OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 1
OKLAHOMA
OUTLOOK Publisher H. Franklin Cargill
FEBRUARY
SYNERGY Conference District JBQ Celebration
February 22-23 February 22-23
Sectional Council: Section 1 (AM) Section 4 (PM) Section 5W (AM) Section 8 (PM) Section 9S (AM) Section 7 (AM) Section 10 (PM)
Designer Jayson Evans Josh Lowder
February 19 February 19 February 25 February 25 February 26 February 28 February 28
Copyeditor Renae Elmore
MARCH
Credentials Seminar (Entry Level) School of Ministry Gameday (OKC) School of Ministry Gameday (Muskogee) Girls Ministries Power Surge RR District Leadership Conference District Council Resolutions Submission Due Church Finance & Admin Conference District Bible Quiz
March 2 March 2 March 9 March 9 March 9 March 15 March 23 March 29-30
APRIL
Fine Arts Festival April 5-6 School of Ministry Gameday (OKC) April 6 Credential Celebration April 13 School of Ministry Gameday (Muskogee) April 13 Century Leadership Conference April 29 106th District Council April 29-30 Women In Leadership Luncheon April 29 Oklahoma Missions Celebration April 30 Ordination Investitures April 30
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 Heath Corrales Youth Ministries Dean Guthrie Children’s Ministries Darren Pilcher Executive Pastor Missions
P.O. Box 13179 Oklahoma City, OK 73113 405.475.1100 www.okag.org
@OKDCofAG
Susie Purkey Women’s Ministries
OklahomaDistrictCouncil ORDAINED FEMALE PRESBYTER Deborah Burke
Jamie Austin Section 5E Jason Byers 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
COOPERAT IVE FE LLOW S H IP
PARTNERSHIP Over the passing of years, the term “Cooperative Fellowship”
has been rationalized, discussed, abused, misunderstood, and the list could continue. There are those who emphasize the distinction between a “Denomination” and a “Fellowship” by bending the definition to concur with their personal philosophy and to provide validity for their action. I would propose that a better term for “Cooperative Fellowship” would be “Partnership.” We are a “partnership” built and established on our relationship.
This “partnership” of ministers, churches, and believers is as relevant today as it was in 1914.
Note the highlighted reasons that we exist: • An agency of God for evangelizing the world • Be a corporate body established to worship God • Build a body of believers that are perfected in the image of Christ • Demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all the world Note the New Testament “apostolic admonition” for our strategy: • To teach and encourage believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit • To evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs • To edify the body of Christ by means of fruit and gifts and ministries This “partnership” of ministers, churches, and believers is as relevant today as it was during the formation of our union that dates back to 1914. We have an assignment based upon Scriptural mandate and a mission that still issues a call to GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL.
We are BETTER – TOGETHER!
Our PARTNERSHIP can more effectively fulfill our purpose as we walk TOGETHER. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!
The founding fathers of the Assemblies of God used the following to describe the priority reason for our being:
PARTNERSHIP is birthed through RELATIONSHIP.
“The Assemblies of God is to be an agency of God for evangelizing the world, to be a corporate body in which man may worship God, to be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son, and to be a people who demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all the world. The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason for being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, which enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs, adding a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God, and enabling them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ. That we are a cooperative fellowship of Pentecostal, Spiritbaptized saints from local Pentecostal assemblies of like precious faith throughout the United States.”
