Our Mission
“That they may be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord that His name may be praised.” Isaiah 61:3
Our mission is to collaborate with local churches and ministries to create opportunities that cultivate meaningful relationships in the lives of college students to connect them to Christ and His Church, to be equipped to grow, and to be sent out to make a difference.
Our Story
“The Oaks” because we desire to see students grow as oaks of righteousness for God’s glory (Isaiah 61:3), vibrantly rooted in and bearing fruit for Christ (Jer 17:7-8). And “Collaborative” because all our ministries happen through collaboration with churches and campus ministries to cultivate relationships with others and Christ. Through retreats, The Oaks Collaborative sets the table for incoming freshmen to transition to college life well and live for Christ throughout college. Our desire is to help change the statistic that tells us that 66% of high school graduates who profess Christ will fall away from their faith while in college (Lifeway, 2017).
Our Team
Trace Hamiter
Executive Director
Kimberly Myers
Retreat Coordinator
Anne Ruble
Retreat Startup Specialist
Sarah Calder
Retreat Specialist
The Chimes Retreat
University of Alabama
Matt Freeman
Retreat Specialist
The Junction Retreat
Mississippi State
Blair Waltman
Retreat Specialist
The River Retreat
University of North Alabama
Claire Thompson
Retreat Specialist
The Pastures Retreat
University of Kentucky
Whitney Dunn
Associate Director &
Retreat Specialist
The Oaks Retreat | Auburn University
Kyra Courson
Retreat Specialist
The Exchange Retreat
Mason McCullough
Retreat Specialist
The Living Stones Retreat
Troy University
MC Simons
Retreat Specialist
The Grove Retreat
Ole Miss
Brandon Mallette
Retreat Specialist
The Forge Retreat
Birmingham Area Colleges
Cassie Shope
Retreat Specialist
The Torch Retreat
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Alli Williams
Retreat Specialist
The Tower Retreat
Louisiana State University
Sarah Kiel
Director of Development & Finance
Abra Camp
Marketing & Communications
Coordinator
Nathan Verghese
Retreat Specialist
The Chimes Retreat
University of Alabama
Abby Smith
Retreat Specialist
The Arch Retreat
University of Georgia
Jay Finlayson
Retreat Specialist
The Heritage Retreat
Florida State University
Olivia Riddle
Retreat Specialist
The Mountain Retreat
Jacksonville State University
Contact us at info@oakscolab.com
The Oaks Collaborative and any program of The Oaks Collaborative is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, or in any way officially connected with any institution of higher education, including universities or colleges, or with any other company or non-profit organization. Contributions are solicited with the understanding that The Oaks Collaborative has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.
The Oaks Collaborative | PO Box 285, Auburn, AL 36831
Contact us at info@oakscolab.com
The Oaks Collaborative and any program of The Oaks Collaborative is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, or in any way officially connected with any institution of higher education, including universities or colleges, or with any other company or non-profit organization. Contributions are solicited with the understanding that The Oaks Collaborative has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.
The Oaks Collaborative | PO Box 285, Auburn, AL 36831