Conference E-Newsletter
August 2020 - Volume 3, Issue 8
The purpose of the Oklahoma Conference is to 
"Proclaim, Disciple, Live With Christ"
Out and About...
Virtual Camp Meeting
WEWOKA, OKLA. - The Oklahoma Conference recently completed its 128th Camp Meeting. It was unlike any other. The seats were empty of people.  There were no tents, no RVs, no children’s divisions, no ABC, no burger barn.  It was very different, but God sent His Holy Spirit to bless the meetings streaming live from our Wewoka Woods auditorium.  We used technology to keep the Adventist message going out.
We called it “Oklahoma Virtual Camp Meeting.” This year’s theme was “Preparing For His Coming.”  The second coming of Christ and how to get ready was highlighted in each message.  We tried to make the meetings as similar as possible to our usual, vibrant camp meeting. There were nightly updates and announcements, a theme song, an ABC book sale offer, special music, and of course a special message from some great speakers.

United States Senate Chaplain Barry Black started us off with a message called “The Cure for a Troubled Mind,” with excellent counsel from God’s word.  James Rafferty had a series in the evening on how to “abide” in Christ as the end draws near.  He also had a series every morning entitled "Coronavirus, a Biblical Perspective." Pastor Buster Swoopes, Jr. from Southwestern Adventist University presented a series on the Three Angel’s Messages of Revelation 14. It was very Christ centered.  Dr. Michael Campbell held a series called “Turning Points” about key times in Adventist history when God intervened to help move us forward.  Pastor John Bradshaw, president of "It Is Written," had three excellent messages on preparation for Christ’s coming.  I had the privilege of closing out the meetings the message “Watch and Be Ready" from Matthew 24 and 25.There were also online meetings for children, youth and young adults put together by our pastors. According to our records we had 2,200 views on livestream and 3,800 on YouTube.  We praise the Lord for each one who was able to watch.

All in all, we felt that God’s Holy Spirit led from the beginning of the planning to selecting speakers and adjusting and pivoting from normal camp meeting to virtual camp meeting.  And even though we had a few hiccups with technology, God helped us to work through it and make it a blessing to all who watched and those of us who participated. Special thanks to the three pastors who worked on the AV/ Technology aspect.  They worked very hard and worked through many issues and a major learning curve.  Also thanks to pastor Daniel Ortega and his wife Yesenia along with the summer camp staff who organized and ran a special five-day “family day camp.”  This allowed people to come out during the day and experience Wewoka Woods through activities such as the pool, horseback riding, boating, archery, and crafts.  Many people brought their children and grandchildren and enjoyed time in nature and with each other.  Of course we couldn’t have made it without our camp ranger and chef, Sam, and his wife Laura in housekeeping, to keep the camp and kitchen running smoothly. The technology team has been putting some of the messages up on our website (okadventist.org) for you to watch and share. You can find them in the sermon archive tab.  Jesus is coming soon.  Let's all get ready for that great day and share Him and the good news with everyone.

By James Shires, Conference President
Wewoka Woods Family
Day Camp
WEWOKA, OKLA. - Even though this summer did not allow for families to come and spend the week at the camp, Wewoka Woods did offer the opportunity for families to come for a day and spend time enjoying the outdoors at camp with their family.

Our summer camp staff was trained and ready to serve nearly 50 people a day for a week, giving families the opportunity to enjoy the camp activities. Families were able to enjoy the pool; lake activities such as canoeing, tubing, and our new water trampoline; archery; horseback riding; crafts; nature classes; and mountain biking. Following health guidelines and recommendations, our camp staff was able to offer a good time at the camp while keeping everyone safe. We look forward to having our Oklahoma families back next summer, but more than just a day at a time.

By Yesenia Ortega
Renovations at
Wewoka Woods
WEWOKA, OKLA. - Our summer camp staff were able to serve one week during the family day camp; however, they we not able to follow through with plans to hold Junior and Teen camp due to rising number in COVID-19 cases. This did not stop our camp staff from continuing their mission to serve the camp. For the next 10 days, most of our staff were able to stay and take on many projects around the camp. Some of the projects included stripping the parking lot in front of the lodge, major clearing of the horse area/trails behind the barn, repairing many of the auditorium chairs, and leveling out and clearing the lake trail, and more. We are grateful for the energy and effort our young people have put in to making our camp look better.

By Daniel Ortega, Youth Director
Edmond SDA Church Student Receives OSU Grant
STILLWATER, OKLA - Matthew Hansen, member of the Edmond Seventh-day Adventist Church, "was recently honored by the Oklahoma State University Ferguson College of Agriculture with an academic scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year. The scholarship is part of the more than $1.7 million that students will receive from the college and its academic departments" according to The Watonga Republican.

