Oasis Stories: Renee Wilborn

412 days ago by Jenn Collins

The following story comes from Renee Wilborn. She has served at our church for several years and many of you may recognize her as our campus police officer. We are so thankful for her service to our church. Find out a little more about Renee below!

My name is Renee Wilborn. I have attended Oasis Church since June 2003. I serve on the Greeting team. I am a single mother of one; a 13-year-old son named Corey. My immediate family lives in Miami.

My role as the campus Deputy entails maintaining the security within the Church as well as outside. Studies have shown that places where there are Law Enforcement Officers visible to the public, the less likely it is that a person(s) will target that particular area to commit a crime. Therefore I basically observe the area during service, so that members and visitors can feel a little more at ease. I also assist with directing the traffic to ensure that the traffic flows smoothly at the beginning and end of service.

I grew up knowing Christ. I was raised in the church by my Mother and Grandmother. I am a military brat, so my Mother was taught by her Mother and Grandmother to find a church home no matter where we were stationed. As I grew older and was able to make my own choices, I attended church less and less.

In June 1995, I graduated high school and was four months pregnant with my son. It was a difficult time for me becoming a teen Mother as well as not being able to leave home for college. After graduation I spent my days home hidden in the house depressed pretty much. I gave birth to my son Corey on Dec. 29, 1995. After Corey’s birth I sunk deeper and deeper in a hole as my friends returned from college for the winter break, only to drop in and say hi and leave to run off to a party or some other fun activity.

I basically spent the first three months of my son’s life being angry with myself until I visited a Church with my girlfriend. I was moved by the service and decided that I could not spend the rest of my days regretting my actions. I did a lot of praying to change things in my life, and GOD began to move. I was hired as a tutor and took a second job working at my son’s daycare center so that I could afford a place of my own to live. I was blessed to have a supervisor who became my mentor and motivated me to move on and do good things. He was GOD sent. I was accepted to the Correction Academy in April of 1998.

After working as a Correctional Officer for six years I decided that I wanted to work with people outside of the prisons and jails as a change of pace. I graduated from the Police Academy in June of 2003. I was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in Sept. 2004. I have had a blast working with so many different people. I can work in just about any capacity be it undercover or directly in the communities. I am currently assigned as a Detective in the City of Pompano Beach. I decided that I needed to make some changes in my life to get back on track at which time a friend invited me to visit their church.

Over the past few years I have grown closer to God. I was invited to attend Oasis Church by a co-worker in June of 2003. I was baptized here and attend regular services. I am a part of the Single Moms Community Group. All of the above events assisted in bringing me to Christ, as well as allowing me to grow closer to Him.

Recently, God has allowed me to experience change within myself. I am learning to put others first over myself and give in anway way I can, be it through money or my time. God has also blessed me with wonderful sisters in Christ through my community group. I have made friendships with this particular group of women that I know will last a lifetime.