CCOK301, Author at Christian Church in Oklahoma

Join the 2025 Disciples International Prayer Vigil

From January 1 to April 20, 2025, Disciples across the United States and Canada will unite in a powerful season of prayer for the annual Disciples International Prayer Vigil. This initiative spans New Year’s Day through Easter Sunday, providing an opportunity for congregations to lift up their voices in prayer for personal needs, their church and community, the nation, and the world.

Oklahoma’s Day to Pray: The 8th of Each Month

The Oklahoma Disciples family is invited to take part in this vigil by dedicating the 8th day of each month—January 8, February 8, March 8, and April 8—as a day of focused prayer. By doing so, we join hands with fellow Disciples across North America, embodying our shared faith and commitment to prayerful action.

Flexible Participation
Each congregation is encouraged to tailor their prayer vigil to fit their unique needs and context. Whether you host a 24-hour prayer chain, a guided prayer service, or a quiet day of reflection, your participation contributes to the shared spiritual energy of this meaningful event. For ideas and inspiration on how to organize your vigil, download the resource guide below.

Let Us Know Your Plans
If your congregation plans to participate, please share your plans with Rev. Dr. Joshua Bell, Chair of the Commission on Worship and Spiritual Growth. You can reach him at [email protected]. Your involvement helps us celebrate the unity of Disciples in Oklahoma and beyond as we engage in this sacred journey together.

Let’s come together in prayer as we reflect on God’s grace and guidance in our lives and communities. Mark your calendars and join us in this meaningful act of faith.

Prayer Vigil Resource Guide

CCOK3012024-12-09T16:37:07-06:00Dec 9, 2024|Regional News|0 Comments

Christmas Offering Promotional Materials

Promote the Christmas Offering

The following materials are available for you to encourage giving in your congregation to the Christmas Offering, which 100% supports Oklahoma Regional ministries.

Christmas Video

This customized video shows Oklahoma congregations and their many ministries. It portrays the multitude of ways God’s love is visible in Oklahoma. Suggested use for social media and prior to worship.

Run time: 4:15 minutes
Video format: 16:9
YouTube Link

Worship Slide

This slide may be used for worship

16:9 format

Worship Announcement

Your gift to the Christmas Special Offering supports the work of Oklahoma regional ministries this Christmas. 100% of your giving goes to support the Christian Church in Oklahoma. Your regional ministry works to:

Connect congregations to each other
Foster faith development
Gather Disciples in camps, conferences, and assemblies
Nurture the development of a new generation of pastors
Assist churches in calling new ministers
Interpret the global mission of the Church
Represent the Church in ecumenical gatherings
Counsel and pray with those who are troubled of spirit
Lead the Church to address racism
Inspire leaders to experiment and create
Witness to the power of God to make things new

We encourage you to give generously as we collect the Christmas Offering on December 15th & 22nd.

Download PDF

Bulletin Insert

If you didn’t order bulletin inserts, you may use these customized specifically for the Oklahoma Region. They fit the standard bulletin. You could use the black/white back only if color printing isn’t an option.

Bulletin insert cover (color) pdf
Bulletin insert back (black/white) pdf

2024-Christmas-Offering-bulletin-front-web

2024 Oklahoma Christmas Offering Insert Custom Back

Newsletter Copy

The 2024 Christmas Offering supports the ministries of the Oklahoma Region. 100% of your gift stays in our Region. Christ is present when regional Disciples care for, support, guide and be present for all of us. God grows through us at church camp, search & call, pastoral care for Oklahoma clergy and more. Thank you for your generosity! This offering is collected Dec. 15th and 22nd in congregations, or you may give online.

