Contents
OCT / NOV 2017 PUBLISHER & editor Tom McCloud 918-625-5324
FEATURES 6 8 10 15 18 20 22 24
CREATIVE Director Ben Allen
Paul Mills, ORU Basketball Good Samaritan Health Foster Care and Adoption Stand in the Gap Visiting Angels Augustine Christian Academy Halloween at The Castle Tulsa Hope Academy
www.mccloudmedia.com • www.communityspiritmagazine.com Distribution Community Spirit Magazine is distributed to churches, schools, restaurants, Christian bookstores, and other businesses. Call us today to deliver to your church. Community Spirit Magazine is published monthly by McCloud Media. Claims by advertisers and the opinions of writers within this publication do not necessarily represent the views of Community Spirit Magazine or its publisher, Equipment Publications, Inc. Philippians 2:1-2 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Our Mission: 1. Build Community – Develop a sense of community among all local believers in Christ 2. Inspire Good Works 3. Support Families 4. Share the Good News of Jesus Christ
COLUMNS 26 28 29 30 31
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom McCloud, Randy Cowell, Justin Cowell, and Lori Frazee, DDS
ACT Financial Premier Bush Publishing Healthy Smiles Schluter Chiropractic
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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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A Coach Who Believes By Tom McCloud
Attention Community Spirit readers! Buy your tickets and get ready. ORU’s new basketball team is about to RISE UP to something special.
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he new basketball coach, Paul Mills has brought in a new, contagious attitude that already is sweeping across town. You see…against all odds, he believes, and now has others believing, the seemingly impossible…that ORU could become basketball’s next Gonzaga, Xavier, or George Mason…all small, private schools with big time, powerhouse successes. In fact, when I had the audacity of questioning whether he truly believes ORU could ever become a Final Four level team, he looked me straight in the eyes and answered, “With every fiber of my being.” Fact is, Paul Mills believes ORU’s long, Cinderella trek to the Finals has already started. Equipped with some talented returning players and a successful recruiting season, he has the beginnings of a great program. Mills loves the fact that ORU doesn’t play football…that there is enough air in the room to talk basketball twelve months out of the year. And he believes he can deliver a product that will guarantee everyone always has something to talk about. Coach Mills knows how to win. He comes to ORU after helping turn Baylor into a top national contender. Known for their ability to put points on the board, over the last ten years, Baylor has had the second most efficient offense in the country, bettered only by Duke. Mills hopes to bring that kind of excitement to the Mabee Center. He explains that it is not some secret system or a set of magic plays. Rather, he says that it is no more complicated than to find the mismatch on the floor and get the guy the basketball who can turn that advantage into points. “ORU has a tradition of winning. We have been to the Elite 8, numerous NCAA Tournaments, including back-to-back-to-back
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NCAA Tournaments, but we plan to take it to a much higher level. Our goal will be to learn to play fast and to use all 94 feet of the court. I am unwilling to concede even one inch. We may not have the personnel to get there on year one, but we will get there,” Mills said determinedly. “At Baylor, we played two traditional bigs. We had a 6’10” and a 7-footer. Here, we have a 6’ 8” forward who has an ability to shoot 3’s and has some things he can do on the perimeter. We had that same thing some years at Baylor and we can win with that.”
It All Starts with Unity Some coaches call it chemistry, but Mills calls it unity. “It’s where it all starts. It was the subject of our very first team meeting and it is the most important aspect to winning. The only time when the Holy Spirit is mentioned as being grieved is when there is a lack of unity. So, how do you make a body of believers united? I like to start with John 17 and Ephesians 4. In John 17, in the high priestly prayer, Jesus tells his disciples, “I hope you become one, just like the Father and I are one. Then, in Ephesians, Paul teaches that you have to speak to maintain that unity. If we don’t speak to one another, we probably won’t be on the same page. We are told to speak in truth and love. I tell the guys that it takes good communication for us all to get on the same page and that a player-coached team is better than a coachcoached one. If I am having to do all the talking, we are probably in trouble. But if they will have accountability and unity and be willing to speak to each other, iron will sharpen iron and we will be much better off.” Mills says there are great leaders on the team and that he is already seeing the team come together. He mentioned “Emmanuel Nzekwesi, the freshman conference player of the year and Albert Owens, the one returning senior and All-Conference player, as examples of leaders who are stepping up to help build unity.
1996–1999
North Belt Christian HS
1999–2002
Fort Bend Christian
2002–2003
Rice (asst.)
2003–2017
Baylor (asst.)
2017–present
Oral Roberts
Keeping Our Eyes on the Most Important Things Let there be no doubt, Coach Mills is focused on winning. “It is my responsibility to put a product on the court that is attractive. If you are going to represent God, how good do you think you should be where you have been called to serve? You should probably be the best, if you say you are going to be God’s representative in this area. My responsibility is to do a great job and the reason I am called to do a great job is because I truly feel this is a ministry. This is a calling upon my life. This is what I am wired to do, this is what I love.” Mills is unashamedly competitive. “We want to win and win at the highest level. My goal is to get ORU to a Final Four. Scripture tells us in Matthew… ‘Let people see your good deeds and then they will praise your Father who is in heaven.’ I want to do a good job so we can give glory where glory is properly due. We have God-given abilities and we utilize those abilities in a way to honor Him. And you know what? I want to do that better than anyone else in the country.” At the same time, Millls wants to coach his team to be really good men. “At the end of it all, we know that if all this is only about a 12- inch rubber ball, we are in trouble. If we are building our whole lives around this rubber ball, we are going to severely fall short of what we are called to do. And to these guy’s credit, they understand this is about something bigger. There are lots of life lessons we can learn in the process of playing this game.”
