Sunday, April 24!

Country Oaks Baptist Church is happy to announce the return of the Paradosi Ballet Company to Tehachapi on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 7pm. The Paradosi Ballet will perform “Forever.”

About Paradosi

Paradosi offers a new experience in the arts: an exciting one of a kind dance production with classical and contemporary choreography, cutting edge multi-media, and passionate worship! The public is invited to this free performance.

Paradosi (which means “surrendered” in Greek) is the Northwest’s first professional Christian Ballet Company. Paradosi currently consists of 10 classically trained ballet dancers who have a passion for worship and a heart for ministry! Their primary focus is to share the love of Christ through dance, drama and personal witness. They strive for excellence in all ways, their personal relationship with Christ and in their daily lives. Paradosi Ballet Company has a strong desire for evangelism as well as to bring a freedom and passion for the Lord to the platform. They function with the mindset of ministry first, dance second. During the summer of 2012, the troupe toured France, sharing Christ through dance. Want more information about auditioning for Paradosi? Email holly@paradosiballetcompany or visit www.paradosiballetcompany.com.

Country Oaks Baptist Church is located at 20915 Schout Road in Tehachapi, CA. Please call 661. 822.1379 or check www.countryoaks.info for more information on the Paradosi Ballet’s performance.

Results of Advent Conspiracy 2013

Praise God! Our total Advent Conspiracy donations came to over $3500. We will be able to purchase the following items from Gospel for Asia’s catalog of gifts to help impoverished families in South Asia: 15 chickens, 10 goats, 5 lambs, 5 cows, 10 pigs and 25 rabbits. Thank you for participating in the Advent Conspiracy and for your donation.

What is Gospel for Asia?  Check them out at http://www.gfa.org/.  Gospel for Asia states in their catalog “Did you know that Gospel for Asia doesn’t take out a single penny of your field gift for overhead expenses?  100% of your donation goes directly to the field 100% of the time.  Our ministry is about changing lives—both for this life and for eternity. We are committed as a family of believers to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with lost men, women and children throughout South Asia who have still not heard His precious name. We rejoice to see the mighty works of God as individual lives are transformed and whole villages experience the love of Christ. We join our hearts to be the hands and feet of Jesus, for such a time as this. Together, by His Spirit, we can reach this generation. “Not by might – nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6

What is the Advent Conspiracy?

This year COBC will once again be encouraging you to celebrate Christmas a little bit differently by participating in an Advent Conspiracy:

Advent Conspiracy at Country Oaks

CONSPIRACY! What is an (the) Advent Conspiracy?

The “Advent Conspiracy” is a call for God’s people to worship fully, spend less, give more and love all. As Christians, God calls us to live like this all the time but what better time to renew our commitment to Christ-like living than at Christmas time?

“The Basics”

On Sunday, November 17 we will hold the “Living World Market”, an awareness event that will show us how a small amount of U.S. dollars can make a huge impact to impoverished, hungry people around the globe. We also participate every year in Operation Christmas Child “Gospel Shoe Box” collection.

Next week is Thanksgiving. We then move into the heart of the Christmas season, Advent.  This year, as a church family, we will be doing more than just trying to keep Christ, the reason for the season, at the forefront of our holiday celebrations; we will be putting our money where our heart is.

How can “Shoe Boxes” and a Living “World Market” make a difference?

Every year, Americans spend over $450 billion (Yes, BILLLION!) on Christmas. This is a holiday (Holy Day) set apart to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The story of Christ’s birth is a story of promise, hope, one of revolutionary love. Christ’s birth is an occasion that changed the world!

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a Savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists. And when it’s all over, most of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this really why we celebrate Christmas? What if Christmas became a world-changing event once again?

It’s easy to be overwhelmed, wondering how can I make a difference?This Christmas season, we want to be purposeful in rejecting consumerism and embracing benevolence, worshiping fully, spending less, giving more and loving all. Our “Advent Conspiracy” will be unfolding over the weeks to come.

And with a little sacrifice from God’s people, as we prayerfully consider how we can worship fully, spend less, give more and love all this Christmas season, we will collectively worship through our offerings.

At the end of the Advent season, on December 22nd , we will collect a special offering, the sacrificial giving that COBC families have set aside. Then, on Christmas Eve, we will offer these gifts in worship to our King, Jesus Christ. With this collection we will be purchasing animals, like those at the “Living World Market,”through the Samaritan’s Purse ministry. These animals will change the lives of poor and hungry people around the world. And the shared Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, will change lives around the world forever! Like the Shepherds and Magi of the Christmas Story, we will give Him gifts in an act of worship.

