OUR STORY

Our story began 25 years ago with the production of a cassette tape in 1992 that turned into a musical production called Face to Face. The excitement and healing truths learned in a bible  study called Lord Heal My Hurts by Kay Arthur were the inspiration of writing “ new songs” that expressed the fresh work God had done in my life and many others in our classes. Soon afterwards, a check appeared in the mailbox with a note that said: “produce an album for the glory of God” .

The establishing of Fresh Oil Ministries as a non profit with a board of directors was the beginning of the pilgrimage that started in a recording studio and led us to today. This journey has taken us through winding years of personal spiritual formation through painful changes, disappointments, questioning, theological crises of faith- but also sharing the blessed fruit of those seasons , the “new things” , the “ fresh oil “ with countless others who have traveled along side us in their spiritual journeys.

We have been amazed how God has kept us going, even in the low times, with the admonition and reminder: “ do not despise the day of small things”. Zechariah 4:10 Our initial mission statement expressed our passionate desire and focus of ministry which was to teach and encourage believers towards personal and corporate revival. Once again God surprised us with a check in the mail to produce another new album and musical, The Watchman Call- Heart cry for Revival. This recording was followed by other  musical projects related to healing and celebration of life’s seasons. We were also writing curriculum materials, newsletters and invitational speaking at church retreats …simply sharing what God was doing in our own lives.

 THE SECOND HALF

THE SECOND HALF of this pilgrimage took a major turn when our board realized that our theological passions had changed, and that we needed to redefine who we were. Our mission statement was rewritten to again express the “ new things”  and “fresh oil” of living in New Covenant union with the Trinity and each other. Only the Holy Spirit can bring us to the realization of the life of God already in us as believers in Jesus Christ. We published an independent companion in-depth study guide to a book that had deep impact in our personal spiritual journeys : The Rest of the Gospel by Dan Stone and David Gregory.

One meeting …in a season of what seemed to be idle and lifeless…a board member stated: “ WE need to do our OWN retreats.” So we invited other to “come”…the invitation Jesus continually gives. Each retreat has built on that invitation. So here we are, excited to extend the ministry of Fresh Oil through this website. Everything in our lives…and yours … is “ pilgrimage ” : a journey …a labyrinth walk into the very heart of God. The life of “ ministry” is not segmented from our personal lives. Simply our stories and yours…unfolding. Hope we can share more together .