Community Spirit April/May 2017 by Community Spirit

Contents

April /May 2017 PUBLISHER & editor Tom McCloud 918-625-5324

FEATURES 6 Something Rotten! Coming to Tulsa 8 Augustine Christian Academy’s Theatre Program 10 Tim Harris to Run for Congress! 12 Taking Care of Mom and Dad 18 Renaissance Fair Returns to Muskogee 20 Healthy Smiles Dentistry 23 Sheridan Christian Center Announces New Pastor 24 Good Samaritan Ministries 28 Kevin Grover Buick/GMC 30 Wagoner Hospital COLUMNS 14 15

ACT Financial Services Premier Advisors

Dr. Trung Tran, Periodontist

CREATIVE Director Ben Allen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom McCloud, Randy Cowell, Justin Cowell, and Lori Frazee, DDS www.mccloudmedia.com • www.communityspiritmagazine.com Distribution Community Spirit Magazine is distributed to churches, schools, restaurants, Christian bookstores, and other businesses. Call us today to deliver to your church. Community Spirit Magazine is published monthly by McCloud Media. Claims by advertisers and the opinions of writers within this publication do not necessarily represent the views of Community Spirit Magazine or its publisher, Equipment Publications, Inc. Philippians 2:1-2 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Our Mission: 1. Build Community – Develop a sense of community among all local believers in Christ 2. Inspire Good Works 3. Support Families 4. Share the Good News of Jesus Christ Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CommunitySpiritMagazine

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ulsa is being treated to something new, something exciting, and yes, SOMETHING ROTTEN!, The completely original new musical comedy, SOMETHING ROTTEN!, will be performed at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center during the week of May 23-28. Don’t let the name mislead you. The only thing “rotten” about this show is that it ends too quickly, leaving you wanting more. We predict you will continue to laugh at the jokes and sing the songs all the way home. From the director of ALADDIN and co-director of THE BOOK OF MORMON and the producer of RENT, AVENUE Q and IN THE HEIGHTS, this hilarious new musical comedy tells the story of brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, two playwrights stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star Will Shakespeare. When a soothsayer foretells the next big thing in theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, the Bottom brothers set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL! With the most singing, the most dancing and the most gut-busting laughs on Broadway, it's something wonderful... something for everyone... It's SOMETHING ROTTEN!, The Making of Something Rotten! Most Broadway newcomers don’t get their first show produced by Tony Award winner Kevin McCollum, land Tony winner Casey Nicholaw as their director-choreographer, or score a major hit when they opt to open directly on Broadway. But Karey Kirkpatrick, Wayne Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, the creators of the ten-time Tony Award-nominated Something Rotten!, are unusual Broadway first timers. Careers took the Kirkpatrick brothers and O’Farrell down different creative paths: Karey to success as an animated-film screenwriter, songwriter and director; Wayne to acclaim as a Grammy Award-winning songwriter; the British O’Farrell to multifaceted writing success. The seeds of Something Rotten! were sewn in the mid-1990s when the Kirkpatricks started kicking ideas around. “It was, ‘What would it be like to be writing in the shadow of William Shakespeare, after Romeo and Juliet just opened?,’” Karey recalls. “Eventually it was, ‘If we’re going to do this, we should really get serious about it,’” Wayne says. The brothers buckled down, and in 2010, Karey reached out to producer McCollum, his friend since they worked together years earlier at Disney World. “We called Kevin and said, ‘What do you need?’ He said that Avenue Q was three songs and an idea,’” Karey says. Karey brought in O’Farrell, whom he’d met writing Chicken Run, to help craft the book and the brothers created the music and lyrics.

