I would like to share two texts with you. First, Haggai 2:8 (NIV) reminds us: "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NKJV) says: "Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."

As the Oklahoma Conference Nominating Committee completes its work and prepares to send out its report in preparation for Oklahoma's 70th Regular Session taking place on April 18, we ask for your continued prayers through the process leading up to and for the session itself. All delegates that were selected by each church will receive a packet in the mail containing all the information needed for the session taking place at Wewoka Woods Adventist Center. If you have any questions regarding your role as a delegate or other questions pertaining to the session itself, please contact your local pastors. To learn more about how a Constituency Session works click on the button below.

We are thrilled that Summer Camp is just around the corner. Registration will open April 5. Because of COVID-19 safety we will have less spots available than previous years per camp. The cost is $275, and the Early Bird Discount is $25 (ends April 30); the sibling discount is $25. Reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

We are looking for a couple of nurses to help us out this summer with our summer camp program. If you are a nurse that likes working with kids, and are looking for an opportunity to serve others while in a christian environment this summer, please apply below or contact the Youth Department for any questions at:

youth@okla-adventist.org.

We invite you to make plans to join us this summer for our annual Oklahoma Camp Meeting, July 9-17. We are currently finishing the schedule and already have great speakers and great music lined up. We will share more details in the next few weeks!

Cecil Wayne Harlin was born June 17, 1947 in Borger, TX and died peacefully in his home on December 1, 2021 in Lacombe, LA. He graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1965. After graduating from Southwestern Adventist University in 1976, he began his pastoral ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving in Oklahoma in Claremore from 1976-1980 and Okeene from 1980-1985. His family is inviting everyone to a celebration of his life which will be held on Sunday, April 18 at 3:00 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 430 N. Center Ave in Shawnee, OK.

The North American Division will be having a virtual “Cactusville VBS Virtual Training” for local church leaders.  Make sure you register for this amazing workshop.

Adventurer Family Camp is designed to create in your young ones the sense of trust, love, and concern, as they and their parents participate in fun family activities, and learn outdoor skills. Our prayer is to create in their hearts a love and desire to have Jesus as their personal friend. Our theme this spring campout is "Working for Jesus." Check with your local Adventurer director for details and registration information.

OKLAHOMA - This year's Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) tested the Pathfinders over Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, as well as the SDA Bible Commentary Introduction to each study book. On February 6, 14 teams participated in the Area-level PBE held at different locations throughout Oklahoma. Six teams moved on to the Conference level held at Wewoka Woods Adventist Center on Sabbath, March 6: Arbuckle View Warriors, Guymon Hornbills, Tulsa Twisters, Oklahoma City Central Trailblazers, MWC Spanish Solodos de Cristo, and the Muskogee Panthers. Because the pandemic interrupted normal Pathfinder activities, we had fewer clubs that participated. The smaller numbers made it possible to meet in person with social distancing and mask wearing still required.

The Arbuckle View Warriors and the Guymon Hornbills received first place and continued to the Union Level; then, on Sabbath, March 27, 23 teams from the Southwestern Union participated virtually in the Union-level PBE. Arbuckle View and Guymon Pathfinders both placed first place and will proceed to the Division level.  Please pray for them as they continue to study.

GUYMON, OKLA.- Valentine’s Day is a day typically spent showing love to one’s spouse or special friend, but at the Guymon SDA church another way to celebrate Valentine's Day happened this year. Joan was introduced to Seventh-day Adventist church through his co-worker and friend, Khamboih; they started up a conversation on God, and over time started Bible studies. Just as COVID-19 hit the world, Khamboih invited Joan to Wednesday night prayer meeting and to church. He has become a part of the Guymon Church family. Joan gave his heart to Jesus and was baptized on the Sabbath before Valentine’s Day. After his baptism, Khamboih’s three youngest girls sang “Jesus is the Reason” in celebration of Joan’s new life in Jesus. The whole church is praying that his family will join him in his commitment to Jesus. 

TULSA - Over 230 young people representing over 18 different churches came together on the weekend of March 19-21 to the conference-sponsored youth rally titled “Go Do It” which was held at Adventist Fellowship in Tulsa.

