~ Living Love ~
Oregon City Evangelical Church 2011 Local Conference

Report to the Supt. Chris Neilson and Church Council
Presented by Pastor Tom Hurt ~ March 8, 2011

One of the most important questions we should ask periodically is, "Why does OCEC exist?" Last fall 25-30 of our church family met for a Vision 2011 and Beyond weekend workshop centered on this question. A smaller group is continuing that good beginning and gaining clarity in what God is directing for OCEC. The following expresses our current understanding.

OCEC exists to help individuals of all ages embrace a lifestyle of Living Love toward God and people.

The reality is that Living Love is not natural! We believe everything begins with God and His love for us. God, through Jesus, lived love toward humanity and the result is our hope in Jesus Christ. As a result of placing our hope in Jesus, we come into relationship with Him through faith. In relationship with Jesus, we are called to and motivated by the Holy Spirit to love God and love our neighbor.

Now, for the person who is in relationship with God through Jesus, the cycle begins again with Him working through us. In Him and by His Holy Spirit in us, we are compelled to begin and grow in Living Love toward all people starting right where we live in our home, neighborhood, community and city. We begin living love because we have overflowing hope in Christ and we inspire others to place their hope in Christ. We begin living love because we have a zealous love for God and our neighbor and it compels us beyond ourselves. In order to continue living love we will, by the compelling love of God, take risks by faith in our Almighty God.

Our aim is to inspire individuals to embrace a lifestyle of Living Love through

God's Word ~ Worship ~ Prayer ~ Spirit-Filled living ~ Relationships ~ Service ~ Evangelism

It is imperative that the mission of OCEC is clearly directed and supported by God's Word. The following Scriptures provide the foundation on which God is directing OCEC.

• Matthew 22:37-40, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
• Matthew 28:19-20,Therefore go ("as you are going") and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
• John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
• 2 Cor 5:14-15, For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
• Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

It is immediately apparent that Jesus' words and those of the apostle Paul, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, do not give room for OCEC to sit complacent and comfortable as people and society suffer and race toward a godless eternity. God is compelling us through Christ's love to live love through the power of the Spirit.

No doubt God intends us to continue to build up His followers while at the same time moving outside the walls to influence our world and actively seek to bring people to faith in Christ. God has helped us expand our ministry through two Shelter Homes and many opportunities to serve. Our A.C.T.S. (Action, Compassion, Truth, Sacrifice) Team is helping us have impact. Along with doing service projects, we must include a readiness to share the Gospel with our words as the Spirit opens doors. The Lord directed the purchase of the home of House of Hope. This year we are charged with developing and implementing a fundraising plan to reimburse funds in savings that were used to complete this purchase.

As the year unfolds we will be stretched as we extend our hands through mission trips, VBS, Summer Ministries, Ambassadors in Sport Soccer Camp and our 4th Love in Action Weekend. I am excited about the direction God is giving for our spring, summer and fall themes for worship and Growth Groups. When the Holiday Season arrives, our hands will reach out again to help but to also inspire through a Dessert Theater and other Christmas emphases. Let's go forward in faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit and look with anticipation at what God will do through us!

We are incredibly blessed with a strong pastoral/ministry/support staff who partner with so many fantastic volunteers. I am so thankful to the Lord for bringing Brian and Lisa See to serve our Senior High Youth as Pastor Erin stepped down from ministry. Thank you Lord! Praise God that we have committed ourselves to joining hands, loving each other and stepping into the future living love for our King and the world around us!

2010-11 Sunday School Average: (Sept. to current) 398 (down 1 from 2009-2010) High of 462 in November
2010-11 Worship Average: (Sept. to current) 558 (up 16 from 2009-2010) High of 939 on Easter 2010 (Up 6 from 2009)
2010-11 Total Attendance: (Sept. to current) 926 (down 1 from 2009-2010) High of 1051 in December.

Preschool:

1. Celebrated with several families whose children became members of God's family at home.
2. Great turnout at the Snowman Outreach. Several families came who were invited by others.
3. Thankful for a great staff of teens and adults for three hours of Sunday School each week.

