Participants: Steven Grabiner
Series Code: OCIR
Program Code: OCIR000010
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00:16 Oklahoma is place with its own unique beauty.
00:19 The stretching farms and the fields full of grain 00:22 are restful to the eye. 00:24 And yet beneath this pastoral scene 00:27 is a strong independence of thought and action 00:32 that motivates those who live here. 00:35 Join us as we visit an OCI ministry 00:39 that combines this independence of thought 00:43 with the desire to serve. 01:01 Originally part of the Louisiana Purchase 01:05 this state has a unique history. 01:08 In 1889 was the first land rush. 01:12 The idea was to entice settlers 01:14 to come and move into the territory. 01:17 These would be settlers were 01:19 lined up on a particular boundary 01:21 and when a cannon fired 01:23 they were to make a mad dash to claim their part of the land. 01:28 Some of the more enterprising ones came earlier 01:33 and staked out their own claim 01:35 thus giving rise to the expression 01:37 of the Oklahoma Sooner's 01:40 and idea that still express the independence of thought 01:43 that characterizes the inhabitants of the state today. 01:49 Oklahoma Academy is training their young people 01:53 to enter into the harvest fields of Jesus Christ. 02:00 Oklahoma Academy's mission is taken from Matthew 9: 37, 38 02:08 where Jesus is talking to His disciples 02:10 and He says, pray ye the Lord of the harvest, 02:13 that He was send forth laborers into His harvest. 02:18 And so Oklahoma Academy is designed specifically 02:22 to train young people to be laborers for God. 02:26 For me I enjoy how there is so many different options 02:29 that you can take during the year, 02:30 such as this year I'm taking a French, 02:33 French II and I'm also talking calculus in math 02:36 and so it's really- it's really interesting 02:38 to have other options 02:39 such as in health we learned 02:41 a lot about different foods and different things 02:44 and how they are able to help you 02:46 and how they are able to 02:48 affect your body in negative ways as well 02:49 and just things that you will be able to use later on in life. 02:55 Here at Oklahoma Academy we're not a really large school, 02:58 we actually are designed to be relatively small 03:02 because we want to work more closely with the students. 03:07 During the school year we have the opportunity 03:09 to meet with the students on a more personal level. 03:14 We get a chance to invite them into our homes. 03:17 So we get two-two, three some times even four 03:21 students coming to our homes on Friday evenings 03:24 instead of going to a regularly schedule vespers, 03:28 we have them into our home is far 03:30 both the meal and for a home vespers. 03:33 The students love that, 03:34 they get an opportunity to feel like 03:38 it's not their home but they get to go to a home 03:41 and they feel more like home here at Oklahoma Academy 03:43 because of it, because it they stay with the same family 03:46 all throughout the whole year. 03:48 It's important, it's vitally important 03:50 to-to be able to have some time 03:53 where you just relax or where you're just having fun together. 03:59 You know, every Saturday night we have wreck 04:01 and usually play game called dare base which is really fun. 04:04 We also do camp outs, we love to be out in nature, 04:08 taking time to relax and spend time together as a family. 04:14 In education one of the most important things for us 04:18 is for the students to- to learn about God. 04:21 God is provided us with a couple of different ways to do that. 04:26 One is through His word but the other is 04:28 and what we call the second book of nature, 04:31 where the trees and the birds and the flowers 04:36 all of them tell us of the love of God 04:39 and what He is like, and who He is. 04:41 So it's important for us to have our school in the country 04:46 where we can experience that second book 04:49 and that closeness to God 04:52 that can't be experienced anywhere else. 04:55 Our focus here at Oklahoma Academy really is 04:59 on the students developing a relationship with the Lord 05:04 that they really love Jesus and out of that love of Jesus 05:09 they want to share Him. 05:10 One of those training programs that we started this year 05:13 is a Bible work training program 05:15 where they are being trained and in deeper Bible study 05:19 and then in how to go door to door 05:21 and get Bible study interest, 05:24 how to follow that up with Bible studies 05:27 and then following that up also with evangelism. 