Eric Camp

Couple of Thoughts…

#1 – Mother’s Day was yesterday and Toni did an amazing job! At least 10 people gave their lives to Christ with close to 400 in attendance and an overflowing parking lot and Children’s Ministries!!! And we had 1 water baptism!!!! WOW!!!

#2 – I shared the vision with our Sr. leadership team last week about where I feel The Lord is leading Oasis Church in the coming months and years, and I can truly tell you, my mind is being blown away by the plans I Believe The Lord has for this church! REFOCUS on the GREAT COMMISSION, Overflow Passion from what The Lord is doing in us individually will direct our ministry corporately!

#3 – The New Series starts Sunday and I believe it will penetrate the heart of every person as our society has lost or “forgotten” some of the major virtues by which we used to hold so true. We will talk about HONOR Sunday morning in the new series titled “Forgotten Virtues” –

#4 – We are Contemplating 2 Worship Experiences at Oasis… the parking lot is full, the Children’s Ministries is full, this will require more from the team, but if we do this, we are implementing a “Serve 1 Worship 1” campaign so everyone can be a part of the Worship Experience every week! If you are a part of Oasis, WE NEED YOU!!!!

We need people to serve in Children, parking lot, greet, Hub, nursery, Higher Grounds, event team, media, and other areas too! PLEASE VOLUNTEER to help somewhere if you arent currently serving! Email the admin office at office@OasisOnline.tv if you would like to serve!

#5 – We are updating our Website at OasisOnline.tv for a GIVING MODULE so you can give financially online and also rolling out a new WEB CAMPUS in the coming weeks for our ONLINE STREAMING Audience. We currently have an Online Stream, but we are making improvements so quality can be enhanced and interaction with social networking and sermon notes will be available to the online community as well. Stay Tuned!

#6 – Today I have been asked to speak to the Sr. Citizens of Pascagoula at the Sr. Center… A little nervous about that one!!! PRAY FOR ME!!

Ok… those are my thoughts for today… Thanks for reading!!!

What a GREAT Day today! We gathered as a city and community at the Jackson County Courthouse today for the National Day of Prayer and there was a great turnout! If there has ever been a time this country needs to pray, it is now! I want to again say what an honor it was to be the keynote speaker for this year’s event in Pascagoula. It was such an honor for me standing up there with other pastors in our city, city and county officials, the state officials and the people of this great city. Our Media Team is going to try and get footage of the event on our website at http://www.OasisOnline.tv.

As I was waiting my time to speak, I couldn’t help but first of all be thankful for all these pastors and personnel that day in and day out do the work of The Lord in their respected churches and positions. I know The Lord Jesus was smiling down on Pascagoula today as we came together in that unity and broke those divides that man has created. I love His Church and I love this city, state and country and I am not settling for anything short of a genuine move of God for our city and region!

When we come in that unity like we did today, we will see Him move and We will see Him restore and heal our land!

To my staff and all the wonderful people from Oasis Church who were there in support and there to diligently seek The Lord through Prayer today, thank you! Also, keep it up! There is a fire that is burning in my heart for this city and Gulf Coast and I am so fortunate to serve you and to serve the wonderful people of this area to advance The Kingdom of God! You guys rock!

Have a great weekend yall… Remember, my wonderful bride will be speaking The Mother’s Day Message at Oasis Sunday morning… YOU DONT WANT TO MISS IT!!!

A great day at Oasis This past Sunday!!! 10 people gave their lives to Christ, 4 people were baptized in water, the house was full, the Children’s Dept. was full, WHAT A DAY!!!

I concluded the “Losing Your Religion” series and this week is Mother’s Day. Toni, my wife, will be speaking Sunday morning for Mother’s Day… you dont want to miss it! Our Creative Arts team will also be performing…

The Next series we begin will be in 2 weeks and we will be dealing with things such as integrity, honor, values and other traits that seemed to have been lost or neglected in modern society.

This past weekend Toni and I celebrated our 11th Wedding Anniversary and I come to realize that with each passing year, I love that woman more and more!

I was in Higher Grounds after the weekend Experience and had the chance to talk to several new people that were visiting Oasis and discovered a couple of ladies who drove all the way to Pascagoula from Wiggins which is over an hour away and also we had a young man that drove from Hattiesburg, MS which is nearly 2 hours away! WOW! You guys encouraged me greatly and it was such an honor that you were here! There is definitely something going on at Oasis Church and along this Gulf Coast!

