Oasis: College & Young Adult Ministry

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

97. Seasons of Life

Everyone is in a season of life right now whether you know it or not. Different seasons can have a huge impact on the way we live and see life. It's important to understand where you're at and what to do in each season.

What are seasons of life? What kind of seasons are there? What do I do if I'm stuck in a bad season?

Tune in to hear what the Oasis Staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) have to say about seasons of life!

MESSAGE: The Parable of the Sower

It's a brand new year and with that, a brand new series at Oasis!! In week one of "Secrets of the Kingdom," Brennen is leading us through the Parable of the Sower where Jesus answers the question "Why do some people believe and are transformed by Christ while others aren't?" 

What's up with these parables Jesus tells anyway? Who is the farmer and what does he do? What are the four soils?

All this and more when you listen to this week's message - "The Parable of the Sower"

Message Delivered: 08/21/2022

96. Do Miracles Still Happen?

When you read through the Bible, there are miracles all over the place! In the Old Testament and the New Testament, God’s moving in miraculous ways, but does he still do that today?

Do miracles still happen? If not, why? If yes, where are they?

Tune in to hear what the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) has to say on walking and talking in the Bible.

95. Church Hurt

Church hurt is a term that’s been used A LOT lately and we want to talk about that! If you’re someone who has been hurt by someone in the church, we grieve alongside you. Our biggest hope is that you find healing and forgiveness in Jesus!

What is church hurt? What should I do if I’ve experienced it? How can I heal from it?

Tune in to hear what the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) has to say on broken people as the bride of Christ. 

94. How to Read the Bible

For a lot of people, the Bible can be hard to read! For others, it might have just gotten dry and boring to them. In both of those cases, we’ve got some advice for you! 

Why should I read the Bible? How long and how much should I read? What can I do if the Bible is dry to me? 

Tune in to hear what the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Dylan) has to say on the 75-hour book called the Holy Bible

93. Finding Christian Friends

When it comes to friends, you need to have other Christians in your community! While it's important to have influence and relationships with non-Christians too, it's essential to have Christian friends. Here are some tips on how you can connect with them!

Why are Christian friends important? What should Christian friends be like? How can I connect with them?

Tune in to hear what the Oasis staff (Brennen and Dylan) with guest Nathan have to say about the BEST of friends.

92. Summer Recap

WE ARE BACK!!! After taking a couple of months off for the summer, we are back! We can't wait for all that God is going to do in this next year of ministry. 

To kick things off, we are doing some summer recap and talking about all the stuff we've been up to and what God's been teaching us. From summer camps to prayer topics, we're covering it all.

Tune in to hear what the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Dylan) has been doing this sunny season. 

MESSAGE: From Absence to Presence

With week two of Pastor's Picks, Dylan stepped in to lead us through Exodus 16 and the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. In that, he focuses on what it means to trust God and practice presence. 

Is Jesus enough? How do we trust God in the waiting? What does it mean to "be present"?

All of that and more when you listen to this week's message - "From Absence to Presence"

Message Delivered: 07/17/2022

MESSAGE: Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Kicking off our summer series of "Pastor's Picks," Brennen is preaching from the book of Acts. In Acts 3, something extraordinary happens in the middle of a seemingly ordinary day. That should cause us to examine our ordinary and begin to expect the extraordinary. 

What's your everyday look like? What made that "ordinary" day of Peter and the Lame Beggar so different? How do we live with expecting the Spirit to move?

All that and more when you listen to this week's message - "Extraordinary in the Ordinary."

Message Delivered: 06/05/2022

91. Year-End Reflections

As the ministry year comes to a close, we wanted to spend some time reflecting with you all! The end of something always presents opportunities for reflection and changes to be made and this time of year is no different. From the moments that made us laugh to some that made us cry, we're covering it all. 

What did you learn this year? What was a difficult moment for you? What questions should you be asking yourself?

Tune in to hear what the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Dylan) has to say on buts and community.

The podcast will return in June!!

90. The Hillsong Documentary

Hang in there because this one got a little long on us, but we wanted to jump into the conversation many are having right now. What's going on with Hillsong and what should we do about it? Whether you've seen the documentary or not, this conversation broaches a bunch of big church scandal topics that can help you in your local context as well.

Are megachurches bad? How should churches handle finances? What's a healthy volunteer culture?

Tune in to hear what the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) has to say about our fav worship group and LLCs. 

89. Comparison

Comparison - it's something we almost all struggle with. It can be just so easy to see other people's lives (or our own past) and dive into comparison. This very thing will steal from us the life, joy, and peace God desires us to have. 

Where do we struggle to compare? Why is comparison bad? How do we overcome it? 

Tune in to hear what the Oasis staff (Brennen, Jaena, and Ben) has to say on haircuts and the Church

MESSAGE: Sent People

As the year comes to a close, we want to be intentional about how we finish this year and start the summer. With that, we need to recognize we are people sent on a mission by God. However, we have a choice whether we engage in that mission or not.

What's the mission anyway? How does God look to accomplish this important task? How do we partner with him?

All of that and more when you listen to this week's message - "Sent People"

Message Delivered: 05/01/2022