Vision

We envision Oak Haven being a destination for rest, renewal, and restoration, as well as a launching pad for Christians in all spheres of life. We see expanding prayer and retreat facilities, services, and encouragement, along with opportunities for equipping those who shine as lights in darkness. Oak Haven gives the opportunity to find fellowship, a safe place for confession, prayer, and spiritual and emotional healing. Retreats provide teaching and ministry to help during times of crisis and preparation for times of giving. When someone is at Oak Haven, they not only receive ministry, but they can minister to others – in the community with elderly people, on site with missionaries in training (from many countries), and in services provided by Oak Haven. They can experience physical renewal.

We envision many ministries in partnership - collaborating with each other. This would include a shared vision for the usage of the property and facilities. Each ministry would bring their strengths and serve and encourage one another. There could be shared spaces for living quarters, food preparation and meeting spaces – rather than each ministry creating their own spaces. At the heart of this collaboration is each ministry becoming part of the Oak Haven collaborative team: Recognizing the strengths of each other, supporting the needs and weaknesses of others, sharing in problem solving and key decisions (especially those that may affect others at OH), and supporting team decisions as relates to each ministry. As well, there are values that find their genesis in decades past such as operating in a spirit of honor and respect, transparency and mutuality, and deference to others.

We see this Oak Haven property as an expanded, vibrant mission-community with missionary housing for times of transition and for a longer-term housing. There is mission training, equipping, and sending, and supporting global mission initiatives. We strive to be a center for those who love partnering, serving, innovating, and investing for Great Commission advance together. When a potential YWAM training and sending base emerged, there was (and still is) tangible excitement about the possibilities. It was not hard to dream of what could be.

The master plan for Oak Haven property and facilities is a work in process. The preliminary ministry spaces have been roughly identified, including the potential YWAM base on the property. Our next step is to detail how the gift of property to YWAM could be developed, including a facilities launch concept that would provide maximum utilization for the lowest possible investment. We will look at further development of the entire Oak Haven property to see the broader vision. We will look at sequencing for the next 3 years.

We prayerfully seek God’s wisdom and guidance to steward the wonderful Oak Haven property and facilities given to Don and Dean’s children and in turn gifted to the Oak Haven Foundation. The Foundation structure was a creative way to bring legacy planning and ministry impact together for future generations. This envisioned future is an expression of intent to “do what we can in our generation to make Christ known.”

Each person has a reach that others do not have. We endeavor to help every believer to be a witness in their everyday life.. Each has a sphere of relationships unique to them. Activating every believer a witness exponentially amplifies the witness of the local church and the Church around the world.