at a very early age, but he says it wasn’t until college that his faith really became his own. He has a heart for confronting injustice and had it not been for basketball, he would have been either a preacher or a civil rights attorney. “My heart gets tugged in that direction,” he said. Guys Worth Cheering For! Looking for a team to support and cheer for? ORU Basketball is a great choice. 1. Come cheer for these good, Christian young men 2. The talent level is high – This is great basketball! 3. The ticket price is affordable 4. The games are family-friendly – bring the church kids or neighborhood kids with you! 5. Coach Mills is setting the bar high. Come catch the excitement! ORU has a full roster of players you will enjoy learning about. But right off the start, here are a few you can watch for… Albert Owens A returning senior who graduated in 3 years and is currently working on his masters. All-Conference player, in all likelihood will play professional. “When you meet him you say that kid is worth supporting. What a great young man!,” remarks Coach Mills. Emmanuel Nzekwesi – Sophomore, 6’8” Forward, 230 lbs Freshman Conference Player of the Year. A European who has made the transition to play in America. “A phenomenal kid who really cares about building unity,” says Coach Mills. R.J. Fuqua The new recruit with the famous name. Son of the legendary ORU Hall of Famer, Richard Fuqua. R.J. will be playing with fellow standout Booker T. Washington Hornet, Chris Miller, a duo to watch. Spencer Sutton – Sophomore Guard, 6’4”, 215 lbs He came to play for his dad’s team, but he will stay to play for Coach Mills. Spencer is an example of the courage and commitment the team has shown during the transition.
Support the Golden Eagles! Purchase YOUR Season Tickets Now! Meet Paul Mills Paul and his wife, Wendy, have been married 20 years and have two daughters, 10 and 12, both of whom are attending Mingo Valley Academy. Living and breathing basketball, Paul has little time for any hobbies. In fact, he jokes that he is so busy, it is often up to his wife to handle many of the big decisions around the house. Through the years, they have lived in four houses, all of which, she picked out and he didn’t see until move in day. She also buys the cars. He says he just drives them. “I am either in the basketball world or at home. I trust her to make those kinds of decisions.” The son of a pastor, Paul grew up spending every Sunday, Sunday night and Wednesday night at church. Paul came to know Christ
Buy Tickets Now! You can purchase tickets to Oral Roberts University men’s basketball, women's basketball, and baseball online at mabeecenter.com or by calling (918) 495-7ORU (7678). Season tickets and group tickets are also available. Kids in FREE During the 2017-18 season, all kids age 13 and under accompanied by an adult get in to all ORU athletics ticketed sports for FREE. For more information about how to receive your FREE children's season or single game tickets, please call 918-495-7ORU (7678). C ommu n itysp ir itma ga zin e.c om
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A nonprofit organization is changing our community through mobile health care clinics.
We think you should know about them!
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eet Good Samaritan Health Services (GSHS). They bring medical vans to churches all over the Tulsa metropolitan area to bring life-saving medical care—doctors, medicines, labs—to at-risk individuals. The 501c3 nonprofit was established in 1998 to provide free medical care to the poor and uninsured in Tulsa. Within a year, one site grew to several through the use of the first medical truck. In 2007, GSHS added a second medical truck, a state-of-the-art, 63-foot tractor trailer. Now, through the two medical trucks, over 30 volunteer medical physicians, and over 200 other volunteers, GSHS provides more than 600 patient visits each month through 54 clinics held at 12 sites across Tulsa.
Their mission? To equip and empower Tulsa area churches to fulfill their vision of reaching their communities for Christ, partnering with them to effect transformation of individuals and the community by joining healthcare with their compassion ministries for those who do not have access to or cannot afford it.
Their success? Sick people are being treated and healed. In the process, they also are learning about Jesus and lives are being changed. And, the clinics are successfully decreasing our over-burdened Emergency Rooms. With respect, integrity, compassion, excellence and servanthood, GSHS serves much like Jesus did, providing both physical and spiritual healing.
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Maybe YOUR church should be involved? Maybe YOU should volunteer? Or, maybe YOU should support financially?
1 Check out the website at www.GoodSamaritanHealth.org 2 Pray about YOUR responsibility 3 Contact GSHS to see how your talents can best be used. Prayers Requested: GSHS currently needs financial support to provide additional clinic times in Sapulpa, a location where critical needs have surfaced.
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Children Are Crying. Will the YOU Help?
