Oasis Trust has marked the 21st Anniversary since its establishment, with a celebration at Church.co.uk in Waterloo, London on 23 September.
During the gathering, founder Rev Steve Chalke MBE revealed his vision for the organisation's future, and he explained plans for a new Christian Network Centre in the heart of the capital.Celebrity supporters Diane Louise-Jordan and Simon Thomas, both former Blue Peter presenters, joined more than 300 friends of the organisation, including current and former staff, and volunteers who had taken part in one of the many overseas and UK projects, for the celebration.
Rev Chalke founded Oasis Trust in 1985, with a vision to open a hostel for homeless young people. Oasis now has over 400 staff, students and volunteers, pioneering educational, healthcare and housing initiatives in the UK and across the globe.
Creating a heart for the community was at the centre of Rev Chalke's plans, to bring about 'hubs' to care for people's social, spiritual, emotional, educational, physical and environmental welfare.
He said, "Every community needs a heart, and Oasis exists to bring hearts, or hubs, to communities. It's only when we work together that we grow," he said. "Oasis exists to bring 360-degree care. Our mission is to bring good news at every level to every person's life. That is the Gospel."
He continued, "To care for people's physical needs without thinking about them spiritually, or educationally or emotionally is a huge mistake - it never really works."
Plans were unveiled for the next phase of Oasis' development; a Network Centre at Church.co.uk.Our mission is to bring good news at every level to every person's life. That is the Gospel.
Rev Steve Chalke, Founder Oasis Trust
He planned for this new centre to engage with government, media and business, and connect church leaders with community transformation, by providing a dynamic centre for a broad network of Christian organisations, charities, social justice groups and community action organisations.
Rev Chalke promoted that by facilitating creative partnerships and sharing of resources, this will bring about a high-profile Christian presence at the heart of the Capital, creating a centre for excellence, influence and engagement for the 21st century and beyond.
The Network centre will also provide an enhanced home for Church.co.uk, as well as the rest of the Oasis UK group, which includes Faithworks, Oasis Community Learning, the Church.co.uk network and Oasis Media.
The Network Centre Appeal hopes to raise £5 million to make this vision a reality.
