GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

"Over $1 Million Dollars Pledged" ........ Weekly Pastors Email.. July 1, 2017

Dear Oasis Extended Family and Friends;

Over $1 Million Dollars pledged to Love Cities, Love Pastors Missions Outreach last week. How can you put what happened into words? I’m not sure how I can but I’ll try to just give you some of the highlights. If you missed the Celebration Dinner on Wednesday night, words can’t really do justice. If you missed the weekend services when our pledges kept climbing in each service and “tears were flowing freely" like I’ve never seen before, then I am not sure I can really paint the picture. But here are some highlights.

"Love Cities, Love Pastors Celebration Dinner." Last Wednesday night after almost 600 adults, teens and children signed up for the dinner, most of them showed up to pack our auditorium and cafe. It was an amazing sight. Most were blown away by the beauty of the room and the decorations our staff and volunteers had prepared for such a special occasion (hopefully in the future we can figure out how to accommodate more of our Oasis family since we had to shut down registrations when we filled our building). The night began with a beautiful meal and a "jazz combo" playing as we ate, but that was just the beginning. After an incredible 15-minute video of all that God has done through you, Oasis, over the last 3 years as you have given to LCLP, we could have just gone home. Hundreds, if not thousands, have been touched and changed through your giving. Following the video Pastor Daryl Gaddy, our partner in Detroit, brought an inspiring challenge to us to continue the work that God has started. He also brought us up to date with the new Missions Center we are helping him to complete in Detroit. You can watch the video from last weekend here! It’s incredible.

The highlight of the night was when the pledges came in and they far surpassed the goal for the dinner of $500,000 for Love Cities, Love Pastors outreach over the next 3 years. Because of this we were able to present Pastor Tommy and Kristin Parke a check for $10,000 towards their new church plant, City Church, in Miami. We also presented Pastor Daryl with a $10,000 gift towards completing the Missions Center his church is establishing in inner city Detroit. Those were amazing moments.

The night ended with a reminder to keep praying and giving and a thank you gift "mug" to everyone in attendance. By the way, if you have your mug and you’re using it take a picture and post your “Mug Shot" on social media, hashtag it #lclpmugshot and we will share it. Love seeing them. Keep posting.

The LCLP Weekend was one of the highlights of our almost 26 years on this little corner. Service after service, as we shared the LCLP vision for the next 3 years with those who had not been at the dinner, we continued to add to the pledge totals for local and US missions and church planting over the next 3 years. During the 9am service we went over the $750, 000 pledge mark and we were able to present Lily Garcia, our Executive Director of Community and Leadership Development, another $10,000 check toward the NEW homeless single moms’ home called "Asia's House.” This was probably the most emotional moment of the entire weekend. You will hear more as we continue to give to LCLP and find the home to house homeless moms and their children.

More than $1 Million in pledges was reached at our last service of the day during our 1pm service. ONLY GOD! (The total continues to grow. If you missed last weekend we will have pledge cards available this weekend at all services so you can still be a part of this miraculous Missions outreach that has grown far beyond our original vision.)

"Tommy and Kristin Parke sent out!” The icing on the cake this past weekend was the ending of our LCLP weekend and service when we had an opportunity to pray over and officially send Pastor Tommy and Kristin out as our church planters to begin a new church next year in the heart of downtown Miami. City Church is now a reality. It was so emotional for me since I still remember so vividly how my home church, First Baptist Church of West Hollywood, sent Tonia and I out almost 26 years ago as Pastor Bud McCord spoke the words, "We give you away", the same words I spoke this past weekend. Pray for the Parkes as they spend the next 9 months preparing to birth this new baby church in Miami.

Next week I’ll share more about all that our Love Cities, Love Pastors will be supporting over the next 3 years. Your pledges do NOT have to be given all at once. You have 3 years. If you want to give online you can here, when you give the Lord’s tithes, and if you would like to pledge online you can also do that by just clicking HERE!

Pastor Jeremy Higdon will be speaking this weekend. We’ll be welcoming one of our former staff pastors and church planters back to Oasis this weekend. Don’t miss it. God has used Jeremy and Jeannine in a huge way in Jacksonville since we sent them out 7 years ago, and he will give us an update of all God is and has done there because of your faithfulness and giving to that new church 7 years ago.

Love you guys and see you this weekend.

Guy Melton

Senior and Founding Pastor

Oasis Church of South Florida

 

PS. When you give the Lord His tithes and your Bike for Haiti, Missions and Love Cities, Love Pastors offerings, you can always do it here ONLINE or bring it to the service you attend. Thanks Oasis for being so generous and giving to those who have far greater needs than we do.

 

 

 

"Over $1 Million Dollars Pledged" ........ Weekly Pastors Email.. July 1, 2017

Dear Oasis Extended Family and Friends;

Over $1 Million Dollars pledged to Love Cities, Love Pastors Missions Outreach last week. How can you put what happened into words? I’m not sure how I can but I’ll try to just give you some of the highlights. If you missed the Celebration Dinner on Wednesday night, words can’t really do justice. If you missed the weekend services when our pledges kept climbing in each service and “tears were flowing freely" like I’ve never seen before, then I am not sure I can really paint the picture. But here are some highlights.

