The Executive Committee voted to ask Norma Shepherd to serve as Children's Ministry Coordinator, Damaris Prieto as the Children's Ministry Assistant Coordinator, and Luis Prieto as the Community Service Assistant Director.

Apple Park, Conference Executive Secretary

Pastor Kwansoo Kim and his wife Moonhyuo Jo will be serving as a part-time pastor of the Tulsa Korean Church.

Pastor Barry Smith and his wife Jasmine will be serving the Altus, Elk City, and Weatherford churches.

Pastor Anthony Adams and his wife Angela will be serving the Choctaw and Shawnee churches..

Pastor Benjamin Burkhardt and his wife Shiela will be serving in the Shattuck, Woodward, Cherokee, and Alva Churches

Damaris Prieto will be serving as Hispanic Ministries administrative assistant and will be helping at the front desk as receptionist.

Our annual Youth Leadership Training Weekend will take place from September 10-12 at Wewoka Woods. There will be training for Adventurers, Pathfinders, Master Guides, TLTs and Children's Ministry leaders. Register today to reserve your place.

The Women’s Ministry of the Oklahoma Conference will host a fall retreat on October 10, 2021. The theme is guarding your heart and growing in Jesus Christ. t will be a day of encouragement in your journey with Christ and equipping to share the good news with others. Please register immediately; seats are filling up. Registration is due by October 1, 2021.

The Oklahoma Youth Department is inviting all youth to come together to a work bee at Wewoka Woods Adventist Center on October 17. The camp needs a lot of TLC! Minor carpentry jobs/repairs, deep cleaning, painting, repairing and trimming trails, and brush/rock clean up are some of the jobs we will be doing. Please register and let us know that you are coming so the chef can prepare meals and plan accordingly.

Plan to join Native Ministries on October 22, 23, and 24 for the next Native Camp Meeting and Training to be held at Wewoka Woods Adventist Center. There will be information on working with Native Americans, and we will be joined by Native Ministries directors from other conferences and unions to report on the activities in their field. Enjoy a special appearance by a very good friend of Native Ministries, singer Jennifer LaMountain. We are currently working on a second musical guest and other programming. You do NOT want to miss this meeting.

By Jim Landelius

The Union Pathfinder Camporee takes place every five years with the participation of Arkansa/Louisiana, Texico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Regional Conference. This year the camporee will take place fro October 28-31 in Athens, TX. Click the link below for more information.

The church was born at Pentecost when the first Christians came together to pray. As they prayed, they drew nearer to Jesus and then to each other. This is our greatest need today. After the groups received the Holy Spirit, they took the gospel to the world. We have been given the same commission today! Go tell the world Jesus is coming soon and share how to get ready. To do this will take big prayers, serious prayers. That’s what we plan to pray about at our upcoming prayer conference at Wewoka Woods Adventist Center. Come and join us ~ big prayers change lives, change families, change churches and change the world.  Let’s come together and pray big. Registration details coming soon!

Click on the button below to view picture highlights from this year's Camp Meeting. If you missed any of the presentations or would like to view it again, you can purchase a copy of the dvd by clicking on the button below.

WEWOKA, OKLA.- Beginning in 1990 and continuing for 13 seasons, Wewoka Woods Adventist Center has provided a summer camp opportunity for the blind. This year we had a small number of attendees due to concerns of COVID-19, in addition to struggles with transportation. Regardless, those who attended were excited to be there, eager to reunite with returning staff and getting to meet the new staff. Affiliated Blind of Louisiana brings a group of campers every year so we asked them why they choose our camp. They enthusiastically replied, “Because we love Wewoka Woods, and we love the staff!" This year the top three most popular activities for them were horseback riding, lake activities, and swimming at the pool. Aside from our daily activities we had our annual bonfire, talent show, and traveled to Shawnee for a memorable night of bowling.

Blind camp is always the favorite week for our summer camp staff because they have an opportunity to relax a little and interact in a special way with the campers. In addition, working with blind campers allows them to better understand invidiuals with special needs and challenges. It gives them a better perspective of life and helps them better appreciate the things that we sometimes take for granted.

