Conference E-Newsletter
May 2020 - Volume 3, Issue 5
The purpose of the Oklahoma Conference is to 
"Proclaim, Disciple, Live With Christ "
I hope you are doing well as we move toward opening up churches and the world around us. I’m looking forward to getting back to meeting in our churches. I’m sure you are too. I believe God has helped us during the down time to adjust well overall.  Pastors and teachers as well as members continued to connect and communicate as well as worship. I sensed that after the initial challenges, we found our bearings and made the best of it. But I’d like to ask you a question I have asked myself and given some serious thought to during the shut down: What did I learn during the shut down? The truth is the change happened so quickly and affected every part of our lives. Almost nothing was the same.

For many of us things slowed down at times and we had more time to think and reflect on what’s really important in life. What are our priorities? I was reminded that it is my relationship with God, my family, and the mission of the gospel. It was also an awareness that Jesus is coming soon. Many shared that they asked themselves the question “Am I ready?” I confess I did as well. The time also brought to mind the similarity to the annual Day of Atonement in the days of Israel. It was a time to make things right with God and others. It was a time to reset and re-prioritize. I believe this COVID-19 experience might have been God’s wake up call for all of us. Jesus wants all of us to be ready when He comes back. He wants to take us to be with Him for all eternity. He wants us to enjoy eternal fellowship with Him and our loved ones as well as God’s people from all ages. After all, He tells us that He is not willing that any should perish, and that includes you and me. Let's take Him up on the offer and get ready to go home. God bless you as you prepare. Let's meet together over there. 

James Shires, Conference President
The Oklahoma Conference Executive Committee met through Zoom on April 23, 2020. Even though we were unable to attend in one room, the Lord blessed us through this virtual meeting.

The Committee voted to accept the NAD recommendation  to freeze the 1.6% employee salary increase  until further notice. The NAD also recommended that all local churches and schools not apply for any government loans or subsidies, and the Committee accepted this recommendation. The Committee also voted to temporarily  freeze all local travel expenses  for pastors, departmental directors, and officers beginning April 1, 2020, until further notice.

The Committee approved the sale of the Food Store to Parkview Adventist Academy. Their store hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 pm.

Pastor Bailey Schmidt was voted to be the new pastor for the Ardmore SDA Church. He will begin work when the financial situation improves.

The Committee approved Treasurer Carlos Portanova as the new Trust Department Director.  

The Oklahoma Governor said, “Places of worship can reopen for in-person meetings or worship, if they leave every other row or pew open and adhere to CDC-recommended social distancing and sanitation protocols, plus recommended guidelines from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.”

We read into these guidelines a caution not to rush back to things as usual, but to be cautious and safe. We believe this is wise counsel and should be discussed by your board together to plan how it would work in your churches. After much consideration and prayer, we are recommending that churches wait until May 9 to reopen their church building for services. However, we understand that all churches are different in terms of size, facility, member vulnerability, geographical location, etc. We trust our pastors and our church leaders, and if your church feels safe to open up earlier, we accept that decision.  

Apple Park, Executive Secretary
Out and About...
Drive-In Church At Claremore and Sallisaw
Pastor Robert Quintana preaching to his congregation in the parking lot.
Claremore members enjoying a church service outdoors.
“Honk your horn if you brought your pet to church with you today!” Car horns across the parking lot honked in response. 

“Honk if you are wearing sweatpants to church today!” The sound of even
more car horns erupted, as the pastor laughed from the outdoor stage. 

As the coronavirus forces social distancing across the globe, local churches are forced to get creative with how to reach their members and community. With traditional services no longer an option, two churches in Oklahoma—Sallisaw Seventh-day Adventist Church and Wilburton Seventh-day Adventist Church—decided to try something different: drive-in church. 

Similar to a drive-in movie, attendees park in the church parking lot, tune in to the designated radio station, and listen in to the church service happening live on a stage in the parking lot—all while remaining safely in their cars. 

While Pastor Robert Quintana considered live-streaming a traditional service instead, he felt church members were longing to do something more than just look at a screen. 

“I think it’s important for people to come together physically. There’s a sense of community when you see people,” says Pastor Quintana. “You can stay at home behind a screen and get a good message, but something special happens when people come together.”

