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.
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.
How do we construct Advent? Future-oriented or Present-focused? Absence or Presence? Approaching or Arrived?
This workshop reflects on the Advent Lectionary Gospel Texts, and suggests some ways ahead for a worthy celebration that does not replicate the anti-Jewish biases that can mar the season.
Join Dr. Warren Carter, LaDonna Kramer Meinders Professor of New Testament, Phillips Seminary for this engaging FREE workshop. (Both dates cover the same material)
November 8, 2025 • 10:00 am
OR
November 10, 2025 • 6:30 pm
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!
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!
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.
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.
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
(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
The event was sponsored by
Rev. Israel Hogue was ordained into Christian Ministry on August 4, 2024 at Simplicity Christian Church, Edmond.
Rev. Hogue completed his M.Div. at Phillips Theological Seminary and is pastor of Simplicity Christian Church, which is nesting at Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond.
Rev. Dr. Joshua E. Bell was awarded his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Rev. Dr. Nancy Pittman, president of Phillips Seminary at the 2024 Spring Commencement.
Joshua is the minister at First Christian Church Perry. Congratulations!