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The White Oak Baptist Church campus today consists of the original church building which was constructed beginning March 14, 1976 and completed in August 1976. The first service held in this building was August 29, 1976. There are few changes to the main church building with the exception of the steeple which was added in memory of Becky Holloman who passed away in September 1994. The basement of the original building was remodeled in 1989 to include an office for the Minister of Music, an office for the Youth Minister, a media center, a choir room, two Sunday-School classrooms, and a space for fellowship or other meetings.
In 1987, construction began on an Educational/Activities building. The building was dedicated on September 10, 1989. This building is now called the Family Life Center and serves as the location for covered dish meals, Brotherhood breakfasts, banquets, Boy Scout meetings, youth activities, various summer day camps, and youth and co-ed young adult Sunday-School classrooms. On January 17, 2009 White Oak's first contemporary praise and worship service, "Heartwood", was held in the Family Life Center.
The Tree House, a modular building on our campus,houses Puppets for Christ, the LEAP Dancers, and the Discovery Club.
White Oak's Pastoral Staff over the last thirty-four years are as follows: Dr. David B. Tew, November 3, 1974-December 21, 1984; Walter Gilbert, interim, 1985; Dr. J. Calvin Webb, pastor, July 21, 1985-June 21, 1998; William Long, interim, July 1998-October 1998; Reverend Alan D. Hall, pastor, November 1, 1998-February 2004; Dr. Mark Sterling, interim, 2004-2006; Reverend Danny H. Odum, pastor, April 15, 2006-present.
White Oak has had the following Ministers of Music: Theron Miller, Richard Sissom, Herman Fox, Greg Doss, August 30, 1987-August 18, 1996. Greg Doss also served as pianist from 1981-1987. Steve Hearn currently serves White Oak as Minister of Music and has done so since August 25, 1996. Jeanette McClung was pianist at White Oak from November 6, 1988 until March 8, 1998. Jeanette left for a few months during which time Jeni Cook served as interim, and returned to the music staff October 4, 1998. She retired November 2007. White Oak's current pianist is Patsy Gaffney. She joined the music staff of White Oak November 18, 2007. Organists for White Oak have been Neta Miller; Becky Higgins, October 1, 1990-1993 and Ginger Hearn who has served since January 1, 1994. Duke Burnette serves as guitarist.
Youth Ministers have included Skeeter Thompson, Sandy Sigmon, 1984-1986, Mike Griffin, Kathryn Langston, August 2, 1988-July 4, 1993, Christopher Webb, September 11, 1994-June 8, 1997; Reverend Tom Waggoner, October 19, 1997-December 28, 1997; Jay Hackett, June 13, 1999-January 2004, and Adam Webb, May 2004-January 2005. Others who have served White Oak youth as interim directors are Brenda and Bill Eaton and Kristen and Duke Burnette. Youth Director and Coordinator serving White Oak currently is Martin Dickerson who began his tenure in August 2006.
White Oak's deacon body is Steve Hearn, Bill Eaton, Don Denny, H.B. Sims, Don Rogers, Rob Sprayberry, Duke Burnette, Ross Johnston, Greg Purves and Colonel Fred Mills, Chairman.
White Oak is located in a community - and this community is our focus. On Martin Nash Road in Lilburn, we are blessed to be a "lighthouse on the hill" to minister to our community. We sponsor community wide activities - such as picnics, Easter egg hunts, Fall Festival activities, Vacation Bible Schools, cub scouts and boy scouts, - just to mention a few. We also adopted Martin Nash Road through Gwinnett County's Adopt-a-Road program instituted to help keep our neighborhood free of litter and debris. God's divine plan put us in this location for this time. He says, "Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28. White Oak desires to provide that love and encouragement to OUR community.
Under the leadership of Pastor Danny Odum, White Oak is reaching out with a wide range of worship services, ministries and activities in which to participate. White Oak offers in our Sunday worship services a traditional approach to worship blended with praise and worship choruses and songs. Our Sunday morning services begin with Sunday-School at 9:45 am, worship begins at 10:45 am and evening worship begins at 6:00 pm. Wednesday night Bible study and prayer service begins at 7:00 pm.
Children's Church for grades 1 - 5 is held in the "Tree House" and is led by our Children's Council with guest appearances by "Puppets for Christ,"... "Bible Bob", "Tonya", "Hairry" and others. In Children's Church, the kids learn Bible verses, Bible principles, sing, and complete a craft each week.
"Little Acorns" is our preschool ministry for babies, preschool, and kindergarten, focusing on Biblical instruction for the little ones.
"Discovery Club" directed by Angela Monetta and Debbie Ellis, is an activity and scripture based kids Bible club for grades 1 - 5.
White Oak's Senior Adult Ministry is focused on our seniors age 50 and over. Ann Smith assisted by Brenda Eaton was the first director of the senior ministry. They called the group the "Young at Heart Club". Now called the "Prime Timers", Frances Harman coordinated this program for White Oak since 1999 and turned over the reigns in 2009 back to Brenda Eaton . The "Prime Timers" enjoy monthly birthday celebrations, planned day trips and one or two night get-aways. A yearly favorite is the fall foliage outing to Frymont Inn in Bryson City, North Carolina. Who ever said that life after retirement slows down?
Tuesday Morning Bible Study (co-ed) is facilitated by Ginger Hearn. Since September 2003, studies by Beth Moore, Mark Sterling, Adrian Rodgers, and David Jeremiah have been taught.
The Women's Ministry, "Blessing Hands", under the direction of Courtney Sprayberry, meets at White Oak the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. They alternate Bible Study and activities. In January 2009 they prepared and packaged lunches to distribute to the homeless and needy of our area.
The Men's Ministry, "Ironmen", directed by James Tallent, includes the Brotherhood of White Oak. The men enjoy quarterly prayer breakfasts with scheduled speakers. Deep sea fishing trips to Florida lead to church and community wide Fish Fries. Building strong leadership in Christian men is the focus of this ministry, along with spiritual development, fellowship, and missions.
"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:23. White Oak is home for the LEAP Dancers under the direction of professional dancer and instructor, Debbie Ellis. A schedule of times, ages and registration information may be seen on White Oak's web site at wobclilburn.com/leap_dancers. White Oak has enjoyed performances by Debbie and the dancers at Christmas, Easter and on other special occasions since 2006.
White Oak is proud to charter and sponsor our newest scouting program - Boy Scout Troop 508 - young boys preparing to be young men. As part of our commitment to the community we also sponsor Cub Scout Pack 508 and Venturing Crew #508.
Begining with the school year 2008, White Oak serves as the site location for the Brookwood Christian Academy home school program for children grades 1 through 6.
Since April 15, 2006, White Oak has added 76 new members, 26 baptisms, and now has a total membership of 375. Through the past 34 years, we have seen many families move away from either job changes, residential changes, or relocation to other churches. It doesn't matter where God's people are physically - spiritually we are all one family. That is why many lasting relationships have formed over the years; why we still have "homecoming". At White Oak, we will celebrate the old traditional homecoming in November 2009 for our 35th anniversary. At White Oak, you're always "Welcome Home". White Oak is a "great place to put down roots".
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