OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 1
OKLAHOMA
OUTLOOK FEBRUARY 2018
School of Ministry Gameday Spanish School of Ministry (Tulsa) SYNERGY Youth Leader’s Conference JBQ District Celebration
February 3 February 10 February 23-24 February 23-24
Sectional Council: Section 2 (AM) Section 3 (PM) Section 4 (AM) Section 11 (PM) Section 12 (AM) Section 9N (PM) Section 5E (PM) Section 6 (AM) Section 9S (PM) Section 10 (AM) Section 7 (PM) Section 1 (PM) Section 8 (AM) Section 5W (PM)
February 1 February 1 February 2 February 12 February 13 February 13 February 15 February 16 February 19 February 20 February 20 February 26 February 27 February 27
MARCH 2018
Credentials Seminar (OKC) School of Ministry Gameday District Council Resolutions Due Spanish School of Ministry (Tulsa) District Bible Quiz Girl’s Ministries Power Surge
APRIL 2018
March 3 March 3 March 9 March 10 March 23-24 March 24
Fine Arts Festival (Mustang, The Bridge) School of Ministry Gameday Credential Celebration Spanish School of Ministry (Tulsa) Christian Fun Day 105th District Council (Lawton First) Century Leadership Conference Women In Leadership Luncheon Missions Celebration Luncheon
April 6-7 April 7 April 14 April 14 April 21 April 23-24 April 23 April 23 April 24
Publisher H. Franklin Cargill Designer Jayson Evans Josh Lowder Copyeditor Renae Elmore
GENERAL PRESBYTERS
SECTIONAL PRESBYTERS
H. Franklin Cargill Superintendent
Raymond Frizzelle Section 1
Craig Dacus Assistant Superintendent
Keith Williams Section 2
Darryl Wootton Corporate Secretary
Terry Bradley Section 3
EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERS
Bob Yandell Section 4
Bruce McCarty Ron McCaslin MINISTRY DIRECTORS Chad Brodrick Church Ministries Doug Everaard Youth Ministries Dean Guthrie Children’s Ministries Darren Pilcher Executive Pastor Missions Susie Purkey Women’s Ministries
P.O. Box 13179 Oklahoma City, OK 73113 405.475.1100 www.okag.org
@OKDCofAG OklahomaDistrictCouncil
ORDAINED FEMALE PRESBYTER Deborah Burke
Jamie Austin Section 5E Mike Buie Section 5W Jeromye Jackson Section 6 Jimmy Keith Section 7 Kelly Coffey Section 8 David Brooks Section 9N Duane Elmore Section 9S Don Barnes Section 10 Ric Freeman Section 11 Arlis Moon Section 12
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SUPERINTENDENT
ST E P ON T H E
S CALES How long has it been since you voluntarily submitted your body
•
Weight – how much extra baggage have you accumulated due to wounds from the past? Hebrews 12:1
I am not referring to a doctor’s appointment due to illness, pain, or perhaps a broken bone. Instead, my question reflects on a specific appointment designed only for the purpose of evaluation and information. Some might call it a thorough physical.
•
Eyes – are the tear ducts dry or do they show signs of weeping? Jeremiah 9:1
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Ears – are they itching to hear rumors or are they selective about what they hear? 2 Timothy 4:4
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Mouth – what proceeds from your lips for it is out of the innermost being that the mouth speaks? Luke 6:45
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Mental – is your mind focused on God or has it become corrupt and receptive to whispers from the devil’s playground? Isaiah 26:3
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Feet – do they show signs of stepping on others or are they beautiful? Isaiah 52:7
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Hands – have they become calloused by the cares of the world or tender to touch the needs of others? Matthew 25:35
However, don’t overlook the “first” test. As you are walking down the hall and before you ever see the doctor, the receptionist pauses beside the scales and simply says, “Do you feel like weighing today?”
•
Heart – does it beat consistently or does it restrict the flow of life-giving compassion? Acts 13:22
What a question! Do you “feel” like weighing?
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I don’t know that I ever “feel” like weighing but it is amazing what numbers reveal especially when we have no possible way of altering or adjusting them. Digital scales not only announce the number of pounds but even the ounces. Ouch!
Range of motion – do the arms hang limp and lifeless or do they show strength from exercise of lifting? 1 Thessalonians 5:11
•
Knees – do they respond to the reflex test by bending reverently in response to the needs of others? 1 Kings 18:42
to the scrutiny of a physical exam?
If your appointment is with a physician whom you have seen multiple times, your case history will already have established a base line. Simply by reviewing your past, the doctor will be able to evaluate your trends as well as your present statistics. There will be a blood pressure check, an eye-ear-nose-throat exam, a blood workup that measures numerous chemical balances, and many times extended appointments for scans, x-rays, stress tests, etc.
