The title of this blog came  from the challenging message I received in church this morning. Pastor Jesse’s message came from the scripture recorded in Matthew 6: 25-34.  This scripture is a reminder that we are not to worry.  God takes care of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field and we are much more valuable then they and he will take care of us. What God desires is for us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and he promises that everything else will be taken care of. 

Then he led us to Luke 14:25-34 which explains the cost of being a disciple of Christ followed by a few situations in which one should think before they act ending with “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple”.  We were challenged at the end of the service to take some time to Pray and to Think about our goals in life. Are we holding loosely the things of this world? Are we willing to give them up if  God wanted us to?  The Holy Spirit challenged me to check my calendar, my checkbook, my talents. Am I using them for God resulting in eternal blessings or for the things of this world. Where my treasures are, there will be my heart also.

As this year winds down and comes to a close I too want to challenge you to Pray and ask God for direction in how to fully live your life for Him.  I ask you to Think about what is really important to you and how you are to move forward in 2019. To have a Plan and to Relax in His Promises and His provision as we move forward.

The Oaks Ministry Board of Directors have been praying for wisdom in the potential purchase of a building to expand this ministry.  We are thinking about and planning our next steps as God leads us and we will relax in His promises to supply all our needs according to His riches according to His will. He has never failed us yet and He never will…..

The Oaks Ministry Board of Directors thank God for each one of you for your continued support. Without supporters like you we could not do what we do.  We see each of you as a gift from God and we thank you for your financial support, your material donations, your acts of service, your prayers and your love for this ministry. Its an expression of your love for God. It motivates us to press on. . .To God be the glory!

Prayer Request:  Two of our residents are currently in rehab. One recovering from an amputation as a result of diabetes complications and one recovering from a stroke. It is our prayer that they will heal quickly and recover fully as they trust in Him.

May God richly bless each one of you and we pray that you will have a Peaceful New Year as you Pray, Think, Plan and Relax in HIM!!!

A donation button is available at www.oxfordoaksministry.com for your convenience.  All donations are tax exempt to the fullest extent allowed by law.

It is recorded in Acts 20:35, Paul is saying his farewell to the Ephesian Elders and he reminds them of this truth that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Paul worked hard to support himself and also that he could help the “weak” those in need and this is a reminder that we too are blessed when we do likewise.  Many of you are aware of the truth in those words as you have been faithfully supporting this ministry since you have become aware of it and for that we are thankful.

Would you please help us again by passing the word to your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends of the two following opportunities to help us help homeless women by supplying a Christ-centered home and a program to help them become financially stable and contributing members of our community.

1. On Saturday November 24th, Small Business Saturday, G&F Carpet, located at 322 S. Street in Oxford is donating !0% of their sales to The Oaks Ministry.  We are so very thankful to Gary the owner and operator of this business to bless us financially and help us with our mission to share the love of Jesus.  Gary has been serving our community for over 35 years and serving the church for even longer. Gary is a hard working, honest man in whom you can trust.  He has discounted prices on all in-stock flooring (carpet, vinyl, area rugs and Coretec LVP) available on this special day. Stop in and thank Gary for his support of The Oaks Ministry and while you are there you just might find flooring you like at a great price and will have it installed just in time for Christmas.

2.  November 27th, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as “Giving Tuesday.  It is a global day of giving back. On this day you will have a chance of joining people around the world and support a cause that is close to your heart.  Recently we  have installed a donation button on our website for your convenience.  You may make a donation of any amount and pay online.   If you are more comfortable you may send in a donation marked “Giving Tuesday” to our office address at 290 Bethel Road, Oxford, Pa  19363.  It will be fun to see how many people practice the joy of giving on this special day! Again please pass the word along…

The Oaks Ministry wishes you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving Season! May God continue to bless you as you have been a blessing to us!!

PAST: I am very excited about what God has done, in our past. Laying a vision on my heart (2012) to begin a transitional housing ministry for women in need, suppling everything we needed to get it up and running (2016) and continuing to equip us to do what we need to do to fulfill His purposes in this ministry. (2018) I realize that is a pretty broad statement, but we would be here all night if I gave specifics. Let me just say this.  We would not be doing what we are doing today if it wasn’t for God continually showing up to keep us motivated.