Image

QR Code for online giving

Please link to online giving: https://disciplesmissionfund.org/special-offerings/christmas

Social Media

FaceBook image

Please link to online giving: https://disciplesmissionfund.org/special-offerings/christmas

CCOK3012024-12-05T11:32:51-06:00Dec 5, 2024|Congregations|0 Comments

The Most Important Thing, A Christmas Story

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Making a list but no time to check it twice! Instructions are left with someone to care for house and fur babies. The little ones are bundled with extra clothes and pjs in their bags. The car is loaded with snacks and blankets for the cold winter trip to Grandparents far away.

After the trip, greetings and hugs, the car is unloaded. Christmas comes in the morning and being late, the little ones are tucked in bed to sleep. That is when a disastrous discovery is made! The gifts were left behind! Gifts for all the family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone!

Walmart is closed and the only place open is a 24 hour gas station. So we wrapped up the last of the snacks plus a few more favorites from the gas station in newspaper. Did anyone mind? Did we have a good laugh? Do you have a holiday disaster story?

We actually had fun over the years bonding and laughing over these stories. We realized the most important gift at Christmas was the birth of Jesus, our savior. So in the midst of chaos and crazy, remember the most important thing and that is what matters.

Prayers for a blessed Christmas.

2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen

CCOK3012024-12-05T08:56:13-06:00Dec 5, 2024|Disciples Women|0 Comments

Regional Minister Search

Position Announcement

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma is seeking to call an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to serve as its Regional Minister. A Regional Profile and Position Description are posted at the link below.

To be considered for this position, please submit a letter of interest to Rev. Susan D. Payne, search committee chair.

By email:
[email protected]

By postal mail:
Rev. Susan Payne, Search Committee Chair
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma
300 NW 70th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73116-7804

Please ensure that profiles are updated in Search and Call (Disciples Home Missions).

Deadline to respond is January 2, 2025.

For a visual introduction to the churches, the people, and the many ministries of the Christian Church in Oklahoma, see our 2024 Christmas video.

Regional Profile

CCOK3012024-12-02T11:05:18-06:00Nov 21, 2024|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Canceled – Fall Empower & Equip Event

Following close of registration last week, numbers for the Fall Empower & Equip Event in Tulsa were reviewed and the leadership team determined they were too low to proceed.

NEXT OPPORTUNITY . . . Put March 1, 2025 on your calendar when the SPRING EMPOWER & EQUIP is scheduled to happen in El Reno. Workshops have not yet been identified for that one though it will likely include some of the same ones. Look for news in the New Year!

CCOK3012024-11-07T13:53:27-06:00Nov 7, 2024|Regional News|0 Comments

Giving Thanks for all DW Does and There is More to Come!

When we think of Thanksgiving, turkey dinner, family and friends first come to mind. With more thought, our Disciples Women come to my mind and we are thankful for all that they do and all the events this year!

In September many attended the Celebration Luncheon organized by Rev. Donna Jackson to acknowledge all the work and contributions of our women. As I visit churches, I see first hand the work our women do from rummage sales to preparing meals. The list of all they do is extensive and we are thankful.

We are also thankful for those who organize the events that bring us together for enrichment and fellowship. October brought two fall retreats and a CADW meeting.

The NEODW summarized their retreat at Camp Christian with a short video which can be seen on the Northeast Oklahoma Disciples of Christ Facebook. Their retreat mission project benefitted Domestic Violence Intervention Services.

Rev. Christine Pomaville of FCC Thomas, led a retreat at Roman Nose. An ODW officer that attended wrote, “There were groups from Thomas, Chandler, Enid, Calumet, and Canton. (Perhaps other towns as well), It was a wonderful, relaxing, spirit filled weekend.”

The CADW meeting on October 22nd was attended by 64 women and hosted by FCC Midwest City. The worship and songs were inspiring. The food and fellowship was outstanding. The nonprofit, Our Sisters Closet Thrift Store and the YWCA organization it gives support shared the spotlight to educate us on its programs. It was alarming to learn of the number of domestic violence cases here in Oklahoma. The donations brought to this meeting will help!

Again, give thanks for all our women do!