“Do you feel like weighing today?”
Such a physical exam can be extremely beneficial. Under certain conditions and often based on one’s age, an “annual” physical may be requested or perhaps required. Much as an audit reveals the financial condition of an organization as of a certain point in time, so a physical records the health of an individual as of the day of the appointment.
Step on the scales and voluntarily submit to a complete physical under the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit. Signing up for my physical, Pastor Frank Cargill
My approach, however, is not necessarily to shame you into picking up the phone and scheduling a doctor appointment. Instead, I am recommending that you step on God’s scales and allow the Holy Spirit the freedom to honestly evaluate those items that only He can measure. Let’s begin with a short list:
FRANK CARGILL DISTR ICT SUPE R INTE NDE NT F R ANK . CAR G IL L @O K AG . O R G
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MISSIONS
E VE RY T RIBE
EV E RY N AT I ON Two audacious visions come straight out of Scripture. First of
all, what we call the Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:1920. Jesus commanded, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The fulfillment of that command is painted in the heavenly prediction given to John in Revelation 7:9. He said, “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.” It is utterly astounding to know that God is that committed to our obedience that He would predict the outcome.
Christ said that we would be promised His presence and power. What an assignment we have been given. But Christ said that we would be promised His presence and power. The resources are never lacking in what God has called us to do. If anything is ever lacking, it would be our obedience. Amy Carmichael, missionary among orphans in India for 55 years without a furlough, said, “All along, let us remember: we are not asked to understand, but simply to obey.” Remarkably, we do not have to understand or even have the best strategic plans to accomplish it. All that is required of us is our unreserved obedience to this unequalled command. And, the task before us is very much unfinished. According to Dr. Greg Mundis, Executive Director of Assemblies of God World Missions, “Many sources tell us that more than 7,000 people groups have no indigenous community of believing Christians to evangelize them.” He goes on to say, “As we contemplate these staggering statistics, we realize that not just millions, but billions, have limited or no access to the gospel message.” People groups within every corner of this dark world are unknowingly waiting for the Church.
DARREN PILCHER M IS S IO N S DIRE C TO R EX EC UT IV E PASTO R DA R R E N . P ILC H ER @ O K AG. O R G @ DA R R E N P ILC H E R
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Every tribe, every nation. Sounds almost too radical and undoable. But Christ would have never given a command that could not be started or finished. So, if it is in our means to obey (which it always is), then we should obey without hesitation. And, we should obey first and foremost because He said so and secondly, because we are the vehicle for His hope. With the combination of our audacious obedience and God’s zealous commitment to fulfill His heart’s desire in the world, every tribe and every nation will know Christ!
FINANCE
CHU RCH FINAN C E & AD MIN IST RAT ION
C O NFER EN CE Last month I told you about the upcoming Church Finance &
Administration Conference being held in Oklahoma City, on March 17, 2018. This month I wanted to tell you about some of the important topics being discussed. This will be an excellent conference for Lead Pastors, Board Members, and Financial Staff Members. Some of the topics Mr. Batts will cover are as follows: • • • • • • • • • • •
Briefing on the impact of the new tax reform law on churches Protecting the church’s exempt status Excess benefit transactions Private inurement Private benefit Compensation-setting Conflicts of interest Expense documentation requirements Unrelated business income Contribution acknowledgments Foreign grant-making
• • •
School nondiscrimination requirements New hire reporting The special treatment of ministers under federal tax law, including housing allowance basics, Social Security treatment, and 403(b) plan opportunities
There will be additional opportunities for Q&A during the day as well. You can register for this limited seating event at www.okag.org/cfac.
KEVIN CONNER F INANCE & O PE R ATIO NS K E VIN. CO NNE R @O K AG . O R G @K E VINSCO NNE R
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CHURCH
T RU ST IN G GOD
WITH 2018 Beginning a brand new year is a marker for many of us as we
look toward what could be in the days ahead. No doubt, there are hopes and dreams that many of you have for your ministry, church, family and personal achievement. These can bring excitement and foster new energy as you make those pursuits a priority in your life. While these are necessary for each of us to improve in the various areas of our lives, we all know challenges are going to come that will stretch our faith and trust in the Lord. While we are not oblivious to those challenges, we have to determine that our experiences in the past have prepared us for the challenges that are yet to come. The question we have to ask ourselves is “do we trust God with 2018?” I know that to some, this may be a simple question and is not worth the effort to give an answer, but hold with me for just a moment. Regardless of the circumstances that are yet to come, will we trust God with our personal lives, our family and our church?