Worship Fully

Christmas marks the moment where God’s promise was fulfilled by Jesus Christ’s birth, when love took form, tiny fingers and all. It is a moment that deserves our full attention. We should Worship Fully through celebrating Christ’s birth. He deserves a celebration that is intentional, purposeful, creative,even loud. One that directs EVERY  heart His way!

Spend Less

What was the one gift you remember getting for Christmas last year? How about the fourth one? What about the year before? Truth is many of us don’t remember because it wasn’t something we necessarily needed or wanted. Spending Less is not a call to stop giving gifts, it’s a call to stop spending money on things we won’t remember in a year! Each year, Americans spend $450 billion dollars during the Christmas season, and much of it goes right onto a credit card. By spending wisely (and intentionally), we free ourselves from the stress and obligation of consumer debt, free so that we can take in the season with a full heart and free to do something that has eternal Kingdom value.

Give More

We know you’re thinking Hey didn’t they just say that I should spend less, and now they’re telling me to give more! What gives?The most powerful, memorable gift you can give to someone is yourself and nobody modeled this more than Jesus. So what does this look like for you? Some uninterrupted time with someone you care about. A Christmas card and a generous tip for your waiter or waitress. Genuinely asking the checker how they are doing and wishing them a Merry Christmas. Taking the neighbor you haven’t seen in 6 months some cookies and a card. A movie night with your family. When it comes to being the “hands and feet” of Christ, the Give More is all about giving more of yourself, taking the time to intentionally bless others.

Love All

It all boils down to love. Perfect love from our Savior. Love to your family and friends. Even love to someone that you don’t know (yet!)

By spending a little less on gifts we free up our resources to love as Jesus loves, by giving to those who really need help. Love to a neighbor in need. Love to someone you’ve never met who lives half way around the world.

We want to encourage you to be creative with how you have intentionally participated in our Advent Conspiracy. Each week we will be sharing testimonies, stories about God’s people being the hands and feet of Christ in and around our community. Become a Country Oaks Baptist Church friend on Facebook and share, or email us at info@countryoaks.org.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed Advent Conspiracy

 

Results of Advent Conspiracy 2012

Praise God! Our total Advent Conspiracy donations came to $5,056.51. We were able to purchase the following items from Samaritan’s Purse to help impoverished families around the world: $140 on Baby Chicks, $3000 to help build a school, $560 on Dairy Animals, $480 on Sheep and $876.51 to help stock a fish pond.

 

Fernando Ortega Concert in Tehachapi

Tehachapi (and beyond!), you are invited to attend – Country Oaks Baptist Church is throwing a party to celebrate turning 25 years old on Sunday, July 28, 2013.  As part of the celebration, singer/songwriter Fernando Ortega will hold a concert at six o’clock in the evening in the Country Oaks worship center.  General Seating tickets are available now for $8 at the church office at 20915 Schout Road from 8am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.  Call the church office at 661.822.1379 for more information.

Fernando Ortega is a contemporary Christian artist noted for his interpretations of many traditional hymns and songs, such as “Give Me Jesus” and “Be Thou My Vision”, and for writing clear, easily understood songs, such as “This Good Day”. Ortega was born and raised near the banks of the Rio Grande. He started learning piano at eight years of age and pursued classical training at The University of New Mexico. His sound embraces country, classical, Celtic, Latin American, world, modern folk and rustic hymnody.

Fernando Ortega takes time to listen to the people around him, to himself and to God. It has often been said that his music appeals to an astounding cross section of music fans. Among them are young kids, college students, professionals, young parents and grandmothers. His records are frequently found in the collections of both pop/rock lovers and classical purists. “I’m glad that we’ve been able to do things that somehow speak to people,” says Ortega. “I’ve been afforded the opportunity to follow my heart rather than chase the latest trend, and I’m very grateful for that. Every time I walk out on stage or have the opportunity to play for people, I am reminded all over again how much I really love what I do. I don’t know that I could ever get tired of it.”

COBC Members:

Come sing with the 25th Anniversary Celebration Choir directed by Kathy Kelly. Practices will be Sunday afternoons  July 14, 21 from 2-3:30pm.

Tickets for the Fernando Ortega Concert on July 28 will be made available to the general public in June. Get your tickets now! – $8 for General Seating.

Country Oaks Baptist Church is turning 25! and we want to throw a party… Celebrating our Freedom in Christ -Our Church Verse “You, my brothers, were called to be FREE. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather SERVE one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 (NIV) So Save This Date: Sunday, July 28. There’ll be one special Worship Service at 9:15am and lunch will be served.  Please RSVP for the lunch. In the evening we’ll have Fernando Ortega Live! General Seating tickets available for $8 in the Church Office.