WEWOKA, OKLA.- The sunny days and high temperatures of this summer were no obstacle for the Hispanic families of the Oklahoma Conference who declared “I WILL GO” to camp meeting, celebrated from July 23-25, 2021. It was an extraordinary event, since the news channels were announcing the return of the COVID-19 pandemic, and some were fearful of becoming infected. In the end, the desire to celebrate together this spiritual feast and feel the presence of God was stronger than the fear.

By Luis Prieto, Hispanic Ministries Coordinator

TULSA - The Tulsa area Spanish churches came together to receive Children's Ministries Training on August 21 to help them better serve children. We had representatives from Broken Arrow, Garnett, Independence and West Siloam Springs churches. Almost 50 people attended the training. The theme of this training was "Ministering to Parents," where participants learned the great responsibility of increasing Christian values in our children. The event was held at the Tulsa Central Spanish SDA Church, which did an excellent job as the host church. Enriched by the seminars and eager for more trainings, members asked when would it be the next training. It is our desire to continue to provide opportunities for  future certifications in which we hope many more will join.

WEWOKA, OKLA.- The Oklahoma Conference Children’s Ministry Department hosted its first ever Father/Son Lake Escapade at Wewoka Woods Adventist Camp on Sunday, August 22. The day started off at 8:00 a.m. with the option to go mountain bike riding, disk golfing, or fishing. We learned that the fish in the lake really like vegetarian food as we used Loma Linda Tender Bits for bait and those that were fishing had fun catching and releasing the fish back into the lake. By 10:00 a.m. most everyone had arrived, and we gathered together at the lakeside amphitheater and had worship. Rex Shepherd led out with his focus on the parable of the prodigal son and how important the father-son relationship is.

By Norma Shepherd, Children's Ministry Coordinator

WEWOKA, OKLA.- On August 10, Wewoka Woods Adventist Center received volunteer Andrew Block who will be serving with us for just under six months. Andrew, who is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, recently finished high school and committed the next six months to serve in a mission field abroad before starting college. Through our denomination's world-wide volunteer program, Adventist Volunteer Service, Andrew applied and was accepted to serve in our conference. Andrew's main responsibility will be to assist our camp ranger, Sam Hutchinson, with the various needs throughout the camp. In addition, as time permits, he will be preaching at some of the local churches.

When asked why he decided to leave the comforts of his home country and travel thousands of miles away to serve in a place he didn't know, he gave many great responses. However, one that stood out was that he, "wanted to be in a place where he had to rely fully on God and trust His promises, strengthening his relationship with Him." We are thankful for young men and women like Andrew who are willing to dedicate their lives for a period of time to serve fully in the Lord's work. We pray that other young people will be inspired and consider taking time off to serve as missionary. If you or a young person you know is interested in serving as a missionary oversees, please contact our Youth Department for guidance and counsel on how to make this a reality.

By Daniel Ortega, Youth Director

TULSA- During the first week in August, Adventist Fellowship hosted an outreach called "children in the park." It happened at a local park around the corner from the church. The outreach team knocked on doors and passed out fliers in the community within close proximity to the church and the community came out. Each day children were taught a bible lesson, made a craft, played games, and were provided a snack. They learned that Jesus loves them and so do their neighbors at Adventist Fellowship. 

KEENE, TEX. - Interviews are hard. I remember my first interview, and it was terrifying. My palms were sweaty, my voice was shaky, and my heart was pounding in my chest. First-time interviews can be nerve wracking—there are many things to be worried about—but occupation-appropriate attire should not be one of them. This is why Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU), the Southwestern Union, our local conferences, and Adventist Community Services (ACS) have partnered together to launch “The Success Closet” at SWAU, with the mission of providing young professionals who may not have professional attire clothing to dress for success.

MUSKOGEE, OKLA - Muskogee Seventh-Day Adventist Christian Academy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, August 30, 2021 to celebrate joining the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce. Those who attended included members of the Muskogee Chamber, Pastor Pat Milligan from the Muskogee church, Tim Kripps from the Oklahoma Conference education department, and the Honorable Marlon Coleman, Mayor of Muskogee. We had a special prayer ceremony for our students and staff, for future students, and then students sang a special song. Guests were then given tours of the facility.