“May God’s richest blessing rest upon you this coming year” During our January Game Day for the Oklahoma School of Ministry, I had the privilege of leading the Poetic Books course. One of the books we talked about was the book of Job. In fact, we stayed in the book a little longer than our time should have allowed, but it was a great discussion concerning Job’s trust in God. In fact, it was this trust in God that was questioned by Satan when he asked, “Does Job trust God for nothing?” Job seemingly had everything that a person could want in those days and there was no doubt that he was blessed. This fact was not wasted on Job, because he knew that his blessing was a direct result of God’s gracious hand upon his life. What Satan wanted to know is, did Job trust God because everything was going his way? Would Job turn his back on God when the blessings were no longer his possession?
CHAD BRODRICK C H URC H M IN IST RIE S C H A D. B RO DRIC K @ O K AG. O R G
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Reading Job several times in my lifetime, I know that everything works out in the end for Job and that God abundantly blesses his faithfulness. But I also have to wonder what was going through his mind between the blessings? What was going through his mind as bad reports kept coming and things went from bad to worse? Regardless of what was going through his mind, in the end he reiterated his trust in God. No matter what happened in his life, he was going to lean upon God and believe that His creator not only knew what was going on, but had a plan with a desired result. Let me encourage you to trust God with your 2018. Regardless of the way things worked out in 2017, there is hope for 2018 because God is already there. He knows the plans that he has for you; all you have to do is trust Him with those plans. This new year, let me encourage you to do two things: Wait for God to open the doors and trust His timing— In the work of the Lord, it is just as wrong to run ahead of God as it is to run away. Stay in step with Him through prayer and let Him guide you to the next step. Remember that God’s plans are best accomplished by His power and our obedience— We should never try to fulfill God’s will for our lives and ministry through our own abilities, but trust God to supply what is needed to fulfill His plan for your life. May God’s richest blessing rest upon you this coming year and may your trust in Him be the foundation to see His miraculous hand do great things in 2018!
RECOMMENDED READING
Framework Leadership Kent Ingle
WOMEN’S
U ND ERSTAN D IN G MIN IST RY TO
WOMEN
The mission of ministry to women is to touch the lives of
women by the transforming power of Jesus Christ, helping them to receive the powerful infilling of the HOLY SPIRIT, WITH THEIR PRAYER LANGUAGE, (so they will be able to overcome inherited tendencies towards evil) discipling them to follow Jesus’ example and then training them to minister to others. Paul instructed Timothy to: “Likewise, teach the older women to… teach what is good. Then, they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure…(Titus 2:4-5 NIV) WHO SHOULD LEAD? Mature (not necessarily age-related) Christian women are responsible to “teach (other women) to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12 NIV)
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH Knowing the importance of Women ministering to Women. 1. Women understand women and have a unique perspective in ministering to other women. 2. A mature woman can best model feminine godliness for younger Christian women. 3. A godly woman can mentor other women in how to apply God’s Word to their relationships, their emotional lives, their commitment to purity, and their responsibilities on a different level than a man can. 4. Women ministering to women can reduce the risk of unhealthy attachments between women in our churches and male ministers. 5. As we equip maturing Christian women to minister to other women, we are effectively making disciples of half of the adult population in our churches. Give guidance and financial support to your local Women’s group. 1. Pastors, give time and space in the annual church budget to facilitate your women’s group. 2. Meet with your Woman’s Director/team regularly to show interest, keep informed of activities and to offer your support. 3. Pray for your Women’s Ministries Group on a regular basis! Inform your Leader of resources available such as Bible studies, web sites and statewide ministry events offered through the Oklahoma District Women’s Department. Encourage leaders within the local church to receive training and inspiration through District training events, Women in Leadership events at OK District Council in April, Annual Daughters Conference
in September and OSOM - Oklahoma School of Ministry courses designed especially for women. (www.okag.org/Resources) Become a “Charter Church” with the Oklahoma Women’s Ministries Department by signing up, paying a $25 fee, which helps to underwrite the District Women’s Department. (For more information contact the OK Women’s Ministries office at 405.475.1192 or email Ginger Foster @ Ginger.Foster@okag.org) Adopt a Missionary – this is a program offered through the OK District Women’s Department, which provides an opportunity for your local women’s group to become a part of the life of a missionary family and to pray for them on a regular basis. (Contact us @ info above) PASTORS AND WOMEN’S LEADERS: Our National AG Women’s Ministries Director is Kay Burnett. This office has a fabulous web site. Please check out all the valuable and extensive resources and current activities offered at: www.women.ag.org and on Instagram @ag_women. Also, visit www.equipwomen.ag.org and create an account where you can download facilitator and participant guides for individual or group bible studies. Additionally, your Oklahoma Women’s Ministries Department has a wonderful online page chalked FULL of Events, Bible studies and an online store full of goodies for your local women’s group! Check us out at: www.okag.org/WomensMinistries also on FB at: Oklahoma Women’s Ministries or on Instagram @susie_purkey. Pastors, my passion is to see your Girls and Women’s Ministries groups come up higher, be filled with the Holy Spirit and to see every woman and girl in Oklahoma “set free to become all God has destined her to be!” I am here to help in any way I can. Feel free to reach out to me! Honored to Serve, Susie Purkey
SUSIE PURKEY WO ME N’ S DIR E CTO R SUSIE . PUR K E Y@O K AG . O R G
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YOUTH
MAK E T H E
I N VESTMENT YOUTH PASTOR BIO: JOSH & LANEISA
Now accepting Applications for Summer Youth Camp Interns. To apply, please visit www.oklahomayouthministries.com.
