasis Church Web site, have you been on our Web site lately? Do you know it is updated and linked to most of our ministries on a regular basis? Every Wednesday our new Message from the week before is added to the bottom of the home page where you see the "V" for Vimeo. You can watch last week's message on Wednesday or share with a friend who might need what was delivered last week.

Our Internet Campus turns 1 year old this month. They have their own Facebook page. You can even join the live discussion each Sunday from the Facebook page during live worship from any where in the world. I did this a number of times this summer while I was on Sabbatical. It's great.

We also have a Twitter account that is updated on a regular basis. If you're in Twitter, follow us: @OasisChurchSFL.

There are so many great things we can be a part of through Oasis Church that goes so much deeper and farther than just Sunday morning. Try it out.

Easter Begins Good Friday, Pastors Weekly Email........

Below is this weeks, Pastor's Email  . It not only has all the Easter Details, but also updates on our Haiti Missions, and Bike For Haiti. Check it out. (just a reminder, our format for the letter and this blog do not fit , so sometimes something doesnt work on the link or a word is cut off the line) I wish all our Exteneded Oasis Family a Wonderful Easter. God bless you.  

Dear Guy, Easter Begins tonight at 7 p.m. I hope you and your family will try to attend one of our Nights of Easter either Tonight, Thursday, Good Friday at 7 p.m. or Easter Eve on Saturday 6 p.m. I am asking as many of our regular members and attenders to come to our 3 night services in order to make room on Easter morning for the hundreds of guests we plan on having. As you know on any given Sunday we will fill our auditorium at our 10:30 and noon service. Our kids classes sometimes have to close due to their size and our parking is full. So by asking you to come out one of the nights, this will help us not be overcrowded on Sunday. I know this might be a slight inconvenience and most of us are used to Worshiping on Easter, but truly the day we celebrate Easter is Tradition anyway and not the true day. So for a believer the importance is that we celebrate it not the day or time we celebrate it. I hope you are preparing now for this week's Easter service. Our message is going to be relevant and practical but yet tell the Resurrection story and how it actually effects us today. I hope you're inviting your friends and neighbors. Most will go somewhere to church on Easter. Why not Oasis? It's going to be a great weekend. Thanks so much for your cooperation on trying another time. BTW, our Thursday, Friday and Saturday Easter services will be identical as Sunday, except at each of the nights we will take Communion. We are not able to on Easter Sunday. So come experience this very moving time not only celebrating His resurrection but remembering His sacrifice for us. Can't wait see you at one of our 7 services this week. To prepare, read Chapter 27 in "The Story".   As you're aware, we have 3 trips planned to Haiti this summer. You can find out more about each on this week by checking out the dates and details in our Bulletin. Several months ago when I shared what God had laid on my heart to do that was a "radical" decision on my part, Biking to NYC, I also challenged each person to do something out of the box and Radical for you. I am hearing different people who are doing a variety of things to raise monies for the children and families of Haiti that we are ministering and partnering with. One such person is Chris Bucher. She came up with the idea to have a "Un-Potluck" dinner and had all types of ways she highlighted the needs and people of Haiti. Anyway, the bottom line is her community group attended along with others from a couple other community groups and they had over 50 people show up for the dinner and she raised in ONE NIGHT, one dinner, over $500 for the people of Haiti. Now this was no ordinary dinner. You really have to check out this link that tells about it and gives some amazing details. There really are no boundaries when it comes to how one can make a difference in the lives of those suffering so much in Haiti. I hope you will let Chris's story inspire you to find a way to make an impact in other's lives. It might not be Haiti, it might be local like the 2 sisters who started a homeless ministry out of their apartment last year. I attended their first anniversary dinner last week. I'll share more about that with you in the future. One of our staff pastor's is also raising money for Haiti by losing 50 lbs. More on that later too. What are you doing?   It's hard to believe, but I begin my Bike For Haiti trip next Sunday at noon between the last two services. I am excited and nervous. It's a big step for me. Three months of training is about to end and next week I'll begin to wind down my daily training rides. I feel I am ready. I need your prayers for safety throughout the month of May and however long it takes into the month of June. It is amazing how many of you have stepped up and given to bless the children of Haiti and their families. Over 200 families and the pledges now amount to over $91,000.  We are now setting a goal of $100,000 pledged before I start Peddling next Sunday, May 1st. If you have not yet pledged yet would you do so right now? Click here. If you have pledged you can give any week online or by envelope. The envelopes you receive in the mail now have a "Bike for Haiti" line on them. If the envelope you use does not, just write Haiti and it will go directly to our Haitian Missions account. There are so many details I would love to share with you but I just don't have the time and space. Jenn Collins, our communications director, has set up a Facebook page and Twitter Account for Bike for Haiti. Please go there and join us. This is where all the daily updates along the way and pictures will be posted. So, if you want to keep up with our route and what's happening along the way, make sure you go on now and get connected. We will also have the www.BikeforHaiti.com website updated daily and for those who ask you what this is about, then you can send them there for all the background, how to pledge and give and daily updates.  Sooooooooooooo incredible what God has done with this Bike Ride. So much more than I could have ever imagined. This past week "Lifetime" Television aired a 6 1/2 minute interview they did with me and it was aired nationwide. If you missed it you can go here and watch it now. God has been so good. I am praying that my ride will not only raise more than $100,000, but also raise the awareness of the constant needs in Haiti and how a little can make a big impact.   Lots coming up this summer, you will hear a lot more about our summer plans in the next couple weeks.   If you have not yet given the Lord His tithes and your offerings this week you can do so right now! It's amazing how many people are making the online giving a priority each week. I am blessed to see so many giving, whether by envelope or online. We give out of a heart of love, gratitude and obedience.  BTW, I am excited to share with you that for April we actually made our Ministry Budget and this makes two months in a row. It's been a long time. I am grateful to all of you who give to the Lord's work so faithfully.   God bless each of you and I can't wait to see you Easter.   Guy Melton Pastor Oasis Church http://www.BikeForHaiti.com http://www.guymelton.com http://www.visitoasis.org