05:31 Often times people feel that the pastor should- 05:35 should be the one doing all the work. 05:37 He should be doing the Bible studies, he should be doing, 05:40 you know, everything to- to bring people in 05:42 but we actually believe that Jesus calls each one of us 05:47 as a believer in Christ to work for Him. 05:50 Jesus said, go ye therefore in the world 05:53 and preach the gospel. 05:54 And He wasn't just saying that to pastors, 05:58 He was saying that to His disciples 06:01 and so as lay people it's so important 06:05 that we work together with the church 06:08 to spread the news that Jesus is coming again soon. 06:11 The need for a Bible program is not just for older members 06:15 but young people need to know like I said, 06:18 why they believe, what they believe? 06:20 Well, first of all we start off by basically 06:23 being grounded in our doctrine to be look at versus 06:26 that you know, supports and also the versus that may 06:28 seem questionable and we learn how to answer 06:30 difficult questions if you might have. 06:32 During a school year we have a counseling program 06:34 that encompasses anywhere from five to ten students. 06:37 They go out three times a week and when they go out 06:41 they get an opportunity to knock on doors. 06:44 They're learning how to do a survey at a door 06:47 than to transfer that in- in home Bible study. 06:50 They're learning how to invite them to a meeting 06:54 and transfer them to a local church. 06:57 Knowing that they could be a bridge or they conduit 06:59 for the individual to get connected with the church. 07:02 This year we've really focused on just the- 07:05 the area around the campus and it's really neat, 07:07 you can tell hem how we just went up the road 07:09 and you can make connection with them. 07:10 So yeah, just close by this year probably next year, 07:13 we will be going a little bit further 07:15 and also I believe that they'll be 07:17 the Bible studies that we've had this year 07:19 we carry on next year with the next class. 07:21 They are frontline missionaries right here at Oklahoma Academy 07:24 and give us an opportunity to go out and reach for community. 07:28 After the year is over we're supposed to get a certificate 07:31 that says that we're able to be hired by a church 07:34 and for Bible work. 07:35 That the vision really is to make sure that it's a way 07:39 that students continue to occupy themselves, you know, 07:42 have them interested in wanting to 07:45 be a part of the spreading the gospel. 07:48 The evangelistic series we basically 07:50 worked up to that throughout the year 07:52 so it's really neat to see that going around among the people 07:54 that know that the Holy Spirit was here. 07:57 And in the evenings we all take turns doing health presentations 08:00 and also we have a role to play greeting the people as they come 08:03 and so it's really important to be there 08:05 to bring them in make them feel up home. 08:07 They're really excited especially when they see 08:10 their contacts come through the door. 08:12 And they're being transferred to be workers for the harvest 08:15 that you could actually see 08:16 that taking place right before their eyes, 08:18 you know, that-that's one the joys about it. 08:21 One of the very important aspects of Oklahoma Academy 08:24 is-is our music program. 08:26 We're told that music can reach people for Christ 08:30 when other things cannot. 08:32 And so that the purpose and the thrust 08:35 and the whole goal of our program 08:38 is to be mission oriented in the music that we do. 08:42 We have a very good choir and chorale, 08:44 we have a string ensemble, we have a bell choir 08:47 and we all work together to make those kind of programs 08:52 that will reach people for Jesus. 08:54 I'm involved in bell choir 08:56 and I'm also involved in choir and chorale 08:59 and we started a men's quartet here 09:01 which I'm also a part as well. 09:04 Usually during the year we'll go to churches 09:07 around the state of Oklahoma 09:09 but there is also a big trip that we do 09:11 at the around the end of the year 09:12 that we'll either go out of the country 09:15 or state to state singing at different churches. 09:20 Well, this year I got the opportunity to be in choral 09:24 which is basically like the select choir group. 09:27 I just love you know, the songs that we sing. 09:31 Everywhere we go people want CDs of that particular program. 09:38 We were given this recording equipment 09:40 donated from a friend of the school 09:43 and so we're planning on being able to make CDs every year 09:47 of all the programs that we have. 09:49 We usually I have three programs a year 09:51 and so we're planning on making CDs for each of those programs 09:55 and so that when we go out to those sites, 09:56 we can be able to hand out the CDs to different people 09:59 and bless them and send God's music to their homes that way. 10:04 It's important for anyone entering into mission service 10:08 to have some basic and essential life skills. 