Just seeing a loved one’s face—even through your car window—can make you feel more connected to them, even if you can’t shake hands or hug each other, says Pastor Quintana. “Think about it this way: if you know someone who is in prison, sure, you could just call and talk to them on the phone. But if you go visit them—even though there’s a glass window in between you—there’s something special about  seeing  each other.”  Attendees agreed that the drive-in church met both a spiritual need and a social need. 
“It was a fantastic solution to a modern-day dilemma,” said Christy Davidson, who drove from Van Buren, Arkansas, with her two children, to attend.  “We are used to seeing our church family on a weekly basis, and we miss seeing them when we’re not together,” said Danan Smith, a life-long member of the Sallisaw church. “Just being able to see them from a distance gave us a sense of fellowship, like we’re all in this together.”  

The service included a short sermon and prayer, as well as sing-along songs, including kid-friendly tunes, such as “This Little Light of Mine,” during which attendees were lightheartedly encouraged to flash their headlights. 
As members drove away, Pastor Quintana waved at each individual car. People smiled and waved, even blowing kisses to each other and laughing together from a distance. At a contact-free zone at the church entrance/exit, members could pick up this quarter’s Bible study guides and children’s material, and drop off their tithe and offering. 

After the 10:00 a.m. service at the Sallisaw church, Pastor Quintana and church leaders packed up the sound system and the stage, which was built on a flat-bed trailer, and drove it to the Wilburton church for a 3:00 p.m. service. “Life is meant to be experienced together,” says Pastor Quintana. “This is one way we can help people feel connected during this disconnected time.” 

By Heather Quintana
Services Keep Going Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
OKLAHOMA - As the news from our government officials and state health departments limited and eventually prohibited congregations from meeting in their respective church buildings, Oklahoma pastors in collaboration with their church leadership, swiftly started making preparations to start streaming their various services on online. Some churches already had some level of technology and equipment to make this happen, while others had to start from scratch and take a crash course on house to stream their services. Pastors reached out to other pastors and provided guidance and direction to help those who were not too experience with this type of technology.

As of the end of April, almost every church district in Oklahoma has set up online services and/or programing using various platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, GoToMeeting, Zoom, and more. In many cases, pastors have been able to reach members who had stopped attending church or non-members all together. God has worked through the technology in unique and interesting ways.

By Daniel Ortega
"Gideon" to the Rescue
ARDMORE, OKLA. -  On Thursday afternoon, April 22, some rather rough storms came through the Ardmore area, and one of those caused a dangerous swarm of huge tree branches to blast down on the home and car of one of our students (Marlii). The Gideon Rescue Company (GRC), a ministry based out of the Ardmore Church, had been finishing up some training and decided to see if there was anyone needing help after the storms. They happened to see Marlii's house. The crew, including some students from Ardmore Adventist Academy, set to work to help the family, who was wondering what to do because the man of the family was away for a few days. It was a wonderful thing to be able to help one of our own school families in need! Marlii's grandmother was very grateful for the help, and even wondered if she could join the Gideon Rescue Company to help other people in their time of need! The GRC and some of their family members also cleaned up several other trees around the neighborhood. They had a lot of fun and praised the Lord the damage wasn't worse! Chelsea Spiedel, whose husband is part of the GRC, said, "Our strength and ability to do this kind of ministry comes from Christ alone, but we appreciate the prayers and support of our church family!"

By Mary Burton
Pastors Stay Connected Through a Time of Isolation
OKLAHOMA CITY - The conference administration has been meeting almost weekly with our Oklahoma pastors over the last few weeks via Zoom. It has been an opportunity for the officers to share any updates and recommendations through the pandemic and for the pastors to share their challenges, successes, and their creative ideas of how they are ministering to their members. One meeting is held for the central and western Oklahoma pastors, and a separate meeting for the pastors in the eastern part of the state. It has been encouraging to hear how God is working in such a diverse way throughout the churches in our conference. Please continue to pray for our pastors.

