This is a bi-monthy feature that will cover the varying high school youth groups of the students within FC. Contributing to this year’s theme, “We Are One,” this series will attempt to inform, highlight and encourage each group’s diverse system of ministry as well as provide information for those seeking ties to a congregation.

Peoples Church

-Youth group name: Oasis

-Address: 7172 North Cedar Avenue Fresno, 93720-3368

-Meets: Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. in Ground Zero

-Number of students registered: About 60-100

-Regular attendants from FC: Hannah Avila, ’14, Rayna Endicott, ’14, Elora Hargis, ’14, Sabrina Henderson, ’15, Matt Jenkins, ’13, Sarah Lim, ’14, Amanda Merzon, ’12, Jonathan Nyberg, ’14 and Jenna Orcutt, ’13

-Youth pastor: Searching for one, currently led by youth leaders

-Annual events: Summer Camp at Advent Christian Conference Center in Santa Cruz, Breakaway spring break mission trip, winter camp at Hume Lake Christian Camps.

-Mission statement: “To see every young man or woman we come in contact with experience the love of Christ, grow to be his disciple, and begin to bear fruit to a lost and dying world!”

Background and itinerary

Peoples Church came into existence in 1954 and has since thrived, growing to boast a congregation of around 3,200. Dale Oquist became Senior Pastor in 2010 after former pastor, G.L. Johnson stepped down after 45 years leading the non-denominational church.

On March 30, 2011 students said farewell to youth pastor Chad Johnson. Presently, the youth leaders have stepped in to bridge the time gap while the church seeks out a new one.

Worship and Ministry Assistant Rebecca Boyt recognizes God at work in a time of transition through the lay people’s dedication.

“At first we we had to ask God, ‘Okay, how are we going to do this?’,” Boyt said. “God gave us grace to get through it and it’s been one of the best things that our leadership team has ever had to walk through because we’ve grown so much. The kids are growing and want to set their hearts on fire to influence their campuses. Our kids haven’t skipped a beat.”

The Tuesday night and Sunday youth services are conducted with 30-40 minutes for worship, 30 minutes for teaching and usually small group time following the message. However, the leaders keep the schedule flexible to allow keep the time influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Not only is the leadership flourishing, but there has also been growth within the group as well. According to Boyt, students have shown longing to change their schools by bringing Christians together through prayer.

“There is a hunger for more which is really important because if you get kids that are satisfied then there is no desire to see more of God,” Boyt said. “Seeds were planted, and God is really getting ahold of kids hearts and when that happens he opens their eyes to the hurting people around them.”

A word from the students

Long-time member of the Oasis youth group, Hargis finds the versatility of teaching for people in all stages of spirituality a prime environment to minister to non-believers.

“At Peoples it’s very easy to bring friends who are or are not Christians,” Hargis said. “They’re open and friendly, not judgmental and the teaching covers both simple and deep aspects of the Bible. Also, the youth leaders make it especially fun and personal because they want to create genuine relationships.”

Having only attended the youth group twice, Dustin Swain, ’14, smoothly transitioned into a new church body through prior relationships.

“I used to go to College Church of Christ before this, but I didn’t know any people there and I wasn’t really prospering from it so I decided to come to Peoples,” Swain said. “I know a lot of people here and everyone knows each other. No one’s mean to each other and there aren’t clicks because everyone likes hanging out with everybody.”

For Orcutt, People’s provides teaching that both enlightens and creates a closeness among believers.

“We really focus on understanding and going deeper in the Bible,” Orcutt said. “We closely examine what it says and take it to heart. By using the things we learn we grow more as a group.”

For previous installment, read the Aug. 31 article, Water’s Edge becomes second home to students.

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