Conference E-Newsletter April 2020 - Volume 3, Issue 4
The purpose of the Oklahoma Conference is to 
"Proclaim, Disciple, Live With Christ "
Greetings church family,

I hope all is well with you. I pray that your faith is strong in the Lord and that you are standing on the promises of God, as the song goes. In the time we are living in, it would be easy to worry. We could worry about our health. We could be afraid of the virus. We could worry about our job and our finances. We could worry about our children’s education and a thousand other legitimate concerns. But I’m wondering if we should worry about any of those things, especially when Jesus told us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you.” Then he says this: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  He says in effect, I’ve got something the world can’t give you, and that is peace in the midst of a crisis. He says don’t be troubled and don’t be afraid. I believe He means it. I believe that He has the power to take away worry and fear and replace it with peace, but we must choose to trust and believe Him. To worry means we are troubled and fearful. To me, worry is the opposite of faith. Faith for me means that I am placing my complete trust in God and believe that He is with me in whatever challenge I face and that He will see me through. It means that we believe there is nothing too hard or big for God to handle, even the current crisis we find ourselves in. He is bigger than the virus and the challenges it might bring to us personally or to our church.

Jesus is the head of His church and the church is going through to the end, whatever may come. We may be in for a bumpy ride, but so was Noah and he came through. Jesus said it would be like Noah’s day: difficult before the rain came and also during the storm. But God saw him through. We know that the end times will be difficult and trying as well, but God is in control of world events and our individual lives if we ask Him to be. He promises to give us peace, strength and to provide for our needs. 

Let’s place our trust in Him, walk closely with Him each day. If we will do this, I believe He will get us through and provide for all of our needs. He can handle our health concerns, our financial concerns, our family concerns, our church concerns, and any other concerns we may have. Let’s place them before Him and believe and stand on His promises. What is your answer to that? Mine is "Amen" and "Amen."  Always remember that God loves you too much to leave you alone and without help. Go in peace, trust His promises, and stand on them.

James Shires, President
Life has changed dramatically for most of us in the past three or four weeks. The spread of an infectious disease called coronavirus has opened up a very unfamiliar territory to all of us, but our awesome God brought us here with His heavenly grace. 
Remember that we have been called to be His witnesses. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,  even  to the end of the age." (Matt. 28: 19-20) 

Our responsibility is made clear by Jesus. The man who had the demons thrown out of his body wanted to go with Jesus in the boat, but Jesus said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." ( Mark 5:19) What better time to encourage others to come to Jesus than now when everyone is looking for HOPE? While the world reels in panic, the people of the Lord can grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. That will bring us genuine peace.

Apple Park, Executive Secretary
As you know, our country and the world are facing a catastrophic pandemic that is taking the lives of thousands of people. Also, there are people that are losing their jobs because businesses are following the regulations of the cities in which they operate. The situation that we are facing is affecting the work that we are doing in our local churches and in our entire Oklahoma territory. However, we as Christ's disciples need to trust our Lord in the storm that we are facing. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) says “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” We do not need to be worried for tomorrow because our trust is in Jesus Christ our Savior and He will guide us through this storm.

In this moment of crisis we need to be all together. This is the moment that God is giving us to impact the lives of others that don’t know the Lord and don’t have hope. One way to impact the lives of others is when you return faithful tithe and offerings to the Lord. We need to spread the gospel during this moment of crisis, and we need your help. Remember that every time we return a faithful tithe to God, we are accumulating true riches in heaven and we are assimilating the image of our Savior who for our sakes became poor.
 
We want to encourage you to send your tithe and offerings to your local church treasurer. Please contact your local pastor and he/she will guide you on how to send the portion that belongs to the Lord. Let’s continue to work together to share the message of the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ through our talents, gifts, and resources.

Carlos Portanova, Treasurer
Online Giving
As COVID-19 cases continue to grow, many churches are reducing and/or canceling religious gatherings and services — or temporarily going to online services. AdventistGiving allows you to return your tithe and give your offerings online while you do your online banking, are on a long business trip, on vacation, or if you are unable to attend church for any reason.
First time giving online? Need a little guidance to take this big step? Click on one of the buttons below for easy to follow, step-by-step instructions on how to give online.
In seeking to limit the potential impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Oklahoma Conference administration has voted to cancel the following programs:

Children’s Ministries & VBS Training – April 4 – 5
Outdoor School – Adventurer Family Camp – April 8-10 
Adventurer Family Camp – April 10 – 12 
Native Ministries Training – April 17 – 19 
Townhall Meeting & Training in Okeene – April 19
Pathfinder Spring Camporee – April 24 - 25
Master Guide Camporee - May 15 - 17

At the time of this publication, no decision has been made regarding Summer Camp or Camp Meeting. As soon as a decision is made it will be communicated to you immediately.