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What they had, after a multi-year developmental process, is a buoyant show set in Shakespeare’s day that imagines the creation of the very first musical. Something Rotten! centers around Nick and Nigel Bottom, brothers desperate for a hit in Elizabethan London, where William Shakespeare is a rock star-like god of the stage. Nick’s wife Bea, a can-do gal in the style of cross-dressing Shakespearean heroines, tries to help. Nigel falls for a pretty Puritan named Portia, whose daddy disapproves. Flawed soothsayer Thomas Nostradamus looks into the future and predicts Shakespeare’s next big hit will be a musical titled Omelette. A success since it opened on Broadway in April 2015, Something Rotten! is laced throughout with humor for Shakespeare aficionados and musical theater geeks. But as O’Farrell observes, “If it works as a musical for people who don’t know musicals or Shakespeare, then I’m happy. It’s about show business and putting on a show. The show works on many levels, but the main level it works on, I hope, is that it’s just a great fun night out.” Getting the Joke The humor found in Something Rotten! The laugh lines in the Broadway hit Something Rotten! flow from different sources. Some come at the expense of William Shakespeare, the rock star of his day, here played as a world-weary writer who finds being famous so much more enjoyable than actually coming up with new ideas. Some are pointed at musical theater itself, a veritable feast for fans and geeks who adore Rent, Cats, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Les Misérables, Annie and dozens of other iconic musicals from the Broadway cannon. The show’s humor, the work of brothers Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick (score), Karey and John O’Farrell (book), director-choreographer Casey Nicholaw and music arranger Glen Kelly, has been tested, vetted and carefully calibrated so that theatergoers can have a good time whether they know a lot or only a little about Shakespeare and/or musical theater.

“It’s FUN to perform in SOMETHING ROTTEN!

O’Farrell recalls, “We’d be sitting around, trying to write a song or a scene, and Wayne and Karey would say, ‘You know that song from Sunday in the Park With George?’ And I’d say no. And I’d say, ‘You know that thing in The Taming of the Shrew?’ And they’d say no,” O’Farrell recalls. “We were conscious of not wanting to be so inside that you could only get it if you had seen the most obscure musicals,” Wayne Kirkpatrick says. “We went broad, purposely. We referenced not only the musicals that inspired us, but also musicals people would know even if they hadn’t seen them, or maybe they’d only seen the movie. The same with Shakespeare. Everybody knows some Shakespeare lines. There are a lot of what we refer to as his ‘hits’, that everybody is going to know.” The end result is a show so fresh and funny, audiences of all ages and backgrounds love it. “It doesn’t matter how much you know,” director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw confirms. “My nieces and nephews say it’s their favorite show that I’ve done and they don’t know any of the references.” O’Farrell concludes, “If it works as a musical for people who don’t know musicals or Shakespeare, then I’m happy. It’s about show business and putting on a show. The show works on many levels, but the main level it works on, I hope, is that it’s just a great fun night out.” Join us in Some Applause for Celebrity Attractions… SOMETHING ROTTEN! is being brought to Tulsa by our friends at Celebrity Attractions. Committed to presenting the Best of Broadway, they do so with a love for our community. SOMETHING ROTTEN! comes to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for eight performances only May 23-28. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 3 at 10 a.m. and may be purchased via phone 918.596.7111 or 800.364.7111, in person at the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office, or online at MyTicketOffice.com. Groups of 10 or more receive a discount by calling 918.796.0220. SOMETHING ROTTEN! is part of the Celebrity Attractions’ 20162017 Broadway Season which also concludes with MATILDA The Musical. Celebrity Attractions is proud to have KOTV-News on 6 and Tulsa World as sponsors for this amazing season.

For more information, visit www.CelebrityAttractions.com and www.RottenBroadway.com.