"Love Cities, Love Pastors Celebration Dinner." Last Wednesday night after almost 600 adults, teens and children signed up for the dinner, most of them showed up to pack our auditorium and cafe. It was an amazing sight. Most were blown away by the beauty of the room and the decorations our staff and volunteers had prepared for such a special occasion (hopefully in the future we can figure out how to accommodate more of our Oasis family since we had to shut down registrations when we filled our building). The night began with a beautiful meal and a "jazz combo" playing as we ate, but that was just the beginning. After an incredible 15-minute video of all that God has done through you, Oasis, over the last 3 years as you have given to LCLP, we could have just gone home. Hundreds, if not thousands, have been touched and changed through your giving. Following the video Pastor Daryl Gaddy, our partner in Detroit, brought an inspiring challenge to us to continue the work that God has started. He also brought us up to date with the new Missions Center we are helping him to complete in Detroit. You can watch the video from last weekend here! It’s incredible.

The highlight of the night was when the pledges came in and they far surpassed the goal for the dinner of $500,000 for Love Cities, Love Pastors outreach over the next 3 years. Because of this we were able to present Pastor Tommy and Kristin Parke a check for $10,000 towards their new church plant, City Church, in Miami. We also presented Pastor Daryl with a $10,000 gift towards completing the Missions Center his church is establishing in inner city Detroit. Those were amazing moments.

The night ended with a reminder to keep praying and giving and a thank you gift "mug" to everyone in attendance. By the way, if you have your mug and you’re using it take a picture and post your “Mug Shot" on social media, hashtag it #lclpmugshot and we will share it. Love seeing them. Keep posting.

The LCLP Weekend was one of the highlights of our almost 26 years on this little corner. Service after service, as we shared the LCLP vision for the next 3 years with those who had not been at the dinner, we continued to add to the pledge totals for local and US missions and church planting over the next 3 years. During the 9am service we went over the $750, 000 pledge mark and we were able to present Lily Garcia, our Executive Director of Community and Leadership Development, another $10,000 check toward the NEW homeless single moms’ home called "Asia's House.” This was probably the most emotional moment of the entire weekend. You will hear more as we continue to give to LCLP and find the home to house homeless moms and their children.

More than $1 Million in pledges was reached at our last service of the day during our 1pm service. ONLY GOD! (The total continues to grow. If you missed last weekend we will have pledge cards available this weekend at all services so you can still be a part of this miraculous Missions outreach that has grown far beyond our original vision.)

"Tommy and Kristin Parke sent out!” The icing on the cake this past weekend was the ending of our LCLP weekend and service when we had an opportunity to pray over and officially send Pastor Tommy and Kristin out as our church planters to begin a new church next year in the heart of downtown Miami. City Church is now a reality. It was so emotional for me since I still remember so vividly how my home church, First Baptist Church of West Hollywood, sent Tonia and I out almost 26 years ago as Pastor Bud McCord spoke the words, "We give you away", the same words I spoke this past weekend. Pray for the Parkes as they spend the next 9 months preparing to birth this new baby church in Miami.

Next week I’ll share more about all that our Love Cities, Love Pastors will be supporting over the next 3 years. Your pledges do NOT have to be given all at once. You have 3 years. If you want to give online you can here, when you give the Lord’s tithes, and if you would like to pledge online you can also do that by just clicking HERE!

Pastor Jeremy Higdon will be speaking this weekend. We’ll be welcoming one of our former staff pastors and church planters back to Oasis this weekend. Don’t miss it. God has used Jeremy and Jeannine in a huge way in Jacksonville since we sent them out 7 years ago, and he will give us an update of all God is and has done there because of your faithfulness and giving to that new church 7 years ago.

Love you guys and see you this weekend.

Guy Melton

Senior and Founding Pastor

Oasis Church of South Florida

 

PS. When you give the Lord His tithes and your Bike for Haiti, Missions and Love Cities, Love Pastors offerings, you can always do it here ONLINE or bring it to the service you attend. Thanks Oasis for being so generous and giving to those who have far greater needs than we do.

 

 

 

A Must Read......... Pastors Weekly Email for March 9, 2017

 

