Oasis: College & Young Adult Ministry

MESSAGE: God’s Love

In our first week back for the new year, Ben kicks us off with one of the most talked about characteristics of God, His love. And by walking through Hosea 11 we can understand five pieces of the love of God.

112. Home for the Holidays

It's that time of year! After finally getting into a rhythm or maybe just crawling to the end of this year. So when going home for the holidays, how do we do it well? In this week's episode of the Oasis Podcast, the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Dylan) work through 5 points on how to handle the changing of seasons.

MESSAGE: The Shepherd King

To close out our series "Green Pastures" Pastor Dave Hopewell walks us through the last few verses of Psalm 23, verses 5-6. In it, we look at verses 5 and 6 from two vastly different perspectives: a shepherd and a king. We've seen Jesus as the Good Shepherd in the previous weeks, but now we see Jesus reigning as King. We get to see God's love for us in his preparation, promises, provision, and protection.

Message delivered: December 4, 2022

MESSAGE: The Shepherd in the Struggle

In week two of our series through Psalm 23, Pastor Brennen walks us through verse four and shows how sometimes, the right paths might be through the dark valleys. Although, because we have the Shepherd leading and guiding us through the inevitable dark valleys in life, everything changes. We're reminded that in the dark valleys God is not only present but also prepared. All that and more can be found in this week's message from "Green Pastures".

Message delivered: November 27, 2022

111. Scripture Memory

With the Bible easily available to us in so many different ways (physically, bible app, google) what good does it make to memorize it? Is the work I put in worth the benefits of memorizing scripture? Should all Christians practice scripture memory? This week on the Oasis Podcast, the staff (Brennen, Jaena, Dylan) sit down around the podcast table and talk about the often-overlooked spiritual practice of scripture memory.

110. Are You Ready For Marriage?

Oh marriage, a topic that seems to be on every young adults mind. But the looming question... Am I even ready to be married? Marriage is a huge decision and of course we want to make the right one. So listen in this week as the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) talk through what it means and what being ready for marriage looks like.

MESSAGE: Following the Shepherd

In week one of our new series "Green Pastures" Brennen leads us into a three-week look at the most famous Psalm. Psalm 23. As we look at the first three verses of Psalm 23 we learn the cultural context of this Psalm and understand that we must follow the perfect shepherd, Jesus.

Message delivered: November 20, 2022

109. Interview with Melissa Vande Kieft

This week on the Oasis Podcast we are privileged to have local Brookings Author, Melissa Vande Kieft with us! Listen in as the Oasis staff (Brennen and Jaena) talk with Melissa about her book "Living in the Wait" and how to use delays in life differently.

108. Why Your Words Matter

We use words a lot but, have you ever thought about the underlining meanings or motives of your words? Most likely, this isn't a regular occurrence. So this week on the Oasis Podcast, the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, Dylan) talk about why what you say matters.

MESSAGE: You Are a Part of the Whole

To finish up our series on identity, Ben is stepping in to let us know that we are part of something bigger than just ourselves. While a huge piece of who we are is individual, it's not the only piece. You are part of something bigger when we are a part of God's church.

What does it mean to be a part of something large? How do I fit in? Who are we as God's people?

Find all that and more when you watch this week's message - "You Are a Part of the Whole"

Message Delivered: 11/06/22

107. Our Prayer Lives

A huge part, if not the biggest, of the Christian faith is a life marked by prayer. We love and serve a relational God who desires to speak and have conversations with His children. But prayer is a huge task and can easily become overwhelming. Where do we start? What are some good prayer practices? What may be important in prayer? Take a jump into the conversation of our prayer lives this week with the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, Dylan).

Message: You Are Redeemed

In week two of our series, "you are ____." Pastor Brennen Schmitt, the lead pastor of Oasis, speaks on how as God's creation, He is the only one who can give us identity. Brennen walks us through the Scriptures as we learn that we are redeemed. All that and more when you listen to this week's message - "You Are Redeemed." Message Delivered: 10/30/2022

Message: You Are a Child of God

In week one of our new series, "you are ____." Pastor Brennen Schmitt, the lead pastor of Oasis, speaks on how as God's creation, He is the only one who can give us identity. Brennen walks us through the Scriptures as we learn that we are children of God. All that and more when you listen to this week's message - "You Are a Child of God."

Message Delivered: 10/23/2022

106. Creation/Evolution

Creation vs. Evolution is a long and heated debate. It can seem so little but also has much larger implications. Because of this conversation, we get the questions:

Where did we come from? How did we get here? Why do we exist? Why do we matter/have value? What’s our purpose/do we have a purpose?

This week on the Oasis Podcast, the staff (Brennen, Jaena, Ben) open up the conversation on this topic to help you discern creation/evolution.

105. Bitterness and Cynicism

Bitterness is so easily found in today's world, and so destructive to our relationships if left unchecked. Same with cynicism, a prolonged being of bitterness. 

What is bitterness and cynicism? How do we fight it? Why does it even matter?

All this and more on this week's episode of the Oasis Podcast as the staff (Brennen, Jaena, Dylan) talk bitterness and cynicism.

