Serving the Church is an Expression of Thanks to God!

158 days ago by Ranelle Walkenhorst

On January 31 it was announced that as a reflection of the economic situation we are all experiencing, unfortunately several positions on the church staff had to be eliminated. Several people wrote on their Connection Cards that they would be available to help out in the Church Office, or on the Facilities Team. Some came to the Information Center to volunteer. How encouraging it was as we compiled a list of the names of precious people ready to come help! You all turned a sad and uncertain situation into a matter of praise.

My initial reaction was to wonder how we were going to get along without the help of those people on staff, who were our friends and on whom we depended so strongly. But God helped me to see His hand at work raising up people who love this church and who love Him, willing to help in whatever ways are needed.

Oasis Church has so many people volunteering in critical areas on a weekly basis — our Worship Teams, children’s workers, Refreshment and First Impressions Teams, Tech Teams, Teaching Teams, Host Pastors, Lay Pastors, Church Council. As I looked around at all the busy activity one Sunday morning, I specifically took note of all the amazing volunteers who come consistently, taking ownership of their important role at Oasis Church and making it possible for us to function as a church, to reach out to our community (and to each other) with the love of Jesus Christ.

Our volunteers are a critical and vital part of Oasis Church. Our volunteers give, serve, bless, teach, smile…and they do this out of love for their church and out of love for Christ. As He guided me to open my eyes and look at the many wonderful volunteers already ministering in areas of great responsibility, God replaced my concern about how we will function without our staff members with an anticipation of the amazing way He has already provided additional volunteers, anxious and ready to serve Him at the Offices and facilities of Oasis Church. To those who already minister in some area, your service is invaluable to us, and we appreciate you so much. And to those who are coming on board to help in the Office and Facilities areas, we are so excited to have you join our Team as together we supply the needs of God’s people and give our love and thanks to God in the process, as this verse describes: “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” — 2 Corinthians 9:12.