We caught up with Con O’Shea-Creal, a Nebraskaborn, University of Oklahoma grad, who is presently dancing and singing his way across the country as part of the SOMETHING ROTTEN! ensemble. He shared what it is like to be a part of such a show. The talented, young, dancer/singer/actor graduated from the Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theater on the OU campus in 2008 and has been staying busy with role after role ever since. Now married with two children, he and his growing family drive from city to city, some 60 or more venues this year alone. “It’s the perfect job actually. I perform most evenings and generally have the day to spend with my wife and kids during the day. And we stay in each city for a week, sometimes two, so we get a chance to look around. My dad tells me I need to check out White River Café in Tulsa this trip,” he says. Con already has some big roles under his belt, including playing the role of Bert in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. He explained that the goal is to always to stay busy, consistently working and learning. As a Christian, Con explains that he trusts God as to how this is all going to work out. “I accept where God has me and my family and we are ready for any opportunity that come up. If you are going to be in this business, you always have to be looking for that next job.” So… is it Fun? “If it looks like the cast of SOMETHING ROTTEN! is having a good time, it is because we are,” Con insists. “It is a great bunch of people and full of talent.” In 2008 Con made his Broadway debut in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and most recently appeared on Broadway in the revival of Side Show at the historic St. James Theater. From 2012 to 2013 Con toured the US and Canada playing the role of Bert in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Con’s various regional credits include productions of 42nd Street, Urinetown, Annie Get Your Gun, Side Show at the Kennedy Center, Singin’ In The Rain, and recent workshops of the Broadway-aimed production of Top Hat.

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Theatre and Drama is in ACA’s DNA!

Augustine Christian AcademyDramatically Impressive

ts springtime at Augustine Christian Academy and that means only one thing, the entire school is preparing for the big musical. Like some schools might anticipate and prepare for a big football game, ACA places its focus on making sure the upcoming performance is top notch. This is serious business, requiring hundreds of hours of work. From building sets to selling tickets, everyone…staff, parents, and especially the students get involved. If you think a school of only a couple hundred students can’t pull off a first-class musical, you are wrong. Drama and Theater has always been part of the school’s DNA, an important part of their culture. Year after year, ACA produces performances that rival the biggest schools in town. They typically perform three musicals plus multiple other drama performances throughout the year, each done with “I can’t believe these actors are just kids” results. This time around, it is Willy Wonka and like all the shows, one of the most exciting days of preparation is when all the rented lights arrive! “There is something magical about that day,” insists D a w n R e d - Photos taken by ACA Alumni Nicholas Conroy den, one of the school’s three (that’s right, three) performing arts teachers. All the kids watch with excitement as they look forward to their chance to be in one of the plays. Drama and theatre is part of the culture at ACA. Gale Post, one of the founders of the school serves as the Performing Arts Chair, and is the director of the musical performances as well as the Show Choir. The school has presented a musical every year since 1998, the second year ACA was in existence. The emphasis on drama draws many students who have attended one of our plays and decide they want to

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be a part of this dynamic program. It’s a joy to teach something I love to teach, to a school that loves performing arts.” Dawn currently teaches Introduction to Theatre, Performing Shakespeare, and Advanced Acting and Musical Theatre. After graduating from Oral Roberts University with a degree in Communication Arts Education, she stayed busy raising and homeschooling her own children, and helping with the drama performances at her church. But one day, she got a call from Gale and that’s all it took. “They needed a choreographer for Music Man. I met with her for lunch and was amazed with her love for the kids and for the arts. Her excitement was contagious and I jumped at the chance to help. Now, twenty shows later, I still am enjoying every minute of it,” Dawn explained.

“We believe drama and theatre is very important and that every student at ACA should be involved in at least one live performance.”