PRESENT: We have two wonderful ladies managing our homes.  Women of faith that are called by God to love,  help and encourage the women in our program.  We have three residents in our program with another resident moving in this week.  We have been working hard to implement the best policies we can to help our residents become financially stable and contributing members of our society.  We are networking with other organizations to do for the ladies what we are not equipped to do.  I’m excited that Lord willing, beginning in 2019, we will be providing our residents with professional mental health counseling at no personal cost to them.  This will mean an additional 5 to 10 thousand dollars in our 2019 budget to cover the expense but we are certain this is God’s will for us. We do what we can do and trust God to do what only He can do.

Last Saturday we had our “Harvest of Blessings Brunch” at Bethany School to raise funds for this ministry and also to give an update on what God has been doing to and through this ministry. We thank each one of you who were able to be there and for your generous donation to this ministry.  Those present heard about my vision for the possible next step in this ministry.

FUTURE:  At our October Board Meeting  I shared with our Board a vision to purchase a property that would house 10-12 residents, this will be phase 1 of our program.  We will keep the two smaller residences that God has provided to be a phase 2 of our program.  After a resident successfully completes phase 1, we will be able to offer our residents a second phase in which they would continue to be discipled under the umbrella of The Oaks Ministry with  less oversight. We are trusting in God to reveal His plan to all of us as we seek His face and prayerfully discern His will. Meanwhile we will take small steps forward to see if the door is left open.  I ask all of our followers and supporters to please pray for wisdom and discernment for the Board.  That we will not worry about the expenses associated with this but trust in God to provide if indeed it is His will.

I’m excited about the many more women we can help with this potential expansion.  Like I stated last month, when both houses are full and we are turning women away, he will provide the next place wherever that may be. Meanwhile he is teaching us how to run a non-profit and how to implement the best program possible to help those who are hurting, hopeless and homeless.

Our God of the PAST, is God of the PRESENT and He is God of the FUTURE…for HE IS the GREAT I AM and always will be! HALLELUJAH!!!

In Him we Trust!

This Saturday, November 3rd at 10 AM there will be about 160 guests filling Bethany Christian School Gym to enjoy a delicious brunch catered by “Simply from Scratch” out of Lancaster.  We are excited about this opportunity to come together and share with you what God has been doing to and through the Oaks Ministry. You will hear about our Past, our Present and our Future.  We’ve named this Brunch “Harvest of Blessings” for God has blessed us in many ways and He continues to do so.

Currently we have 6  vacancies. So if you and a few friends want to join us, please contact us as soon as possible.  Tickets are free, but reservations are limited.  We will no longer be able to accept reservations after Tuesday, November 30th so call and make your reservation today. You’ll be glad you did!  484-368-7268

On another note, we thank you for all of your prayers for a manager.  If you haven’t heard, we now have a Residential House Manager in Oaks 1 and it soon will be filled with residents.  When both homes are filled and we have to turn women away for lack of space, I believe God will supply more homes.  We cannot do what we do without faithful supporters like you!  To God be the Glory!!

The summer is quickly flying by and we have been very busy at The Oaks Ministry.  We continue to thank God and follow His leading and trust that His timing is perfect in all things. We recognize that this ministry belongs to Him and we are His vessels doing the best we can with what we’ve been entrusted with.

We thank God for providing us with a young lady, Taja White, a 2018 graduate of West Virginia University with a major in Communication Studies  who has accepted the position of Marketing/Special Events Coordinator and Jan Kamp who has filled our position of Communications Specialist. Jan is educated in Liberal Arts, Public Relations and Journalism.  Part of Taja’s responsibility is to manage our social networking sites, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram which we invite you to follow. Jan has been busy designing promotional items such as a tri-fold promotional flyer and a retractable banner to use at our special events and other items to help to promote this ministry. We are also in the process of organizing a telephone campaign to connect with churches to let them know who we are and our desire to network with them in their mission to help those in need.  We welcome both Taja and Jan to our Leadership Team. I think we will be keeping them busy!

We hope you have noticed our new website. We thank Debbie Kinney for the hours of work and her financial investment to get this site up and running.  We are still a work in progress and ask that you are patient with us as we put on our finishing touches including a donation button for your convenience.

