Building Dedication

On Sunday, September 14, 2008, 400 people assembled as World Impact dedicated five new buildings at THE OAKS, our Southern California camp and conference center located 65 miles north of Los Angeles.

THE OAKS serves inner-city children, teenagers and adults from our San Francisco, Oakland, Fresno, Los Angeles, Watts and San Diego ministries. Children and teenagers enjoy the year-around benefits of camping and outdoor adventures. Urban families relish the opportunity to take vacations together. And hundreds of California Churches, service groups, schools and civic organizations call THE OAKS their home for camps and conferences.

THE OAKS hosts children of prisoners (in cooperation with Prison Fellowship and other prison ministries), homeless children and families, and children in the custody of the State.

Dr. Keith Phillips, World Impact's President, explained that the five new structures will double our capacity, so that we can now sleep 400 campers. Dedicating these facilities gave us the unique opportunity to honor five families from various backgrounds, who reflect World Impact and its constituency.

ROSEY GRIER COMMONS, a 275-seat Dining Room, honors the all-pro football player, entertainer, recording artist and television personality, who has been actively serving inner-city youth and engaged in medical and humanitarian efforts for decades. Rosey has served on World Impact's Board for over 20 years.

IAN STEWART LODGE, which will house up to 65 additional campers, is named for the son of our camp directors, Dana and Dawn Stewart. Ian grew up at THE OAKS, but gave his life in combat in Fallujah for the country he loved.

PAT BOONE LODGE is named for the great entertainer and star of musicals, televison and motion pictures, who has maintained a uniquely moral and ethical commitment in the national spotlight since the 1950s. Pat serves of World Impact's National Advisory Board. Debby Boone, the grammy award winner, surprised her parents at the dedication service and sang "You Light Up My Life."

CURNUTT LODGE is named for Dan and Karen Curnutt, 25-year missionaries with World Impact, who faithfully served the Lord with World Impact in Los Angeles and Wichita.

HAMILTON CHILD CARE CENTER is named for Linda and Floyd Hamilton, long time supporters and volunteers with World Impact. Floyd helped remodel and build many missionary homes in the inner city of Los Angeles, and served on the Board of THE OAKS. Linda was instrumental in launching the Los Angeles Christian School and serves on our National Board.

The dedication service was led in worship by the choir from Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita (Peter Beers, director). Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley brought the message and Dr. Jack Hayford, President of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, led in communion. Pastor Hayford gave each person who attended the service an olive wood cup that he and Anna purchased for this occasion in the Holy Land as a reminder to pray for THE OAKS. The dedicatory prayer was led by Bishop Henry Hearns.

All but $100,000 of this project has been raised. If you would like to participate in this final $100,000 please contact us for giving instructions. (click here)

After the dedication service those in attendance split into five groups for ribbon-cutting ceremonies and prayer at each new facility!