OKLAHOMA CITY - During camp meeting, the Native Ministries department invited the pastors to bring their wives to Oklahoma City for a finance seminar. On Sunday morning, August 22, nearly a quarter of the pastors and their wives, along with a retired minister and a pastor from the Southwest Region Conference, responded to the invitation of Pastor Jim Landelius, who with his wife, Tammy, organized the event.  

Elder Robert Burnette, Assistant to the President and Director of Native Ministries, gave the next presentation, on investing for the future, both temporal and eternal.  On the temporal side of things, Burnette spoke of ethical investing. There are certain companies whose practices make it unethical for a Seventh-day Adventist Christian to invest in. Burnette demonstrated how companies can be searched and investigated to ascertain whether a company is ethical or not regarding investments.

By Jim Landelius

Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries (ASI) is the Seventh-day Adventist organization of supporting ministries, businesses, and professionals who are responding to the call of God to actively share Christ’s love and hope with the world. Many Native Ministries donors attend ASI and so Native Ministries attends each year and has a booth in the Exhibitors Hall to share what we have accomplished in the twelve months. This year, our ASI team leader Pastor Jim Landelius was joined by Pastor James Bokovoy, Caroline Fisher, and Sam Hutchinson.

Oklahoma Native Ministries is interested in an agriculture program here in our conference to help strengthen relationships with the tribal entities in our field. The idea has been very well received, with Chief-Elect Lewis Johnson of the Seminole Nation expressing a heartfelt desire to work together on such a project. During Oklahoma Camp Meeting, Chief-Elect Johnson spoke with several local farmers about this important project.

This year was a particularly rewarding experience for Native Ministries. The Pacific Union Native Ministries team, with funding and counsel from Oklahoma Native Ministries has pioneered an agriculture program for the Navajo Nation. On the entire Navajo Reservation, there are fewer than 20 grocery stores to service the tribe. Some individuals must travel over 100 miles to the nearest grocery store and often the choices are limited. Native Ministries sent our team photographer, Pastor James Bokovoy, to meet Nancy Crosby, Director of Pacific Union Native Ministries. While he was there, Pastor Bokovoy shot video and together with Pastor Christian Smith, put together a video showcasing the successful project. Native Ministries was able to work with ASI leadership and the video was shown on Sabbath Morning at ASI just before Elder Ted Wilson, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, spoke to those assembled. Due to its showing, every Native American booth (in addition to Oklahoma and Pacific Union, Holbrook Indian School had a booth) had people visiting in large numbers.

Native Ministries looks forward to working with the Chief-Elect Johnson on this project and several more as he is very interested in the Adventist message and may eventually begin Bible studies.

By Jim Landelius

MUSKOGEE, OKLA. - The Muskogee church’s food pantry, Joseph’s Storehouse, held its first drive-by food giveaway on Monday, August 30, 2021 and distributed 125 bags of food. Joseph’s Storehouse is open each Monday, except on major holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Adventist Community Services Center at 615 South Main Street, Muskogee. Anyone needing food is welcome to come twice per month and select items they need.   Joseph’s Storehouse held the food giveaway to reach more people in need and make them aware of our presence in the community.  

By Cindy Adams

Silver Spring, MD.— Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM) announced the appointment of James Winegardner to serve as president and chief executive officer of ARM and Gencon Insurance Company of Vermont (GICV). Winegardner will begin his role at ARM effective immediately and will replace Karnik Doukmetzian, who served ARM as interim president since April 1, 2021.

HAITI – On Saturday, August 14, around 8:30 am, an earthquake measured at 7.2 magnitude struck the southern areas of Les Cayes, Jeremie, Saint Louis de Sud, Aquin, Petit Trou de Nippes, Anse-a-Veau, and Cavaillon, followed by several aftershocks. Vibrations could be felt as far as Jamaica, about 200 miles away.

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