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onight, as you slept, children cried. Most of us are not in a position to ever hear them, but they cried just the same. Confused, abandoned and desperate for a love and security, they may have never experienced, the young ones reach out in the darkness for help while some of the older ones sit quietly, disillusioned and downright mad. Most have been separated from their families due to either abuse or neglect. For their own protection, the court has ordered the Department of Human Services (DHS) to gather them up, along with their few belongings, to be temporarily cared for by the state. Due to the hard work of DHS, churches and a host of private contractors like TFI Family Connections, Saint Francis Community Service and Lilyfield Christian Adoption and Foster Care, there are fewer foster kids without homes than in the past. However, the need is still high and YOUR home could absolutely make the saving difference in the lives of desperate children. Currently, the Tulsa metropolitan area has need for around 135 foster care homes, a totally achievable number if the Christian community would just organize to make it happen. That is only one home for every church this magazine is currently distributed, only one family out of Tulsa County’s population of 700,000. No, the job is not easy. It is a huge personal calling. Many of these kids have been physically, mentally or sexually abused or neglected. The emotional scars can be seen in their eyes and it takes a special kind of family to offer the right love and understanding to see them through this painful time in their lives. At the
end of the day, they are still kids, needing attention, training and love. They desperately need someone who will commit to them, to bring stability, hope and love into their lives. Unless the right people intervene and come to the rescue, they will bounce from one temporary foster care home to the next until they finally turn 18 years old. By then, the problems are often too great to bear. The future for most of these kids is bleak with many of them ending up homeless, jobless, on drugs, in prison, prostitution or even dead. Here are some alarming facts. 60 percent of the girls will have a child within 4 years of leaving foster care 45 percent are unemployed 50 percent do not complete High School 31 percent are arrested If nothing changes by the year 2020, more than 10.5 million children will have spent time in foster care and more than 300,000 will age out under that care, totally unprepared for this transition. Over 75,000 of them will experience homelessness. Will “The Church” Come to the Rescue? In the early days of the church, Christians were known to be the ones who stepped in to save children left abandoned to die. Over 2000 years have passed since those days, but children are stilling crying in the darkness and God calls Christians to respond. In fact, some even describe the present “Christian adoption movement” as a phenomenon. Churches are leading the charge and couples are
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responding by becoming foster parents, with the thought of possible adoption. There are almost 7000 churches in Oklahoma. Can you imagine what a difference it would make if each church agreed to foster/ adopt one child? The greatest gift for a youth who has lived in a state group shelter or home is to finally have a “forever family.” The book of James gives us all a mandate to help orphans and widows. As James puts it, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Respected Organizations are here to Help Hearing the cries and seeing the overwhelming need, many organizations are rising to the challenge, recruiting foster care families, organizing people to support foster care families, and providing counseling and adoption services where appropriate. The list of these organizations is too long to adequately applaud. However, here is a beginning resource list of people who helped us with this story. TFI Family Services – www.tfifamilyservices.org Provides satellite/Family Resource Home, Emergency, Respite Care, Specialized Care, Treatment Care, Therapeutic/Intensive Treatment Care, and Supportive Family Living. Reintegration/Foster Care and Adoption Contract Services • Adoptions • Behavioral Health • Kinship Services • Case Management • Counseling, Support, and Education • Services for Substance Related Disorders • Visitation and Exchange Center • PS-MAPP Training • 24/7 Intake • Juvenile Justice Authority Provider • Family Base Services • Affiliate Services for Community Development Disability Organizations
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Lilyfield Christian Adoption and Foster Care – www.lilyfield.org Provides loving, Christian families for infants and children through private adoption and a foster care program for children in state custody. And giving women in crisis pregnancies a place to turn to for guidance and adoption services. Saint Francis Community Services – www.st-francis.org Providing adoption, foster care and therapeutic foster care. This highly respected Episcopal ministry also staffs a Psychiatric Residential Treatment facility in Salina, Kansas. What WILL You Do to Help? Great foster parents come from people in all phases of life. You could be better foster parent material than you think! Foster care parents are often… • Active church members who feel a sense of mission in serving children • Community minded people who want to help kids stay in their own town or city • Adults, now empty-nesters, looking to have children in the home • People who will help a relative or provide brief respite care for other foster parents • People from all professions and stages of life, who share a common bond in helping children.
Can I adopt my foster care child if they come open for adoption? Jason Grewe, at TFI Family Services, explained that re-unification of the child to their biological parents is always the purpose of foster care. However, if it is determined that this is not possible, adoption can be an option, the foster care parent is considered if they are interested. However, foster care parents should not go into the situation with this in mind. “Should it happen, we can work with the parents to see them through the process,” he said.
• Have the ability to manage personal and household financial needs without relying on the foster care reimbursement;
Qualifications and Requirements for Becoming a OKDHS Foster Parent
• Have a working vehicle;
Holly Towers, Executive Director of Lilyfield Christian Adoption and Foster care, explained that there is no need to dread the certification process. “We have found that although the process is lengthy, it is a great exercise for the foster care family to prepare, to build the communication and family strengths which will help to make their foster care experience a positive one,” she said. According to DHS, all applicants must: • Be at least 21 years of age and preferably no more than 55 years older than the child considered for placement; • Have healthy relationships whether married, single separated or divorced;
• Fulfill the OKDHS policy on background investigations for all household members 13 years and older by completion of criminal history background checks; there must also be no history of alleged or confirmed child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse;
• Provide appropriate sleeping arrangements for each child placed; • Be in good physical and mental health; • Provide references; • Complete all required training in a timely manner; • Not smoke in the home or automobile when the child is present; • Comply with OKDHS rules on discipline; • Be able to work as part of a team with social workers and biological parents.
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Will YOU Foster?? The process is not as difficult as you would imagine. You could be providing loving support to children who truly need you within only a couple of months. There are of course background screening and reference checks, but very quickly, you will move into the training phase, provided either in person or often online. And once you become a foster care parent, there are support groups to come along side you. If God is tugging at your heart, we beg you to respond. He can and will, use your God-given skills and compassion to make an eternal impact on these children.
What to do if you can’t We Pray you will consider becoming a foster care family, but even if you can’t, you can still make a difference.