MESSAGE: God is In Control

In week three of our series "God is..." Pastor Brennen Schmitt, the lead pastor of Oasis, speaks on how God is in control in every season. Through the story of Mark 4 where Jesus is found sleeping on the boat in the midst of the raging storm, we see how God is in control. What does it mean that God is in control? How do we know He is in control? How do we have faith to trust Him in the chaos? All that and more when you listen to this week's message - "God is In Control." Message Delivered: 10/16/2022

MESSAGE: God is Love

In week two of our series "God is..." Pastor Steve Norby, the lead pastor at GracePoint, came to speak about how God is love. Through the book of John and the creation account in Genesis, we see how God is love. 

How do we know God is love? What does it mean for us if he is? How should we live in light of that?

All that and more when you listen to this week's message - "God is Love."

Message Delivered: 10/9/2022

104. Obedience

Obedience can be a tricky word, with many different understandings of what obedience is, it's important to understand what it is so that we can live it out. Obedience is a major part of the Christian faith so how do we obey the words, ways, and wisdom of Jesus? What does obedience entail? Does it matter if we are obedient? How do we address others that are disobedient? All this and more as the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) discuss what it means to be obedient.

103. Work is Hard

Work is hard. That's obvious, the statistics show that people struggle with work. So how do we handle work? How do we stay resilient? What do we struggle with in work? How can we fix that?

This week the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, Dylan) talk about how to become resilient in work and provide some reflection questions to help understand struggles in work.

MESSAGE: God is HOLY

Starting a brand new series called "God is..." Ben is starting with where God often starts, his holiness. When God is described in the Old Testament, the word that is often used first and most frequently is "holy." While we may have assumptions of what that means, we are looking at an encounter Joshua has to see what God has HOLY really means.

What is God like? What is holiness? How does that affect us?

Find all that and more when you listen to this week's message - "God is HOLY"

Message Delivered: 10/02/2022

102. Unity in the Church

With a world seemingly more at odds, unity in the Church has never been more needed. As the Church, although we may have our differences, we must be unified around one person. Jesus.

 

What is unity? Why is it important? How do we get there?

 

All of this and more as the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, Ben) talk unity in the Church.

MESSAGE: Paul’s Ministry

Closing up our mini-series "From Damascus to the World," Brennen is focusing in on Paul's Ministry. In Acts 18, there's another example of "The One" where Paul is ministered to by Priscilla and Aquila. Also, there's a look into Paul's Ministry Model where he balances evangelism and discipleship.

How can we serve "the One"? What is evangelism and what is discipleship? How do we build God's Kingdom?

All that and more when you listen to this week's message - "Paul's Ministry"

Message Delivered: 09/25/2022

101. Deconstruction

Deconstruction is an incredibly hot topic that can easily be found thrown around culture. It can also be used with many differing definitions. So how do we go about this? What even is deconstruction? Do I need to deconstruct? How do I do so healthily? Listen into this weeks conversation as the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) talk all things deconstruction.

MESSAGE: Saul’s Conversion

Starting our new series "From Damascus to the World," Brennen is opening up the story of Saul's conversion and looking at how "The One" plays a major role in that. In this year's vision series, we are looking at how God wants to continue to grow his Kingdom one person at a time through the faithfulness of many.

How did Saul/Paul become the greatest missionary ever? How did Jesus change and pursue Saul? How can we partner with Jesus in this?

All that and more when you watch this week's message - "Saul's Conversion"

Message Delivered: 09/18/2022

100. Celebrations

HAPPY 100!!! Christian life should be one of many celebrations; throughout scripture, we see a lot of celebrations. Richard J. Foster even goes so far as to say that the discipline of celebration is what ties all the other disciplines together.

So how do we practice the discipline of Celebration? With others?As the Church?

Find all that and more as the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) celebrate 100 Oasis Podcasts.

MESSAGE: The Good Samaritan

Finishing up our series "Secrets of the Kingdom," we are diving into another classic - The Good Samaritan. While the lawyer asks multiple questions, Jesus seems to answer a question of his own.

How are we supposed to be a neighbor? How do we see, love, and sacrifice for others? Who is the true Good Samaritan?

All that and more when you listen to this week's message - "The Good Samaritan"

Message Delivered: 09/12/2022

MESSAGE: The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

With week three of "Secrets of the Kingdom," Ben is covering two parables! These two parables are tied together in just 3 verses but have profound meaning on how to live in God's kingdom. Not only that, these parables challenge our priorities too. 

What is the Kingdom of God? Why is it so valuable? What should I give up to get it?

All that and more when you listen to this week's message - "The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl"

Message Delivered: 09/04/22

99. Testimonies

Testimonies are frequently talked about around the church. Maybe you're asking the questions: What is a testimony? Do I have one? How do I share it? Why is mine important? The Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, Dylan) talk all this and more this week on the Oasis Podcast.

98. How To Connect With Your Pastors

Sometimes pastors can feel like these far-off and distant people. They speak into your spiritual life and you know them through the stories they tell but they probably don't know you. 

So this week we ask the question, how do you connect with your pastors?

Listen to what the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Dylan) have to say about getting connected!

MESSAGE: The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Week two of the "Secrets of the Kingdom" series and we are running with a classic. The story of the Lost Son is so powerful in how it depicts the love of a Father. This week, we answer the question - "What is God like?"

How does God pursue lost people? How does God see me? How can I come to God?

All that and more when you watch this week's message - "The Parable of the Prodigal Son"

Message Delivered: 08/28/2022