Save the date for Saturday, November 3rd, 10 AM-1 PM. Taja and Jan are planning a “Harvest of Blessings Brunch”.  We will be offering individuals, organizations and businesses an opportunity to support this ministry by sponsoring a table and inviting friends to join them. This promises to be a fun time of fellowship with people who care about this ministry and want to partner with us.  Both men and women are invited. (more details to follow)

Oaks House 2 is at full capacity at this time. All women are employed and working toward financial stability and independence. We still do not have a Manager for Oaks 1  on Waterway Road. This week I will be sending out notices to churches and other organizations with flyers to inform their people that we have a wonderful opportunity available for the right person. Please contact us if you or anyone you know would be interested in learning more about this opportunity. A job description is available. I trust that God will soon provide as He hasn’t let us down yet. We know that HIS timing is always perfect meanwhile we are using Oaks 1 for our weekly bible study and sewing classes. We have also been using it as a meeting place for our Board and other Oaks Ministry related meetings. We thank God for Brenda Moore who is doing an excellent job as House Manager at Oaks 2. Brenda brings vast knowledge and experience in relating to women in need.

Please remember to keep our Board and Ministry in your prayers. We are a “baby” ministry and with God’s help have accomplished much in the past 2 years, but we are still very much a work in progress.  God is busy teaching us the things we need to know in order to run this ministry with integrity in such a way to honor Him, and how to implement policies to best serve the women He sends our way. It takes many hands.  Currently we would like to have more Mentors, and Day Time Volunteers to work directly with our residents.  If interested in hearing more about what is required to fill these positions, please contact Robin at 484-368-7268.

And as always In God we trust!!!

We believe that every woman can be changed by the knowledge of and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  The Oaks Ministry strives to show the love of Christ to women who are facing difficult times and are in a transitional state of life.  Through sharing Christ’s love, we support women through Christian counseling, guidance, and support services so they can become financially stable and responsible members of the community.

The Oaks Ministry is surviving and thriving because so many of you have responded to God’s prompts to share your time, talents, prayers, donated items and financial support.  And we are so grateful!

But life gets busy, and we all find ourselves swamped with things to do and causes to support.  Sometimes it feels more like a roller coaster ride than a smooth sail doesn’t it?  For a ministry, it can mean stretching and stressing people to organize fundraisers, do double duty, and help in areas outside their natural talents and abilities.

With that in mind we want to be the best stewards we can of all our resources, and we believe that is best done by giving top priority to the work of the Ministry itself.  Roller coasters are fun for some folks, but this kind of roller coaster can drain our volunteers, staff and board members of time and energy better spent on our priority of directly meeting the needs of the women we serve.

Will you consider becoming a Resource Partner thorough regular support in one or more of the categories listed in paragraph one above?  You benefit by being able to schedule your time, talent and financial help.  We benefit by knowing when and where we can count on having people and resources to help meet those needs.

Here is a “quick list” of ways you can help:

• Pray regularly for The Oaks Ministry
• Arrange for a representative of  The Oaks Ministry to speak to your church or group
• Perform maintenance or repairs
• Provide transportation for our residents
• Help with fundraising event
• Be a Respite House Manager
• Organize/host a fundraising event
• Co-Host a Tea Party (a fun way to support the ministry as well as enjoying a fun afternoon with friends) See our Tea Party page on website for more information.
• Donate Household Cleaners or Paper Products
• Help with financial support monthly, quarterly, annually, or one-time (no amount is insignificant)

As a ministry we would like to have more monthly donors from individuals as well as companies and organizations.  Receiving a monthly check from a donor is income we can depend on and helps us to meet our needs without having to spend as much time with fund raising events.

If so led, you may send your donation to:  290 Bethel Road, Oxford, Pa  19363.  All donations are tax exempt to the full extent allowed by law.

If you are willing to help in any of the above ways, please contact us a 484-368-7268 to answer any questions you may have or you may contact us through email at info@oxfordoaksministry.com or visit our FB page “Oxford Oaks Ministry” and send a message.

The Oaks Ministry is thankful for Alger Oil in Oxford, Southern Chester County Electric, and Oxford’s ACE organization for their donation of AC in Oaks 2.  With the heat wave we are experiencing it is very much appreciated!   God has blessed us with many caring individuals to help us do what we do which motivates us to press on!  May God continue to bless each of  you as you have blessed us!!!

Together we can make a difference……

As time goes on we are realizing just how much time, energy and effort is required to manage and support a ministry like The Oaks Ministry. At the same time we get to experience God at work in many different ways and that is exciting and keeps us motivated to carry on.

