The staff of Oakland Woods Baptist Church is not waiting for the addition to their building to be completed to expand their outreach programs.
While the church is arranging for the 10,500 square foot expansion project, that will add a 468-seat sanctuary, they continue to look for more ways to spread the word about God’s Grace.
The church has an ambitious schedule of mission work set up which will take congregation members to New Orleans and New York.
‘I guess it’s a new twist on walking the walk and talking the talk. We hope to prove God’s love through tangible ways, through servant evangelism,? said Pastor Bob Galey who explained the church’s greyhound bus is bracing itself for a busy year transporting church members.
The trip to White Plains, New York Memorial Day weekend is designed to help start a new Baptist Church there. The mission to New Orleans revolves around a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build 40 houses in ten weeks for hurricane victims.
‘In the last three years we seem to have tripled the mission trips here. In summer it seems like a group is going somewhere all the time. That’s what this ministry is all about,? said Galey.
Those activities exemplify Oakland Woods? 2006 slogan, which is ‘Proclaiming God’s grace and proving God’s love.?
That new message is set to reach a larger audience, as Oakland Woods continues to grow. Since January eighteen new members have joined the church, nine of whom were baptized.
‘I believe God is in the process of doing something great in our congregation and in the community as a whole. That’s why you see growth at most of the area churches,? said Galey.
Another type of outreach in the works is the new Divorce Care on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. starting March 1. Galey explained the program will help those struggling with the stress and hardships of divorce.
Besides the new missions, the church staff welcomed Josh Windeler as Youth Pastor in August.
‘He adds a great energy for our young people. The youth absolutely love him and they’re doing a lot of exciting things,? said Galey.
‘The fastest growing age group is young married adults and college-career people.?
With a lot of new things to be excited about, the staff is also looking forward to some of their yearly events.
On the Saturday before Easter, Oakland Woods hosts its Easter Egg Hunt. The hunt, which lasts about five minutes, will have nearly 7,000 eggs.
The church also continues service programs such as hosting the distribution of shoes during the annual Clarkston Rotary ‘Shoes for Kids? program.
Another highlight of the church’s 20th year was the hosting of ‘Wild Horse Ministries,? a revival meeting where a horse-whisperer tamed a never-before-ridden horse while explaining the spiritual parallels to everyday life.
With all that’s going on today, many people would not guess Oakland Woods Baptist Church started as a living room Bible study in 1985. Galey has been pastor there since 1995 and cites Jesus? two-pronged command to love God totally and love others as key to the church’s philosophy.
Rounding out the staff at Oakland Woods is Associate Pastor James Fitzwater and Music Ministries Leader Mary Reed.
Fitzwater currently leads a discussion at Borders near Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills. The group meets to discuss the recent book ‘The Da Vinci Code? by looking back at historical documents from the first three centuries of Christian history.
Oakland Woods Baptist Church meets at 562 Maybee Road. Current Sunday services are at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., with Sunday school during both services. There is an evening service at 6 p.m. Telephone is 248-625-7557. For more info call or visit www.owbc-sbc.com.