October 30, 2026
I recall September 2008 quite often. That is the season that I stepped out of Youth Ministry and began to build the launch team for White Oak’s Ross Twp. Campus which would launch the following March with me serving as the Campus Pastor. That feeling was electric. There was energy in the air at White Oak. We are part of a church that is willing to give away our resources (our money, our leaders—including 80 people who moved from the Colerain campus to launch Ross) so that we may start something new and take Jesus into new spaces in and around our city.
My prayer for White Oak is that this same excitement and energy compels us to continue to launch new things for the sake of people and for the name of Jesus. We don’t need to wait until we launch another campus. We can see this sort of exciting vision move in and through our church in the way in which we posture our attitudes, priorities, and our hearts. That is exactly what I want to see happening in and through our church as we draw closer to the end of the year. As we enter into the last two months of 2026, we have the opportunity to advance the work of the Gospel through our Full Life Offering.
This offering will be used in two very exciting ways. First, to rescue women and girls from human trafficking—helping to bring freedom to those who are oppressed. The other is by making more intentional room for people—so that our guests may experience Jesus in catalytic ways here at White Oak.
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus tell us, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Jesus’s heart breaks for injustice and he calls his apprentices to the work of restoration.
Esther is a survivor who was rescued by AIM in Jesus’s name. In her story, she shares:
“I said, Jesus, if you are the one true God, I will follow you all of my life.”
“My life is a testimony of God’s goodness. My husband and I have the joy of planting churches, teaching trafficking awareness to vulnerable communities, and bringing the gospel to my people.”
Because of our call to love and serve those in need, White Oak will give a gift to Agape International Missions (AIM) to sponsor a raid of a brothel in southeast Asia thereby rescuing women from human trafficking. We’ll also sponsor a year of restoration and care for one survivor. Jesus is the hero, not White Oak. Freedom is God's work; we join his rescue.
Over the last few years White Oak has seen many new guests walk through the doors of both of our campus locations. Our Ross Campus has seen explosive growth which caused us to offer seven services this past Easter! Our spaces are filling up quickly and we need to make more room. Our Colerain Campus has needed necessary and exciting upgrades, equipment, and resources in the auditorium. Spiritually hungry young adults (Gen Z) are curious about that which will give them hope where other things our culture has offered have failed. We need to help them find a place, too! We want to create environments that help people focus their hearts on Jesus, make room for more people, and support moments of worship that lead to full life in Jesus.
This is where we come to, White Oak. We are a church with a strong history of giving generously when God calls on us. We’ve done it when Christians in India have needed us… we’ve responded when Matthew 25 Ministries puts out a call for help… we’ve filled shoeboxes with gifts for children… we’ve given Christmas gifts to kids in our community… we’ve planted two multi-site campuses… and, by the grace of God, we’ll keep giving to see everyone connect to Full Life in Jesus.
Jesus’s teaching about generosity centers on this: We don’t give TO projects. We give FROM a place of transformation. We realize the grace that has been shown to us and that everything we have comes from God to steward for his glory. This compels us to give generously!
First, please be praying for the Full Life Offering. Pray for the women and girls in southeast Asia who are victims of trafficking. Pray that White Oak can respond to and plan for our church-less neighbors who will be drawn here. Denise and I will be praying along with you and considering what God has put on our family’s heart to give.
Next, check out https://www.thewocc.com/fulllife for more information. I thank you as you keep giving to White Oak the way you already do. Please consider giving a gift above and beyond that to help set people free and make room for more in the name of Jesus!
I am excited to walk through this season with you!
Nathan
Nathan Hinkle
Lead Pastor
