Oasis World Ministries

Sweet and Sour Evangelism

2009-11-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?" (Matthew 5:13a).

Sweet and sour chicken. Sweet and sour gumballs. Why do people eat things that are sweet and sour? Amazingly, they taste good. Why do people do crazy things like bungee jumping? I think it's because people like the thrill combined with the risk.

Likewise, I am convinced that sharing my faith takes the boredom out of Christianity! It's both risky and thrilling at the same time, and it also counts for eternity.

On Saturdays, I often partner with churches to train people how to share their testimony using a powerful new tool called, "One-Minute Witness."

After the initial training and a time practicing, we travel to a local gas station, knock 25-cents off per gallon of gas, and in no time at all, we have lines at every pump. This provides us with a one-minute opportunity to share our faith. It's what I call a Gas Buy-Down Event.

The first 15 minutes is kind of "sour." It's all risk at this point: we're scared stiff, we stutter, our palms are clammy, and we wonder just how we got roped into doing this. Yet, there is a little thrill in sight when something wonderful happens...

Around the fourth customer, we get our legs and some confidence, and we actually begin to enjoy the "sweet" part of this. The butterflies leave and a holy thrill takes over. We feel a sense of accomplishment when we share our testimony without stuttering and gas customers actually thank us. It's sort of like learning how to ride a bike for the first time. Victory sets in and another fear has been defeated.

When my desire to see others hear about Christ becomes greater than my fear of sharing my faith, then I am motivated to act. The fear is still there, but now I know what to say, and I can confidently enjoy both the "sweet and sour" parts of sharing my faith.

Tired of dried up religion? Learn to share your faith. It will add new spice to your life... God guarantees it.

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

11,840 decisions for Christ at the Nagaland Festival

2009-10-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

We just returned from our largest open-air Gospel & Healing Festival in our 14-year history! Over 11,840 decision cards were signed, mostly being young adults, as they streamed to the stadium stage. It was five glorious meetings in the mountains of Kohima, Nagaland, India.

Nearly 100 churches came together in unity to support this great move of God in their city. Local press covered the festival daily. Eleven choirs beautifully sang the high praises of God during the five services. The crowd of tens of thousands sat quietly and intently listened to God's Word being preached, then they flooded the altar area beyond capacity to receive Christ.

During the first three days, it rained hard until the festival began, and then the rain suddenly stopped. One night clouds settled in so thick that I could only see the first few rows of people as I preached. For 20 minutes, the clouds blocked our vision of each other, but not of God. When the clouds lifted, the people were still there, hinged to every word!

At the end of each service, we prayed for the sick, and saw many testify to God's healing each night. The blind, the deaf, and those whose bodies were racked with pain, were now heal by the power of Jesus!

We also spent a week in Hyderabad meeting with the 19 Oasis Indian national evangelists and their wives for a time of training and encouragement. Each weekend, evangelists travel to remote villages and conduct three-day festivals. During our stay in India, we took part at some of these mini-festivals. While I was at one of them the electricity went out, and I was amazed that our national evangelist kept on preaching in the darkness. He never lost his cadence and people continued to listen. After 10 minutes, the power resumed, and the people were still intently listening.

Photos of the Oasis September trip to India>

Please pray for our national evangelists. Each one averages around 7,000 or more decisions for Christ each year. We have 19 national evangelists on staff, but only 15 are funded. For $7,200/year, you can support a full-time evangelist's salary, their festival expenses each weekend, and the purchase of lighting and a PA system. With thousands coming to know Christ through their work, this is a great bargain--that's around $1 per decision for Christ.

My vision is to add 10 more national evangelists next year, so this is a huge step of faith for Oasis World Ministries. If God would direct you to become involved, please respond as He leads.

Thank you for your prayers and support that help make this possible. Together, we are making an eternal difference!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Tough talk for my flesh

2009-08-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

I've had enough!

Enough of my lame excuses for why I don't share my faith. Enough of the weak and tired reasons I give to the Holy Spirit, as to think I could talk Him out of His passionate pursuit of a searching soul.

"Come on Tom, step it up... be real with God. After all, He sees past these flimsy arguments every time. Who are you really fooling?"

I (well, actually my flesh) can be pretty convincing. Listen to these six excuses...

1. It's not the right time now... maybe later. So when IS the right time?

"Now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

2. I'm afraid. What if I'm rejected? And your point? Are you the first to be rejected?

"If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you" (1 Peter 4:14).

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 5:18).

3. I don't know what to say. Of course you don't. But He does.

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

4. I'm not prayed up enough. And when will that time come? "Be ready in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2).

5. I don't really feel like it. I can't be on top of my game everyday. Says who? Love pushes past feelings. Do I always feel like going to work?

"For the love of Christ compels us..." (2 Corinthians 6:14).

6. There's plenty of time... I'll get around to it. Maybe for me there is, but what if they're running out of time?

"Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." (2 Corinthians 6:11).

My flesh needs some tough talk now and then. It's OK... I'll live. And actually I will be much happier when the Spirit is ruling me instead of my flesh.

Thanks for Your patience, Lord.... keep up the good work.

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Where in the World is Al Elie?

2009-07-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being" (Psalm 104:33).