Oklahoma Conference Communication Department
Revelation Today: Hope Awakens
April 17-May 16, 2020

We have exciting news!

Although the coronavirus disease pandemic has shut down evangelistic meetings all across the country, It Is Written will conduct a virtual, online evangelistic event starting April 17, 2020 @ 6pm (CST). The event will be presented by Pastor John Bradshaw, It Is Written speaker/director. It will be streamed from Collegedale, Tennessee, and churches across the North American Division, including the entire state of Oklahoma. The opportunity to participate in this amazing opportunity is now available to every church in the Oklahoma Conference! The series, entitled  Revelatio n Today: Hope   Awakens , will utilize the latest technology and a large crew of trained Virtual Bible Workers to connect with registered guests before, during, and after the event.

The  Revelation Today  series will be advertised via Facebook/Instagram throughout the state of Oklahoma, which means people near your church will be able to watch online and get connected to your congregation. Additionally, by identifying people's interests who do not live near one of our churches, we’ll know where we should consider planting new churches in the future. We can praise God for this opportunity to expand the work in our field!

Stay tuned for more details about  Revelation Today: Hope Awakens and remember this effort in your prayers. Finally, please consider becoming a Virtual Bible Worker to win souls for Christ. The job description is outlined in a document viewable by clicking the button below. If you are interested, please reply using the contact information provided. 
Out and About...
Faithful Focus on Outreach in Tulsa
TULSA – On March 1, 2020, the Tulsa Community Service Center (TCSC), comprised of area volunteers from Tulsa Seventh-Day Adventist churches, partnered with the Better Vision Better Hope ministry of Oklahoma City to sponsor their fourth Free Vision Clinic. The Center's outreach event administered 66 free eye exams and provided free glasses to each person in need. In addition, food and drinks were provided along with ministerial counseling and prayer.

The mission behind this outreach is to reach those within the greater Tulsa area, providing much needed services and hope.  The Tulsa Community Service Center is in its fifth year of operations and is close to finishing its year-long expansion at its 21 st  and Sheridan Lakewood location. The Center has expanded from 2,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet and is planning an upcoming rededication opening along with a community meet and greet celebration.

TCSC is the faithful commitment to outreach as inspired by our Lord and Savior, Jesus, through which the Holy Spirit thrives within the hearts of each volunteer. Our beloved volunteers range in age from teens to seniors, each drawing on their gifts from which they become qualified as they have been called. Being one who witnessed and participated within this day-long event of service, I can testify that I was truly moved by our Lord's grace and His steady, calm spirit, which He revealed within each volunteer. Those being served saw the love of our Lord being shared by all our volunteers and churches. Each volunteer who served reached out to those in need who may never have experienced an outreach of help from others, providing love and attention to those within our Tulsa community while drawing on our shared lessons of Jesus. Being able to serve with and experience outreach like this, touching and aiding another’s life who is in need while also bridging multiple languages and cultures, laughing and at times crying with the stresses involved in this world, we all witnessed God’s grace in action.

By Bill Carlile
Southwestern Union Children's Ministries Training
MIDLOTHIAN, TX.- The weekend of March 6-8 was a special time for 260 Children’s Ministry Leaders from the Southwest Union including 19 ladies from the Oklahoma Conference: three from Guymon, seven from Tulsa, and nine from Oklahoma City.  We met together at the Salvation Army Retreat Center in Midlothian, Texas.  Our theme was “Engaging Little Hearts.”  Our Friday night speaker was Dr. Elton DeMoraes, Vice President of the Southwestern Union Conference. Friday night and Sabbath, we met together to attend classes to earn the Children’s Ministry Certification Track 1, “Understanding Children.” Speakers included North American Division presenters Gerry Lopez, Ana María Benzaquen, and Rocio R. McFadin. Our Oklahoma presenter was Damaris Prieto who taught in Spanish the class “Learning Styles.” We were truly blessed by the information shared. On Sunday morning, the Children’s Ministry teams from each conference worked together to showcase the new 2020 VBS “Heroes.”  All the attendees had the opportunity to experience the new Vacation Bible School program by going through the program as if they were kids attending VBS!  We had a wonderful time learning more about how to teach our children, in ways they understand, to know that Jesus loves them.

