Celebrating God-sized wins at VBS and FCA!
This past week our building was bursting at the seams with all the energy and noise of kids learning about the love of Jesus. We had True North VBS each morning, with 215 kids and 130 volunteers, and FCA Camp each afternoon, with 100 kids and 50 leaders. Kids learned through play, scripture, crafts, games, and sport how they could grow closer to Jesus and how they can disciple others in the same. We are thankful for all the ways God moved in young hearts this week and for the many volunteers who gave their time to love our kids! Please pray for all the kids who made commitments to Jesus, and for those who asked big questions or are wrestling with experiencing Jesus in a new way.
Join us as we commission Oaks Church
This weekend, we are sending over 200 adults and children to start a new church in Cottage Grove! The new church, Oaks Church, will start as a campus and work towards autonomy in the coming years. We are sending our friends, family, and incredible volunteers because starting new churches is the most effective evangelistic strategy in the Church’s toolbox. New churches reach more people better, faster, and cheaper than existing churches. Cottage Grove is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Twin Cities, and there is a need for more gospel-centered churches. By “slow planting” a church, we can expand our reach and impact more lives with the Gospel. Pray as this team grows together, grows through the process of change, and grows through mission! (The official grand opening is September 28, but there will be some soft launch services before that. Check out their website for details.
Last call for undies and socks!
Some of the most often requested items for people who experience homelessness are clean socks and underwear. You can help meet this need by donating packs of new socks and underwear throughout the month of July at Five Oaks. We partner with a local nonprofit called The Drawer, which collects donations like ours and distributes them to our neighbors in need. Donations are due this Sunday, July 20. Questions? Email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Registration closes Sunday for our outdoor baptism service!
If you’ve been around our church for more than a minute, you know that we love to celebrate baptisms. Our outdoor summer baptism service will be better than ever this year! Join us on July 27, 10 am, at the island at the University of Northwestern. We have more than 20 people being baptized, and we’ll get to hear their amazing stories and sing some worship music together to celebrate. After baptisms, we invite you to stay for lunch and social time. Northwestern has a policy of no outside food, but we’ve made it easy and affordable for you to order boxed lunches when you register for the event. Details and registration are available here. (Hurry! Registration closes July 20!) Please note: Our baptism service is the only worship service we will have the weekend of July 26+27.
Christmas in July
Our summer youth group prgramming resumes this week with a movie night on July 23. Your students can look forward to a little Christmas in July with a Christmas movie and Christmas treats! Feel free to pull out your Christmas attire, and bring your friends! 6:30-8:30 pm. All middle and high school students are welcome! Questions? Email Dan Eggum, deggum@fiveoakschurch.org.
We’re all leaders: Elevate your leadership
Whether your life’s work is the breadwinning role in the family, a volunteer spot in your community, a supporting role in a nonprofit, or a caregiving role for your kids or aging parents, we all lead others in some capacity. The Global Leadership Summit is the largest leadership event in the country, and this two-day event offers opportunities for growth and sharpening for every leader. Five Oaks is a host site this year! Join us August 7 and 8 to see how God can move the needle in your own leadership. More info here.
Are you a word nerd?
Our church has an email devotional called DailyLife, written and edited entirely by volunteers. We currently have openings on our editing team! If you love to edit and want to help shepherd our readership in their walk with Jesus, please email Peg Benson, pbenson@fiveoakschurch.org. This is a great way to serve from home - or from the cabin!
Bible teaching for public school students
Did you know that public school students can legally receive Bible education during school hours? For more than 70 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed public school students to take part in religious classes during school hours—as long as they’re 1) held off school property, 2) paid for with private funds, and 3) approved by parents. Five Oaks is partnering with LifeWise Academy as a host site for the students at Red Rock Elementary in the upcoming school year. Want more info? Go to lifewise.org/southwashingtonmn.
You don’t need to be an expert - just someone who cares
Our students need adults who will show up, listen well, and point them toward God’s truth. As a small group leader at youth group, you’ll create a space where honest conversations can happen, faith can grow, and Scripture feels real and relevant. If you’re up for encouraging the next generation and walking with them through life’s questions, we’d love to have you on the team. Email Mindy Wissink, mwissink@fiveoakschurch.org, to get started.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Looking for a career move? Check out these options with our Impact Partners
Hope Academy is hiring a Director of Partnership Expansion. This new leadership role is focused on leading efforts to expand the partner-base that supports Hope Academy. More details can be found here: Director of Partner Expansion | Hope Academy
Hope Farm School is hiring Youth Ministry Resident Assistants. This role is focused on serving the in-residence students by creating a positive atmosphere and building community. More details can be found here: Employment — Hope Farm School
Do you love to garden?
Harvest is beginning next week at Hope Farm School. If you enjoy picking or canning, we’d love your help at Hope Farm School. Contact Ben Bredow, (651)368-5985, to see how you can help out.
Rally support for the Wounded Warrior Project "Soldier Ride" in Woodbury
On Saturday, July 26, Woodbury will host the annual Wounded Warrior Project "Soldier Ride," which will pass near Five Oaks. The event typically draws 25-50 wounded US military veterans from around the country who ride a 16-mile course through our community. We expect the first pass near Five Oaks through the traffic roundabout at Radio and Bailey sometime between 9:15 and 9:40 am, with a second pass sometime between 10:45 and 11:15 am. The Woodbury Police Department provides a full escort with squad cars and Bike Patrol team members. If you have time that morning to show your support, please join others from our community to cheer on the Soldier Ride participants. (Their route is a U-shape beginning at Woodbury City Hall, south on Radio to Bailey Rd., east to Woodbury Drive, and north to the Fox Run Fire station. And then reversed.) Questions? Email Joe Thornton, joe.thornton@me.com.