GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

No Starbucks, Krispy Kreme or Dandee Donuts!!!!! What do you mean?

Watch this video  shown this week at all Oasis Church Services, to find out why???

Baptistry Update #4 - July 4th, 2008

Here are the latest pics from our new Fountain and Baptistry for our Pines Campus. The Gunite was finished yesterday, and in the next several weeks there will be other additions but most won't be as noticeable as this past week. We will keep you up. If  you haven't seen and read the first 3 updates let me encourage you to do this. It's more than just a Baptistry. Lots of history behind this beautiful pic of an unfinished Fountain and Baptistry.

Thanks to Wallie and Ranelle Walkenhorst for the Latest Pics.

Oasis Weekly Newsletter/July 4, 2008

For those who are not on our Email list at Oasis, I am posting this so our Extended Oasis Family from around the Globe will know what is happening at Oasis Church, South Florida. I hope for those of you who reside outside South Florida have a wonderful July 4th . (The links on the Original email, do not work on this, but you can always go to our Visitoasis.org website or my blog site to find them.  (Unfortunately when I place my Email on the blog, it cuts a few words off the end of the sentence. Sorry) 

Pastor's Email
Dear Guy,   Are you experiencing the Dog Days of Summer yet?  The doldrums?  I hope not. But if you are, I want to share some exciting things happening at Oasis Church. We don't have time to experience the doldrums…too much work to do!!!! If you’re going on vacation or having some extra days off during the 4th of July Weekend, that is awesome!  I hope you will celebrate, relax and be safe. Please remember our soldiers who are stationed around the world, and especially in the war zones, during this Holiday Weekend. Just last night Tonia found out her nephew, Phil Gilmore arrived safely home from Iraq this week after his 3rd tour of duty there in 4 years. His two little girls had this big banner celebrating his return. I pray for the men and women who are there, that they will experience the same honor as they defend the Freedom of America and continue to protect our Independence that we will celebrate this weekend.   I want to share some exciting things with you about our church. Did you know?   Our long-awaited Baptistry Fountainis being gunited (blown concrete) as you read this.  If you are on the Pines Campus tonight or this weekend, you will see the new Baptistry with the roughed out concrete form!  PTL!  Pray for an August completion.  I hope we can baptize more on that first Sunday than ever before.  If you haven’t been baptized, you need to be!!   What an awesome time to do it. KidsWorld Director, Suzie McCord reported this week that their 140 volunteers serve 375 children every week in our services on 3 campuses and during 7NOW…you guys are awesome!!  You are doing a GREAT JOB!! Oasis Church baptized 207 new believers in 2007, who were obedient in following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This past week, the day before breaking ground for the new Fountain and Baptistry at our Pines Campus, I received a letter from our denominational office which congratulated Oasis Church for being the 19th ranked church out of almost 3000 churches in Florida, in total Baptisms in 2007.  God has been so good to us. As of this month the faithful givers to Oasis Church have given 2 million dollars toward the ministry of Oasis Church, for the Budget Year that ends on August 31.  I thank God for those who Tithe 10% to the Lord’s work here at Oasis.  You are a major reason God has used Oasis in such incredible ways this past year in North Miami, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and around the world. We do not count attendance very often, but in April the last count that was taken, there were 2,099 who attended our weekly services that week – 200 more than last year.  We will normally have between 2,100-2,300 on any given week worshiping at Oasis Church.  That is remarkable when you consider our limited parking and buildings at our Pines Campus.  Approx. 600-700 of those attending, attend our 7 Nights of Worship Services (7NOW).  Approx. 250 attend our Oasis NoMi and Oasis Hollywood Campuses. Joel Collins, our Tech Director, reported this week that 650 persons have listened to Podcaston our visitoasis.org website.  That is up from 480 last month, which was up almost 200 from the month prior.  There is an increasing thirst to hear God’s word taught in our church, and also, an awareness that it is as easy as clicking on our website and listening to any sermon we preach here at Oasis Church. Oasis Hollywood has a Picnic in the Arts Park scheduled for next Saturday…you’re invited! Oasis North Miamiis planning a BIG Vacation Bible School at the Campus in NoMi July 20-24  -- Sun through Thur evening from 6-9 p.m.   So many more things, but I don’t have time here.  You can go to my blog to check out the most popular Blog Post of the last month, and also to get an update on 3 Staff Members who have said, “So Longggg” to us this past week.  There is also information on lots of other things in my first-ever, Wednesday Dumpon my blog – guymelton.com.   See you this week, and have a happy, safe 4th of July!!  God bless you.  It is a privilege to serve you.   Guy Melton, Pastor Oasis Church
Hollywood Campus Pines Campus N. Miami Campus Prayer Requests www.visitoasis.org

tel 954.433.4838 | fax 954.433.2004 | info@visitoasis.org

KONA!!! Free Drinks and Worship!!

