GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

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.

 

 

"Big Announcement this weekend...." Oasis Pastor's Email

 

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family and Friends, I have a major personal announcement to make this weekend during our services.  Here’s a few words I shared on this announcement with my Pastor’s Prayer Partners yesterday in their email. "I have something that for the last 2 years that I have been wrestling with and praying about. Six months ago it became an item of intense prayer. Daily, if not multiple times daily. God has shown me His will and calling in this matter and it’s time to share it with our church family.  I must admit I do it with fear and trembling. As Paul said to the church at Thessalonica, please pray for me in the calling that God has placed on my heart, that He will be faithful in doing it and that His people will accept this decision and totally back it as from the Lord."  I hope you will be here.  "Discover Oasis”: This Saturday night at 7pm at our Pembroke Pines campus and Sunday - Feb. 28th - at 11:45am at our North Miami campus. If you are new to Oasis Church and want to know more about how to be apart of this amazing Oasis Family or you have been here for years and have never attended a Discover event you must do it this next Saturday night Feb 27th or Sunday morning Feb. 28th. You can register online now. Just click here or register this weekend at a service.    "Mission: Love South Florida”: this weekend at all services. This is our last week to bring your love gifts for Hope of South Florida.  We have just finished a concentrated 6 months of missions projects that hundreds of Oasis'ers participated in, but missions is not over. This month we are showing our "LOVE" for those whom Jesus spent most of His time with. You can participate  this weekend in our Hope Food Drive! For the rest of February, we will be collecting pantry items for Hope South Florida. This is going to be a huge blessing to them as their pantry is running very low on food for homeless single mom’s. Bring a can or two or ten with you this weekend as we show love to those in our community in need.   God bless you and thank you Oasis for the honor and privilege its been for the last 24 years to be your pastor. There has been no greater honor other than husband, father and Poppy.  See you this weekend!   Guy Melton Founding Pastor Oasis Church of South Florida   P.S. I just finished giving the Lord’s tithes and my other offerings to the Lord through Oasis. It struck me once again how incredible in this day and age it is that I can give to the Lord in less than 30 seconds and receive a receipt via email with all the details. We live in an amazing day. I love seeing this last slide when I give online. I know I’ve been obedient, faithful and generous as the Lord has commanded. If you have never given online or signed up for auto give you can also do that right here online 24/7. Of course you can always give each weekend at the service through the envelopes we provide in the mail or in the chair backs. Thanks Oasis Church for allowing us to be able to continue to reach the world for Jesus through this little piece of South Florida.

 

"She will be missed......" Weekly Church/Pastors Email.

 

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family and Friend,

Monday one of our dear Oasis family members passed away. Ms. Selma as many of us knew her, was one of the most inspirational Oasis members in our history. At 79 years old, no one loved Oasis and this dear church family more than Ms. Selma. Please read my tribute and why I am taking an unusual step of highlighting this incredible woman in our weekly email. WARNING: IT MIGHT BRING TEARS TO YOUR EYES. CLICK HERE.

"XO 2016” MARRIAGE CONFERENCE: Last weekend was a life changing experience with over 200 Oasis'ers joined thousands of others on Friday night and Saturday morning investing in their marriages and families. I congratulate all of you who made the investment. You didn't just tell your mate and your kids you value your marriage, you put feet to those words and took action. Thanks to Lily Garcia our Executive Director of Leadership Development and Community who organized and planned this incredible weekend. Also, thanks to all the lay leaders and staff who made this such a great weekend. God bless you all.

 

"Marriage Groups”: Our Community and Family ministries are offering - over the next several weeks - additional couples groups. There are 3 new ones for those at various stages of their marriages.  You can still come this Wednesday and join us. 

"Missions" is not just a value at Oasis Church it is a real life practice. We have just finished a concentrated 6 months of missions projects that hundreds of Oasis'ers participated in, but missions is not over. This month we are showing our "LOVE" for those whom Jesus spent most of His time with. You can participate  this weekend in our Hope Food Drive! For the rest of February, we will be collecting pantry items for Hope South Florida. This is going to be a huge blessing to them as their pantry is running very low on food for homeless single mom’s. Bring a can or two or ten with you this weekend as we show love to those in our community in need.

 

By the way, I’m going to let you in on a little secret  - only those reading this letter will know. Next weekend, I will be sharing the largest missions outreach project we have ever attempted at Oasis Church in celebration of our 25 years of doing missions. MAKE SURE YOU ARE HERE. Trust me, it’s bigger than anything you can imagine. By God’s grace it will be accomplished! 

