CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Retired Pastor to Receive Military Honor Flight

Calumet resident Doyle Newsom has served in many capacities: a lay pastor at Garber Christian Church, an Elder Emeritus at FCC El Reno, a Phillips University graduate (1966), and a self-published poet.

A large honor is his service with the rank of Captain and Platoon Leader in the U.S. Marine Corp. in the Vietnam War from May 31, 1968 – November 30, 1970. Later he served in the San Diego Marine Corp. Recruit Depot as a Battalion Adjutant.

Capt. (Ret.) Newsom’s military service is being honored by the non-profit Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight Program with a trip to Washington, D.C. The program for Oklahoma veterans provides the opportunity to visit the memorials recognizing their service. The send-off ceremony takes place April 13. To learn more visit oklahomawarriors.org

Doyle’s book of poetry, Baby Shoes Blues: Poems, published in 2014 narrates his experiences of war, trauma and healing. “When your spiritual eyes are open and you can see how hilarious we all are, you can see your way home. It may be a way filled with great struggle, but there are great blessings for those who will look to find them. The Blues are the blues, but sometimes they feel good.”

CCOK3012026-03-18T11:09:07-05:00Mar 18, 2026|Congregations|0 Comments

Love and Know Your Neighbors: A Minnesota Perspective

January 2026 was a tense month for our neighbors in Minneapolis, MN, and other places where Immigration officers were met with protests about their tactics and practices in carrying out their duties and responding to protesters and bystanders. In response to a call for clergy to travel to Minneapolis, MN, two of our clergy, Rev. Kelley Becker (Disciples Christian Church, Bartlesville) and Rev. David Wheeler (New Covenant Christian Church, OKC), traveled with a group of Interfaith clergy from Oklahoma to stand with our neighbors and be our eyes. Our Regional Minister asked Rev. Becker to write a short reflection about the experience.

By Rev. Kelley Becker

Rev. Davison asked me to write a few paragraphs about the trip to Minneapolis, MN Rev. David Wheeler and I took with an interfaith group of clergy in January. Here is a bit of what I learned and experienced.

We met on a Thursday morning at a large church in downtown Minneapolis. The speakers talked about what life is like in their neighborhoods. We heard about the store and restaurant owners who keep their business doors locked because they are afraid ICE will raid their businesses. Some people carry their passports and other identification to prove they are citizens or have the correct documentation. And sometimes it doesn’t matter. People are afraid, and rightly so, that they will be among the people who disappear. Families keep children home from school because they fear they will be detained or used as bait to trap the parents. Some people are not going to work, either because they are afraid or because their workplaces are closed.

Amid it all, I saw sacrificial neighborliness. Neighbors are going out of their way, at great risk to themselves, to take care of their neighbors. Many people have been trained to ICE Watch. I had a taste of what that is like. We set out two by two to walk a neighborhood, watching for ICE. Each pair was given a whistle and instructions on how to use it and when. We saw for ourselves that all the stores and restaurants were locked. Some had lights on and were clearly occupied; others were dark. We stopped to talk with a woman standing on the corner watching for ICE. She told us that almost every day, at least for an hour or two, she stands watch.

Organizers in the cities that have been hit hardest by ICE, L.A., Chicago, and Minneapolis, have been clear: ICE isn’t going to stop with them. In the words of one of the organizers, “You may not be seeing ICE in your cities and towns yet, but ICE is coming. They will be there, and we want you to be prepared.” While we were there, we got very fast training in community and neighborhood organizing, non-violent resistance, non-compliance, planning, and leading protests and sit-ins.

In addition to admiration and compassion for the people of Minneapolis, I took away the idea that because this organizing is based on building community and taking care of each other, if we do the work and prepare, and we never have to resist ICE in our communities, nothing is lost, and the gift of community is gained. And the reality is, there will be a moment when we need each other. Maybe it will be a weather event, a community tragedy, or another pandemic. Whatever it is, community will save us. Love and know your neighbors, dear ones. We are better together.

CCOK3012026-03-18T09:03:37-05:00Mar 18, 2026|Clergy News|0 Comments

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Change Your Perspective

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Each morning as I see myself in the mirror, I want to say, “Ugh! Oh no!” I tend to avoid the dreaded mirror.

