Ministry trips

As a church we at Oak Tree are always looking for ways to put our faith in to action. We know that the best way to learn is to do. In short we want to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. One way that we try to do this is by sending teams to other places to share the good news of Jesus and to help equip other churches to do the same.

Through the work of a network known as New Wine our vicar Mark Aldridge is often invited to lead church weekends or to help at leaders’ retreats and training days. Wherever possible Mark takes people with him to be part of a team that might typically pray for healing, prophesy or in other ways seek to build up others.

In recent years, both under the Mike Clarkson, previous vicar, and now under Mark’s leadership, teams have gone out to different nations such as Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Australia, America and Canada. Ministry trips to other parts of the UK also give added opportunities to learn how to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ministry trips are an integral part of the training that we want to develop here at Oak Tree. As people go out on a team they find that such opportunities are ideal for learning to hear God’s voice and to practice and develop spiritual gifts. In giving away what we have we see that God multiplies it and our faith grows. What is more, it gives those on the team a chance to see what God is doing in other places and through other people. Invariably teams return to Oak Tree with a very real sense that they have received even more than they have given.

Ruth Robinson (nee Walley)

Ruth Robinson has been a member of Oak Tree since 1999 and tells of how her life was turned around when her flatmate asked her to church one day. Having been brought up as a Roman Catholic, she found things at Oak Tree a little different.

‘In 1999, I was living with my boyfriend and some other flatmates. He was everything I had ever wanted and although I would have denied it at the time, my life pretty much revolved around him, increasingly so as my family started to have problems. I felt like I had finally arrived in the world. One week in June 1999, he went on holiday and my flatmate invited me to church. I was what they call a lapsed Catholic – I had gone to church as a child and didn’t hate it, but really saw no relevance to my life.

I went along and was blown away by the informality of the service and the band. At the end, I found myself following my flatmate to the area where they were offering prayer. I burst into tears as I told the people offering to pray for me about the family breaking up and as they prayed I felt a peace and warmth go through me, like someone was giving me this amazing hug. I was amazed that God could be tangibly present.

After that I began to come back to Oak Tree every week. My boyfriend came back from holiday and instantly there was a change in our relationship. He began not to come home some nights and be all tired and moody when we were together and I got very insecure as all my worst fears about losing him began to come true. I began an Alpha course that September and half way through I discovered he was having an affair with a girl he had met on holiday – my life as I had known it collapsed.

I realised I had nothing and felt worthless and yet I was learning all about this God who loved me and knew me, who would never leave or let me down and had sent his son to die for me. I was, and still am, overwhelmed when I think of what he went through to bring me into a relationship with him.

One night, at home in my room, I was worrying about what it would mean to give my life to Jesus. I had enjoyed being in a relationship and being able to join in with the world’s expectations. I guess I saw my identity in being a bit of a sex kitten. I didn’t want to be a nun!! But I knew I wanted Jesus so I prayed this kind of ‘I give you my life but please either keep me away from guys who’ll pressure or ridicule me or let me find a nice Christian guy quickly’ commitment prayer.

Here we are now some years on. I thought I had my life sorted before, but I realise now that inside I was broken. Jesus has taken me on this amazing journey of healing and realigned my priorities. I now know he has a plan and purpose for my life to make a difference to the broken world we live in. He has taught me about the joys of living in a loving community and building others up. I have a hope and a future that isn’t about living up to the world’s expectations and I feel free. ‘

Oh and I finally found my Christian guy too….it took me 7 years but we met in God’s perfect timing.

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