3. Consider being a part of a small group support family. Contact Stand in the Gap for more information. 4. Organize a support ministry at your church. Help foster families with everything from cutting their yard to baby-sitting. Become a part of the solution. Jason Grew, Community Liaison Coordinator for TFI Stanley Connections, was called into working with foster care parents a few years ago after serving as a pastor and youth minister. He challenges you to join into the fight for these beautiful children. He believes the spiritual gifts as spelled out in Romans 13 equip ALL of US to be able to assist in this good work.
1. Pray for these struggling youth as well as for Mercy – Your tender heart will help you forgive and the foster care families and those working to look past the mistakes some parents have made, urging them and praying for them to be ready to reunify with support them. their kids.
2. Call one of the foster care agencies to see Giving – Many of the children arrive to their foster how you can volunteer to help. care parents with only the clothes on their backs. Your support, either as a foster care parent, or as a financial friend of foster care parents will make a huge difference. Encouraging – This road is not an easy one and your encouraging spirit will help all involved. Teaching – Your ability to teach and mentor others can prepare more homes and strengthen more parents. Prophesy – Foster care parents desperately need the encouragement your gifting can provide. Administration – Your ability to help keep everything in order can be of help in assisting foster care families organize volunteers and maintain structure. Service – There is something for all of us. Cooking, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, the needs are endless and you can make a difference.
No mater your giftings, God can use you in this very important ministry. Will you please pray about it? Will you listen to His calling? 14 |
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(left to right) Shaunte Gordon, Rhonda Bear, and Eileen Guidry
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magine that you are walking alone in uncharted territory. The path is unpaved and you have no map and no guarantee that you’ll ever arrive at your destination. This is life for countless orphans, widows, and prisoners in Oklahoma. When an at-risk youth ages out of foster care, when a widow is crippled by grief and her friends have “moved on”, when a woman leaves prison determined to make a better life for herself and her children, these people need guideposts. They need other people to come alongside them and make the journey with them. They need someone to Stand in the Gap. In 1997, Stand in the Gap was founded in Tulsa in response to the needs of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable populations. Since then, the ministry has connected hundreds of people in need with thousands of people who care. These volunteer mentors have joined orphans, widows, and prisoners on their dark roads and brought wisdom, prayer, and experience along the way. Orphans finding family, widows finding hope, and prisoners, finding freedom! These are the stories of Stand in the Gap.
This November, Stand in the Gap will celebrate 20 years of God Sightings at birthday parties in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Guests will hear from: -an at-risk youth who, after being mentored by a Stand in the Gap small group, went on to become a Grammy nominated songwriter -a Stand in the Gap small group of widows who brought light to each others’ darkest days -a former drug addict and convicted felon whose Stand in the Gap small group mentored her along the road to sobriety, reunification with her children, and meaningful work in her community -and more! You are invited! Whether you are a longtime Stand in the Gap volunteer or you’ve never heard of the ministry, don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate God’s work through 20 years of Stand in the Gap! Over lunch, guests will hear some of the greatest life transformations of the past and be offered opportunities to participate in the next 20 years. The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided.
Take a break from your workday and join the party! Oklahoma City – Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 11:30 AM Tulsa – Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 11:30 AM More details and RSVP at www.sitgm.org/portraits C ommu n itysp ir itma ga zin e.c om
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Angel Sightings in Tulsa!
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mile Tulsa. You will soon be seeing more and more angels in town.
In fact, our community just got a bit better. Visiting Angels just relocated their offices from Owasso to the Brookside area. The respected home healthcare agency is not only a champion company dedicated to making the world a better place, Page Cole and crew are avid community servants. Even though they have done business here for nearly 11 years, having their office officially located here will be a blessing to all of us. You are liable to see “Visiting Angel Sightings” all over town, investing in local charities such as the Alzheimer Association Walk, the Hospitality House and American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball. They also remain a key participate in The Gathering on Main in Owasso. “Our involvement often allows us to minister to families who still have kids and teens at home, yet who are caregivers to their senior parents. We enjoy helping by helping them to just be family without all the burdens of always being caregivers,” Page explained. Page probably thought he was leaving the ministry when he purchased the Visiting Angels franchise, but instead, his personal ministry grew exponentially. Helping families care for their senior parents and loved ones, he and his staff now minister to hundreds every day, helping them through the trials of being caregivers while often also raising a family of their own. Page explained that the move will make it easier on their clients, most of whom live in Tulsa, and for their employees. But it also gives them a location which is close proximity to 3 local hospitals. The respected company serves hundreds of caregivers and Page sees their role as a God-given opportunity to minister to others. He also feels a real responsibility for the company’s referral sources such as hospice agencies, hospitals and durable medical equipment places. “They are part of our mission field as well,” he explained. Visiting Angels’ national slogan is “America’s Choice in Home Care.” When you get to know Page Cole and his team, it is easy to understand why they consistently are Tulsa’s Choice as well. Welcome to Tulsa, you Visiting Angels! We are glad to have you here full time! Stop by and meet these great servants. Their new, handy address is 1503 S. Peoria.