Matthew responded to this great news by saying, "I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to pursue higher education, I know many may not have this opportunity. God has blessed me with more than I could ever imagine. Going into college I was concerned about what the financial burden would be, yet God has continued to lift that burden, which has allowed me to continue college debt free. Throughout my first year, Jeremiah 29:11 has continued to help reassure me: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (ESV). I also cannot forget about my family. They have supported me through every step, I am extremely blessed and will be forever grateful."
To Summer Camp or Not to Summer Camp...
ALVA, OKLA. - “God can use all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28) So many new young people had signed up for summer camp. So many of them had already expressed a desire to be baptized. Visions of baptisms at Wewoka Lake danced with delight through our minds…and then we got the call: summer camp was canceled.

It started with one person who asked, “But what if we did something else instead?” Our pastor’s wife, Ashley Alipoon, offered to take all the summer camp kids to the water park. The idea was a catalyst that lit up a whole line of ideas of what could be done with our youth in place of summer camp. A list of local state park activities was created and a schedule was made. It all happened so quickly that in the same message to inform parents that summer camp had been canceled we were able to also inform them that alternative youth activities had been planned.

The beauty of this plan? More youth were able to go to these activities than had signed up for summer camp! Each wanted to bring a friend. We felt like Peter when the fish were so numerous that the nets began to tear. It was an act of faith and a real challenge just to find enough cars and drivers to take the youth from one activity to the next. In total, about 18 youth took part and this was after turning some youth away due to a lack of available cars and drivers.

On Day 1, we dug crystals at Salt Plains State Park. On Day 2, our pastor paid for all the youth to go to the Woodward water park. On Day 3, we toured the cavern at Alabaster Caverns State Park. On Day 4, we hiked across Gloss Mountains State Park. And on Day 5, we took a mission day for the youth to help Parkview Adventist Academy get ready for the school year. And the results of it all? On Tuesday of the next week, 11 youth came together to study for a Baptism Bible Study Class. We have set a baptism date of September 12. 

God’s plans were better than our plans.  His ways were higher than our ways. God knew the plans He had for our youth, plans for good and not evil, to give them hope and eternal life. (Is 55:8-9; Jer 29:11) May God’s plans succeed! (Phil 1:6)

By Gabrielle Simpson
Church Growth During a Pendemic
TULSA - How does a church grow during a pandemic? This crisis has changed how we minister and have church. Here at Adventist Fellowship we had to leave our comfort zone and go forward with a different approach. We began to livestream our services, host Zoom meetings, and increase our social media presence with exercise classes, devotionals, and prayer meetings. We met outside of the four walls of the church and took our service to the members' front yards and parking lots. Our focus began to shift to ministry outside of the Sabbath. Here is what worked for us.

The pastoral team became intentional in meeting our member’s families, friends, and co-workers. We asked members if they had friends or family that we could get to know better.  The members began introducing the pastoral team to their circle of influence. As a result, we began meeting, hanging out, and studying the bible with them. In June, Pastor Nic Coutet and Pastor Karol Mosebay baptized 15 people.  This is what is working for us and we are continuing to meet new people, have bible studies and baptizing more people. Adventist Fellowship is growing in so many areas during the pandemic. We are thankful to God, our awesome leaders, our wonderful members and our entire team. 

By Karol Mosebay
Going Back to School
OKLAHOMA CITY - Schools are an important part of children’s growth.  In our Adventist system we say that we are educating the whole child, spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially.  It is important for children to be returned to schools as safely as possible to help them continue their growth as normally as able.  This year going back to school brings with it fear and anxiety as schools will have new policies in place to help prevent the spread of COVID.  Following is information about what our Adventist schools will be doing; what to potentially expect at public schools; and information pertaining to Adventist home school options.

In planning for the reopening of our Adventist schools, I met with two different medical advisory committees, participated in workshops provided by the North American Division (NAD), Adventist Risk Management (ARM), and the Southwestern Union Conference (SWUC).  The guidelines that our Education Executive Committee approved follows the CDC Guidelines, the Oklahoma State Department of Education Guidelines, and the guidelines as set force by NAD, ARM, and SWUC.  Each school has created a plan for reopening that follows the Conference Guidelines along with their own local municipality guidelines.  The bottom line is that our schools and teachers, following all the guidelines that are available, will be doing everything that they reasonably can to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  However, with the continual changes and updates concerning COVID-19, there are no guarantees that our schools will be 100% COVID-19 free.  I, along with the Educational Executive Committee, will be monitoring the pandemic and adapting our guidelines as needed.  Your local Adventist school will be releasing its plans before the start of school.  Please watch for them.

