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.