Grade School:

1. Incredible committed leaders shared Jesus weekly with hundreds of children through Sunday School, KLUB JESUS, SWAT, etc.
2. SonQuest Rainforest VBS reached 400+ kids and gave opportunity for 220+ leaders to minister to the families of our community and gain experience in sharing Jesus with others.
3. Our Summer Ministries Leadership Team of 19 teens gained leadership skills and dynamically ministered to children through Summer BLAST, Ambassadors in Sport, Junior High Camp, PrayKids, etc.

Junior High:

1. Our room was painted, new furniture, new sound system, new overall feel in the room.
2. We have had 30 students accept/rededicate their lives to Jesus. Increased mentoring with the youth outside LifeWire meeting times. Sense of prayer and worship within the group has grown and is maturing.
3. New staff members have come on board as others have left for various reasons. (still looking for more)
4. Number of youth in LifeGroups (growth groups) has declined a little but the material being taught in the groups has increased...we are expecting more from the youth in the groups.

Senior High:

1. A fantastic transition to new leadership and seeing the kids still thrive.
2. Watching the kids getting deeper in worship through a conviction of changing worship time up has been amazing.
3. Seeing the kids dive into mission and service in response to what God has been speaking to me.
4. Having kids respond to the voice of Jesus.

Next Gen.:

1. Incredible CORE leadership staff made up of a variety of very gifted leaders.
2. Thursday evening worship gatherings: the leadership, the worship, the music, the messages, the people and more. People are connecting to each other and to God in new ways.
3. Events/Activities. Jessica Tomlin, along with the help of many of our staff members, have put together some wonderful events which encourage community, growth, loving God and doing life together.

Growth Groups:

1. Very excited about the level and commitment of the leadership.
2. Grown from approximately 12 groups just two years ago to better than 30 groups this year.
3. Growth Group Curriculum writing team. Study guides are thorough, thought provoking, engaging and easy to follow.

Music and Prayer:

1. Spring and Christmas musicals by a growing Friendship Co. (grades 1-5) choir.
2. ALL FOR ONE Christmas musical at Millen Auditorium featuring choirs, orchestra and our handbell ensemble playing along with the handbell choir from the OC Presbyterian Church.
3. 11:15 service worship is now led by three worship teams in rotation.
4. January 2011 all-church prayer emphasis, which we themed, "Thirty Days With the King".

Women:

1. Through weekly Bible Studies (WOW), "Staytreat", the Fall W.M. Outdoor Fair, and by contributing funds and assisting several families in need over the Christmas season we had over 300 women working together for service, spiritual growth and fun!

Men:

1. Inside the church, we have seen men grow spiritually as better husbands and fathers through the dynamic "Mens Fraternity" Curriculum classes.
2. Outside the church, men have rallied to help those in need and have heard the great heartfelt responses of those appreciative to our coming together as men under the call of Christ. Praise The Lord!

ACTS, Action Compassion Truth Sacrifice:

1. Serve Weekend projects-- helping OC Police build a new dog kennel, cleaning OC Fire Departments, yardwork and cleaning for Mt Pleasant and helping finish an outdoor classroom at Gaffney Lane.
2. Collected over 200 pairs of shoes for Transition Projects, held a blood drive for American Red Cross, delivered Thanksgiving/Christmas food boxes and presents to over 30 families.
3. "Have a Heart Month" (February) - took Valentines to Seniors and fed 125 homeless people in downtown Portland.

Marriage:

1. Praising God for a good year of encouraging marriage through church sponsored Date Nights and Family Life Weekends to Remember.
2. Some new Mentor Couples have joined the team and all will trained to use the new Prepare/Enrich Marriage Inventory as a tool in preparing couples for marriage.

Visitation:

1. It is a privilege to visit the parents of our people who get moved into this area and do not know too many people. Example – we are starting to visit Mary Ann Vattiat's mother who has moved here from New York.
2. Encouraging to see our lay visitors go the extra mile. Example – Micki Knight helped Josie Kehoe celebrate her birthday.