This week our family laid my father Al Elie to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Tears were shed, scriptures were read, and prayers were said. The lifeless shell of his body that had suffered a brain hemorrhage was in the casket. Colorful floral arrangements surrounded him. The color-guard veterans held the flags, a brisk 21-gun salute honored his service to our nation during WWII, and a lone bugler played the taps. There was not a dry eye in the place. There's something about the sounds of the guns and bugle that says 'this is the end.'

But we knew my father was really not there. We knew his life had just taken a new beginning. Why?

In 1906 an evangelist arrived on horseback to the northern Minnesota town of Lake Bronson. Someone invited Els Evenson to a Gospel service held at a home where this evangelist was preaching. Els was a tough guy and known as the 'town drunk and wife-beater.' While Els was listening to this preacher, the Holy Spirit spoke to his heart. Els surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. The transformation was so radical that he became known as a 'trumpet for God.' Els Evenson was my great-grandfather.

My father Al Elie came to Grandpa El's farm one summer. My dad was so impressed with Grandpa's new-found love for Christ, that at the age of 16, he also rededicated his life to Jesus. Dad later married a beautiful, young lady named Ruth Lee, and together they had four wonderful children! Al's legacy continues.

My dad not only started well, he finished well! His life was a continuous testament to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He wasn't only spiritual on Sundays, he lived out his faith 24/7. He sang praises in the car, led his family in Bible studies and prayer, and modeled service to our Lord by his involvement at church. He would pray over our meals and weep as he told God how thankful he was to be saved. Dad loved his family and his God deeply.

So where in the world is Al Elie?

With Jesus! MY DAD IS NOW WITH JESUS! This is not a fairytale or myth. He REALLY IS in heaven because of his faith in Jesus to forgive him. This thought brings great hope, because we know we can see him again someday.

Until then, Dad is in the presence of Jesus and probably making his way around heaven, reconnecting with old friends and trying to locate the horseback-riding evangelist that started it all.

"Dad, tell him thanks from all of us."

Until we meet again,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Where in the World is Michael Jackson?

2009-07-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

I tend to think deeply when I hear someone has died. Some of my first thoughts are, "I wonder where they are right now? Where will they spend eternity?" I'm not trying to be super-spiritual, but we all know there's more to life than our mortal years. God's Word tells us that there is a Creator to Whom we will give an account to someday (Romans 14:12).

So, if heaven is to be desired, and hell is to be shunned, why don't we talk more about it?

In my early years as a pastor, when I began performing funerals, I dreaded them. I was only 19 years old when asked to do my first funeral for a good friend of mine... dead of a drug overdose. Talk about scary! Let's face it, attending a funeral is not at the top of our favorite things to do list.

As time has passed, I have grown rather fond of funerals. (No, I am not the gothic-morbid type.) I think funerals are a great opportunity to present the reality of heaven and hell. Since many churches don't address either one, why not take advantage of a fleeting moment where people are actually open to thinking about eternity! By God's grace, funerals may be the only time someone will hear the biblical way to heaven.

So, where in the world is Michael? For sure, only God knows. If Michael confessed his sin and surrendered his life to the Lordship of Jesus, then one day we will be doing the 'moonwalk' in heaven with the king of pop! With Christ at the helm of our heart, we can face death confidently and peacefully. Without Christ, this earth is as good as it gets.

Michael's death came suddenly. So will many of ours. No amount of worldly fame will grant us access through the pearly gates. God is not impressed with our earthly accomplishments. God is only impressed with the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ and a humbled heart that has invited Jesus in to forgive the sins of their past, and to let Him be in control of their present.

If Michael Jackson is not in heaven, it will only be because of his choice to reject the free grace that Jesus offers. If hell is his eternal resting place, I guarantee that he will be like a rich man in hell who asked a poor, but forgiven, beggar to send someone to his brothers and warn them of hell's impending doom (Luke 16:19-28).

If Michael Jackson is in heaven, I guarantee he will beg the angels to visit this earth and tell his friends they too must humble their hearts before Jesus, and encourage followers of Jesus to share the hope to which they have with others who do not know.

Are you living ready for your own funeral? It may come sooner than you expect. You don't have to be afraid of eternity! Just read what God's Word says in 1 John 5:13.

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. Join the "Harvest Club" by supporting Oasis World Ministries for $29/month. more...

P.S.S. Would you like to learn how to develop your One-Minute Witness and practice it in a fun and impacting way? Then learn more about Gas Buy-Down: America's Best Faith-Sharing Tool.

Oasis Team Member: Bruce Ahlberg in India

2009-06-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20).

It has been a tremendous time of ministry!

The monsoon season began early this year, but that didn't stop people from coming to the Gospel & Healing Festival. A crowd of 7,000 gathered the last evening and a lot of people stood in the rain to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior!

Thousands of people have made decisions to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior during the festivals, and we have witnessed miraculous healings of blind eyes and deaf ears opened; chronic headache and body pain vanishing; tumors disappearing; and people set free from demonic possession!

After the festival, one man said he literally felt his sins lift off his body when he prayed for Christ to be his Savior. Another man confessed to being a very wicked man and caused much evil in his community, but now he is a new person in Christ. Many of the new believers have come out of Hinduism and have decided to leave behind the idols they worshiped. It is such a thrill to see God touch spirits, souls and bodies of the people at the festival.

We have also dedicated many fresh-water wells and new churches. Clean water is such a blessing to the communities, and the residents have noticed an improved difference in their health. The people are so appreciative for the help they have received from individuals, couples, and churches in the U.S. who have donated money for fresh-water wells and church buildings.