If you know of someone who is interested in being a lifeguard this summer as SPARKS Youth Camp, please call OYM office and speak with Miriam Luginu or by email at Miriam.Luginu@okag.org.
Josh and Laneisa Peaslee are the youth pastors at Bethesda Church in Oklahoma City. They arrived at Bethesda in September 2017. Josh has an Associates degree in General Education and a Bachelor’s degree in business from Hillsdale College in Moore, OK. Josh has 10 years of youth ministry experience where he served in Wetumka, OK, Carney, OK, and Southpointe Church in OKC. Laneisa has a Bachelor’s degree in music from the Univiersity of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Laneisa has 8 years experience in youth ministry where she served at First Assembly of God in Marlow, OK. Josh and Laneisa met each other while attending Oklahoma School of Ministry in 2010, where Laneisa received her License in ministry and Josh was Ordained with the Assemblies of God. They married in 2012, while Josh was working in the oil field and Laneisa was a music teacher in Rush Springs, OK. Together they were volunteer youth pastors in Marlow, OK and there they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Bria, in August 2014. They felt the Lord lead them into a senior pastor position in Frederick, OK where they served the community and the church to the best of their abilities. After serving there for two years, they felt a relentless pull in their hearts back toward the youth of Oklahoma. Recognizing their gifts for the younger generation to see them as a healthy, vibrant attribute of His church, they began to pray and seek the Lord about going back into youth ministry and God opened up an opportunity at Bethesda.
April 7-8, 2018 The Bridge / Mustang, OK
DOUG EVERAARD YO UT H M IN IST R IE S DO UG . E V E R A A R D@ O K AG. O R G @ DO UG EV E R A A R D
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Their passion is to continually see students’ lives changed by the saving power of Jesus, and students discipled through meaningful relationships that will last into eternity. They believe that through mentoring and Godly leadership, the youth of Oklahoma will undoubtedly be the next generations of leadership in the Assemblies of God. Their deepest desire is to reshape this world to look like the kingdom of God through our next generation until Jesus returns.
CHILDREN
CALLING ALL
INTERNS We are in the process of looking for mature, Spirit-filled Christians who have a genuine love for kids that want to spend
the summer ministering at Kids Camp. Summer Interns must be willing to commit to serve the entire camp season, which is June 28 – July 28. All Summer Interns are required to attend a weekend training session, June 1 – June 3 where they will learn the integral workings of camp. They will work to prepare the camp prior to the camper’s arrival. This will include cleaning, office work, manual labor, etc. Once camp starts, Summer Interns will assist in any position to help make the camp run smoothly. OCM Summer Interns do not go home on the weekends. This time is spent preparing the camp for the next week and preparing our hearts for servanthood. Summer Interns should be able to work well with others. They need to be able to take instruction and follow through until the task is complete. Summer Interns should not be afraid of hard work. All Summer Interns must be at least 17 years of age. This is a volunteer position and space is limited. Applications for Summer Intern positions should be submitted online at www.okag.org/kidscampintern no later than April 19, 2018. This is a firm deadline.
KIDS CAMP CLINIC On Saturday, February 17th at 2 pm, the OCM department will be hosting a Kids Camp Clinic at our Sparks Campground. The purpose of our time together will be to talk and discuss all aspects of the Kids Camp process. We will be talking about registration, theme, schedule, and all things kids camp. It will also be a time of sharing tips and tricks with other children’s leaders that would help the whole kid’s camp experience run smoother for not just the coaches and staff, but for the campers as well. Whether this is your first time attending Kids Camp or if you are a seasoned veteran, we hope to see you there!
