Celebrating a decade of God's faithfulness in Rwanda
Aaron Cole is a pastor and leadership consultant who also sits on the boards of multiple organizations and educational institutions. As the Senior Pastor of Life Church, he has helped grow the church into a thriving multi-site church. Aaron holds a master’s degree in theology from Oral Robert’s University and a doctoral degree in global leadership from George Fox University. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Convoy of Hope. He and his wife, Tammy, live in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Dr. Melissa Alfaro and her husband of 20 years are Senior Pastors of The Tabernacle (known as Tab Church) in Houston, Texas. She is an ordained minister with the Texas-Louisiana Hispanic District of the Assemblies of God. Melissa is the Executive Presbyter representing ordained female ministers for the Assemblies of God. Before that, she served as the Ordained Under 40 Executive Presbyter (2017-2023). She is a preacher, educator, writer, and blogger and has collaborated with the Influence Magazine, My Healthy Church, and the AG Network of Women Ministers. She loves to chronicle her personal journey on her blog, Melissa’s Memoirs. She desires to help individuals have an intimate relationship with God, become rooted in His Word, and enjoy their journey as they live out their God-given purpose. Her greatest assignment and delight is being “mommy” to her beautiful children, J. David III, and Jalissa Jael.
Seán Mullarkey is the Senior Pastor of St Marks Church, Dublin. Seán is married to Susan. They have four children: John, Daniel, Rebekah-Joy, and Rachel-Grace. He has been in full-time ministry for nearly 30 years: five and a half years as a Youth worker with a National Youth organization and the rest as a Pastor at St Mark’s Church. Seán is also the National Leader of the AoG in Ireland. He has a Degree in theology and sociology, a teaching Diploma from Maynooth University, and a Master’s in Missional leadership from Bangor University in Wales. His passions are Jesus, Susan, his kids, the Church, the Bible, Dublin City, the lost, music, great movies, and Arsenal soccer club!
Jamel Crawford is the Compassion & Minister Development Director with the Oklahoma Assemblies of God. Before serving in this role, he was lead pastor of New Life Center in Des Moines, IA, and founded the Des Moines Dream Center. Jamel was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 15, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from Central Bible College (CBC) in 1998, receiving a degree in Bible Theology. He was a 4-year starter for the CBC basketball team, garnering 2nd Team All-American honors his senior year. Jamel received a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Drake University and earned his Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Evangel University. Jamel desires to be an extension of God’s love while sharing hope and networking with churches to further the Gospel. He has been married to his wife, Melissa, for 14 years. They have two sons, Jace and Jacoby, and a daughter, Journey.
Dr. Darryl Wootton is a follower of Christ, a husband to Faith, and a Dad to Lindsay, Isaac, and Emery. He serves as the District Superintendent and Network Pastor for the Oklahoma Assemblies of God. This network is comprised of over 460 churches and over 1500 ministers. Darryl’s purpose statement is “encouraging others to get to the place God already prepared for them.” He is passionate about sharing the love, joy, and peace of Jesus Christ with the least, last, and lost. Darryl enjoys running, biking, hiking, reading, college football, and traveling with his family.
Praying, Prepping, and Planning Sermons Auditorium
What does it take to create engaging sermons that connect with your audience and minister effectively? Hear from various pastors and learn about their processes, methods, convictions, and more.
Stories of Church Revitalization Youth Activities Center
Discover the challenges, surprises, and victories experienced by pastors leading their congregations through church revitalization.
Jesus taught that serving the least, lost, and last was the same as serving Him. With so much brokenness in our world, it can seem impossible to know where even start. In this session, we will explore the greatest felt needs in our communities and examine what a Gospel-centered response to those needs might look like in our local churches.
Get insights on how Lead pastors and NextGen leaders can work together and build healthy relationships.
We are a network of churches and a family of ministers focused on fulfilling the Great Commission
We network together to better share the love of Jesus with the least, last, and lost
We envision a Healthy Church in every Community
We develop Healthy Ministers in every Church
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Grace and peace. The OKAG is a family of ministers and a network of churches sharing the love of Jesus with the least, last, and lost. I sincerely believe that with God’s help, there is nothing a unified and praying network of churches cannot accomplish. I am humbled to be a part of this Christ-centered, Bible-based, Spirit-empowered, and life-giving family of believers.
