SMALL GROUPS | theoaks

Bethany Rivera - TOCC Small Groups Director

Small groups is where The Oaks is headed! We want you to be connected this chaotic season to the Body of Christ, and the best way to do that is to join a small group. We have Community Groups which are sermon-based discussion and fellowship groups. In these groups we strive to be a Christ-centered, Acts 1:8, Family. We also offer other topical bible studies and affinity groups for your edification and connection.

Please prayerfully consider how God is calling you to join a group today!

READY TO SIGN UP? CLICK HERE!

Meet our Community Group Leaders below!

MONDAY - MIXED GROUP

ZOOM 6:30PM - 8:00PM

LEADER: JANE OTTO

Jane has been a part of The Oaks since 1993. Originally from Minnesota (the VERY cold state) she served overseas in a number of places with CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) and then came to Bakersfield to help train missionaries in cross-cultural ministry. Jane taught first graders at the Richland school district in Shafter for 20 years and is currently retired. Her great joy is discipling others Besides that she enjoys reading, quilting and entertaining.

MONDAY - YOUNG ADULTS

IN PERSON 7:00PM - 8:30PM

LEADER: KRISTINA RUCH

Born and raised in Bakersfield! Kristina has been coming to The Oaks for over 26 years... she grew up here! She has worked for Body Xchange Health Clubs since 2010. When time allows she enjoys cooking and hosting! As our Worship Director she has a passion for raising up leaders and encouraging them in their gifts.

MONDAY - WOMEN'S GROUP

ZOOM 6:30PM - 8:00PM

LEADER: KEICHA MORRIS

Keicha has been married to Lewis for 15 years. She has 10 year old twin boys and has been attending The Oaks for 12 years. Her family enjoys all things outdoors. her personal hobbies include making wood signs and keeping a daily 10,000 step goal. She is our Women’s Ministry Director here at The Oaks and the Mentor Coordinator for Empower. She has led numerous bible studies and worked briefly in children’s ministry.

MONDAY - MIXED GROUP

ZOOM 8:00PM - 9:00PM

LEADER: KELLI MIRELES

Kelli is the Director of Children’s Ministry at The Oaks and is passionate about coming alongside parents and families with encouragement and resources for family faith-building. She has attended the Oaks since September 2018. She has been married to Dave for 14 years and they have three incredible kids.

TUESDAY - MIXED GROUP

ZOOM 6:30PM - 8:00PM

LEADERS: TUNDE & GBEMI DERU

Tunde and Gbemi have been married for nineteen years and are blessed with two children. Tunde is a mechanical engineer by training while Gbemi has a masters in business administration. Tunde and Gbemi are active in the Bakersfield community and when they are less busy, they enjoy traveling and exploring new places. Tunde serves as an elder on the Oaks Community Church Governing Board and volunteers on the audio-visual team. Gbemi serves on the Women’s Ministry Team and is a deaconess at the church.

TUESDAY - MEN'S GROUP

IN PERSON @ CHURCH 6:30PM - 8:00PM

LEADER: JOSE LUIS DONIZ

Jose Luis has been at The Oaks since 2016 and is honored to be leading a small group focused on Men. Jose also currently leads the Men’s Ministry and has a strong passion to disciple men by helping them know and submit to Christ's authority, in every area of their lives. Jose Luis and his wife Marcela have 3 young children, 1 boy (9) and 2 girls (7 and 3). They are a bilingual and bicultural family of 1st generation from Mexico in the USA. The Doniz family also enjoys movies, exploring nature as a family and they are special fan of California mountains.

THURSDAY - YOUNG COUPLES

HYBRID 7:00PM - 8:30PM

LEADERS: DANIEL & BETHANY RIVERA

Daniel & Bethany have been involved at The Oaks on and off for 6 years! They love the beach, disneyland, marvel movies, the Dodgers, and playing sports. They also love getting to know new people and walking with

others as they pursue Christ together.

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THURSDAY - MIXED GROUP

ZOOM 6:30PM - 8:00PM

LEADERS: KEN & SANDY ROSLAN

Ken and Sandy have been married for 38 years. They met at a small church they were attending in Ohio. They have 3 adult children, one daughter-in-love and one precious granddaughter.

Sandy is co-leading the Wednesday afternoon Zoom Ladies Genesis Bible Study. Ken is involved in the Men's Ministry and loves to pray with people in need. Sandy enjoys bird watching and is a member of the Kern Audubon Society. Their love for each other is only preceded by their love for the Lord.

FRIDAY MORING - MEN'S GROUP

IN PERSON @ CHURCH 7:00AM - 8:00AM

LEADERS: PASTOR CALVIN GUILLORY JR & STEVE ALMAGUER

Pastor Calvin has been with The Oaks for many years. He is married to his lovely wife Ana and together they have 3 beautiful children. He is our Pastor of Intercessory Prayer. He has a desire and passion for Christ to move in our community , in our nation and to the ends of the earth. He loves to interact with people and spread the good news of Jesus Christ!

FRIDAY - MIXED GROUP

HYBRID 6:00PM - 8:00PM

LEADERS: ANITA & ROGER LYNCH

Roger and Anita started attending TOCC in September 2016. They assisted with 8 Habits, Baptism classes as well as Marriage Enrichment. Served as a Deacon and Deaconess. They have been married for 31 years. In their down time they enjoy going to Christian concerts, fishing, and to the Dodgers games.

SATURDAY - MIXED GROUP

IN PERSON @ CHURCH 3:15PM - 5:00PM

LEADERS: BOB MURRAY & MELISSA PEDERSEN

Bob Murray has been attending the Oaks since December 2016, came to Christ in 2017, Spiritual Birthday April 16, 2017, Baptized in July 2017 at the Oaks, Member of Celebrate Recovery and Co Leader of Celebrate Recovery Ministry Team. Joined the Saturday TOCC Community Group Bible study January 2021. Bob is active in Celebrate Recovery, long -time Bakersfield resident originally from Santa Rosa CA, sober since January 3, 1992. Bob enjoys hiking, golfing, barbecuing and being of service to others in recovery.

Melissa and her beloved late husband Dr. Ray came to the Oaks in February 2015. She is on the Missions team, Co-leads Golden Cord on Saturdays, and a Prayer Group on Fridays. She especially loves being a greeter Sunday morning.

SUNDAY - MIXED GROUP

IN PERSON 6:00PM - 8:00PM

LEADERS: PASTOR GARY & LORI BARBER

Gary and Lori have been married for 39 years and enjoy walking and exercising together. Lori recently completed Empower, a course designed to equip women for ministry, and Gary has been learning about the person and work of the Holy Spirit through leading TOCC’s recent Rivers Retreats. They both want to see people thrive in their relationship with Jesus and are excited to be Community Group leaders.

SUNDAY - MIXED GROUP

HYBRID 5:00PM - 6:00PM

LEADERS: DENIS & VICKIE LACLARE

Denis and Vickie moved to Bakersfield from Canada in 1997, where they have served as missionaries with Cru in different roles. They both work with international students at CSUB, and Vickie coaches missionaries

who serve with Cru in the Middle East. Denis also teaches at Fresno Pacific University. The LaClares have 3 kids: Jesse, an engineer in Irvine, Mia, a sophomore who plays soccer at Trinity Western University in

Vancouver, and Will, a sophomore at Stockdale High School. They enjoy the outdoors, camping, hiking, and visiting family in Canada each summer. We love Bakersfield and TOCC and look forward to our upcoming community group!