10:12 It's a foundation principal of OCI Academies 10:17 to instill in their students a love for work. 10:22 A strong work ethic is important 10:26 for those who will be laboring for Jesus Christ. 10:29 Oklahoma Academy accomplishes this goal in a variety of ways 10:35 but two of their programs, 10:37 are uniquely designed with the missionary in mind. 10:41 They are massage therapy class and the mission 10:45 aviation programs are focused on preparing young people 10:49 for a broader sphere of service. 10:56 Here at Oklahoma Academy we have a work program 10:58 that focuses on the skills similar to 11:02 the skills that they would have to do out in the mission field. 11:06 The students have the opportunity to 11:08 go to either the massage program 11:10 or flight program and it counts as their work 11:14 because we feel that it's an important skill 11:16 that they are learning especially 11:18 if they were looking to go to the mission field. 11:21 Ever since I was three and four 11:25 I was very fascinated with aviation. 11:27 And you know it's just been kind of lifelong hobby. 11:32 And then as I got older and realized there is 11:35 a great need for mission aviation. 11:37 You know, I can do something that I enjoy doing 11:39 and still be serving God which is something that we almost do. 11:44 Here at the school we have 1300 feet grass airstrip 11:47 and then also here in Oklahoma we have winds. 11:50 So it gives you excellent training 11:52 for cross wind techniques, gusty techniques, 11:57 so you know they give you a very solid flying skill. 12:01 In the flight program and the direction of the 12:03 flight program we are looking to be able to 12:07 have a well rounded experience for the flight students 12:10 so that when they leave they have some experience 12:13 in Bible work through the Bible work training program. 12:16 They have some experience in medical things 12:18 possibly through the massage therapy program 12:21 so that when they go out it's not just flying that they know 12:25 and they can put the whole package together. 12:27 I really like it that you work at the school 12:30 because at normal schools you don't get an opportunity 12:32 to learn vocational skills. 12:33 But here they have lots of different things. 12:36 I work in the cafeteria and I actually learned 12:39 most of my cooking skills in the cafeteria 12:41 and I go in there and I cook everyday 12:44 and that's really fun. 12:46 We also like our students to help out on the farms 12:50 so that they get the feeling of working with the soil, 12:52 they get the feeling of picking some strawberries 12:55 or even pulling weeds, you know, 12:56 it's all part of working on the farm. 12:59 Having practical skills of building and mechanics 13:03 and cooking and of those things practically speaking 13:07 a person who is involved in mission work ends up doing. 13:10 It's kind of my first time working outside from the city 13:15 but being here on the work program has really changed 13:19 kind of my perception of things and it's really been 13:23 helping my spiritual life coming closer to God. 13:27 We really want them to understand 13:30 that God wants them to be the best they can be 13:33 and when they are the best they can be in the work area 13:37 they are doing His will in away that no one else can do. 13:43 To this day I can't really explain 13:45 expect for the fact that God led me here. 13:47 My sophomore year the English teacher was asking us, 13:51 if any of us wanted to be involved in the massage program. 13:55 So I thought it will be pretty cool to like be able to expend 13:58 my scope of knowledge and how to give massages, 14:00 how to do it the right way I guess. 14:03 I think coming here has really helped me see 14:06 what God really wants me to do. 14:08 He wants each one of us to serve Him, you know, 14:11 with our whole heart and since I've been here 14:13 I've been able to realize that 14:14 my purpose in life is not for myself 14:16 it's to bless others and to worship God 14:18 and to serve God with my entire being. 14:22 Oklahoma Academy is a self supporting school. 14:27 The finances that we used to run the school 14:30 come directly from our industries, 14:33 tuition from the students 14:34 and any donations that we receive. 14:37 We are in the process of developing a publishing ministry 14:42 in which we have several products. 14:44 The Spanish study Bible, the English study Bible 14:47 and another one that we-that we just put out 14:50 is a little book called "Outside the Gate" for children. 