2023 is a year that I will never forget, personally. My daughter, Lindsay, and son-in-law, Cody, made me a grandfather. If you have not already seen pictures of this beautiful little girl, that means you have successfully avoided me for some time! My son, Isaac, graduated from high school in May of 2023 and departed for Evangel University. Our daughter, Emery, began her junior year in High School. My wife, Faith, continues to serve unselfishly as my sounding board, daily prayer partner, and in so many other behind-the-scenes roles. She is also the face and voice of our OKAG Foster Care network at every church we visit. Although the superintendency requires me to be away from home often, I want to thank our Presbytery for allowing me to prioritize my role as Jesus follower, husband, and father over my role as Superintendent.
2023 is also a year that I will not forget professionally. At the beginning of the year, Pastor Jamel Crawford began coordinating a Seek and Save outreach for the fall. After months and months of planning, 52 churches and countless ministries came together to blitz the Oklahoma City metro on November 7–11. At the end of the week, there were 1082 recorded salvations, five massive evangelism block parties, 6400 Convoy of Hope grocery bags delivered, 53 water baptisms, three church construction projects, 309 homeless fed, 900 students attending youth rallies, 1331 individuals received prayer, 213 hotels made aware of human trafficking concerns, several missing children were found, and much more. Honestly, it was my favorite week as Superintendent thus far and we are already planning events to blitz all parts of Oklahoma in the future.
We began 2023 at Turner Falls with our Shh! Retreat. What a powerful time of intercession and reflection. Tom Greene was our featured speaker. He preached a masterpiece and challenged us to be people of prayer. Several of us hiked up “Glory Road” with Tom to the top of the mountain near the three crosses. None of us could have imagined that Tom would
be translated to his glorious reward in the presence of Jesus just days after the retreat. Tom and Pam made an eternal impact on so many of us, and we are eternally grateful. Our prayers have been with Pam and the Greene family.
The OKAG’s first trip to the Holy Land occurred in May of 2023. Partnering with our own Jim and Pam King, this group of pastors visited many inspiring biblical sites. Because of the King’s great ministry in Israel, this team was able to experience a Messianic Jewish church service and minister to the pastors and leaders. We could also connect with the military and pray with key leaders. None of us could have imagined the atrocities that happened later in the year on October 7. We continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
In February 2023, Dr. Jason and Sumer Warnock joined the OKAG team as Director of Children’s ministries. Jason and Sumer have a vast array of experience in leading children’s, youth, and camp ministries. They brought a fresh perspective and excellence to our Kid’s Camps as well as to the other nextgeneration ministries they lead. With their ten children, perhaps no one has more knowledge of children’s ministries than the Warnocks! They have been a great addition to the team.
A miracle happened in 2023 with our OKAG Foster Care Network. Faith has served on the Assemblies of God Compact board (formerly Highlands Children’s Home and Hillcrest Maternity Home) for many years. Through our partnership, we established an adoption agency within Oklahoma! Besides Arkansas, where Compact resides, Oklahoma is the first state to establish such a ministry. Now families do not have to seek an independent agency when transitioning a child from foster to adoption. This is a miracle of exponential proportions, and we cannot wait to see how this develops in the future. Compact Ministries stands for “compassion” and “action.” Our prayer is that this agency will help propel our compassion into meaningful action.
In 2023, the Oklahoma Assemblies of God sold our longtime property at 8701 N. Kelley. Purchased in 1941, this property served as the hub of our network for many decades. Many of us were ordained there. Many of our daughters were crowned as Honor Stars there. Many experienced the power of God at camp meetings there. When built, the tabernacle provided a space for our many ministers to gather. In the 1960s, our churches were not large enough to host our crowds. However, over the years several of our churches built sanctuaries that accommodate all our ministers. The 19 acres surrounding the offices provided a place for families to camp during camp meetings. Of course, the tabernacle had not been used for many years. While sitting empty, the tabernacle incurred much damage from vandals, varmints, mold, and abandonment. None of the HVAC units worked. All the kitchen equipment had been flooded and had to be removed. The city determined that the creek that runs through the middle of the property needed mediation and would be very expensive. The Presbytery unanimously approved the sale of the property.