By Daniel Ortega
Children's Ministry
OKLAHOMA- The current world situation has not slowed down the commitment of the Oklahoma Conference Youth and Children’s Ministry department to the children and youth of this wonderful Conference. Activities had to be cancelled, but others took their place. The Children’s Ministry department has used this time to encourage families to spend quality time together.  They have also utilized the internet to have online activities to help those families, that have felt isolated, feel more connected with their church and conference family.  One of the activities planned was for the Junior, Primary, and Kindergarten children. We challenged them with various art contests, designating a specific theme. The children who participated sent a picture of their artwork to the Children’s Ministry Facebook Page, where they were judged according to their age and how well they followed the theme. At most we had 33 children participate in this activity! We have many talented, creative children in this conference!

The Children’s Ministry department also posted Sabbath School lesson ideas for parents to be able to teach their children at home.  Pastor Daniel Ortega held an online interactive Bible game (using Kahoot!) every Sabbath evening.  At first it was intended for the older youth, however there were many younger ones that wanted to participate so he set a seperate time for the younger ones also.  What fun!  25 young people participated.  The youth department also hosted an online vespers service with family participants from around the conference.  No matter the circumstances we are committed to the children and young people of this Conference,  Please continue to pray for us as we minister to, and pray for, the families that they can use this time to draw closer to each other and our heavenly Father.

By Norma Shepherd
Family Camporee at Home
"Faithful Together"
OKLAHOMA- From April 24 -26, 163 families (639 participants) across Oklahoma, Texas, and even Beijing, China participated in a virtual camporee at home. Because Pathfinder and Adventurer events had to be cancelled, the Youth Ministry team decided to have an online/virtual family Camporee instead. The theme was “Faithful Together.” Each family was encouraged to camp in their backyard, living room, or garage, have family worship morning and evening, participate in an honor/award, cook a meal together, memorize two Bible verses,  wear their Pathfinder, Adventurer or Master Guide scarf, do a craft together as a family, and send camping pictures to the Youth department. 

Pastor Daniel Ortega put together an easy-to-navigate web site with a weekend schedule and ideas for different family activities including the “Virus” honor taught by Dr. Don Adams, the “Talents” award taught by Claudia Andujo, and the “Sign Language” honor taught by Gabi Simpson.  Morning and evening worships were provided online as well.  Craft ideas and a scavenger hunt were also included on the webpage.  If the pictures that were sent into the Youth department were any indication, the Family Camporee was a huge blessing to all who participated.  Thank you to the families who participated and the staff who made it possible. May we all stay faithful together   until the Lord’s soon return. “All the Men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood together before the Lord.”  2 Chronicles 20:13

By Norma Shepherd
"TRANSFORMATION"
TAA Week of Prayer
Tulsa Adventist Academy's theme this school year is "transformation" and little did the teachers and students know how transforming the year would be! Even though we are not meeting at school, teachers have been using Zoom and other ways to connect with students each day. Larry Seery, high school math teacher and TAA worship leader, worked tirelessly to have a week of prayer accessible to everyone. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, just 3-4 students met with a few teachers each day at Adventist Fellowship to lead a song service, be a camera person (a first for most students), share a challenge, participate in a skit, and then hear Pastor Nic Coutet's messages of encouragement.

E ach day, teachers shared challenges: “Getting up” (who can we trust); “Standing again” (How to trust in God); “Holding steady” (How to handle change); “Taking a step” (being willing to change); and “Moving forward” (Building motivation and momentum).” The challenges were designed to get students to reach out via phone calls to relatives, outdoor activities, sending cards to people in nursing homes, posting their favorite scriptures around their homes, and other methods of thinking of others and thinking of Jesus. Meaningful skits were performed by a mix of students and teachers and focused on trusting Jesus in our daily lives.

Pastor Nic captured students' attention by inviting them to text questions and comments to a phone number so they could interact with him during his messages. The texts were anonymous so callers were able to share freely. His messages included his personal past, away from God, and how to trust Him even though we sometimes don't want to. You'll have to watch the first episode to find out about that! He also addressed teen relationships, blind faith, and other topics relevant to our youth.

The daily meetings were live-streamed on Adventist Fellowship's website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel and viewers from all over the North American Division were invited to watch. If you'd like to watch them, look up TAA's Transformation Week of Prayer on the Adventist Fellowship resources and be blessed! We especially thank the Adventist Fellowship church for providing a space, a sound person and camera person to assist TAA in preparing students for heaven and earth.