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Dear Guy, This is a "MUST READ" email today. Oasis Church has found many innovative and creative ways to do ministry and fulfill our mission, "To Be and To Make Disciples,” over the last 25 years. God has been so good to us. We have had much success in reaching people and have been recognized a number of times in publications and books for our unique ministry here in South Florida. We are BLESSED! We have been BLESSED! We will continue to pursue God's calling and His mission over the next 25 years as passionately as the first 25 years.  This announcement ranks up there with one of the greatest opportunities we have ever had. Only because we have been faithful for so many years and because of your continued faithfulness and support of our Oasis Ministries and Missions are we able to announce this exciting opportunity. Drum Rolllllllllll........................................... Oasis Church has been asked to partner with the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) in offering a one year Biblical Ministry Certificate Program that is designed to provide church leaders and laymen with a biblical basis for ministry, as well as provide tools for properly interpreting Scripture.    This is huge. In our never ending pursuit to fulfill the Mission of Jesus, this is another piece to our values of Mission, Community and Worship. As I have said many times, the Christian walk and being a disciple is more than an hour service once a week and even more than just a Community Group experience or a short-term mission trip. They are all part of the larger picture of being a disciple.  Oasis and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, one of the premier seminaries in our country, are now making it possible for you to take your Christian life and knowledge of scripture to another level.  This is not just an opportunity for those already in vocational ministry but also for those of you who are laymen and who want to go deeper in your knowledge of the Bible. This is IT!  Yes, there is a cost since we will be paying professors and going through an accredited seminary. But the cost is 1/2 to a 1/3 of what you would pay to go out of town and even online to take a course. The cost is only $160 per semester course (Oasis is investing in you, this is not a fund raising tool for Oasis Church. We will receive NO income from the fees. All the cost goes toward the institute professors and the seminary administrating this partnership).  There is too much detail to go into here but if you want to go deeper and sharpen your ministry skills as a lay person, this is it. For those who might want to pursue a full degree in ministry these credits can be transferred, but you don't have to take it as a step to a degree but rather a step further in your Christian life.  Ok, enough from me. If you are interested or know someone that might be, go to our website and click on this link NOW. This is not just for Oasisers so if you know someone outside Oasis that wants to grow in their Bible knowledge and Christian walk you can send them the link.  I can't wait to see you this weekend. I'll share more about all this in our services this weekend.  It's such an honor to serve you as Pastor. I am forever humbled.  God bless you and I'll see you this weekend.    Guy Melton Senior and Founding Pastor Oasis Church of South Florida   P.S. As you know, we could never have ministry so broad and far reaching without you and others like you who give to the Lord through Oasis Church. Please go online now and give the Lord's tithes and offerings as I am doing today. I promise we will continue to be good stewards of your giving to the Lord.      PS I want to give a special shout out and thanks to Lily Garcia our Executive Director of Leadership Development and Community for making the partnership for the Oasis Bible Institute possible. I also want to thank our own Marsha Lowe (aka Dr. Lowe) for administrating it for our church. Love you guys. You are awesome. tel 954.433.4838 | fax 954.433.2004 | [email protected] To discontinue receiving these emails send an email to [email protected]. Please indicate whether you want to opt out of all church communication or just these emails.

 

A Must read on Missions......... Guest Pastors Email.... August 20, 2016

 

This is a MUST READ..... Make sure you finish it. While on Sabbatical various staff members are writing my weekly Pastors Email. This weeks was from a young wife and mom who is on our Financial Office Team but before she came on staff she caught my attention not just because her and her husband sit on the front row each weekend, but served in our Kids World even before they got married as laymen. When we had an opening on our financial team I knew I wanted Yami to be a part of our staff because she not only loved Oasis Church but had a huge heart for Missions and had been on several missions trips on her on. Read more below. What an inspiring heart felt challenge on Missions.

Dear Extended Oasis Family and Friends,

I pray this finds you well!

 

My name is Yami McLaughlin, coming to you from the Oasis Business & Finance Ministry Team. Some of you might already be thinking this e-mail is about to take a turn towards numbers, however, this week I’m truly privileged to be sharing my heart with you regarding something so much more stirring, which happens to be one of our core values, Missions!  

 

Sometimes when we hear the word “missions” we get paralyzed. We have this colossal picture inside our minds about all we must be and do to rightfully take on the task. Today, I’d like to share with you that it is not as frightening at it seems, it is actually pretty simple. To practice missions just means, to go out and share your faith by serving others. 

 

One of my personal favorite passages in scripture is found in Matthew 28:18-20

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Many of us, I’m sure, have read these lines before. They are known as the Great Commission, but I can assure you they take on a whole new meaning when you actually live them out! About seven years ago, I was sitting at a service in my home church at the time, where a sweet friend got to share with us about a recent missions experience she had been on. She had finished the task for that trip but there was so much more work to be done. For a while, the Lord had been placing a burden for missions in my heart, and I just knew I had to take the step and jump in! 

 

I’m not going to make-believe and say it is an easy road, but I will say this, it has been so worth it! To follow your heart on missions requires commitment, resources and courage! I have shared with many, even those right here on our staff, about my anxious heart just before serving. From the load of leaving family behind, to personal and team safety, to making ends meet, however I always feel an overwhelming peace that only comes from being right in the center of God’s will. You see, God often does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called!

 

This year, my friend and I celebrated seven years since we launched a small non-profit that supports local and international missions and it has been nothing but God-ordained! We have learned that the best way to share the gospel with people, both far and near, is to be a vessel of God’s love and comfort in their lives by serving them and showing them true compassion. We have witnessed hundreds improve their quality of life and many lives changed for eternity, and we strongly believe many more will still hear and receive because of the seeds that have been planted. The greatest reward is the smile of those we have served, but even more importantly it is knowing that in His timing our Father will show His mercy and grace to those who are willing to receive Him! 

 

Here at Oasis, we believe in the value of missions wholeheartedly! We hold tight to the words of Jesus, and believe that all authority has been given to us to go and make disciples! We believe in being called to reach others and in doing so, we must first offer of ourselves and live by example about these very things. Jesus never changes and, therefore, the spirit of our ministry should never change. After all, Jesus said, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,” (Matthew 20:26). Last but not least, we believe, He is with us to the very end, and with this promise we are able to move to where the Lord calls us. 

