Our Blog

Spare Change May 2016

4 Reasons I love the Food Pantry Ministry

The people that work in our food pantry routinely comment on how awesome the food pantry ministry is.  All the other ministries at Oakhill are just as awesome, but the food pantry is unique in its awesomeness.  Unfortunately, right now we are short staffed due to relocation, job changes, schedule changes, etc.  We need about four more people each week to get back to being fully staffed.  Because we are short staffed we are not able to offer the personal care room every week.  Soon we will be losing our person that inventories and orders food.  As you can see—we need help!  The commitment is only once a month on the 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4^th Saturday.  I know everyone is busy, but if you can give just one Saturday morning a month from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., then you can be used in a great way.  Let me know if you can help by calling me at the church office or emailing me.  Now, here are 4 reasons I love the food pantry ministry.

1. It’s a great place to share your faith.

The food pantry is unique because there is an intentionality with the gospel.  We are there to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the community.  We emphasize the spiritual needs of our clients greatly.  Not only do we have a message each week, we also sit down one on one with our clients.  We take the time to talk to them about life and pray with them.  Often these talks will lead to gospel conservations.  Our goal is to share the gospel which provides hope for the unbeliever and encouragement for the
believer.

2. Everyone’s gifts can be used.

The food pantry uses a wide range of gifts.  We need people (caregivers) that can talk to clients, but we also need people gifted in hospitality, administration, serving, etc.  We need cart pushers and food box preparers.  We need people to make coffee and pass out personal care items.  Whatever your gift might     be, we can find a place for you to serve.

3. There is a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy great fellowship with them.

Attending a larger church like ours makes it hard to get to know people, however at the food pantry we have people of all ages that come together to serve.  You will meet everyone from seniors to college students and our fellowship is sweet.  Every week the team enjoys just getting to hang out together.  Are your looking to connect with other church members?  Other than a 2:42 Group, there is no better place than the food pantry.

4. It reminds me that it is not about me.

Finally, the food pantry reminds me that the Christian walk is not about me.  It’s about serving others and ultimately serving our Lord and Savior Jesus.  That is why we are called to serve in the first place.  I love the message of Mark 10:45.  Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  This is a great reminder that we are never more like Jesus than when we are serving.  Remember, it’s not about you and it’s not about me; it’s all about Him.

 We really do need help at the food pantry.  Right now, our number of clients have been down, probably due to tax returns and low bills.
 However, that will end soon as the summer heats up.  Please pray and consider serving in this wonderful ministry.  The best way to tell if you want to serve is to just show up and see what it is all about.  Come check it out the 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4^th Saturday of the month.  The food pantry is located at 5122 N. Fares Ave. (off of St. George Rd.)

April 2016 Spare Change

                        Hispanic Church Plant Coming to Evansville!

Late last year we were approached by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to consider sponsoring a Hispanic Church Plant in Evansville.  We met with the church planter and his family, and   they have since visited Oakhill on two occasions.  We spent the past few months praying and working out the details with the church planter and are excited to announce that Oakhill Baptist Church will be sponsoring a Hispanic church plant later this year!

Alfonso Soto, the church planter, will begin working in the area starting in June.  He will work to establish connections within the Hispanic community for the first couple of months.  Alfonso and his family are currently located in the Jasper/Huntingburg area where they are a part of a SBC Hispanic church.  Alfonso has been instrumental in starting home groups and assisting the Pastor.  He has a desire to see a Hispanic church plant come to the Evansville area.  This will be a church where worship, preaching, and fellowship will primarily be done in Spanish.  Alfonso is looking to start a home group by August that will eventually result in a church plant.

Oakhill will be the home base of operation for Alfonso.  While NAMB will be paying his salary, Oakhill will be paying a small monthly stipend to help with expenses, as well as helping with some ministry costs.  Alfonso will also be learning from our staff and applying those things within the context of the church plant.  We are making a three year commitment to this church plant, contingent on an annual review.  NAMB also has their own goals and standards that the church plant must meet.

We believe that Alfonso will have no problem engaging the Hispanic community in Evansville and starting a home group by August, however, he needs our help.  You might say, “How can I help? I don’t speak Spanish”.  There are lots of ways that you can help even if you don’t speak Spanish.

1. Pray – This is a big undertaking for the Soto family. They are moving their family from Jasper to Evansville. They need to make connections quickly and find some people willing to help start this church.  Church planters and the actual plant need lots of prayer.
2. Include – Include the Soto family as you would any other church member or staff person. They literally do not know anyone from this area. Oakhill will be their church home while they get things going with the plant.  We need to befriend them and work to include them in our church family.  I know you will make Alfonso, Wendy and their children feel right at home.
3. Connect – If you know of anyone in our community that might benefit from this church plant, please submit their name to me or Alfonso. He will be making cold calls and connecting with people for the first couple of months. Again, he doesn’t know anyone yet, so he is relying on us to help him identify Hispanics in our area.
4. Volunteer – We will have connection events like block parties and other activities that you can be a part of. Even if you don’t speak Spanish you can help by volunteering at these events. Look for info to come later in the year on these events.

We will be building a team to assist with the church plant soon.  If you do speak Spanish and want to be involved, then we can definitely use you.  Even if you don’t speak Spanish but still have a passion for this ministry you can help.  Please contact me ASAP at the church office if you are interested in an ongoing volunteer capacity.