Awareness, education and knowledge are important in the different roles our women have to carry out God’s ministries and to be of service. Self-care and care of those in our lives is also important. I encourage you to take a break between Thanksgiving and Christmas to attend a Women’s Conference on Mental Awareness and Wellness at Wildewood Christian Church, OKC on Saturday, December 7th. It starts at 9:30 a.m. with continental breakfast. Program begins at 10 a.m. with speaker, Caletta F. McPherson, MHR, LADC, CLC, who serves as Executive Director of CARE for Change, Inc. Lunch is also provided. This is a free event but you must register by Nov. 29th. Flyer has instructions to register on-line or email [email protected] or call 405-478-0781. Again, we are thankful for this free event.

We are blessed with so many active Disciples Women across Oklahoma; please keep them in prayer and thank them for all they do! Stay connected with Disciples Women section of okdisciples.org and Oklahoma Disciples Women Facebook.

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

CCOK3012024-11-07T13:48:17-06:00Nov 7, 2024|Disciples Women|0 Comments

Bringing Hope Amid the Rubble

By Joshua Bell, Sr. Minister FCC Perry

In the aftermath of disaster, silence often settles over a landscape reduced to debris and devastation. Neighborhoods that once echoed with laughter and routine now stood quiet, shattered by the storm. But amid this chaos, the American Red Cross emerged — a steady force bringing hope, compassion, and relief. Volunteers came from every corner of the country, each with a common purpose: to restore dignity, connection, and a sense of peace for those who had lost nearly everything.

When I arrived in Florida as a volunteer with the Red Cross for Hurricane Helene, I was assigned to the reunification team, a critical part of the Red Cross mission that works to reconnect families and loved ones separated in the chaos. Witnessing the relief on people’s faces as they were reunited with loved ones was humbling. In a world turned upside down, these moments they reminded us all of the resilience of human connections.

As my 16-day deployment progressed, I transitioned into Disaster Spiritual Care, working with seasoned chaplains to focus on a ministry of presence (pictured above l-r: Chaplains Frank Rodriguez, Kevin Foster and Joshua Bell).

In the shelters, we were there not to solve every problem or answer every question but to simply be — to listen, to empathize, and to provide companionship in a time of profound need. This presence offered solace, and for many, it was a small but steady reminder that they were not alone.

Each day in the shelters, I witnessed the quiet courage of those who had lost so much. We supported not only the guests but also the Red Cross staff and volunteers who were working tirelessly to meet physical needs, deliver meals, and provide medical care. Sometimes, our ministry was as simple as sharing a cup of coffee and listening to someone’s story. Other times, it was sitting in silence, honoring grief too deep for words. In these moments, I learned that offering hope doesn’t always mean doing; sometimes it’s simply about being fully present.

For me, this experience was life-changing. It was a reminder that we are all connected and that showing up, even in small ways, can have an enormous impact. Seeing firsthand the dedication of volunteers, the resilience of survivors, and the power of community to lift up those in pain was profoundly moving.

If you ever feel the call to make a difference, I encourage you to volunteer with the Red Cross at least once in your life. There’s something transformative about standing beside others in their most challenging moments and witnessing the unbreakable spirit that emerges in times of crisis. Through the chaos and loss, the Red Cross brought hope to many—and for me, being a part of that was an experience I will carry forever.

CCOK3012024-11-07T09:56:51-06:00Nov 7, 2024|Clergy News|0 Comments

Celebrate 150 Years of Disciples Women!

By Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President

Disciples Women is 150 years old on October 22, 2024! The flyer suggests activities from the Office of Disciples Women. My celebration that day will include giving to the Disciples Women Blessing Box and cake! However you celebrate, give thanks to God for the many women who have provided many hours of service.

After the celebration, it is not too soon to start planning to use the 2025 Just Women Study Guide next year. Pre-order before December 2, 2024 and receive free shipping! Delivery will be in January 2025; see instructions for larger orders of five or more.