Discipleship is the next step to help these new believers grow in their faith and understanding. Please pray that the harvest of souls will be retained through the visitation of the participating pastors and their church members.

Thank you for your prayers and support of Oasis World Ministries.

Photos>

Blessings,
Bruce Ahlberg
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Oasis Team Member: Darrell Dobbelmann

2009-06-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20).

It is a profound privilege to be part of this move of God in India! Tom is recovering well from breaking his hip and is halfway through his rest from bearing any weight on it. He sends his gratitude and thankfulness for your prayers and kind words.

I am witnessing some of the greatest fruit I've ever witnessed in my life! God is indeed doing "exceedingly abundantly above all I could have ever asked or thought"! Ironically, two weeks ago I made an 18-month commitment to serve Oasis World Ministries in any way I could beginning June 1. With Tom's sudden turn of events, he asked me to leave on May 31...one day early!

I am experiencing this with my good friend Bruce Ahlberg, a missionary to Guatemala. He is doing a huge share of the ministry with me. Bruce was the only one originally scheduled to be with Tom on this trip.

The Oasis staff in India has done an incredible job with preparation and setup. We finished the first five-night festival in the village of Garladinne. Crowds swelled through the week as people witnessed the power and love of Jesus. Over 6,000 came forward to make Jesus their "One True God." Over 3,500 filled out decision cards indicating that they would like a follow up visit. After the festival, it was a thrill to talk with some of these people who had never heard of Jesus before that night.

Many miraculous healings took place. God opened many deaf ears and blind eyes. One man leaped and jumped after God delivered him from bone and leg problems. The healing that touched me the most was that of a 9-year-old deaf girl. After I prayed, her mother came to me and said, "My daughter's ears were healed when you prayed a few minutes ago." The daughter looked up at me with big brown trusting eyes and a bright smile, because she could hear sounds that she had never heard before.

Yesterday we conducted three church and well dedications. I walked the paths of these remote villages and interfaced with people who are so hungry for God; they couldn't hear enough about a God who died for their sins and loves them personally. Hundreds came to Christ even in these remote village settings! Today we travel to a more distant village for our second festival and pastor's school.

Thank you for supporting and praying for the Oasis team. You are helping make the dreams of many generations of missionaries become a reality. They did the work of planting and now we are reaping where they have sown. The sacrifices we make are small in comparison to those who have given their lives, health, and families for centuries to prepare the soil for this day of harvest.

Pray for safety and health for the team. Pray for free course of the Holy Spirit's leading, for weather (they say rainy season is early this year), and for many souls to find freedom in body, soul, and spirit....and continue to pray that God would expedite Tom's healing.

Photos>

In His service,

Darrell Dobbelmann
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Not-My-Will Evangelism

2009-05-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me"
(John 6:38).

I can definitely tell you that staying in '0-star' hotels in India is against my will. Enduring the scary traffic, the jet-lag, the dirt, the bugs and the pollution is against my will. But God has said, 'if you are willing to deny your will, then I will show you greater fruitfulness.' Often I have not been 'willing' to do what God asks. But often God asks what is opposite of my will.

A good friend of mine has a great church and is a great leader. He also 'serves' on the board of several smaller ministries. I commented to him how God is giving him such favor across denominational lines. I did not forget his reply- "God told me if I was 'willing to be hidden' in service, then He would use me openly."

We all tend to determine 'God's will' based upon our temperament. Our personal bias often excludes us from even considering anything outside of our comfort zone or personal giftings.

So it is with sharing our faith.We say, "I don't have the 'gift of evangelism." We often don't 'feel led' because our personal will won't let us. Being Christ's witness today will require me to deny myself today, and lay down my rights.

When I decide to be His witness, I will walk down new roads, meet 'strange' people that are different than me, and will often 'feel' uneasy as I speak in faith. But this is the faith-adventure we have all been called to live! God leads us; then He takes us on a scary-exciting journey of learning to depend on His voice, and not our own strengths!

So today I have a challenge for you. Will you pray that God will lead you to share His love with a soul He loves today? Your will is the fulcrum of the decision process. Even Jesus 'emptied Himself' of His own rights to do His own will, and cried, 'not my will, but thine be done.'

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. Join the "Harvest Club" by supporting Oasis World Ministries for $29/month. more...

P.S.S. Would you like to learn how to develop your One Minute Witness and practice it in a fun and impacting way? Then learn more about Gas Buy-Down: America's Best Faith-Sharing Tool.

I Dare You!

2009-04-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

"...the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them" (Esther 8:17).

I am told that if you witness your loved one trapped in a car accident, your adrenaline takes over. You become a momentary 'Superman'. You are able to exercise much more strength than usual, and can often 'rescue' them with your new strength and resolve. Suddenly, you're the hero.

Well, you know the story of Esther. She 'dared' to approach the king without being invited because her people, the Jews, were scheduled to be slaughtered. She received favor, the king allowed the Jews to defend themselves, and so the Jewish people became feared. She became the heroine.

But here's what's almost hidden in this story. When God's people were allowed to defend themselves, suddenly many non-Jews decided they also wanted to become Jews. They knew the Jews would win the battle, and they wanted to be on the winning side. This was one of the great 'evangelism moments' in history... all because one woman 'dared' to take a stand!

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit's compassion for lost people around us, we get a new boldness. Suddenly everything looks different.