Augustine Christian offers three musicals each year, one for the Senior Company (9th-12th Graders), a Junior Company (Grades 4-Junior High), and this is the fifth year for a Summer “Week of the Arts” program which is open to the entire community. The academy has a great association with the home school community. Many home school students supplement their curriculum with specialty classes at ACA. To participate in the performing arts programs, a home school student theoretically only has to enroll in one ACA class. “So, some home school students who are interested in drama, will take our Intro to Theater Class and be fully vested to be part of the musical,” Dawn explained. In addition to the musicals, ACA also performs other shows throughout the year. “We do Shakespeare. In fact, we did MidSummer Nights Dream last year. Plus, we often do what we call “Little Theatre” on a Friday nights. People pay a couple of dollars to get in and it is a showcase of what our kids are currently doing in our performing arts classes. Our show choir might perform music they are working on and our musical theatre kids who are just learning the basics of music, will often dance and act. Sometimes our acting classes perform a one-act play, or do a monologue or sing a duet.” “We believe drama and theatre is very important and that every student at ACA should be involved in at least one live performance. Even if it is something they don’t believe they are good at or that they will ever do again, we want them to try it once. It helps with their confidence, teamwork, and leadership (we are all about leadership). It is not about building stars or divas. Instead,

we are about doing this work together, building something beautiful and in seeing everybody play their own role. We have seen kids who were mortally shy and afraid to be in front of people, blossom to sing solos and become great performers. It is also a great friendship builder,” Dawn explained. Gale Post and the other drama instructors place huge emphasis on teaching “character.” They discuss the message of each play and whether or not the student ever dreams of pursuing acting as a career, they help the students make a personal creed on what they will or will not perform. Making sure ACA’s drama department is always a safe environment, kids understand they never have to swear while performing their character roles and Gale Post never chooses musicals that might send improper messages. For years, drama was just something they did, part of the culture they enjoyed, but now, things have changed. This year there are three seniors going into performance and one of the ACA alumni (Class of 2010), Breana White, now teaches voice at the school. As the program continues to grow, people in the community are recognizing ACA for as a growing leader in performing arts. Want to come see for yourself? Buy tickets for Willy Wonka! The performances are set for April 7-9 with shows at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday night and matinees at 2 pm on Saturday and 3 pm on Sunday. But get your tickets early, they always sell out! For ticket information, call 918-832-4600.

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Someone You Should Know…

Tim Harris

Former Tulsa County District Attorney and Now… Candidate for Congress!

or 28 years, Tim Harris served first as a prosecutor and then as the District Attorney for Tulsa County. Tough and unrelenting, he protected us by making sure the bad guys were sent away and that justice was served. Tulsa depended on him and always knew what Tim would deliver…a no-nonsense respect for the law and a passion for protecting the citizens of Tulsa County. No one could out-work him and no one could out-smart him. He was admired across both sides of the political aisle as a straight shooter, someone Tulsa could count on to always do the right thing. He couldn’t be bought and as he held people accountable to the law, he did so with a sense of blind justice. He also proved to be a fair, but effective negotiator. Reminding us that most cases never make it to the courtroom, he represented us, the people, to make sure the punishment always fit the crime. Under his tough exterior, Tim always had a compassionate heart, ever longing to share his faith in Jesus Christ. Always ready to share the Good News, he makes no secret of the fact that he is a Christian. “I always took my faith into the courthouse, not in a way where I was proselytizing, but I never shied away from praying with people. Just as they say there are no atheists in foxholes, I found there are no atheists when heading into a jury trial. I never found anyone who didn’t allow me to pray. I never forced anyone, but I always gave them the option. ‘Would it bother you at all if we prayed for God’s guidance as we go into this?’ Atheist or believer, nobody said no. I always knew what I was praying for… the truth to be revealed, justice to be metered out, and for me to never compromise my principles.” Tim was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1952. His mom was a faithful Roman Catholic and his dad was a Lutheran. “Back then, for the church to recognize their marriage, my

