Happy New Year from the Oklahoma Conference office staff.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Conference Executive Committee convened on December 16, 2021 and voted to hire Ricky Mercer as conference Ministerial Secretary. Mercer takes on a role that has been vacant in recent years and whose duties have been performed by the conference president.

All Oklahoma young people are invited to be part of our iPreach 4Him challenge that will take place on January 15, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. in Oklahoma City.

Spanish-speaking participants will preach at the OKC Central Spanish Church and English-speaking participants will preach at the OKC Central Church. Click on the button below to register.

If you love working with kids, Wewoka Woods is offering a variety of job positions to work at summer camp this year. Sign up online ~ the adventure awaits you!

The Oklahoma Conference Children's Ministry is inviting all mothers and their daughters under the age of 16 to come to our annual tea party! Visit our website for more information: okadventist.org/children

WEWOKA, OKLA. - The weekend of November 5-7 Oklahoma church members enjoyed a prayer conference at Wewoka Woods. The speakers were Carlos Craig, Southwestern Union President; pastors; Tony Anoble and Oswaldo Rigacci; and pastor Helvis Moody the Southwestern Union prayer ministry leader. Pastor Daniel Ortega, the Oklahoma Conference youth and young adult leader also helped. A music group from Southwestern Adventist University blessed the participants.  Our theme was “Pray Big. The idea is that we have a great and awesome God, with whom nothing is impossible, and we should not be hesitant to ask God for great things for His glory and purpose and our needs and ministries. 

OKLAHOMA - In November the Oklahoma Young Adult Ministries organized a wonderful backpacking trip at Shores Lake Loop near Mulberry, Arkansas. A group of six people bravely decide to conquer a difficult trail with over 5,000 feet of elevation and a total of 18 miles. It was definitely a challenge for all, especially for three people who had never been backpacking before! 

The first night the youth group slept by a beautiful waterfall and it was the perfect little campsite! On Sabbath we had worship by the waterfall and then climbed up to the top of White Rock mountain. The view was incredible from the bluffs! We were reminded about the awe of God's attention to details and His wonderful creation. When looking out from the bluff we could see the towering trees, the valley, and the majesty of the soaring birds. God has given each thing a job in His creation and each its own unique aspect of beauty! Our world is full of man-made chaos: hustle and bustle, cars, and buildings all surround us. However, when in the remoteness of an 18-mile trail you can escape that chaos. You can appreciate the order and balance that God has provided on this earth! The birdsong, the scurrying of lizards, even the spiderwebs you run into all point to an ecosystem that isly fine tuned and working together. From the top of White Rock it looked like a painting, with the hills and valleys below bringing all the pieces into a masterpiece. We serve a mighty God. We are part of that creation and He has designed each of us with a job just like the creatures and the forest. We too can work together to sing His majesty like a songbird in the hills and mountains of Arkansas.

MOORE, OKLA - On November 12-13, the Oklahoma youth department hosted its second youth rally in 2021. This time it took place at Hope Adventist Fellowship in Moore, OK. The program was organized and executed with the help of the Oklahoma City area youth leaders. After an initial meeting over lunch, they planned for a few months and mobilized their youth to prepare for this event. Over 200 youth and young adults from 20 different churches attended the rally, themed: Be The Church. 

OKLAHOMA CITY - On November 19-20, the Children’s Ministry Department held a Spanish Children’s Ministry Certification Training for the Oklahoma City area.  Midwest City hosted this event led by Oklahoma Conference Assistant Children’s Ministry Directory, Damaris Prieto. We are very grateful to the Midwest City church for their willingness to host and all they did to make the Certification Track 6 “Ministering to Parents” a successful training. Sonia Cano, the Southwestern Union Children’s Ministry Director, was a special guest, along with Yesenia Ortega and Norma Shepherd, representing the Oklahoma Conference.

CLAREMORE, OKLA. - After weeks of planning and preparation, Claremore Heritage Adventist school students waited for November 11: Veterans' Day finally arrived! Anxiously, students gathered at the starting point of the parade and finished assembling their school float. Red, white, and blue shimmery skirting wrapped the trailer and huge flags from all six military branches were set on the sides of the trailer, along with Oklahoma flag. Proudly they placed “Old Glory” in the front to take the lead! "Thank you" posters were hung in place for our veterans to see. Our students matched in red shirts with yellow scarves. Parents, school board members, teachers, and veterans were ready at the stroke of 11:11 a.m. to start the parade trek down Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore. The students’ pride, joy, and love for their country and veterans could be seen in smiles and heard in their shouts “Thank you for your service!” and “We love our veterans!”