The office water-cooler becomes like the Samaratan well where Jesus shared his faith.
Our neighbors become a Zaccheus when we say, 'let's have dinner together'.
Our relatives become targets of our prayer and fasting, like Esther. The depressing TV news propels us to really become 'salt and light' for Christ.
We take the Gospel out of the church and into the marketplace, where people really live.

Our continual shyness takes a backseat to aggressive compassion. We calculate the risk, and then 'dare to make a difference'. We come out of our safety zone, and decide to risk it all.

Our continual shyness takes a backseat to aggressive compassion. We calculate the risk, and then 'dare to make a difference'. We come out of our safety zone, and decide to risk it all.

And when we do, all heaven breaks loose. God begins to respond to our desperate love by bringing 'much fruit' into our lives. Their destiny is changed forever. We become one of God's mighty warriors.

Don't think you can't. Many people will find Christ when you 'dare to care'!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. Join the "Harvest Club" by supporting Oasis World Ministries for $29/month. more...

P.S.S. Learn more about Gas Buy-Down: America's Best Faith-Sharing Tool.

Easter's Commission

2009-04-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

“The same day (of the resurrection) at evening.... Jesus came and stood in the midst of them and said, “Peace be with you! ... As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:19-21).

Their world was falling apart. It was not supposed to end this way! The disciples were gathered on Passover Sunday fearing for their future. Their Messiah was dead.

But suddenly, everything changed.

Late that evening, Jesus walked into their lives again... and what they saw with their own eyes would turn the world upside down! He is alive. Now they knew... Jesus is the one, true God.

At that moment, Jesus ordained and appointed them as His apostles right there. Apostles were ‘sent ones’, and Jesus sent them to be His voice and His hands to a troubled world.

Because they went, you and I have hope today.

Even ‘doubting Thomas’ went. History tells us that Thomas was the first to bring Christianity to India. He died as a martyr when native tribes speared him, because he denounced their worship of the sun god. In fact, 11 of the 12 ‘sent apostles’ were martyrs for the faith they would not renounce.

We are all ‘sent’. And everyone who is sent has to ‘die’ to their fears, inhibitions and lack of confidence. Aren’t you glad a ‘sent-one’ introduced you to Jesus? What would your life be like today without an Easter resurrection in your heart?

So the love of Christ compels us. We must go, for we are clearly sent. And when we go, we will find the greatest joy that will surpass even life itself. Jesus said, “He who loses his life will find it” (Luke 17:33). When we go, He goes with us!

Make this Easter weekend a new beginning. Invite someone who needs hope to attend Easter service with you. Reach out with kindness to someone who is hurting. Tell people what Easter is really about. You are sent... and Jesus will go with you. He is risen indeed, and we are sent!

Happy Easter!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Over 20,760 decisions for Christ made in three weeks!

2009-03-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

Thank you for storming heaven for souls through your prayers!

We're back from another amazing trip to India. The Oasis team led four 5-day Gospel & Healing Festivals, three Ignite the Fire Seminars, and dedicated eleven wells and seven churches. In all, over 20,760 people made decisions to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior as a result of this three week trip! Our soul count is now 629,321 on our way to reach 1,000,000 decisions by the end of 2010.

The Pastor's Seminars were well attended. The Oasis team handed out Bible commentaries to pastors in their native tongue of Telugu. Among the grateful recipients is Pastor Ramish Babu who said, "I have waited a whole year for this New Testament commentary. Thank you very much!"

One of the churches was built in the village of Sevamandir, population of 5,000, and it is the first Christian worship center ever built.

Nine years ago, God called the pastor to Sevamandir and now leads a church of 40 believers. About 100 people attended the church dedication. The pastor said that he began praying for a church building about a year ago. They had been meeting in a shed or at nearby homes. In January, they heard about Oasis World Ministries and applied for a church building. They are thrilled with the church!

I spent the last couple days of this trip with the Oasis National Evangelists. It was a great time of encouragement and equipping. We've added several new faces to the team for a total of 19. As part of their training, I taught them the "One-Minute Witness" tool. Then each evangelist left the building to share their one-minute story.

Exuberent, all of the evangelists returned with great joy, including K. Elisha who realized, "To think I've wasted all these years not sharing my faith." Now he's set on reaching 5,000 decisions for Christ over the next year.

Each National Evangelist will hold three-day mini-festivals in remote villages of India. Regional pastors will follow up with those who have made decisions to follow Christ and mentor them in the faith. More photos and stories...

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie

Evangelist/President

Oasis World Ministries

P.S. If your church is interested in learning more about a fun and easy way to share your faith story in 60-seconds, click Gas Buy-Down.

Oasis Prayer and Praise Update

2009-02-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

We just finished a glorious week of meetings in Suryapet, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The festival grounds were packed with thousands of people from rural unreached villages. The people traveled in by dozens of tractor trailers. By God's grace, we will have seen around 9,600 people come to Christ through our ministry efforts in the last two weeks.

Perhaps the most touching testimony was that of an 11-year-old girl who came to our stage with her grandmother. She had been completely deaf for four years, but now her ears have been opened by Jesus!

Also while in Hyderabad, we ministered at a church where 300 people were expected, but 1,100 people showed up! It was like walking into the fruits of our faith as we entered the church. The atmosphere was electric with worship and expectancy.

