OKLAHOMA
OUTLOOK Publisher H. Fraanklin Cargill
JANUARY
STL Tour (Sec. 4) January 18 STL Tour (Sec. 8) January 19 STL Tour (Sec. 11) January 20 Century Leadership Roundtable January 21 STL Tour (Sec. 9) January 23 STL Tour (Sec. 1) January 25 STL Tour (Sec. 10) January 27 STL Tour (Sec. 7) January 28 ACMR Deadline January 31
FEBRUARY
OSOM Game Day Credential Seminar (Entry Level) Sectional Council - Section 5E (PM) Sectional Council - Section 4 (AM) Sectional Council - Section 3 (PM) Spanish School of Ministry (Tulsa) Sectional Council - Section 7 (PM) Sectional Council - Section 6 (AM) Sectional Council - Section 9S (PM) Sectional Council - Section 2 (AM) Sectional Council - Section 1 (PM) Sectional Council - Section 5W (PM) Sectional Council - Section 8 (AM) Sectional Council - Section 11 (PM) Sectional Council - Section 10 (AM) SYNERGY Youth Leaders Conference Sectional Council - Section 12 (AM) Sectional Council - Section 9N (PM)
MARCH
GM Power Surge OSOM Game Day RR National Lead Conference District BGMC Event Spanish School of Ministry (Tulsa)
February 6 February 6 February 8 February 9 February 9 February 13 February 15 February 16 February 16 February 18 February 18 February 22 February 23 February 23 February 25 February 26-27 February 29 February 29
Designer Jayson Evans 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 Doug Everaard Youth Ministries
March 4-5 March 5 March 10-12 March 11 March 12
Dean Guthrie Children’s Ministries Darren Pilcher Church Ministries Michelle Pilcher Women’s Ministries Lindell Warren Missions
Ordained Female Presbyter Deborah Burke
Jamie Austin Section 5E Mike Buie Section 5W Chad Brodrick Section 6 Jimmy Keith Section 7 Kelly Coffey Section 8 David Brooks Section 9N L Duane Elmore Section 9S Don Barnes Section 10 Ric Freeman Section 11 Arlis Moon Section 12
LET’S GO TO
Church
I am blessed beyond measure! It is not that I should be
inappropriately proud, for that would only lead to a fall. However, when it comes to personal testimonies, mine seems rather short and some might even say boring. From birth, “church” has been a constant in my life! The first public place that I visited as a baby was the Assembly of God church in Drumright, Oklahoma. Since that day my life has always been intertwined with church, church activities, and yes – the Assemblies of God. I owe a debt to my family and parentage; hundreds of saints have spoken into my life; Sunday school, CA services, youth rallies, fellowship meetings, and revivals have occupied a prominent place in my life for longer than I have memory. But make no mistake, I needed a Savior! There would be no way that I could count the number of times I have experienced conviction and sought for forgiveness. However, I still recall a Monday night CA Rally when, at the age of 10, I “grasped” the concept of the amazing grace extended by none other than Jesus Christ at an altar of salvation. Three months later, during the altar service at the end of a Sunday night “regular” service, I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance. What an impact this Fellowship has made on the life of Frank Cargill! I truly am a debtor! I could not possibly recall the number of times that I grew up hearing, “Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together!” I thought that if I was to miss attending church on a Wednesday night and the rapture occurred; I would no doubt be left behind! Please understand, I am not complaining, instead I am expressing my appreciation for the values and priorities that have helped to shape my life today. To God be the glory! Most of my colleagues would agree that our heritage may well have majored in minors and over-emphasized rules and regulations. My generation may have spent more time on “come out from among them” rather than on imparting the theological principle of “and be ye holy.” However, with each passing year, my gratefulness exceeds my criticism. I now carry the “charge” of my God-ordained ministry responsibilities. At the close of 2015, the Oklahoma Assemblies of God Ministerial family consisted of 1,637 credentialed ministers (in addition to hundreds of spouses and thousands of preachers’ kids) – an assignment far greater than my ability. However, the value of assembly may well be more important today than ever!