14:53 Portions of each of these books as we sell them the Bibles 14:58 and the "Outside the Gate" will go to worthy student fund. 15:04 Another aspect that we have it helps us connect 15:06 with our community is a health food store. 15:09 And we have people from all over the community, 15:12 that come in and we offer cooking schools 15:15 and health lectures, different specials, 15:19 we sell different products that we make 15:21 through the country store, like bread from the cafeteria. 15:24 There is more lot of people in the community 15:26 that come in for our bread. 15:29 Another thing that we do is sell our produce 15:32 from the farm in the country store and more and more 15:35 people are looking for fresh produce, 15:38 that comes straight from the garden. 15:41 In addition to providing a quality 15:43 and a practical education Oklahoma Academy 15:48 endeavors to insure that all of the students 15:51 get an opportunity to share their faith. 15:54 In a moment we'll explore a creative method 15:58 or accomplishing that aim. 16:02 Pain, suffering and hopelessness 16:05 are every where we look. 16:07 As Christians, we know that the ultimate answer is Jesus. 16:10 We are called to bring people to Him 16:12 as well to share His love in practical ways. 16:16 Can you imagine that difference it would make 16:18 if every church member did all that we can 16:21 to share our hope? 16:23 That's what OCI is all about, lay people using their skills 16:28 to reach their communities and bring change. 16:30 Whether through lifestyle centers or schools, 16:33 restaurants or clinics the methods are diverse 16:37 but the goal is the same, to bring hope and healing 16:40 to our dying world. 16:42 In order for this work to continue 16:44 prayer, workers and funding are all necessary. 16:48 When you support OCI you support the work 16:51 of more than 80 ministries around the world. 16:55 For more information about how you become involved, 16:58 please contact us anytime. 17:03 In order to communicate important truths 17:06 related to the plan of salvation 17:08 God interested ancient Israel with the visual representation. 17:14 The sanctuary service originally given to Moses 17:18 outlined the plan of salvation. 17:22 Oklahoma Academy uses a replica 17:25 of that ancient sanctuary service to communicate important 17:29 gospel truths to today's modern audience. 17:34 Often times I know for in my own experience 17:36 I thought it was boring to study about the sanctuary. 17:40 And here at Oklahoma Academy we have a special emphasis 17:44 on the sanctuary that actually has brought the sanctuary 17:47 to life for myself and it brings the sanctuary to life 17:51 for other people. 17:53 About ten years ago Oklahoma Academy 17:56 decided to make its focus mission. 18:00 So not only do they get a academic background 18:03 and they get they opportunity to be prepared to go to college 18:06 but we really wanted all of our students to mission focused. 18:09 We wanted all of our students to have that as 18:12 one of their goals in their lives is to reach out to others. 18:16 And so Messiah's Mansion is especially 18:20 important in that goal and is a tool and a vehicle 18:24 that we're using in order to accomplish that 18:27 and its a very effective one because the students 18:30 are constantly reminded of their purpose of why they're there 18:33 throughout they are to help people 18:35 and to reach them with-with truth. 18:38 And the sanctuary truth is present truth 18:40 that everyone needs to hear. 18:42 And so the students are really having 18:45 an opportunity to be on the frontline 18:47 of sharing this truth in a mission aspect 18:50 through Messiah's Mansion. 18:52 From the very beginning it gave students the opportunity, 18:55 you know, to be able to study it a class 18:58 and then go out and give tours. 19:00 You know, so in 2003 when I came to Oklahoma Academy 19:03 I was able to go to you know, one of the first exhibits 19:06 that I traveled to which was at my dads church. 19:09 And so I was able to as a freshman give tours of it then 19:13 but you know of course then I when I went on to college and 19:15 I did some other things. 19:17 About four years ago I came back, you know, 19:20 I still here and something that's very exciting to me- 19:23 you know, its not just for the people 19:24 it changes the students lives as they give the tour 19:27 I've seen it time and time again. 19:29 I think I really love the connection 19:31 with the people of that come for the tours. 19:34 I love seeing God work in such a personal up close way. 19:39 You know, as you go to the tours and 19:41 some times you don't want to do it, 19:43 some times you feel discouraged but no matter what 19:45 you always see God working in a powerful way 19:47 and there is always so many testimonies that you hear. 19:50 It always makes you feel so close and connected to God 19:52 that you're working with Him you know up in the frontline. 