Worship Word Ministries will kick off at their new location in downtown Oxford on Friday, Aug. 14.
The building, located at 3 S. Washington Street, is one of several they have occupied since they originally formed in 2001.
Pat Omeara, the ministry founder, started the group eight years ago based on a vision of his.
‘I wanted to be able to bring people from different church backgrounds together to worship or pray for extended periods of time,? he said. ‘I wanted to create an environment where people could meditate.? The group meets every Friday night in order to provide this opportunity for the public.
For the first six months of its existence, the Worship Word Ministries met at Omeara’s house. It was a small group of about 10 to 15 individuals, he said. But, shortly after, by word-of-mouth, the group continued to grow.
‘We started moving furniture around just so people could fit,? said Omeara. ‘I have to admit, I was surprised by the response.?
Though they have relocated several times, most of their locations have been somewhat discreet. ‘We decided it was time to become more visible,? said Omeara.
The group does not do any advertising, therefore, the only thing keeping them going is word-of-mouth praises from those who attend.
?’We don’t want to push anything on anyone,? he said. ‘That’s not what we’re here for.?
However, he has noticed the strong desire from people in and around the community to join together and worship. ‘We want people to know we are here for them no matter what,? he said.
The ministry is not a church and has no intentions on becoming one.
‘One of the primary ways we’re different from a church is we don’t have a formal membership,? he said.
Another major difference is that the ministry is an event-based organization, offering Friday night worship along with other scheduled seminars that take place approximately once a month.
The group consists of a pool of approximately 200 hundred people. It is headed by a board of directors as well as a council. On average, Omeara says groups of 15-40 people show up every Friday.
It is 100% volunteer-based group, and in April of 2002, Omeara registered Worship Word Ministries as a nonprofit organization.
Five years later, it was deemed a publicly-supported, nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service.
‘Everything you see here from the building to the couches is paid for by the community because they want it,? he said. ‘It really is a representation of the community at large, not just a few individuals.?
But the ministry does not require that guests pay; the worship and prayer service is free of charge. ‘We just ask that if you feel inspired, you donate something to our cause,? he said.
The best part about it is that they are here to serve the community.
‘We want Oxford to thrive,? he said. ‘We’ve (Omeara and his wife) been a part of Oxford since 1986,? he said. ‘So we’re not coming in from the outside. We love Oxford.?
Because of its unique focus, several people are drawn to the ministry. People come from a 60-mile radius, said Omeara. ‘Some people drive over an hour to get here, which is really amazing to me.? And Omeara considers it a privilege to introduce these people into the community and possibly make a difference in their lives.
Friday night worship consists of two main components: worship music and reading the word of God. There is a group of approximately eight musicians who perform on stage to provide worship music.
‘It’s something of a worship jam session if you will,? said Omeara. ‘Then I like to give what I call a word of alignment.? Omeara, along with others, read from the Bible to offer words of encouragement and love from the Lord. ‘People have told us it’s soothing, and they feel safe here,? he said.
Omeara compared the ministry to a pit stop during a marathon. ‘It’s (faith) a long race throughout your whole life. We’re like the water station. We encourage people to move on with their race,? he said. ‘People know they can show up here, and we encourage them.?
He went on to share a series of testimonials, burdens he’s seen lifted off people’s shoulders, hearts and minds.
‘It’s a mystery how it happens, but it does happen,? he said.
Most people, he added, feel emotionally touched by the Lord. It’s difficult to explain the feeling, but people feel changed. ‘But it’s not about being spiritual for the sake of spirituality. It’s about taking inspiration and applying it in a practical way,? he said.
The ministry welcomes anyone through their doors. Mothers can come in if they need a quiet place to think, businessmen come in when they’re under a lot of stress, people suffering from debt due to the economy look to the ministry for solace, those who are depressed can come to find strength, along with people who’ve been hurt by the church but want a place to worship. ‘They are going to get a Christian influence because that’s the background of our faith, but it doesn’t matter what religion they belong to,? said Omeara.
Worship takes place Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
‘If there’s ice on the road, we’re here. If it’s a holiday, we’re here,? he said. The worship service generally goes until 10 or 11 p.m. ‘But there have been times we’re here until one or two in the morning.? The ministry does not have a website to post events, but seminars are announced on Fridays and guests can sign up on the e-mail list.
‘There’s a saying that goes, ‘many hands make the burden light,?? said Omeara. ‘That really sums up this ministry,? he said. ‘In a simple way, we try to connect people with God, and I think that changes lives.?