SUPERINTENDENT
Everyone is busy! I understand that, but I have also discovered that everyone finds time to do whatever they consider to be a priority. Most preachers are required to attend church. If the minister is a pastor, a staff member, or an employee of a local church, there is no question about the “assembling of ourselves together.” For some reason, a compensation check speaks rather loudly. But what about other times – maybe when it’s not about you or when there is no recognition to be received or there are no checks waiting to be issued. How important is “assembling” during those times? Allow me to issue a challenge as we launch into a new year. Our Fellowship needs one another! The only way that will happen is when we, as joint members together, place a priority on reserving time for connection, inspiration, relationship. It may not be “for” you, but what about being an example or perhaps serving as a mentor for another minister that yearns for your encouragement. I understand that it may not be possible to attend everything – but join me in marking these significant events in your calendar and do everything possible to practice what we preach. SECTIONAL COUNCIL – FEBRUARY There are 14 from which to choose. Some held during the day and some in the evening. DISTRICT COUNCIL & CENTURY LEADERSHIP April 25 & 26 in Oklahoma City at People’s Church OKLAHOMA CAMP MEETING July 6-8 in Mustang at The Bridge Featuring Denny Duron, Scott Holmes, and Jason Crabb OKLAHOMA MINISTRY TOUR - SEPTEMBER There are 14 from which to choose. Some held during the day and some in the evening. DISTRICT MINISTERS RETREAT October 3-5 in Branson at The Chateau on The Lake Linda and I are excited about joining with our Oklahoma AG Ministers as often as possible. The greatest days are yet to come!
FRANK CARGILL DISTR ICT SUPE R INTE NDE NT F R ANK . CAR G IL L @O K AG . O R G
MISSIONS
MOVED WITH
Compassion
Jesus said that an unburied seed remains just a single seed. Only after the seed is planted and buried does it produce
more seeds or much fruit. This scriptural truth can easily be seen in the lives and deaths of the Auca Five. Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, and Peter Fleming laid down their lives on January 8, 1956, for the gospel’s sake. In the past 60 years hundreds, if not thousands, have answered God’s call to missions because of the planting of these five seeds in foreign, hostile soil. All five men were educated, gifted, and dedicated to God, and all five were married. At the time of their death their ages were; Jim Elliot – 28 yrs. – 1 child, Nate Saint – 32 yrs. - 3 children, Roger Youderian, 31 yrs. – 2 children, Ed McCully – 28 yrs. – 2 children and another on the way, Peter Fleming – 27 – no children. Modern missions will never let the saga die. The tragedy that riveted the world 60 years ago reminds me of the woman anointing Jesus in Simon the leper’s house. She anointed Jesus with a costly perfume, only to have Jesus promise that what she did would be told wherever the gospel is preached. Without suggesting any addition to the eternal record, surely what the five young men did will always be reiterated in mission circles. In my opinion not too much can be said about these five brave men and their families. Jim Elliot wrote in his journal while still a student at Wheaton College, “Father, take my life, yea, my blood if thou wilt, and consume it…I would not save it, for it is not mine to save.” His most famous quote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” And my favorite, “When it comes time to die, make sure all you have to do is die.” Nate Saint wrote a letter 21 days before he died and simply addressed it, “Dear brother in Christ:” he gave it to his wife Marj and said, “…just in case.” One part says, “As we have a high old time this Christmas, may we who know Christ hear the cry of the damned as they hurtle headlong into the Christ-less night…May we be moved with compassion as our Lord was. May we shed tears of repentance for those whom we have failed to bring out of darkness. Beyond the smiling scenes of Bethlehem may we see the crushing agony of Golgotha. May God give us a new vision of His will concerning the Lost and our responsibility.” In another part of the letter he asked. “As we weigh the future and seek the will of God, does it seem right that we should hazard our
LINDELL WARREN M IS S IO N S DIRE C TO R L IN DE L L .WA R R E N @ O K AG. O R G