Please continue to pray for the Children’s Ministry teams, Sabbath School leaders, and all those that are working with our children that we will reflect the love of Jesus and continue to draw them to Him.

By Norma Shepherd
Pathfinder Prophecy Program Reaches the World
CHEROKEE, OKLA.- Romania! Indonesia! Australia! Ireland! Iraq! India! Brazil! Peru! Ghana! In all, 18 countries and 13 states were reached when the Cherokee Raptors Pathfinder Club presented a Share Him evangelistic series LIVE on Facebook. Who could have known in December 2019, when the plans were made, that by the time the evangelistic series was broadcast a true “Signs of the Times” pandemic event would have everyone stuck at home glued to their Facebook newsfeeds and searching for answers? Who knew? God knew! Our teeny, tiny club can’t believe that God was so gracious and merciful to use us in this way. Who are we? A club with only two 11-year-olds and two nine-year-olds who only made third place at Bible Bowl and cried over it. We wouldn’t get the chance to move on to Conference and Union and Division Level Bible Bowls and how we mourned that loss! How we questioned why God hadn’t helped us more as He usually does! Who knew there wouldn’t be a Bible Bowl to go to? Who knew that more than this, the world needed to hear the gospel news, the message of hope for our day and age? Who knew? God knew! And we are so undeserving of such an awesome privilege as to have been used by our Lord, “Oh great and awesome God!” (Neh. 1:5)

Twice a week through January and February our Pathfinders met in person or through Skype to continue practicing the sermons that they had been practicing all week. When the meetings finally came, we used an iPhone attached with tape to a xylophone stick, attached with tape to a microphone stand, attached to an audio adapter, attached to a $13 lapel mic from Amazon. We used what we had and God was so gracious to make sure it worked! To this coronavirus I say, What you intended for evil, "God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen. 50:20) May the Lord continue to bless ALL of our church's efforts to reach people in these last days with the Gospel of hope. Amen! 

By Gabrielle Simpson
Adventist Schools Move to Distance Learning
On March 25, 2020, the eight schools in our Conference ended Spring Break by re-opening as distance education centers. Our teachers are to be highly commended!  They have gone and continue to go over and above the normal call of duty.  Most, if not all, gave up part of their Spring Break to work on setting up their distance education classrooms. Oklahoma has some of the best Adventist educators in the nation! We also have very dedicated students and families who make the transition easier for educators with their patience!

So, what does distance education look like? In some of our smaller schools it means homework packets, phone calls, and limited appointments with a teacher.  In our other schools, distance education occurs during online classes using various internet meeting platforms, drop-in/drop- off assignments, email, texting, and a lot of phone calls. Pioneer Adventist Christian School in Guymon even participated in a virtual field trip of the Conference Office. After a few bumps the first few days, it appears that everyone has settled into some sort of routine; praise the Lord!  Please continue to pray for our schools, teachers, and students through this hopefully temporary style of education.

Tim Kripps, Education Director
Giving our Lives to Jesus
BROKEN ARROW, OKLA.- It was a high Sabbath when our congregation wholeheartedly welcomed Justin Calvert and Cameron Lipich into membership of the Broken Arrow Seventh-day Adventist Church. Both had been regular attendees for years and well known and loved by our members. Pastor Clayton Calvert had the honor of baptizing his grandson, Justin Calvert. Justin has been involved in our church activities since his youth and his church family was thrilled to watch him make this commitment to God and his church. His grandmother, Barbara Calvert, who recently passed, would have been ecstatic. 

We are so proud of Cameron Lipich, fiance of church member Kayla Marquette, for taking this courageous stand to openly follow God and the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Cameron and Kayla will be wed in April and we pray that God will continue to bless their union. Cameron's soon to be father-in-law, Elder Greg Marquette, participated in the baptismal service. 

