Living Oaks Community Church :: ::

Who We Are

LIVING OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH STATEMENT OF FAITH

STAFF

Susan Harris, Pastor to Children and Families

sharris@livingoakschurch.com
(805) 376-1800 extension 104

Susan Harris actually began ministry service as a child – she is a pastor’s kid (PK) and grew up in the church in Oregon, Montana, Illinois, Arizona and finally California.

Susan has lived in the Conejo Valley since 1971 with the exception of a recent four year journey to San Diego. Susan is a graduate of Newbury Park High School and has continued her education at Moorpark College, Miramar College and Biola University. She plans on continuing her education as time allows.

Susan began official ministry service at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA while a young single mother. She worked all aspects of children’s ministry from teaching on Sunday mornings to administrative assistance to developing, implementing and directing programs. In addition to children’s ministry, while in San Diego, she directed a church sponsored preschool center.

Susan joined the Living Oaks staff in July 2005 and feels blessed to be back home, ministering in the Conejo Valley.

Susan is a licensed pastor and has a passion for kids and their families, encouraging and equipping parents in the spiritual leadership of their children. She enjoys rocking infants, playing peek-a-boo with toddlers, doing puppet theatre with preschoolers, and leading all ages of elementary kids into their own personal relationship with Jesus. She also thrives on nurturing and training the many volunteers who partner with her in ministry.

Susan has three grown children and is looking forward to being a grandma (just not anytime real soon!)

Deeanne Sutter, Early Childhood Coordinator
dsutter@livingoakschurch.com
(805) 376-1800 extension 117

Deeanne was born and raised in Mid-Michigan where her entire family still resides. Deeanne went to Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

After marrying her high school sweetheart, Paul, they moved all over the country and Europe while he was in the Army. Following the birth of their son, Michael & daughter, Lauren, Deeanne became a full-time stay at home mom. Her love of children inspired her to coach new mothers as a leader in La Leche League. Additionally, she led the Family Support Group for military families of deployed soldiers. Six years ago when Paul’s job transferred them to Thousand Oaks, Deeanne stayed active in her children’s school, church, and women’s Bible study. Being a part of The Wellspring women’s Bible study at LOCC inspired Deeanne and she felt led by God to LOCC and children’s ministry. She feels so blessed to be a part of the warm LOCC family. She loves to share about God’s love with children.

Deeanne loves children, reading, painting, watching movies (with Red Vines) & studying God’s word. Deeanne and Paul have been married over 15 years. Her children are Michael, 11 and Lauren, 9.

Josh Epstein, Elementary Coordinator/Summer Day Camp Director
jepstein@livingoakschurch.com
(805) 376-1800 ext 120

Hi everyone! My name is Josh Epstein, and if we have yet to meet, I hope that we do so some time soon! A native, local, southern Californian, I grew up just a few miles away in Oak Park and moved out here to Newbury Park in January of 2000, and I love it! I graduated from Newbury Park High School in 2002 and continued my education at Moorpark College and then at California State University Northridge where I graduated with a B.A. in English in 2007. I love music, poetry, sports, and pretty much anything having to do with being outdoors. Hiking, fishing, camping, cooking, you name it! I love books – ironically, I loathed reading and English classes all the way through High School; funny that I ended up majoring in that same subject. God leads in amazing ways though. Amen.

I began to fall in love with Jesus when I graduated High School. Up until that point in my life all I wanted to do was play soccer. Play recreationally, professionally, whatever I could. God had another plan though. Through repeated injuries I began to spend less time on the soccer field and more time with Jesus. I found myself asking what He wanted for my life, how He felt about me. Not long after that I found myself serving in many different student ministries at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village and later at Calvary Chapel of Thousand Oaks. And I must say that I am so excited about being here at Living Oaks Community Church! I love kids, I think they “say the darndest things,” and I have such a desire for them to know that Jesus is crazy about them. It has been my prayer that God would use my life in any way to share the joy of Jesus with them. Kids “get it.” Sometimes, well, a lot of times, I wish I was a lot more like one of them.

Doug Gonce, Studio of the Oaks Coordinator

dgonce@livingoakschurch.com
(805) 376-1800 extension 112

Doug was born in Fontana, CA and raised in Cucamonga, CA. (yes, there is a Cucamonga) and Simi Valley , CA. After graduating from Simi Valley High school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and started working in the Communications and Computers field. While in the Air Force, he traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Central America, and had a nice visit to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. After retiring from the Air Force, Doug started working as a contractor for the Federal government in Montgomery Alabama, which is located in the “Bible Gateway” of America.

It is here that Doug finally paid attention to the gentle knocking on the door of his heart and invited Jesus Christ to become his Lord and Savior. He was asked to join the choir at the church he was attending even after informing the Choir Director that he couldn’t sing very well. She told him not to worry about it as he’d be singing for God and as long as he was singing from his heart, God would enjoy hearing his voice.

After a couple of years, Doug’s family talked him into coming back to California. After visiting 11 different churches, Doug finally found one that had a choir, Calvary Community Church. He joined the choir and then was led by God to start helping in Children’s Ministry. Soon he was no longer helping, he was teaching the second grade children. And from there God called him to become a children’s pastor. Doug is currently working towards that request from God.