 

If you have been praying about participating in missions, I invite you to take the step TODAY! Remarkable things happen when we step in obedience to perform the work the Lord has set for us to do! We are all together in this journey even though our seasons of life will vary from one another. Some of you might be in a term where working globally is not suitable. I’m here to encourage you about the endless possibilities we have every day, right in our own backyard! To put it in perspective, I will share from our own family experience. My husband Keith and I are both working parents raising 3 children. I have, in the past two years, been blessed enough to serve alongside our two oldest. My husband, on the other hand, has reliably stayed behind watching over our toddler and caring for his needs while we have served away. He has not physically come on any of our trips, but serving us has become “his mission” for the time being. Have you ever wondered what that would be like, if we were as intentional at home as we are on a mission trip? Why not have the same mindset and commitment when we are at home?

 

If you are looking for a way to serve here at Oasis, we have many opportunities for you! Supporting the local church and its different ministries is one of them. This link will walk you through some of the different ways you can help here at Oasis! 

 

Don’t lose sight of the impact you can make when you serve at the capacity you are in! We, the local church, are the Hope of World! God is going to draw people to Him. And He is going to use us, the whole church, to do it!

 

God bless you all!

 

Yami McLaughlin

Business and Finance Ministry Team

Oasis Church of South Florida

 

 

 

We are celebrating 25 Years of Ministry here at Oasis Church and we want YOU to be a part of this memorable time in our history! Mark your calendars for September 17th & 18th as we prepare to take a look at all that we have to be thankful for as a church. You can get more information on our website here.

 

OUR DARE SERIES CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND

We continue our series "Dare" this weekend as we look at how to experience the best life that God intends for us. The answer lies in understanding that the Christian life is an adventure, and that we only have to follow the greatest guide who ever walked the path of life, Jesus. In this series we will explore the way to live fully, love completely, and lead boldly: the hallmarks of Jesus' time on earth.

Christmas work nights are under way! Join this team of dedicated Elves every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at our Pembroke Pines Campus as they get us ready for Christmas at the Oasis 2016!

If you would like more information on how you could be a part of this team, email us at: [email protected]

 

As always, the only way Oasis can fulfill the mission God has given us, and to continue to see lives changed, is by your giving back to God His tithes and your offerings. Just a reminder, you can give your Bike for Haiti offerings and your Love Cities, Love Pastors offerings online or by clicking on the link below.

 

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tel 954.433.4838 | fax 954.433.2004 | [email protected]
To discontinue receiving these emails send an email to [email protected].
Please indicate whether you want to opt out of all church communication or just these emails.

Sabbatical Update......... Pastors Weekly Email.

Dear Extended Oasis Family and Friends, 

I want to spend my weekly Pastor’s Email sharing in a different way than normal. I want to give an update on my Summer Sabbatical. For many in our church, you have experienced this, but for others who are new, you might think it strange for a Pastor to be gone all summer. Sadly, it is ‘unique’ for a church to give a Pastor a sabbatical. 

Let me give a little background on the ‘why’ of a sabbatical. For those in the education field, healthcare and hospitality professions its not that uncommon in some way or another to have sabbaticals for those serving long term in their roles. Sabbaticals are very biblical and can have a duration of only one day to an extended period of time. God even implores us all to take a sabbatical once a week on the sabbath; the 7th day. Unfortunately, a lot of the burn out, moral scandals and other issues in the church stem from a Pastor and church that do not make the investment in a sabbatical. Most every major local church in our area has had Pastors with moral failings in the last 20 years. That is a sad commentary. Most Pastors stay at a church for less than 5 years. Just this past Sunday a mega church Pastor was removed from his position and it made national news because of alcohol abuse. I could go on and on. It’s worth pointing out that while a sabbatical does not guarantee the prevention of any of these failings, it can certainly be a hedge against them. Most long tenured Pastors who serve beyond 5 years, only stay for long periods because of having extended times away. 

After much research on the subject, and realizing that many of the Pastoral issues come from never taking a break or even a vacation, our Church Council set up a Sabbatical Policy for our Pastoral/Executive Team in 2006. This was to ensure that we had time to refresh, refuel and renew our emotional and spiritual selfs. This will be my third and many of you have been here through all of them.   

I could spend pages on what a sabbatical means and how they are lived out but most of you would be bored. It can be done in many ways. Our Council has put very clear guidelines into writing for myself and other Pastors who stay 5 years and longer and we are required to abide by and follow those guidelines. I believe that having served Oasis for 15 years before my first one, and now celebrating my 25th year this year, these sabbaticals have assured me the opportunity for a longer ministry to you, and for you to have a more healthy leader of our dear Oasis Church family. 

Most Pastors do not feel their church can do without them and most churches are too selfish to let their Pastor go away. Both are un-healthy and will lead to burn out and failings in all kinds. I like to tell Pastors, "You will get a sabbatical one way or the other.” Meaning it will either be forced through mental breakdown, physical burn out or you have to leave in order to have a break between churches you serve. I prefer the healthy and biblical way. We are blessed as a church to have a Church Council who saw the value in this back in 2006 and I thank them for loving our church and myself enough to offer this every 5 years. 

If a church is healthy, it does not rest on one man even though we want to believe it does. The only person the church should depend on is Jesus. If we are dependent on ONE man, then we are dysfunctional and the church is not being the biblical church. 