I love our new Kona at our Pines Campus. Our Leadership Team has decided to do something different, as we do most summers with certain services. In the past when our Saturday Night service was much smaller we would be able to do some special things at that service. This year we are doing some special things with our Monday and Tuesday Night 7 p.m. Worship Services. Since they are our two smallest services we are moving them into the Community Cafe. This provides several opportunities.

It allows us to partner with the new Kona and provide free Specialty Drinks and also food. It also gives more of a Coffee House, initimate feel to the service. The same great music and message, but with a much more intimate feel. We will even serve Free Pizza this coming week and maybe for a few weeks. On Saturday Night during the summers past that was always popular. So now come from work on Monday or Tuesday night and enjoy some pizza and Kona!!!!

For more info, including extended hours those two nights and free wifi check out the special story on this at our Oasis Website.

If you attend one of our Sunday Morning Services at Pines, come out and try the Monday or Tuesday night. Jimmy Purchase, our Host Pastor, and the group would love to have you.It is right next to the Auditorium.

My Showering Video (In case you missed it last week)

If you were out of town for Memorial Day you missed my video where I showered using Recycled Water for our Going Green Series. You are welcome to view it here. 

You can hear our Message last week , and even download it as always as a Podcast.  All our messages are on the Visitoasis.org website.

Weekly Newsletter/Politics,Going Green, Al Gore

For those who do not receive my weekly email on Thurs/Friday, I am attaching it here. There have been some who have mentioned recently, they have not been receiving them anymore, we think there may have been some spam problems with certain internet providers. If you would like to be put on our list to receive the weekly email, please send me your email address, at guym@visitoasis.org

Pastor's Email
Dear Guy, What a messed up world we are living in!!!!! Sorry to start off with such uplifting words, but it does seem to be such a messy place right now. Suicide Bombers, terrorist attacks daily, the Hurricane (cyclone) in Myanmar/Burma and now Earth Quakes in China killing thousands. What a sad week and I haven't even mentioned what's going on in our country. But if you want to have some Good News, Hurricane Season in South Florida doesn't begin for two more weeks!!!!!! Enjoy Paradise!!!!! It is for all the reasons above our Church is named Oasis Church. We really do want to be a "Refreshing Place" in a desert of troubles and problems. We all have troubles, we are going through Cyclones of our own. No doubt, that's the human condition. But I want our church to be that one place people can come in from the storm and experience some peace, albeit it for just an hour or two. That is why we offer 13 services, 3 campuses, that include 7 Nights of Worship each and every week. People literally come to church every night, just looking for some peace from the Tsunami they are experiencing. I meet them almost every night I attend. Sometimes I attend a night just because I have had a bad day and just want to worship with some other believers and hear from God. Have you ever come on a night just for that? That is why we offer our Kona Cafe. Soon we will have free WiFi in Kona. We want folks to come and be able to just hang out. Maybe with someone, or maybe just by yourself, with a book, a computer, iPod, or just to sit and have some coffee or a snack. I want our Church to be that "Third Place" you hear so many talk about. For many it's Starbucks. That's fine, but what's better than to have a Third place that has spiritual food, a hug, and some love???? At this point only our Pines campus has the 7 nights and Kona, but my vision is for all campuses to have an "Oasis"; a third place feel every night/day of the week. I can't wait until our Hollywood campus can open an Oasis in the middle of downtown Hollywood; my hope is on the Boulevard itself. My prayer is that Oasis church can be that "Spring of Living Water" that the bible speaks about. Water to the thirsty traveler, the weary Mom and the still water to those who need it. Have you invited anyone lately to the "Oasis"? Why not this weekend or next week on one of the Nights of Worship? A few things to remember this week. We are looking for some folks who are willing to step up and help our church continue to be an Oasis to those who come by leading or hosting a Community group. Pastor Pat Roberts is hosting an Orientation Meeting next week for those who are willing to just listen and consider. Our Women's Ministry is hosting a Mentoring Coffee this Sunday for those ladies who are interested in taking your Spiritual Life to the next level. This mentoring ministry is new but has had great first session results. If you are interested in attending the Orientation for this check out the article on our website. The Classics Continue this Weekend and 7NOW. We conclude this series with the Classic "Terminator" story!!! Samson, the Samsonator!! If you want to prepare yourself for the message, I suggest you click on BIBLE GATEWAY and read some of the passages we will be looking at in Judges 14-16. Next Week Begins our GOING GREEN SERIES, which leads me to some things I really want you to check out on my blog, this week. Most Important Request Yet!!! Go to my blog home page and sign up just under my picture to have my blog posts emailed to you when they're updated. That way you don't have to wonder if I have anything new and waste your time looking it up. I would love to have you on my blog email!! Thanks to Kevin McCord for fixing me up with this. Kevin is the smartest person I have ever known!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Politics, Hmm!!! Not Pleasant!!! Please read our Church's policy on this, with the Political season heating up!!!! Al Gore Where are you????? I'm Going Green  The Thunderbird Wow!!!! So much to share, along with Myanmar Disaster update, our Surge Prom Alternative, Text Messages of why we love our Moms and Mission to Haiti. After writing this I'm tired and also excited...can you be both at one time? I love serving Jesus. It is an exciting adventure. Every day is a new day, full of opportunities to make a difference!!!! Are you making a difference today, or just existing?! Lets go out and make a difference. I love you guys. I love serving with you. God bless and I cannot wait to see you this weekend or next week at 7NOW. Guy Melton, Pastor Oasis Church
Hollywood Campus Pines Campus Sermon Podcast Prayer Requests www.visitoasis.org