RELATIONSHIP blooms when we are TOGETHER. Our best days are yet to come! Our world is more receptive to the miraculous power of God and the manifestation of Pentecostalism than it has ever been during my lifetime. May we work while it is day as the night will certainly come! The harvest is ripe – the laborers are few – but greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. TOGETHER IN PARTNERSHIP – it yet remains to be seen WHAT GOD WILL DO! Linda and I are delighted and privileged to serve you as we pursue the will of God by means of this RELATIONAL PARTNERSHIP! Frank and Linda Cargill Oklahoma Assemblies of God Pastors
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
A POW E RFU L AN S W E R TO A
CLUTTER-FILLED LIFE It could be safe to say for many of us that just a couple weeks
into the new year has proven to be another crowded, crazy beginning to a twelve-month journey of roles and responsibilities. It doesn’t slow down on its own. Before we realize it, the calendar is full and the to-do list is long. But there is a powerful answer to an otherwise clutter-filled year that I came across recently while reading. Over fifty years ago, catholic monk and social activist Thomas Merton wrote these profound words: “If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I think I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully the thing I want to live for. Between these two answers you can determine the identity of any person. The better answer he has, the more a person he is.” We can start to de-clutter our year now by how we start it. The only way to really begin to answer Merton’s questions is to obviously work backward. And, that work must come out of a well-thoughtout plan – a doable plan. You can only get done what you plan to get done. Personal strategy is critical. And, from strategy comes schedule. Map out what it looks like week-by-week, month-bymonth when you are envisioning those finished projects…and, the purpose behind those projects. The psalmist David wrote, “Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” In other words, we need God to help us with our plans. And, the way we get His help is commit what we are planning to Him. But this necessitates an actual plan to commit to Him. So, this is where the process begins – identifying our plan for the new year. Here are some helpful suggestions when considering that plan:
Create a growth plan for the year. This is much different than some list of unattainable goals. Think in terms of an actual weekly plan for spiritual, mental, relational, financial, organizational growth. Write it out and refer to it regularly. Spend the first part of each day in spiritual and practical reflection. Peter Scazzero, author of Emotional Healthy Spirituality, wrote: “We know we have found our balance when we are so deeply rooted in God that our activity is marked by the peaceful, joyful, rich quality of our contemplation.” Whatever has our focus has us! Work off of a daily agenda. I know this sounds simple, but referring to a daily plan and getting the pleasure to mark “complete” on certain items of that list enables much needed celebratory moments along the way. Surround yourself with key growth-optimizers. No, these individuals are not the same as the traditional accountability partners. I do better when I get around people who inspire me to grow by how they are growing everyday. So, in other words, shake off the slackers from your life and connect with those who make growing a priority in their life. So, what are you living for this year? And, what potentially will keep you from living that purpose out in full passion? Decide now to live intentionally. Despite the everyday interruptions, tackle these days, weeks, and months with a doable plan. And, by God’s grace, we can come to the close of another year delighted in the progress.
I T I N E R AT I N G M I S S I O N A R I E S Michelle Castle michelle.castle@gmail.com ** Sensitive Country Charlie & Dona Bunn ucochialpha@juno.com UCO Chi Alpha John & Kathy Deisher johndeisher@osuxa.com OSU Chi Alpha CMIT Director Garo & Jordania Nargiz garonn@gmail.com Brazil, Latin America Caribbean Adam & Sarah Quinn OUQuinn@gmail.com Costa Rica, Latin America/Caribbean Tim & Liz Sebastian tim.sebastian@hqmail.agmd.org **Sensitive Country Brian & Crystal Stuke bcstuke@gmail.com South Africa, Africa David & Shirley Swafford dswafford72@gmail.com Latin America/Caribbean Greg & Susan Tiffany xaoklahoma@aol.com Oklahoma Chi Alpha Director Loretta Wideman lorettahwideman@gmail.com Kenya, Africa
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 4 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK
FINANCE
CHU RCH FIN AN C E & AD MIN
CON F E R E NC E We will be bringing the Church Finance & Administration Conference back for a second year on Saturday, March 23, 2019. This year’s speakers will be Dan Busby and Richard Hammar. Dan Busby is the president of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA) and Richard Hammar is the General Counsel for General Council of the Assemblies of God. Both men are widely considered to be two of the most influential leaders in the evangelical church world today. Dan will be discussing 12 Key Issues Churches Should Understand. These topics include areas many churches find most challenging, such as social security, expense reimbursements, gift acknowledgements, designated gifts, fraud, and much more. Richard will be discussing his latest research and legal update for churches. Most importantly, the two men will be
sharing the final session for a time of moderated Q&A. This one-day conference is a great opportunity for lead pastors, church boards, finance office personnel, and most anyone else who is responsible for the financial or operational life of the local church. Space will be limited and tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. You can find out more information and register online 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
E MP OW E RE D TO
EMPOWER When God places the desire to lead within the local church, He has promised that He would lead, empower, and give wisdom. Supplying all that is necessary to help the leader grow and fulfill what God has called them to do.
