A weekly young adults gathering at Oasis Church in Winnipeg took a different approach to its usual Thursday night programming, trading Bible study and discussion for a city-wide evening of hands-on service.
The church’s young adults ministry, which serves those between the ages of 18 and 25, dedicated one recent Thursday night to volunteering across Winnipeg, organizing teams to meet practical needs in multiple neighbourhoods.
Participants were divided into three groups, each focused on a different outreach effort.
One team worked along Wilkes Avenue, collecting litter from ditches and public spaces as part of a neighbourhood cleanup effort. A second group prepared hot dogs and bottled water before heading downtown to areas near Higgins Avenue and Main Street, where they offered food, conversation, and prayer to people experiencing homelessness.
A third group remained at the church, preparing casseroles for families living in government housing in the Charleswood area. The meals were later delivered to families the church has developed relationships with through ongoing outreach.
‘We’re trying to love people’
Oasis Church Youth and Young Adults Pastor Darryl Janzen says the evening was centred on putting faith into action.
“We’re doing our best to be like Jesus and care about the things He cares about,” Janzen said. “We know from Scripture that He cares very much about widows, orphans, and the poor.”
Janzen says the experience also gave some participants a closer look at social challenges in the city, particularly for those serving downtown for the first time.
“It was eye-opening,” he said. “Seeing the poverty, seeing the mental illness, and seeing the toll that living on the street can have on a person over time.”
At the same time, he says the night was marked by meaningful connection and encouragement among participants.
“It feels good to serve,” Janzen said. “I think that’s how God wired us.”
Service as part of discipleship
Janzen says opportunities like the service night are an important part of spiritual growth and Christian discipleship.
“I think it’s important for everyone who wants to follow Jesus and be the Church,” he said. “The Church is mandated to care, love, give, and be generous with our time and resources.”
He also says churches do not need to operate alone when it comes to outreach, pointing to the value of working alongside established organizations already serving vulnerable populations.
Oasis Church regularly partners with groups such as Lighthouse Mission, Dignity House and Inner City Youth Alive.
“There are so many good organizations out there,” Janzen said. “If you don’t know what to do, find an organization that’s doing things well and partner with them.”
Faith put into practice
For participants, the evening combined practical service with relationship-building, whether cleaning streets, preparing meals or engaging in conversation with those in need.
Janzen says the goal remains simple.
“We’re not trying to reinvent anything,” he said. “We’re trying to love people.”