Be equipped for what’s next
Looking for practical encouragement for real life? Join us for Equipped for Life on Monday, February 9, from 6:30–8 pm. You’ll choose one of three engaging breakout sessions—navigating the tension between youth sports and your faith journey, finding financial peace, or a general parenting session designed to meet you right where you are. Best part? It’s completely free, with free childcare and snacks provided—so come as you are and leave feeling encouraged, equipped, and supported. Details and registration here.
Make room for more on Sundays
Because God is bringing new people to Five Oaks, our Sunday services are often full. That’s a great problem to have! If you’re willing to make Saturday your regular time to worship, you’re helping create space for families and first-time guests to experience Jesus on Sundays. One simple shift can make a big difference! Consider trying 5:30 for a season and inviting your small group to join you.
Guys, last call for the Summit!
Men’s Summit is a chance to step away from the noise, reset your soul, and reconnect with God and other men. Join us January 30–February 1 at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch for a weekend of teaching with keynote speaker Aaron Keyes, great conversations, and all levels of fun—from boot hockey and basketball to games, movies, and downtime. Details and registration here. Questions? Email Matt Karasek, mathewade77@gmail.com.
Divorce Care: Help when you need it most
Divorce is one of the most painful experiences couples face. So many emotions. So many challenges. You don't have to go through it alone. DivorceCare offers support, answers, and practical tools to help you manage the many stresses of separation and divorce and find healing. If you could use help, Divorce Care is for you. Join on on Mondays at Five Oaks, starting January 26. (You can jump in anytime!) For more info and and to register, go to divorcecare.com and "find a group."
Helping others say yes to Jesus
Do you love talking to others who are exploring Christianity or saying yes to Jesus for the first time in their lives? Consider joining the Gospel Response Team. This new team will be made up of volunteers who will be available for 10-15 minutes after a worship service to meet and pray with anyone who responds to Jesus. We will provide training, and you can serve at the service you attend! Interested or want more info? Email Jonathan Haage.
Drive Season: Finish strong!
Our last drive of the season partners with New Life Family Services and Esther Homes. Both of these organizations serve women and families facing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy, coming alongside them with compassion in a very difficult season. One easy way to help out is to take part in our Baby Items Drive. Grab a shopping list here and return the items to church by February 1. Whether you donate or not, please pray for both of these partner organizations and for the families they help throughout the year. Questions? Email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Celebrating an amazing winter retreat
Last weekend, 79 high school students and 17 leaders gathered at Wood Lake Camp for our first year of Deepen. This winter retreat was a great opportunity for students to dig deeper into their relationship with God as we studied the Holy Spirit and explored spiritual gifts together. We also bonded through outdoor winter activities, an unforgettable lip sync competition, a late-night hike and bonfire, and more. We’re thankful for the ways we see God at work in the lives of our students!
Join us in prayer on Sunday
Missionary prayer is this weekend! Join us as we pray for our missions partners between the services on Sunday, Jan 25, from 10:15-10:45 am in Room 102. We’ll pray over specific requests sent from our local and global missionaries and missions partners. If this Sunday doesn’t work for you, we do it on the final Sunday of every month. Not only is the power of prayer important, but also this is a great way to help make our missions partners real to us and get to know them a little better by partnering with them in prayer. Questions? Email Dave Baar.
A morning of encouragement for Christian educators
Christian public school educators, step away from the demands of the week and start your Saturday with encouragement, connection, and hope at the 5th Annual East Metro Compass Educator Breakfast. Enjoy a hot breakfast, worship, and stories of God at work in our schools, plus a keynote to help you face the challenges ahead with renewed faith. Saturday, February 7, at church (breakfast 8:20 am; program 9–11 am). Register here by February 3.
Your people are waiting for you
We all need people to walk through life with us and help us follow Jesus. Small groups help our big church feel smaller and more connected, and each small group meeting consists of discussion around the most recent sermon, prayer, fellowship time, and of course, food. We have groups meeting every day of the week as well as groups at every age/stage of life. And – bonus – it’s OK to try more than one group to find one that fits you! Interested? Get started here. Need help? Email Peg Benson.
Wanted: Connections Director
Are you a people person who loves making others feel at home? We’re looking for a Connections Director to lead the charge! In this part-time role, you’ll support our amazing volunteers—from greeters to Acorn café hosts—creating a warm environment where everyone feels seen and welcome. If you’re ready to champion connections and serve our church family, we’d love to talk with you. Interested? Contact Danny Martin at dmartin@fiveoakschurch.org.
Serving kids in our community - Kids Hope USA Director Role
Are you looking to use your gift of leadership in a new and challenging and impactful way? Five Oaks is looking for a new Director of our Kids Hope USA partnership with Woodbury Elementary School. As the director of this program you will impact the lives of 25-30 students, build up and encourage the staff at Woodbury Elementary, and empower 50+ Five Oakers to demonstrate the love of Jesus in the lives of these students and their families. This is a strong program with a strong leadership team in need of a new director, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Rebekah Laudermilch is leading the team today, and she will be available to mentor the new director to ensure a smooth transition. If God is nudging you to explore this further please reach out. You can email Rebekah at rblauder@gmail.com, or Dave Baar at dbaar@fiveoakschurch.org.
Story of God: Winter classes now open for registration
Do you ever find the Bible confusing? Ever wondered how you fit into God’s plans for you? Join Story of God, a six-week guided journey through the Bible. Those who have taken the class have found greater understanding of how the Bible fits together to tell one big story. Learn how you fit into the bigger story that God has for your life. You’ll meet with a cohort once a week and can expect about 20 minutes of outside work each day. Winter classes are now open! Details and registration available here.
Help for ladies suffering from betrayal
Has sexual betrayal turned your world upside down? Whether you are single, married, widowed, or divorced, we’re here to help you process your experiences in a safe, grace-filled place and help you make strides in your healing. This course provides valuable tools, biblical wisdom, and testimonies by courageous women who found hope, help, and encouragement through their personal journey of dealing with their husband’s sexual betrayal. Details and registration are available here.
Love is in the air...so let’s pack meals!
Share your LOVE for children in desperate need of food around the world by joining with your Five Oaks family members to pack meals at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan on Valentine’s Day — February 14, from 9:30 am to 11:15 am. Interested? Register on church center here. Questions? Email impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Welcome New Members
Tim & Chris Anderson
Rick & Mary Erickson
Brian & Diane Harris
Brian & Michele Jacobson
Matt & Alicia Klein