While God is all-sufficient in His ability to supply all of our needs, He designed the church to work in unity together. Accomplishing all that God desires for the church in the community. This requires the leader to empower others to do the work of the ministry.
May God richly bless you and may He empower you to empower others This is consistent with the scripture, which teaches leaders to “equip the saints for good works.” The mandate for us is not to simply give the information to those who labor along with us in the ministry, but also to empower them to fulfill their role in the Kingdom. What are the characteristics of an empowering leader? How do Christian Leaders empower others in the work of the ministry? Here are 5 Characteristics of empowering leaders: SENSITIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: Scripture clearly indicates that God’s desire is for us to work in unity together for the Kingdom. Being sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit means that He is going to guide the leader in fulfilling God’s heart. If we open ourselves to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and have a desire to empower others, He will lead to that end! HAVING A TEAM MENTALITY: When placed in a position to lead, we have a responsibility to steward those that God has entrusted to us. In other words, we must look at ministry as a way to include others in the workplace. When we look at ministry as a team, we identify the gifts that God has placed in others and find ways that they can be used in the church.
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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CELEBRATE THE GIFTS OF OTHERS: One of the greatest encouragements we could receive is when someone celebrates the gifts that God has birthed in us. Celebrating the gifts of your team will not only feel good, but it serves to boost their confidence and enables them to continue to use them. But I think that there is something bigger at play here. When we celebrate the gifts in our team, we also honor the creator who gave the gift in the first place. He certainly deserves all the worship for being the creator of all good things! SERVE IN ALL DIRECTIONS: “The greatest among you must be a servant.” For Christ there was no question, as you are placed in leadership, you become a servant to everyone around you. Whether people serve above or under you, the desire of Christ was that we become a servant. Serving as a leader to those who are in ministry with you, empowers them by enabling them to pursue their personal calling. RELEASE PEOPLE AND SITUATIONS: As a leader, we have the responsibility to release people into the work of the ministry. Jesus showed by example as he mentored a group of disciples who would carry on the work of the ministry after His crucifixion. Once filled with the Spirit, these men turned the world upside down. I am convinced that Jesus understood that these men were going to make mistakes. They were going to get into situations that would have difficult consequences. However, Jesus released them to fulfill the call. In the same way, leaders must be willing to release people into ministry opportunities. I want to challenge you to become an empowering leader to your church. In doing so, you will allow for the Creator’s gifts to be highlighted in the lives of the team. It also allows for the work of the ministry to be multiplied and the impact on your community will be evident! May God richly bless you and may He empower you to empower others in the work of the ministry. God has placed people in our care in order for us to empower them to fulfill their calling. As we do so, God will put His hand of favor on your church and leadership! Chad & Nyree
WOMEN’S
AD OR E D BY T H E GOD
WHO SEES ME Oklahoma Women’s Ministries Department Presents: The 2019 Annual Women in Leadership Luncheon “Adored by the God who sees me” Monday - 4.29.19 (Held in conjunction with the 2019 Century Leadership Conference) Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Kay will be speaking from her latest writing: “ADORED by the GOD who sees me.” Each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of Kay’s book. Ladies-Don’t miss this exciting event! Register today and meet me there! Susie Purkey
Tulsa Marriott Renaissance Hotel Ballroom Registration Open NOW! okag.org/WMLuncheon $30 per person (Includes a delicious Hot Meal, Free Gift, Inspirational National Speaker, Centerpiece Giveaways and powerful connections with Girlfriends!) Featuring, Kay Burnett, National Women’s Ministries Director Kay Burnett has served alongside her husband, Jim, in full-time ministry for more than twenty yearseight of those years serving as the Arizona Network Women’s Ministries Director. In 2016, she was appointed as the Assemblies of God National Women’s Ministries Director. Jim and Kay are the proud parents of a son and daughter-in-law, a daughter and son-in-law and five grandchildren.