Among the healings was that of a blind woman. She had been hit in the eye with a stick when she was a child and was blind ever since. While attending the festival, God healed her eye, and she can see! God has been so very good to us.

We are now beginning our final week of festival meetings. I will be leading a festival in Shathinager and my friend, Pastor George Bunnell, from Maple Grove, Minnesota will be leading a festival in Pamulapadu.

Thank you for your prayers! They have made a huge difference... please keep storming heaven for souls!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries

Never tire of seeing miracles

2009-02-19T12:50:00.000-08:00

Bucchi Reddy Palem, Andhra Pradesh was the location of our first week in India. We held a five-day gospel & healing festival and a three-day pastor's school.

At the festival, we experienced several miracles. During one of the sermons, I talked about the father's son who was continually thrown into the fire by a demon (Mark 9). At that moment, a demon-possessed lady, who was sitting in the crowd, interrupted the story. Then God took over and showed me what to do!

I said, "Demon, be quiet in Jesus' name." Then I invited the woman forward to the altar so that we could pray for her. Before I finished the sermon, she calmly walked back to her seat, completely set free!

Another miracle was that of a paralyzed 15-year-old girl who lifted her arm over her head for the very first time in her life! And another miracle was that of 12-year-old girl who had been born deaf. Her father wept when God restored her hearing! By God's grace, around 3,600 people will have come to know Jesus Christ during this first week!

God is giving us great favor. During the pastor's school the regional pastors were so grateful for the teaching and encouragement. While we were there, the Oasis team did village evangelism. We were told by the local people that we were the first white people to have ever presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ at their village.

Tomorrow we leave for our next festival and pastor's school. Please continue to stand in prayer; it means so much to India!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
oasisworldministries.org

The Tyranny of the Urgent

2009-02-10T08:44:00.000-08:00

"And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, 'I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also because for this purpose I have been sent'" (Luke 4:42-43).

Ministers know what I mean when I say, 'we know pressure'.

Pressure to please people. Pressure to have the church service shorter, and longer, and sing this music and teach that topic. Pressure to be funny, to be serious, to be 'deep' (whatever that is) and to be relevant. Pressure to reach the neighborhood, yet maintain everyone's needs within. Pressure to pay off the building and simultaneously add an addition. Pressure to live within budgets and do more with less. The list goes on and on. If we're not careful, we'll try to make everyone happy instead of simply hearing from God.

Jesus was pressured too.

The crowds were growing, people were getting healed, and His fame was spreading. Who wouldn't want His problem? The people pressured Jesus to stay with them for extended meetings. But Jesus was adamant. His success was not measured in numbers or dollars or healings. His success simply came from 'OBEYING GOD'. This was the yardstick by which He measured everything.

Jesus was not distracted from His purpose... "to seek and save the lost". So He moved on to other towns where they had not heard of His salvation. He left the "reached" to find the "unreached".

What's pressuring you? What's keeping you from being His ambassador to the lost? Our supreme task is to reach the unreached. Our life's purpose is only complete when we obey God.

The crowd will keep us busy inside the church until we retire, and we'll still be frazzled and unfulfilled. But when we obey God and take His love 'outside' the church, our fire will burn brighter, the sky will be bluer, and the grass will be greener.

'Obeying God' is the best 'pressure-relief' valve ever!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. The Oasis Team will be in India February 11-March 1. Please keep us in your prayers. We will conduct four "Gospel & Healing" Festivals, three "Ignite the Fire" Training Seminars; dedicate seven churches and 17 fresh-water wells that were recently completed. During the final few days, I will be meeting with our National Evangelists for training and encouragement.

Upwards of 10,000 receive Christ's forgiveness!

2009-01-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples" (I Chronicles 16:24).

By God's grace, I have just returned from our inaugural trip to Liberia, Africa.

I wish you could experience the energy and passion these dear people of Liberia have for Christ! They have suffered 14 years of pure terror during their civil war. There is no electricity in the entire country except what is generator-driven. The burnt-down and shot-up buildings are everywhere. Yet these resilient people are hungry for God to heal their wounds so they can rebuild their lives.

"THANK YOU" for your prayers and support. There was much spiritual battle being waged, but there was great victory as a result. We saw God do many incredible works during our two weeks of ministry:

Four fresh-water wells drilled and dedicated in areas that have no clean water
Over 600 pastors of all denominations attended our two pastor's schools
Two 5-day open-air crusades in rural and under-reached areas of Tubmanberg and Kakata
Over 100 physical healings recorded by our Oasis team
And we believe over ten thousand people will have received forgiveness from Christ as a result of this trip! photos...

The actual number is difficult to pinpoint because God gave great favor for me to preach the message of "repentance and reconciliation" on a "live" secular radio station, FM Truth, that covers the whole nation of Liberia and parts of three surrounding nations. This message of repentance and reconciliation was heard by as many as 200,000 people! I am sure thousands more prayed for salvation over the radio.

I also met a man with an amazing story of transformation like that of Saul of Tarsus. This man was 'bred' to be the high priest of his tribe. Liberia and the surrounding countries knew him as a killing machine because he was the most fierce terrorist known to Liberia. They named him 'General Butt Naked'. When he was under a demonic spell he fought the opposing armies with a machette and without a stitch of clothing. Demonic forces protected him from the bullets of opposing terror groups and armies.