By Daniel Ortega

GUYMON, OKLA.- The Guymon Hornbills have an ongoing elderly service project. The Pathfinders have helped elderly people around Guymon with many different yard and home projects. During the pandemic they have not been asked to come help as much. In November, the Pathfinders were passing out literature and met a man in great need. Later, the spring high winds brought in large armies of tumble weeds and have filled up yards and streets. This man could not take care of the tumble weeds, so the Pathfinders came to help. The tumble weeds were up to five feet high in his backyard, so the kids came up with different ways to flatten the weeds before bagging them up. The Pathfinders jumped on them, broke them, and placed ladders on them and jumped on the ladder. The bags filled with the squashed tumbleweeds filled the dumpster and a truck with a trailer, but the yard was now empty of the tumble weeds. The gentleman was so thankful for the help and telling others that we can help them, also.

By Amy Ward

WEWOKA, OKLA - Though weather kept us from our original plan, God blessed us with an awesome Pathfinder Team Leadership Training (TLT) retreat! Thirty-one TLTs attended the retreat at Wewoka Woods on March 12, where we looked into what leaders are. Between sessions, TLTs were challenged with team/leader-building activities. We defined what a leader is, we looked at the responsibilities of a leader, and how we can grow as leaders. The goal is not only to develop these teens as leaders in Pathfinders but to equip them for leadership in any direction that God calls them.

TULSA - On March 6 the Zomi Seventh-day Adventist Church had an all-day Children’s Sabbath. Children conducted the worship service, the song service, special music and picked up the offering. Sonia Cano (Southwestern Union children’s ministry director) gave a beautiful sermon about the importance of the study of the bible with the family, and Yesenia Ortega (Oklahoma Children’s ministry director) gave the children’s story. Following the worship service, Sonia Cano had a seminar for parents about the importance of family and their needs.

EDMOND, OKLA.- On March 6, Deborah Warden, Women’s Ministry Director and Cathy Parker, Oklahoma City area Women’s Ministry Coordinator, teamed up for a presentation at the Abundant Life Church in Edmond, at the invitation of Lisa Amukaya, their Women’s Ministry leader. The sermon was based on the parable of the sower, from the standpoint of spiritual soil preparation, while the afternoon Seed Sowers Workshop focused on the seeds. The men and youth were invited to join us for this sermon and training on how to reach out to their community. A group of about 30 were inspired to begin new ministry projects in their area. May God continue to bless this precious church family and their new outreach efforts. 

WILBURTON, OKLA - "Why do bad things happen to good people?" This was one of the campfire questions posed to Tulsa Adventist Academy (TAA) high school students in late March. At the beginning of each school year, TAA high school students usually embark on a “high school challenge” to get to know each other before the school year sets in. Students have mountain biked and rock climbed in Arizona and clambered through mines and bathed in a freezing river in Colorado but this year was, of course, different ~ this year’s trip was cancelled. At least, that is what the students thought! Looking at our school calendar, TAA teachers found a few days to spare and rounded everyone up for a quick trip to southeast Oklahoma’s Robbers’ Cave State Park.

Surrounded by tall pines in the San Bois Mountains (absolutely ironic), our campground was ¼ mile from the cave where outlaws are thought to have hidden in the mid-20^th century. Three high school teachers, two incredible adult volunteers and 20 happy campers (students) pitched their tents before that night’s cold front: high winds and cold rain segued to several “oops I forgot my sleeping bag/blanket/mat” and “my tent is filled with water” fiascoes. Campfires, along with cooking with Dutch ovens and camp stoves, kept everyone as warm as possible the first day but the Oklahoma weather did not disappoint as the next evening brought sunlight and hammocks were once again swinging between tall trees.

Heroes 2: The Bible Trivia Game. Heroes is a free app that allows youth to engage with the Bible narrative while playing. Following Jesus’ method, this app finds people exactly where they are and speaks their “gaming language”. An international team has been working tirelessly for over two years designing the beautiful 3D characters, composing the original soundtrack and writing the Bible studies and trivia questions.

The leadership of the North American Division (NAD) is condemning recent acts of violence and hate against the Asian-American community. A statement has been released by the NAD president, secretary, and treasurer calling for members to unite in support of their Asian brothers and sisters as they face undeserving animosity.

On March 25, 2021, Pastor John Bradshaw held a Facebook Live broadcast to mark the 65th anniversary of It Is Written. The first It Is Written television program entered people’s homes via television on March 25, 1956.

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