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
CREATIN G C OMMU N IT Y AN D
C ONNECTIO N When God gives you a dream or a vision as a leader, seeing it come to life is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring. As we began to settle in to this new life in OKC and our new ministry as DYDs, God began to give us new vision and new dreams. One of our goals was to enhance OYM’s family feeling. We wanted to create community and connection among a group that have so much in common. The challenge was this group is separated by many miles all over the state. We all know a God idea is always better than 100 good ideas. So, as we brainstormed with our own thoughts, we saw obstacles and challenges. That’s when the God idea of a Wednesday Livestream came into our hearts. It was a picture in our minds of a private and safe environment to be together, speak honestly, pour into our youth pastors and pray for each youth ministry, every week.
We want to create community and connection among a group that has so much in common. We began (and are still working) to find, friend, and invite youth pastors from all of our AG churches in OK. This is a much harder task than it may sound!! We took a poll and then we just jumped in head first! Every Wednesday morning since October 24th, we have gone live from being on the road for the Holidays, out of town for conferences, and most often, from our home at the kitchen table. We join together in community with our OYM Youth Pastors and leaders. We have coffee, we laugh, we pray, we challenge each other and we share ideas. We try to live the scripture from Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” It truly is the best part of our week and something that has brought so much joy to our hearts! It’s FUN! Like a team gathering in the locker room for the pep talk, Wednesday mornings we gather and prepare our hearts for the work God does on Wednesday nights in our youth ministries all across our state. When God gives you a dream and vision, it causes you to lean on, trust, and give all credit to what only HE can do!
HEATH CORRALES YO UT H M IN IST RIE S H EAT H . C O R R A L E S @ O K AG . O R G @ H EAT H C O RR A L E S 8 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK
If you are the head leader of any OKAG youth ministry by full-time, part-time or volunteer involvement and you are interested in joining us, please request to be added to the Facebook Group “OYM Youth Pastors”. Be Blessed OK! Heath and Alisha
CHILDREN
HAPPY
NEW YEAR! On behalf of Oklahoma Children’s Ministries I trust that
you had a very Merry Christmas and that you are excited about 2019. I would also like to THANK YOU for your support of Children’s Ministries in Oklahoma. Since it’s inception, our mindset has been to serve our churches. OCM offers many opportunities through Fun Arts, Kids Camps, and PB&J Retreats. We also serve our churches through our gender specific programs of Girls Ministries and Royal Rangers. JBQ is steadily on the rise as a ministry that places the word of God into the hearts and minds of kids. I think at the center of any church or ministry should be the heartbeat of missions. Our churches in Oklahoma have always had strong support for B.G.M.C. This ministry is a phenomenal way to teach the kids to not only give to missions but to also have compassion for a hurting world. Each of these ministries have been made possible because of prayerful and financial contributions from churches like yours.
SEPTEMBER
7 JBQ Season Opener 9-13 National Girl’s Ministries Week 20-21 OCM Conference 27-28 National Girl’s Ministries Sleepover
OCTOBER
5 Area JBQ Meets #1 6-12 National Royal Rangers Week
NOVEMBER
2 Area JBQ Meets #2 22-23 PB&J Retreat
DECEMBER
15 All BGMC, Masters Toolbox, Coins for Kids Offerings Due
The following is a list of dates for all activities concerning the various ministries of OCM. I hope this helps in planning a fantastic year for the kids of your church.
JANUARY
11-12 District Girl’s Ministries Training 11-13 Royal Rangers Winter Trace 12 Area JBQ Meets #3
FEBRUARY
2 Area JBQ Meets #4 16 Kids Camp Clinic 18 Kids Camp Registration Opens 22-23 JBQ District Celebration
APRIL
12-14 Royal Rangers Spring Trace
MAY
3-4 WCO at Camp Adventure 4 Fun Arts
JUNE
7-9 Royal Rangers Pow Wow 19-23 Royal Rangers JLTA 30 - July 3 Kids Camp #1
JULY
4-6 Little Radicals Camp 8-12 Kids Camp #2 15-19 Kids Camp #3 22-26 Kids Camp #4
AUGUST
10 District Girl’s Ministries Celebration 16-17 Royal Rangers NEEC
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 OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 9
IN MEMORY
Patricia A. Ford
9/15/1950 - 1/5/2019 Reverend Patricia Ann Neale-Ford was born on Friday, September 15th, 1950 in Westville, OK, the daughter of Keith and Fern (Stilwell) Neale. She attended school and then obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from NSU in Education. She was employed as a Librarian for the Eastern Oklahoma District Library System. She was a retired Ordained Minister for the Assemblies of God, and there was nothing that meant more to Patricia than evangelizing the love of God to everyone that heard her voice. She dedicated her life to serving God at the age of 13 and preached of his love and forgiveness for 58 years. She was a pianist, and wrote music including one hymn that was published. Those who had needs knew that they had a friend in Patricia. She would see that the hungry had food, those who had no clothes were warm, and those who needed prayer had the best prayer warrior on their side. She loved people and would help anyone, with anything that was hers to give. She was kind, generous, loving, and, above all, had a servant’s heart. She implemented community programs for people so they could read books. The Lord called this good and faithful servant home from her labors on Saturday, January 5th, 2019 in Muskogee, OK. She was 68 years old. She will be greatly missed but had laid a firm foundation for those she loved.