Now consider this. What does God see when he looks at us? He sees us as perfect as the day he created us. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Psalm 139:13 says “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”

We know that no one is perfect; we have sin. One way to look at our sin the way God does is to think of Jesus standing in the way of God seeing our sin. Jesus paid the price for our sin.

Once I heard a “Courtroom Story” that I will paraphrase. A man stood before the judge for murder. His lawyer steps forward and says, “I will pay the price for this man who sinned; this man who committed murder.” Judge says, “Are you sure?” The lawyer says, “Yes, Father; I am sure.”

When you look into your mirror, do not look for the flaws. Look as God sees you, the unique person that he created.

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

CCOK3012026-03-17T09:15:18-05:00Mar 17, 2026|Disciples Women|0 Comments

Pair Positive Energy with an Invitation

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

How many times do you need to issue an invitation before you hear a yes? In retail sales, I heard it takes 10 times saying no before you hear the yes. Someone once said that it takes an average of 21 seeds of thought planted for a person to become a Christian.

Back to the invite scenario. I have heard a major portion of a sermon on just inviting. Sometimes we expect folks to just magically appear. A family came to church once because they were invited to the church across the street but the directions were mixed up and they ended up at our church instead!

How many of you went to church, an event or group meeting because someone invited you? Now it is your turn to invite. Recently, someone came because she said I kept inviting her! If you love your church, its activities and service projects, spread that love with positive energy! Pair that positive energy with an invitation!

To the “not me” folks, just know with prayer and God at your side that you can say words like, “I love the warm feeling I have when I walk into our sanctuary! Come feel that, too!” or “We had so much fun putting together snack bags; consider joining us next time!”

Today, I am inviting you to participate in Regional Assembly March 6th and 7th. Regional Assembly is for everyone not just the clergy. The organizers have made it a Friday – Saturday event that will be an Oklahoma Regional Assembly to remember! Because of all the generous sponsors, Friday evening dinner followed by a concert and Saturday only costs $35. If you can only make Friday or only Saturday, still come! ODW plans to have an Exhibitor Table so look for us. See you there! Here is the link to learn more and register.

Furthermore, invite others to attend the 7:30pm Friday night concert to have an enjoyable evening with Carrie Newcomer. There is a separate price/registration for those who are only attending her concert. Her concert is already covered for the rest of us under the $35 Fri/Sat cost.

We may never know how many invites are needed. We DO know the power of prayer and we can pray for God to use us to do the inviting.

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

CCOK3012026-02-16T15:44:31-06:00Feb 16, 2026|Disciples Women|0 Comments

Rev.’s Becker and Hames Honored at Phillips Seminary

Rev. Kelley Becker Receives 2026 Marshall Award for Ministerial Excellence

Rev. Kelley Becker holds an AA from Heartland Community College, Normal, Illinois, and an MDiv. from Phillips Theological Seminary (2014). Kelley served First Presbyterian Church in Normal, Illinois, as the Director of Children and Youth Ministries and First Christian Church in Bloomington, Illinois, as the associate minister before her call to Disciples Christian Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in January 2017.

While in Bartlesville, Kelley has served on numerous non-profit boards, including Family Promise, Oklahomans for Equality-Bartlesville, Ray of Hope Advocacy Center, and the PTS Alum Association Board. In 2018, she led Disciples Christian Church through the discernment process of becoming an Open and Affirming congregation. Disciples Christian Church remains the only Christian congregation in Bartlesville that fully welcomes everyone.

Kelley has served the Oklahoma Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by serving on the Commission on Clergy, the Regional Board and Executive Committee, and counseling and directing church camp. She currently serves as the Northeast Area Moderator.

For 19 years, Kelley has been married to John who is an exercise physiologist at Oklahoma Heart Institute in Tulsa. They have two sons (Christopher and Andrew), two grandsons (Kane and Bair), and another grandchild on the way. Kelley and John have two labrador retrievers, Porter and Scout. The Beckers enjoy long distance road biking, traveling, and anything dog related.

Rev. Kim Clements Hames Receives Dr. Mary Ruth Bedford Award for Individual Giving

The Phillips Theological Seminary Advancement Office established the Dr. Mary Ruth Bedford Award for Individual Giving as a way to recognize longtime giving to the seminary.