"Baggage Series continues this weekend with another powerful and biblical message on addictions. Every family is touched by addictions in some way. Many families have even lost loved ones from addictions. If you are like me, my family has a wiring that makes addictions much more likely. However, there are ways to deal with addictions whether you are struggling with it or your friends and family are. It’s not HOPELESS. Come this weekend!

"Discover Oasis" is next Saturday - Feb. 27th - at 7pm at our Pembroke Pines campus and Sunday - Feb. 28th - at 11:45am at our North Miami campus. If you are new to Oasis Church and want to know more about how to be apart of this amazing Oasis Family or you have been here for years and have never attended a Discover event you must do it this next Saturday night Feb 27th or Sunday morning Feb. 28th. You can register online now. Just click here or register this weekend at a service.

God bless you and I can't wait to see you this weekend. Why not bring someone? We work very hard to not only provide incredible worship for the believer but we are also sensitive to those guests you bring. They will probably be surprised that Church can be so uplifting and positive. See you this weekend!

Guy Melton
Senior Pastor
Oasis Church of South Florida

P.S. - As always, you can give to the Lord His tithes and your offerings 6 various ways. Either when you attend this weekend or anytime 24/7 online. You can even do it NOW.  Just click here. Oasis solely relies on the Biblical Belief that all God has given us in our Mission is available from His people as they give. We would never be able to do all we have accomplished without your faithful giving. God bless you and thank you. 

 

"Romance and U-Night" Coming to Oasis ........ Pastor's Weekly Email.....

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family and Friends,

"UNIGHT and Romance" — These two words go together in many ways but they are two very BIG separate events coming up at Oasis. Please check both of them out carefully. There is no better way to jump start your spiritual life than to attend UNIGHT — next Wednesday night at 7:00 pm and no better way to renew and refresh the romance just in time for Valentine’s Day than to attend the XO 2016 Marriage Conference we are hosting on February 12-13th. 

"UNIGHT” — First things first — Next Wednesday night at 7:00p.m. is a time of worship, celebration and unite as a church. This might be the most crucial service we have quarterly for those who OWN and share in the Vision and Mission of Oasis Church. Whether you have been in our church for 24 years or 24 hours you are invited. For the new comer, there is no better way to meet others in your church family and find out the behind the scenes of what is happening and coming up at Oasis. Even better is the time of extended worship we are able to have. 

So, I hope you will be with us next Wednesday night 7:00 p.m. at our Pembroke Pines campus. KidsWorld is providing childcare and a special time for the kids.  We will also be honoring some of our long time members in celebration of our upcoming 25th Anniversary. 

"Romance" — XO Marriage Conference on February 12-13th - how to rekindle the flame, refresh your marriage or prepare for your future marriage. This is for you! What perfect timing just a day prior to Valentine’s Day.  A small $25 per couple investment can assure you years of a better marriage.  I know Tonia and I have attended a number of Marriage Conferences over the years since we were a very young couple in our 20’s, and I have found whether you are in your 20's or 50's you can always use a tune up. Don't miss this incredible opportunity Oasis is offering our church family as we partner with Gateway Church in Texas. Sign up here! 

This will be great way to "FAST FORWARD " your marriage or future marriage.

Speaking of Fast Forward, I am praying for all of us who are fasting and taking the 21 day challenge. Keep it up you are half way there! We continue our series this weekend. I hope to see you at one of the 9 opportunities to worship together with your church family. 

Guy Melton
Senior Pastor
Oasis Church of South Florida

P.S. Thanks to all our Oasis families who continue to give to the Lord His Tithes and your offerings and allowing Oasis to be the conduit of your worship to the Lord through giving.  Just a reminder you can give online, 24/7 here as well as in each service and even the giving kiosks which are in the lobby at all campuses. 

"2015 Oasis in Review" ........ Pastors Weekly Email....... December 31

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family,

Before moving on to a new year, 2016, in two days - I wanted to celebrate a few things God did in and through Oasis Church this past year. I am not sure there has been a year with so many highlights. I can only share a few of them and ask you to thank God for the wonderful and record breaking year He gave to Oasis Church. I am so glad you were along for this incredible ride we called 2015. I am even more excited about having you for our "25th Anniversary" year of 2016. 

 

January: We welcomed a new year and our first Church Council member who grew up in our Church, Christina Becena. It’s awesome to have our very own millennial serving on our leadership Council. 

   

We launched our new year with the sermon series, “Gear Up: See it , Say it , Seize it". This was certainly the theme of our entire year as a church.  