19:57 Oh, well this is my sixth exhibit 20:00 and I've been doing it since my freshman year. 20:02 Normally freshman don't go on sanctuary trips, 20:05 it's only the sophomore through seniors. 20:07 But that year the junior class as a whole didn't want to go 20:10 so they made it available to those who wanted to go 20:13 and I ended up signing up and I have to admit though 20:17 on the way there its like, why did I sign up for this? 20:20 I hate talking in front of people, 20:22 I'm very shy but once I started learning the tour and realized 20:26 how important it really is and how amazing it really was. 20:29 I got so excited I learned the whole tour in less than a week 20:32 and I have been a full tour guide ever since. 20:36 For each Messiah's Mansion exhibit 20:38 we have a combination of things that happen. 20:41 We always have the sponsor churches 20:44 come up with at least a half of the cost 20:47 and they always provide allocation. 20:49 This location here in Loveland, Colorado 20:52 we're right next a major highway 20:55 and that is allowing us to have a lot of exposure 20:59 and we really had a great turnout so far. 21:02 Messiah's Mansion is the title of the organization 21:06 and under that- that name we have 21:08 three different full scale models. 21:10 And so it's a traveling ministry just like you know, 21:14 Moses tabernacle traveling and about every two weeks 21:18 we're at a new location you know, 21:20 we've been to over a 100 location so far. 21:22 We start with the premise that most people 21:25 don't have an understanding of, 21:27 you know a heavenly sanctuary and as 21:30 many even though they are Christians don't have 21:31 a firm biblical background. 21:33 And so we start out in the first tent 21:35 introducing them to the idea of a heavenly sanctuary. 21:38 Messiah's Mansion is a free exhibit so people that come 21:42 will get a free tour and they're able to hear that 21:45 end time message present truth for our time 21:47 for the sanctuary message. 21:48 It's really exciting to share that with people because, 21:50 lot of people connect with that. 21:52 In every station of the tour 21:54 really beginning from the courtyard 21:56 will move through you know what are the priests do, 21:58 the facts the furniture, the people and the service. 22:02 But then you know the second layer is 22:05 how did all of this point to Jesus? 22:08 So from the courtyard you move to holy place 22:12 and you see the priestly duties in there again 22:15 followed by Christ's work in the heavenly sanctuary 22:18 and this is where for most Christians 22:20 it's a new idea for them, you know, 22:22 Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. 22:23 They know about Him as the Lamb of God, 22:25 but now they're seeing Him you know and His ministry 22:27 in heaven in the holy place. 22:28 And you know then of course you move around 22:31 to the most holy place where you know we see Christ work today. 22:35 And you'll see prophecies that are pointing to Jesus, 22:39 move into the most holy place and you know a lot of people 22:41 for them, you know, they come out I never knew this. 22:43 I didn't even know that was in the Bible. 22:45 I say its a eye opening experience 22:47 for the lot of people. 22:50 The most holy place that's the-that's the place 22:52 where I see God working the most, you know, 22:54 I've seen people struggle, 22:56 I've seen them battle in their hearts, 22:57 you know, on their face as they are just listening 22:59 and some times you can tell they don't want to accept 23:01 but that's where I just keep praying 23:03 because I know-I know that's the message for today. 23:07 The students are going constantly 23:09 in and out of prayer chant 23:10 we have a prayer chant at each sanctuary 23:13 and the students go in before their tours, 23:15 they're going after their tours. 23:16 Satan is constantly attacking Messiah's Mansion 23:20 from every angle because he does not 23:22 want this work to get through. 23:24 There's people praying for us all throughout the tour, 23:26 we pray throughout the tour 23:27 and I think it's that constant prayer 23:29 that you know keeps us in a good spirit. 23:32 Because Satan does attack, you know, 23:33 he is not happy with us doing this. 23:35 And it really matures the students and they mature 23:39 in the right direction towards God 23:42 and towards their experience with Him. 23:44 From all throughout time you know there's been- 23:48 there's been important messages you know, 23:50 Noah's message was important you know, 23:52 John the Baptist's message 23:53 that Jesus was there was important. 