Philippians 4:4 (ASV) Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say Rejoice.

CCOK3012024-10-01T15:10:57-05:00Oct 1, 2024|Disciples Women|Comments Off

Disciples Women Trailblazers & Mentors Celebration

Women from across the state of Oklahoma gathered in a grand celebration of Disciples Women Trailblazers and Mentors. The event recognized Rev. Donna Jackson’s 30 years of ministry and a group of honorees including leadership from the general church, seminaries and pastors. They included

Rev. Donna Jackson, M. Div., Minister, New Beginnings Christian Church, Tulsa
Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens, General Minister & President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) United States and Canada
Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, former General Minister & President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) United States and Canada
Rev. Dr. Nancy Claire Pittman, Outgoing President and Stephen J. England Associate Professor of the Practice of Ministry, Phillips Theological Seminary
Rev. Dr. Lisa W. Davison, Dean and Vice President, Johnnie Eargle Cadieux Professor of Hebrew Bible, Phillips Theological Seminary
Rev. Brenda Denson, Pastor, Pine Street Christian Church, Tulsa
Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew, Administrative Secretary National Convocation

(Pictured above l-r: Sharon Watkins, Nancy Pittman, Lisa Davison, Shelia Hutton on behalf of Brenda Denson, Donna Jackson, Gina Jackson)

The September 14, 2024 event was held at Harvard Avenue Christian Church, Tulsa, and included recognition of all honorees, including women who are Oklahoma ministers, church leaders, Disciples Women and the Oklahoma Regional office.

Program Co-Emcees were Rev. Gina L. Jackson, Sr. Pastor of South Grand Lake Christian Church, and Yemaya Rodgers, Wildewood Christian Church, OKC.

Remarks and videos and letters of acknowledgment were presented by

Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens
Rev. Randy Kuss, Interim Regional Minister, Christian Church in Oklahoma
Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell, former Regional Minister
Rev. Jessie Faye Martinez, pastor, Damascus Fellowship Church
Rev. James Jackson, pastor, Maplewood Missionary Baptist Church, Tulsa
Pastor Milton Bowens, president, Oklahoma Christian Missionary Fellowship and pastor of Shepherd Street Christian Church, Chickasha
Rev. Donna Jackson, minister New Beginnings Christian Church, Tulsa
Marilyn Bohlender, President, Oklahoma Disciples Women

The event was sponsored by

New Beginnings Christian Church, Tulsa
Harvard Avenue Christian Church, Tulsa (event host)
Northeast Area Council
Oklahoma Disciples Foundation
Phillips Theological Seminary

Oklahoma Disciples Ministers and Pastors

l-r Michael Davison, honoree Lisa Davison, honoree Nancy Pittman, Ellen Spleth, Marilyn Bohlender

Oklahoma Disciples Women President Marilyn Bohlender

CCOK3012024-10-01T11:08:59-05:00Oct 1, 2024|Clergy News|Comments Off

West Point Christian Church Celebrates 130th Anniversary

West Point Christian Church, Yukon, established in 1894 just 5 years after the Land Run, celebrated their 130th anniversary with a packed sanctuary on Sunday, September 8, 2024. Members built the church with their own hands in 1899. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation.

Interim Regional Minister, Rev. Randy Kuss, brought the message for the day, “Pilgrims on the Way.” Musical highlights included a beautiful rendition of “Near the Cross” on oboe and harp as well as special music by West Point’s “Clergy Consort,” a group anchored by the six clergy who attend there, singing “We Call Ourselves Disciples.”

Worship was preceded by a “Magical History Tour” put together by Rev. Kevin Adams with 18 stations exploring the long and rich history of the congregation, and followed up in the Family Life Center with a meal and anniversary cake.

West Point is co-pastored by Rev. Debi Powell-Maxwell and Rev. Jann Osborn.