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Local School Puts Down the Phones, Learns to Reconnect Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
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ugustine Christian Academy took a bold move this year. They have put away their cell phones in an attempt to reconnect with each other. Surprisingly, the “experiment” turned “policy” is receiving positive reviews by both teachers and students alike. Sure, it took some time to get past their “technology addictions,” but they quickly discovered that the world did not come to an end, that the calls, texts and tweets really can wait and that life was somehow sweeter without the rectangular screens forever attached to their hands. In the process, they are finding many benefits to being hands-free, cord-free and interruption-free. It all started during their annual, beginning of the year trip to New Life Ranch, a beautiful camp located in the rolling hills of Northeast Oklahoma. Without cell phone service, they discovered being
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phone-less helped them in their effort to get to know each other. Camp time is highly important to ACA. It is something they have invested in ever since the school was founded 20 years ago. Headmaster and co-founder, Kirk D. Post explained that spending this time together allows them to start their year off right, unifying them as a community and setting the tone for working together. “For us, playing is serious business. It is this time together that our students and teachers realize how much they appreciate each other. It is also a time where new students can quickly connect with the other members of their house. (The ACA model builds community through gathering students into different “houses” where they are teamed with students of different ages.) By the end of camp, no one feels like the new kid, or even the young kid. Instead, everyone is part of the school,” he explained. Round table discussions are a key part of this camp. Like the Arthurian legend, the round table has no head and no foot. Everybody is on equal footing. It doesn’t matter if you are a 6th grader or 12th grader, you have the right to speak. Here, the students discuss the scriptures and share what their thoughts are and what they are learning. The floor is also open for any concerns. “It is a family discussion,” says Mr. Post. “And by the end when we join in and
sing “For the Glory of the Lord,” we somehow know we are all in this together. The act of putting down their phones fits perfectly into the ACA culture. Dedicated to the idea of mutual respect, they now see that they are enjoying better eye contact and improved overall communication. Students say they feel a new freedom by not being chained to their phones. “It is actually great to be free from having to respond to texts. I thought it was going to be hard, but I have gotten used to it,” said one student. The move toward this phone-less school culture has also had a positive effect on teacher/student relations. Mr. Post explained that respect is a key component to the ACA Classical Education model. Although their teachers do not attempt to be buddies with their students, they do strive to maintain a positive, almost familiar relationship. “We have found that students naturally respect teachers when they realize they are guiding them toward something important. The students want to know answers, but our culture trains them to find them only from their peers and sometimes that is the blind leading the blind. Naturally, you gain this from older people but the more we separate the community and the less time they have with older people, the less they respect them and look to them for answers. So, we work to have plenty of interaction, giving the students the chance to learn from a positive relationship with their teachers.”
Removing anything, even cell phones, that interrupts and takes time away from building these relationships has to be a positive move. We live in a world where it is becoming increasingly impossible to “REST.” In fact, “REST” is a central focus for the school this year. And in this push-too-much, do-too-much world of ours, ditching that buzzing phone is a great step in the right direction. Congratulations Augustine Christian. Hanging up on, or at least putting the craziness of life on hold, is a bold step towards a peaceful world. No wonder your test scores and reputation in the community continue to sky-rocket! Leadership and common sense pay great dividends. Augustine Christian Academy is located at 6310 East 30th Street in Tulsa.
You may learn about the school at www.acatulsa.org.
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Halloween Festival 2.0 – An update to provide less wait and more thrills! Sept 29-30, Oct 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 Hours: 6:00p.m.–10:00p.m. - Halloween Land open 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.
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he Halloween Festival at the Castle of Muskogee is just around the corner! Only a short drive from Tulsa, the Ghost Hosts’ of Oklahoma’s 60-acre park would like you to join them each weekend this fall! You’ll find a collection of culinary creations, 30+ shops for crafts, décor, clothing, and delightful entertainment for the entire family! Much more than a Haunted House, the Castle provides an array of thrills between 11 different attractions. Our goal is to create one-of-a-kind memories of fun and adventure for everyone! 2017’s Halloween Festival is QLess! Over the years, with the addition of new haunts, we attract more and more guests, which unfortunately mean lines. To address the bottleneck for 2017, we have implemented a new ticketing system, created by QLESS. Guests may now sign in and then go about their evening freely. When it is your turn, you will receive a text to head that way! In stepping up our tech game, we aim to optimize your Entertainment and fun at the Castle of Muskogee’s Halloween Festival. Families with wee ones are encouraged to plan a trip to Halloween Land, a carnival themed area ideal for kids 8 and under. Activities include kid-friendly games, face painting, and prizes with absolutely no scares! The Castle’s Halloween village also features live entertainment on the Chessboard Stage with the comedy of the Jester Rejects and Mark Logsdon, Escapologist. New this year is David Smith the Hypnotist and Topsy Turvy Acrobats. Looking for a Bone-chilling scare? Venture into the depths of the Castle grounds and test your fear factor on the Trail of Blood. As a staple of the Castle’s Halloween Festival, we have redefined the possibilities and added new menacing creatures to this wooded walk. Guests may gather courage before entrance or count survivors afterwards at the trail’s pub, The Rack. The hideaway's host, Elvira, may not offer sanctuary from the trail’s ghouls, but she’ll be there to serve up drinks and entertaining tales before your return to Castle Village. If you’re looking for immersion scares, we suggest the Dark Tower Zombie Hunt, where your mission and weapons are given, but it’s up to you to clear the area of Zombies and rescue survivors. We encourage guests to use the Castle’s Skull Rating as a guide when choosing haunts. For example, at , the Haunted
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Hayride provides eerie excitement without the residual nightmares. Within the Castle walls, guests can step up to by daring a stroll through Casa Morte, a labyrinth that provides horror and menacing spirits around every corner. At , Domus Horrificus, Casa’s Silver Screen Sibling, provides tight spaces and a more extreme scare. With a scale from 0 to 5 , over 11 events, we have something to entertain everyone in the family! Parking and admission to the Halloween Village is FREE. Tickets must be purchased for each attraction and prices range from $3.00 to $15.00 with Combo Specials available. Advance tickets may be purchased on-line. Go to okcastle.com to check out pricing, combo packages and details on attractions. RULES: Unaccompanied minors (Under 18) must have a photo ID to enter. Minors (under 16) must be in attendance with a responsible adult. Castle of Muskogee ∙ 3400 W. Fern Mountain Rd Muskogee, OK ∙ okcastle.com