I have the great honor of being the keynote speaker at the Jackson County National Day of Prayer this upcoming Thursday which begins at 12:00 noon. I would like to invite all of you out to join together with others in the city and area that believe that Prayer is still powerful, God is still in Control and TOGETHER when we put our faith in HIM, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

Have a great week… Thanks for taking the time to just read what all was on my heart this morning…

This upcoming weekend is Toni and my 11th anniversary! It really doesnt seem like 11 years ago we were in Gatlinburg, TN saying our vows! BOY HOW TIME FLIES! We have a 7 year old who will be 8 in a few months… I am really starting to feel old!

This upcoming weekend at Oasis Church, I will conclude the series titled “Losing Your Religion”. NEXT WEEKEND, Toni will be speaking on Mother’s Day with a powerful message to all mothers, women, and EVEN MEN! You dont want to miss that!

Several new things taking shape as transition continues to happen. Higher Grounds Cafe at Oasis will be opening in a few weeks during the day to serve coffee, frozens, pastries, etc as Red Cup Coffee Company will close its doors locally and Higher Grounds will begin serving Red Cup product. Come by and support this venture as all profits will benefit the Student and Children’s Ministries of Oasis Church. There will be some food items served, that is still to be determined. The hours are not yet determined either, but stay tuned.

Yes, this past weekend I had something weird happen to me as I was speaking Sunday morning… I apparently got too hot and broke out in hives or something on the platform… that has never happened to me like that before. It was extremely distracting to me and very noticeable to several folks, especially those on the front rows. But I am ok… Thanks for all who have sent emails asking… I appreciate it greatly! I was fine by the evening Encounter Experience… it could have been the wool jacket I had on… I may be allergic… And by the way, The jacket was going to be used as an object lesson anyway, but I became too distracted and forgot to use it… maybe next time!

I am studying now for a new series we are looking at launching after Mother’s Day. I believe we may do a series just titled “The Gospel”. This series will follow on the heels of this one we are in and lead into a series of teachings that I am extremely ready to get into about integrity, character, responsibility, and society that we are going to do. There are some traditions and values of yesteryear that we really shouldnt have left beind… Our Society is a reflection of life without the values that were learned by many in generations past… We will dive into that for a summer series….

Last weekend was a great weekend for the Kingdom at Oasis… At least 14 people gave their hearts to Jesus, attendance was great in both experiences and expectation is at its highest!!!!

Have a great week folks… Thanks for taking the time to read…

What a great day at Oasis Church yesterday! At least 10 people surrendered their hearts to Jesus in a packed house and an overcrowded Children’s Facility! There were 91 kids at Oasis yesterday!!!! WORKERS NEEDED!!!! Email our Children’s Pastor or call the Admin Office if you can help!!!

This series I am teaching right now on Losing Religion is beginning to take shape in a way that is seeing people set free from bondage of Religion and Tradition and open our eyes to see the Greater, SIMPLER Picture of JESUS! To Echo the McDonalds theme song, “I’m loving it!” In no way whatsoever is the teaching intended to be offensive, just bring out the TRUTH of God’s Word and learn Relationship with Jesus as opposed to obedience to Religion. Yesterday we talked about how religion can be weird, mystical, strange, etc. Remember, Jesus didnt come to give answers… He came to be THE ANSWER!

I was watching the Country Music Awards last night and I have to tell you, I am ever more impressed with Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert for their outspoken Faith in JESUS! They didnt thank “God”, they very enthusiastically gave honor and recognition to Jesus! Carrie even said that she gives all credit to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! WHAT A TESTIMONY… WHAT INFLUENCE! What was even more  impressive is that the entire audience erupted in applause. Toni and I got to talking and it is interesting that “most” artists in Country music are people of faith, values and morals. Even more reason to be a fan of Country Music!

I have come to the conclusion that if Jesus loved the world so much that He Gave… shouldnt we do the same? Pastors, Church Leaders and Staff, people of influence, your call is to love and reach people. End of story. Yes, we preach God’s Word in a Creative, Compelling, Relevant way to ENGAGE people to apply HIS WORD, not to just watch how great we looked our sounded on the video player or pod cast.

I have been in some mentoring and discussion with some staff at Oasis, and we have realized that the church has to be attractive! It has to be a place where people are drawn to. Where people can feel comfortable, where people can be safe, where people can be fed God’s Word, and a place where people can be loved… regardless of where they walked out of right before they walked into our building.

Dont forget… what we do as pastors, leaders, staff, etc is about reaching people for Jesus and the universal language for that is Love. Do you really love seeing people’s lives changed and transformed by the power of God? Ask Him to fill you with passion and compassion as He desires to use each of us here on the Gulf Coast to build His Church for ALL PEOPLE!