We have two residents moving out the beginning of June. One has been in our program for a year and has found healing and restoration and will be returning to her family and the other resident has found housing that she can afford. We are rejoicing and praising God for his provision and his perfect timing, therefore we are now accepting new applications. Please visit the page on our website “House Policies and Procedures and Application” for more information about our program. Pass the word along to anyone you know that has a need as we will very soon have two spaces available in our program.

The Oaks Ministry is a transitional housing ministry that helps women in need with housing for up to a year. While in our program the women will find employment and learn financial skills to help them manage the funds they earn.  While in our program the women will also be shown the unconditional love of Christ. It is our prayer that they will learn to trust Him as we do.  He is at work changing lives and The Oaks Ministry is just one of the many ways He is doing that.

The Oaks Ministry Board has been busy reviewing our program and the services we offer.  We are currently looking for the following people to serve our organization as a:

Fund Raising Director                                                                                                                        Grant Writer                                                                                                                                      Special Events Coordinator                                                                                                              Volunteer Coordinator                                                                                                                      Communication Director

If interested in any of the above positions, please contact us at 484-368-7268 for more information.

In addition to the above volunteer positions we are still in need of a House Manager for Oaks 1 on Waterway Road.  The main requirements for this position is a Christian, single female. The manager shares housing with 3 residents and may work away from the ministry during the day. We have daytime volunteers visit the ladies to help with any need that arises while our manager is at work.  The Oaks Ministry supplies our manager with free room and board. Just imagine the savings for a person who works full-time and does not have to pay for essential living expenses. The large home is a beautifully restored 1800’s farm house sitting in the middle of 24 acres with a tree lined driveway. It truly is a beautiful place to be. The manager has a large beautifully furnished bedroom.  Having said all that we realize that it takes a very special lady to fill this position. Maybe this lady is you or maybe you know just the right person for the job. Please pass the word along.

As with any Pa-non profit it takes funds to do what we do.  If you are able to contribute financially,  please send your donation to:  The Oaks Ministry, 290 Bethel Road, Oxford, Pa  19363.  All donations are tax exempt to the full extent allowed by law.

Together we can make a difference!

The Oaks Ministry is happy to announce that another lady has graduated from our program.  This beautiful lady came into our program homeless on a limited income and unable to support herself. During her time with us she was able to get a part-time job and save enough money to get into her own apartment.  So we Celebrate! She is no longer “homeless”.  We are excited for her and wish her the best in this new journey in life. Trusting that the spiritual seeds planted will continue to grow. To God Be the Glory!!

Someone recently told Robin that the Oaks Ministry is a “little acorn that was planted and it is beginning to grow and spread its limbs” and we are learning that with growth comes more responsibility.  As most of you know God gave Robin a vision in June 2012 to help women in need by supplying transitional housing. In February 2016 we opened Oaks 1 and in September 2016 we opened Oaks 2. This ministry was birthed in love and compassion for women in need of a fresh start. The Board and the Volunteers have little to no experience in doing this, therefore The Oaks Ministry Board agreed to invest in some faith-based leadership training for all of us. Through these sessions we are being challenged with things we need to be doing to protect our organization as well as things we should be doing to network with other organizations to better equip our residents to succeed in life when they leave our organization.  Please pray for  us as we redesign our program and implement policies to better help those we are called to serve.

We Celebrate and thank God for supplying a house manager for Oaks 2. We are blessed to have a woman who has spent her entire life in social services helping those in need and she felt the call of God to join the Oaks Ministry Team. She brings so much more to this ministry than just oversight at the house.  Having said that, we are still in need of another House Manager for Oaks 1.  Keep praying for the woman God has chosen for this position. We trust that God will reveal who she is,  meanwhile we continue to CELEBRATE as we trust in HIS perfect timing!

We hope that you are Celebrating with us as we could not do what we do without our faithful friends and supporters of this ministry.  In addition to your prayer support if you would like to help us financially, please send your tax exempt donation to The Oaks Ministry, 290 Bethel Road, Oxford, Pa.  19363.  Every dollar you send will go toward supplying transitional housing and faith-based support services to help women become financially stable and responsible members of our communities.  To God Be the Glory!!!

“I was recently asked to write about my involvement in The Oaks Ministry and was surprised at my initial reaction to the request, as I write stuff all the time and very seldom have trouble coming up with something to say.  However, this time was different and at first I could not put my finger on why. Then it occurred to me that my involvement with this ministry is something that is very personal to me.  Again I could not put my finger immediately on why I felt that way and then it came to me.  It is because “There but by the Grace of God go I.”