lives for just a few savages? As we ask ourselves the question, we realize that it is not the call of needy thousands. Rather it is the simple intimation of the prophetic word that there shall be some from every tribe in His presence in the last day.” Much prayer, planning and practice had gone into making friendly contact with the Aucas on that fateful day 60 years ago. Unknown to the missionaries, the savages had agreed that they would kill all the foreigners. Unknown to the Auca savages, the five missionaries had agreed that they would not fire their rifles on the Aucas. Late that afternoon, both groups kept their agreements. The missionaries agreed not to fire on the Aucas because they reasoned that they were not yet ready for heaven. A few years ago I had opportunity to meet Steve Saint, Nate Saint’s son. He had a funny dressed, little short man with him that day. The little gentleman’s name was Mincaye. I unashamedly wept as I witnessed Steve Saint and Mincaye, one of the killers on January 8, 1956, embrace and talk about the love of Christ that bound them together. Steve Saint turned five a few days after his dad’s death. Some eight years later, at the age of 13, Steve followed the Lord in water baptism in the Curaray River in the same location where his dad had been speared to death. The man who baptized Steve had thrown the spear that took the young boy’s father from him. Only the cross can explain that kind of forgiveness and love. Along the head waters of the Amazon River, deep in the jungles of Ecuador the indigenous people no longer kill each other; instead they build churches and schools and practice a peaceful way of life. They sing Amazing Grace and worship the One True God. They have Sunday School, study the Bible in their language and study war no more. In the Heroes of the Faith series, Jim Elliot, Missionary to Ecuador, book an addendum to the story is given. Thirty three years after the five men laid down their lives an additional part of the story was discovered. Members of the tribe related a special experience they had the evening the men were killed. When the men were dead and their bodies’ lying on the beach, the Worams, as they are now known by, heard singing. Members of the tribe looked up over the tree tops, and saw a large group of people singing. They described it by saying it looked like “a hundred flashlights.” …Angels were heard on high.
CHURCH
LEADING FROM A
Clean Slate
What are your priorities this year? What are you endeavoring
to accomplish? How are you planning to get it all done? Every leader needs an opportunity to re-evaluate and refocus on what this whole leadership thing is all about. Specifically, thinking long and diligently on what it means for us to be a leader is the idea behind a healthy season of re-positioning. That’s why I really like the beginning of a new year and how it can offer a fresh start and perspective. In this first couple of weeks of 2016, consider authentically asking yourself these questions for starters: Who am I called to be as a leader? Who am I called to lead? How should I lead them? Where do I want them to go? How can I get better at leading? With every new year I truly believe God grants the opportunity to dream, plan, and start again. We are given the privilege of unplugging ourselves from the past. As leaders, nothing speaks of freshness, focus, and new energy more than a clean slate. The last thing our followers need is a leader who is distracted with unfinished projects and cluttered by an unsettled or, even worse, and unforgiving heart. So, take time this week to really “unplug.” Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify and let go of the luggage that would potentially weigh you down as you endeavor to enter strong into the new year. Another way to lead with a clean slate is to allow Matthew 6:33 to be the compass for your days: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” What if we honestly sought first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness every day? I know, we are human and riddled with imperfections, but God is perfect, and with His help, we can more successfully put Him in the rightful place daily. Think in terms of seeing this practically. What does it look like for you to seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness today? Rick Warren has provided a nice acrostic to the word F.I.R.S.T. - FINANCES, INTERESTS, RELATIONSHIPS, SCHEDULES, TROUBLES. With God’s help, we can lead in putting Him first in our finances, considering Him first in our interests, allowing Him to be first in all of our relationships and connections, seeking Him first when it comes to our potentially crazy schedules, and going to Him first when we are faced with a trouble or challenge. When God is FIRST, we will not have to worry about how we will be supplied for our calling nor feel the need to control situations or people. When God is FIRST in the leader’s life, everyone ultimately wins!
The slate is clean…at least for now. If we do not pause and take the necessary time to evaluate and plan, the earthly drift will take over. And, before we know it, our lives will be over-crowded and way too complicated. Eugene Peterson paraphrases the sobering warning from 1 John 2:15: “Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.” The only way we can effectively prohibit our love for the Father from being squeezed out of our days this year is to intentionally take time to reflect, refocus, and, if necessary, re-adjust to God being FIRST in our life and leadership while the slate is still essentially clean! Lead from that clean slate this year!