February:  During a prayer walk on our property, I was reminded what it means to “bloom where you are planted" and snapped this picture of the Oak trees that were planted 24 years ago on our property in our first year and to see how they have grown just like our church family. We are now firmly planted and rooted in South Florida and now around the world. 

 

Our ”Kingdom" series took a fun look at the Kingdom of God and our bright future.
  

March: "I LOVE THE Church:” Not my Church! His Church. This amazing series culminated with our weekend church wide "Discover Oasis" new member event with a record 250 New Members joining Oasis Church.

April: Easter weekend over 4,000 worshipped and a 100 were baptized during our sermon series, #DeathtoSelfie 

Even in the midst of the record numbers (250) joining Oasis church, 100 baptized and 4,000 in attendance I reminded us of this truth:

"Every face has a name, Every name has a story, and EveryONE needs Jesus"

May:  "Fight For Love" sermon series once again highlighted our commitment to marriage and family. A healthy marriage and family makes a healthy nation, culture and next generation.

We welcomed 15 summer interns in our first internship program that continued throughout the fall and into this new year.

June:  Summer began with our student ministry breaking all attendance records with 200 in attendance and "Camp Cray” taking over 100 students to camp for the first time. 

"90 Day Tithe Challenge" was offered and over 200 NEW Oasis'ers took God’s challenge to tithe for 90 days and test Him.  This made for an exciting 90 days of stories of what God did in the lives of so many new tithers and faithful believers.
  

July-August: When many churches take the summer off from ministry, Oasis decided to step up our “missions" ministry. Along with weekly mission projects we took our second Detroit Missions trip to our partner of "Love Cities, Love Pastors" — Victory Fellowship.  

September: Oasis Celebrated 24 years of ministry and began our year long celebration of our "25th Anniversary" coming September 18, 2016. 

"50+" Community Groups and small discipleship groups were launched. That is by far the most small groups of people doing life together we have ever had. They continue this new year in January. If you are not part of one, check out all the groups online and listen for the new ones launching in January.

 

We welcomed our first "Church Planter Apprentice" and Pastor, Tommy Parke and his wife Kristin to our staff.

October: Fall Launch with more events and things than we can put in this short recap but two highlights were:  35 baptized on Fall Launch Sunday and Legacy Ministries, Tiaras and Oasis partnered to begin a new Missions Partnership in Guatemala. 

 

November:  "25 Days of Missions" and our #LoveSFL missions emphasis was launched with a record setting 1,500 Samaritan Purse boxes taken by our Oasis families to be filled and distributed to third world countries. Over 2,500 boxes were collected as our church hosted the regional Operation Christmas Child drop off center.

December: "25 Days of Mission" was launched with over 35+ Mission opportunities to serve and love our community.

Trees of Hope celebrated a 4th year of giving free Christmas “Trees of Hope " to hurting families in our community. A record 240 trees were given away this year.

"Love Cities, Love Pastors" continues to give to our partnerships in Detroit and through your faithful giving the last year and a half we have paid off almost half the mortgage on the Oasis Beach House and Future Pastoral Retreat. That is amazing considering your giving is over and above your regular tithes and offerings. If you are new and not yet giving to Love Cities, Love Pastors, you can sign up here and begin being a part of this incredible missions partnership.

Oasis Church this has been an incredible year and these are just drops in the bucket of all that God has done in our church this year.

But as great as this past year has been, I am believing and praying for the greatest year in our 25 year history. There are still hundreds of thousands in our community who need to hear the Good News of the Gospel and that is our mission. We MUST not slow down or let up but press forward to the mission God has called us to...“to Be and to Make Disciples".

See you next year......Happy New Year!

Guy Melton
Senior/Founding Pastor
Oasis Church of South Florida

P.S. This is one last reminder for those who want to Give a "Year End Gift" to Oasis Church:

“For your year-end financial gifts to Oasis Church to qualify for 2015 tax benefits – they must be given online or postmarked in the mail by midnight December 31, 2015.

As you prayerfully consider a year-end gift…here are 4 convenient giving options for you:

#1 – To give online to either the regular offering or the special offering simply visit: visitoasis.securegive.com Here you can give via debit or credit card. It’s completely secure and very easy.

#2 – If you wish to mail a gift to our office our address is:

Oasis Church
12201 SW 14th Street 
Pembroke Pines, FL 33025 

#3 – You may also use your bank’s online website to send a check to Oasis (via the Bill Pay option). Just direct your bank to send your check to the address above – you don’t even need a stamp!