Our church has a teaching team, an incredible staff and several hundred committed lay leaders who are Oasis Church. Guy Melton or any one Pastor is only one piece. We are all important pieces to the body of Christ we call Oasis. But, no ONE piece is too important that we can’t do without them. 

I am proud to Pastor a church that understands this and is healthy enough to allow their Senior Leadership to have extended periods away. 

Each time I’ve gone, including this time, there are always those who want to think something is going on behind the scenes or I’m getting ready to leave. Just as at other times, several months ago someone said there was a rumor I was going on sabbatical and not returning. I just laughed out loud! Some always want to think there is more to it. I like to say, as I have for years when I hear rumors that aren’t true, "Time will tell.” If God allows me to, I hope to never Pastor anywhere else but Oasis Church. You are my calling and my love. 

Pastor Ricky, our Executive Pastor, has been doing a great job of leading us while I have been on our Bike for Haiti Ride. He will continue to lead our church and staff during the remainder of the summer. You have an awesome staff and I hope you will pray for them and support them in every way while I’m gone. They deserve your total support. 

I will be spending a few weeks with my Grandsons on a trip out west that I have been planning for them for several years. I can't wait. After we return, you will not hear from me very often until the end of the summer, and until our 25th Anniversary. Do not worry. In order to receive the maximum benefit of these days away, it’s good to go off the radar for a while. You need a break from me anyway. Our team will be doing my weekly emails and I will do little to no social media posting some weeks but I assure you I am resting, renewing and dreaming about our next 25 years. I have lots of books to read and will be visiting some unique ministries around the country that I will be able to learn from that will enrich our ministry in the years to come. 

I love you guys and I’ve missed you since I began our Bike for Haiti Ride. The love and support you have given me during that has been one of the highlights of my life. I can never tell you enough how much it’s blessed me and been appreciated. Please continue to support Bike for Haiti and if you haven’t pledged, please do it right now and right HERE online.

 

 

This weekend once again, we are sharing our own Jeremy Higdon who will teach another great Love Cities, Love Pastors message. Then, the next 2 weeks, we have our Partner Pastor from Detroit, Darryl Gaddy sharing with us. Both will be a tremendous blessing. 

Haiti Medical Missions Trip is coming up during the Labor Day weekend, September 1st - September 5th. I hope some of you who have never been to Haiti will join myself and other Oasisers for this life transforming trip. You can get more info from our Trip Organizer, Amina Dubbison via email at: [email protected]. Time is of the essence if you would like to join us so sign up now!

God bless you Oasis. I love you guys, miss you and see you in September. I’ll be praying for you everyday and missing you like crazy. 

 

Guy Melton

Founding and Senior Pastor

Oasis Church of South Florida

 

P.S. Don’t forget that Oasis Church only exists because of your giving to the Lord His tithes and your offerings. The worldwide and local ministries we do are only because of those of you who obediently and faithfully give to the Lord through Oasis Church. You can do it this weekend or like I’m doing today, giving online right HERE.

 

 

One Picture is worth a 1,000 words....... Pastor's Weekly Email

 

 

Dear Oasis Extended Family and Friends,

I am trying to find the words to describe the beginning of second week of our "25 Days of Missions" for Christmas at the Oasis. I’m struggling to find them.

Last week, it was over 1,000 Gift Boxes given to kids around the World through Operations Christmas Child.  By far the most we have ever given and on top of that our Family Ministry became a regional “Drop Off Station" where over 2,500 boxes were dropped off.

 

Last night, began our "Trees of Hope" with a great group of volunteers and staff giving out Christmas trees, stands and lights to families who are struggling this Christmas.  This part of our 25 Days of Missions continues through Saturday. You will see a great update of your serving the community this weekend through videos and pictures. By the end of this weekend, we will have blessed 200+ families with a Tree of Hope and a drop of love - the most we have ever sponsored and given away. 

IF ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A 1,000 WORDS THEN 6 PICTURES ARE PRICELESS" Many of you sponsored a tree or are still giving toward the sponsorship. However, a price can’t be placed on what these "Trees of Hope" mean to a struggling family. It is priceless or I should say “eternal". I helped my son load 11 trees this afternoon for him to deliver to needy families in his inner city school. This is his second year of doing this and He loves it. He says it’s so sad to see how some people have to live - some of his students are living in motel rooms with 7 family members. They are overwhelmed by the trees and love that comes with them and that is just one little example. (Last night Thursday was our second night of Trees of Hope and inspite of a MONSOON RAIN Storm that continues through Friday our Volunteers and staff did an amazing job of loving and serving the many who came to receive their Tree of Hope. We have the most amazing Church Family. I am blown away. )

Here are 6 Pictures of our Volunteers last night during our pick up. PRICELESS. Note the one tree that is all decorated - that was posted within a few hours on Instagram by a family who received it and the kids loved it. 

NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE SERVING THE HOMELESS ALL WEEK SO STAY TUNED!

