Our Ministries
Christmas Gift
The homeless are the guests of honor at the nation's largest birthday party for Jesus, celebrated the third Saturday of every December at the Dallas Convention Center. We provide evangelism, prayer and foot-washing, as well as gifts of socks, shoes, coats, clothes, personal care products, food, medical services, free phone calls, job counseling, education, housing, personal makeovers and haircuts. During the 2010 event, 11,000+ homeless people were served by 3,300 volunteers, representing 130 church groups.
Union Gospel Mission
Since 2001, OCI has been a faithful partner of the Union Gospel Mission which is located at 3211 Irving Boulevard, Dallas, TX. Under the directorship of Reverend Bill Thompson, this is a “men only shelter” that has sleeping accommodations for 300. On the third Saturday of each month, OCI coordinates with a church or Bible study group to sponsor the evening event. The activities include leading a worship service from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, praying individually with the homeless guests, assisting in serving a hot meal, helping with clean up afterwards as our guests head off to “bed down” for the night, and ending the night by praying with the kitchen crew .
International
Every summer, OCI reaches out to impoverished children in another country, seeking out and connecting with local churches that assist in the hosting and staging of the main events. With our primary goal to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we also provide the children with sorely needed and practical gifts such as backpacks, T-shirts, shoes and socks, personal care products and food. In partnership with these local churches, the children are invited to connect with a discipleship program like AWANA. In addition, scholarship funding is set aside for course materials. To date OCI has conducted missions in the following countries: Taiwan and mainland China (2011), Kenya, Africa (2010), New Delhi, India (2009), and Iloilo City, Philippines (2008).
Easter Outreach at the Bridge
Using street evangelism to share the Gospel, homeless men and women are given Bibles, Gospel tracts, personal care products, bottled water, prayer and articles of clothing are distributed.
Summer Outreach at the Bridge
OCI provides Bibles, Gospel tracts, personal care products, bottled water, and prayer to homeless men and women.
Thanksgiving Outreach at The Bridge
This street evangelism ministry provides Bibles, Gospel tracts, clothing, personal care products, bottled water, and prayer to homeless men and women.
Prayer Marathon
This unique ministry, started in April 2010, features an overnight prayer event and has been held regularly since January, 2011 on the first Saturday of every month at 1200 Warwick Drive in Mesquite, TX. A different volunteer leads each hour of the marathon, which takes place from midnight to 7 a.m. It starts with a prayer walk, followed by praise and worship, a message, communion, sharing, prayers and foot-washing.
River of Life Ministry
The River of Life Ministry is for homeless men, women and children. The purpose is to assist individuals in leading productive and healthy lives. Bible study is held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by Life Skills training on the second Saturday of every month.
Home Makeover
On Sept. 10, 2011, we will perform makeovers on three transition homes of the River of Life Ministry. The makeovers will include painting, new carpet, mowing, mopping, scrubbing, installing decor and fixtures in the homes — transforming them into “Havens of Rest!"
Children’s Birthday Blessing
Operation Care partners with Birthday Blessings to provide a birthday party for homeless children on the fourth Saturday of every month. We help find sponsors who provide food, ice cream and cake, as well as age-appropriate gifts for the kids.
Medical Bus
The Mercy Bus is a medical ministry which is a vision in the making! Staffed by volunteer medical personnel, the bus will go into the streets and under the bridges of Dallas every weekend, reaching out to the homeless who would not likely to go to a shelter. The volunteers will check patients’ vital signs, screen them and give medical assessments. For those who need inpatient treatment, the bus staff will help them get to a hospital and refer them to agencies that can offer services after discharge. Veterans will be connected with veteran services.
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