MANSFIELD — Oasis of Love Church is offering an opportunity for entrepreneurs to further both their business and spiritual educations.
Raymond Cochran Jr., senior pastor at Oasis of Love Church, recently founded The Daniel School of Business “Higher Learning.” He spoke about the school and its mission during an open house Friday at the Chester Avenue church.
The faith-based business school is designed for entrepreneurs and students who aspire to not only grow their businesses, but also grow personally through divine wisdom, according to Cochran.
“We have a goal here to eradicate poverty … to close the poverty gap in our black and brown communities,” Cochran said. “Most times you don’t want people in your business, but we’re telling people to put God in your business. Allow him to lead you and guide you.”
A prayer network will accompany the business school courses, he said.
“We’re excited because this is a unique school because it has the natural, but also the spiritual, and it ties everything together,” Cochran said.
“We need change in our communities. We need change in our neighborhoods. We need businesses to help really just bring us out of the slums. We want to come up bigger and come up better, so that’s what this school is about.”
Cochran said he is actively working on accreditation for the program.
Based on biblical principles
The program’s curriculum is based on biblical principles, said Lori Jackson, who is assisting with the Daniel School of Business.
She said participants will learn about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, accounting and marketing — equipping local entrepreneurs with tools and knowledge to apply in their business endeavors.
“That way they’re able to lead, but the spiritual basis of it will have them lead in a Christian way when they’re out with their employers, organizations and things of that nature,” Jackson said.
Rev. Pernell Allen said he’s excited for the innovative outreach opportunity the business school will create.
He said hosting it in the house of the Lord is the bonus.
“That’s going to be magnificent, to go out and have the business part and integrity with it,” Allen said.
The program will be offered free to participants in its inaugural two-semesters. Applications will become available July 8, with classes beginning in fall 2025.
Minister Stanley Cameron said the Daniel School of Business is an opportunity to give back to the community — which is a priority for Oasis of Love Church.
“God gave to us, so we give out,” Cameron said. “We’re identifying a need within the community and we assessed it as a leadership and we’re going about it the right way.
“I think this is a great starting point to give back.”
(Below are photos from the Daniel School of Business open house Friday afternoon at Oasis of Love Church in Mansfield.)
How to get started
The application process for the Daniel School of Business will begin July 8. Applications will be available online or by phone by calling 419-524-0344. There is no fee to apply.
Applications will be reviewed by an admissions team. Additionally, enrollees will be asked to provide a high school transcript, a one-page essay and a faith-based statement.
Classes for the program, currently being offered at no cost, will take place on Saturday mornings beginning in fall 2025. In-person classes will be at Oasis of Love Church.
Online courses will also be offered. Books for the program will be provided to participants.
The program spans two semesters — one in the fall and one during spring — and totals four months of programming.