 

Celebrate HOPE - Our first message of our Christmas Series begins this weekend. I can't wait to bring this message as it is one I actually wrote almost 10 years ago and have never delivered. This year, God said this is the time. It’s perfect for our Christmas of Missions: #LoveSFL  — I am sure one of the verses we will look at this weekend you have never noticed but it is so powerful and fits this month perfectly. I hope you will join us on Saturday night at our Pembroke Pines Campus or on Sunday at Pembroke Pines or North Miami. If you are out of town or have a relative out of town you can join us at live.visitoasis.org  for our live online worship services.

 

God bless you and I can't wait to see you this weekend as we "Celebrate HOPE".

 

Guy Melton
Senior Pastor
Oasis Church of South Florida

P.S. — There is no way we could ever be touching 1,000’s of people this Christmas or throughout the year without the faithful giving of our Oasis Family. If you would like to Give online you can do it online 24/7 right here or give at our kiosk in the lobby on weekends or by envelop. We have six ways to give back to the Lord His tithes and your offerings.  I love you Oasis!

 

Where to we begin? ......... Pastors Email September 18, 2015

Dear Extended Oasis Family and Friends,  (SEE OUR UPDATE OF OUR YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATE BELOW. IT IS AMAZING.) Where do we begin? This is my dilemma and I am still wrestling with where and how, but let’s let it rip. What an incredible week it’s been and is still going on!   Our Fall Launch along with our 24th Anniversary last weekend was like no other. This being my 25th year of celebrating since the beginning of Oasis Church gives me a unique perspective. I really don’t think there has ever been such a powerful weekend - except maybe our 1st and 20th years. However, neither of those had the entire week full of kicking off our Fall Ministries that reflect our values and mission…to be and to make disciples.    Last weekend launched our 25th year and I shared our "Oasis Journey, From Here to There". If you missed it, please go and watch the message online here. Along with that was one of the most dynamic services we have ever experienced! We had 24 baptisms total (21 at Pembroke Pines and 3 at North Miami). We did not plan it that way and would have gladly baptized 50 but when all was said and done each new believer being baptized represented 1 of our 24 years. God has a way to put the exclamation point at the end of the sentence!   But hold on…we’re not finished.    DISCOVER OASIS IS THIS SATURDAY NIGHT at Pembroke Pines and Sunday at North Miami. If you are new to Oasis or you have been here for years this Discover is for you. This is a time that our leaders share all about our ministries at Oasis. I share our vision and how you can be part of it. If you want to be a part of Oasis, and really own the vision and mission YOU NEED TO ATTEND this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. (Pembroke Pines) or Sunday at 11:45 a.m. (North Miami) You can even sign up here. Child care is provided. If you have not attended before, this one is for YOU. Over 50 Community groups launched this week and are still launching. The most in our 24 year history by far. (And if you missed the “A Taste of Community" groups last weekend you really missed a great opportunity, but you can still join one.) Hundreds of new people agreeing that life is not meant to be lived alone. You can still join one online right here, right now.     UPDATE ON THE WHITE OUT PARTY THURSDAY NIGHT.  ONE, YOUTH HAD A RECORD NIGHT. OVER 200 TEENS, 40 TEENS ACCEPT CHRIST. I TOLD TONIA I HAD TOLD PASTOR JOE WHEN HE CAME TO US LAST YEAR THAT THERE IS NO REASON OUR OASIS YOUTH COULD NOT HAVE 100 TEENS ATTENDING EVERY THURS NIGHT. WELL, BEYOND ANYTHING I COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED, THEY NOW HAD OVER 250 STUDENTS IN OPENING WEEK OF THE FALL. THAT IS NOTHING SHORT OF A GOD THING. WE THANK GOD FOR THE GIFT OF THE GUTIERREZ FAMIIY. WE LOVE YOU GUYS AND ALL THE YOUTH LEADERS WHO HAVE BEEN USED OF GOD LIKE NOTHING I HAVE WITNESSED IN YOUTH MINISTRY FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.   White Out PARTY is TONIGHT....Our ONE Students will launch their new fall year tonight at our Pembroke Pines campus. I bet we will have over 200 students - which will be the biggest night in the history for our teens. Go ONE! Last night, our North Miami Campus launched with over 50 students! That is beyond belief when you imagine that just a year ago they launched their new ministry with just a few teens. Go North Miami ONE! If you are a parent of a teen, you better do whatever it takes to get them here tonight. Their future and spiritual life can be changed forever by being part of our student ministry. You have an incredible partner in Oasis. Please take advantage of it.   Afterlife continues this weekend. I am looking forward to team teaching this weekend with Pastor Tommy Parke from our North Miami Campus. It’s going to be a great message as we continue to look at the Afterlife and how to prepare and watch for it. If you want to prepare your heart and mind, you can begin to read our key passage for this weekend: Matthew 25:1-13.   I’ll stop now even though my heart says, “keep sharing about all God has done and is doing”. Thanks Oasis for being faithful to the mission of Jesus for these last 24 years. I am so honored and humbled to be your pastor. Other than Dad, Husband and Grandfather — it is the greatest honor of my life.   Guy Melton Founding Pastor Oasis Church of South Florida   P.S. Once again, the only way Oasis Church has been able to see thousands of lives changed over these past 24 years is through people like you who have faithfully given back to God His tithes and offerings. Thank you to all of you who do this each week. If you have not yet given to the Lord this week you can do it 24/7 here online.