Have a great Monday!

I started a new series this past weekend at Oasis Church titled “Losing Your Religion”. The series I believe will serve many purposes, primarily to help us align with God’s Word and Will instead of just going through the motions of Religion and Tradition in our lives. Such a revealing Message Sunday morning in the opener as we talked about Paul before King Agrippa and paralleled the story with us today and our testimony of Who Jesus really is.

Interesting enough, the opposition to such teaching has been intense! Accusations that leave you scratching your head wondering “where in the world did that come from?” The intent of this series is in no form or fashion intended to offend anyone, that is not my heart, I promise. The intent is to bring sight on God’s Word and the TRUTH of His Word, not what Religion has ingrained in us all these years… why? SO people can live the life of Freedom that Jesus paid the price for! That is our heart!

It is interesting that when I start these kinds of messages and talks how the opposition intensifies. Just yesterday (Tuesday), I carried a couple of staff members with me to the hospital to do a visitation with someone who had just had a baby (new life) and while we were out, someone stopped by the church to oppress some of our administrative staff with how it is sin and we are condemned for doing church on Sunday… The individual handed her a novel of Old Testament Scripture, NONE pointing to Jesus let me advise you, that talked about the destruction of America is because of false Pastors, Prophets, and teachers that hold meetings on Sundays. Religious and Legalistic condemnation of the pamphlets was crazy!!! Interesting, that ONLY time I have taken all my full-time guys with me and we all were out of the office over 2 hours because I ran into some other community leaders at Red Cup Coffee, this guy shows up… I first thought… MAN, I WISH I HAD OF BEEN HERE TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT JESUS! 😉

This has never happened before… Never had all the Sr. Pastoral team been out of the office at the same time during the week (except for lunch break of course), Never had anyone from this particular religious group EVER been by the church… interesting… CONFIRMS that this message series is on time and in The Lord’s Will for His Church in the season we are in!

Anyway, we will continue this series Sunday as it will evolve into a 4 part series and then My Wife, Toni, will have the Mother’s Day Service Experience which is May 9th.

Have any thoughts? Post them… Have any insights to how this series is affecting you or speaking to you… post em! Have a great week!

Romans 12:10 ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 Timothy 5:17 ¹⁷The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Proverbs 15:33 ³³ The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 13:18 ¹⁸ He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 ¹²Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

Honor // Respect… these two attributes and character behavior is missing more in this society I believe than any other. The church is not exempt.

Ask yourself just a moment on the heels of Romans 12:10, do you honor others above yourself? Absolutely you may say, but let me put some things in perspective…

If you are an employee and your employer assigns you a task, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, do you diligently work to accomplish that task or do you “just happen to forget” or not give the attention it deserves because of your own agenda?

Do you honor those who are older than you even though you don’t really like them or you have major disagreements with what they believe or how they live and you talk about them and gossip and slander them because of your disagreement?

Integrity of an individual I believe is molded by the discipline of honoring. If you honor and respect, you will naturally develop the mindset and life-style of integrity.

I am writing this blog or note today for several reasons… being that I have owned my own business, served in law-enforcement, managed a financial institution, and currently pastor a church, I have come to the conclusion that the whole “entitlement” mindset and lack of honor is just as present in the church as it is outside the church and this is alarming!!!!!

What ever happened to “yes maam”, “yes sir”, following through with what we say we will do and completing assigned tasks as they have been given out?

Tell me… I would like to know!!! I am more disappointed today because of this one thing I think than anything else.

There have been several times I have blessed my employees with an unexpected bonus on their checks, lunch, tools to assist them in their endeavors, whatever, with absolutely no thought of “thank you!”, “I appreciate that very much!”… ANYTHING! It makes you not want to do anything extra for them…

The whole mindset of “entitlement” has taken over where people believe and feel they are entitled to everything and anything because they are the answer to the world or to your organization or whatever, and it is in the church and it stinks!

No, I am not on a tangent, I am just being honest and discussing things that too many people wont dare begin talking about. Employers are shying away from mentoring and disciplining their employees, pastors prostitute for the sake of convenience and money, government officials sell out to the political popularity contest for the sake of getting reelected instead of standing in integrity and honoring GOD HIMSELF with the obedience of where HE has placed them!

Proverbs 13:18 talks about heeding correction and being honored… people today get mad, leave your church, quit their jobs, gossip and slander you, kick their dogs (ok, maybe that was too far), just because they get “corrected” or disciplined because they feel they are getting dishonored when the Scripture states that honor will be given if you receive the correction…!!! We have things backwards, especially in America. ESPECIALLY IN THE CHURCH! Even if we disagree, you can still honor and show respect.

