On Friday & Saturday, April 5th & 6th, the Oklahoma Disciples Men met at Central Camp in Guthrie. The Quintessentials from Putnam City Christian Church provided inspirational music and Rev. John Wheeler keynoted the event on Disciples Men Lifting Disciples. The Region is grateful for the Men’s commitment to raise endowment funds for Leave No Child Behind, a ministry that offers help with camp registrations.
Disciples Home Missions (DHM) is grateful to announce the call of new leadership to offer their gifts among Disciples Men in the persons of J Gregory “Greg” Alexander as Director of Disciples Men and N Alexander “Alex” Ruth as Associate Director of Disciples Men! Alex began his tenure effective January 1st and Greg will start in April. Click HERE to read the full article
The Association of Disciple Musicians National Summer Conference will take place July 7-12, 2019 in St. Louis. Come experience this conference along with highly experienced and talented clinicians. There is something for everyone of any experience level – you will be sure to come away enriched and invigorated.
The Association of Disciple Musicians increases the effectiveness of church musicians (and others within churches) as they participate in the mission of the Church. ADM is welcoming new membership. Existing ADM members will recognize our Each One, Reach One initiative is an opportunity to share the excitement and resources of the organization with others. More talent, more resources, more opportunities to connect and grow. Church musicians, clergy and laypersons from any denomination or church affiliation are encouraged to attend.
Click HERE to learn more about the ADM Conference including a schedule of events and registration information.
Questions about Each One, Reach One, and those about special needs for the conference? Email: ADM2019@DiscipleMusicians.org
The group of Disciples of Christ volunteers have returned safely from the Caminante Mission Trip to Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. Thank you to Shauna Becker, Blake Becker, Brian Becker, Rev. Donald Johnson, Esilla Regaldo, Beverly Rubino, Madison Rubino, and Shelby Rubino for giving of your time, money, and talents to serve others in this ministry.
In March 2019, eight people from three Oklahoma Disciples of Christ churches (Central Christian Church Enid, First Christian Church Edmond, First Christian Church Midwest City) went on a mission trip to Caminante in the Dominican Republic. The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, the Oklahoma Region, and local churches provided partial scholarships to help the participants with their trip expenses.
The group took ten suitcases of clothing, baseball equipment, and dental supplies for the local children. They made crafts with the children in the homework rooms and made coconut jewelry with Haitian teenage orphans. They visited the sugar cane plantations and walked the streets of Boca Chica at night to deliver supper to orphans “street children”.
They visited the vocational school where young adults learn job skills that provide them with job opportunities for living wages. They worshiped in a church in the capital city of Santo Domingo and had devotion time every evening. The group talked about how they saw the face of Jesus in the work of Caminante.
The group of Disciples saw first-hand how Sister Denise, volunteers, and her staff change the lives of children, teenagers, and young adults. They were told that when people from the United States come and support Caminante, “we bring them the love of Jesus Christ and we give them hope”.
Do you want to help support Caminante? Here is how:
DONATE: Support Caminante by giving a monetary donation. Click HERE to give online. (Use the “Other” Category and note “Caminante”). You may also mail a donation to the Oklahoma Regional Office at 301 NW 36th, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
PRAY: Pray for the ministry, for the people planning to travel in July, and the children of the Dominican Republic.
TRAVEL: Consider traveling for the next mission trip in July 2019.
Have you ever heard of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon? It has been one of the top marathons in the country, and it happens right here in OKC. In fact, the race course runs around Crown Heights Christian Church and First Christian (OKC) Church on Sunday morning, April 28.
The course is so close that neither church is able to hold worship services that Sunday morning. While some might find this as an inconvenience, these two congregations see this wonderful event, with more than 25,000 runners each year, as an opportunity to serve both the city and the runners. Both churches will eat together and worship together on Saturday, April 27 beginning at 6 pm at Crown Heights. Then, on Sunday morning, beginning at 6:30 am, the two churches will meet to cheer on the runners with signs, encouraging words and music on First Christian Church’s property.
Crown Heights even has a church-sponsored marathon relay team in the race. If you’re even remotely interested in finding out more or participating with us, please contact Rev. Aaron Krueger at Crown Heights (405-528-5568) or Rev. John Malget at FCC (OKC) (405-525-6551).
Join us in congratulating Ron Motley on his recent ordination.
The Service of Ordination to Christian Ministry took place on March 30, 2019 at Crown Heights Christian Church. Regional Minister, Pam Holt officiated the ceremony. Rev. Michael Oberlender represented the Commission on Clergy.
Press Release From East Side Christian Church:
85 years ago, 65 people met on a cold December day in 1933. They gathered near the intersections of 11th and Harvard in a room that would later become a beer parlor. An ordained UMC Minister named Frank J. Pippin made a suggestion that a new church be formed at 15th and Indianapolis. With the support of First Christian Church downtown Tulsa and others, that dream led to their first small building that is now an education wing.
East Side Christian Church was forged out of a desire for people “east” of town to be able to go to church, and with support from various people, a sanctuary was built in the art deco style. While updates have occurred, the outside of the building still is a beacon to that era.
Spending over two years in discernment and prayer, the congregation voted 100% to sell our building and move. After much more prayer, we have partnered up with Forest Park Christian Church at 91st and Mingo and we will be joining with them and celebrate Easter together on April 21st. Our last Sunday Services will be on Palm Sunday on April 14th.
We are a church of the people, not the steeple and to keep a building of this size open was not being good stewards of our call to show love to the community. We have chosen to partner with Forest Park Christian Church (DOC) because they hold the same values, theology and love that we have focused on for the many years.
Though we hate leaving our building behind, we know that our faith is not in a structure or nostalgia, but in a Creator, who made us to love others and to show that love. We will be able to do that better in a smaller space in south Tulsa.
We will continue our outreach projects like Cuppa-Thanks, but also look for new needs in our new community.
Signs at our church will soon change to let our neighbors and community know.
For information about our property, correspondence can be made to Kelly McKoy with McKoy Company at 918 403-9160 or email kmckoy@mckoycompany.com.
Please contact Rev. Evan Taylor at the above contact if you have any questions.
Click HERE to download the Press Release
You are invited to join the Oklahoma Disciples Men for their Annual Retreat. The theme this year is “Disciples Men Lifting Disciples Men”.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
You are invited to join a live presentation for clergy and clinical staff. Clergy will receive 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for this event.
Electronic media has become well integrated into most aspects of our daily lives. Whether we use it to bridge friendships, stay informed, keep in touch with loved ones or express ourselves, electronic media offers a unique way to stay connected with the world around us. Yet we don’t have to look far to experience electronic media’s darker sides. Cyber bullying, cyber stalking and hate groups have found fertile grounds in electronic media. This program will explore how members of clergy can help those caught up in its web of lies and deceit.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Auditorium
No registration required for this free program.
Presenter Heather Holeman, newscaster, KFOR News Channel 4
The International Affairs Seminar trip returned home March 23, 2019 after eight days of learning, walking, conversations, sights, sounds, and laughter. This annual study trip offers juniors and seniors in high school the opportunity to travel and study within the comfort and challenge of community.
We give thanks for the adults that went on the trip as conversation partners, co-learners, and guides. Thank you: Rev. Shannon Cook, Travis Carlson, Rev. Pam Holt, and Bart Hanna.
We also recognize the congregations that supported their youth participants through prayer and financial support. We give thanks to the Oklahoma Disciples Women for sponsoring the Sunday buffet breakfast for the group and to the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation for the grant that sponsored Wednesday dinner for the group.
Photos from the trip are posted at the Region’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.