Welcome to my blog! It is for those who wish to stay up-to-date with what is going on at THE OAKS and in my family. For those of you who may not know much about World Impact or THE OAKS, here is a little background information*:
History of World Impact
In 1965, Dr. Keith Phillips started a Bible club for inner-city children in Watts (Los Angeles). Soon after, neighboring house projects asked if he could expand his ministry into their communities as well. Keith spoke at BIOLA's chapel, and 300 students joined him in this ministry. Soon after, other students joined from colleges such as Azusa Pacific University, Pepperdine, USC, UCLA, and Life Bible College. Missionaries moved into the city and expanded the outreach to teenagers and adults as well.World Impact (WI) officially started in 1971, and in 1972 ministries opened up in Los Angeles, Wichita, Portland, Omaha, and San Diego. In 1976, the national headquarters moved to Los Angeles. Throughout the next several years, WI ministries started in Fresno and St. Louis, the Los Angeles Christian Elementary School was opened, and WI became a national church-planting organization. New ministries began in San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, and Detroit. In 1995, WI started The Urban Ministries Institute (TUMI) to provide theological education to urban leaders. World Impact is committed to facilitating church-planting movements by evangelizing, equipping, and empowering the unchurched urban poor.
History of THE OAKS
THE OAKS Camp and Conference Center was originally known as Juday Flats, named after Clarance Juday. In 1960, Mr. Juday donated 122 acres of his land to the Brigade Trails Association to be used as a campsite to proclaim the message of the Bible. Around 1970, Brigade Trails donated the property to Rolling Jay Ranch, who God led to donate to World Impact in 1986. This was a huge answer to prayer: Keith Phillips had been praying for a camp like this one, and the donation included 172 acres of mountain property one and a half hours north of Los Angeles. World Impact changed the name to THE OAKS to acknowledge God’s call to build "Oaks of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, for the display of his splendor" (Isaiah 61:3). Throughout the next several years, THE OAKS acquired 472 acres of property, two new buildings, Hamblen Lodge (a dining hall), and several adventure elements such as ropes courses, rappelling, a zip line, and rock climbing. In 1997 the Leaders in Training (LIT) program was started; it is a three year program that incorporates an intense summer camp experience with a curriculum in the cities during the school year. THE OAKS also started summer and winter camps for inner-city kids. The Outdoor Education program started in 1997 as well. Since 1987, the number of campers who come per year to THE OAKS has grown from 2,000 in 1990 to over 13,000 in 2006. The ministry of THE OAKS is the result of many staff responding to God's call to come as full-time missionaries. With God's guidance THE OAKS will continue to serve inner-city youth and families as well as churches of Southern California. May the Lord continue to build Oaks of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, for the display of His splendor.
Enjoy looking at my blog!
*Information is a paraphrase from that found on www.worldimpact.org and www.theoakscamp.org.
