Join the Next 40 HOUR Immersion April 1-3, 2011

40 HOUR IMMERSION


Paul in Philippians 2, states that our service to one another and others is directly tied to Jesus Christ incarnation. Paul states that Christ, who is God, came in human form and humbled himself to the point of death on the cross. God considered the interest of others and humbled himself and we as believers should have this same mind.

The purpose of the Oakwood Immersion is to provide Christians an incarnational opportunity to: display Jesus Christ in urban areas, gain a better understanding of people who live in a difficult socio-economic status and finally learn and grow in their Christian faith.

Participants will arrive at Oakwood on a Friday evening and will immerse themselves in the community for the duration of the weekend. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the community, develop relationships with the residents and participate in a community revitalization project. We want this to be a time where Christians examine the existing conditions of people and communities in their own city and realize that God is more than able to bring hope to those in need.

NEXT 40hr IMMERSIONS:

Friday April 1-Sunday April 3, 2011
Friday September 23-Sunday September 25, 2011

If you or your group are interested in participating in an Immersion, complete the packet with your fee of $20* (payable to City of Hope Outreach) and return to:

The City of Hope Outreach
PO BOX 11474
Conway, Arkansas 72034

Read Brent Nelson's Reflections from Immersion in January 2011

Immersion is an experience unlike any other in the world. Through it you can obtain a deep since of what poverty really feels like. After the weekend ends, the world never looks quite the same.


Information about poverty and its effects on people can be found nearly everywhere. People talk about them everyday. Usually these facts come with a request for money so you to can help change the lives of so many. But facts are facts and nothing more. A fact has no use for money and when you hear a fact it may make your heart heavy but not necessarily pull at your wallet. When someone tells you a fact you may consider what should happen to change. When you read a fact that's all it ever amounts to in your mind, a fact about the world.

Immersion is not a fact. “Immersion” means, the condition of being engaged wholly or deeply and that statement could almost sum up the entire experience. You do not hear or learn or read facts, you live through them. You feel the weight of what these facts mean. You learn the true impact of every fact you've ever heard when someone told you about poverty.

These facts hurt. As you learn about what it truly means to live in poverty, you learn about yourself. Pride, the part of you that made you a little too busy to help out or made money just to tight to give, breaks and falls away to humbleness. Selfish arrogance gives way to selfless giving. Judgments and presuppositions become kindness and understanding as you really begin to feel the struggle that comes along with poverty.

Immersion puts you in this place so you can really learn what the life consists of. Forty hours, by comparison, amounts to a tiny glimpse through a foggy window of what impoverished life holds, but this glimpse changes lives and minds in a profound way. No one finishes Immersion the same person as when they started. It changes things.

If you haven't experienced Immersion, you ought to. It could be forty of the most pivotal hours in your life and the only way you'll ever know is to go.

IS this a GOOD SIGN?!

About a year ago a family (let's call them the Wild's) moved into the trailer park. Mr. Wild and Mrs. Wild's would come out to the church gatherings we would have. It was really nice to have met them. It was funny because Mr. Wild did not have long pants and it was very cool at this time. So he would listen to the Sunday gathering from his trailer with the window lifted. Phil and Mr. Wild would often have conversations back and forth to make sure he felt as much apart of the fellowship as those sitting right there. Mrs. Wild and their son little Wild would physically join the group. Again it was our delight and pleasure to help and serve them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as some physical needs (food, clothes, conversation etc.).

Mrs. Wild began attending the women's bible study on Tuesday afternoons. She was really interested and excited to learn about the Lord. I felt like she was eating it up. Then she fall ill. She was placed in hospital care for about a month. While she was there the only person to visit her was my husband. She was so grateful. Then she came home and things seemed odd. Mr. Wild was into drugs and things of that nature. Mrs. Wild was strange in behavior. Phil and I picked that there was physical abuse taking place. So we prayed and waited for the Lord to lead us. Then Mrs. Wild called me over to another trailer to talk. She was hiding out from her husband. She wanted help but was very afraid. I suggested the woman's shelter here in town and gave her the information she needed to get that taken care of. For her protection as well as her sons. There was verbal and much physical abuse toward both of them. Neighbors who helped were fearful of their safety in this situation.