#4 – Also – if for tax purposes you wish to give through stocks/bonds/securities…it’s a safe, easy and beneficial way to make an end-of-the-year gift to Oasis.”

 

 

Trees of Hope Exceeded our Goal....... Pastor's email for November

 

Dear Extended Oasis'ers,

 

Last week, I mentioned we would not have room for stories. This week, it seems like we can't do this email without some. 

So be prepared to be blessed by what God is doing in and around Oasis Church. 

BIG WIN:  Congratulations Oasis Family, you exceeded our goal of 200 Trees of Hope. Not only were all 200 Trees of Hope Sponsor Cards taken last week and turned in, but we actually have 240 Sponsors. This means we will be able to bless even more families this Christmas with a LIVE North Carolina Fraser Fir with lights and even a stand to place it in. Having lived in a family that could not afford this type of tree for many years, I know what a blessing this will be. You are being a "Drop” of fresh love as you represent Christ to hurting families this Christmas. 

 

 

You can give your sponsorship gift online or through your envelopes from now through Christmas Eve. Just make sure it’s marked ‘Trees of Hope’.

 

With the extra sponsorships, we were able to order more trees and therefore have more we can give away. Please send us a name and contact information of any single parent family, family out of work or just hurting financially and we will contact them about receiving a tree.

 

MISSION: #LOVESFL begins this weekend with all the information of the various ways you can share the love of Christ this Christmas during the month of December. Come with an open heart and hands for serving this weekend as we will all have an opportunities to sign up for a variety of mission projects. Don't miss it! What a great revolution of LOVE we will be a part of this Christmas. 

 

Operation Christmas Child:  Drop off your shoe-boxes between now through next Monday, November 23rd. Congratulations again, Oasis Church. You exceeded our expectations and goal of 1,000 shoe-boxes to children all around the world. You took 1,500 boxes and now it’s time to bring them all back. I am totally blessed by your outpouring of love to others already this Christmas and we haven’t even begun yet. God bless you! 

Now for some stories - I just have to share a few with you. 
  

I loved this one of our men wrote this past week:

"I trusted God back in 2012 when Pastor Guy challenged us to give above and beyond our tithe, I tithe 11% and have been mathematically blessed with financial increase and spiritually blessed with my community group." - D.E.

Here’s a new believers note:

"Thank you Jesus for making me a new creation in Christ."  - J.R.

"Thanks Oasis for continuing to be an inspiration for me and my family." - M.W. 

One of our newer members who is active in our Drop young adult ministry
wrote this last week:

"I wrote this 2 years ago from when I started to coming to Oasis! Thanks for making me feel welcomed and allowing me to call it my home! Happy Tuesday.

 

"November 10, 2013" For the First time since leaving my Christ Community Church of Philadelphia I feel excited every Sunday to go to Church! Good Bible based sermons, excellent choir, established ministries, Caribbean music, and all the Caribbean flags adorn the church. So good to feel at home in His house! Jesus you are the center of my joy!! - Raquel

Those are but a few stories from last week and there are many more. Please Oasis never take for granted the beautiful work God is doing in our Church Family. This is special!

Thanks for being a part of this 25th Anniversary year. 

God bless you and I look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Guy Melton
Senior Pastor
Oasis Church of South Florida

P.S. Whether you are giving to Trees of Hope, Tithing, Bike for Haiti or other giving you can do it 24/7 right here online.  

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This Week around Oasis........ September 26, 2015