tel          954.433.4838       | fax 954.433.2004 | info@visitoasis.org

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Sizzling Marriage

Our new Message Series 'That's Amore" is really exciting!!! Next week the message is on Making your Marriage , "Sizzle" . Go to our website at www.visitoasis.org to find out about this weeks message on "Simmer" and about the rest of the Series. See you this Weekend, or during the week at 7NOW, 7 Nights of Worship!!!!!

Easter Reflections '08/Opening Day at NoMi

• Easter '08 at the Oasis is not over. We still have 3 more live, services this week, Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday. If you missed Easter, or know of someone who was out of town or needs to hear the first message in our "That's Amore" Family Series, then bring them out in the next 3 Nights.  Now, some thoughts at the end of a busy weekend:
• Thanks to all of you who moved out of your normal services at 10 and 11:30 services at Pines. Hundreds of guests attended both. The electricity in the services was awesome. At 11:30 not only was the overflow full, but we broke out the lawn chairs we use at Christmas time, to put up along the back walls of the Auditorium. Our ushers and greeters did a mammoth job. Wayne King was soaking wet from sweat but had a good spirit, taking care of all the guests.
• 8:30 at Pines was packed. Thanks again, for all those from the later services, who attended the early service.
• At Pines, Chris Hughes did the BEST EVER, in leading out in worship today. Chris, you were in an Orbit by yourself. Thanks for leading us to worship today. Your team was right on. And that violin was incredible. Thanks, Jordan!  Jordan is an 11th grader who also teaches our middle schoolers on Sunday mornings. (Did you know we had some teens in our Surge Youth Ministry who served in and attended 4 services this weekend? They have set the bar, adults. I love you guys/gals. You bless me every time I see you.)
• Haven't gotten an official update of Hollywood campus yet. But Tonia and son, Jim along with my mom, helped ease the crowd at Pines, by attending there. They gave a good report. They said attendance was up, not sure how much. They also said Fish, did a great job opening our new series, "That's Amore". Ben Windle and the team are doing a great job in Hollywood. This coming year is going to be exciting. We are laying the ground work for some incredible things in Downtown Hollywood. I also heard the  new women's bathroom looked really good.
• NoMi officially kicked off with approximately 300 in attendance according to our Campus Pastor, Jeremy Higdon. The KidsWorld rooms were full, the auditorium was full. I got to be there for a few minutes to do the welcome, before heading back to Pines to preach the late service, but the excitement was all over the campus. Just before leaving I clicked just a few pics. Sorry for the lack of quality and pics. Erin, fiancee of Jimmy Purchase, and one our Kona girls, has promised me pics which I hope to have for you soon. There is so much to be said and so many stories to tell of today in North Miami. I will share some more details Monday and later in the week. Below you will find some pics. I had one member who attended prior to our merger, who was sitting in the balcony, and who told me she had never seen the balcony used before. It was full this morning! Words can't explain the feeling to stand on the platform and to see the scores of new faces, filled with anticipation and excitement. They were the result of many prayers, mailings, T.V. spots, newspaper ads, and those of you who volunteered and gave of your resources and time to make today possible. You can now go down and check it out for yourself...11:00 A.M., any Sunday. (Congrats, Jeremy and Launch Team. You guys hit a home run today!) 
• The 7 Nights of Worship have had record attendance. Tonight, I spoke and we had our largest Sunday night yet. An awesome Night.
• We are not yet finished with our Easter Services, but I would guess we will have had between 3800-4000 this year between our 12 services on 3 campuses. God is good! Nothing is more moving than seeing scores of hands go up as I witnessed in our 11:30 service, accepting Christ as Savior and Lord on this Easter Sunday. In the months ahead, we will witness them following the Lord in Baptism and becoming Disciples of Christ. That is what Easter is all about. 

