The
Ojai Valley is a place that has many needs and the Oak
View side of the community has it’s own unique
challenges.
Spiritual
Climate
In
general, the Ojai Valley has a reputation among the
spiritualist, new age, and metaphysical community as a
destination place for spiritual activity.
(Some even believe this to be the corner of a
spiritual vortex and a gateway to the other dimensions
of the netherworlds.)
Boasting such organizations as the Krotona
Theosophy Center, Oak Grove School, Meditation Mount,
Happy Valley School, and a myriad of religious
institutions and activity, the Ojai Valley has been
described as uniquely having the “religions of the
world densely compacted into a small community”.
Through the years, there have been faithful
Christians here but it was not always easy for them as
Ojai Valley’s reputation would become further
entrenched in the metaphysical as India’s Kirshnamurti
would make this his home until his death in the
1980’s. This community has been a spiritual
battlefield for decades.
As a positive side of this challenge, the
Christian’s enjoy a unity and togetherness that is
rare in the Christian community.
We have learned to value and appreciate the
diversity in the body of Christ so to pray together and
reach out in unison, as much as possible, to others.
In
an age where churches are closing down regularly, we
feel it valuable to engage in the mission of keeping the
doors of a “house of worship” open for years to
come. May God use this to draw people to Himself,
repair broken families, and heal hurting hearts, in
Jesus name.
Community
Needs
Like
in most areas, our community has families that are
falling apart, lives that are given over to drugs and
alcohol, youth that come home to emptiness and pain, and
hearts that struggle with loneliness, hurt, and the need
for a touch from God.
While our outreach is for the entire Ojai Valley
and beyond, we do see unique challenges accentuated in
the Oak View/Casitas Springs side of the community.
We feel that this is the most under-serviced side
of the valley from the perspective of both government
services and Christian outreach.
As a result, crime rates, drugs, and gang
activity tend to be the highest in these areas.
Local churches are meant to be a beacon of light
to a community, a center for change and inspiration, a
place to connect with God and others.
We
want to see this Chapel as a place where couples and
families can come to get help and acquire tools and life
skills that keep families together.
We desire this Chapel to be a place where those
struggling with addictions can gain support from people
and strength from God. We hope to have this Chapel as a
place where youth want to come to get answers and help
with problems and develop relationships that have a
positive impact in their lives.
After
school and during summer, many youth in the community
have nothing to do.
As a result, many find themselves involved in
behavior that is destructive to themselves and others.
By having a place to go, be refreshed, learn, and
have fun through the various youth activities and
outreach, we hope to gain the hearts of the youth and
encourage them in life success. Above
all, we want to introduce people to the unconditional
love of God and His message of hope and abundant life
that is available to everyone.