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Dad had to sign a contract that the children would be raised Roman Catholic.” “We were active at church. I grew up in the faith and understood who Jesus Christ was. I did all the proper things. I was baptized, confirmed, took my first communion, and my first confession. I grew up knowing Jesus, but something was missing. Don’t get me wrong, I knew what Jesus did for me and I accepted it and I knew the gravity of that, but it wasn’t until I attended a college retreat that I learned I could have a personal relationship with Him. It was during that weekend that I made a personal confession and felt the power of the Holy Spirit come into my life. I will never forget it.” I was down by the lake, praying, ‘Lord, I don’t know what these kids have got, but I don’t have it, down deep in my heart. And I know I love you and I know what you did for me, but whatever this personal relationship is, I want it.’ Whether it was audibly or in my mind’s ear, it doesn’t really matter, I heard the Lord say, ‘I have been waiting for you for a long time. Welcome home!’ Wow! It was a miraculous heart change. I knew that I knew.” Tim took a break from college and went to do some missionary work with his brother, a Catholic priest, serving in South America. “I went down to spend two weeks and ended up staying eight months, traveling in Peru, Bolivia, and Columbia. Experiencing civil unrest in Peru was the first time I got my arms around what it means to be a free American. There were national guard officers walking around with sub-machine guns on their hips stopping you every two blocks, asking to see your passport and asking what you were doing in their country.” Upon returning home, Tim decided to work in construction instead of going back to school. “I was an epoxy floor specialist and a cement mason and was working a job in Miami, Florida

with two guys in their fifties. They told me how hard it was physically to do construction work when you get older. Their personal stories made be think. I had grown up watching Perry Mason and had always dreamed of becoming an attorney. I always joked that I could do better than Mr. Burger, the prosecutor, who always ending up losing the case.” “I finished my undergraduate education and sat for the law school entrance exam. My folks had visited the ORU campus and brought home a brochure for the new O.W. Coburn School of Law. That was the seed that got planted in my heart. “During my senior year, I interned for David Moss at the Tulsa County District Attorney’s office and the prosecution bug bit me. ‘Wow,’ I thought, ‘I can take my Biblical Worldview and my Christian education of the law, and serve people as a prosecutor.’ From then on, I knew it was the perfect fit for me.” After graduation, Tim was hired to be a prosecutor. In 1998, he ran for District Attorney and served with honor as Tulsa County District Attorney for 16 years. Running for Congress?? In an interview with Community Spirit Magazine, Tim Harris confirmed the rumors on the street. He is pulling a team together, looking at Jim Bridenstine’s seat for the First Congressional District. “Congressman Bridenstine is term limited by his own choice. So, as l pray through this, I want to serve the people of the First District. I want to use my negotiation skills in Congress. I want to be a statesman there, to listen to the people. I want to speak for the people of the First District in Washington to make things better economically for us and for our children and grandchildren. I also want to speak for the values which make America the greatest nation in the world. So, if that is in the Lord’s will, I want to serve the people again, this time, as the Congressman from the First District of Oklahoma.” On our challenges… “In the next couple of years, we are going to have a lot at stake challenging our Christian beliefs. We better wake up and pay attention, because the point of the spear will be a challenge of our religious freedoms. Our values are being infringed upon and taken away bit by bit.” On how to interpret the Constitution… “I am a constitutionalist and being a constitutionalist means that we first look at what the wording says, what the framers meant. Then we begin to make application of that from a Biblical standpoint. Religion was obviously very important to our framers and I believe our religious liberties are really being challenged.” On Public Safety… “Public Safety will be a key component of my platform. Our allies don’t trust us and our enemies don’t fear us. We’ve got to get that back! People don’t feel safe. Article 1, Section 8 provides a constitutional mandate on Congress for our national defense. Yet, we have decimated our military. We must fix it.” On Law and Order… “We have also gotten so far afield from our respect for the rule of law. Reestablishing the rule of law will be the heart of my cam-

paign, because I am really concerned about what the baton looks like that we pass to the next generation. On “Tolerance”… “We have to get back to some modicum of civility where we can respect each other. I am going to treat you with dignity, viewing you as created in the image of God and I would hope you would treat me the same. Let the marketplace of ideas rule the day on which idea wins.”