Click on the video above to see a few short clips from Tulsa's Community Service Center latest community event.

BROKEN ARROW, OKLA - Residents at the Village Health Care Center in Broken Arrow were once again recipients of gift bags from our church. Thanks to the efforts of church members, 35 bags were stuffed with necessities and goodies and delivered in time to be placed under the Christmas tree at the center. In addition, the fourteen new residents received fleece blankets like ones given out the previous year. Mike and Donita Shaw, along with Dottie Massengill, led out in this project and happily made the delivery to the center where the gifts were received with joy and thankfulness. It is a privilege to be able to share with our often forgotten elderly community residents and we look forward to helping more in the future.

By Judy Marquette

COALGATE, OKLA-. The Coalgate Seventh-day Adventist Church members were excited and blessed to welcome their new pastor. Pictured is Pastor Erwin Nanasi, wife Janell and their son Navi. the congregation is really looking forward to working with him in doing outreach programs in the future. Along with the arrival of a new pastor the church was very honored and blessed to receive a new Christian and American flag from the Woodmen of the World Chapter 1228 organization.  

OKLAHOMA CITY - On Saturday, December 11, the Oklahoma City Central Hispanic Church and the Department of Health Ministries promoted among the members and friends the norms of the church about a healthy life. The central theme was titled “That You May Have Health,” with a complete program from Sabbath School, divine worship and presentations in the afternoon.

Adventist hospital chaplain and psychologist Eliel Rosabal from Huguley, TX, led the Sabbath school lesson review with his wife, Leydis Rosabal, an oncological registered nurse. The divine worship message was presented by Andrea Chávez, LPC.

ARDMORE, OKLA - Ardmore Adventist Academy presented its Christmas program on December 11. Students took an interesting view of the nativity story by emphasizing the prophecies of Jesus’ birth. Much more than the few prophecies often quoted, the Bible’s dozens of prophecies about the Messiah make it literally impossible for any other individual to have fulfilled all of them. Because we can prove that prophecies existed before His birth, it strengthens our faith both in Jesus—who is what He says He is, and in God who is the only One who could have accurately predicted such an amazing amount of detail! 

By Mary Burton

OKLAHOMA CITY - Jesus says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” What better way to show love than to help people experience the more abundant life that Jesus intends for us to experience? On Sunday, December 19 over 135 people attended the Diabetes Undone and Anxiety and Depression Relief training sponsored by Oklahoma Native Ministries. Pastor Lonnie Carbaugh commented that it was thrilling to see so many people eagerly learning how they could be more effective in ministering to the needs of others. 

Representatives from nearly 40 Seventh-day Adventist churches in Oklahoma were present at this conference-wide training session held at the Oklahoma City Central church. The training was for pastors and health ministry leaders to learn how to effectively teach classes on health to their churches and communities. Experts were brought in from different parts of the country: Danny Kwon, J.D., the Executive Director of Life and Health (lifeandhealth.org), broke down in easy steps exactly how to teach a Diabetes Undone workshop. Jennifer Jill Schwirzer, LPC, Ed.D., with Abide Network, taught about the relevant topics of anxiety and depression, and scientifically proven methods of recovery that can be used in conjunction with professional treatment.

Resources and training were made available for the Spanish-speaking community as well. Jennifer Jill Schwirzer presented her message about mental health, which was translated, and afterwards Joaquin Cazares, M.D., and his wife Aida spoke about the Diabetes Undone program, as well as living a healthy lifestyle. The Hispanic Coordinator for the Oklahoma Conference, Luis Prieto, said six pastors and members from 12 Hispanic churches were present. He says the meetings made him feel good because they touched on a health topic that affects so many, and both the invited speakers and the materials will cover the needs of the church. He felt the Holy Spirit’s presence because the meeting was very spiritual, and everything that was discussed focused on God first and foremost as our Restorer. “The meeting was important because it was the first time the Hispanic sector was involved, and it touched on a disease that is common among us. We are so grateful for the gift of the materials and tools provided. It will now be our challenge to share what we learned with our community.”