The proceeds are being held in an interest-bearing restricted fund that will be used for a future hub and office. If God provides a new space for free, the proceeds can be used to eliminate the debt load on Camp Cargill. The staff vacated the premises on December 31, 2023. I want to personally thank our office team for their flexibility. Kevin Conner led the transition team. They successfully sorted through decades of storage and digitized all our files. This will ensure their safety into perpetuity. We trust the new owners will be good stewards of the property and that God will lead us into exciting new chapters. Although we all are sentimental about Kelley Avenue, selling this property allows us to continue our commitment to be as efficient and effective as possible in fulfilling our mission.
Serving as an example of our priority to “multiply” through church planting, “Roots” church officially launched as a local church in February of 2023. Dean and Joy Guthrie have worked hard to see God establish something from nothing. Already, lives have been forever changed by the Gospel because they said yes to the call!
Cynthia Dobbs said yes to serving our OKAG women in ministry. Her leadership team redefined this ministry. Now known as
“Valor,” these women are being encouraged and trained to use their gifts to advance the Kingdom of God. We are thankful.
In 2023, Pastor Jonathan Yandell became the director of our School of Ministry. Under his leadership, our students continued their study of the Word and the pursuit of ministry. This ministry is so valuable to the future of the Assemblies of God.
I am thankful for Dr. Destiny Deas, Dr. Allen Griffin, and Kansas State Coach Jerome Tang for their ministry at our Network Conference and Council. I am thankful for Micah MacDonald, Donna Barrett, Lillie Knauls, and Herbert Cooper for their ministry at our Renew Conference. Who could forget Dino Karsonakis’s surprise appearance?
The year ended with our first “Called Camp,” led by Director Heath and Alisha Corrales. This camp is designed for those who feel called to vocational ministry. When this camp concluded, I felt very excited about the future of the Oklahoma Assemblies of God.
Our Executive and Sectional Presbyters are the dream team of ministry leaders attempting to make our churches and ministers as healthy as possible. Our Mission, Youth, Children’s, Men’s, Women’s, Media, Compassion, Finance and Operations, AGOK Foundation, Chi Alpha, and Camp Departments provided events and resources to encourage our ministers and ministries.
I will always continue to believe that with God’s help, a unified and praying network of churches can accomplish miracles. May we continue to live Holy lives, and may the OKAG be the greatest evangelism force the state has ever known.
We truly love you and know that we are BETTER TOGETHER.
It’s been nearly three years since our Network Pastor, Dr. Darryl Wootton, asked Wilma and me to assume the role of OKAG Mission Director and Elders.
We had returned from Ireland, where we served for forty years, to go into semi-retirement, but God had other plans! We are thankful for the opportunity to serve this great state and our amazing OKAG Global Workers.
The last year has proven to be a record year for the OKAG Mission’s Department, as we have seen nearly a million dollars given to missionaries and projects worldwide! Our Light for the Lost (LFTL) ministry, led by Ric and Christy Freeman, gave nearly 1.1 million dollars to equip our missionaries with the resources needed to fulfill the great mandate of evangelism.
We are thankful that nine global workers have completed itineration and are now ministering to the unreached people groups of Micronesia, the Middle East, universities of our great state, Latin America, and those incarcerated in our prisons. Around the world, OKAG Global Workers are taking the gospel to those who’ve never had the opportunity to hear because of the faithful giving of our OKAG congregations.
Gary & Wilma Davidson OKAG Mission
AGWM Giving
$7,958,061.20
Light for the Lost Giving $1,046,286.96
VOM’s Global Prayer Journal includes country summaries for areas where Christians are persecuted today, along with additional ruled pages that can be used for writing down your prayers, sermon notes, or journaling during your devotional time with the Lord.
Visit the VOM booth to get your FREE journal today!
In the area of Finance, The Oklahoma Assemblies of God, is truly Better Together.
This goes even further than the local, national, and global missions’ initiatives. By coming together as a network, the OKAG can invest into churches and ministers through things like the Revolving Fund Loans, The Oklahoma Ministers Benevolence Fund, contributing to the retirement accounts of Oklahoma Ministers, providing assistance to churches and ministers in need, and reinvesting money back into missions through the AGOK Foundation.
15% of Contribution & Operating Revenue went to Missions and Benevolence
New Revolving Fund Loans
Loan funded in 2023: $160,000
Loans funded since 2000: $8,016,567
Oklahoma Ministers Benevolence Fund
Annual
Kevin Conner OKAG Finance & Operations
OKLAHOMA ASSEMBLIES OF GOD BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
OKLAHOMA ASSEMBLIES OF GOD INCOME STATEMENT
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023
The Assemblies of God is committed to fulfilling a four-fold mission. Our primary reasons for being are to Evangelize the lost, Worship God, Disciple believers, and Show compassion.