By Judy Marquette
TLTs Gather for a Campout
WEWOKA, OKLA- Each year the Conference holds a Teen Leadership Training (TLT) Retreat for young people who are training to become leaders not only in their Pathfinder clubs, but in their local churches as well. March 13-15 brought nine young men from around the Conference to Wewoka Woods. Each year the Retreat focuses on a different theme. This year the YPAC team led out in dealing with different life issues that our teens face every day.  Pastor Ortega shared some very thought provoking, interactive worships.  Donna Hill brought her china and stemware and her team set tables as if for a banquet. Chef Sam prepared a delicious five-course meal. The young men learned how to seat a lady properly, help put on and take off jackets, and conduct themselves properly at a formal dinner. Cell phone etiquette was also discussed, along with how to manage finances. A class in non-aggressive self-defense was also included in the weekend activities, and of course after sundown, a rousing game of basketball! On Sunday morning the young men helped build parts of an obstacle course which will be used in future Pathfinder and Summer Camp events. We are so very thankful for the young people that are in the TLT program. Please join with us as we remember them in prayer as they are learning to become leaders in our churches.

By Norma Shepherd
National History Day Nominee Teacher of the Year
OKLAHOMA CITY- Sarah Shepherd stepped out of her comfort zone in the summer of 2018 when she began training and preparing to have her students in grades 9-12 at Parkview Adventist Academy (PAA) enter the Oklahoma Regional History Day competition. Based on the state requirements, the students had to submit a written report, a website, a documentary, a performance, or an exhibit on “Triumph and Tragedy in History.” Ten students participated: one with an exhibit, one with a written report, and eight making websites. Nine of the 10 Parkview students placed in the regional competition, which sent them to the state competition where each had to present their project individually before a group of judges. While the students were not promoted to the national level, the Lord used this opportunity to put His name in people’s minds when over and over again they asked, “Who’s Parkview?” The judges were impressed by this new group of young people coming in and expressed to Mrs. Shepherd how well they did for their first time to enter.

The judges must have been impressed with Mrs. Shepherd as well for they recently nominated her for the Oklahoma City Educator for the National History Day Teacher of the Year Award!  Praise the Lord and congratulations, Mrs. Shepherd! The national winner will be selected by a committee of experience teachers and historians, and will be announced June 18, 2020.

By Annette Park
What God Can Do
DUNCAN,OKLA.- 2019 was not a good year for me health wise—I had a heart attack in January, 2019, and I endured multiple hospitalizations for chest pain, shortness of breath, and procedures to help my condition. I took so many Nitroglycerin tablets for my pain, my local pharmacist gave me 100 at a time so we would not have to keep going to the pharmacy.  Also my chest pain would always start at night, so I had to decide how long to wait to wake up Tony, my husband, to go to the hospital again.    
                        
By December 2019, the dam broke. Tony had to tell me what happened, because I have no memory of this serious event. I was taken by ambulance to OU Medical Center. All of our friends in Oklahoma and across the USA were praying.  The doctors were attempting to intubate me, and I fought them, so they had to put me into a coma to quiet me and to keep me breathing. During my time in the coma, I died twice, and I felt that Jesus called me back. Thankfully the doctors and nurses were able to bring me back. After three days, the doctors attempted to take me off of the machines and to bring me out of the induced coma. I had lost awareness of three days, but praise God, I was alive, conscious, and walking. God still listens to and answers our prayers! My experience also witnessed to my care givers.

By Marty Siffles, Duncan Church Treasurer
SW Union Hosts Pathfinder Bible Experience Online
DAVIS, OKLA.- The Arbuckle View Pathfinder Bible Experience Team (Eastyn Becker, Ethan Braun, Austin Braun, Conner Braun; Madeline Braun, Director Scharla Becker; and area coordinators Chuck and Donna Hill) began to wonder and pray what God had in store for everyone as the Division Level Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) had been cancelled in Oregon.

Gene Clapp, the North American Division PBE Director, wanted Pathfinders throughout the Union to be able to experience an event that they had all worked and looked forward to. Eleven teams in the Union qualified with various Covid-19 state regulations. Pastor Clapp begin to set up a team to provide an online avenue for these Pathfinders to have the Union PBE since traveling was out of the question. Trial practice runs were held a week before the actual PBE event to make sure it would work.

