OAC Vancouver

Is the church meant to be a private club—or a force for public good? In this compelling message delivered to the Oakridge Adventist Church community, we’re challenged to re-examine what it truly means to be the church in a modern, urban, Canadian context. Beginning with an unexpected conversation at airport security, this message unfolds into a powerful reflection on public benefit, faith, and the...

What if the most powerful change you could make this year wasn’t another goal—but a deeper rhythm? In this message, we begin 2026 by rethinking resolutions through the lens of upstream practices . Drawing from current health research, Scripture, and the life of Jesus, we explore why sleep is the most influential habit for physical health—and why daily prayer is the most formative practice for spir...

What is the point of this season—and why does it still matter today?  In this special message from Oakridge Adventist Church, Evergreen Grace invites us to walk through the entire story of the Bible with a renewed focus on grace: God’s unchanging, ever-present gift to humanity. Told through the lens of a family not unlike our own, this story helps us see ourselves within God’s greater narrative—a...

What if the sound you’re waiting for isn’t louder effort—but quieter trust? In this week’s message from Oakridge Adventist Church, we continue our December teaching series Tales of the Trees by stepping into an unexpected Christmas text: 2 Samuel 5 . Through the story of David, the Philistines, and the mysterious sound of marching in the treetops, we’re invited to reconsider how God leads, how bre...

Pastor CL Garilva takes us on a journey from the hills of Hebron to the valleys of Sodom, unveiling one of Scripture’s most sobering contrasts— Abraham under the oaks of Mamre and Lot drifting toward the cities of the plain .He weaves together the ancient narrative with modern life through the story of a young neurosurgeon named Larson—brilliant, successful, yet quietly drowning in despair. Throug...

In a culture obsessed with looking strong, confident, and in control, what happens when the mask finally cracks? In this message, “The Battle of Bravado,”   Kendal closes out the War & Peace series by contrasting empty bravado with the real, transformative power of Christ. Walking through the story of Samson in Judges 13–16, Kendal shows how someone blessed, called, and empowered by God can st...

Pastor Rhoda walks us deep into one of the most misunderstood themes in Scripture— God at war . Is He violent? Angry? Unpredictable? Does the Bible portray a Warrior God who contradicts the loving Jesus we worship? Through a powerful exploration of John 2, Revelation 19, and the Lamb imagery woven throughout Scripture, this episode reframes the battlefield entirely. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We...

Pastor Jess continues our War & Peace series by exploring one of the most difficult, yet most freeing practices of the Christian life: forgiveness . From childhood memories of keeping score with his siblings to the powerful biblical narratives of Joseph and Peter, He unpacks how easily we hold on to hurt, tally wrongs, and justify our bitterness. But Jesus calls us to a different way—a way whe...

In a world torn by conflict, what does it mean to live as a peacemaker? In this message, Pastor Rhoda reflects on the incredible story of Desmond Doss — a man who went to war without a weapon and saved 75 lives armed only with faith and conviction. Through Doss’s example and the teachings of Jesus, we’re invited to see that true courage isn’t found in force, but in faithfulness. Discover how livin...

In this compelling message from Oakridge Adventist Church, our guest speaker invites us to breathe, unclench, and enter the Sabbath the way Jesus intended—rest for weary souls (Matthew 11:28). From the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13), to Eden’s first “appraisal” in Genesis 3, we’re reminded that we are constantly assigning value to things—and that the gosp...

When October gets spooky, what should disciples of Jesus do with the pull toward the paranormal—and the pitfalls of superstition? In this sermon, we unpack some of Jesus’ scariest warnings and most hope-filled truths. From the wilderness temptations (Matthew 4) to the sobering “I never knew you” (Matthew 7) and the “empty house” warning (Matthew 12:43–45), we explore why counterfeit goodness, perf...

Have you ever wondered where the line is between faith and superstition? In this week’s message, Kendall explores the story of Paul and the slave girl in Acts 16 , where a young woman is trapped—spiritually and physically—by those who profit from her bondage. Kendall challenges us to see how superstition promises control but delivers captivity, while true spirituality in Christ offers freedom and...