23:56 But today, you know, the message that's important 23:58 is that Jesus is finishing the work in heaven 24:00 and you know that, it's a time for you know us 24:04 give our whole hearts to Him like never before 24:06 so that He can do the work not just in heaven 24:09 but in our own parts. 24:10 When people go through this, 24:13 they can't remember everything we cover 24:14 but what they do remember is they liked it, it was good 24:17 and so they have a positive association with this. 24:19 And one of our main goals is to be able to 24:23 link up some of the locals churches 24:25 with you know these people who are signing up 24:27 for more studies, so that they can continue to study 24:30 and see it from the Bible as a slower pace for themselves. 24:35 People are coming to the sanctuary 24:36 to learn about the sanctuary message 24:39 and this is something that is unique to our church. 24:42 And if our church does not understand this message 24:46 then you know who is going be sharing it with the world, 24:48 this is one of the best kept secrets in the Bible. 24:53 And you know lot of people can get confused about it, 24:55 they need someone to actually show them 24:57 what are the symbolism is in sanctuary 24:59 and it's so cool to see how everything 25:01 in the Bible fits perfectly into the sanctuary message. 25:05 And we as a church need to be studying this message 25:08 and we need to be able to present it 25:10 to those around us who, you know, 25:13 are not in the church or are new in our church 25:16 and so because it's every important doctrine that we hold. 25:20 I was giving a tour to a school group that came 25:23 through as a bunch of, you know, teenagers you know, 25:26 my peers and I am very they extroverted 25:29 so I feed off the energy that in my tour 25:32 and I wasn't getting that much response 25:34 and I was feeling very, very discouraged. 25:36 I was just praying I said God, you know, 25:37 I need encouragement and then as I left the most holy station, 25:41 the most holy place station in the tour 25:44 I had an older lady come up to me 25:46 and she had tears in her eyes. 25:48 And she was just saying you have blessed me so much 25:50 and I was just praising God because it reminded her 25:53 about how much Jesus was important in her life 25:56 and it reminder her that. 25:57 We don't have time to waste on this earth 25:59 because Jesus coming soon. 26:00 And I was able to go into the last station 26:02 just praising God that He gave me that encouragement 26:05 that even though I wasn't getting the response that 26:07 that's not what mattered it mattered that 26:09 God was still using me to-to touch even one person's heart 26:12 and I was able to talk with her after the tour 26:14 and we're both in tears and just praising God about 26:17 how much He was able to work through that tour. 26:20 You know, there is people who come through 26:22 who haven't been the church in years 26:24 and may be have never been the church, 26:26 and wouldn't go to church. 26:28 But in the setting like this you know, 26:30 they come through and you know, 26:32 their hearts are touched and they go away and you know 26:35 some of them say, you know, what church do you go to? 26:37 I want to go to your church. 26:39 You know, atheists come through, you know, 26:42 who didn't have, you know, anything to do with Christians. 26:45 And an experience comes to my mind you know, 26:48 a couple of years ago an atheist came through 26:51 and you know at the end of it he let me know through the tour 26:56 that he could not stand Christians. 26:59 You know, some of them are hypocritical 27:01 but some of them are just unreasonable 27:04 but as we went trough the tour 27:06 at the end of it he invited me to come to his house 27:08 and have dinner with him because he said, 27:09 we need to talk more about these things. 27:11 You know, it provides an opportunity where people can, 27:15 you know, see what Jesus is doing today 27:17 in a setting that you know they will feel comfortable 27:20 and you know people need to understand 27:22 not only Jesus died or what He's doing today 27:25 and I think it's very relevant for every single human being 27:29 alive on planet earth today. 27:36 Oklahoma Academy instills in its students 27:40 both the ability to think for themselves 27:43 as well as a commitment to mission service. 27:46 Perhaps, you know of the student 27:48 that would benefit from a program like this. 27:52 To learn more about the worldwide work of OCI 27:56 and its member ministries visit us on the web 27:59 at outpostcenters.org. 28:03 We would love to hear from you, 28:04 you can send an email to info@outpostcenter.org 28:10 or call us at 423.236.5600. 28:17 For OCI Repots this is Steven Grabiner. |
Revised 2014-12-17