news from the together campaign
We closed 2025 with something worth celebrating — your giving for the year exceeded our expenses by $125,000, and every dollar is going toward paying down debt. This didn’t happen by accident; it happened because of you, and we’re deeply grateful for your faithfulness. Your generosity is reshaping the financial future of our church. We’re also excited to be closer than ever to our Together Campaign fund-raising goal, thanks to this congregation’s incredible commitment. This means our loan re-amortization in May will greatly reduce our long-term debt. We invite anyone with Together Campaign commitments to prayerfully consider giving as much of their commitment as they can by April 15 of this year.
Celebrate the Easter season with your family
We want to help your family experience the real meaning of Easter. Join us for Easter Family Fun Night on March 27 from 6:30–8:30 pm. Designed for families with preschool and elementary kids, this event includes games, activities, snacks, and a telling of the Easter story. Then join our Palm Sunday kids choir (March 28+29) as our cutest Five Oakers help open each worship service. If your child would like to participate, arrive 10 minutes early and check them in at Room 101 before the service begins.
A few spots remain to jump in at Easter
Easter is just a week away, and we still have a few openings to fill in Connections and in Kids. Whether it’s as a greeter, usher, concierge, Acorn Cafe, or helping in the Kids wing, all our roles are simple and impactful. Your warm welcome helps create an environment where everyone feels at home. Interested? Email Danny Martin to find a spot in Connections, or click here to find a spot in FO Kids.
Easter at Five Oaks: Hope in brokenness, sorrow, failure…
Life’s darkest moments can leave us feeling unseen and alone. But the story of Easter shows that hope is very real, even in sorrow, relational brokenness, uncertainty, addiction, and failure. On that first resurrection morning, Jesus called Mary by name. He met her in her grief. He welcomed her into a new family. This Easter, discover how the risen Christ does the same for us today, calling us by name and taking us in as his own. Join us at Five Oaks and experience hope. Consider which neighbors, friends, or co-workers may respond well to an invitation from you to experience that same hope. Our Easter weekend worship is as follows: Good Friday, April 3: 4 and 5:30 pm (no kids’ programming). Easter worship, Saturday, April 4: 4 and 5:30 pm; Sunday, April 5, 8:45, 10, and 11:15 am. Kids’ programming available at all Easter services.
What is Secret Church?
What if following Jesus were illegal where you live, and you had to walk miles to find other believers? You’d likely spend hours together praying, worshiping, and studying God’s Word. Secret Church simulates this reality for persecuted Christians. Join us on Friday, April 24, 5 pm-12 midnight at church for a replay of the national simulcast, including worship, study, and prayer for the persecuted church. Contact Dave Baar to learn more: impact@fiveoakschurch.org,
Rainforest Falls VBS: Register now!
Vacation Bible School creates space for kids to experience God in ways that stick. At Rainforest Falls VBS (June 22–25, 9:15–noon), kids ages 3 through finishing third grade will have fun, build friendships, and hear the gospel—often taking real steps of faith. Details and registration available here. Discounts are available for kids whose parent or grandparent volunteers that week.
Do you ask good questions?
Our Sermon Application Guide (SAG) is the heartbeat of our small groups, turning the weekend message into Monday’s action. We are looking for writers and editors to help craft the very questions that spark breakthrough and discipleship across our church! If you have a knack for asking “the right question” or a love for deep diving into scripture, we need your insight. Help us bridge the gap between hearing the Word and living it out together. Interested? Contact Liza Halverson, lhalverson@fiveoakschurch.org.
Global 6K for Clean Water: World Water Day discount now available
Did you know that over 1000 kids die each day across the globe due to contaminated water? One way you can help is to join our annual Team World Vision Global 6K for Water at Colby Lake Park on May 16. Register now to bike, run, or walk with your family and friends, and in doing so, provide clean water where it’s needed most. THIS WEEKEND you can use the promo code ‘CLEANWATER’ (in honor of World Water Day) and get a $15 discount per registration. Details and registration here.
FCA Sports Camp now open for sixth graders, too
FCA Sports Camp is coming on July 6-9. That’s four action-packed days of helping kids connect to their faith using sports. Registration is now open for current sixth grade students (in addition to fourth and fifth graders). For more information and to register a camper or as a volunteer, go to our website for all the details and registration info.
Share the Story of God with DailyLife
Do you have a passion for words or a heart for creative storytelling? DailyLife devotions is looking for fresh voices! This is a unique opportunity to serve our church family by crafting short, weekly devotionals that inspire and encourage. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, your unique perspective can help others connect with God in their everyday moments. We also have opportunities for editors to join our team. Ready to use your gift? Email Peg Benson for more info.
Family Mission Trips - SUMMER 2026 & January 2027
Our summer Family Mission Trip is scheduled for July 18-25, 2026. We’ll travel to Panama to partner with Word of Life Panama and Filter of Hope to serve and share the gospel with families and students in Panama. Planning is already underway for both this trip and for our next trip in January 2027. Both trips are for everyone 18+ and students 13+ with a parent. Interested in learning more about either of these trips? Put “mission trips” on your connect card, or email Dave Baar, impact@fiveoakschurch.org.
Host an international student for Easter
God brings the world to our doorstep at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The Hospitality Center at the U of M connects churches with opportunities to serve international students in the name of Jesus. One of those opportunities is to invite an international student into your home to celebrate Easter. This is truly an amazing opportunity to influence the life of a student from another part of the world as your family celebrates the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You can get more information and get signed up here.