Oakland Church's Facelift Isn't Just Physical

Why did four friends in their 20s and 30s from around the United States land at Oakland Church (OC), in Rochester Hills? More important, how are they changing a community in ways before unreachable?

For starters, in November they overwhelmed unsuspecting service providers in Oakland County with their “30 days of Thankfulness” outreach.

“OC Senior Pastors Dominic and Amira Russo, who began this church 17 years ago, have always had a passion for servant-work in the community, Gabe Bahlhorn, executive pastor at Oakland Church, said in a news release.

“From visiting individual schools in the area that were affected by student suicides and helping students and staff, to hosting a Battle of the Bands for those same students, to serving in Detroit and its surrounding areas, they have changed the landscape of this community in ways only generations to come will see and truly understand,” Bahlhorn said. “My buddies from around the country and I decided to become a part of the OC team and paint the town with different colors, using the same brush.”

Jedidiah Thurner, another executive pastor, said he moved his family from California to join the team of Oakland Church because he saw a movement that could affect massive change.

“You should have seen the faces of the teachers, city workers, hospital staff and others whose lives we touched with a simple thank you, flower and gift cards this last month,” he said.

One more way OC is getting a facelift?

A non-traditional Christmas dvent, complete with a prima on-toe ballerina in a “Dance Battle” of sorts with hip-hop dancers and traditional Christmas songs “mashed-up” with top 40 hits.

For the first year ever in its history, this Holiday Season, OC brings the spirit of Christmas to life with the musical variety show, “Celebrate Christmas.” With five special performances – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, and 10 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14 – the show includes musical numbers, comedy sketches, the Oakland Youth Orchestras, and even an appearance by Elsa and Santa.

Creative pastor Jonathan Coussens says the traditional Christmas pageant is a thing of the past.

“What remains unchanged is the combination of a large cast of musicians, singers, dancers and comedians who make the show the largest, most spectacular Christmas show in the Oakland County,” Coussens said.

Oakland Church was founded in May 1997 and is located at 5100 N Adams Road in Oakland Township.

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