MANSFIELD — With popular culture promoting violence at an increasing rate, one local congregation is fighting the good fight and helping lead the charge by reaching the next generation.
Oasis of Love, located at 190 Chester Avenue, recently held a block party at the corners of Harker and Bowman Streets to prepare kids for the start of the school year and to provide them a clean slate.
According to Pastor Emeritus Walt Jordan Jr., “This is the fourth year we have had this event. Our goal is to reach these kids at an early age and show them something positive in the community near the end of the summer.”
Over twelve hundred book bags were given out to children with free school supplies donated by Staples. The Store also gave away school uniforms at no cost to the children. A bouncy house, a rock climbing wall, and a splash pad provided by the City Fire Department added excitement to the event.
Jordan said the event grew this year drawing an estimated five thousand people along with a number of new community sponsors.
“Slap Daddy’s, BW-3’s, and Jones’ Potato Chips provided free food. We had approximately ten churches, ten non-profits, and five banks who contributed to the success of the event. We even had fifteen barbers and ten hairstylists volunteer their time to provide free services to people.
“Forming positive memories in the children is so important. This year we saw a lot of faces from last year’s event and it has now become a community tradition. Zechariah 8:5 says ‘And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.’ That is our hope one day for Mansfield, and not just four hours.”
“Forming positive memories in the children is so important. This year we saw a lot of faces from last year’s event and it has now become a community tradition. Zechariah 8:5 says ‘And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.’ That is our hope one day for Mansfield, and not just four hours.”
Pastor EMERITUS, walt jordan II
Oasis of Love church
Several speakers discussed the negative impacts of violence including the new Mansfield Police Chief Keith Porch, the new Mansfield Senior Superintendent Stan Jefferson, Councilman Don Bryant, and Commissioner Tony Vero.
Mansfield City Councilman Jason Lawrence notes that just one week prior to the block party, law enforcement officials had emphasized at a safety committee meeting the importance of reaching children while they are young.
“This (event) came at the right time. While statistics show that gun violence in the City of Mansfield has dropped each year for four consecutive years, City Council held a special meeting on violence after recent episodes occurred at several bars. Oasis of Love has demonstrated it is part of the solution and plays a vital role in shaping our youth.”
Oasis of Love has a prison ministry which brought two ex- convicts who provided free haircuts at the block party. One of the barbers had been in prison for twenty-six years and left the Muslim faith to become a follower of Christ. His message to the youth came with conviction.
Lawrence recalls “We (council members) took a trip to North Carolina to learn more about the High Point Initiative where non-violent drug dealers were given a one-time offer of help in exchange for quitting drug dealing. The law enforcement and community leaders held call in’s and gave at-risk youth another alternative instead of gang life that can be attributed to crime.”
According to Reverend Jordan, “Having a unified front with the law enforcement is important. The Sheriff’s Department and the Army also attended the block party. In the Bible we see, like in Chronicles, the Book of Acts, Haggai, and Nehemiah that anytime people unify and work together there is a response from Heaven.”
In 2011 Oasis of Love hosted the Fugitive Safe Surrender program in partnership with the Attorney General’s office where people who have outstanding warrants for misdemeanors and low-level felonies have the opportunity to resolve these issues in a church.
Lawrence says he believes the block party brings pride to the neighborhood and builds momentum in the community.
