Congregational meeting with our campaign consultant, Terry Bates, at 6:30 on Friday, March, 12th. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

A 24 Hour Prayer Vigil will be held at Oak Dale from Friday, March, 19th at 12:00 noon to Saturday, March, 20th at 12:00 noon. Everyone is encouraged to participate in some way.

The All Church Goal Setting/Celebration Banquet will be held at Oak Dale on Wednesday, March, 24th at 6:30 PM. Everyone is encouraged to attend and there is no charge to attend the event. Childcare will be provided and a children’s pizza party will be provided (also at Oak Dale) for kids up to grade five.

I miss  my journal.  You know, the one with the picture of the new church building on the front?  The one we handed out a couple of Sunday’s ago?  The one with the very nice picture of Joe and Naomi just inside the cover?  Yeah, that journal.  I miss it.

See, I took some time during the first week after we all received our journals to work through the devotional material and questions for that week.  It was mostly about what I thought our church and community would look like if all the vision of Oak Dale Church became a reality during the next few years.  Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I would get much out of it… but I felt like I had to work through it.  I mean, I’m the Forward in Faith campaign coordinator right?! 

Sometimes God does something in our hearts when we least expect Him to.  As I worked through my journal that day I felt God filling my heart and mind with visions of ministry that I had never considered before!  I could see my community being changed in positive ways and I could see a role that I might be able to play in that transformation.  I haven’t really shared any of those thoughts with anyone but Jaime… but the time will come. 

Anyway, this week I was really looking forward to working through the journal material again.  I mean, who knows?  Maybe God could do something in my mind yet again.  

Only one problem; I can’t find my journal. 

Actually, I’m pretty sure I know where it is.  Maybe you remember when some guy stood up behind the pulpit on Sunday and waved a journal in the air trying to encourage people to look at theirs.  Yeah, that guy was me and that was MY journal!  Was I smart enough to simply grab an extra one from the stack in front of the church?  No.  Was I dumb enough to stick it UNDER my notes when I was done using it as a prop?  Yes.

Anyway, I think my journal is sitting on the pulpit at church.  Maybe I’ll slip over there this afternoon and try to find it. 

Anyway, I hope a lot of you are having significant experiences with God while you work through your journal as well.  If you are, please let me know.  I’d love to talk to you about it!

- Joel

At times I ask myself this question.  Is it worth all the energy and money to build a new facility. When I think of our congregation and our ministry, I could be well satisfied to remain as we are in our current building.  We have a nice comfortable spiritual family.

But when God takes my thoughts to his lost sheep and those hurting and caught in Satan’s web, I know God has called me and Oak Dale to do all we an in his power to love his lost children in Jesus name until they find wholeness in Jesus.

I know our current building limits our outreach and ministry.  With a better tool more ministry will be done.  With a good deal of commitment and sacrifice from our generation, many more will experience Jesus in future generations.

So, in a sense, Christ’s love compels me not to be content with our comfortable church, but to do all I can to reach as many as I can for Jesus in my generation.

As we throw ourselves into this major effort, “may the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of his suffering”.

Feb 7 is kick off, not only for the Saints or Colts, but for Oak Dale.  We’re kicking off Forward in Faith, inviting everyone to get real intentional about seeking the face of God, distributing FIF journals, and talking about Faith and Vision.   The ultimate joy and rewards we receive will far surpass that of the winning team receiving the Vince Lombardi trophy after tomorrows game.  You’re welcome to join us for the journey.

Here is another way to stay connected and pass along information as we move Forward in Faith to relocate to our Rt 219 property