Using Ephesians 1:18 as their spring board in ministry, Bill and Linda Goldner have been committed to helping people realize all that God has for them . . . “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened to understand the hope of His calling.” As they have responded to His call, the Lord has used the unconventional in bringing this mission to pass.
Responding to a vision from the Lord, the Goldners built and pioneered a home for teenage girls. Starting with $87, Bill and Linda were able to dedicate the New Lifehouse debt free in April of 1984. Linda served as director of the home for 12 years. The New Lifehouse became a refuge, a place of shelter and new beginnings for over one hundred girls. In 1996, the home was conveyed to Teen Challenge of Oklahoma. Linda returned to serve as the Interim Director in 2003 while the home was in a transition phase. She currently serves on the Oklahoma Teen Challenge Board of Directors.
In a quest for support money for the New Lifehouse, the Lord gave Bill the idea to write a play and build an amphitheater on the ministry grounds. In 1985, Picture In Scripture Amphitheater located in Disney, Oklahoma (on the south end of Grand Lake) was opened with its 1st production of “The Man Who Ran”, the dramatic account of Jonah, Jesus and the great fish. Every summer for 20 years, a cast of 70 as well as live animals brought this story of Jonah to life. In 1999 the production was awarded the Governor’s Merit Award for “Outstanding Attraction” and was nominated to American Bus Association’s “Top 100 Attractions in North America” for the year 2000. For 35 years, the amphitheater has presented biblical dramas. In addition to the original show, three more shows, written by Linda were added: “The Elijah Factor”, the story of Elijah and his encounters with the wicked Queen Jezebel and King Ahab and “Damascus Road”, how Saul became Paul, the greatest apostle of all time and the most recent, “Ruth: The Story of Redemption” .
Yet another outreach emerged as Oasis Animal Adventures was birthed using the show animals to bring healing and love to at risk youth and special needs children and adults. Today the herd has grown to 60+ animals who serve over 60 youth and adults on a weekly basis. The Oasis is a unique animal therapy program as well as a learning farm where children and adults can interact with exotic animals as well as horses. Charlie and Chewy the camels, Zola the zebra, Daisy the spider monkey, Rosie the kangaroo, a troupe of lemurs daily share their love.
To share the stories of some of these amazing animals, Linda has started a series of children’s books : “Tales from the Oasis”. “Rosie the Kangaroo” was released in2019.
Oasis Animal Adventures was recognized as the Oklahoma’s 2019 Outstanding Agri-Tourism Attraction.
Linda is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Together, she and her husband Bill have pastored 3 AG churches in northeast Oklahoma.
Linda and her husband Bill have been blessed with five children, their spouses and 12 of the most beautiful grandchildren and 2 great grands ever!