RECOMMENDED READING
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Peter Scazzero
Addicted to Busy Brady Boyd
DARREN PILCHER CHUR CH MINISTR IE S DAR R E N. PILCHE R @O K AG . O R G
WOMEN’S
HER GREEN
Room
We value the role ministry wives fill in the life of the local church and organizations. Did you know there is an online community to encourage and equip minister’s wives? Her Green Room is an excellent resource! This website allows you to gain insight through the weekly blog and video posts created by other ministry wives. Get an inside look at the life of other women through the Meet Her Series as well as share insights or ask challenging questions. If you are not currently a part of Her Green Room, check it out today! hergreenroom.com This is your place to be refreshed and renewed – your place out of the spotlight!
MICHELLE PILCHER WO M EN ’ S DIR E C TO R M IC H E L L E . P ILC H ER @ O KAG . O R G @ M _ P ILC H ER
INTRODUCING
Synergy
One of the most rewarding and greatest wins of being
a youth pastor, is giving the endless army of volunteers you work with the opportunity to grow! There is nothing more fulfilling than walking day in and day out with your volunteer adult and student leaders. After all, without their help and endless hours of free labor, you could not hope to reach the hundreds and even thousands of students in your community. Why not reward them for their years of service? There were many years where “The Oklahoma Youth Workers Conference” was a vehicle that Jill and I used to say thank you to our leadership team for all of their hard work and dedication to our ministries. This is the primary reason we are relaunching SYNERGY Youth Leaders Conference. Please take advantage of this opportunity to bless your leaders in a very tangible and affordable way. I know some youth pastors are using this weekend as a retreat for their team! If you have not already made plans to be a part of SYNERGY, let me encourage you to lean into this moment. More than half of the sessions will be geared towards volunteer lay leaders as well as a healthy dose of sessions for full-time student ministry pastors. MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN YOUR VOLUNTEERS, THEY ARE WORTH IT!
YOUTH
Check out some of the over 30 sessions that will be offered: How to know you’re winning as a volunteer in ministry How to recruit and keep quality volunteers Treating students as students and not projects How to make your youth pastor better Leading from the middle: Being a better student leader Beyond the church walls and onto the school campus Ministering to a multicultural Youth ministry Winning as a woman in ministry Building a student-led worship team Introverts in student ministry Partnering with parents Navigating ministry with a full-time job How to grow your students’ faith
DOUG EVERAARD YO UTH MINISTR IE S DO UG . E VE R AAR D@O K AG . O R G @DO UG E VE R AAR D
CHILDREN
A NEW
Year
The OCM family would like to announce a new member of
our team. Bev Robertson, will be serving as the BGMC Coordinator for the Oklahoma District. Bev has been in Children’s Ministries over forty years and involved with BGMC since childhood. She is married to Steve Robertson and has three grown, married children and is now a grandparent! Bev was Ordained in the Oklahoma District in 2009 and has served as the Children’s Pastor at The Bridge Assembly of God in Mustang, Oklahoma for the past 14 years with BGMC as a core part of the children’s ministry there. The goal for 2016 is to connect each of our Oklahoma District churches to an active BGMC program and reach children to have compassion for the world! Welcome to the team Rev. Bev!
Bev Robertson
2016 EVENTS February 6 JBQ Meet #4 26-27 JBQ District Celebration March 5 Girl’s Ministries - Power Surge 10-12 RR National Lead Conference 11 District BGMC Event April 15-17 District RR FCF Spring Trace 30 Fun Arts Mustang The Bridge 29-30 JBQ Regionals May 2 Camp Staff Applications Due June 9-12 JBQ Nationals 10-12 District Royal Ranger Pow-Wow 22-26 District RR JLTA
DEAN GUTHRIE C H IL DRE N ’ S DIR E C TO R DE A N . G UT H R IE @ O K AG . O R G @ O C M DEA N
July June 29-July 1 Lil Radicals Camp 4-8 Camp #1 (Reg. Due June3) 11-15 Camp #2 (Reg. Due June10) 18-22 Camp #3 (Reg. Due June 17) 25-29 Camp #4 (Reg. Due June 24) 18-22 National RR Camporama August 4-6 Royal Rangers Training Camp RTC 12-13 Girls’ Ministries Celebration – OKC September 11-17 Girls’ Ministries Week 16-17 Children’s Workers Conference 23-24 Nationwide Girls’ Ministries Sleepover October 7 Royal Ranger Expo 2-8 National Royal Rangers’ Week November 18-19 P B & J Retreat December 15 BGMC & GROW Offerings Due 28-31 RR Junior Missions Camp
IN MEMORY
Shirley Ann Heath-Hocker
Magdy M. Fam
Reverend Shirley Ann Heath-Hocker was born to Robert and Beulah (Mershawn) Vaught on September 5, 1947, in Navarro, Texas, and passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at her home in Enid.