DEAN GUTHRIE CHIL DR E N’ S DIR E CTO R DE AN. G UTHR IE @O K AG . O R G @O CMDE AN
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IN MEMORY
Raymond L. Hale
Earl L. Berryman, Jr.
Reverend Raymond Hale was born April 26, 1933 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Argus C. and Lillian S. (Duke) Hale. He died at his home in Sand Springs on December 22, 2017. He was 84 years old.
Reverend Earl Lewis Berryman, Jr., of Oklahoma City, OK passed away December 27, 2017, at the age of 92. He was born May 17, 1925, in Evansville, Indiana, to Earl Lewis and Lillie (Bateman) Berryman. Earl enjoyed fishing and going to Lake Eufaula. He also enjoyed reading about History.
4/26/1933 - 12/22/2017
Ray was a 1951 graduate of Berryhill High School. He attended the University of Tulsa and Tulsa Community College. Ray married the former Miss Janice Brown on February 6, 1953 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He worked for Taylor Instrument Company for some 17 years. Ray received a calling into full time ministry and was Ordained with the Assemblies of God in 1970. He and Janice pastored Hominy First Assembly of God for 17 years and Western Hills Assembly of God in Tulsa for 13 years, retiring in 2001. Ray enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family. He was an avid sports fan and loved cheering on his Berryhill Chiefs. He was a member of Carbondale Assembly of God.
Bob L. Benson
4/20/1930 - 1/21/2018 Reverend Bob L. Benson passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2018, at his home in Cyril surrounded by his wife and two sons. Bob L. Benson was born April 20, 1930 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Bill and Rosalee (Hardin) Benson. He grew up in Oklahoma City where he attended Capitol Hill High School. Bob married Martha Cosper on June 7, 1947 and the two have been happily married for 70 years. Bob was a bi-vocational minister where he pastored and worked as a self-employed dry waller in construction. He and Martha pastored and built or remodeled several Assemblies of God Churches throughout Oklahoma. Bob was a member of Cyril Assembly of God for 23 years.
MI N I STERS ’ S POU S ES Lois Riggs 9/22/1920 – 1/10/2018 Spouse of the late Paul Riggs Martha Helen Ellington 6/29/1927 – 1/12/2018
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5/17/1925 - 12/27/2017
Earl attended Capitol High School and he attended Southwestern Assemblies of God College. Earl was Ordained with the Assemblies of God and he served as a prison chaplain and he did a lot of mission work in Mexico. Earl heard his country’s call and served in the United States Army during WWII, where he was stationed in Germany, and received an honorable discharge for services rendered to his country when called upon to do so. Earl retired from FAA after 20 years of service. He loved life and he always looked at every situation in a positive attitude. He didn’t believe in the word “can’t.” He always preached anything is possible, if there’s a will – there’s a way. Earl had a kind, loving and giving heart with a very giving mindset. His first love was his Lord and Savior, being with the love of his life, Norma Jean, and spending time with his children and extended family.
Don Sisk
6/3/1944 - 1/21/2018 Reverend Don G. Sisk boarded the Glory Train on his way to his Heavenly Home January 21, 2018 surrounded by his family and friends. Don was born June 3, 1944 in Honobie, OK to Jimmie and Marion (Baker) Sisk. Don was a Certified Assemblies of God minister for over forty years, pastoring churches in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. He loved the Lord and church was his life. He served his country in the Army National Guard for six years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and dearly loved his greatgranddaughter Abigail. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
OKLAHOMA
DISTRICT NEWS PRAYER REQUESTS Steven Waters - permanent job. Clint Gray - New church provision, right buyer for property and healing from high blood pressure. Calvin Seaton - continued healing. James Johnson - needs ministerial position.
INFORMATION Help for Pastors call (918) 758-4147 or visit www.pastoralcareinc.com.
TRANSFERS Welcome Chester Egert John Deisher David Lermy Ryan Plute
From South Carolina North Texas Southern Missouri Minnesota
Farewell Gary Furr, Jr. Larry Larive
To Southern Missiouri Illinois
PASTORS’ REPORTS Raymond Frizzelle, Miami, reports five adults saved, seven youth, and six baptized in water. Keith Ayers, Terral, reports one saved and two rededicated in regular services. John Newland, Newkirk, reports four saved in Sunday morning services.
EVANGELISTS’ REPORTS Marna Hillard reports several healed during Bible study. Dale Floyd reports 42 men and women saved.
NEEDED Terral First AG needs a Children’s Minister--volunteer position. Contact Keith Ayers at (580) 437-2273.
NEW PASTORS Foster Pearl Catoosa Timber Ridge
Tommy Cunningham Paul & Rachel Butler
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