After about a week. I don't see her and I made contact with the shelter and find that she is there. She calls me, we talk, it is going well for her there. We attempted to get together and have her come to "Friday Morning Coffee" but that never worked out. Time passes and I find from the director that she found a place and is moving out. Both the shelter director and I were concerned that this was not the best move for her. However, she was following all the move out rules. Again about a week passes and I see her in the trailer park with Mr. Wild. WHAT?! I was at a complete loss. To top it off Mr. Wild is acting a pure fool about how we took his wife and put her in the woman's shelter. So here begins my personal struggle with the flesh and the spirit.

This couple now ignores our very existence. I have spoken to both of them together and individually and they both would look me in the face and not say a word! REALLY? Okay. So I thought she is in a prison controlled by Mr. Wild and I will back away and simply pray for this family. Let's add a little more light to this subject. If the church would have a feeding they would show up, only for the food part. They would also speak to me then, but not any other time. Again my thoughts are REALLY!?!? FAST FORWARD!

This past weekend was the medical outreach and regular Sunday gathering. Phil knocked on their door and invited them to the medical outreach. They came out with great excitement. Mr. Wild was talking to Phil and saying I am so glad you are here and really glad you got that trailer....(PAUSE)

The day I got the keys for the trailer Mr. Wild started talking all crazy towards me, "You are going to hear from me! That trailer is mine and you can't have it. I'm going to raise hell about that!" HUMMMMMMMMM! Lord seriously what is going on? Now we knew he had no rights to the trailer. He was talking loud about nothing, so I ignored him with a smile. (Okay press PLAY)

It seemed that things may be getting better. Maybe the Lord was healing some wounds and things were looking good for them. So Mrs. Wild walks over and joins us for Sunday gathering. Now I am a little shocked but I was also excited to see what the Lord was doing. She stayed the whole time and then at the end of our time together Phil partnered individuals to pray for our families.

He came from Mark 6:14-29 highlighting our sin effects not only us but our whole family. So as a conclusion we were to pray for each others families. It just so happened that I was partnered with Mrs. Wild. So I prayed for her family and she prayed for mine.

Then Mr. Wild came outside. He walked right up to her and said, "You need to come inside. Your phone has been ringing and this is a waste of time. You don't need to be brainwashed by these people!" REALLY! So she sits with me for a few seconds more. Then he yells to her again from his trailer. As he is yelling for her to come, I look directly at him or rather into the spirit that is at work in him. I said nothing out loud but very clearly stand my ground in the authority and power of Jesus Christ. Then he says "I don't like her!" repeatedly. Mrs. Wild was in the home being abused verbally because she came to gather with the saints for worship. Mr. Wild then began to call us all kinds of things other than children of God. Now some were un-nerved and shocked. Most were unaware of what was taking place. My husband, Mr. and Mrs. Wild and one lady from the church and I were the only ones aware of this situation. I praise God for that. However I would ask that you would sincerely pray for Mrs. Wild. That she would be set free, and that Mr. Wild would receive Christ as Savior!

Now that you have the story. I ask myself is this a good sign? I think of the scripture that says, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 I think of that as a one up for me. Then I am reminded of Romans 12:14 "Bless those who persecute you:bless and do not curse." There is the balance. I am asking the Lord to help me to bless and not curse, help me remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against rulers of darkness. Help me Lord to love like you love and not withhold. Pray for wisdom with my whole family.

Some might ask are you afraid. The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT! In fact I might more bold than I should be. I fully trust the provision and protection of God through the Holy Spirit and in the natural, my husband. I am not a victim but a victor in Christ so my identity comes from Him and not that of fear of man.

Okay I just added that little note. Here is my completed thought in regards to scripture.

In John 15:18-27. Mr. Wild and Mrs. Wild's response was and is simply because they do not know Christ. In the end that is why we are serving in this community. I will add to this post next week beginning with the passage of scripture in John. If you have any thoughts to share please feel free to comment. I would love to hear what words the Lord would give you in regards to this whole situation.