Doug started attending LOCC on the very last HISTORICAL day at the Park and volunteered to start teaching a couple weeks later. He is now on staff as the developer of LOCC’s 5th and 6th grade program, Studio of the Oaks.

Doug is married to a very lovely woman named Tamara (ask him and he’ll tell you how they met, it’s a wonderful story) and God has given him the privilege of raising up his stepson, Cody. He has two grown children, a young lady named Erin and a young man named Jared. Their little family thrives on sports and that too has a funny story that you need to ask him about!

Donna Hathaway, Registration Coordinator
dhathaway@livingoakschurch.com
(805) 376-1800 extension 200

Donna is a Newbury Park native born and raised! She grew up going to church and accepted Christ as her personal Savior when she was 18. Donna, her husband Jon, and three children, Matt, Jacob and Sarah, came to Living Oaks Community Church shortly after its birth in 2004. She is actively involved in both children’s and youth ministries, welcoming new families with children to Living Oaks on Sunday mornings, helping with VBS and camps. Her kids are also actively involved and serving in various aspects of Living Oaks children and youth programs.

She’s currently attending Biola University through the BOLD program with her sights set on graduating with a degree in Organizational Leadership in 2008.

Rochelle Harris, Resource Coordinator
(805) 376-1800 extension 104

Rochelle is our Resource Coordinator which means she makes sure every classroom and program has all the supplies they need. It’s a huge job but Rochelle is very organized and creative! Rochelle, her husband Jeff and children Caleb and Riley moved to the Conejo from St. Louis, MO 2 years ago. They joined LOCC because they had family members already attending. Rochelle also teaches 3rd and 4th graders at our 9:30 service every other week.

We believe…

Top

1. that every person, Christian and non-Christian alike, is valuable to God and to His Kingdom.

2. that the most effective evangelism happens through people inviting people, but is both a process and an event.

3. that every member should commit to a lifestyle of consistent spiritual growth with honest accountability.

4. that God is worthy of our very best. Therefore, a growing spirit of "excellence" should permeate every activity.

5. that Biblical truth is relevant and life applicable.

6. that every member is a minister who has been given gifts and has passions to be discovered, developed, and deployed.

7. that doing church as a team is God's design for effective ministry.

8. that a simple presentation of Jesus Christ in creative ways will impact and transform lives.

9. that genuine love and caring relationships are key to the life of every endeavor in which life change occurs (best through small groups).

10. in identifying and training emerging leaders who are fully committed to Christ, our mission and vision, and who will reach their generation by sharing the Gospel.

What We Believe

Top

At Living Oaks, we believe true happiness begins when we realize how much the Creator of the universe loves us and desires an intimate relationship with us.

We believe in the Bible. In it contains the words from God, written by man through God's inspiration.

We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He died for our sins, rose from the dead, and will return again, as predicted, to claim each of us who have a personal relationship with Him.

We believe the Bible contains all the guidelines needed for fulfillment and integrity. It gives us direction for dating, marriage and raising children. It gives hope to those who have suffered through divorce and other traumatic experiences helping them put their lives back together again. It tells us how to get along at work, school and home. It shows us how to live a life of joy and purpose.

We believe…in one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, all knowing, and eternally existing in three persons - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

1. Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God to be our High Priest and Advocate. His death and resurrection is the basis for salvation. Whoever confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, are born of the Holy Spirit and become children of God.

2. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to indwell, guide, convict, regenerate, instruct, and empower the believer for Godly living service.

3. The Bible, as originally written, was verbally inspired and the product of Spirit controlled men, and therefore is Truth without error in the original writings. We believe the Bible is the complete revelation of God's will for salvation of humankind, and the standard by which all humans should live.

4. Humankind was created in the image of God but fell, through sin, and is therefore spiritually dead and separated from God.

5. Salvation is a free Gift, by God's grace, received by placing faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that in salvation there is complete forgiveness of sin and the unmerited gift of eternal life.

6. All true believers who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ are assured of their salvation.

7. In the personality and reality of Satan, that he is the originator of sin, and the he is ceaseless and ruthless in his efforts to destroy God's plan of salvation for all humankind. We believe he counterfeits the work of God by fostering false teachings that deny the blood of Jesus Christ and salvation by grace alone. Furthermore, we believe the unbeliever will spend an everlasting and conscious eternity in Hell.

8. The local church exists to help people know and glorify God, to equip and build up the believers' faith, and to empower and unleash people to the work of the ministry.

9. All true believers, in obedience to Christ give testimony of the atoning work of Christ through baptism. We believe baptism is an outward expression of a believer's relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe that Communion is the commemoration of His death.

10. Jesus Christ will return in bodily form and take his people in bodily form to spend eternity in heaven. We believe His return is imminent and gives hope to the personal life and service of all believers.