BIG Week Ahead......... Pastors email for Sept 5, 2015

 

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family and Friends,

We dodged another bullet - Erika is history and we got a good practice run for all our newbies in South Florida who have never been through a Hurricane. 

We are now in our final sprint toward our Fall Launch! You will be hearing more about it this weekend. Don't miss this special Fall Launch Weekend as we prepare for not only a BIG WEEK ahead but the launching of our 25th Anniversary next Sunday for our official Fall Launch. 

UNIGHT-- THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7PM at our Pembroke Pines Campus.  This is our kickoff for Fall Launch and this is when the core of Oasis Church comes together for Worship, Prayer and Vision casting. Whether you have been here for only one week or for 24 years - I want to speak to you this Wednesday night and share my heart about our future. I hope to see you there. 

You have come at one of the most exciting times in our history as a church. September 15th begins our 25th year as a Church serving the people and sharing God’s love here in South Florida.




As we begin the Fall Season of the year, my favorite, we also launch a new season. As a Church, we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary all year long. This will culminate in the Greatest Celebration our church has ever had next September 2016. 

Many things have changed during these 24 years at Oasis Church just as they have in our world. But the Message, the Mission and the Values our little Core Group of "11" men and women who began Oasis in 1991 have not changed. You are the result of our mission, “to be and make disciples" and this 25th year we are recommitting our lives and our mission to do “whatever it takes" to reach "ONE MORE" soul and see one more life and one more family changed for eternity.


Thanks again for being a part of the Oasis family and I hope you will be with us for what I believe is going to be the greatest year of Oasis Church this upcoming year. We will continue to "BE the DROP".

God bless you and your family.

Guy Melton
Senior Pastor
Oasis Church 

P.S. Thank you to everyone who continues to support not only our Church Ministries through your tithes but also the many of you who give to our special Love Cities, Love Pastors outreach and missions around the world. Oasis would not be the "Rescue Station " it is - without you. God bless you and as always you can give when you come to worship this weekend or you can give online 24/7 right NOW.

"Seasons of Change" ....... Pastors Email for August 8, 2015

 

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family and friends;

Seasons Represent Change: You don’t have seasons without change. That is the cycle of life. I love the various seasons and the change they bring. I know we don't have them much in South Florida…wait…we don’t really have them at all. But we do celebrate them and we either go out of town or buy decorations to recreate them. Ha!

Just last Saturday I woke up feeling like it was fall. I told my wife, Tonia, that I felt like it was Fall that morning. Her comment was: “Step outside! LOL” I did and I realized “it ain’t Fall ya'll".  Seasons bring with them change as well as newness. The old season is past with its beauty, difficulties and its wonderful memories. We cherish seasons past with pictures and memories. We look forward to Seasons to come for what God has in-store for us.

For the last month, our Oasis Church staff have been discussing in meetings our next Season. "Fall Launch" - which I know if you are a parent you are not happy reading this since that means back to school and all that brings. Or maybe you are crazy excited that the kids are going back to school - I know I was a parent of 3 sons.  

 

Fall Launch is only less than a month away and we are "Crazy Excited" about this year. Fall leads to Christmas and then to our New Year. This year, our "Summer of Missions" will just continue right into the Fall season and culminate with “A Christmas of Missions".  God has led us to continue the emphasis of our "Value of Missions" throughout the rest of the year. After-all, Jesus came on mission and His whole 33 years were on mission for you and me. 

We will have a very different Christmas Season this year. It will be one of not bringing 50,000 people to our property to come and see the lights but to take His Love, His story, The Light and the Story of Christmas outside our four corners and into our communities of Pembroke Pines and North Miami. I am so excited that we will highlight what Christmas is all about in a very tangible way to our community and those outside our four walls.

 

As we gear up for our next season, I want to celebrate what God is doing right now in this Season of Missions. 

Worship Night last Friday was beyond words. It was a packed auditorium with 100's just worshiping God through songs of praise. It was amazing! Thank you Pastor Ricky and all our Creative and Worship teams for giving so unselfishly to make this night happen.

 

Lessons from My Toybox launched last week. An overview of the Book of Hebrews. Pastor Joe - our Student Pastor -brought the first message and as I mentioned in the services, it was one of the top five messages I have heard from our pulpit in the last 24 years. It was amazing! You can watch it here or share it with someone. Just go online now.

This weekend, I will be bringing the second message in this series from Hebrews 4-5 - “Simon Says”. I hope you will be here. We are going to have some fun and also get some rich food from these passages of Scripture. Don’t miss this weekend!

 

 

Detroit Missions Trip - Next week, 25 of us will be meeting in Detroit to partner up with Pastor Darryl Gaddy and other pastors for a time of serving. Legacy Ministries led by our own Ricky and Lily Garcia will be leading a "Tiaras Ball' for the inner city young ladies and will also have a leadership seminar for local inner city pastors called "Activate". Along with these events we will work on the new Mission House our partners bought and other neighborhood missions. If you missed getting in on this trip, you don’t want to miss out on the next one. These are life changing trips. If you are giving to "Love Cities, Love Pastors" outreach offering then you are the ones that make these trips and partnerships possible. Thank you for your sacrifice and generosity.

There is so much more to share about this special Season of Missions and the New Season coming but I just don’t have the room here and only the most hard core Oasis'ers have even read this far down. 