Reverend Magdy Moawad Fam, 59 year old resident of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passed away Monday, December 14, 2015 in Tulsa.
9/5/1947 - 12/22/2015
Shirley married Rev. Larry Heath on June 13, 1965, and they pastored several Assemblies of God churches in Oklahoma and one in Arizona. After his death in 2009, she married Bill Hocker, of Enid on August 2, 2012. Shirley began preaching at the age of 13. She was a Licensed minister with the Assemblies of God for over 35 years and was Ordained in April, 2014. Shirley graduated from Southwestern Christian University with a Bachelors Degree in Human and Family Services in August, 2015. Shirley was a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda and received the Spiritual Leadership Award in May, 2015. She was a paraprofessional at Glenwood Elementary, working with students with developmental disabilities. Shirley is survived by husband Bill of the home; children, Tina Smith and husband Jeff of Leedey, Larry Heath and wife Kimberly of Poteau, Robert Heath of Granite, John McKinney and wife Nikki of San Diego, California, Rev. Jesse Heath and wife Roberta of Edmond, Traci Heath of Nicholasville, Kentucky, Jonathan Heath of Lawton, Brandi Clemens of Blackwell, Scott Hocker and wife Leah of Enid, and Duane Hocker, of Enid; nineteen grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren; brother-in-law Jim Heath and wife Lorraine and sister-in-law Judith Summers and husband Larry. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Rev. Larry Heath, granddaughter Andrea Heath, two brothers-inlaw and a sister-in-law.
2/15/1956 - 12/14/2015
He was born February 15, 1956 in Cairo, Egypt to Moawad and Saida Fam. Magdy was an Arabic Church Pastor and Evangelist. He was united in marriage to Amani Yacoub on May 10, 2002 in North Carolina. Survivors include his wife, Amani; and one son, Paul Fam both of the home.
Ed C. Sullivan
1/9/1944 - 11/14/2015 Reverend Ed Sullivan, 71, went home to be with The Lord on November 14, 2015. He was born in Crestview, Florida. Ed was a veteran of the U.S. Army Rangers. He graduated from Southeastern College in 1975. After being saved at age 22, Ed has been a lifelong servant of God. He and his wife of 47 years, Janice, were nationally appointed AG U.S. Missionaries in 1997. After their appointment they faithfully served the Native American pastors to reach their people for the Lord. Ed is also survived by his son, Edward Sullivan; daughters, Colleen (Jerry) Collins, Janel (Michael) Young; sister, Sylvia (Tom) Thomas; grandchildren, Anna and Charles Sullivan, Olivia Collins.
OKLAHOMA
DISTRICT NEWS PRAYER REQUESTS Clint Gray - Victory in PSO Easement case and also needs a Youth Pastor.
PASTOR’S REPORTS Charley Hudspeth, Newkirk, reports two healed and rededicated. Raymond Frizzelle, Miami, reports five saved in regular services. Stanley Botts, Enid, reports one saved and two rededicated. Daryl Lee, Disney, reports eight saved or rededicated at their Christmas Program.
INFORMATION Help for Pastors call (918) 758-4147 or visit www.pastoralcareinc.com.
TRANSFERS Welcome Jeffrey Connett Joshua Cosby Brady Neece Megan Neece James Sutton Christopher Holt Dean Sims Farewell Kasen Fanning Robert Keich Adem Mahoney Janice Sullivan Justin Wilson Jason Patterson
From Arkansas Northern Missouri Penn/Del Penn/Del Alabama No. California/Nevada Tennessee
To Arkansas Tennessee Kentucky Peninsular Florida North Texas Indiana
NEW PASTORS Howe Daniel Brittain Stringtown Hal Corbett Tulsa Garnett Jeffrey Connett Pond Creek Shawn Deese Tuttle First Jeremy Wallace
A SIMPLE
PLAN
ENDOWMENTS
CAN
MAKE
A
PLANNED GIFTS
BIG
IMPACT
BEQUESTS
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