Footnoted passages found in the Bible:

1. Exodus 20:2-3; Mathew 28:19; John 10:30; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 4:11

2. Isaiah 7:14, 53:4-7; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14, 3:16; Romans 3:24, 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8; I John 4:10

3. John 14:16, 17:17; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 5:18

4. II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21

5. Genesis 1:6, 5:1-5; John 1:3; Romans 3:10, 5:12, 19; Colossians 1:16-17

6. Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Habakkuk 2:4; John 1:13, 3:3; Acts 13:19; Romans 1:17, 4:1-8; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus

7. John 3:16, 20:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Philippians 1:6; Jude 1; I John 5:1

8. Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5:12; II Corinthians 4:3-4, 11:13-15; Ephesians 2:2, 6:10-12; II Thessalonians 2:3-4; I Timothy 4:1-3; Revelation 20:10

9. Acts 2:41-42, 20:17-28; I Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-24; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:1-7

10. Matthew 3:16, 28:19; John 3:23, Acts 2:41, 8:36-39, 18:8; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 11:23-28; Luke 24:36-47; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 3:20; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:5-7, 19:11-16, 20:1-7

OUR MISSION

Top

The Mission of Acorns to Oaks is to lead children into a
personal,
joyful,
lifelong
relationship with Jesus Christ.

We desire that children:

· KNOW God’s Word

· GROW in Christ’s image

· SHOW His love to others

OUR BELIEFS

Top

We believe...

· Children are a gift from God and should be handled with love and care.

· Children are important in the kingdom of God and that Christ died to redeem children from their sin.

· Christ has called children to follow him and children can be equipped to serve Christ and others.

· Children deserve a safe, positive, nurturing and age appropriate learning environment that is free of fear, pressure to "grow up", or prejudice.

· That ministry is not just "to" children but “with” children. We learn from children as we teach them.

· That God has appointed parents as the primary spiritual instructors of their children and the church's role is to assist in the cooperative effort of that task.

· Successful ministry is the shared responsibility of children, ministry staff & partners, parents and the church body.

· Positive self-worth promotes both personal growth and growth in a relationship with God.

· Ministry should be creative, innovative and in touch with the children and families of our community.

· Effective partners are the most important component of our ministry.

· Relational ministry is best served with adults who serve as positive role models to the child.

Acorns to Oaks Ministries believes we are called to leave a legacy to the next generation. We do this by:

Laughing with a child

Encouraging a child

Giving time to a child

Assisting a child

Caring for a child

Yearning for a child’s heart

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power and the wonders he has done.”

Psalm 78:4

OUR STRATEGY/PHILOSOPHY

Top

Acorns to Oaks is the teaching ministry of children at LOCC. We are not merely an appendage that is tacked on to the body of the church. Rather, Acorns to Oaks is a dynamic integral part of the total church program. It is a cooperative effort between the church and the home, utilizing the efforts of both parents and the church body to effectively reach the children of our community with the message of the love of Jesus Christ.

The AIM of our ministry is Christ centered. We desire to lead children into personal dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ and to equip the child to grow in that relationship. We want the child to understand that Jesus Christ is an integral part of his/her life as he/she grows “in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and Man.” Luke 2:52

The PROGRAM of our ministry is centered on the child. Our ministry focuses on the spiritual, relational, physical and mental needs of the child. All programming is designed to encourage growth in these four areas. Our focus is not on a program but on people.

Our METHODOLOGY is experience based. Our ministry is not based on passive learning (standing in front of a classroom and reciting scripture or telling a story). Our ministry is active as children are involved in the learning process: questioning, discovering and evaluating.

Our MATERIAL is Bible-based. We believe that the Word of God has the answers to the needs in our lives and is practical to today’s child and adult. Our curriculum is designed to help the child discover what God’s Word says and how to apply that truth to his/her life. We equip the child to put truth into action.

Our FACILITIES must provide an environment that stimulates learning. Our classroom design, furnishings and educational equipment keep in mind the appropriate age group characteristics for the children in that particular room.

Our STAFF is comprised of men and women who have trusted Christ as their personal Savior and desire to share the love of Jesus Christ with our children. Recognizing that the majority of our staff are parents and members of the church body we provide materials, curriculum, facilities and proper training to equip them to successfully accomplish their goals.

OUR GOALS

Top

Our Goals Are:

· To provide a safe, secure, loving environment for children to participate in and where parents feel comfortable leaving their child.

· To help children feel a warm sense of belonging to their church family and to insure each child feels welcomed and wanted.

· For each child to know that God is real and that a personal relationship with Him gives meaning to life.

· To aid each child in accepting Jesus Christ and developing a dynamic relationship with him.

· To help each child develop a lifestyle that is built on his/her relationship with Jesus Christ.

· To help each child understand that God's Word (the Bible) is relevant and growth in Bible knowledge results in positive changes in attitudes, action and life-style.

· To help the child grow in his/her relationships with other believers and with his/her non-churched friends.

· To provide children the opportunity and direction to participate in ministry as is appropriate to their age-level.

· To support the family in their responsibility for the spiritual nurture and growth of their child.

·To provide Godly men and women who are adequately trained to serve as positive role models while they minister with children.