The individual award was presented to Kim Clements Hames. Her heavy involvement in CCC revealed to her a love for teaching about the faith and at her Pastors’ encouragement, she attended Phillips Graduate Seminary (MDiv, 1979). During seminary, she also developed an interest in chaplaincy and went on to receive an STM at Yale Divinity 1980, with a later Chaplain Residency in Boston.

Her 40 years of ministry included positions re: Youth, Singles, Associate, Senior, and Chaplaincy. She has served in Oklahoma (Tulsa, Cushing, Lawton, Bartlesville); New Haven; Boston; and Kentucky.

Over the years Kim was a “first” for people, e.g., “You don’t look like a minister;” first female minister at several churches; first pregnancy leave for two churches. Kim now enjoys her involvement at Harvard Avenue Christian Church as she has transitioned into retirement.

CCOK3012026-02-03T10:17:03-06:00Feb 3, 2026|Clergy News|0 Comments

Regional Assembly Registration Now Open!

I’m writing to invite you and your congregation to be part of an important moment in the life of our Region. At our Called Regional Assembly in June 2025, Disciples from across Oklahoma affirmed the call of Rev. Michael A. Davison Jr. to serve as Regional Minister. He began in August and has spent the months since connecting with congregations, supporting clergy, and helping shape the church’s next steps in Oklahoma.

We now look ahead to Regional Assembly 2026, to be held March 6-7, 2026, at First Christian Church Edmond (201 E. 2nd St., Edmond). Over the weekend, we will gather for worship and the formal installation of Rev. Michael A. Davison Jr., along with workshops for clergy and laity. The Assembly will also feature meaningful conversations with leaders such as Rev. Terri Hord Owens, Rev. Doug Powe, and Pastor Milton Bowens, as well as opportunities for hands-on service, intergenerational connection, music, youth activities, and time to simply be together.

In addition, we will conduct essential business of the Region, including electing new Regional Board officers, commissioning new Board members, and voting to confirm the proposed date and location for the 2028 Regional Assembly.

Attend In-Person or Watch on YouTube

We encourage you to attend Regional Assembly. We will joyfully meet in-person so please be sure to register. Can’t make it in-person? Watch the live stream of the Business Meeting and Worship & Installation on YouTube.

This Assembly marks a significant step forward in our shared work. We hope your congregation will join us as we install new leadership, learn together, and continue building the future of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma.

With gratitude and hope,

Stacy L. Minnick,
Regional Moderator
Christian Church (DOC) in Oklahoma

A SnapShot of Regional Assembly

Special Musical Guest Singer/Songwriter Carrie Newcomer

This amazing Grammy award-winning songwriter & recording artist event is sponsored by Phillips Seminary. A Friday afternoon songwriting workshop (space limited) is followed by “An Evening with Carrie” concert. Concert tickets also available for the general public if not attending Regional Assembly.

Rev. Virginia White Preaching for Dinner Church Friday Evening

Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister & President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Leading a Workshop, Preaching at Saturday Afternoon Worship, and Presiding at our Regional Minister’s Installation

Friday

Healthy Boundaries Training for Clergy (9:00 am to 3:00 pm)
Afternoon Music Writing Workshop with Carrie Newcomer
Dinner Church
An Evening with Carrie Newcomer (concert)

Saturday

Morning Labyrinth and Prayers
Workshops (choose one from 6 options)
Stamp Out Starvation Hands on Mission Project
Exhibitors
RA Business Meeting to Vote on 2026-2028 Officers and the 2028 Regional Assembly Date and Location
Worship with Rev. Terri Hord Owens and Installation of Our Regional Minister

Learn More & Register

CCOK3012026-02-03T09:47:46-06:00Feb 3, 2026|Regional News|0 Comments

Reflect and Prepare for a New Year!

Are you prepared for a new year? We always celebrate that a new year has arrived. Then comes new year’s resolutions. Did you take a moment to sit back and reflect? I mean really take time to empty the mind of clutter and ready yourself of visions toward a positive new year.

Before this month is over, two of our women will travel to 2026 Disciples Women Leadership Conference (DWLC) to represent Oklahoma Disciples Women at a leadership event with other Disciples Women leaders from across United States and Canada. This event holds expectations for many positive insights.