The Oklahoma Assemblies of God (OKAG) is committed to showing compassion through reaching the LEAST, the LAST, and the LOST.
The OKAG Compassion Ministry serves and resources churches and pastors in Oklahoma in reaching the least, the last, and the lost in their communities. This past November, as a Network, we had the opportunity to demonstrate compassion through an initiative called Seek and Save.
People across Oklahoma invaded Oklahoma City with the Gospel of Jesus by partnering with local churches, OKAG, and the General Council of the AG. The week of outreach included street evangelism, apartment complex outreach, a Latino worship night, school assemblies, a ministry focused on anti-human trafficking, missing teens, foster care, church revitalization projects, and five big block parties.
Jamel Crawford OKAG Compassion & Minister Development
Every number and result represents people who are valuable to God, and we celebrate them. God used churches, pastors, ministers, individuals, and families to share HOPE in Oklahoma City. We also thank Oklahoma Teen Challenge, Church Mobilization, Chi Alpha, AG Chaplaincy, and Convoy of Hope for their partnership.
455 Volunteers
52 different churches and organizations
1,331 Prayers received
1,082 Salvations
4 Healings
Summary of the outreaches:
• 3 Churches Revitalized through Church Mobilization
• 7 Apartment Complexes Reached
• 44 - Bunk beds built for Oklahoma Foster Care
• 28 attendees - F.R.E.E. International Lunch & Learn
• School Assemblies - 900 student attendants at three different schools
• 600 - NEW School uniforms purchased
• City Wide Youth Rally - 250 youth attendees
• “Festival de Esperanza” Musical Event - 119 attendants
• Convoy of Hope Grocery Packing - 6,400 bags
• 10 Youth found
Summary of block parties:
• 5 different church locations
• 3,166 people served
• 53 Water Baptisms
One team was out walking the streets, and they came across a lady who was dealing with an epileptic disorder. She had never driven because of the disorder. The lady asked for prayer because she had a doctor’s appointment the following day. One of the team members prayed for the lady, and they exchanged numbers. The following day, the lady with the epileptic disorder texted the team member to let her know that the doctor granted her permission to get a license. The lady said she believed she was healed!!
Through a partnership with CANFREEDOM, 213 hotels were reached. One team reported praying with jaded staff, and she began to weep in the presence of the Lord. Some state human trafficking Task forces have limited their referrals. We learned from the Oklahoma anti-trafficking law enforcement specialists with us today that there are only three programs they refer to in the state. They have a special vetting process. We connected with Oklahoma Teen Challenge to help begin that process.
On the first day out doing street evangelism, a team of guys from Teen Challenge prayed for a man whose leg was numbed and in pain. After praying for him, he was healed!
One of the team members led a young lady to the Lord in the middle of McDonald’s.
“The mission of the Oklahoma Assemblies of God is to share the Gospel of Jesus with the least, last, and lost. Partnering with SEEK and SAVE was a great tool for our state as many churches, pastors, and individuals came together to fulfill our mission. Over the week, we saw many lives come to know Jesus—well over 1000. But we also saw churches, ministries, leaders, and pastors working together and united for the Kingdom. I have served as Superintendent of Oklahoma for two years, and Seek & Save was my favorite week in this role. I thank God for this vital ministry and believe the collective fruit will be a great awakening for America.”
- Dr. Darryl Wootton, OKAG Superintendent
A pastor recently shared about the impact of Teen Reach programs at his church:
• Their church has more credibility in their communities
• Volunteers are growing in their own faith journey
• Volunteers are emerging as leaders who support the overall church vision
Our strategy at Teen Reach is to help local churches develop camp and mentoring programs for at-risk youth, primarily those in foster care. We do this by providing quality training and materials along with ongoing support and coaching.
Teen Reach Adventure Camp (T.R.A.C.)
• Locally-led
• Biblically-based
• Trauma-informed
• 3-day program
• Ages 12-15
T.R.A.C.life Mentoring
• Year-long relationships
• Ages 12-18+
• Connections begin at T.R.A.C.
• Consistent relationships
• Focused goals
2023 marks five years for Alisha and me as your DYDs, and it was a fantastic year for OYM! We saw another year of increase in camp and Speed the Light. Things are already looking up for 2024.
