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. Register early and save! Five Oakers get a $40 discount in their cart if they register between July 5 and 15. More info here.
Register now 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. Please note: Our baptism service is the only worship service we will have the weekend of July 26+27.
Students summer worship night
Connecting with God through worship is a highlight for students whether it’s at camp or during our school year, so we’re taking this Wednesday night, July 9, to have an extended Worship Night! Doors open at 6:30 pm for middle and high schoolers. Come ready to pray, sing, and point your hearts and lives to God! Invite your friends! Questions? Email Mindy Wissink, mwissink@fiveoakschurch.org.
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!
Serve your neighbor in need at Dorothy Day - JULY 5
If you’d like to make a difference to our neighbors in St. Paul, join us to prepare and serve a meal at the Dorothy Day Center on Saturday, July 5, 9:30 a.m.- 1:15 p.m. Because this is a holiday weekend, we’re getting the word out early - so you can sign up early! Interested? Email Tim Wiant, wiynts4riverfalls@gmail.com. Tim will get back to you with details on how to sign up. Volunteers need to be at least 14 years old.
Undie Sunday (or Saturday) starts this weekend
For people who experience homelessness, some of the most often requested items 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, and this group collects donations like ours and distributes them to our neighbors in need. Drop your donations off anytime through July 31. Questions? Email Dave Baar, dbaar@fiveoakschurch.org.
Our young adult ministry is growing
If you’re between the ages 18 and 24, you may be looking for community with others your age. Our Young Adult ministry meets most Sundays this summer at church. You can look forward to a time of connection, prayer, and a dive into scripture and discussion each week. More info on our Young Adult ministry at
www.fiveoaks.church/young-adults. Questions? Email Melissa Kloetstra, ginjakloetstra@gmail.com.
Please pray for ministry partners in the Middle East
The escalating war between Israel and Iran is impacting the lives and ministry of many of our Impact partners in that region. In addition to safety risks, times of conflict like this result in travel restrictions and heightened levels of scrutiny for people who are there from other regions of the world. This week, please pray for safety and boldness in the face of these new challenges and that the situation will open doors to conversations about finding hope in Jesus. For more ideas on how you can support these partners, email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
How might God use you?
As we prepare to send over 50 amazing kids volunteers to Oaks Church starting in September, we realize this opens up many opportunities to plug in at Five Oaks. Please be praying about how you will be able to help keep the ministry strong at Five Oaks. Soon we will be asking many of you to step up into new and important roles. If you already feel like God is calling you to serve with kids and impact the next generation, please email Kelly Bauman, kbauman@fiveoakschurch.org, to find a good fit for you.
Curious about leading a small group?
If you love people and the idea of encouraging them in their faith journey energizes you, or if you’re someone with a gift of hospitality, we’d love to talk with you about what’s involved in leading an adult small group at Five Oaks. Join us to learn more about small group leadership, meet others in this role, and ask all the questions you might have. We have trainings in July, August, and September (only one is required!) that will equip you to lead a small group. Interested? Email Steve Johnson, sjohnson@fiveoakschurch.org, to get started.
Christianity Explored
Do you or someone in your life have questions about Christianity, big or small? Or perhaps have turned their back on their walk with the Lord? If so, we have a seven-week class starting July 12 and 13 that will allow participants to ask all of their questions, read the Bible, and learn more about Jesus’ gift for each of us. (Yes! You may take the class with that friend!) More info and details can be found here for the July 12 class or here for the July 13 class. Questions? Email Bob Musser, rcmssr@gmail.com.
Let’s pray for our summer mission trip teams
We are sending out two teams to serve around the world this summer. We have a team traveling to Slovakia to serve with a local Slovakian church in a camp setting, in partnership with Josiah Venture (July 16-28). We are also sending out a team to serve in Panama alongside the missionaries of Word of Life Panama, in partnership with Filter of Hope (August 4-11). Next weekend, we will share more details about each team and their mission, and we’ll be commissioning each team during our worship services. Please keep these teams in your prayers over the next two months. Questions? Email Dave Baar at impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
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.Go to www.fiveoaks.church/serve to get started.