By Caroline A. Fisher
Native Ministries Encourages Healthy Living Practices
Many around the world are interested in learning healthy living practices.  A main focus of Native Ministries is to help Native American tribes and others learn healthier living practices. A great deal of health issues in the United States are due to diet and other lifestyle practices.

One of the best tools for learning to live more healthy is a program called "Diabetes Undone."  It is an eight-session program that can reverse Type II diabetes through diet and exercise. The Shawnee Seventh-day Adventist church was planning to present a series, sponsored in part by Native Ministries, when the pastor, Jim Landelius, received a call from Victoria Jernigan.  She and her husband, a medical professional, have made a ministry of presenting "Diabetes Undone."  After a few phone calls, texts, and a meeting with the Shawnee Church Board, a date was set for Wednesday, February 12, 2020.  

The instructional part of the evening started with a lecture. Materials were made available to those who participated, including a workbook, videos, cookbooks, and other recipes. Sixteen people came each evening, including the Second Chief of the Seminole Nation, Lewis Johnson, and one of the Elders of the Tribe.

Before the lecture, Pastor Jim cooked a simple plant-based meal for guests to sample. Those who were unfamiliar with plant-based whole foods were amazed at how nutritious and delicious the different dishes were. After a few minutes of exercise, the group learned important health principles to combat and reverse Type II diabetes and better manage Type I.

At the end of the program, all of the participants pledged to make healthier choices and the Second Chief of the Seminoles asked if a program could be done for his nation. Pastor Jim, who also oversees Oklahoma's Native Ministries efforts, was in the process of setting up a program at Wewoka Woods when the coronavirus put a temporary halt to the plans.

As soon as things are safe, Native Ministries will continue its efforts to present this program to the Seminole Nation with an eye toward sharing with other Native tribes and others in the community.

By Jim Landelius
Resources
Seven Ways to Support Kids With Anxiety About COVID-19
What can parents do to support the mental health of their kids amidst talk of the coronavirus in the weeks and months ahead? Here are seven ideas…
Youth Alive
"Marriage in Beta Version"
“Marriage weighs heavy nowadays. I don’t feel like trying it.” These are the words of Hannah Seligson, author of the book  A Little Bit Married. The book deals with long-term relationships outside marriage. Her quote shows the attitude of millennials (18 to 34 years old) concerning marriage. Time magazine published a revealing study on this topic. Almost half (43%) and even a larger percentage among the younger ones - would choose a marriage pattern that involves a two-year experiment, after which the union would be officialized or dissolved, without divorce or other papers. Thirty-three percent said they would be open to trying a type of marriage for a period of five, seven, or 10 or 30 years, and then renegotiate the terms. Twenty-one percent would go with the “presidential mandate" version, where vows are available for four years, but after eight years you are free to choose a new partner. Fifty-three percent say that marriage vows should be renewed, and only 31% still believe in marriage for life.
Stupid Money TV
Episode 5: 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.”
The North American Division's  All-Night Prayer Call   is May 7-8, from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. NAD prayer leaders will serve as "prayer hosts" throughout the night. Let's give thanks; let's share needs; let's pray together! Call 404-891-6338; access code is Prayer# (772937#).
Adventist World
ADRA Partners With Cambodia’s Health Departments to Combat COVID-19 Pandemic
CAMBODIA (April 14, 2020) – In response to the rapid transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic that has significantly challenged the country’s health system, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has responded in Cambodia supplying personal protection equipment (PPE) and education materials
NAD Adventist Community Services Commits $1.5 million to Local Conference Food Pantries for COVID-19 Relief Efforts
North American Division ACS is committed to supporting the operations of the ACS food pantry ministries of the 60 local conferences within the NAD territory (United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Guam-Micronesia). In order to provide that support, NAD ACS is investing $1.5 million and allocating a grant of $25,000 per conference for relief efforts. 
Thou Shalt Laugh...
Crunchy Potato Tacos
Ingredients

  • 3 Medium size red potatoes About 18 oz.*

  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable oil, more if needed to fry the tacos
  • 12 Corn tortillas
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