If your children attend public schools, please be aware that one concern is that there may be, in some districts, a need for schools to be in session on Sabbath.  If you live in a school district that asks your child to be in school on Sabbath, contact your pastor.  Your pastor can get a letter for Religious Exemption for you.

For those wishing to home school through an Adventist school, currently there is only one accredited home school option in the Adventist Church and that is Griggs International.  Griggs offers K-12 Adventist curriculum at https://www.griggs.edu.
 
Parents whether your children will be attending an Adventist school or public school, please be positive in front of your children; be flexible and adaptable; be informed; be patient; be part of solutions and not problems; and above all, be prayerful.  School staff don’t have all of the answers, but they will do their best with the information and resources they have to keep your children safe.
 
Tim Kripps, Education Director
Resources
Witnessing Through Media: American Indian and Alaska Native Living magazine
Healthy grieving, healthy recipes, healthy lifestyle: these topics and many more are featured on the Oklahoma Native Ministries’ recently updated website, www.aianl.org, which focuses on issues and inspiration affecting the whole person: physical, mental, and spiritual. Readers can download or read any issue or their electronic devices, at their convenience. The website name reflects the new name of the former American Indian Living magazine, which is now American Indian and Alaska Native Living. Through the efforts of the publisher, Robert Burnette, our native outreach has also expanded to Canada where the magazine is identified as First Nations Living magazine.  Most importantly, the name change shows the continued strong relationship between Adventist native ministries, the National Congress of American Indians and the National Indian Health Board. The magazine is sent to every U. S. Senator, federally recognized tribal leaders, and placed in native country clinics across the country.

Each issue of AIANL features CREATIONLife content from AdventHealth Press:  Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust, Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook, and Nutrition, along with an array of content that is written by experts in the field of mental, spiritual and physical healthcare. The magazine specifically addresses native American readers but is relatable to anyone seeking a closer relationship with God and enhanced health.  The latest issue, “Rest & Rejuvenation,” focuses on balancing our busy lives with periods of rest and relaxation, and also includes a number of recipes, resources, and inspiring stories of living life the way the Creator intended. The native ministries team is excited about the latest digital offerings and is prayerful that the content will reach, encourage, and motivate readers in their search for better living.

Please share the website address in your social media, church bulletins, and websites where others can benefit. You can also find and share native ministries information at www.nativeministries.org

By Caroline Fisher
Five Tips to Help Your Child Adapt to Wearing a Mask
As children are experiencing many changes with the COVID-19 pandemic, from school uncertainty to not getting to see their friends, the Loma Linda University Children’s Health team in Loma Linda, California, wants to help parents facing the challenge of masking their children.
Stupid Money TV
Episode 8: Mortgage
Watch as John Mathews, Vivian Johnson, and Diana Santos discuss mortgages. Learn why it is important to shop around for a mortgage.
Southwestern Adventist University Rolls Out Its Foundation for Excellence
This new plan is built around six goals: enhance quality academic programs, promote an environment that inspires personal faith and Christ-centered relationships, create a transformative and immersive experience in all phases of university life, establish the university as an innovator in Christian higher education, ensure the campus facilitates a vibrant environment for student learning, and develop and implement a sustainable financial model that ensures financial vitality.
Adventist World
G. Alexander Bryant Named North American Division President
On July 9, 2020, the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s General Conference Executive Committee met virtually to receive the name of G. Alexander Bryant, the recommendation for division president, from both the North American Division’s nominating committee and executive committee. Bryant was confirmed in a vote of 153 to 5.
Despite Lockdown, Youth Preaching Results in 911 Baptisms Across Fiji
It would have been easy to make excuses, write off the year, postpone programs, and try again later. Instead, young Adventists in Fiji adapted and pushed on with their planned year of evangelism, resulting in 911 baptisms.
Somalian Students Invent Hand-washing Machines to Combat COVID-19 Health Crisis
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, students from Kismayo Technical Institute, a technical vocational school in Somalia supported by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), saw an opportunity to create innovative handwashing facilities, in which individuals avoid direct contact with the tap and soap, as water and soap is dispensed through pedalling.
Turn Back the Clock...
From 1942-1969 the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was housed in Oklahoma City.
Thou Shalt Smile...
Zucchini Corn Fritters
These crispy zucchini corn fritters are an easy way to add seasonal veggies to your summer meal. Perfect as an appetizer, side or snack.
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. FisherNewsletter Editor
Communication@okla-adventist.org