August 7, 2026

My kids played sports for most of their school years. There were some breaks in the seasons with some of my kids but for the most part we found ourselves beside a court, a field, or a course watching our kids do things that they loved to do. My wife and I enjoyed those times. But can I admit something to you? We never felt like we truly fit in with the crowd of other parents and spectators. It may be because my wife and I didn’t grow up playing sports (ok, I ran track). It may be because we aren’t big sports enthusiasts. It may also be because, for the most part, we were at our kids’ sporting events just simply to spectate. While many other parents often seemed to be 100% engaged in the mechanics of the game, shouting directions to their kids, yelling at refs, and nearly running out onto the field themselves… Denise and I were more content to sit and watch (ok, with an occasional impassioned shout from me). Our favorite posture was as spectators. We took in the action, clapped when appropriate, shouted when necessary, and mostly sat in our seats.

I see that sort of posture in Jesus’s Church a lot, too.

This last week I had the privilege of being a small part of the Epic Ministries Kids’ camp which took place at White Oak’s Ross Campus. This was very similar to the Summer Bible Camp which took place at WOCC’s Colerain Campus earlier this summer. These weeks always captivate me. The on-stage teaching, games, music, and fun are always wonderful. The way in which the building is transformed with bright decorations is quite special. Even the buzz of energy in the air around the building is electric. Seeing so many young kids encounter Jesus in authentic and exciting ways makes me so grateful to God for showing up powerfully in these mom

ents.

For all those beautiful things that take place, those aren’t the things that leave the biggest impression upon me. The thing that I first notice during weeks like these is the community of adult and teen volunteers who have rallied together to do this important work.

That is absolute electricity! For example, I walked into the Ross building Monday evening for the kick-off night of Epic and the first thing I noticed is nearly 100 volunteers all wearing blue WO Kid’s tee shirts. They were spread everywhere throughout the building, in the parking lot, and outside. Each one of them had a role to play in impacting the lives of children. More than half of them were stepping into serving roles with children at WO for the first time. I had a conversation with one of WO’s Epic leaders who oversees the volunteers. She shared with me stories of adults and teens who were paired up to lead groups who had never met before. These volunteers may never have crossed paths at

church on a Sunday morning but here they were this week. More mature adults sitting next to 13-year-olds getting to know one another, talking, and laughing as they ministered to elementary kids together. They were in the thick of it. They shared a common purpose in discipling kids. They had a common mission. Nearly 100 people gave up evenings with their own families, came to camp after a long workday, tired themselves out each evening. Each one sacrificing. Each one getting into the game instead of simply spectating.

That’s the key. That’s why weeks like these camp weeks strike me like they do. It’s because they serve as a beautiful picture of Jesus’s Church the way it that is should be functioning. Each person serving and using their gifts and talents to further his mission. No spectators. Simply people who see it as their role to jump into the game instead of sitting on the sidelines.

That’s what I pray for as I think about White Oak moving forward into 2026 and beyond. Hundreds of people each on a mission. A shared purpose. We exist as a church to bring glory to God and to seek and love those who don’t yet know him. May each of us pray about our role in that mission. Imagine White Oak continuing to create those spaces and experiences for our community. When people encounter us and our church do they see one people aligned and compelled with one selfless God-honoring mission? We are here to serve. We are here to love. We are being formed for the sake of others.

Jumping in,

Nathan

Nathan Hinkle

Lead Pastor

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