About Tim Harris Tim is married to Tiari Harris, M.D., a doctor of Occupational Medicine with a Masters in Public Health. The couple met while attending Oral Roberts University. They have two children, a son who is a Pre-Med student at Baylor University and a daughter who works for the Department of Human Services. Tim and Tiari joke about experiencing “empty nest,” but are excited about what lies ahead. Tim currently teaches at both Oral Roberts University and Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He also chaired Governor Fallin’s original task force on criminal justice reform. He is in great health and in fact, recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. “I want to make sure my plan and purpose is the Lord’s. Whatever that is, will be a win-win. He has always been faithful to me.” Watch for Tim’s official announcement in the near future. This public servant is ready to serve again. C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

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Taking Care of Mom & Dad Visiting Angels’ Page Cole Shares Practical Experience in New Book By Tom McCloud

Leviticus 19:32 'You shall rise up before the gray headed and honor the aged, and you shall revere

as the time come for you to take care of your parents? Strange feeling, isn’t it? After all, you have always counted on them to be there for you. Even after you became an adult, they were always there, waiting in the wings, just in case you had a question or needed some affirmation. Now, the rolls have reversed and they are calling on you to help. For many of us, that is both an honor and a curse. Pulled in all directions from your own kids, your job, church and now responsibility to your folks, it is sometimes overwhelming. Welcome to the sandwich generation. It doesn’t have to be so tough. In fact, according to Page Cole, owner of Visiting Angels Tulsa/Owasso, this can be a great time in your life. You really can “count it all joy,” as the writer of James talks about. Page understands. A pastor from a ministry family, he has done enough counseling to know the family dynamics behind what you are feeling. Now, after owning and operating a Visiting Angels franchise, providing homecare for seniors, for over ten years, he has watched and counseled hundreds of people, helping families navigate the confusing and sometimes disheartening path of changing roles, from child to caregiver. As he worked with other Visiting Angels franchisees across the country, he realized that collectively, they have the practical experience to help provide tools for the adult caregiver get through the challenges. He gathered their knowledge to produce a wonderful book…a must-read for caregivers or future caregivers.

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The chapters deal with the very practical questions beginning with… “How do I know if my parents need help?” I personally, found this to be the toughest question of all. Being the only child in town and therefore being assigned the responsibility by default, my siblings always asked, and continue to ask, if it is time for homecare, for assisted living, and even for long-term care? I find this to be a moving target, one without iron-clad answers. However, the book, Taking Care of Mom & Dad, A Beginners Guide to Caring for Your Parents, helped me. In fact, I continue to refer back to it as I am called upon to make these tough decisions.

Other chapters deal with hiring help or moving mom and dad in to live with you, legal directives, when it is time to take away the keys, managing their schedule and yours, and even how to deal with depression. Each chapter is written by these caring people who found themselves in the full-time profession of helping families through these exact landmines of life.

“It doesn’t have to be so tough. In fact, according to Page Cole, owner of Visiting Angels Tulsa/Owasso, this can be a great time in your life. You really can “count it all joy,” as the writer of James talks about.” Page Cole and his staff at Visiting Angels were a blessing to me and my parents as we walked through these trials. We needed them, then we didn’t. Then, we needed them again. Each time, as we made decisions to help allow my parents to live in independence as long as possible, it was the Visiting Angels staff who were there with them when I couldn’t be. From taking one or both of them to the doctor to helping them with light house-keeping and cooking, the help from Visiting Angels allowed me to maintain my own life while being responsible for my parents. And now that my parents are in assisted living and long term care units, I look back and am proud that with the help of Visiting Angels, they were able to enjoy their independence for as long as possible. Visiting Angels really was a life-saver for the entire family.

Taking Care of Mom & Dad by Page Cole is available on Amazon for only $12.95 and only $8.95 for the Kindle Edition.

