Isaiah 61
Oak London’s beliefs are born out of a vision to see the transformative work of God in young men’s lives.
The name ‘Oak London’ is taken from Isaiah 61 which speaks of the afflicted, broken-hearted, captured, prisoners and those who mourn ‘will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord’.
The vision is not simply to see young men move from lives of crime into work, but to see long lasting and substantial transformation in the way they relate to themselves, others and the world.
Consequently, they will become leaders of restoration and transformation in their communities. Oak London will support these young men both to escape negative lifestyles and to develop structures and disciplines, enabling them to live as constructive members of society.
The project is faith-based which informs staff practice, course design and organisational decision making, but it is not faith-biased; there is no requirement for religious or faith backgrounds for our participants.
“Young men want vision and purpose”
Oak London believes that addressing trauma and hardship can best take place within a loving community in which people feel safe, trusted and able to trust. People are a product of the environment they are surrounded by if not given the opportunity to reflect upon they life situation.
Young men want vision and purpose, to feel supported and know that people are for them, and from this place they are enabled to change.
Prevention is always favourable to alleviation.
Self-respect and positive choices come from a place of agency and life value, rather than conformity to a system.
Change has to come as a result of their agency if it is to be feel rooted and sustainable.
“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to provide for those who mourn in Zion
—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.”