At the end of January, CADW will hold their Winter Meeting on Tuesday, January 27th at Southern Hills CC, Edmond. Click here for details. This meeting always benefits a non-profit as well as the uplifting of those attending. I anticipate all the good works done by our Disciples Women across the Oklahoma Region.

This year there are already works for an even better Regional Assembly on March 6-7th, an event for all our Oklahoma Disciples. I was excited to hear our General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hold Owens will be at our assembly. What better way to prepare for hearing her than to read her book, Staying at the Table: Being the Church We Say We Are which can be ordered on Chalice Press.

I took advantage of the sunny days we have had this January to read her book and reflect on the emphasis she has on God’s love. Many books I read fade at the end but her book became better and more interesting in the chapters toward the end.

Take time to reflect all of God’s possibilities for us in this new year. Continue the good works you have been doing. Be ready for the paths where God leads you. Remember with faith, prayer and God’s help, anything is possible.

Psalm 20:4 (NIV) May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

CCOK3012026-01-15T16:11:47-06:00Jan 13, 2026|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Rev. Paul Ragle Receives Honored Minister Pin

Rev. Paul Ragle received the Honored Minister Pin from Regional Minister Michael Davison on November 15, 2025. He has retired as senior minister at Christian Church of the Covenant, Enid. Paul has also been a very integral part of the Region’s youth and church camp ministry program. Well done good and faithful servant!

His church honored him with a reception, surrounded by his family.

CCOK3012025-12-09T11:44:57-06:00Dec 9, 2025|Clergy News|Comments Off

They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love

by Marilyn Bohlender, Oklahoma Disciples Women

Across Oklahoma, our Disciples Women are spreading Christmas love! Our local churches find ways to reach out and lift others up. Words from a popular song reflect our ministries, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

The photo above illustrates how Wildewood Christian Church, OKC expresses their love to their homebound members with Christmas baskets.

Remembering the love Christ brought helps us step into the Christmas Spirit. Our projects done together in friendship also lift our spirit. Remembering to reach out to those who may be destitute, shut-in or living alone will lift all involved. My prayer is that Christ’s love will shine through you for a blessed Christmas.

John 13:35 (NIV) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

CCOK3012025-12-09T11:32:22-06:00Dec 9, 2025|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Kyle Maxwell Honored by OK Disciples Foundation

Celebrating 60 Years of Ministry, Mission and Generosity

Rev. Dr. Kyle Maxwell was honored at the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation’s 60th Anniversary event held November 14, 2025.

The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation (ODF) marked a major milestone as more than 150 supporters, partners, and friends gathered at the Capitol View Event Center in Oklahoma City to celebrate the Foundation’s 60th Anniversary. The evening was filled with heartfelt stories, meaningful gratitude, and a forward-looking vision for the next decade of ministry.

Honoring the Legacy of The Rev. Dr. Kyle Maxwell

A central highlight of the evening was the celebration of the lasting legacy of Rev. Dr. Kyle Maxwell, whose years of service as minister at First Christian Church of Edmond and as ODF’s first full-time executive director helped shape the Foundation into what it is today. His ministry continues to inspire our work and mission.

Guests responded generously in his honor, contributing over $2,700 to the Kyle Maxwell Fund, which supports unrestricted grant gifts—an important tool in ensuring ODF can respond faithfully to emerging needs throughout the state. Click here if you would like to make a gift in honor of Kyle.

Reflecting on Growth and Looking Toward the Future

During the evening, Eric Gray, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, shared reflections on where the Foundation has been and where it is headed. He noted that ODF will soon surpass $1 million in grants given during the ten-year history of the grants program—a remarkable milestone made possible by the generosity and vision of many donors and churches that have closed but made a conscious effort to continue their legacy by establishing permanent endowments to fund grants.

Eric also celebrated another significant achievement: the Foundation’s assets have now grown to more than $45 million, strengthening ODF’s ability to support congregations and ministries for generations to come.

Gray said “As we look forward to the next chapter of ODF’s ministry, we remain deeply thankful for the community that surrounds us—and we step boldly into the future inspired by the faithfulness of the past 60 years.”