Yet one day God appeared to him in a vision and said, "Why are you a slave?" He realized that his demonic powers were no match to that of Jesus and received Christ as his Lord and Savior. He spent a period of time being discipled in the Christian faith. Today, General Butt Naked has been renamed 'Joshua'. He shared parts of his incredible testimony with us during five of our ten crusade nights. For more about the redemption of General Butt Naked, click to his story...

Please be in continued prayer as we get ready to return to India in February.

To God be ALL the glory!

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
http://www.oasisworldministries.org/

Remarkable Report of Repentance

2009-01-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

"Oh Lord, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws....O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name" (Daniel 9:5, 19).

Happy new year from Liberia, Africa!

I couldn't wait to share this incredible report with you! But first I want to thank all of you who have been praying for us. I am feeling well and adapting to this new and faith-filled culture. The civil war has taken its toll on this country, but the war has drawn the people closer to the Lord. While poverty abounds, people are resilient and cautiously looking forward to 2009.

When God led me to go to Liberia, I felt He put a message of 'repentance and reconciliation' on my heart. While here, we have joined with the pastors and people to repent of sins not only in our lives but, as Daniel did, we have been repenting for the sins of the nation (Daniel 9).

The ONLY hope of unity in a country is for people to be able to forgive from the heart, and move on for the future. The ONLY way we can completely forgive others is through the love of Jesus Christ.

Here is an incredible testimony. On Sunday morning, January 4, I arrived at our host church to preach 'repentance and reconciliation' to about 150 Liberians. Three weeks earlier, one of the largest secular stations, FM Truth, was scheduled to be at this church and was forced to cancel due to equipment failure. Little did I know that this radio station rescheduled for this morning. I addressed upwards of 100,000 people over the radio-LIVE-reaching all of Liberia, parts of Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Guinea! God had appointed a time for His message of 'repentance and reconciliation' to be heard all across the country! God's favor came as I preached about the forgiveness that is only found in Christ. I told people to pull over their cars and join us in prayer as we cried out to God to forgive the heinous Liberian sins of plundering, rape and murder. This was a marvelous window that God ordained, because He so dearly loves Liberians!

I have much more to tell, but please be praying for us as we now move our crusade and pastor's school to Kakata, Liberia, where our team is working hard to get ready for a great move of God. It is my privilege to humbly represent you as we love this war-torn nation with Christ's love.

I wish you a happy new year in Christ!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

God's Miraculous Healings in Liberia

2008-12-31T12:59:00.000-08:00

"...they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well" (Mark 16:18b).

The Oasis team is doing well and the Liberian people are very friendly and open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hot and humid describes the climate here, and we are melting like popsicles. The Liberian people are true survivors and very adaptable. Everything is run by generators, so there are few places to escape the heat and humidity.

We just completed the first of two three-day pastor's schools. Over 400 pastors attended and were encouraged, equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The teaching included hands-on application of Mark 16:18 where disciples of Jesus are instructed to lay hands on the sick. As a result God healed 18 people who struggled with chronic body pain!

Currently, we are in the midst of our first five-day crusade in Tagmaberg, Bomi County. In the first two nights, 950 people made decisions to follow Jesus! Over 2,500 people have attended with the largest crowds to come.

The native pastors have marveled at the size of the crowds and have exclaimed, "We have never seen this many healings!"

Tonight at the crusade,a former rebel soldier will share his story about how Jesus has turned his life around. During the civil war, the people knew him as a ruthless killer. His remarkable transformation after receiving Jesus Christ reminds me of Saul's story before he became Paul.

In addition, four fresh-water wells are being drilled at remote villages that currently do not have running water. The goal is to have them completed before we return home for dedication ceremonies. Just ahead the Oasis team will travel to Bummi Hills for the second pastor's school and crusade.

Please continue to pray that a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation will help heal this war-torn country, and that those who are thirsting for "Living Water" will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Thank you for holding us up in prayer.

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Oasis team now in Liberia

2008-12-31T06:38:00.000-08:00

The Oasis team is now in the war-torn country of Liberia, Africa. This country has seen two civil wars in 14 years and has lost its entire infrastructure; the water system and electrical grid. Unemployment has reached 80%!

The Oasis team will be traveling to remote villages near Monrovia and bringing the good news of God's forgiveness, reconciliation and healing. Among those with me is a native-born Liberian pastor who understands first-hand these people's hurts and ministers the healing touch of Jesus.

While in Liberia, we will be conducting two 5-day, open-air crusades and two 3-day pastor's schools. In addition, we will be drilling four fresh-water wells that will be installed with hand pumps.

Please pray that a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation will help heal this war-torn country, and that those who are thirsting for "Living Water" will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Thanks for your continued partnership in prayers and support.

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
oasisworldministries.org

A Continuous Feast

2008-12-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance...he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:13,15

Now that another Thanksgiving holiday is past, may I ask you a question?

What is it about the Thanksgiving feast we love so much? The hot turkey, buttery potatoes, grandma's cream corn and the pumpkin pie piled high with whipped cream are obvious. And of course, the family and friends are priceless.

But perhaps it's the celebration of 'being thankful' that we really love. Being thankful is free... contagious... and healthy. And it's FUN!

Someone once said, 'my worst day with the Lord is better than my best day without the Lord!' In other words, as Christians we have reason to celebrate all the time. Why? Because we know the end of the story. We're going to heaven...we're forgiven.... we're loved!