God knows what He is doing. Authority is for protection and covering. If you are under good solid authority, there is safety and security in that if you honor and respect it. Each time you don’t, you punch a hole in that protective covering and allow leaks to enter and eventually if you don’t correct it, you will be all washed up simply because you didn’t obey The Word.

I have certain mentors in my life that I allow to speak into me and sometimes, I have to tell you, it hurts! It is not always happy happy! But I desire that sharpening and correction if it means promotion and honor returned! I also show honor and respect regardless if I agree or not. Many times I may disagree in the moment, but can look back and realize how right they may have been even before it “clicked” with me!

In closing this novel on honor, my prayer and desire is that after reading this, you will be challenged to show honor and appreciation and respect to those who protect you and even those you don’t know… it is the right thing to do and the bible talks about an HONORS REWARD.

He will REWARD those who not only honor HIM, but honor those around them as they are examples and testimonies of God Himself.

We can start by changing this city and region by starting a movement of honor, integrity and respect that is almost non-existent anymore in our society…

Begin where you are and watch the Rewards and Favor from God flow into your life!

WOW! What a weekend at Oasis! Over 700 people attended the Easter production this year with at least 52 people surrendering their lives to Christ! That is what it is all about!!! Pictures will be coming soon and the Easter Video will be online sometime later today at http://www.OasisOnline.tv. Click on the Media link and then WATCH SERVICES.

The Building was completely packed and parking space ran out again!  All for JESUS!

I want to give a HUGE Shout Out to the best STAFF and TEAM of VOLUNTEERS on the FACE OF THE PLANET… You guys are AMAZING! First of all, my staff… Jon Dotson, media and technical director. He produced the entire production and did an AMAZING JOB! Caleb Turner, Worship Leader, not only led the Music, but found himself being painted, TWICE, to illustrate “New Creation!” Will Seymour, student pastor, Jody Pittman, Associate Pastor, and all the worship team, Creative Arts Team Members, greet staff, Parking lot personnel, Outreach team led by Outreach Pastor Jason Warren, YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!

Saturday, Outreach Pastor Jason Warren and a team of 20-30 volunteers had the Easter Bunny and food at Oasis! Hundreds of people came out to have their pictures made and to have a great time! So many lives were touched by all of you guys ministering this weekend…  Thank you just doesnt seem like enough… We love you guys…

I know alot of people post numbers and numbers are good… but let me say this… Everyone matters! It is about EVERYONE not necessarily about How many! The Kingdom of God expanded by the Millions this weekend and the enemy, once again, has been defeated and suffered a major blow to his agenda! The Church as a whole is growing because Jesus is STILL KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS!

Oasis is making some drastic plans for next year’s Easter Experience for the city of Pascagoula and surrounding Region. The Big Announcement that we made this weekend is in the works, however, a little different flavor than planned already! It will be very Exciting!!!!

Remember though, We will be celebrating the RESURRECTION Next Sunday too!!! We Celebrate the Resurrection EVERY Sunday!!!! To copy a quote from a friend of mine, Perry Noble:

“My prayer as of late for our church is that we will experience an AWAKENING!  Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that we could have nice church services…but so that mankind could be reconciled to God.  I am literally praying that God will move in all churches in such an undeniable way that ALL of us are stirred up to live out John 13:34-35 every single day of our lives…NOT just on Sunday!”

Be Blessed! Pictures and Video coming soon! Stay tuned!

Last night we witnessed at least 4 people surrender their lives to Christ as around 175 people from various other churches gathered for and Easter Celebration at Oasis. This was the first time we ever held a Saturday night Service Experience and all seemed to go extremely well. No, We will not be doing Saturday nights from this point on. Yet.

What encouraged me, other than the 4 salvations,  was the number of other people gathered here from various other denominations and Houses of Worship. The range was from Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Assembly of God, and everything in between! That is a snap shot of Heaven Folks! Coming Together in Unity to Worship HIM! Thank you to all of you from other ministries in the area for attending this Worship Experience. You blessed me by being present!

Today is Resurrection Sunday! There will be some differences today from last night’s Experience, but I feel today will be one amazing time of worship and celebration as we gather to bring praise to Jesus who CONQUERED the Grave!

We are expecting several hundred people this morning and seating capacity is 500. Come early, get a good seat. Higher Grounds will be open at 9:00 to serve you coffee!

To all my friends at other churches this morning… BLESSINGS! I hope and Pray that The Holy Spirit visit each of your churches and make an impact that sticks from this day forward!

Let’s CELEBRATE!!!