TULSA - In 2017 the Tulsa Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church was under a $500,000 mortgage debt. At the time, pastor Luis Prieto came together with the church board and decided to create a plan to pay this debt called “Partner with God” by the end of 2021. It was an ambitious plan, but they put their trust in God and with great faith they move forward with a big goal ahead of them. In the first year they were able to gather $150,000. Each year they would get closer to their goal. The church scheduled countless food sales and sport tournaments, and children received piggy banks to take home so they could also contribute. By the end of November 2021, the church had a debt of $55,000, which was an amount five times more than what they would normally gather in a month. The church decided to commit themselves and find ways to gather that amount by the end of the month. The plan motivated the church and on December 11, the church received $41,000 in generous offerings and $25,000 in promises, surpassing their goal with $65,000 total. The church is overwhelmed with joy for they will be able to pay off the mortgage. Pastor Luis Prieto says that the church is making plans to have a special ceremony to celebrate with the whole church. 

By Yesenia Ortega

GUYMON, OKLA - The Guymon Seventh-day Adventist Church has been working very hard to help its refugees learn the English language and to help the refugees get their citizenship. This effort has been made easier because the Oklahoma Native Ministries Department donated five Chromebooks to the ESL program and provided snacks and foods. This has helped the people practice their English and study for their citizenship test. Many have been able to be take the oath of citizenship because of the ESL program. 

When the Covid-19 shut down happened those Chromebooks saved the school. The students were able to transition straight into online school. The Chromebooks have had such heavy use with both the ESL program and the school that replacements were needed. So this school year the Native Ministries department stepped up again and provided the school with nine MacBook Air computers. The students are so happy and they can’t wait to get their paper and pencil work done so they can work on their computers. They love researching, working with the IXL study program, and creating presentations for class on the MacBook Air. Native Ministries is assisting in a stewardship program, scholarship for students, and even the church with free Diabetes Undone materials.

The Guymon church and Pioneer Adventist Christian School want to extend a big thank you to the Native Ministries department for all the help they have received. We have been able to give a true education that “is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come” (Ellen White, Education, p. 13) for our adults and for our children in Guymon. God has blessed us beyond measure and always answers our prayers. We would appreciate prayers for our church and school.

TULSA - Adventist Fellowship Associate pastor Karol Mosebay has been ministering at a girl’s group home, Safe Haven, in Tulsa, Oklahoma for approximately one year. The journey began through the diligent work of Tulsa Community Service Center volunteer Stephen Adewunmi, when he noticed a spiritual need for the girls while delivering a food basket. Pastor Karol contacted the director of the home, Ms. Joyce, and asked if Adventist Fellowship could partner with the home in providing lessons, support, encouragement, and biblical curriculum. 

As a result of the partnership with Native Ministries, these teen girls in foster care have been blessed with a personal, beautiful leather bible that has their name engraved on it. The girls were elated and appreciative for their bibles. Currently, a group of women join Pastor Karol to minister every Sabbath. They can keep bibles with their belongings and it is their personal property. 

We appreciate the kindness and support of Oklahoma Native Ministries and the director, Robert Burnette.

OKLAHOMA CITY - National Service Organization Director Tim Kripps met with Seventh-day Adventist Air Force Chaplain Martin Lister to find ways that the Oklahoma Conference can assist him in reaching the Airmen stationed at Tinker Air Force Base.  During the meeting, Chaplain Lister mentioned that they can always use Bibles.  Enough donations were collected to purchase 120 King James Version bibles and 100 “Steps to Jesus” were purchased for the Airmen as well.  

By Tim Kripps

BARTLESVILLE, OKLA - The Bartlesville church Christmas program lasted not one, but two Sabbaths. Eileen had been praying for years that her husband Paul Stinson would choose to be baptized. They had attended many Adventist churches in the past, but it wasn’t until they began attending the Bartlesville Seventh-day Adventist Church that Paul began to consider baptism seriously. On December 18, 2021, Paul, along with Cale Schnell, Ariel Schnell, and Mandie Schnell, all from the Ponca City Church, were baptized at the Bartlesville Seventh-day Adventist Church.   

As more and more people move to the cities, it has never been more important to find ways to share the love of Jesus in urban centers. Mission to the Cities is an initiative of the world Seventh-day Adventist Adventist Church that is specifically focused on bringing hope to these rapidly growing, global hubs. The need here is great. There are 580 cities around the world with more than one million people and 31 of these centers don’t have a single Adventist congregation. A full 119 of these large cities have less than 125 Adventists living in them. It’s time to make an urban impact!

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