“I continue to refer back to it as I am called upon to make these tough decisions.” -Tom McCloud, Publisher of Community Spirit

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I Take Thee

Financial Advice for Those Starting Out in Marriage

aving three decades of experience counseling couples, here is a little fatherly financial advice to those about to embark on the journey of marriage. There are several steps a couple can take during the engagement period and even into their marriage that can greatly increase their chances for success. COMMUNICATE FOR A SMOOTHER TRANSITION

“Approximately 31% of all couples—even the happiest ones—clash over their finances at least once a month.”

Communication is, in my opinion, the most important ingredient in a successful marriage. Speaking from Ameriprise study on couples nearly 30 years of experience, and money (June/July 2016) I can honestly say poor communication has caused me to spend more than one night on the sofa. In Gary Chapman’s book Covenant Marriage-Building Communication and Intimacy he discusses the importance of engaging in quality “intellectual communication” with your spouse. When it comes to finances, extra attention should be paid to “Discussions on household the level and type of comfinances lead to argumunication being used. In ments among 45% of the Larry Burkett’s book Money general population, 44% Matters for Newlyweds, in of affluents, and 72% of the first chapter entitled young professionals” Communication (you can see the importance he places TD Bank Love & Money Study on this subject), he writes, (June 2015) “Many couples talk at each other about money but few really talk about money in a way that allows both to voice their true feelings.” For many years, money and financial matters have been the number one culprit mentioned as the leading cause of divorce. I highly recommend “Couples who regularly both books for those contalk about money are haptemplating marriage, or for pier in their relationships anyone recently married. than those who discuss finances less frequently.” DON’T BE NAÏVE TD Bank Love & Money Study When two individuals come together to unite as (June 2015) one, it is sometimes a challenge to get their finances coordinated. Remember, when the marriage certificate is official there are legal responsibilities attached. Understanding the other partner’s debt situation ahead of time might reveal a red flag or at least send up a caution signal. To fully understand the financial circumstances, each fiancée should request a credit report. Since opposites do attract, it is not uncommon for one person to be a saver and the other to be a spender. Because of these propensities, one individual might have acquired an inordinate amount of debt that needs to be addressed prior to

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marriage. I have witnessed extreme cases of debt that caused a delay in the marriage. One was so sever the marriage was eventually called off completely. Each individual should underTD Bank Love & Money Study stand what they are about to (June 2015) acquire in the way of assets and liabilities. Don’t be naïve and remember for any relationship to last it must be built on a foundation of honesty. If either party is reluctant about sharing their “More than a third of mildebt picture, perhaps counlennials in relationships seling could help. Proverbs (36%) fight about money 10:9 puts it this way, “He at least once per week, who walks in integrity walks compared with 15% of securely, but he who pergen Xers (ages 35-54), verts his ways will be found and 7% of baby boomers out.” The saying “love is (ages 55+).” blind” seems to be magnified when finances are concerned. TD Bank Love & Money Study Communicate and know the (June 2015) facts before you embark on a lifelong plan of commitment. If there is a problem, it is always better to discover it sooner than later. BE HONEST “83% of millennials believe their significant other overspends in some way, compared with only 63% of all respondents.”

“American couples typically bring the largest levels of debt into relationships (51%) while most couples in Italy and the Netherlands say they have no debt.” Recession Ignites Financial Discord Among U.S. Couples (Jan. 27, 2009)

A study by scientist Jay Zagorsky suggests that “money is consistently cited as one of the biggest areas of concern for married couples born between 1957-1962.” The news is bad, but what makes it more alarming is that many couples don’t want to admit there is a problem.

Additional information concerning budgeting, debt management, or any of the other areas discussed in this article can be obtained by contacting Randy by email at rcowell@htk.com or by phone at (918) 664-0081. RANDY C. COWELL ACT FINANCIAL (918) 664-0081 rcowell@htk.com 4111 S. Darlington Ave., Suite 800, Tulsa, OK 74135 Randy C. Cowell is a columnist and President of ACT Financial Services, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the author of “God Good-Debt Bad”. Randy welcomes your thoughts and prayers. He can be reached at 918-664-0081 or by e-mail at rcowell@htk.com. “Randy C. Cowell is a registered Representative of and Securities and Investment Advisory services offered through Hornor Townsend and Kent, Inc Registered Investment Advisor. HTK is a member of FINRA/SIPC and does not offer tax, legal and credit service advice. The views expressed are not necessarily those of HTK. ACT Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with HTK.”

