May 2022 Oasis update
Change is happening! The time has finally come. As a ministry and as a family, we have been sensing God’s direction for us to leave Youth For Christ USA (YFC) for some time now and begin our own local nonprofit organization focused on youth and young adults in Holbrook and the surrounding area. After much prayer and godly counsel from our board as well as our YFC volunteer team, we are parting ways with YFC at the end of this month and have begun a new 501(c)(3) ministry (non-profit) called Oasis Youth Ministries. While this is a bittersweet parting (Carrie has been serving with YFC for almost 17 years), we look forward to what the Lord will do in the future.
Why Oasis? An oasis is an area made fertile by a source of fresh water in an otherwise dry and arid region. The main passage that came to our minds as we contemplated our new name was Isaiah 43:19: “Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” We believe that the Lord, the one who provides us with living water when we trust in Him (John 4:10; 7:38), is doing something new here in Holbrook and the surrounding areas with the launch of this local ministry. We are looking forward to the many opportunities having a locally run ministry will provide and most importantly how God will guide us in this new adventure towards further evangelism and discipleship.
The purpose of Oasis: This new ministry will be focused on working with students in fifth grade through high school, and with young adults, post-high school. We look forward to ministering through bible studies, sports, discipling our Christian youth and empowering them to share their faith with their friends, hosting weekly clubs, and also continuing with our outreach events. We are also planning to begin working with teen parents and their children. We are grateful to have the backing of our local churches, who for six years having been faithfully serving with us to reach our youth for Christ.
How can you participate? Trusting that the Lord has called us to start this new ministry to serve Him by reaching young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are inviting you to join us. There is much need for prayer and financial support as we move forward. We are currently working on our website (which is in rough draft stage but is up and running) at www.oasisyouthministries.com. There is opportunity to sign up for our prayer letter as well as to donate to the ministry on the website. If you are more comfortable writing checks, our ministry address is: Oasis Youth Ministries, PO Box 445, Holbrook, AZ 86025. There will be regular updates on the website unless you would like to receive a letter by mail. We will continue to send out ministry updates. If you have any questions regarding our departure from Youth For Christ, about the new ministry, or just general inquiries, we would be happy to talk with you. Please contact us at 812-391-5262 or at oasisym22@gmail.com.