Dear Oasis extended friends and family, Our Fall Launch month continues! Not only have all our ministries kicked into full gear in the last two weeks but we are announcing this week our "Rock the Block" Family Fall Festival on October 31st. Sponsored by our Family Ministry (KidsWorld & ONE Student Ministry) - it’s going to be a great night of fun and games. On October 31st, we will not have our regular Saturday night service. We want to encourage our families to come out and bring your neighbors and friends to this great night of outreach. (If you normally come on Saturday night, we encourage you to come (on that October 31st weekend) on Sunday morning. Since our 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. services are full in the parking lot and auditorium, I encourage you to try out our 9:00 a.m. service - which has plenty of parking, KidsWorld space and auditorium seating.   Along with other activities for the kids, that night we will also be giving out candy! If you would like to be a part of making this night happen you can simply bring a bag of candy to any service between now and October 25th and leave it in the lobby at the Candy Drive: KidsWorld display.   Afterlife continues this weekend - If you have missed the first two weekends, please check them out online here. You can also jump in this weekend. It is a powerful series about what will happen after this life. Don’t miss it. I look forward to being down at our North Miami Campus this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and I hope to see all our ‘NoMites’.   Community Groups just launched! If you have not yet joined one, there are many of them and one just for your needs, your schedule and preference of topic. You can check them out here online or pick up a brochure with each one listed in the lobby this weekend. We believe that everyone should do life with others - with over 40 adults and a dozen or more teen groups you will find one just for you.    Guatemala Missions Trip is leaving this Monday morning.  This trip, led by Executive Pastor Ricky and Lily Garcia our Executive Director of Leadership Development/Community, will be a first for us to this country. The Garcia family will be leading 2 Tiaras Events in two different churches and cities. Thank you to all of you who donated to the Dress Drive! They along with other Oasis’ers will also be ministering to an orphanage this week. Please pray that God will use them and remember to keep them in your prayers.    God bless you and have a wonderful weekend!   Guy Melton Senior Pastor Oasis Church of South Florida   P.S. To give the Lord’s tithes and your offerings and to continue to see God do great things in and through Oasis Church you can give online 24/7 or you can do so at any of our services. You now have 6 ways you are able to give back to God through Oasis Church. If you want to find out about all the ways to give, you can go to this page NOW.

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.

"Its Hammer Time" .... this weeks Anniversary Pastors Email...... Sept 12, 2015

 

 

 

 

Dear Extended Oasis Friends and family,

It’s Hammer Time  - You would only understand this if you were at the UNIGHT gathering last night. No, it has nothing to do with the singer in the 80's. It has everything to do with Oasis Church’s past, present and future. 

I don't even want to begin to describe last night’s worship service. It was simply one of the most God inspired, led and attended services in the history of Oasis Church. I wish everyone of our Oasis family could have been there. I have to stop there but to say you might be hearing some "Hammer Time" talk soon and I might just mention some this weekend but this is no time to “pass batons" it’s time to “pick up a hammer" as we celebrate our 24th Anniversary this weekend, but really we launch our 25th Anniversary Year. It will be a year like no other in the past. It’s going to be sooo big; how big you ask? Sooo big that we are going to celebrate it this entire year leading up to our 25th Anniversary in September 2016. You better get ready and “pick up a hammer". It’s hammer time!

 

Afterlife begins this weekend. I am so excited! I have recorded the introduction of my message in order to show you some history of Oasis and I am burning inside to bring the message in ALL services this weekend. God totally changed my original message for this week on Afterlife and led me to go in a different direction and still introduce us to the Afterlife series. I’ll hold the original message for another week during this series. 

 

Fall Launch this week! What does that mean? Ohhh sooo much, but Ill try to keep it short. Just know you better not miss it this weekend. 

Fall Launch Means: 

* Brand New Community Groups and the restart of our present Community Groups. There is a group, day of the week and topic for everyone. You will get a chance to kick the tires and find out more about all our Community groups.

 

*A Taste of Community: Something we have never done before but you will want to taste and see this weekend at both campuses. 

* The First Time Guests you bring will receive the most popular gift we have ever had at Oasis. The "World Famous" Oasis T-Shirt. Our budget restrained us from continuing this last year but we are bringing them back this weekend for this SPECIAL LAUNCH WEEKEND. The ONLY ONES who will receive these are first time guests you bring. I hope you will make sure your friends come out for this very special weekend.

* A NEW BEGINNING of a new focus on spiritual things as Fall brings new homes, new schools, teachers and opportunities. Fall also allows us to refocus on our spiritual journey and the AFTERLIFE. 

God bless you Oasis Family. I am more humbled and honored than ever that I have had the privilege to Pastor this church family for the last 24 years; since we began with just 9 adults, Tonia and I and our kids.

It’s been a beautiful journey and the BEST is Yet to Come.  I love you.

 

Guy Melton
Founding Pastor
Oasis Church

 

P.S. I want to congratulate all of the 200 new families and individuals who just completed your 90 Day Tithe Challenge at the end of August. What a great blessing to hear all your stories. I hope many of you will go on and share your stories here where you can give God the glory and honor for the opportunity to give back to Him His tithe and your offerings. I am sure these last 3 months have now convinced you that you can't out give God and that this will now be a life long discipline of worship. If you want to give online right now or anytime, 24/7 you can do it right here. Also, did you know you can also go here to the same page and sign in and find out your giving for the entire year, just in case you ever need the information or just want to be amazed at how much God has given you to give back to him. God bless you and congratulations. 

 

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.