 

I love you guys and look forward to seeing you this weekend!

 

Guy Melton
Senior Pastor
Oasis Church

P.S. Thanks again for being so faithful in your giving back to God this Summer. Because of your giving we continue to have record summer offerings and are able to continue the missions emphasis into the Fall and Christmas. Your giving is changing lives! You can always give online 24/7 here or when you come to worship this weekend. Thanks again! 

LOVE, LOVE,LOVE....... The Summer of Love, Pastors Email

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family and Friends,

 My first thought this morning as I began to write my weekly email to you was Love, Love, Love. The summer of 1969 was called the Summer of Love - with the dawning of a "New Age" and the Woodstock Music Festival that changed our culture and world forever - not necessarily for the better. This "Summer of Missions" could easily be called the "Summer of Love" at Oasis and its changing the world FOR the better and for eternity. 

I have never experienced, felt or observed more love than what I have seen and experienced inside and especially outside of our four walls this summer! Our amazing church family loving each other, our church, our communities, inner cities, the hurting and other countries.

 

"LOVE, LOVE, LOVE" that’s Oasis Church this summer! Let me share a few examples:

 

Laundry Love - Our students are gathering up quarters and any other coins to show love to those who cant afford to own a washer/dryer and are regularly using a local laundromat in North Miami - very close to our North Miami Campus. They will literally be taking your coins and doing the wash next week. On Saturday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. they will be taking a shuttle from the Pembroke Pines Campus to the laundromat in North Miami. You can bring your coins and put them in the washing machine receptacle in the lobby  at your campus this weekend.

Homeless Love - Our young adult ministry - Drop - is also going next Saturday (July 25th) to minister to the homeless in our Broward County community. If you would like to go, they will be meeting at 6:45 a.m. at the Pembroke Pines Campus to carpool to the event. The address to the event is: Christ Community Church - 901 E McNab Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. You can also donate toward this outreach by following @DropNight on Instagram to be updated on where to drop off your donation. 

Inner-City Love - Mission Detroit is in August when we will be taking at least 25 people to minister to the inner city churches and neighborhoods in one of the most depressed and distressed cities in our nation. THE TRIP IS FULL BUT YOU CAN STILL SHOW YOUR LOVE by giving to those raising funds to go, you can give dresses to Tiaras Ministry here and you can pray for those going. Please pray for the girls who will be attending the Tiaras Ball, the Pastors attending the Legacy Ministries/Activate Leadership Seminar and for all the mission work that will be done at Victory Fellowship Church and their newly acquired "Missions Center". You know a city is distressed when most of the houses in the neighborhood are abandoned, boarded up and the church we partner with can buy a 3,500 square foot home across the street from the church for $100 from the city. Yes, I said $100. Our group will be helping to restore it. 

ONE LOVE - Our student ministry - One Students - is experiencing revival this summer! Not only has it shown in the spiritual decisions of the students but the phenomenal growth in their weekly student worship experiences on Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. Last Thursday night - in the middle of summer - our Students had over 160 in attendance. This shatters all attendance records. Their goal was to hit 100 this year. That was very achievable considering the size of our church but considering that just over a year and a half ago we had between 25-30 on Thursday nights. Now they are pressing toward 200 students on Thursday nights. There is revival going on…we know that teenagers don’t just bring their friends to something unless they are excited and sold on it. I'm glad they are sold out loving Jesus and loving others. Thanks Pastor Joe, his wife Aaren, and all our volunteer student ministry leaders for loving our teens. 

    

Love God - We are celebrating all that God is and has done through Oasis Church this Summer with a special "Night of Worship" led by our own Executive Worship Pastor - Ricky Garcia - and other guests artists on Friday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m. at our Pembroke Pines Campus. This worship night will allow us to express our LOVE for God and our gratitude for all He is and has done in our lives. Do not miss this. It’s going to be a great night of worship. Let us know you will be there on Facebook!

Loving God through our Giving - Of course, NONE of this I have mentioned could be possible without the hundreds of Oasiser’s and families who Love God and show it through their giving of their tithes and offerings to Him through Oasis Church. As you can imagine ministry on the scale you see at Oasis is not free nor cheap. We do not get outside funding. We rely on God’s plan. That is His people giving back to Him through their local church. Thank you to so many of you who LOVE GOD and show it through your generosity. I am eternally grateful to each of you.  

 

God bless you and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we continue our new series, "Life Verse". Our guest speaker this weekend is Pastor Jeremy Higdon of Oasis Church in North Florida. Jeremy was on our Pastoral team for 12 years as well as our first student pastor. God is using him and his wife, Jeannine, to build a great church in Jacksonville. He has some really exciting God sized stories to share this weekend - Don't miss it!

 

Guy Melton
Senior Pastor
Oasis Church of South Florida

 

P.S. Last week, we unveiled our new Giving Kiosk in the lobby of our campuses. This is another easy, quick and secure way to give God’s tithes and your offerings. It only takes a few minutes before or after the service to sign up - once your sign up it’ll only take you seconds to give everything you use the kiosks. I used it in less than a minute last weekend. Try it out. Of course you can always go ONLINE anytime, 24/7, right here  or bring your tithes in an envelope.