On March 28, 2020 history was made! Eleven Southwestern Union Pathfinder Teams were scattered across New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. Questions were read through one program, and answers from each team member were sent to their team scribe who typed the answers and submitted them as a team on a different program. Over 60 electronics were used during this PBE.  Pathfinders had to wait until next day to hear the results.  As the Arbuckle View Pathfinders connected through a Zoom Meeting they sat very quietly, some chewing their fingernails, others clasping their hands as their club name was read. Arbuckle View Pathfinder Warriors was one of the six first places! 

We thank the Lord for giving individuals the talent to use technology to provide this opportunity to the Southwestern Union Pathfinders.

Donna Hill, Oklahoma Pathfinder Bible Expereince Coordinator
Resources
Additional Health Messages from Dr. David DeRose
Dr. DeRose has developed a free online health program, featuring a five-minute video per-day o ver the course of one month. Please click the link below to view those valuable nuggets of information.
If you would like to be part of a prayer chain, tune in here.
Primary Treasures
With many church buildings closed because of COVID-19, children aren’t able to pick up copies of their favorite Sabbath magazines. Pacific Press Publishing Association has decided to make its weekly children’s publications— Our Little Friend , Primary Treasure , and Guide —available in PDF format on each magazine’s own website for free.
Preserving Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Crisis
The current pandemic is bringing out all kinds of psychological challenges: death anxiety, social isolation, uncertainty, worrying about having access to basic necessities, and keeping our jobs. The words  isolation ,  confinement ,  imprisonment , and the like, carry a powerful mental weight. Not only the mind but also the body pays a substantial price.
Looking for a church to join online this Sabbath? No worries, we have you covered. We have a list of great churches who will be streaming their service live for the next few weeks using various online platforms. Go to  OKADVENTIST.ORG  for a list to choose from. And remember, the church is not a building; WE are the church! May the LORD bless you as you continue to share the Gospel and do ministry in new creative ways.
Enjoy one of the largest collections of biblically inspired content anywhere.
Stupid Money TV
Episode 4: Sellers
Have you ever done something crazy, almost stupid, with your money? We may not want to admit it, but most of us have with a story to prove it. “Stupid Money” is a program that shares stories, insights, interviews, and ways to manage your money. Join  John Mathews,  Vivian Johnson, and  Diana Santos for 13 episodes of “Stupid Money TV.”
How To See Germs Spread (Coronavirus)
Adventist World
100 Days of Prayer
General Conference Youth Ministries is calling the two million Pathfinders and 1.5 million Adventurers around the world to join in a Global Prayer Movement from March 27 – July 4. Pray every day, for 100 days, for God’s guidance and healing amid the Covid-19 crisis.

You can sign up now at:  www.revivalandreformation.org/100days . Also, we are asking Pathfinders to submit their inspiring prayers to the GC Youth Ministries page, or find us on Instagram @gcythmin and we will share your prayers across the globe. Join the movement and inspire millions around the world!
World Church Executive Committee Votes to Postpone General Conference Session
The Executive Committee of the Seventh-day Adventist Church voted  on March 19 to postpone the 2020 General Conference Session until May 2021. The vote comes after a March 17 recommendation from the General Conference Administrative Committee to delay the 2020 General Conference Session by up to two years due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bonus Section!
Turn Back the Clock...
Oklahoma City Spanish Adventurers and Eager Beavers outreach in 2000.
Thou Shalt Laugh...
Vegan Pad Thai
Ingridients

  • 200 g / 7 oz wide rice noodles
  • 2 tbsp peanut oil (or other high smoke point oil)
  • 2 spring onions, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
  • 1 hot red chilli, finely sliced
  • 2 carrots, shaved into ribbons with a speed peeler
  • a large handful of green beans, cut diagonally
Healing Prayer
Healing God, conscious that caregivers reflect your compassion, we honor them and pray for them in a special way today. We ask you to hold them in your tenderness, give them an assurance of your spirit of strength as they minister to your people, and be for them a sign and source of hope. Amen.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation. He comforts us in all our affliction and enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from Him.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
Words of Life
Please share your church and school activities by emailing pictures and stories to  Communication@Okla-Adventist.org. Invite others to sign up to receive our  E-Newsletter by visiting our conference website at  www.okadventist.org. The sign-up form is at the bottom of the home page.

Daniel Ortega,  Communication Director
Yesenia Ortega, Newsletter Manager
Caroline A. Fisher,  Newsletter Editor
Communication@okla-adventist.org