ANSWERING QUESTIONS

The teenagers of the next generation are asking questions! And pretty good ones too! It is often easy to misunderstand these questions as a “teenage phase” or even outright rebellion. In reality, all of these uncertainties are God’s way of drawing a teenager to realize that they need Him, and that He offers answers to all that seek Him. Our present generation seems content to live life without answers. “Ignorance is bliss!” could well be our motto today. Most have concluded that they are satisfied to live their life without knowing its origin, purpose, fulfillment or end. Our goal at Oakwood Baptist Church is to help teenagers find answers to life’s most important questions. These answers will only be found in seeking God through His Word.

CHANGING THE COURSE OF HISTORY

The course of history is changed when one successfully influences the mind of the youth in his generation. History volumes are filled with both good and bad instances of those who have greatly influenced humanity by gaining the ear of the next generation. The helm of history is in the grip of those who gain the hearts and minds of today’s youth. God’s people need to gain that grip and hold it fast.

PARENTAL SUPPORT

It is our goal to turn the heart of children toward their parents and the heart of parents toward their children. Because we believe that God has put the responsibility for raising children primarily in the hands of the parent, we view ourselves as a support system for the family. Parents are the appointed agents of Almighty God. Our desire is to meet the needs of the family as a whole by supporting it at every level.

DYNAMIC PREACHING

We believe that changed lives are a direct result of proclaiming the Word of God in a practical and understandable way. This belief inspires us to preach fervently and passionately each time we meet. Of course, the beginning of all lasting change is salvation. So, the saving Gospel will always be intertwined in the message, with the anticipation that more and more teenagers will find answers to their questions and fulfillment in serving God with their lives.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

At Oakwood Baptist Church we encourage teens to exercise their spiritual gifts. We offer a wide range of opportunities to accommodate our members’ varied spiritual strengths. Whether it is traveling with our FAITHFUL SERVANTS MUSICAL MINISTRY TEAM, SOULWINNING every Wednesday before Teen Meeting, participating in SPECIAL MUSIC, using ATHLETICISM to bridge gaps during activity time, operating our SOUND AND MEDIA SYSTEMS during services, or traveling to other countries on one of our many MISSIONS TRIPS (China, Ireland, Costa Rica, Mexico, etc.), teenagers will be making efforts toward others rather than simply being entertained.

MENTORING MEN AND LADIES

One of our most influential ministries has spawned from a desire to see God grow boys into men and girls into ladies. MEN OF VALOR was formed three years ago and has evolved into an optional class for those who desire to be taught how to become men. Though joining is completely voluntary, once involved the teens will be faced with a high expectation and a strong accountability from the pastoral staff. Young men are taught to prepare and preach the Word of God, value their word, have a strong work ethic, manage time, remain pure, and handle themselves with proper etiquette. After two years of seeing the dramatic change in our young men, our young ladies were adamant that they too would benefit from a similar class, so my wife Hannah started the LADIES OF VIRTUE. The young ladies are taught how to prepare Bible lessons for Sunday school classes, use art for ministry, protect themselves with principles of modesty, look for a future mate, have fashion sense, display proper etiquette, and prepare a formal banquet. It has been nothing short of remarkable and refreshing to see Lady-likeness revived through practical hands-on mentoring.

FUN AND FELLOWSHIP

Your teen will find no lack of good clean fun in Teen Connection! Our ministry provides ski trips, Gatlinburg leadership trips, mission trips (Ireland, China, Iceland, Mexico, Costa Rica, China), camps, white-water rafting, laser tag, go-carting, skating, bowling, all-nighters, Cola War competitions, youth conferences, young men’s conferences, etc. All of these activities provide fun within the framework of Christian fellowship.

SUCCESS IN YOUTH MINISTRY

In a day when the success of youth ministry is defined by how many teens attend, or how well received the program. We know that our success is determined by our faithfulness to God’s command to make disciples. If we are mentoring teens to be solid, settled, sold-out followers of Christ, then God is pleased, and we have succeeded. As we continue to labor for the souls of teens it is our prayer that, in the end, God will define our teen ministry as successful.