conferences and community involvement
Who is the Church Ministries team?
In its early days Oak Hills carried out ministries in 47 different northern MN communities and planted 22 churches. Out of that early outreach has grown four inter-related, but unique ministries: Oak Hills Christian College, Camp Oak Hills, the Center for Indian Ministries, and Oak Hills Church Ministries.
From the beginning Oak Hills has always been about the local church! It began with Bible studies and ministries that grew into church plants. Present-day Oak Hills Church Ministries continues in that vein by serving as a network and resource to churches, pastors, ministries, and denominational leaders, and it is our privilege to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this way!
Rick Weinert
Rick is our Facilitator of Church & Ministry Resources
-Over 40 years of ministry experience
-Mentors, trains, consults, and equips ministries and ministry leaders
Jim Hodgson
Director of Church & Community Relations
-30 years of ministry experience
-Gifted networker—providing resources and encouragement to ministries, ministry leaders, & community leaders
alumni
Spring Conferences
Our Church Ministries team takes part in a wide variety of conferences and retreats representing Oak Hills and providing training and mentoring to pastors and ministry leaders.
Jim and Rick work closely with Tim Johnson of the Minnesota Church Ministries Association to organize and host the “Rekindle” conference in Bemidji each year (www.mcmaonline.org). On March 23 this spring, our Rekindle conference offered 18 different workshops in Bemidji, touching on everything from children’s ministry, marriage, and counseling to worship, leadership, and outreach. Additionally, we offered an afternoon of training with Tiger McLuen concerning youth ministry.
Rick and his wife, Billie Jean, attended and helped facilitate a Rural Pastors and Wives Retreat in mid-February. Oak Hills Church Ministries (OHCM) co-hosted the “Work as Worship Retreat” with Dana Schnortz – our Business Faculty (www.workasworshipretreat.org).
In addition to the conferences and retreats listed above, our Church Ministries staff will be attending several regional Evangelical Free Church district conferences, the Rocky Mountain Bible Mission Shepherd’s Conference, the Rural Home Missionary Association conference, and the national EFCA One conference.
OHCM is actively involved in the local Bemidji area pastors’ network – the Net of the North, with Jim and Rick serving on the leadership team. The Net of the North is a network of evangelical pastors and ministry leaders existing with the united purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ in the greater Bemidji area.
Community Involvement
Our Church Ministries team is very active in the community. Jim and Rick sit on several ministry boards and leadership teams including Ruby’s Pantry, Northwoods Pregnancy Care Center, the Net of the North, EFCA North Central District Board, Churches United, Beltrami County Anti-Trafficking Task Force, Bemidji Area Youth Ministry Network, and more. Jim also oversees our College’s Student Outreach class & our community projects, with our students providing about 5000 volunteer hours each year of ministry, outreach, and service in the Bemidji area.