MINISTERS’ SPOUSES Mildred Ellsworth Spouse of the late Jack Ellsworth 10/24/1927 – 1/13/2019
She is preceded in death by her mother and father, and her grandparents: William and Bertha Neale and Doss and Opal Stilwell. Her memory is cherished by her husband, John of the home in Braggs, and her son, Arthur Gordon and wife Keisha of Oklahoma City, stepdaughter Judy Taylor of Braggs, and stepson, Guy Brown of Ft. Gibson, OK. She leaves two brothers, Keith Neale and wife Betty of Oklahoma City and Darrell Neale and wife Chevy of Stilwell, OK. She lives on in her three grandchildren, Tammy Brassfield and husband Chris of Ft. Gibson, Shane Dause and wife Brooke of Braggs, OK, and Rusty Dause and wife Mindy also of Braggs. There are ten great-grandchildren, Levi Dause, Jett Brassfield, Grant Dause, Chase Dause, Canyon Miller, Carter Miller-Dause, Gavin Dause, Conner Miller-Dause, John Brassfield, and Hope Dause, as well as one aunt who was like a sister, Mary Stilwell of Stilwell, OK, one cousin, Gregg Stilwell also of Stilwell, OK, as well as many church family and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.
INVESTMENTS M A D E
E A S Y.
MINISTRY
M A D E
P O S S I B L E .
Alice Martin Spouse of the late Jack Martin 04/21/1937 – 1/23/2019 Sue Bookout Spouse of Steve Bookout 12/17/1948 – 1/18/2019
cepnet.com
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OKLAHOMA
DISTRICT NEWS PRAYER REQUESTS
PASTORS’ REPORTS
Clint Gray - Pray for church commercial property to sell so new church can be built.
Lester Lowry, Enid, reports eight saved in December. Raymond Frizzelle, Miami First, reports two adults and two youth saved. Keith Ayers, Eagletown, reports 22 saved during Christmas Program and one saved in regular service. Gary Walden, Peggs, reports one saved in regular service. Clint Gray, Arpelar, reports three saved at FCA meeting in public schools in huddle meetings. Bo Gibbs, Carney, reports six saved and one baptized in December.
INFORMATION Help for Pastors call (918) 758-4147 or visit www.pastoralcareinc.com.
EVANGELISTS’ REPORTS NEEDED Eagletown needs a good used van to start a bus ministry. If you have one to donate, contact Pastor Keith Ayers at (918) 7203411. Eagletown AG also needs a praise and worship leader.
Dale Floyd reports 97 men and women saved in November and 56 saved in December services.
NEW PASTORS TRANSFERS Welcome David Anderson Daniel Armstrong Lacey Coalson Larry Martin Jeffrey McPhail Mary Rios Mark Roberts Amy Rodd Dennis Stuart Stanley Turnbull Cheryl Turnbull Steven Waldrop Donna Waldrop Daniel Watson Daniel Wells Farewell Terri Gast Bryan Hicks Angela Hughes
Muldrow Lee Creek
John Bennett
From Southern California Arkansas North Texas South Texas Northern New England North Texas Arkansas Kansas West Florida Potomac Potomac Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas To Kentucky Louisiana Southern Missouri
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