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Tulsa Hope Academy Saving Kids, Producing Leaders
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ife happens. Sickness, Financial Crisis, Family Unrest can interrupt the plans of even the most accomplished executive. But what if you are 15? What if life gets in the way of getting your education? What if the years slip by and it appears too late to catch up or do anything about it? Tulsa Hope Academy comes to the rescue. The unique, non-profit 501c3, downtown Christian school gets kids back on track for success. Providing “You Can!” solutions and excellent educational opportunities to urban youth in the greater Tulsa area, they intervene with a heaping dose of hope. The technology-driven, teacher facilitated, student-centered secondary school was founded in 2005 as the “Hope4Kids” pilot program to address the escalating dropout rates in the Tulsa community. In June 2009, just four years later and a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication to the cause, Tulsa Hope Academy hit a major milestone by achieving full accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation (NCA/CASI) and the Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission(OPSAC). Now, 30 kids call it home. Ask any of them and they will share their own “Tulsa Hope Academy testimony.” Its where they rediscovered their identity, their confidence, and their faith. Debra Mann, Executive Director and founder of the school, continually and prayerfully pulls off the impossible to do a LOT with a LITTLE. With a heart full of compassion, she and the THA teachers pour their love and knowledge into these kids. The result? Lives are re-energized and re-directed toward exciting life goals. This ministry is worth your attention, your volunteer hours and your financial support. There are even ways many of us can give without much if any cost. By using the Oklahoma Scholarship Fund, Debra can show you how you can support these kids and get up to a 75 percent tax credit, plus federal and state charitable donations. The result often produces a way for you to give without it actually costing you anything. (See www.osfkids.com)
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Tulsa Hope Academy and the Arts One of the ways THA connects with kids is through the arts. According to a 2006 study by the Guggenheim Museum, a foundation in the arts can also help to improve literacy skills. Art programs can help to improve memory and concentration skills, develop decision-making and critical thinking skills, enhance communication and listening skills. Research from the National Endowment for the Arts states that at-risk youth involved in the arts are more likely to do better academically and engage in a positive way with their community. THA puts this research to the test each and every day by supporting their student’s love for…
• Music • Dance • Martial Arts • Photography • Rap • Spoken Word • Media Productions WE GIVE HOPE AND SECOND CHANCES TO TEENS WHO NEED IT THE MOST Tulsa Hope Academy has been serving under-served teens in Tulsa since 2005. Many of their students were not thriving in traditional public schools and lacked the resources to get the help they needed. Tulsa Hope Academy has a proven track record of helping these vulnerable teens succeed.
Come tour. Come volunteer. Come meet these incredible kids. www.TulsaHope.org
GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER, FINDING NEVERLAND, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. For season tickets, call 918.596.7109 or order online at CelebrityAttractions. com. The best way to guarantee tickets to HAMILTONis to purchase a season subscription for the 2017-2018 Broadway Season. Subscribers who renew their subscription for the 2018-2019 Season will be able to guarantee their tickets for the premiere Tulsa engagement of HAMILTON before tickets become available to the general public. Celebrity Attractions is proud to have KOTV-News on 6 and Tulsa World as sponsors for this amazing season.
PREMIERES NOV. 28 – DEC. 3 AT TULSA PAC
*** TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 ***
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e grew up listening to her music. Now, we can remember the songs while learning the back story on how she became a star! Celebrity Attractions is delighted to announce BEAUTIFULThe Carole King Musical makes its Tulsa premiere at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for eight performances only November 28 – December 3. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 6 at 10 a.m. BEAUTIFUL features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil. The show opened on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in January 2014, where it has since broken all box office records and recently became the highest grossing production in the Theatre’s history. Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. BEAUTIFUL tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. BEAUTIFUL features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song. BEAUTIFUL is being brought to Tulsa by Celebrity Attractions, a Tulsa-based company that has built one of the nation’s most highly successful Broadway Seasons in Tulsa and is proud to have an average annual impact on the local economy of more than $40 million. Celebrity Attractions is committed to presenting the Best of Broadway and more and enriching the communities they serve. BEAUTIFUL-The Carole King Musical comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for eight performances only November 28 – December 3. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 6 at 10 a.m. and may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111 or 800.364.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office, or online at MyTicketOffice.com. Groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling 918.796.0220. BEAUTIFUL-The Carole King Musical is an add-on production to Celebrity Attractions’ 2017-2018 Broadway Season which also includes A
For more information, please visit www.CelebrityAttractions.com and www.BeautifulOnBroadway.com Ticket buyers are reminded that for Celebrity Attractions’ productions, the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are the only official retail ticket outlets and the only way to guarantee that you are paying face value for legitimate tickets for all performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
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NEWSFLASH!!! There Is No “Number” For Retirement
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emember the ING Television commercial with individuals carrying around different large orange numbers on their shoulders? These numbers represented “their” number needed for retirement. I was always amused when the guy trimming his hedges was asked “What’s your number?” His response, “My number is a gazillion bazillion.” I’m pretty sure that’s not a real number and the unfortunate fact is many Americans are at the threshold of their “Golden Years”, woefully unprepared. Many have even given up! Is it any wonder that 1.7 million seniors are actively seeking employment? To put this statistic into perspective, in 1999 older workers represented 12% of the U.S. workforce. In 2013, the older set makes up 21.8% of those working. That is an 81% increase in just 14 years. Now I’m not recommending you not have retirement goals, but what this article will address is the fact that you cannot successfully or magically calculate a future number and be certain it will be enough to provide your retirement dreams and desires. The uncertainty of your financial future is pointed out with the following survey. Take it, be honest, and then ponder how your retirement dreams could be affected by any number of these topics.
“Many have even given up! Is it any wonder that 1.7 million seniors are actively seeking employment?”
Bureau of Labor Statistics
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How did you do? I believe setting goals is a good first step toward insuring a great retirement, but constant monitoring of those goals and continuously adjusting them is a key factor to preparing for a successful retirement. There are many factors to retirement planning such as wealth management, pension analysis, social security, and distribution planning just to mention a few. Conceptually, retirement planning can be compared to a giant puzzle. All of the pieces must fit together to be successful and if you have ever gotten to the end of a puzzle only to discover the last piece of the puzzle is missing, you know how frustrating that is. Many Americans are “dazed and confused” (Thanks Jimi Hendrix) about their financial future. Give us a call, we would love to answer any questions you might have – no obligation of course!
RANDY C. COWELL, M.S., LUTCF, CFP®, CRPC® ACT Financial Services, Inc. Randy C. Cowell is a columnist and President of ACT Financial Services, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the author of “God GoodDebt Bad”. Randy welcomes your thoughts and prayers. He can be reached at 918-664-0081 or by e-mail at rcowell@htk.com.
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Why Employee Financial Education Makes Good Business Sense
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F you have been following these articles you know there are volumes of research supporting the need for more and better employee financial education. It’s no secret, investing in the financial well-being of employee’s makes GREAT business sense and the astonishing fact is………. it can be delivered to employees at a minimal cost to employers! Dr. Steven R. Covey, Author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People put this in perspective when he said, “Having spent my career helping individuals and corporations increase productivity, I’ve become convinced that one of the greatest, unnoticed drains on individuals is the distraction that financial stress puts on people.” This sentiment is supported by the fact that only 19% of employees surveyed were confident in their retirement planning.
75% of adults want more financial education What’s In It for the Employer? A few of the benefits to employers that are directly correlated back to employee financial well-being are:
» Reduced absenteeism and tardiness » Increased employee moral » Reduced Human Resource administrative cost resulting from forced garnishment and Quadro filings
What are the Keys to a Successful Financial workshop? First and foremost, a successful workshop is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Tailoring them to suit your particular workforce demographics with regards to age, sex, and employee benefits offered are just three areas to consider. There are several formats that work and any of these can be conducted on or offsite depending on the availability of meeting space. Many companies do not have space adequate to accommodate large groups so offsite meetings can be an easy solution to this logistics issue.
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Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2012
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There are several time options that can cover any number of topics from Retirement and Social Security strategies, understanding insurance, and dealing with debt. A one-hour lunch-and-learn can be a great way to introduce employees to the “new” education company benefit. Longer segments naturally would allow for a more comprehensive workshop dealing with budgeting .
Our Pledge to You Forgive me, but I can only speak for Premier Education Partners’, LLC perspective. This is how WE approach worksite education; it begins with a pledge! Our pledge to you as the employer is that each participant will receive a workbook or worksheets specific to the topic of the workshop. We will not self-promote, there will be no additional marketing besides the workshop at hand. We will offer each employee who attends the workshop a complimentary follow up consultation, if they choose, to discuss their questions and concerns privately. There will be no uninvited future contact to the employee. For more information on how your company can schedule a Worksite Educational Seminar, please contact Stephanie Dixon, Human Resource Liaison, at (918) 828-7787 or visit us on our website at www.PremierEducationPartners.com.
“I love to be motivated but motivation won’t get the bills paid.” Over the next few years I had the extraordinary opportunity to work with some of the smartest business minds in the country. With the proper tools and the proper education you can build the business of your dreams. Empowering business women, leaders and entrepreneurs how to succeed in business is far more than just motivation. I love to be motivated but motivation won’t get the bills paid. I’ve coached hundreds of small business owners that have the same questions I had. It all boils down to three important questions:
1. How much money do you want to make? 2. In what amount of time do you want to make it? 3. In what business do you want to grow in? When you have the proper tools and know the proper business principles it will change your life, your business and provide financial security. It worked for me and it will work for you.
INTERRUPTED
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hen I was in my forties, after twenty years of marriage, a great career, building memories, dreaming big dreams and having a lot of fun doing life together, my husband unexpectedly died. My heart was broken. Our family would look very different now and the vision of what the future had always looked like to me was dissimilar. Reality sets in very soon when the funeral is over and everyone goes home. What was my purpose now? I was married when I was 20 and never had to support myself. I was always busy doing what we were called to do and what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it and where I wanted to work. I immediately became the president of our growing publishing company. The staff now looked to me as their leader. The problem was that I didn’t know what that looked like, let alone growing a business. Worst of all the voice of fear taunted me that I would be living under a bridge with a teenager unable to build anything for the future. There came a day when my Why… became greater than my fear. It was the fight to win which gave me purpose again, and purpose fueled my passion and my passion fueled my success. Passion breeds purpose, and purpose fuels success.
Dream Big, Live Big! by Margo Bush, available on Amazon.com, Fall 2017. Margo Bush is an Oklahoma native. She is founder of Margo International and President of Bush Publishing & Associates, Inc. She was the Cofounder of a thriving church in Louisiana for more than fifteen years. Dr. Bush holds a Doctorate of Theology from West Virginia Christian University, a degree in Music and Theater Production and continuing education training in business development and analysis. To learn more about church or business consulting, or to book Margo for an event, visit MargoInternational.com or call 918-404-8205.
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1. 83% of people believe their teeth are more important to their appearance than eyes or hair. 2. The hardest substance in the human body is tooth enamel. 3. Dental Floss originated in 1815 when a dentist began to show his patients how to use a thin silk thread to clean between their teeth. 4. Diet soda destroys tooth enamel as much as methamphetamine and crack cocaine. 5. In the middle ages, dental care and oral surgery were the responsibility of the local barber. 6. The tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body. 7. The most commonly forgotten item for travelers is the toothbrush. 8. You should replace your toothbrush every time you get sick and every 3 months otherwise. 9. If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 35% of your tooth surfaces. 10. Children begin to develop their primary teeth 6 weeks after conception while in their mother’s womb. 11. Jaw muscles are so strong that they provide about 200 pounds of force when bringing your back teeth together to chew. 12. The average American spends about 38 days over a lifetime brushing their teeth. 13. 60% of adults ages 35 to 44 are missing at least one permanent tooth. 14. About 25% of adults over age 65 have lost all of their teeth.
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15. Flossing is better for your teeth than brushing. 16. Two known causes of oral cancer are alcohol use and tobacco use. 17. Adults have 32 teeth. Children have 20 teeth. 18. 85% of the population can curl their tongue into a tube. 19. The lifespan of a taste bud is 10 days. 20. The electric toothbrush was invented in 1939. 21. The tooth is the only part of the human body that can’t repair itself. 22. 500,000 people get dental implants every year. 23. Celery does a great job of naturally cleaning teeth and removing plaque. 24. Before the invention of toothpaste in the early 20th century, items such as ashes, chalk and charcoal were used as a cleaner for the teeth. 25. Children don’t have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively until they can tie their own shoes. We hope you enjoy these “fun facts” and look forward to providing more comprehensive dental information in upcoming issues. Please feel free to call or come see us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry. We would love the opportunity to make you a part of our dental family.
Dr. Lori Hare DDS is one of the owners, along with Dr. Robin Ross DDS and Dr. Billie Reeder DDS, of Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry. They have been creating “Healthy Smiles” since 1993 and have offices at 43rd and South Peoria and also in Claremore at 201 North Lynn Riggs. New patients are always welcome. Check out their website at www.thehealthysmiles.com or call Tulsa – 918-749-0303 Claremore – 918-343-9100.
Stay Healthy This Fall
Jason Schluter DC Schluter Chiropractic
Give Your Immune System a Boost - Back to school time can sometimes mean getting sick time for some unfortunately. To help avoid that this fall, be sure to follow these simple suggestions: limit your sugar intake, eat simply and nutritiously, get regular chiropractic adjustments, and boost up your supplements. Stay Hydrated - This is a very easy rule to follow in the summer time heat, but come fall, you may not feel as parched. However, that doesn’t mean staying hydrated isn’t as important. Drinking plenty of water is still crucial to keeping your body functioning at its best. Stay Active in the Cold – Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t be as active. In fact, you don’t even have to go outside to move more throughout the day. Try fashioning a DIY standing desk or workstation at work, or simply do a few laps around the office or the house when you can. As tempting as it may be, try to avoid becoming a couch potato during the cold months.
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here is a crisp breeze in the air, the leaves are changing color and the landscape is looking more and more beautiful. But despite all of this, fall and the upcoming holiday season can be a very stressful time for many. While there is so much to be grateful for, it is easy to get busy and forget to take care of your own health. Our health tends to be put on the back burner during this time of year and combined with the stress of the upcoming holidays creates a recipe for disaster. With that in mind, here are a few ways to stay motivated and maintain your health routine this fall.
Make this year different, take responsibility for your health and make it a top priority this fall.
Set Goals and Limits – Goals can be extremely important but if they are excessively restrictive or vague, you will be less likely to follow through. Establish clear health and nutrition goals i.e., a half-hour walk every weeknight; a small dessert two times a week, etc. Being consistent is key to having success with anything in life but especially when it comes to your health. Get a Routine – Try to make your daily routine a habit, keeping things at the same time each day. Stay on top of your workouts, develop a consistent routine for healthy eating and keep getting regular chiropractic adjustments. Beginning to experience how great your body is designed to feel and function is a great incentive to get back on track if you start missing workouts or eating unhealthy. If that happens you will start to feel sluggish and unsettled. Eat Fall Superfoods - Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables means your produce will be less expensive, more nutritious & definitely taste better – which means you’re more likely to eat more of the healthy stuff. Summer may be coming to an end, but eating in season can be just as healthy with fall superfoods like pumpkins, apples and Brussels sprouts ripening now. C ommu n itysp ir itma ga zin e.c om
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