VICTORIA
OAC Ministries has a long history in Victoria having been established in 1948. Presently the Branch has two staff personnel and a strong team of talented volunteers supporting the ministry. It also has some incredibly skilled and passionate people to create and drive a range of ministry opportunities.
SUMMER & EASTER MISSIONS
Teams of volunteers, under the guidance of OAC staff, conduct kids programs for children and families in caravan parks in many popular holiday locations. At Christian conventions OAC runs more detailed teaching programs that aim to engage and encourage children in understanding the foundations of Christianity.
Click here to learn more and apply:
SENIORS’ MINISTRY
Caring for the spiritual needs of seniors in Hostels, Nursing Homes and Villages is a strong focus in Victoria. Lifestyle Coordinators, staff and residents engage with and appreciate the lively variety concert programs presented by Merv and his helpers. Old-time sing-alongs, quizzes, musical picture presentations, Psalms, poetry and ‘real life interest’ stories with a gospel challenge minister to their hearts. Due to the closure of aged care facilities to visitors in 2020 Merv has recorded a series of his seniors’ programs onto DVD’s for Lifestyle Coordinators to use with the residents.
Click here to view and use Merv’s Seniors Variety videos! (Or contact us for a DVD copy)
STREET MINISTRY
In late 2021, a new team formed to do street evangelism in the Melbourne area. They focus on using gospel tracts, visual tools and one-to-one conversations to share the gospel with complete strangers. Through their work, many are hearing the gospel on a weekly basis.
To learn more about the team, please contact us here.
To apply as a volunteer for this team, please click here!
CHURCHES AND CAMPS
Merv and Steve share in churches through family services, preaching and children’s ministry using stories and a variety of engaging techniques. Steve conducts studies at camps of all types using object lessons, sketching, games and computer-generated materials.
MINISTRY TRAINING AND VOLUNTEERS
Children’s workers are up-skilled with new ideas and techniques to enhance their ministry to children in churches, camps, after school clubs and more. Volunteers receive ‘on the job’ training as they assist staff in a range of ministry activities
MEET THE TEAM IN VICTORIA
Steve Stokes
Steve attended Summer and Easter Missions with his parents from a very early age and became a valuable volunteer. In 2000 Steve joined the OACM staff team in South Australia visiting many government and private schools, conducting holiday clubs, camps, and church services. Steve takes‘ mission teams to the Philippines to assist churches in reaching their communities with the gospel and training pastors and church workers in children’s ministry skills. In 2018 Steve relocated with his family to Victoria and is developing ministry opportunities here while maintaining some connections in S.A. He enjoys sharing the gospel and communicating with people of all ages using gospel illusions, sketching, games, stories, dramas, and his great sense of humour. Training and encouraging people in ministry skills is another one of his passions.
Volunteers
The Victorian Branch is blessed to not only have volunteers supporting the ministry, but having some incredibly skilled and passionate people to create and drive a range of ministry opportunities. Volunteers are the main force behind the street ministry as well as the camps and conference events that OAC provides in Victoria.