Just stop and think about 'heaven' for 5 seconds. Don't you have an immediate smile on your heart? Don't you feel your stress starting to melt? So how can I keep this 'feast' going?

Here's the #1 key... my feelings don't have to rule me. I CAN have a merry heart and a continual thanksgiving feast when I take control of my thoughts and feelings through gratitude. The Bible says, 'as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.' Radio host Chuck Swindoll said it best when he said that 'life is 90% attitude, and 10% circumstances'.

When things don't go the way you and I expect (which is a lot of the time), remember the end of the story.... WE WIN! Everything else on earth is temporary. Only heaven is eternal. It's enough to make a grown-up shout "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" all year 'round!

Grateful to know Jesus personally,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Over 26,344 receive Christ!

2008-12-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

First of all, thank you to so many people who dedicated themselves to pray for us during this last trip. God supernaturally watched over us, and gave us tremendous results! Your prayers covered us in some potentially difficult situations.

As you have no doubt watched on the news, the radical Muslims have terrorized India again. This seems to happen every year or two in some fashion, but this is certainly the boldest they have been in at least 15 years.

In addition to what you saw, there are anti-Christian radical Hindus who also are killing in the name of their religion. Scores of churches have been closed, and scores of Christians have been killed for their faith. Please continue to pray for your brothers and sisters who are persecuted.

By God's grace, during this India trip we will have seen over 26,344 people pray to receive Jesus as their 'one true God'. The incredible healings abounded, and demonized people were set free. One demon-possessed woman interrupted my preaching three times as she came to the front area screaming, while scratching and clawing at herself. But on the final night, she came to the platform with the biggest and most joyous smile as she testified how she had been completely freed by Jesus!

The Oasis team conducted six open-air gospel and healing festivals, and six pastor's schools. We also dedicated six new church buildings, and drilled 16 fresh water wells... all for the glory of God! Photos from our trip>

PLEASE also pray for us as we leave after Christmas for Liberia, Africa. We will conduct two open-air crusades and two pastor's schools, all in a country that has 80% unemployment. Pray that a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation will help heal this war-torn country. Thanks for your continued partnership in prayers and support. Please continue to help us as God leads you. Whether your gift is large or small, we appreciate your help so very much.

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

In five days: 6,479 decisions for Jesus

2008-11-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

We just completed an absolutely awesome second week sharing the Gospel with the people in the town of Huzurabad, India.

There was great unity, great crowds and great results. The pastors of 12 neighboring churches made a real difference, as they prayed and fasted before we arrived.

On opening night of our second Gospel & Healing Festival of this trip, we sensed a great hunger for God as a thousand people flocked to the altar and invited Jesus to be their "One True God"! Eight thousand people attended the final night of the festival, and in all, 6,479 people signed decision cards to make Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior during this five-day festival.

One of the local pastors told me that this was truly a historic event, since this town has never hosted anything like this before.

Among the healings was a woman who testified of having a painful tumor the size of her fist. When she received prayer, God shrunk the tumor and the pain left. Many others also testified of pain leaving their body in the name of Jesus. Another woman testified of being completely blind in one eye, and that God reclaimed her sight.

Jesus Christ was truly exalted in the town of Huzurabad. We pray they will never be the same again.

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

A holy and reverent respect for God

2008-11-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

November 3, 2008

God has visited us in a great way! We've just finished our first week of meetings in Bheemgal, Andhra Pradesh.

During our first five-day festival, we saw a holy and reverent respect for God. People came forward to give testimonies of God's healings and thousands streamed forward to accept Jesus as their "one true God". Even when I preached about the persecution that is now happening in India, people still wanted to follow Jesus.

Thousands gathered on the final night of our first five-day "Gospel and Healing" Festival. It was electric! The first three testimonies took my breath away! First, a woman who had been totally blind in her left eye for one year, testified that she can now see with both eyes. Next, a man with one totally deaf ear for 20 years testified that he can now hear out of it. Finally, a demon-possessed woman, who had disrupted my preaching three times during the previous evening, came with a joyful smile and testified that she has been completely set free.

Praise God! This town will always remember the way God met them and touched their lives!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

The Third-World Christian

2008-09-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a glimpse into third-world evangelism. Please take three minutes to read about evangelism by the persecuted church in China. It is a transcript of a captivating interview by Denny Kenaston with two unidentified house church leaders.

Bro Denny: That leads me to my next question. What about missions and methods of evangelism? How do our Chinese brothers live out the Great Commission?

Bro Paul: Their theology and methods are really quite simple. They believe there is only one reason why God has left them here on earth: that is to evangelize the lost. Anyone who is not actively pursuing this holy purpose is missing the mark. The Great Commission cannot be compromised.

Their methods are anointed preaching with signs following. The leaders instruct the evangelism teams to go to a new village and inquire about the worst problem in the village. Then they are to go and minister to that problem and show that Jesus is the all-powerful Savior. With this success, they turn to the people and preach Jesus to them.

Bro Ren: I will give you a beautiful example of how this worked for two young ladies who were sent to a village to share the gospel:

These two sisters, eighteen years old and very tiny, came to a village of about three hundred people. There was one big problem. There was a man who was possessed by demons. Somehow, the Communists were able to count that this man had twelve demons in him. He was learned in five different languages. He was so powerful that twelve heavy farmers could not hold him back. They tried with chains and wires, but he had the power to break free.

