Medina congregation announces new name – Oasis Church

For 34 years the church was known as Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ

Provided photo: From left include Spanish Eastern Assembly of God District Superintendent Manny Álvarez joins Senior Pastors Jovannie & Melisa Canales this past Sunday when the church celebrated a new name. The Canales couple have served as the church pastors since 2017.

MEDINA – A church with a 34-year history announced it has a new name.

The Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ on Sunday announced it officially has a new name, Oasis Church.

The church has 45 members and they were unanimous in approving the name change at an annual meeting about three months ago.

“I would say that ‘Oasis’ is how we identify in our community – ‘A fertile place of nourishment, rest, peace, renewal, and life sustained by springs of water.’ It is similar to where the Israelites camped on their journey through the wilderness [Exod. 15:27],” church pastors Jovannie and Melisa Canales wrote in a letter to the community. “It makes the perfect location and environment for transformation. This name change makes so much sense as it effectively represents our vision, mission, and who we are as a church.”

The church holds services at 2 p.m. on Sundays. It shares a building with the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God at 11031 Maple Ridge Rd. The two churches are independent of each other.

Jovannie Canales said the congregation at Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ was often known as the “Hispanic/Spanish Church.”

At Oasis, he said the church is bilingual, speaking and writing in Spanish and English. He wants everyone to feel welcome. The church attendees come from many backgrounds – Mexican, Honduran, Puerto Rican, Panamanian, Jamaican, white and Black.

“We’re a great representation of the body of Christ,” Canales said.

The church in the coming months will make changes to its signage, logo, website and social media accounts. Oasis remains affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God through The Spanish Eastern District AG. Canales said the congregation isn’t changing any doctrines or practices as a church.

“Getting used to calling ourselves Oasis Church will take a while, but this is who we are,” Jovannie and Melisa Canales wrote in their letter.

The church runs an annual family fun day at Butts Parks, providing entertainment and food to several hundred people. That event will continue and is planned for Aug. 5.