But this community would never have happened if six people had not been willing, in faith, to sell everything they had, give up the lives they knew in Virginia, and move to a (formerly) small campground which needed lots of love, right in the middle of the Great Plains.
We thank God for all of His guidance and blessing throughout the years here at Oakridge, and we give Him praise for all He has accomplished through the Oakridge family.
Below is a brief history of some of the Oakridge highlights. Hope you enjoy!
BRIEF OAKRIDGE HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS:
2000 - Brian & Beth Ball and Gordon & Dale Ball form Oakridge Ministries, Inc. They sell their homes in Virginia and move to Anadarko, Oklahoma, to purchase a camp & retreat center facility from the SW Oklahoma Church of the Nazarene (Property #1). They secure a four year interest-free loan from the Nazarene owners to purchase the camp. They then incorporate and appoint themselves as the first Oakridge trustees, setting up Oakridge Ministries as a non-denominational, independent, Bible-believing, Christian ministry. Brian Ball, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, is appointed the President.May 2000 - John & Vicki Bates sell their home in Virginia, move to Anadarko and are appointed trustees. The ministry begins offering church services to the community through Oakridge Community Church, meeting at the camp.
2003 – Oakridge Ministries purchases a church building (Property #2) in town (10 minutes away) and church meetings relocate there. Acorn Christian Child Care Center, a 2-Star DHS Licensed Child Care Center, begins operation.
2004 – Oakridge pays off the interest-free loan to the Nazarenes and installs a swimming pool on the camp property, securing a $250,000 note on the church building to do so. As of 2011, the ministry owes $103,000 on this note.
2006 – Oakridge organizes Faith Christian Academy, a small private Christian school which operates from 2006 - 2010.
2008 – Oakridge purchases the Pentecostal Holiness Camp (Property #3 - WEST Camp) next to the main camp and the 30-acre ranch across the highway (Property #4), securing a $250,000 note to do so. As of 2012, $163,000 remains on that note.
2009 – ACORN receives 3-Star status as a DHS licensed Child Care Facility, making it the only private, faith-based nationally accredited center in Caddo County. Renovation and improvement at the camp and church building continue. Growth in assets, insured value, camp guest attendance and income occurs.
2012 and into the future - Refinance mortgages and continue to pay them off, plan and prepare for ministry expansion. Plans include a high ropes course, a gymnasium and a small working farm. One big dream is an Oakridge Christian Conference and Wellness Center, located on the ranch property.
Camp Growth - The number of Oakridge summer campers has grown from 300 in 2001 to around 1,800 in 2011. Most summer campers stay for five days of camp, but some come for weekends. Oakridge has over 4,000 guests per year, since it is a year-round facility. Finances have also grown from around $95,000 in 2000 to over $600,000 annually. Staff has grown from the original three families and one summer staffer in 2000, to over 30 summer staff and over 10 full time staff in 2011.