When life feels like a mix of celebration and sorrow, how do we genuinely give thanks? In this Communion message, Pastor Rhoda walks us through the transforming practice of gratitude—rooted not in perfect circumstances but in a Person. Drawing from Exodus 6:6–7, Luke 22, and 1 Corinthians 10:16, she unpacks the four “I will” promises behind the Passover cup— Rescue, Recovery, Redemption, and Reuni...

This sabbath's service was extra special as two of our young speakers, Eli and Ciara, led us through the inspiring story of Elijah. Together, their messages reminded us that God is our Rock and that when we anchor ourselves in Him, we find courage, peace, and direction even in life’s toughest climbs. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancou...

What does worship look like when the music stops? In this message, Pastor Jess brings our “This Is Worship” journey to a pivotal truth from Romans 12:1—worship is the everyday surrender of our whole selves to God. Drawing from Micah 6:8, 1 Peter 4:10–11, and Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), we explore how the rest of worship shapes a life of worship, forms the heart of worship, and natu...

In this week’s This Is Worship teaching series, Pastor Rhoda takes us into the book of Micah and shows us how worship is deeply tied to justice, mercy, and humility. Micah’s words from nearly 3,000 years ago still cut to the heart today—calling out corrupt leadership, exploitation of the vulnerable, and empty religion that ignores the weightier matters of the law. What does it really mean to “do j...

What comes to mind when you hear the word worship ? For many of us, it’s music, singing, or a weekly church service. But worship is far more than an event—it’s a lifestyle that shapes how we live, love, and serve throughout the week. In this message, Pastor Jess continues the This Is Worship series by unpacking what it means to move from Sabbath rest into a daily life of worship. Looking at the ea...

Worship isn’t just about singing songs or attending church—it’s any response of surrender to God. In this message from our This Is Worship series, we explore the true heart of worship: a posture of trust, surrender, and rest. From Abraham’s obedience on the mountain to Jesus’ own unhurried presence, Scripture reminds us that worship is not primarily about activity, but about relationship. Sabbath...

In this week’s message, Jesse opens his heart to share a testimony that doesn’t fit the “dramatic conversion” mold we often hear in church. Instead, his story is one of God’s long game —a journey of small, consistent steps, quiet nudges, and unexpected turns that brought him to the realization: “I think I love God.” Listen in and discover how forgiveness, even for the same sin again and again, tra...

In John 8, a woman caught in adultery is dragged before Jesus, shamed, and condemned by religious leaders eager to trap Him. But instead of responding with anger or judgment, Jesus stoops low, writes in the dust, and speaks words that echo through history: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” Join us as we reflect on the scandalous grace of Jesus — the Judge who becomes our Advocate, th...

Have you ever felt like life’s distractions make it hard to truly focus? From constant notifications to endless scrolling, our attention is often pulled in every direction. But what if focus is exactly what opens the door to life-changing encounters? In this message, we follow the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19—a man who climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Despite the noise of the crow...

Have you ever felt invisible or, worse, defined by your worst moments? In this episode of Meeting Jesus , worship leader Kimmy Arnesto shares the unforgettable encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Through Scripture and real-life insight, we see Jesus meeting her in the heat of the day, breaking cultural barriers, naming her story without shame, and offering her “living wate...

Peter was bold, brash, and broken. In this powerful episode of our Meeting Jesus series, we explore the journey of Cephas, the disciple whose greatest failures paved the way for his deepest transformation. From confident fisherman to conflicted follower to commissioned preacher, Peter’s story reminds us that Jesus sees our potential beyond our flaws. Through real-life reflections and rich biblical...

What does it mean to have a childlike faith, but not a childish one? In this uplifting message, we learn from Andrew, the first disciple, whose joy and bold trust led him to follow Jesus and invite others. Using the timeless tale of The Emperor’s New Clothes , we reflect on how childlike honesty, excitement, and openness reveal truths adults often miss. We also dive into Andrew’s story, from meeti...

When head knowledge isn’t enough, what then? In this heartfelt message, Oscar Cruz shares how a personal encounter with Jesus transformed his faith from information to transformation. Through the story of Nicodemus in John 3, we explore: The difference between knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Him Why being “born again” is more than a phrase, it’s a way of life How Jesus meets us in our questi...