Pastors Weekly Oasis Update from the Jersey Shore, April 7, 2011

 Hello Extended Oasis Family and Friends;

Below is our weekly email to our Oasis Church family. Since you dont get our Email if your not part of ou local family I like to send it to you via blog and Face Book so you can keep up with whats happening with Oasis Church in South Florida and you can also pray for us. Thanks for being a friend of Oasis. Lots of things going on. God bless you and Hope to see you soon. (Formatting is different from our blog and so sometimes a word or two are cut off a line and some links might not work. )  

Dear Extended Oasis Family, This is Jenn Collins, Communications Director here at Oasis. I hope you'll stick around and read about some important and exciting things happening! I'm filling in for Pastor Guy, as he's busy bike riding the Jersey Shore today in preparation for his Bike for Haiti (which starts May 1, by the way!). So far we have had 200 families pledge $85,000! If you have pledged, don't forget to pick up your Bike for Haiti wristband at the Information Center. Pastor Guy wanted me to tell you all that no, he hasn't seen Snookie while he's been in the area of Jersey Shore :). But, that it's been very cold and rainy - he's wearing three layers and still cold! He will return home Saturday and see everyone this weekend. Check out what's happening around Oasis: "The Story" continues this weekend. If you haven't already, make sure you read Chapter 15 or 1 Kings 17-19; 2 Kings 2-6; Also Hosea 4-5 ;8-9; 14; Amos 1:3-5; 9. Financial Peace University: The preview for this class was this past Wednesday and there was a good group of people! THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER! If you're interested in learning how to manage your finances using biblical principles through Dave Ramsey's program, you can register online at visitoasis.org. Click on "event registration" at the top of the page. For more info or any questions, email Joel Collins at joelc@visitoasis.org. Mission Trips to Haiti: There are several mission trips coming up to minister to the people of Haiti. Remember, we are partnering with Pastors directly in Haiti, face-to-face. If you're interested in any of these trips, make sure you contact the appropriate person. All the details are below. It will be life-changing! Medical Mission Trip, May 27-30:  Are you a medical professional with a heart for missions? Even if you aren't a medical professional, you can join us for a medical mission trip to Haiti. The cost is $500/person. For more info contact Amina Dubuisson at adubuisson@netzero.net / 305-389-9485 or Elsie Justilien at ejust@bellsouth.net / 305-333-9567. Collide Mission Trip, July 22-26: Collide (Young Adults Ministry) will be heading to Pignon, Haiti to do some painting and ministering to the people there. The cost is $850/person. For more info contact Luke Windle at lukew@visitoasis.org. SURGE - Oasis Youth Ministry Mission Trip, July 25-29: This summer a team of SURGE teens and adults will be headed to Saint Marc, Haiti to minister to its surrounding villages. Join us for an Informational Meeting on April 17 in room 202 at 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. *Summer camp will also be discussed. For more info, email Katia Droira at katiad@visitoasis.org. Ladies Spring Event: Purse-onali-TEA! Strap on your sandals, pull out those hats and find that Purse...and join us for a special tea with Girlfriends! Tickets are on sale now for $15/person at the Info Center and online at visitoasis.org (click on "event registrations"). **Tickets will not be sold at the door on the day of the event. Childcare is provided upon registration. Easter Dates and Invite Cards: We started handing our Easter invite cards last weekend! If you didn't get any, go to the Information Center and get a stack. We have plenty of cards so take as many as you like, but remember, PASS THEM OUT! Invite your neighbors and family. Leave them at restaurants and Starbucks. Invite! Our Easter service times are listed there as well as a map to our campus so it is a perfect Invite tool. For your reference, here are our Easter service times. If you are a member or regular attender, please help us free up space on Sunday morning for visitors and attend one of the other services offered. It will really help with parking! Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m., Friday, April 22 and 7 p.m., Saturday, April 23 at 6 p.m., Sunday, April 24 at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and our Spanish service at 1:30 p.m. Don't forget to check out our Oasis Church Facebook Page for updates and links. It is updated weekly with new information. Even if you aren't a Facebook member, you can still see the updates! I think that's about it for this week. Thanks for reading and we'll see you this weekend! Jenn Collins Communications Director jennc@visitoasis.org