Oasis Stories: Mike & Joan Chalk

451 days ago by Jenn Collins

Written by Mike and Joan Chalk

We first heard about the need for loving and nurturing homes for hurting children through our church. We have always had a love for children, frequently inviting the youth from our church into our home. We knew we had the space, time, and energy to give to children in need. We just needed God’s affirmation. We prayed, and we received it.

You see, we had already raised a daughter, who is now married and living locally. We were willing to make lifestyle changes to care for children in need. We understood that by knowing each child, we could effectively meet the needs of each child. It all seemed to make sense. God was speaking to our hearts. We were developing passion and love.

God gave us a strong desire to foster children in need, to provide a safe and loving environment designed to encourage and promote success in the life of a child. We took that step of faith and have been blessed beyond our needs, by God Almighty.

Joan and I met when we were teenagers. She was friends with one of my sisters and she use to hang out at my house. I fell in love with her at an early age and we have been married for more than 34 years now. God has been working on us quite a while, and we are His work in progress.

After more that three decades of marriage and military service, and also caring for three of our parents through their death (my mom and dad in their home and Joan’s mom in our home), we understand what love and commitment is all about. The special time we were able to spend with our parents covered a ten year period. My mom from 1994-1998, my dad from 1998-1999, and Joan’s mom from 1999-2004. What a blessing and honor is was to serve them through this difficult time. God fed us all the love, compassion, strength and energy we needed to serve.

I remember, as Joan’s mom, Romayne, took her last breath, we prayed together, in our home. We thanked God for all the blessings and opportunities He had entrusted us with, and then prayed asking Him “what’s next”. We were “broken” and we needed His love and a purpose.

We prayed for a solid year, asking God daily to give us wisdom and discernment. And on Easter 2004, we finally found our answer in God. We publicly accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and have recommitted our lives to serving God since then. God has been directing our hearts and has called us to His ministry. We are developing our relationship with God and others now.

We have been called in the past to serve in youth ministry, men’s and women’s ministries, discipleship ministry, kid’s ministry, benevolence ministry, outreach ministry, care teams (greeters, ushers, hospitality, media center, parking, transportation, and support services) and life group coaches for both middle and high school students.

Currently, I have the pleasure of speaking to potential foster and adoptive parents every Tuesday night at Florida Baptist Children Home. We are able to serve together as Community Group Leader/Hostess every Wednesday night in our home and I get to serve every Thursday night with Surge Student Ministry at Oasis Church. We also get to serve together at Oasis Church every Saturday Night, where I serve as Host Pastor and Joan serves as Greeter/Usher.

We have been blessed by God and have had fourteen foster children placed in our home over the past 2½ years (Quanzer, Sabastian, Wendy, Kallie, Scott, Shane, Anniya, Isaiah, Brynn, Gavin, Jaheim, Jazmin, Jahquiez, Arabella). They have brought joy into our lives and our home.

God also blessed us by placing eight adults in our home over the years (Timmy, Charles, Pam, Miriam, Eric, JC, Wok-Lo, Donna) and we are looking forward to having Jordon stay with us, too.

We believe that God is calling us to relocate to Tennessee in the future. To start up a church, to continue fostering, and to continue serving in a way that brings Him all the glory and praise.

We believe with all our heart, that God has called us to be foster parents and minister to others. He wants us to continue to grow our corporate and personal relationship with Him, while helping others through the foster care system. If you feel called to get involved or have any questions about fostering children, give us a call. We would be honored to help you get started as foster parents for children in need. It will change your life, and the lives of others.

Thank You and God Bless,
Mike & Joan Chalk (954) 392-1683
mikec@visitoasis.org

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”