This man happened to live at the entrance of that village. The whole village of three hundred people could not walk on the road, but had to walk in the forest, because the man decided that nobody was going to pass through his property. Whenever anyone stepped through the property line, which was invisible, the man would come out with a jungle knife in his hand, shouting, "I'm going to kill you!"

Everybody was afraid. It was like this for many, many years.

Now, these two young ladies came asking, "What is the biggest problem in this village?" Everybody pointed to the crazy, demon-possessed man's house. The sisters turned around and started to move towards that house. They were walking and praying. The whole village came out from their houses. Everybody wanted to see what would happen. They knew where the invisible line was, and if they step over that line and enter into his property, they knew what would happen. He would fly out with a jungle knife, half-naked, with a crazy look in his eye, and all the demons would drive him forward to them.

Sister Lee, one of the young girls, was leading. The two of them entered onto his property. The man ran out through the door with a knife in his hand. This sister lifted up her hand and said, "In the name of Jesus, stop." This man became frozen. He stopped in mid-air, like a statue. He couldn't move back, and he couldn't move forward. This man was as a stone. He couldn't do anything. He could not stand. His eyes were totally frozen.

This happens quite often in China. We know by experience that the body is frozen by the Holy Ghost, but the person can hear with his ears. You can share any message you want to with this kind of person. He can understand every word that you speak. Sister Lee went next to this "statue" and started to proclaim the Gospel. She then, through the name of Jesus, cast all twelve demons out of this man. He was instantly delivered. He melted in that spot, like butter in sunshine. He fell down onto the ground and was completely restored. The first words he said were "This Jesus is Lord." He was wonderfully saved and restored.

There was a very special group of people who stood together in the village that day. There they stood, the two girls on each side, and the man who used to be possessed in the middle of them. He was talking to these sisters, and together they entered into the village. As they passed the doors of the first house, the families one by one confessed that Jesus was the Son of God.

The whole village with three hundred people surrendered to the Lord that evening. These are very simple Gospel methods: problem-solution- salvation.

You may read the whole article at www.house2house.net

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie

Evangelist/President

Oasis World Ministries

www.oasisworldministries.org

POWER EVANGELISM

2008-07-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

“And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:6-8

In India this year a woman came to our stage to testify that she could previously only walk with the help of a cane, but now she could walk and run freely without pain. I asked her, “Who did this for you?” She replied, “you did.” I said, “Oh no, JESUS is the one who healed you!” She said, “this is my first night at your festival. Who is Jesus?”

An Indian college student and I were talking, and I asked him if he was a Hindu. He said that he used to be, until last night at our gospel festival where he saw the town blind man healed by Jesus. He said, “that’s the kind of God I want to serve!”

Jesus often drew a crowd through His healings.
He then kept a crowd through His love.

Jesus told his disciples to “preach the gospel, and heal the sick.” Luke 9:2 In the next chapter He sent out the 70 with the same directive: “Heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘the kingdom of God has come near to you.” Luke 10:9 The two go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Heal the sick... preach the gospel!

This was NT Christianity in it’s embryo stage. It continued with the apostles as the church grew throughout the world. It was ‘normal Christianity’. I LOVE IT, DON’T YOU?

This was to be a sign of NT believers: ‘they shall lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:18 And what happened? “the Lord worked with them, confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” Mk 16:20 People came to Christ through His kind miracles!

A young woman with MS came to our “Praise and Healing Celebration” in southern Minnesota. God healed her on the spot. She left her cane at the altar, and THEN she got saved!

Today Jesus sends you and I out with the same authority. You and I have the goods! Let’s pray for the sick. Our job is to pray in faith...God’s job is to heal... and save!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie

Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries

God is a Serious Golfer!

2008-06-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

“May the Lord make you a thousand times more numerous than you are and bless you as He has promised you!” Deuteronomy 1:11

Any golfers out there? I heard a pastor friend of mine, Jerry Strandquist, say that 98% of the putts that are short don’t go in the hole. That’s food for serious thought!

So why do most of MY missed putts end up short? I’m not a serious golfer, but I would say it’s because I don’t want to hit it too long. I don’t want to overshoot the cup. Why, you may ask? I don’t know. What difference is it if I am 2 feet short of the cup or 2 feet long?

I am told the only people that fail in life are those who fail to try. No golfer hits par every hole. No golfer avoids the water hazards forever. I saw Tiger Woods hit into the sand trap recently, and I thought, “even I can do that!”

So why do we live life like we play golf? Why are we afraid of big goals? Because we’re afraid of missing the mark. So we dumb-down our goals, our life, and even our faith. I hate to have my head in the clouds without also having my feet on the ground. I want to be God’s dreamer, but I don’t want to overshoot.

God already had made Abraham’s seed more than the number of stars he could count. And now Moses is getting inspired… “may God make you a THOUSAND TIMES MORE numerous than you are.” WOW!

What’s God saying to you? Little goals or big goals…. it doesn’t matter. They both take faith. God smiles on us whenever we listen to His voice telling us to get out of the boat and out of our comfort zone. I dare say that God has some big plans for us that are far, far beyond our imagination…. a thousand times bigger than we thought.

So when you are setting spiritual goals, or thinking about how God could use you,… shoot long!

We at Oasis are shooting for 1,000,000 souls to find Christ before the end of 2010… talk about a long-shot! Yet at this fall’s annual banquet, we will celebrate our 1/2 way point.

By God’s grace, we will reach the hole!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries