July 2013 | Community Spirit Magazine by Community Spirit Magazine

Nursery, Kids’, and Youth Events. Preview Victory Bible Institute classes for FREE

July 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.c om

July 2013

Contents FEATURES 6 Beth Moore Live In Tulsa 10 Annual Christian School Directory 16 Applause to Three Christian Schools 16 Dance School that Lives by a Higher Calling 20 13 Ways to Save Your Lover 22 Celebrate Recovery 32 Explore Tulsa: A Show to be Proud of 34 The Multi-Site Church Model COLUMNS 20 Dr. Kevin Nieman, LMFT 24 ACT Financial Services 25 Deniece Adsit 27 Ask-A-Pro, Grace Hospice 28 The Biggest Loser, Danny Cahill 29 Jim Burkett, The Art of Apologetics

PUBLISHER & editor Tom McCloud CREATIVE Director Ramond Walker CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom McCloud, Randy Cowell, Deniece Adsit, Dr. Kevin Nieman, Ava Hancock, Danny Cahill, Blythe Fowler, Jim Burkett

www.mccloudmedia.com • www.communityspiritmagazine.com TULSA Sales Office 10019 S. 69th E. Ave. Tulsa, OK 74133 phone: (918) 307-2323 fax: (918) 528-6209 Distribution Communityspiritmagazine.com is distributed to churches, schools, restaurants, Christian bookstores, and other businesses. Call us today to deliver to your church. Communityspiritmagazine.com is published monthly by McCloud Media. Claims by advertisers and the opinions of writers within this publication do not necessarily represent the views of Communityspiritmagazine.com 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 Fan us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CommunitySpiritMagazine

Defiant

gracechurch 9610 s garnett ba 918.252.1611 gracetulsa.com

R a d i o with CaRol MCleod Monday-Friday 7:30am & 10:30am

JoyCe MeyeR

en J o y i n g E vE ryd ay l i Fe

Monday-Friday • 11:00am

sunday 8:30 & 11:15a.m. sunday school 10:00 to 11:00a.m. wednesday 7:00p.m. 4

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www.KCFO.com

matters of the heart. Dustin & Christin

Similar heart conditions brought Dustin and Christin together. Their remarkable beginning produced a bond made even stronger by each of them undergoing a heart procedure within the first six months of marriage. And now, thanks to Oklahoma Heart Institute, their future is even brighter.To learn more about Dustin and Christin’s life-changing experiences at Oklahoma Heart Institute, visit OklahomaHeart.com.

OklahomaHeart.com | 918.592.0999 “Like” us on Facebook.

beth moore

Living Proof Live with Beth Moore

Coming LIVE to Tulsa! BOK Center, September 27-28, 2013 (Friday - Saturday) Featuring: Beth Moore (Speaker) and Travis Cottrell (Worship Leader) Living Proof Live with Beth Moore—an event designed to teach women to love and live on God’s Word. Beth’s message for each event is based on the Scripture that the Lord lays on her heart—no two messages are the same. Aligning with Beth’s burden for unity in the Body of Christ, Living Proof Live is for women of all ages, races, and denominations.

n 1998 most of us had never been on the Internet, cell phones wouldn’t fit in your pocket and hardly anyone had heard of Beth Moore. My, have things changed. Now celebrating 15 years, Living Proof Live is coming to Tulsa for the first time and thousands of area women (and men) have not only penciled the event into their calendars, they have carved the date in with bold, indelible markers. This is something they are NOT going to miss. Living Proof Live events have long outgrown church auditoriums. In fact, the BOK Center is expected to overflow with women from all over the surrounding states and communities. Tulsa’s Living Proof Live is just one of eleven such 2013 events scheduled around the country, including one to be simulcast to an estimated 250,000 viewers. Beth Moore has become one of the country’s most loved female Bible teachers. Blessed with a warm personality and a passion for the Word, she offers a teaching style which transcends all denomination lines. You can find churches of all flavors now using her books and DVD series lessons. In addition, countless people are encouraged daily by reading her blogs, following her Tweets and “liking” her Facebook posts.

How did it all start?

OMELIFE magazine recently interviewed Faith Whatley, Director of Adult Ministry at LifeWay Christian Resources. Faith was in charge of pulling those first Living Proof Live events together. Faith talked about her first meeting with Beth Moore and the impact of the LPL events. (Reprinted from HomeLife magazine, June 2013. © LifeWay Christian Resources. Used by permission. www.lifeway.com/ homelife.) She (Beth) oozed Jesus to the point where you could not take your eyes off her. This woman was different. Set apart. Contagious. And she felt things deeply. She was just a few years older than me, but I was caught on every word because she spoke with such wisdom. Her name was Beth Moore. She had been teaching for many years, but due to the release of a new Bible study in 1995, churches across the 6

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country were eager to have her come teach their women. Our mutual vision was to conduct seminars so women could learn more about God’s Word, which would hopefully lead to a life of Bible study for every woman who attended. We planned to hold these events in precious churches in small towns, never even dreaming of big events. We envisioned about 500 women sitting in an audience with their heads buried in the Word, their journals ready to take notes, and yellow highlighters in hand ready to mark verses that spoke to them. If only we had known what God was going to do! We may have just adjourned the meeting, shook our heads in disbelief, and run out of the room. My boss asked me if I thought I could work with Beth to help plan the seminars, and I felt like I could because she seemed like a nice lady. And that is exactly how Living Proof Live began.

“And I’m thankful to have had a front row seat to see God pour His Spirit out on more than a million women (and a few brave men) who were willing, with the encouragement of a brave teacher, to say Yes, Lord! Show me Your ways.” -Travis Cottrell Memories from Travis…

Attention all minister’s wives! LPL invites you to a special event called, Between Us SEPTEMBER 26-27 AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH TULSA

Special Guest Speakers: Beth Moore and Cindy Winters Come interact and mingle with other ministers’ wives that are walking the same road you are. All of the session leaders and worship leaders are minister’s wives too, so it provides you the opportunity to be with other women who truly understand your joys, challenges and pressures. You will come away from this conference feeling totally understood and equipped to walk in your calling.

Early bird rates just $79 (expires July 26, 2013).

ravis Cottrell has served as worship leader for Beth Moore’s Living Proof Live conferences for 15 years. He’s also the worship pastor at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. The gifted Christian singer/songwriter has fond memories of all the lives touched as he watched God work during events all over the world. I’ll never be able to adequately articulate the spiritual influence Living Proof Live has had on me these past 15 years. Not only has Beth’s surrender eternally impacted millions of people all over the globe, she’s also had the same effect on Angela and me. I’m not who I once was, thanks to the power of God, His work on the cross, His gift of the Holy Spirit, and His voice in my life through His Word. And I’ve grown to love that Word more because of Beth’s influence. We could never thank her enough for her deposit of truth in our lives. I’ve always known Hebrews 4:12, the verse upon which Living Proof was founded, is true: “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.” But in Beth, I not only heard its truth; I saw its truth.

About BETH MOORE Beth Moore founded Living Proof Ministries in 1994 with the purpose of teaching women how to love and live on God’s Word. She has written numerous books and Bible studies, including Breaking Free, Believing God, The Patriarchs and most recently, James: Mercy Triumphs that have been read by women of all ages, races, and denominations. You can often watch Beth on Life Today with James and Betty Robinson, and you can listen to her A Quick Word ...Monday through Friday at 1:00 on KCFO AM970.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Registration for individuals and groups is $69 per person.  GROUP SEATING OPTION - LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE! Reserved seating for groups of 50+ attendees, registered all at the same time, will receive reserved seating on a first come, first served basis. Sales tax applied to event cost, if applicable. Registration Information – Register online at lifeway. com or call 800.254.2022. You may also Fax your information to: 615.251.3730 or mail it to Living Proof Live, P.O. Box 24001, Nashville, TN 37202. July 2013 Communit ySp ir itmagaz ine.c om

LIVING PROOF LIVE

Celebrating 15 Years

of life-Changing bible studY & inspiring Worship

With beth Moore & travis Cottrell

JOIN US! September 27-28, 2013 Tulsa, OK | BOK Center

for the past 15 years, women around the world have been joining together for living proof live—an event designed to teach women to love and live on god’s Word. beth’s message for each event is based on the scripture that the lord lays on her heart—no two events are the same. aligning with beth’s burden for unity in the body of Christ, this experience is for women of all ages, races, and denominations. grab your girlfriends and sign up—you don’t want to miss this incredible weekend!

Reserved seating available for groups of 50 or more. Space is limited.

lifeway.com/livingproof | 800.254.2022 8

Event subject to change without notice. Sales tax applied to event cost, if applicable.

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victory christian school

Victory Christian School

Academic Accomplishments 2012-13 1. 2.

3 National Merit scholars

18. VCS

58 students in 9-12 made Honor Roll with at least a

scores with an average of 575 in Verbal/Reading, 585 in

Seniors scored above State and National SAT

3.50 GPA

Writing and 580 in Math.

3. 4.

Math, Reading and Science with an average of 21.3

19. Seniors scored above State and National ACT English,

34% middle school students made Honor Roll 32 Students grades 9-12 received High Honors with a

3.80 or higher GPA

20. Achievement

Stanford Achievement Test.

51% of middle school students made Highest Honors

with a 93% or higher in all subjects.

18 Middle School students had poems published in “ A

Celebration of Poets”

Tests results show that VCS students

maintain a steady lead over national mean scores on the

21. VCS students won 1st place and third place for the chemical switch at the Tulsa Tech Challenge. This team got a special recognition because they were the closest team

Victory Middle School student wins 2rd place in State

to the goal out of all teams in the last 25 years. (Since the

Essay Contest “If I were Mayor.”

tech. challenge started.)

22. VCS students won 3rd place in the electric motor at the

94 international students from 17 countries – 27

graduating

Tulsa Tech Challenge.

Victory

Robotics

program

captures

6thplace

23. 2nd place was captured by VCS students in extreme

Oklahoma Regional Qualifying Matches, 3rd place in the

engineering at the Tulsa Tech Challenge.

semi-finals, and 6th place in the national semifinals, 5th

24. VCS students won 2nd place in robotics at the Tulsa

place Arkansas regional contest,

5th place in National

standings and missed world competition by 10 points to compete against 36 nations)

10. 92%

of this year’s seniors will go to College either

abroad or in the United States.

11. As of May 25, $4,000,000 in scholarship dollars earned total

12. Courses added in past two years – AP European History, AP World History, Accelerated Anatomy and Physiology. Digital Media and TV, and Personal Finance.

13. 6 HS Students have received Presidential Scholarships from various schools

14. 18 HS students have received a partial to full wholeperson scholarship from ORU.

15. 4

students

have

received

partial

Art

School

scholarships

16. 20

students in the past two years have earned the

distinction of Oklahoma Scholar by being in the Top 10% of class, have at least a 3.70 GPA and scored 1220 or higher on the combined Math and Verbal SAT or 27 on ACT.

17. There

were 274 students inducted into the National

Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society.

Tech Challenge.

25. Students won 1st place in the Rube Goldberg Machine at the Tulsa Tech Challenge.

26. Middle school robotics team won 3rd place for project at the Oklahoma Qualifying Tournament.

27. Rachel

McNamar 2013 Valedictorian, Tara Courtney

2013 Salutatorian

28. 7 Victory Christian School students score 30+ on the ACT 29. Out of 100 seniors, 27 Students earn Diploma of Merit, 5 Students earn Diploma of Distinction and 13 Students earn Diploma of Honor

30. Top

Ten VCS students with GPAs above 4.0– Tara

Courtney, Ashlyn Dillon, Hai Tan Huynh, Luke Kittinger, Kim Kham, Garrett Lyons, Rachel McNamar, Gina Miller, Cole Taylor, Justin Watson

31. 22 Golden Graduates – those who have attended VCS for 12 years.

32. In excess of 7500 ministry service hours performed by students in Grades 6-12.

For more information about enrolling in Victory Christian School visit us at www.vcstulsa.org, call the school at 918-491-7720, or arrange for a visit at 7700 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK . July 2013 Communit ySp ir itmagaz ine.c om

SEARCHING FOR JUST THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD? Here is a directory of some of the best in the area. Get on the phone and Internet to start your initial research, then make appointments to meet the principal and see the school for yourself. At this time of the year, many of the schools will be full, but don’t despair. Private Christian education is worth both the research and expense.

AUGUSTINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY School Administrator: Dr. Larry Ehrlich 6310 E 30th Street; Tulsa, OK 74114 Phone: 918-823-4600 Website: acatulsa.org Email: office@acatulsa.org Grades offered: K4 - 12th Accreditation: Member, Association of Classical Christian Schools Augustine Christian Academy was founded in 1997 and is a member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools. ACA is a classical, non denominational, college preparatory school for grades K4 – 12 dedicated to educating young people to think and reason from a distinctly Christian worldview. Our goal is to shape students to serve God and man, and who will strive to make an impact for Christ on the culture. Augustine Christian Academy uses a classical model that integrates every subject with the Biblical truths of the Christian faith. Strengthened by a challenging curriculum, and encouraged by relationships with godly teachers, our students are taught to address any subject articulately and persuasively. It is the strong relationships among students and staff, as brothers and sisters in Christ, that form not only the most unique feature of Augustine Christian Academy, but the secret to its success both spiritually and academically. Believing that parents are ultimately responsible for educating their children, ACA is committed to building strong families that view education as a primary focus. 10 10

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IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY School Administrator: Katherine McGrew 400 North Aspen Ave.; Broken Arrow, OK Phone: 918-251-5422 Website: www.icaba.org Email: kmcgrew@icaba.org Grades offered: PreK- High School Accreditation: the National Lutheran Schools Accrediting Agency and recognized by the State of Oklahoma (OPSAC). Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy exists to provide quality Christian education in which to grow Godly leaders for the future. Through inquiry, exploration, service and faith, Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy curriculum challenges and encourages students to know Jesus and move forward in faith with Him in their education and in their world.

Legacy Christian School (Claremore) Administrator: B. Arland Callison, Principal/Director Jackie Upton, Administrative Assistant 107 East Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, OK 74017 Phone: 918-342-1450 Fax: 918-342-1477 Website: www.lcsclaremore.org Email: acallison@lcsclaremore.org; juptopn@lcsclaremore.org Grades offered: P2-8th Accreditation: ACSI Affiliation:Christian – Interdenominational, Christ based curriculum. Legacy Christian School prepares students for life by providing excellence in academics, instilling Christian Character, developing leadership skills, and encouraging service to others--all for the glory of God. Legacy Christian School was established in 1979 and serves ages 2 years to 8th grade. Legacy offers a challenging academic program with Co-curricular classes in computers, art, music, band, & physical education. Students are taught the need to serve their community and others. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 July 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

christian school directory Open House: Tuesday, January 22nd. Call for information.

METRO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY School Administrator: Roger Gerstenberger, Headmaster Jana Annette, Director of Admissions 383 S. Trenton Avenue, Tulsa, OK Phone: 918-745-9868 Website: www.MetroCA.com Email: MCAInfo@metroca.com Grades offered: P3-12th Accreditation: State Department of Education, North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement a division of AdvancedED, and a member of the Oklahoma Secondary Student Activities Association (OSSAA) Affiliation: Christian - Interdenominational, no affiliation with any church Metro Christian Academy’s mission is to provide, in partnership with involved parents, an accredited college preparatory education that is founded on Biblical principles, cultivates Christian character, and equips students to excel academically, spiritually, physically and socially. Metro, established in 1983, is a college preparatory, interdenominational Christian school serving P3-12th grade. Metro offers challenging academic programs and a wide variety of activities to enhance each student’s educational experience. Academic services range from AP and honors courses to programs aiding students with special learning needs. Co-curricular activities include state-recognized music, drama, art and athletic programs, student leadership, honor societies, academic teams, as well as service and spiritual enrichment programs. At Metro, there is a place and opportunity for everyone!

How does peer pressure affect your kids? Depends on their peers. At Metro Christian Academy, we believe excellence is measured not only by academics, but also by character. Accredited education. Christian principles. College preparation. Promising futures. We’re Metro Christian Academy.

METRO CHRISTIAN www.MetroCA.com • 918-745-9868 • Limited enrollment available.

MINGO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL School Administrator: Joel Staggers, Superintendent Contact: Lisa Padgett, Office Manager 8720 E. 61st Street – Tulsa, OK 74133 Phone : (918) 294-0404 ext. 209 Website: www.mingovalley.org Email: office@mingovalley.org Grades offered: K4-12 Accreditation: State of Oklahoma (OPSAC); AdvanceED (formerly NCA); and Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Mingo Valley Christian School is a non-denominational, college preparatory, private school conveniently located near 61st Street and Mingo. Since 1976 we have sought to partner with parents to build faith, knowledge and character in the hearts and minds of students. We are a discipleship school that keeps Christ at the center of everything we do. We seek to cultivate academic excellence, integrate faith and learning, and celebrate moral virtue. We offer an excellent drama program, athletics (Football, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Golf and other activities), student leadership (Key Club, NJHS/NHS, Nehemiah Project and Citadel), art, music, foreign language, computer, missions trip and other activities. All students have the opportunity to utilize our state-of-the-art computer lab. We also provide an excellent academic program that helps students develop a biblical worldview as they study about God and His creation. We offer honors level courses and the ability to enroll in concurrent college courses. Our focus is on building Christian thinkers who can communicate effectively and persuasively. Call to schedule a tour or day of shadowing. 12

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REGENT PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF OKLAHOMA Contact: Andrew D. Shapleigh 8621 S. Memorial Drive; Tulsa, OK Phone: 918-663-1002 Website: www.rpsok.org Email: lwilliams@rpsok.org Grades offered: Pre-K – 12th grade Regent’s mission is to provide academically able students with a challenging education designed to help them know, love and practice that which is true, good and beautiful and to prepare them to live purposefully and intelligently in the service of God and man. Regent uses the classical model to immerse students in a Christian worldview. Students will appreciate the cultural impact of Western civilization, studying ancient history, languages, and culture in light of Christianity. P H O T O COU RT E SY O F LUCA S FO RSY T H E

Distinctive aspects of Regent include: Latin in grade 4 and up; 13:1 student/teacher ratio; strong family environment, accelerated mathematics, rhetoric skills development, and classic literature studies.

Invest wisely.

REGENT

PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF OKLAHOMA rpsok.org 918.663.1002

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christian school directory

REJOICE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS School Director:Dr. Craig Shaw 13413 E. 106th St. North; Owasso, OK Phone: 918-272-7235 Website: www.rejoiceschool.com Email: rcs@rejoiceschool.com Grades offered: Pre3 - 12th grade Accreditation: Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI); Oklahoma Private Schools Accreditation Commission (OPSAC) The right school will change a child’s future. At Rejoice Christian Schools (RCS), our experienced faculty provides for your child’s best future through Christian nurturing, educational challenges, and small class sizes. Year after year, RCS continues to rank in the national academic top 10% of all schools, both public and private. Our God-given ministry is to lead young people to know Christ and train them in Biblical principles, Christian character, language and traditional subject matter. RCS offers a compete curriculum from Pre3 - 12th grade, including college preparatory and honors classes, a vibrant arts program and a dynamic sports program.

Call today for a personal tour at:

918-272-7235

(Preschool / Elementary)

918-516-0050

(Middle / High School) Rejoice Christian Schools admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

SUMMIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Director/Owner: Dan Giddens 200 East Broadway; Broken Arrow Phone: 918-251-1997 Website: www.SCA-Eagles.com Grades offered: K-12 Accreditation: North Central Association, and the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS). SCA is recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Building great people through Biblical application, academic excellence and service-centered discipleship. Our purpose at Summit Christian Academy is to assist parents in training their children to become great people who have a Godly influence on society. Through Bible study, applied academics and discipleship training, we help students acquire these goals; Experience a dynamic, vibrant and alive spiritual life. Cultivate deep, lasting and meaningful relationships; Pursue God’s destiny and tap into their personal potential; Develop personal growth and maturity in each stage and season of life. Live a life of contribution and significance.

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ORU eAcademy: A Virtual Christian School School Administrator: Nancy Herrera 7777 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74171 Phone : 800.678.5899 Website: www.orueadacemy.com Grades offered: 3-12 Accreditation: ORU eAcademy is accredited by the International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA). ICAA is recognized by Oklahoma Private School Accrediting Commission (OPSAC). ORU eAcademy is also accredited by AdvancED, which affords the school diploma recognition by colleges and universities nationally and globally. Oral Roberts University eAcademy is an online virtual school offering families the opportunity to pursue quality education at home or from other remote locations. ORU eAcademy serves as a powerful solution for parents looking for the benefits of an online, private Christian school with a nurturing environment and the time-saving features of a web-based curriculum. The ORU eAcademy curriculum consists of the core subjects plus electives all integrated with biblical truths and principles and supported by the “Living Curriculum” – our certified, Spirit-filled Christian teachers. All full-time students who are with the ORU eAcademy for at least two years are eligible for a tuition scholarship to Oral Roberts University upon graduation from the ORU eAcademy. ORU eAcademy equips students academically and spiritually in an online educational environment to become transformed individuals who positively impact society. Affiliation: Oral Roberts University Call to schedule a tour or day of shadowing. invite our students to learn about and experience the love of Jesus and share that love with the world. Affiliation: Non-denominational ministry not affiliated with any church or group of churches.

Victory Christian School Contact: Sherrill Whipple 7700 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK Phone: 918-491-7720 Fax: 918-491-7727 why should Vcs Be your school? the distinct advantage of Victory is its full range of quality programs at one of the best prices in the greater Metropolitan tulsa community. Begun in 1979, Vcs is one of the most diverse christian schools in the nation offering balanced quality programs in the arts, Music, academics, athletics, and spiritual life. • spirit-filled, charismatic, word of faith emphasis. • art (all grade levels), Music programs. • access to modern technology including the classroom Performance system, smartBoards, and new Portable science computer lab. • after-school supervision, extended care, or study hall for all grade levels – ideal for working parents. • ossaa—Victory is part of the oklahoma secondary schools activity association, providing an opportunity to compete for district and state championships in music, art, drama, academics, and sports with public schools. • health services with certified school nurse. • small class sizes. special remedial options for students needing academic help. and Much More!

Victory christian school now enrollinG! K3-12th Grade | 7700 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa OK 74136 918.491.7720 // vcstulsa.org

Website: www.vcstulsa.org Grades offered: K3- 12th Grade Accreditation: The Oklahoma State Department of Education and the International Christian Accrediting Association. VCS, serving grades K3-12, offers before and after-school programs and a Summer Fun program. These provide a safe and secure place all year round. A full range of courses, activities and facilities makes for a great educational experience where love of God and Country and strong discipline are evident. Multiple child tuition and fee discounts make Victory very affordable. No entrance tests are required to become a part of Victory. VCS serves students from over 168 church congregations. Come and experience a staff called to teach and minister to students and a student body that is serious about being successful in life. It is not too late to make the change to Victory Christian School. Enrollment is open all year round. Check our website for open house dates and learn more about this tremendous opportunity. July 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

reasons to applause

Reasons to

Applaud! Metro Christian Academy

lot has happened since Metro Christian was started 30 years ago… Michael Jackson dominated the music business, National Lampoon’s Vacation had just hit the screens, the TV show M*A*S*H said goodbye, Carrie Underwood was born, McDonald’s introduced the McNugget and President Ronald Reagan was still serving his first term. Since then, thousands of students have graduated and moved on to do amazing things to serve Jesus Christ. So, we salute the administrators, teachers and staff of this always impressive school. Keep up the good work. God is smiling.

Mingo Valley Christian School

s part of their annual Jump Out, over 150 6th -12th grade students from Mingo Valley Christian School dedicated all day to service projects throughout the community on Friday, April 19. In doing so, they blessed lots of agencies including: Clarehouse Hospice, Christ for Humanity, Gatesway Foundation, Family & Children’s Services, Happy Hands Learning 16

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Center, Owasso Baptist Children’s Home, Brady Heights Neighborhood Association, John Knox Pre-School, Spotlight Theatre, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Theatre Tulsa, John 3:16 Mission Family Center, Crisis Pregnancy Outreach, Up With Trees, ACT Resources, The Saving Place, Blessings International and Hospitality House. Jump Out! Is an event that culminates a yearly focus of servant leadership training by the Citadel student leadership organization. “This event is a great way to bless our community and the experience our students receive from their service to others is a vital part of the Mingo Valley educational experience, where we strive not only to advance them academically, but also to strengthen their character,” stated Joel Stagger, Superintendent. Congrats to the Jump Out team!

Augustine Christian Academy

THANK YOU MR. LARRY EHRLICH

ugustine Christian Academy, a unique classical school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has learned through many experiences that growth and development in God’s plan often means change in leadership. “God brings different people in and out of

any institution to show His constant care in providing what and who are needed at each given season of the ministry,” explains Kirk Post, the school Headmaster. Nine years ago, when Augustine was going through a difficult time of growth, Mr. Post believes that God brought Dr. Larry Erhlich to the helm as the new Administrator. “With his doctorate from Harvard in Worldview Studies, and his deep love for Israel, Dr. Ehrlich re-enforced the strong academic emphasis of ACA and brought it a new perspective for history,” shared the Headmaster. The students, teachers and parents who have attended the biennial trips to Israel hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Ehrlich have called the nothing less than “life-changing.” “His gift of mercy has seen the school through challenges and changes that resulted in solid growth in numbers and in the richness of the school program,” Mr. Post added. “Although Dr. Ehrlich is retiring from his work at ACA, and he will be greatly missed, the influence of his nine years of service will be felt for many more years to come.”

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the calling

A Time to Dance

P H O TO C O U RT ES Y O F G R EG G EI G ER O F F ORE VE R IMAGE S BY GRE G

ing Solomon said there was a time for everything…including a time to dance! Jessica Childs believes that time is now. Together with some very dedicated and talented kids from her dance studio, she is intent on giving movement to praise and ministering with their God-given talent. Stop into The Calling Dance Studio,

In the process, they also learn the lessons which come from hard work, healthy competition and teamwork. Jessica fell in love with dance from the moment of her first childhood class. By age 11, she knew she would someday be a dance teacher. At 13, she was a serious competitor. She went on to attend Union High School and then study Dance Performance at the highly respected Oklahoma City University. While at OCU, Jessica started teaching at a Christian dance studio in Oklahoma City and later helped open a second location in Tulsa. Then, when she had the opportunity to purchase the Tulsa location, she jumped at it. She knew from the start that her studio would be different from most. “There is a difference between what we do compared to the dancing many secular studios do. Our dancing has meaning. It has a deeper purpose than only the love of dance. The secret is taking that love and using it to glorify God with the talents that all of these kids were given and the

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…  a time to mourn AND A TIME TO DANCE! just south of 71st and Mingo, and you will find a close-knit group of dancers, in love with dance, with their teacher, but most of all with their Lord. To them, dancing is much more than moving to a beat, it is finding a beautiful way to communicate their respect and adoration of the Creator.

talent I was given to do the choreography. It gives dancing a whole new depth,” Jessica explained. Jessica also insists on more modesty than what is typical in today’s dancing world. She takes great care in choosing the choreography and the costumes. “We just don’t take any risks with either the lyrics or the costumes. All of our dancing is done to either Christian or age appropriate music,” she said. The result is a healthy, yet fun atmosphere. But don’t think that translates into not being competitive. Dancers from The Calling are highly respected and often score in the Top Ten during national competitions. We asked Jessica if she sometimes felt like she was as much youth minister as she is dance instructor. “No, though I try to always be a good mentor, I provide the steps and it is their job to be the minister and get the story across. And in nearly every performance, we hear of at least someone in the audience being touched by the message they communicate.” Jessica is married to Jason Childs, a local Farmers Insurance Agent. She says that he makes it possible for her to do what she loves and that together, they are able to make it possible to never turn a student away because of finances. The result is a ministry/business which is truly making a difference in our community. If Community Spirit readers wanted to help, Jessica says that there are always students who would be blessed by scholarships to assist with costumes and competition expenses. There really is a reason to dance and the kids at The Calling Dance Academy are sharing that Good News with every step. You can learn more at thecallingdanceacademy.com.

July 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

13 ways to save your lover

13 Ways to Leave Save Your Lover We all need positive re-enforcement and the things others compliment are the things we typically do more and more often.

6. Demonstrate good works. Don’t hide your light under a bushel. Involve him or her your good works. Let them see the love of Christ in the good things you do for others.

7. Be consistent with your faith.

aul Simon recorded a song back in the 70s entitled, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” The tune was catchy and people on every corner were soon singing the instant “Top 40 Hit.” It listed 50 quick ways to leave… including “Just dropping off the key, Lee” and “Making a new plan, Stan.” I remember thinking it was pretty cute and Simon was always one of my favorites. So this month we thought we would share our own list of 13 ways…not to “leave” your lover, but rather to “save” him or her. So here goes…

1. Pray for them. The Bible teaches us to “Pray without ceasing.” If you love them, put them on the top of your continued prayers.

2. Forgive and be patient with them. Neither of you are perfect. But chances are, he or she may have some habits which are outside the norm of your Christian culture. Unless it is a deal-breaker for you or is illegal or unethical, overlook the little stuff and try to be patient with them. You are not their mom. So don’t nag. Instead, focus on the things you love about them and let God sort out the bad habits in His own time. As they say, “Major on the major things. Leave the rest to God.”

3. Serve them. We are put on this earth to be God’s hands and feet and Jesus continually teaches us to serve others. Make doing good things for them part of your love language.

4. Put their needs above your own Grown up love means being willing to forgo your own wants to make room for serving others. Be willing to do so without keeping score or collecting any bitter feelings.

5. Encourage them. Compliment them about the things you love most about them. 20

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Don’t let your guard down. Be disciplined with your prayer life and your Bible study. Being an influence is both a responsibility and a hazard.

8. Be positive and never whine. Nobody likes to be around a whiny person. Stay positive and be demonstrate a life worth desiring.

9. Learn to be an effective listener. Make a point to listen much more than you speak. Be engaged in what he or she is saying. Ask follow-up questions. Show them you care about how they feel and that nothing is as important to you as what they are saying. And yes, that means putting away the cell phone and turning off the television!

10. Introduce them to Christian friends. If bad company corrupts good morals, then good company must…you got it…encourage good morals. Pick your friends wisely. Pick your lover’s friends even more wisely.

11. Enjoy positive, wholesome entertainment. Philippians 4:8 tells it all. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Like a good diet, if you want to be spiritually healthy, only take in things which are spiritually good for you.

12. Invite them to church Don’t be pushy, just let them know how much you love to go to church. Let them know it would be even better if they were there with you. Then be sensitive to their feelings and avoid things which you know will make them feel uncomfortable. Take things slowly if necessary.

13. Once you have made an absolute habit of doing all of that, tell them about Jesus.

marriages that last

Marriage Matters Giving up in order to have.

oday’s society is being taken over with “moreism”. We find ourselves thinking if we just had a new car or a bigger house or this or that, we’d be happy. Moreism is the never ending thought or obsession of obtaining the next thing, believing that it will produce a high level of satisfaction. Ironically, moreism only leaves one wanting more. Oftentimes we take the same approach in our marriages, thinking if my spouse only did this or that then, we’d be happy. We easily fall into the trap of wanting more and expecting more to bring happiness. Moreism seldom works the way we envision and in most situations, has an adverse effect on our happiness. Contentment, fulfillment and satisfaction tend to be present only in the acts of giving. When we get out of ourselves and put others first, we experience a sense of peace that is foreign to selfishness. Listed below are just a few things we should be willing to give up in hopes of strengthening our marriage.

Give up your need to always be right. You can win the battle but lose the war if you’re not careful. If the goal is to be “right”, then the relationship will usually suffer. Most conflict in relationship is not a matter of right or wrong, but mere differences. You can be “right” and end up all alone. Remember that the goal is oneness, connection between husband and wife, not to place blame.

Give up your need for control. The sooner one realizes that they can’t really control anything, the better. Behind most controlling individuals/relationships, you’ll find deep insecurity. The natural thought is if I can control my surroundings, including those I love, my insecurities will lessen. Not true. The insecurities will only intensify.

make the situation better, but in reality, it only makes it worse. By focusing on what is working, you’ll enjoy a more positive environment. Complaining leads to negativity while thankfulness leads to positivity.

Give up your need to impress others. Keeping up with the Jones is very difficult and near impossible. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that possessions define who you are. Be content striving to be the best you. Other validation only leads to problems.

Give up your excuses. Accept responsibility for yourself. Be willing to examine yourself and take ownership when changes need to be made. No one is perfect and by acknowledging your faults, you’ll be in a better position to overcome them.

Give up the past. Looking into the past can be extremely helpful in changing today and tomorrow if we view it as such. Blaming your problems on the past rarely benefits today and tomorrow. Don’t allow today to be determined by what happened yesterday. Focus on making the most of each situation, allow yourself to be fully engaged in your marriage.

Give up your resistance to change. Change is typically a hard process for most of us. To obtain true oneness-two becoming one-change must take place. This blending of two is likened to a cord of many strands, with each additional strand, the rope is strengthened. The marital relationship will be strongest when two individuals accept change for the betterment of their relationship. With a clear image of what you’re working toward, it becomes easier to let go of the resistance.

Give up on blame. Spend less time pointing fingers placing blame and more time helping each other through difficulties. Work as a team. View problems as a joint effort to be conquered together.

Instead of focusing on moreism, thinking it will bring about fulfillment, try giving up the things that create barriers within your marriage. With each sacrifice, you’ll notice a better you coming through and a healthier oneness.

Give up your self-defeating self-talk. The biggest challenge is often found between our own ears. How you view yourself will greatly reflect how you interact with your spouse. Dwell upon what is good and envision yourself achieving your marital goals and you’ll be more likely to succeed.

Dr. Kevin Nieman, LMFT Cornerstone Christian Counseling Services

Give up complaining. With all the negativity around us all day every day, it’s very easy to bring it into our marriage. Focus on what your spouse is doing right. For some reason, we think by complaining it’s going to

Cornerstone Christian Counseling Services is proud to announce that we are now in our newly remodeled offices. We are also pleased to announce that our new website www.cornerstoneoftulsa.com is active. We are excited about bringing hope and healing to those hurting in our community, blending our Christian beliefs with our professionalism.

July 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

celebrate recovery

COME OUT

&COME CLEAN by bly t h e fow ler

hen we take action on Celebrate Recovery’s Principle 3 and turn to the Lord, consciously choosing to commit our lives and wills to Christ’s care and control, the real person inside comes out of hiding and the process of establishing that personal relationship with Jesus that He so desires begins. He doesn’t tolerate pretenders or allow fainthearted efforts to slip by unnoticed; when we turn and face the Lord, we have to clean up so our connection to Him can be genuine and unfettered. Many of us have spent our life in a state of hiding; ashamed of who we are inside or what we have done in our past, we may hide by living a double life. Do you know that every person has three different characters: the one we exhibit, the character we think we have, and the character we truly have. The word hypocrite describes a person who pretends to have qualities (or character) that he really doesn’t have. Jesus consistently confronted the religious leaders about their hypocrisy. Matthew 23:25-26 reads: Jesus said, “Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are filthy... First wash

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the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too.”

Happy are the pure in heart.’ Principle 4 of Celebrate Recovery (CR) begins the process of coming clean, whereby we openly examine and confess our faults to self, to God and to someone we trust. We start by making a laundry list of what needs cleaning; a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves uncovers these things. Moral simply means honest; a moral inventory means we come out of denial and being as honest as can be, list all the significant events in our lives - both good and bad. Honesty about ourselves allows God to show us the part we played so we can own it and see how it affected the people involved. Only by uncovering the hidden parts of ourselves will we be able to change the outer person. Most of us stumble at making an honest

Do you know that every person has three different characters: the one we exhibit, the character we think we have, and the character we truly have. personal inventory; rationalizations and excuses for avoiding this step are plentiful. For we know there is sadness waiting and we fear the pain that facing the sadness will bring. Especially since pain and the avoidance thereof is what contributed to the hurts, hang-ups and habits that drove us into recovery in the first place. Be assured, going through the pain, not around, under or over, is the only way to get rid of it. And when we set out to face the pain and sadness of making a moral inventory, we will need the joy of the Lord to give us strength. This joy comes from recognizing, even celebrating, God’s limitless desire and ability to bring us out of bondage and care for us as we pass through the pain and sadness toward a new way of life. We will probably find our moral inventory list includes defects of character, destructive behaviors or habits, wrongs we have done, consequences of wrong choices we made and now live with, and hurts we have caused others. It’s like sifting through all the garbage of our past. This

is painful but a necessary part to throwing away rotten thoughts, behaviors and habits before they spoil the rest of our lives. Celebrate Recovery’s inventory process is divided into four segments: the first is focused on reality and a recounting of experiences that includes the person you resent or fear, the cause or specific action the person did to hurt you, the effect, the damage, and the part we played in the experience. The next segment is a spiritual inventory where we look at personal shortcomings and sins committed that can come between and block us from receiving all the joy that God has intended by hindering His effectiveness in our lives. A spiritual inventory looks at our relationship to others, our priorities in life, our attitudes and our integrity, and how our past actions in each of these areas had a negative (or positive) effect on our lives and the lives of others. The spiritual inventory also includes a closer look at the areas of mind, body, family, and church family to uncover additional shortcomings or sins that prevent God from working freely in our lives and recoveries. This thorough self-examination helps complete the inventory. After writing an inventory, we must deal with what is written and Principle 4 sums up the directions for this. First, we confess our sins to God, because He wants us to come clean and take personal responsibility for our choices and actions, and then we need to share these with another person whom we trust. This step begins to restore our confidence and relationships by chipping away at the debris that has built up and kept us from really seeing the truth about our past and present situations. Through confession to God and admitting our wrongs ’out loud’ to another person, the secrets of our sinful hurts, hang-ups and habits lose much of their power over us and freedom results as the chains of kept secrets fall away. Yea! We are gaining momentum and making progress on our road to recovery by coming clean and closer to God. If you are tired of struggling under the weight of painful secrets or living a double life, do yourself an immeasurable favor and come to Celebrate Recovery for help, fellowship and freedom. With more than 20 CR ministries located in the Tulsa metro area, you can easily find a gathering every night of the week. Visit www.celebraterecovery.com/finda-group/usa-oklahoma for a current listing and get on the road to recovery now.

July 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

randy cowell | ACT Fi n an c i al

Why Long Term Care Insurance When my mother had a stroke from lung cancer that had metastised to her brain, I got a personal glimpse into the cruel world of eldercare. After her stroke, my brother and I transported her to my sister’s home in sunny Florida. What we thought would be a very short stay turned out to be a two-year ordeal. My sweet sister agreed to care for Mom and would not consider placing her in a nursing facility. “It will be just for a short time. I will take some time off and we will manage.” She would say. Well, a short time turned into two years and not only did my sister suffer financially from having to give up her job, but her health started to fail from the constant demands of caring for an invalid. At the end, my parents estate was all but wiped out and a lifetime of dreams were replaced with medical bills and heartache and indelible bad memories. Long-term care is a reality. My hope for you and your loved ones is that you never have to experience what many call the “living death”. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on the subject and create awareness.

Just the Facts Ma’am (Dragnet) Trends in the long-term care industry indicate that insurance companies are taking a hard look at the viability of long-term care insurance and many have decided that the risk is too great. Companies such as Metropolitan, Alliance, and AIG have discontinued selling the product. The obvious answer as to why can be found in our aging population. With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day coupled with the fact we are living longer and the probability that some type of long-term care need is in the cards for most of those that live, has convinced insures they have a proverbial “Tiger by the Tail”. Put your insurance hat on and think like an insurance executive. Looking at some of these statistics can give you an idea as to why companies are getting out of the market. And why the ones that are choosing to stay are raising their premiums and making it more difficult to get coverage. The end result to the consumer is that it is becoming more and more difficult to get coverage. Let’s look at some of the statistical data: The population segment of the “very old”, older than 85, is the fastest growing age group in the country. Obviously, the older the person the more likely they will need some sort of long-term care. Based on current estimates of the rate of long term care, 30 years from now we can expect about 17 million elderly Americans will be receiving long term care. (Abstract of the United States, 2005). With the top ten insures paying $11,000 per day can you blame them for wanting out of the market? The projected cost 30 years from now for two years of long-term care is $500,000! (New York Time, 2012) In the midst of all this gloom and doom, let me share some good news. According to a 2012 Market survey of Long-term cost, Oklahoma is the cheapest state in our region to take care of someone requiring nursing home care. The average private room rate is $147 per day versus the national average of $248 24

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A New Strategy There is a new version of LTC insurance that is gaining in popularity. It is called asset based long-term care. The premise is simple. Give an insurance company a lump sum of money and if you are unfortunate enough to qualify for long-term care benefits you get a multiple of the amount you deposited back to pay for long-term care. The great news is you get the money tax-free. Yes, it takes a major monetary commitment up front, but there are many payoffs with this strategy. First, there are no future premiums. One of the complaints of traditional LTC is that policyholders do not like paying ongoing premiums. There are no future premiums and if you do not use the benefits you get your money back, sometimes with interest! This is a major difference between traditional LTC and the asset-based type. Another benefit to this type of coverage is the premiums are guaranteed not to increase. With insured individuals receiving premium increase notices at an ever-increasing rate, this is a huge advantage! For additional information on long-term care and strategies on how to pay for it please contact my office. I have been told that I get passionate when the subject of long-term care comes up. I suppose that is true. If we ever have the good fortune to meet, I hope to share other experiences, good and bad, about the trials and tribulations of long-term care. In the meantime if you would like to discuss this topic of long-term care and strategies on how to pay for it, please give us a call at 918-664-0081. We would love to visit. A special thanks to Will Baxter and Jordan Woodall for their research assistance.

RANDY C. COWELL ACT FINANCIAL Randy C. Cowell is a columnist and President of ACT Financial Services, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the author of “God Good-Debt Bad”. Randy welcomes your thoughts and prayers. He can be reached at 918-664-0081 or by e-mail at rcowell@htk.com.

BY Deniece adsit

About Deniece Deniece has a passion to minister to women. You are going to grow to love her and the way she tells stories, always getting to the real heart of the matter.

Paper Airplanes

ecently I have been spending a lot of time with a dear friend who is under hospice care. On one of these occasions his older sister and brotherin-law were there. His four year old greatgrandson was also there. As we were talking this child came into the room and handed each of us a piece of paper saying, “Make a paper airplane!” How do you tell a four year old that it has been over 50 years since you made a paper airplane and you have forgotten how to do it? Or that Papa was not well and maybe we should just sit quietly and talk? Quite simply, I couldn’t. None of us could. So we discussed how to do it, and began folding paper and trying to make them fly. Within an hour, all four adults were acting like four-year-olds and flying paper airplanes at each other (trying desperately not to disrupt the oxygen tubing in the room!) And we laughed, a lot, especially when one of our creations missed (or hit) its mark! It was the best day I had spent in a very long time, experiencing life through the expressions on a four-year-olds face. Sometimes life is serious, and knowing the right thing to do can be tricky. I think this could have been part of what David was going through, as he was challenged by his enemies, feeling abandoned by God, and not knowing God’s plan for his future, but still trusting in Him.

emotion behind the prayers are the same. Yet in the middle of all these stresses, David takes the position that rejoicing and enjoying the day is the right thing to do.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) I have always thought this verse was telling me to thank God, no matter what. And it is. But I think it is also saying to enjoy the day. Find time to rejoice and have fun because God cared enough to give us this day. The highest form of praise to God for granting us today is to enjoy it as he intended. Sometimes that may mean finding peace in being quiet and reflective. At other times it means making paper airplanes with a four-yearold, and trying to make them fly. Dear God, thank you for giving me today. But most of all, thank you for the ability to enjoy it, no matter what circumstances in which I find myself. I offer worship back to you by finding joy in the day you have given me. Today I will find time to laugh, and I will make paper airplanes.

In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. (Psalm 118:5) They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off. (Psalm 118:11) I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. (Psalm 118:13) Clearly, David was experiencing the stress of being overwhelmed with things that were out of his control. Is that so different than what I feel? The circumstances may be different but I think the July 2013 Communit ySp ir itmagaz ine.c om

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AVA HANCOCK GRACE HOSPICE

Question: My mother has Parkinson ’s disease and my father is the main caregiver for her at their home. I help several days a week, but it is becoming very stressful for both of us. Can you offer any advice on how to manage the situation?

aregiving is the toughest job you will ever have. And while in many ways it is an honor to care for someone we love – especially a parent or grandparent - it is important that you also take care of yourself. If you or your father gets sick from the stress you won’t be able to properly care for your mom. Here are some strategies to handle “Caregiver Stress”

Six tips for handling Caregiver Stress:

Seek out support from others: There are many support groups that allow you the opportunity to talk with others who are experiencing a similar situation. Expressing your feelings can help you from slipping into a depression as well. At Grace Hospice, we can provide resources on caregiver stress and support groups. Please feel free to contact us for more information at 918-744-7223 or by visiting gracehospice.com

Take care of yourself: While this may sound obvious, it is often neglected or overlooked. As I mentioned above it is so important to put your phycial needs first and take care of yourself. A. Eat nutritious meals B. Exercise – this may require asking someone to help so you can take a break. In this case you should try to coordinate with your father so you each get a chance to exercise several times a week

C. Get plenty of sleep – nap if necessary 2.

Don’t isolate yourself:

Caregiving can be lonely so take some time to connect with friends via telephone or even online such as email or Facebook

Ask for help: Make a “to do” list and ask others to help pitch in with other tasks that you are having trouble completing because of your caregiving. This can include basic housework or running errands, grocery shopping etc. 4.

Executive Director, Grace Hospice Ava is Executive Director of Grace Hospice of Oklahoma. Grace Hospice is the largest independent hospice in Northeastern Oklahoma. Ava has been with Grace Hospice for more than 10 years and was named Executive Director in 2010 where she leads a staff of more than 80 employees. Ava received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work and Health Care from the University of Houston. She’s a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a trained Executive Leader for hospice through the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). She is also a volunteer and board member of the Case Management Society of America. Ava also volunteers with the P.E.O. Sisterhood as the State Educational Loan Fund Chairman for Oklahoma, assisting women in furthering their educational goals. Ava’s an avid supporter of animal rescue and is the Foster Coordinator and a board member of Great Plains Mastiff Rescue.

Take a break: It is important to take time to

“recharge your battery” so to speak. There are groups that can provide respite care such as various adult day services. At Grace Hospice, we have volunteers that will provide respite care for our hospice patients so the caregiver can have a break to shop, exercise, recharge their batteries or whatever they need to accomplish. .

AVA HANCOCK, , MS, LCSW

Just Say No: when you are a caregiver you

must give yourself permission to say no to obligations you simply do not have time to fulfill. Accept the fact that you can’t do everything – and may not be able to do some of the things you typically say “yes” to.

Because every moment counts...

Grace Hospice helps you embrace every moment. We provide expert medical care and counseling services to our patients including: � Nursing services 24 hours/7 days a week � Medications related to the terminal illness � Pain and symptom management � Emotional, spiritual and bereavement counseling � Family support services for friends and family Grace Hospice serves all of Northeastern Oklahoma. Please call 918-744-7223 to learn how we can help you and your family.

Phone (918) 744-7223 • Toll Free (800) 659-0307 www.gracehospice.com Not affiliated with Grace Living Centers.

July 2013 Communitys p ir itmagaz ine.com

LOSE YOUR

QUIT

B Y D ANN Y C A H I L L

Community Spirit is excited to have Danny Cahill as one of our featured, monthly writers. Whether you wrestle with your weight or not, you will enjoy Danny’s motivating column. We all cheered Danny on when he was on The Biggest Loser. Now, he continues to gain our applause while he shares his testimony with others. Danny loves the Lord and is not shy about telling people about Him. It is a blessing to the magazine to have his monthly article. Be sure to watch for Danny’s article each month.

SIMPLE MAINTENANCE

I went to get my oil changed the other day. As I sat in the waiting room I saw another car pull in. A very overweight man got out and seemed to struggle as he made his way inside to sit next to me. I said, “I’m 2000 miles overdue for this oil change!” He answered, “I never wait. That is what makes cars wear out. It’s not the driving; it’s not maintaining it that causes serious problems.” What a true statement! Then I asked him, “When are you going to start maintaining you?” He looked shocked, so I thought I had better tell him who I am. He had never watched the Biggest Loser, so I

pulled up my before picture on my phone. He gasped. “That’s you? Oh my! How long ago was that?” After telling him that less than 5 years ago I was 460 pounds, a tear formed in his eye. I told him he could make the choice to begin his change today. It won’t happen overnight, but if he doesn’t give up and if he will lose his quit, he will get there, too. Moments like that make me realize how lucky I am to be alive, and especially to have been given the opportunity of The Biggest Loser. But it starts with maintaining your health day by day; and the great thing is that

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no matter where you are – with your weight, your debt, your marriage, or your career – you can begin today and actually repair most, if not all, of the damage done! I thank God that I quit smoking in 1996, paid off my gambling debts between 2004 & 2008, and lost 239 pounds in 6.5 months during 2009! If you didn’t know my story you might think I’d always been healthy! In fact, that is what he told me – “I never would have thought you used to be 460 pounds.” And this is what I told him: “Your car is replaceable. You are not replaceable. Please make a change and give yourself the same care you give your car. You are too important to break down!” PURCHASE DANNY’S NEW BOOK AT THEDANNYCAHILL.COM

the art of apologetics

Has Science Disproved God? by Jim Burkett

n 2004 the academic world was shocked by the announcement of famed atheistic philosopher Antony Flew that he had renounced atheism and believed in the existence of God. Flew declared that his lifelong goal as a philosopher of intellectual integrity had been to live according to Socrates’ exhortation to “follow the evidence wherever it leads.” For most of his life, Flew asserted God’s existence could not be adequately explained with any evidence. Why did Flew leave the ranks of atheism to a belief that God exists? To the consternation of leading atheists, Flew declared his defection was due to his intense study of modern scientific advances. Dr. Flew did not base belief in God on “divine revelation” but on reason insisting that scientific discoveries now confirm that the universe was brought into existence by an infinite intelligence. This is especially exhibited by the intricate laws showing the universe and our world are finely tuned to allow life and especially human life to exist. Christian scholar Dr. J.P. Moreland stated on national television that Anthony Flew came to his belief in God along three basic lines of reasoning based on an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence. The first line of reasoning was based on the scientific discoveries that the UNIVERSE HAD A BEGINNING. In 1916 Albert Einstein’s calculations from his theory of General Relativity indicated that the universe was not eternal but had a beginning. The implication was if the universe had a beginning, then the universe was created. This meant there was a Creator. This meant that all time, all matter, and all space had a beginning. In 1919 Einstein’s theory was confirmed by Sir Arthur Eddington’s scientific experiments. In 1929 Edwin

Hubble, director of the Mount Wilson Observatory, invited Einstein to look through the telescope. What Einstein saw was irrefutable proof that the universe had a beginning. And that the universe was created. The second line of reasoning was based on the intricate fine-tuning of the universe or the Cosmological Anthropic Principle. Astrophysicist Hugh Ross stated there are 122 fine-tuning factors of the universe designed to support human life. Dr. Ross calculated that the probability for life to exist is one chance in 10 to the 138th power (one chance in one with 138 zeroes behind it). If just one of those 122 factors is off by 1% of 1%, then life would not exist nor would the universe. Considering the implications of the Anthropic Cosmological Principle, Cosmologist Ed Harrison uses the word “proof” when he states, “Here is the cosmological proof of the existence of God...The fine-tuning of the universe provides prima facie evidence of deistic design.” In other words, science affirms the existence of God! The third line of reasoning is based on the number one scientific discovery of the 20th century: the biological fact that the DNA in individual cells have enormous libraries filled with information. According to Dr. Stephen Meyer, director of the Center for Science and Culture, the odds of a protein molecule forming by random would be one chance in a hundred thousand trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion. That is a ten with 125 zeroes behind it! The probability of a molecule developing by chance is so astronomical as to be literally impossible unless there is a supernatural mind creating this. In their book, Evolution from Space, Sir Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wichramasinghe state that the probability of life arising on earth on its own is on the order of one chance in 10 to the 40,000th level (that is a 10 followed by 40,000 zeroes). This number has the same probability that a TORNADO COULD BLOW THROUGH A SCRAPYARD AND PIECE TOGETHER A BOEING 747, full of gas, ready to fly. Only a vastly superior intellect could design life.

SCIENCE HAS NOT DISPROVED GOD! SCIENCE HAS OVERWHELMINGLY AFFIRMED GOD’S EXISTENCE!

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explore tulsa

EXPLORE TULSA A S how to B e P r o u d of !

inally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things…

And put them on TV!

There is a unique show on television these days. It’s clean, wholesome and downright entertaining. Catch it once and you will be hooked. Watch it twice and you are almost certain to see someone you know. Explore Tulsa, is about people, everyday entrepreneurs who have overcome incredible obstacles to weave their way to success. The show provides an entertaining way to highlight the places, the attractions and especially the “can do” spirit that makes Tulsa a great place to live, work, and play. With every segment, don’t be surprised if you feel challenged to take your own leap toward greatness. “Everyone has a story,” says host Stevie Fernandez. “Often, it is the ones who insist their life isn’t very interesting, who turn out to be the most fascinating on camera. I just try to be a good listener and get them talking. No matter what their company or product is, it is their passion for meeting a need and their struggle to making their business work that makes great TV.” Although the name and the people are obviously “local,” the

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production quality rivals many national shows. Stevie Fernandez and co-host, Trish Witmer do an outstanding job leading into each segment. Stevie, is an on-camera veteran with production experience that has had him interviewing everyone from CEOs of major corporations to Dallas Cowboy great, Tony Dorset. He recruited Trish as his Explore Tulsa sidekick joking, “the fans demanded a better-looking host.” Trish had never been on camera before, but she adapted to the challenge like a pro. And although she recently graduated from ORU with a nursing degree, she hopes to continue doing the show part time while working in the soon-to-be-opened new Emergency Room at Saint Francis Hospital. Within her packed schedule, Trish also finds time to teach Zumba and Spin and Body Pump at Sky Fitness. Stevie explains that they do their best to keep the stories “family friendly.” “We all have a strong faith and it is important to us to find people who are doing good through what they do in their business and in their lives. Our interviews provide a way to highlight their business and show it off in a way which we believe speaks to this community.” After raising his four children here, Stevie thinks Tulsa is a unique place where parents are passionate about investing in their children and in the people around them. He tries to capture that feeling in each show and hopes to share stories which will help make a difference in this community. “No matter who I am interviewing, it seems there is a common thread. Many have lived here all their lives. Others have moved away from Tulsa and have come home, never wanting to leave again. But all of them seem to love it here and are committed to invest in this community.” Trish and Stevie share that feeling. Stevie explained, “It is part of what makes producing Explore Tulsa so much fun. We love this town and want to do our part in making it even better.”

Produced on Purpose Explore Tulsa is a product and passion of Ron Witmer, owner of Video Revolution. Ron worked as a Channel 6 News Photographer back in the eighties and has never gotten TV production out of his system. Through the years as his retail store, Video Revolution, provided Tulsans with the latest in video and television equipment, he has been intrigued with proving that those same products can be used to produce broadcast quality television. Ron started Video Revolution just as the VCR and camcorders craze hit the market. He believed the new technology was going to start a “revolution” and he was right. In the same way Gutenberg’s printing press put books into the hands of the everyday person, he predicted that professional quality video equipment would become assessable

to everyone. It would be Ron’s job to teach them how to use that equipment. His love for the industry and his ability to communicate with his customers soon gave Video Revolution the reputation for being Tulsa’s premier place to find the latest electronics. That reputation has continued with every change in technology. Today, the store offers a huge inventory of flat panel TVs, cameras, home theatres, and accessories. But for Ron, business is much more than simply selling electronics. Whether it is helping a family discover the latest technology or

producing Explore Tulsa, he does his best to encourage others to have a passion and zest for life. He loves the old Christian song, Pass it On. “The more you can show off the good things, the true honorable and just things, the more people will be inspired to do good,” he explains as he quotes a phrase from the song…”And soon all those around will warm up to its glowing.” As Explore Tulsa highlights the true honorable things, Ron prays that others will be motivated to “Pass it On.”

A Personal Testimony Although Ron’s family went to church when he was a child, he didn’t understand that he could have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But when he came home on leave from the Air Force, his mother and his brother had completely changed. “Especially my mother was totally different. She was no longer depressed.” Before Ron headed back to his post, they told him about Jesus, prayed with him and gave him a Bible. “I didn’t really feel like anything was different, but as I sat on the train, I began to read and for the first time, the words just all came alive to me.” Ron began to study and to listen to tapes, especially Kenneth Hagin tapes. To get away from the influence of some of the guys he had met in the service, he volunteered to be restationed to Thailand. There, some missionaries, part of “Navigators,” helped him learn more about Christ. While he had been in the service, a buddy of his had told him about ORU and Ron loved the whole body, mind and spirit concept. He sold everything he had to gather enough money to drive to Tulsa. Truly stepping out on faith, he came not knowing how he would ever pay for college. His father wanted him to be a priest and refused to help Ron attend a non-Catholic school. He had the G.I. Bill but it wasn’t enough to pay for a private Christian education. Ron applied for assistance three times, literally begging the school for help and finally, because of his previous good grades at the University of Wisconsin, he received an academic scholarship that allowed him to stay. After graduating from ORU, Ron worked for Channel 6 before starting his company in 1982. All along the way, God has blessed him with success. “The Word is powerful. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. But God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Maybe you were like me. Maybe you were raised in Christian home, but you really don’t know Jesus. You know the right words to say, but have you had that life-changing experience with Jesus? Did you know what the Word can do? Did you know He can get you down to Tulsa when you don’t have any money? Did you know He can get you through ORU when you don’t have any way to pay for it? Did you know you can start a business and get you through the challenges of having people to pay and commitments to meet? Whatever you are facing, if you do it with the knowledge that God is telling you to do it, God is not going to let you down,” Ron says, testifying through experience. If you know Ron, you have no doubt heard his story. He tells it to everyone who will listen. And as he explains the countless ways God has been faithful to him, he hopes you might listen and that it might be just what is needed to “get a fire going.”

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going, And soon all those around, Can warm up in its glowing, That’s how it is with God’s love, Once you’ve experienced it, You spread His love to every one, You want to pass it on.” - Pass it On, Kurt Kaiser July 2013 Communit ySp ir itmagaz ine.c om

multi-site churches

The Multi-Site Church Model B r illi a n t o r C r a z y ? by Tom McCloud, Publisher

here is a huge, new trend sweeping through the country. Large, successful churches, desperate to find more effective ways to share the Gospel and to better use their resources, are strategically acquiring church buildings in targeted neighborhoods. “Branding” the new church building under their name, they become as one church puts it, “one church with multiple campuses.” The models differ, but here is an example of a common scenario. A non-growing church is having trouble making ends meet. They approach a large, popular church within their brotherhood with the idea of joining together. After prayer and study, the large church agrees and creates a merger of the two churches. Typically, they inject the other church with dedicated families, money and other resources. Capitalizing on “economies of scale,” they save money by not having to duplicate financial systems, administrative duties and such things as youth and music ministries. Quite often, although they may hire a campus minister, they use video or simulcast to allow their pulpit minister to be able to do the preaching for each of the sites, sharing his proven ability with a greater number of people. Over all, the model has proven to be very successful, allowing healthy churches to increase their influence without having to expand the footprint of their current facilities. In

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fact, in some cases, it has solved over crowding and parking problems at the “mother” church. Ed Stetzer, President of LifeWay Research recently expressed in a blog for Christianity Today that the new trend is quickly becoming a norm with the numbers pushing over 5000 multi-site churches nationally. He also notes that the model works, producing even greater growth than that of today’s megachurches. He says that last year, 62 of the 100 fastest growing churches in America (as reported in their research at Outreach Magazine) are multi-site. He also says that the multi-site church model tends to reach more people, spreads healthy churches to more diverse communities, produces more volunteers, baptizes more people and activates more folks into ministry than the single-site churches.

Local Examples First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow and Cedar Ridge Christian Church are two of a growing list of multi-site churches right here in the Tulsa area. They agreed to share some of their experience with us.

First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow was approached

a couple of years ago by the leaders of Immanuel Baptist of Coweta. Both were Southern Baptist churches. Immanuel, although not dying, was a small congregation that longed to have the resources to reach more people in their community. At the same time, First Baptist of Broken Arrow, had been praying for an opportunity to invest their people and resources in the most effective ways to bring others to Christ. The two churches merged, producing impressive results in less than two years. The Coweta church of 40 was remodeled and reenergized with around 20 people who had a habit of attending, giving, sharing their faith and who were willing to teach. Todd Parr, Ministry Pastor, says that they have and continue to go through “a learning curve,” but that the church has quickly grown to over 200. They do all they can to replicate a similar feel and structure of the Broken Arrow campus. And although they began with a video sermon, the members asked to go back to having sermons by the campus pastor, “someone they could have eye contact with.” Todd says that their biggest fear had been that they might be perceived as that big, bully church. However, he noted that this church asked them to come. “We could have just opened a new campus, but instead, we wanted to be invited,” he explained. So what has been their biggest surprise? “Maybe that it has grown so fast. We continue to experiment and since we opened this campus, five other churches have asked us to consider doing the same with them. But we are taking this slowly. We

Harold Pittman, Worship Minister, explained that they added their second site in April, 2009 and their newest campus in Coweta in April, 2011. “In both launches of our satellite campuses, we acquired previous church buildings (with blessings from the existing congregations) and remodeled them to fit our ministry functions. Each campus has a full time minister assigned. On most Sundays the sermon is delivered via video, but occasionally Greg Pittman (Senior Minister) preaches at one of the satellites and the Broken Arrow campus has the video. And, depending on circumstance or topic matter, the campus minister often will preach as well.” Harold explained that the biggest challenge has been in trying to reproduce the DNA of their original campus while still being sensitive to the community in which the satellite campus is located. “For example, we place a high value on ministering to the whole family while building disciples and that transfers anywhere where families exist. However, the functions we provide for families might differ between the campuses based on what families need in the different communities. Our Broken Arrow campus gets families to serve together to go feed the homeless while our Coweta campus reaches out to children in that community who need food in hopes to have opportunities to minister to the families.” “Another challenge has been providing the sermon through the use of video. Answering questions like: What equipment

“We use one leadership, one budget, one vision. In this way, the church can reproduce itself in other communities without having to double, or triple, it’s use of resources.” -Todd Parr, Ministry Pastor, first baptist church of b.a. don’t want to over extend ourselves. Coweta was attractive to us because we had seen the statistics that Wagoner County is the most unchurched in Oklahoma. We sure didn’t want to offend sister churches. But there is plenty of work for all of us to do,” Todd said.

Cedar Ridge Christian Church Cedar Ridge is a growing independent Christian church. The original campus is in Broken Arrow (4010 W. New Orleans St) with additional campuses being added in Sapulpa (2102 S. Hickory St.) and Coweta (14085 S. 296th East Ave.).

do we need to record? What equipment do we need to playback at the satellites? How do we distribute or deliver the video? How do we structure the service and elements so that the video is not a hindrance to hearing God’s message? Todd said that the satellite campuses are working. “People are coming to know Christ through their work and are currently meeting needs that weren’t being met before. The campuses are also providing a spirit of community through their involvement in their local neighborhoods. Some of the beauty is in how an already established leadership team can open more venues without having to develop on-site leadership. July 2013 Communit ySp ir itmagaz ine.c om

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multi-site churches

“We could have just opened a new campus, but instead, we wanted to be invited”-Todd Parr, Ministry Pastor, first baptist church of b.a.

We use one leadership, one budget, one vision. In this way, the church can reproduce itself in other communities without having to double, or triple, it’s use of resources.”

The Naysayers As in any trend or movement, there are plenty of people who think the negatives may outweigh the benefits of the multi-site concept. Some argue that bringing in “a large church brand” destroys the ability of the small neighborhood churches around it to be able to compete. Like the argument that Walmart wipes out the small mom and pop hardware stores, they argue that the branded churches hurt the other churches in the community. They also accuse the large churches of producing “idolatry” and a “cult following” of the brilliant, young preacher in the pulpit of the large church. They contend the video presentation of the pastor does not allow you to see his shortcomings and that like Monopoly®, a few churches will ultimately spread out to cover the entire town. “But is that a bad thing” argue members of the other side? This method appears to be working and we have so many to reach and so little time.”

Good Results: •

Successful model to bring people to Christ

• • •

Effective use of resources Reenergizes spiritually-dying communities Renews neighborhood churches instead of growing megachurch campuses

Fears: • •

• •

Can the neighborhood churches compete? Can corporate churches produce the same loving community as the small town church? Sometimes the best church communities aren’t necessarily the most polished. Will we produce “idol worship” of a few preachers? Will we put too much power into the hands of too few?

Advice from author of Multi-site Churches by Scott McConnell 1. Make sure you have the right goal – evangelism! 2. Healthy churches only! Adding a site adds complexity, stress and highlights weakness. 3. This is not a surefire way to grow and is probably not an option if you aren’t growing already. 4. Space constraints might be helped by this, but isn’t enough of a reason to do it. There are other options. 5. Adding a site is similar to launching a new business. It takes long hours, an entrepreneurial spirit, an aversion to the status quo and willingness to try new things, take risks and make sacrifices. Study and pray hard prior any move in this direction.

A Contractor’s View of the Multi-Site Decision

An Interview with leading church contractor, Daniels & Daniels Construction “In adding additional campuses, churches often underestimate the challenges with moving into an existing church building or especially into a commercial site,” explains David Fink, Business Development at Daniels & Daniels Construction. Make sure you have thoroughly studied all the details. Commercial buildings for instance, rarely have enough parking and the zoning can be a nightmare. Fire codes may require structural changes, sprinklers, foam ceilings and a host of other things. They were not designed to be a place of worship. Taking over an existing older church building can also be a challenge as that small church may have flown under the radar of code changes for years. New renewed growth in the facility may require lots of expensive changes. In each case, you must decide if you can you adapt the building to make the kind of impression you are going to want? Some buildings have limitations. Find the back-story of why the location didn’t work. Visitors make a decision on whether they are going to come back in the first seven minutes of walking into your church building. What changes will be necessary to make your new campus work? Contact a professional and know what you are getting your church into before making a decision.

The Choice: Coming to a church near you.

July 2013 Communit ySp ir itmagaz ine.c om

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