Clergy News

Northwest Area congregations sponsor a clergy retreat during the fall.  This year’s retreat, Sept 21-23, was held at Roman State Park.  The retreat is designed for active clergy in the area, and when space is available, invited active or retired colleagues beyond the area.  The retreat includes continuing education, a completely free afternoon, vespers, and conversations with persons who share a call to ministry.   This year’s retreat focused on clergy mental health and featured a presentation by Kayla McClain, MCP, LADC/MH, who is a member of First Christian Church in Alva.  Rev. Kelsey Cobbs (The Federated Church of Weatherford) led the vespers each evening.

The retreat welcomed clergy from the Northwest, Central, and Southwest areas.
Pictured L-R: Joshua Bell, Linda Jones, Sondra Ladd, Dave Jones, Marilyn Merle, Diane Morgan, Vera Porter, Gary Mitchell, Chris Muse, John Wheeler, Ronnie Fields, Kelsey Cobbs, Drew Kirtley and Ronnie Hopkins.

Patrick McKenzie was ordained into Christian Ministry on August 24, 2025 at Village Christian Church, Oklahoma City. He was awarded his Master of Divinity at Lexington Seminary in May.

Rev. McKenzie has served as a commissioned pastor of New Vessels Christian Church in Oklahoma City, where he will continue to serve his congregation as an ordained minister.

Take a break from the busyness of life and join us for a time of renewal, connection, and rest!

Date: October 14–15, 2025

Arrival Time: 11:00 a.m. – Noon

Location: St. Crispin’s Conference Center and Camp, 36302 OK-9, Wewoka, OK 74884 • 405-382-1619 • https://stcrispins.org/

Lodging: Single or double rooms available

Cost: $40 per person

Registration Deadline: September 14

Don’t wait—register today! Space is limited!

Scholarship?

A limited number of scholarships are available upon request. Please contact Christine Pomaville for information and details (405) 248-6282.

This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to rest, recharge, and build relationships with clergy women across our Region. Bring along your favorite beverage and some games to share—we’ll enjoy fellowship and laughter together in the evening!

Keynote Speaker Mollie Donihe Wilkerson

We are thrilled to welcome Keynote Speaker Mollie Donihe Wilkerson. Growing up in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Mollie carries a deep love for those hills that shaped her spirit. She followed a calling toward theological education, earning her Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2020.

Combining her academic interests with her lifelong love of sewing, Mollie is now a craftswoman by trade, creating clergy stoles and textile art while guiding others in creative expression as a spiritual practice. Mollie lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, son, and dog, where she serves as a commissioned Disciples of Christ minister and Spiritual Director.

The emphasis placed on clergy total well-being was great. The Gathering workshops offered practical tips for clergy to reclaim their areas of our lives that we sometimes neglect. Also, seeing new and old faces was a blessing.

(Dwayne Rodgers, Wildewood Christian Church Oklahoma City)

The name of this event says it best of all, The Gathering.  There is something about colleagues and friends that have a shared connection through a calling by God to get together and talk about that connection.  It brings me great joy, support, strength, understanding, and a plethora more positive feelings to walk into the first meeting and see familiar faces of old friends as well as the opportunity to make new ones.   One morning, while waiting on my bagels in a small bagel shop off the street, the man sitting next to me struck up a conversation.  During that conversation he asked why I was in DC.  I told him for a conference of clergy and he said him too.  Turns out he is a Disciples minister in Nebraska.  On top of that, his name was Michael too.  Now I have a new face to look for at the next gathering.  Indeed it was a special time of being together, learning something new, and keeping/making connections. All of these components form the Gathering, a way to continue with more confidence the journey of ministry.  Hope to see you there at the next Gathering!

(Michael Oberlender, First Christian Church Chickasha)

I appreciate time to be reminded that taking care of  myself is worth time and effort.  I loved hearing 400 plus ministers singing together in worship and filling the sanctuary with praise.  It was a “work” setup time of reconnecting with friends in ministry.

(Tara Dew, First Christian Church El Reno)

Shelley and I recently attended an event called “The Gathering” by Pension Fund of the Christian Church.  The event included three outstanding speakers and the blessed opportunity to attend worship without being responsible for ANYTHING.  It was well attended, and I was pleased to visit with some old seminary friends.  (I don’t know how “they” got so old so quickly!)  I learned about some great programs of the Pension Fund to help ministers and their families navigate the challenges of doing ministry and taking care of your own mental, physical, and financial health. The schedule also allowed ample time to enjoy Washington, DC.  We enjoyed the new African-American Smithsonian museum, a great lobster roll, and a double-decker night bus tour on our own.  I will be monitoring Pension Fund communications closely to make sure we do not miss their next gathering event.

(John and Shelley Regan, First Christian Church Edmond)

The 2024 Gathering offered attendees only – three nurturing growth tracks to pick from.  The Pension Fund will utilize trained staff and other ministers to act as facilitators around the subjects of: 1)mental health, 2)physical health, and 3)financial health. The tracks will meet on a monthly basis for 1 year to 18 months.  I look forward to participating with others to find ways to nurture ourselves as we continue the act of serving congregations.  The overall purpose of this experience is to expand; Holy friendship, Validate our past, Hold space for us in the present, and; Help us midwife a vision for the future.

(Julia Jordan Gillett, Western Oaks Christian Church Oklahoma City)

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