More room to share fellowship - Oasis of Life Christian Church relocates

by Sarah Barr

Staff Writer

Photos by Sarah Barr

A former call center in Rocky Hill now has a higher calling.

The Oasis of Life Christian Church’s new home is 31-B Inwood Road in the town’s industrial corridor, about a quarter mile down the road from its old strip mall storefront location. The first service in this larger, more functional space was held Jan. 11.

Immediately noticeable when one walks in is the large cross leading into the sanctuary that pays homage to the previous place. A prayer room, a row of classrooms and the office feature art created by members of the congregation, as does the sanctuary.

Oasis of Life Christian Church is in an unorthodox space, an industrial park.

All this art was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Overall, the decor at the new space is still evolving.

“Aren’t we all?” the Rev. Jack Chamis said.

He is preparing to celebrate the church’s 15th anniversary this June and said it is still “a place of refuge and refreshing.”

Pastor Jack, as he’s called, said they had been looking for a new place to call home for as long as five years. When it happened, the changeover happened fast, just 60 days.

A spacious community area is an inviting spot for feasts and fellowship.

“This is a rebirth of sorts,” he said. “It’s like moving from an apartment to a house. You make it work with the space you have, storage under the bed and everything. Then you move and you wonder how did we fit all of this in that place?”

Jenn Fowler of New Britain, a member since 2013, put it another way.

“The move means more people coming, more space, more space for community. We were so squished in the old place.”

Members used spiritual inspiration to paint rooms like this classroom.

“We took a real leap of faith to bring people in [with the move],” Carla Grasso of Newington said.

Yet, while the address is different, the vision and mission remain the same. This full gospel church is a nondenominational, grassroots faith community based on building relationships. What started with less than 10 people gathered for a living room service has grown into an 80-member congregation that has moved many times.

It rented space from the Porter and Chester Technical Institute in 2011 before going to the storefront at 945 Cromwell Ave. On Inwood Road, there is more elbow room to greet newcomers and strangers like family, and family with handshakes, hugs and humble conversation, because being together is what matters most.

Which brings out an even bigger purpose of this ministry – the unconventional power of community. Hence the need for more space.

“Pastor Jack wants this place to be used all the time, not just open on Sundays,” Lisa Perruccini of Cromwell said.

She sings in the choir, which is more like a house band with a holy residency.

Modern technology mixed with music hits all the right notes with the congregation.

Personal connections are evident with the Overflow Cafe to encourage fellowship. There are monthly meeting groups like Men’s Burgers and Fellowship and Sister Talk for women.

People break bread monthly, especially on holidays, because some folks don’t have anywhere else to go. The community is invited in to use the church’s open space as a meeting place, again, a place of refuge in these divisive times.

“The love of God, the message of Christ, is the healing agent. He transforms society with his love. When we have a transformed community, that’s when we have peace individually, in our community, our nation, and our world,” Chamis said. “It’s bigger than a building.”

That’s why outreach is so important to places such as the Residence at Ferry Park, a senior and assisted living facility, where music plays a mighty role. Other efforts include working with Connecticut Foodshare, holding blood drives and helping to meet the needs of local military veterans.

Praise is the purpose of this 80-member congregation.

“It is our responsibility to bless those in need,” Chamis said, including himself in that sentence.

 In 2018, the former technology teacher at Griswold Middle School suffered from sepsis. Now he takes that knowledge of science and combines it with the calling in his heart. He uses big-screen technology to share an age-old Christian message through music, encouraging members to bring their tambourines.

Pastor Jack Chamis has been leading these services for almost 15 years.

According to its website, an oasis is defined as a refuge in a desert place and this church’s desire is to be an oasis to a generation that often finds itself wandering in the desert. RHL

For more information visit oasisoflifecc.org.