Growing up in an upper middle class community with very loving parents, I took it for granted that feeling of being safe and warm and having my belly full.  Actually I have lived all of my life always knowing where my next meal would come from and where I would be laying my head each night.  I’ve lived a privileged life, and not due to anything I’ve done to deserve it.

So when I was asked if I wanted to be on the Board of The Oaks Ministry I felt both honored and humbled.  There is such a need for an outreach program for women who have no place to go.  They are either couch surfing, in a homeless shelter and running out of their time there, living out of their cars, or any number of other scenarios that have made them feel lost, hopeless, and marginalized.

This ministry is for women just like me, had I not been as fortunate as I was growing up.  In fact even with the circumstances with which I grew up, this ministry has shown me what the love of Christ truly means and has given me blessings tenfold back what I have put into it.

Oaks helps women to become financially independent, but more importantly encourages them to accept the love of Christ, his forgiveness, and the future he promises to all who believe.  And that is so very personal to me.  Although I was raised as a “Christian” I did not truly understand what Jesus did for me until about eight years ago.  The understanding happened within a moment for me.  A moment in my life when my eyes where opened and my heart was changed.  I was like a child then and stayed that way for a long time.  I still am in fact.  But when I was called to The Oaks Ministry, I was finally given a direction, a purpose, a heart of servitude.  For that I am so thankful

I don’t know why I was asked to put all this in writing.  I think perhaps I was asked to share my experience to help encourage others to volunteer.  There is so much to be done.  We need two house managers as well as volunteers who perhaps have some talent they would like to share with our resident women on a regular basis.  Our women need the help and understanding of other women who wish to share their lives in a meaningful way. “Many hands make light work”, my Mama used to say.

It is a very personal thing to share one’s life with others.  But I can tell you that what you get back from being a part of something bigger than yourself will humble you.  We all have a talent, even if we don’t know what it is.  God brings it out of us when someone is in need of it.  That is what The Oaks Ministry has done for me.  And I encourage anyone who wishes to be part of something far bigger than yourself to join The Oaks Ministry in whatever capacity you wish.  It is a life changing experience.”

Please visit our Volunteer Page on this website and complete and send in an application if you are interested in helping us help others. We would love to have you join our team.  And as always we “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT”!!

And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins. – Matthew 1:21

In the early 60’s I attended Good News Club one day a week right after school let out. Good News Club was held in the home of a local Pastor and his family. They lived two doors up from us in the village of New London. Good News Club consisted of a Bible story, singing hymns and Bible memory.  Matthew 1:21 was my first memory verse.  Its deeply ingrained in my mind and in my heart.

Now that I am much older I have come to appreciate the reality of this verse as this gift of salvation has radically changed my life. This gift is the greatest gift ever given. The gift that keeps on giving into eternity.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.  

This is our hope that every woman that enters our program will come to know Jesus as their Savior and make Him Lord of their lives. Its not enough just to know “about” Him but one must know Him “personally” in order for life change to happen. Christianity is more than just religion its a personal relationship that impacts your daily life. I have been told that the difference between religion and a relationship is that religion is man reaching up to God trying to earn His favor and a relationship is God coming down to man and accepting Him just as He is.  I am so thankful that Jesus accepted me just as I am but he loved me enough that he didn’t leave me there.  To know Him is to love him and to love Him is to obey Him. Its then that we see God in action and our faith becomes stronger. Please pray for us as we reach out with the love of Christ to women who need to experience Christ in a fresh new way as they work toward financial stability.

We again thank God for each one of you who continue to support this ministry. We raised over $2,500 at our Christmas at the Oaks Holiday Bazaar and many of you have sent in year end financial donations in which we are grateful for.

If you desire to donate supplies to our ministry this holiday season we are asking for you to consider Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener, Bleach, Bathroom Tissue, Paper Towels, or Dusting spray.  We are currently well stocked on personal hygiene items. Thank you!!

We are still accepting resume’s for 2018 Residential House Managers. This is a wonderful opportunity to reside in a beautiful home and no cost to you.  We are trusting that God will reveal the right person at the right time. Please call Robin at 484-368-7268 or send your resume to info@oxfordoaksministry.com. Thank you!!

The Board of Directors of the Oaks Ministry wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas as together we celebrate the greatest gift ever given, the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord!!!

Robin Martin, President