This is a pic of Balcony .The real story is the lady standing looking down.  She is Ruth Pearson, a long time member of North Miami. She has been at the North Miami Church for more than 50 years. She chose to climb the stairs this morning and let the guests have the good seats downstairs. She is a model of a true disciple. You have to meet her when you visit NoMi. She still works with the Children's Ministry two Sundays a month. (sorry for the lousy pic, but had to show you Ruth!) 

                                                       

Jimmy and the Worship Team did an awesome job!  Note from the Balcony shot, the wood floor in the center of the stage. This is the original platform from 1948. Chris Hughes restored it last week.

                      Newly RE:NoMi'ed Lobby

Entrance was busy and manned by the two lovely and beautiful Becena Ladies. (Steph, at the entrance in the left pic / Christina in the picture on the right standing in the background). They, along with their mom and dad, Jose' and Nicki came out from Pines to help launch NoMi. To tell you the quality of this family, they helped start the Westbrook mission of our church years ago. They helped start  our first video venue several years ago. Last year they volunteered to move to our Tuesday 7 Nights of Worship service and have served in the youth ministry for years. Give me 6 Becena Families, and we could take South Florida!

That's a wrap on the first Easter update.

12 + 1 This week!!!!!!! +1 Spanish Message Live

12 Easter Services - Take Your Pick! +1

by Jenn Collins

At Oasis Church, we’re offering 12 Opportunities (+1 Spanish Live Message) for you and your family to celebrate Easter this year! All services are LIVE and identical. Childcare is also available at all services.

Don’t forget, our new teaching series, “That’s Amore”, starts this week! Read more about it here.

Surprise!!! It's Not About A Building!!!

  It might come as a surprise to a few who are new to our church, but all of what you have read and heard about the RE:NoMi project...this is not really what it is all about. In short, it's never been about, remodeling the building, re-landscaping, repainting and demolition!!!

What all the talk, work and giving of resources has been about is what we celebrate this Sunday in North Miami!! Easter!! New Life in Christ. New Beginnings to those who come back to the Lord, or meet Him for the first time this weekend.

If this was about buildings and land, it's a waste of time, money, and people. Jesus was very clear that things will rot, burn and decay!! Then why do all this?

Because all this becomes a tool to get someone's attention. A place to make them feel at home. An Oasis in a desert of broken dreams and relationships.

Some folks thought the Yard Sale and Block Party was about raising money to pay off the remodeling. First off, you the church, have given to do the remodel. That is the method God has always used to build His house and His church. The Yard Sale netted about $600, and it will be given to a ministry one block away which works with unwed mothers and helps them to save a baby that would otherwise be aborted. This Christian organization will be blessed by this.

So why do the Yard Sale? It was to meet our community. Bless the community. Be a part of the neighborhood. To share God's love. To give a chance for us to meet our neighbors. And that we did. Hundreds came!! 40 of our community families set up a table, and were grateful for the opportunity Oasis provided. We didn't even charge a table charge. Free!!!! We blessed our Community!! We became an Oasis!!! That is what the church is about.

Don't let all the paint, sod, carpet fool you!! It's all about reaching our Community with God's love. We will do that for the first time in North Miami this Easter as Oasis Church!!!! Standing on the shoulders of those whose vision 82 years ago, has enabled this to happen.

Tuesday, our Ministry Leadership Team had our weekly staff meeting in NoMi. At the end of our meeting, we broke up in pairs and prayed over every room and sq. foot of the property. Even the Restrooms!!! Please pray with us for our weekend Easter Services in NoMi. But also pray and invite folks to your Campus in Pines and Hollywood. I am praying for hundreds of guests who will hear of God's love and Eternal Gift this weekend, and during the nights of worship, beginning Thursday night (March 20th) at 7 P.M.