STUDENT
DIRECTORS
ELEANOR JO HARWELL, DIRECTOR
I have seen the Lord use the Oaks to further His kingdom in so many different ways- in the lives of freshman, staff, and many others. One of the many reasons I serve with the Oaks is because it is centered completely on the gospel and its heartbeat is prayer. I couldn’t be more grateful for this ministry and it is a joy to see the Lord move through it.
TULLIS NELSON, DIRECTOR
As an incoming freshman, the Lord used the Oaks to radically change what my personal relationship with Him looked like. I met great community, found my local church, and found the guy who discipled me through out my time in college. The Lord is so faithful in the work He does through the Oaks and it is a blessing to be able to serve Him through it.
COUNSELOR
TRAINERS
&
HEAds of
PRAYER
MICHAEL CHENG, COUNSELOR TRAINER
I really want to be able to help equip people to share the gospel in their interactions with others. I have seen the fruit from The Oaks over the years and want to help contribute to that and help make it even better. In my mind, if just one freshman's life is changed towards Christ because of our work, that is more than enough. I'm excited to see what the Lord will do.
LAUREN NOBLITT, COUNSELOR TRAINER
I love what the heart behind the oaks is. I love that the goal is to love on freshmen as they come into a crazy new world because I know that I needed that when I was a freshman. I love how much it stresses vulnerability and accountability and discipleship and being active in your church. And I simply just want to be a part of it.
MASON COOPER, COUNSELOR TRAINER
I want to give back to others in the way people have given to me. The oaks has blessed so many and I am honored to be apart of it this year.
CATE YANCEY, COUNSELOR TRAINER
The Oaks is a ministry that impacts every life in Auburn. It’s so sweet of the Lord to invite everyone in to see what He is doing through every ministry and church with students coming together to welcome in the Freshman classes. Like how cool is it that one of the first things they get to see before they start school is what life with the Lord is like in college.
MEGAN JACKSON, HEAD OF PRAYER
God really used it to minister to me as a freshman and to teach/grow me as a counselor. I want to keep coming back to it with open hands and to help create those moments for others!
ELLE TAYLOR, ASSISTANT HEAD OF PRAYER
I love The Oaks! It is such a cool opportunity to serve the incoming freshman and give them a glimpse of what it looks like to pursue the Lord in college! And it's SO much fun!!!
PUBLIC RELATIONS
TEAM
SIDNEY KICKLIGHTER, HEAD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
As a freshman, I attended the Oaks and saw through the staff and leadership what a genuine and deep love for the Lord looked like. I knew afterwards that this was a ministry I wanted to be a part of for a long time, and getting to be on this team means serving alongside and being encouraged by people so zealous for God!
CADE BACKUS, HEAD OF MEDIA
I just wanted to be able to serve in a way that allowed incoming freshman to find their place at Auburn. The Oaks was amazing for me and helped me to find good solid Christian friends, while also being plugged in to a church. I want to be able to help with that for others.
ANNALYN DUKE, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
The Oaks is simply a reminder of the kindness of the Lord in my story. As a freshman, He began to soften my heart to the reality of the weight of the sin and separation from Him I was living in. As a counselor, He used it to provide a community I prayed for and the opportunity to walk alongside freshmen in a year full of change and uncertainty!
NICK NELSON, HEAD OF FUNDRAISING
I love what the Oaks stands for and the impact it has had on me personally and so many freshmen. I am so excited to participate in what God has in store for these freshmen and counselors!
OPERATIONS
TEAM
NATALIE JONES, HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Seeing God use The Oaks is a JOY!!! Since freshman year, this ministry has been a huge part of my testimony, and I can't wait to watch the Lord continue to use it to change lives and hearts.
SYDNEY HILL, HEAD OF CREW
Each year that I’ve been involved with the Oaks, the Lord has revealed more of his character to me. He’s used this retreat to show me what it looks like to truly be in love with Him and to want to know Him deeper. The Oaks has changed my life, and I know the Lord uses it to change other’s lives too!
PAUL COPUS, HEAD OF MAIN SESSIONS
It’s a crazy feeling to be in a completely new place with completely new people. Oaks was a huge influence in helping me find my church and my people as a freshman. I want to encourage others the same ways that I was encouraged as a freshman!
LOGAN KONOPATZKE, HEAD OF OPERATIONS
God has shown me some incredible things whilst serving with the Oaks. I love the whole mission and goal of the Oaks, and I’m super pumped to be a part of it..
HOSPITALITY
TEAM
ELIZABETH MIDDLETON, HEAD OF HOSPITALITY
I love being used by the Lord to spend time with freshmen before a huge change in their life!! Seeing freshmen chose the Lord to start their college career is so bold and awesome! I also love seeing selfless leadership and everyone coming together to serve others and love each other well!!
CAROLINE FORTNEY, ASSISTANT HEAD OF HOSPITALITY
I serve with the Oaks because it has been such a wonderful opportunity to truly be a vessel for the Lord’s work. The Oaks is only able to work through prayer, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and it is such a joy to be a part of!
TEAM
ADMINISTRATIVE
LILY KATE BOWMAN, REGISTRATION
I serve with The Oaks because I want to serve the freshmen but more importantly serve God! He is so good and so worthy of praise. I find joy in The Oaks and giving glory to Him through it!
HOPE BEARDEN, REGISTRATION
“The Oaks has just been a ministry that I clearly see the Lords hand at work. It has held a lot of firsts for me, including the first time I learned the value of confession and the first time I understood what it meant to seek Christ daily in community. I knew ever since my first retreat that I wanted to be a part of the Oaks for years to come.”
RACHAEL FOX, REGISTRATION
The Oaks means so much to me because it immediately surrounded me with accountability and community during one of the most transformative times of my life. I want to give back to a ministry that has provided me with so much during my time at Auburn. The Lord's hand at The Oaks was so evident to me during my time as a freshman and as a counselor last summer, and I’m so expectant for what He will do this summer!
MADISON DUTTON, LOGISTICS
The Oaks Retreat impacted me more than I possibly could even say! It is a wonderful ministry that provides good, Biblical community in a time that is very unsure, scary, and confusing. We get to be the hands and feet of Jesus and be there for incoming freshmen, and it is such a sweet blessing from the Lord!
RUTH HELLMAN, LOGISTICS
I decided to serve with the Oaks in order to help freshman find Christian community! Coming into my freshman year that was something I longed for, and I want to be able to give back and help like-minded incoming freshman.