We also decided to change how we did Youth Fest, so we shifted from a conference to a fall retreat. It was amazing to give students a small taste of camp in the fall.
Finally, we had our first-ever Called Retreat, which helps students develop and cultivate the call of ministry in their lives.
Oklahoma, thank you for all your prayers and support and for believing in the Next generation!
$252,744.48
4,205 Total Campers
225 Salvations
475 Filled with the Holy Spirit
203 Healed
414 Called to Ministry
If there is one word that would describe last year for Oklahoma Children’s Ministries, it would be phenomenal.
2023 was a year of learning, listening, and connecting. Each event, camp, retreat, and meeting exceeded our expectations. Fun Arts was marked by kids using their God-given talents and abilities to glorify Him. Kid’s Camp was awe-inspiring from worship to altar. There were so many moments from camp that many will look back on and say, “my life was forever changed at Camp Cargill.” PB & J (Made for This) was an incredible time of meaningful moments with leaders and kids. BGMC made an impact on children as they gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to missionaries around the world and to our local Oklahoma missionaries. This generation of children in our OKAG Ministry Network is being prepared to lead our movement in the greatest days ahead. They will be Unstoppable!
$314,228.57
2,191 Total Campers
204 Salvations
497 Healed
Victory Family Leadership College is a place for students who feel a call to full time ministry. At VFLC you will be able to engage in "hands on" ministry training with Victory Family Church sta , biblical studies, and the option of a degree through Southwestern Assemblies of God / Nelson University.
L.I.F.E. (Ladies Investing for Eternity) is one of the powerful Mission Arms of the Oklahoma Assemblies of God.
We provide tangible housing goods for over 200 OKAG Global Servants and their families so that they can set up their homes when they get where they are going! We also help sustain ten incredible non-profit ministries that advocate for orphans, single moms, global children’s feeding agencies, the sanctity of the unborn, and many others. Oklahoma Women lead the nation in Assemblies of God Women’s Missions Giving! To GOD BE THE GLORY! We couldn’t provide what we do without YOU and our grass-roots women’s groups and local churches encouraging WOMEN to support MISSIONS through our LIFE RALLIES and OKAG LIFE Fund. We could not do what we do – without PRAYER, FASTING, and YOU! Indeed, God made us Better Together - Thank you!
Our 2023 Special LIFE Project focused on creating the first Pastoral Care Portal in the Nation for fostering and adoption assistance.
This portal helps one of the most desirable prospective groups we know, Assemblies of God Lead or Staff Pastors! We are fully funded, and last year, we had the pleasure of granting financial assistance to seven of our OKAG Ministry families who took orphans into their homes! If you know of any of our pastor families who might need assistance with fostering or adoption expenses, please reach out to the Women’s Office or visit okag.org/careportal.
In 2023, we also celebrated the launch of Women of Valor, led by Cynthia Dobbs. Women of Valor is a complete re-brand of our Network of Women Ministers. Over the year, WOV held three events for called women. A total of 212 women attended these events in 2023.
2023 LIFE Mission Giving:
$269,838
Daughters Conference
2023 Attendees
1,444
Pastors Care-Portal for Orphan Care
$50,000 raised
2023 Women of Influence Luncheon
221 attendees
The purpose of the Media and Communications Department is to embrace the call of the Great Commission and communicate the Gospel clearly for the world to hear.
In 2023, 15,225 people attended our conferences, seminars, and camps. Our department worked behind the scenes for each event to ensure an impactful experience for the attendees. Our quarterly magazine, the Oklahoma OUTLOOK, experienced a steady growth in circulation and reached 1,511 readers by the end of the year. We also expanded our contributors’ list to provide diverse and insightful content for our readers in 2024.
Looking back, we can see that video content has become increasingly popular. In 2023, we created 119 videos that were viewed for a total of 61 days, 11 hours, 14 minutes, and 11 seconds.
However, we want to emphasize that our work goes beyond producing content. Our ultimate goal is to share Jesus’ message with people and help further the Kingdom of God on earth. We remain committed to this mission and will continue to work hard to fulfill it.
Jayson Evans OKAG Media & Communications
Website Views in 2023
117,000 Facebook Visits in 2023
21,700 Instagram Visits in 2023
3,000 Total Attendees Registered since 2017
41,428
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