The Shop With A Heart -

The Plaid Pineapple “And God is able to make EVERY grace overflow to you, so that in EVERY way, always having EVERYthing that you need, you may excel in EVERY good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

he world probably didn’t need another home décor shop, but it did need this one. The cute little house on the south side of 111th, just east of Memorial, would delight every homemaker and designer. For not only is it full of beautiful items for the home, it is also full of ideas AND a special Spirit.

While Denise Lopez served as Women’s Minister and Director of New Member’s Assimilation at what was then, The Church at BattleCreek, the church began hosting home décor shows. It was a great way for women to get together and especially for the church to introduce themselves to ladies coming in to shop. The obviously, God-inspired idea worked. It was fun and it produced fruit.

However, after a mission trip to Ghana in September of 2011, the Lord begin to deal with Denise about leaving the comfortable ministry of the local church. She had served in 3 different states at 3 different churches for the past 24 years, but God was pulling her in a different direction. Could she use the lessons learned from the home décor events to create a non-profit to raise money for missions? After praying like crazy and looking for clues as to where God was at work, Denise and her husband Carl formed EveryDay Ministry. They were joined by Ron & Corrie Egge and Kyle & Stacy Brannon to begin the ministry. “Our desire is to “do whatever, whenever, wherever and for whomever The Lord leads and to encourage and empower others to do the same. We seek to meet everyday needs in order to share the gospel whether that is across the street, the states or the seas! We will always give more than the gospel but never less than the gospel. We know that we cannot help everyone, but we can help someone. We continue to trust God to show us who our “someones” are,” Denise explained. One of those “whatevers to serve someones” is the cute, little shop called, “The Plaid Pineapple.” It is a shop with an incredible goal…to give 100 percent of the profit to meeting everyday needs in the mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. You are invited! You can play an important role in the ministry. Simply come, enjoy, and decorate, all the time knowing that your decorating dollars are making a Kingdom difference!

The Plaid Pineapple is located at 8210 E. 111st Street South in Bixby. They are open Wednesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Or, shop online at www.theplaidpineapple.net.

Great Stuff, at a Great Price, for a Great Cause! C ommu n ity sp ir itma ga zin e.c om

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Protecting and Preserving Your Business for the Future— The importance of business succession planning

uilding a successful business takes commitment, dedication, and a lot of hard work. And like anything of value, it must be protected – but not only against current risks such as fire or theft, but also against less tangible hazards such as the loss of an owner or key employee. Let’s face it, at some point in the life cycle of every successful business, one or more of three things will happen: an owner or key employee will die, become disabled, or simply decide to retire. Unfortunately, many business owners don’t take the time to plan for how their business will be run – or liquidated – following such an event. But without this kind of planning – generally known as business succession planning – even successful companies face the threat of failure. Planning for the sale or transfer of a business or business interest should begin as soon as possible - while the business is successful and while the owners are healthy. In many cases, the foundation of effective succession planning is a buy-sell agreement, which should address: • How the buy/sell agreement will be funded. Will the money come from the owners themselves, or will the business fund the arrangement? • What kind of event will trigger the sale – death, disability, retirement? Maybe all three? • Who will actually buy the business interest – the remaining owners, a key employee or the business itself? A properly structured – and funded - buy/sell agreement can help answer these questions. What is a buy/sell agreement? A buy/sell agreement spells out the process by which a business or business interest are transferred following a “trigger” event – usually the death, disability, or retirement of one of the owners. Most buy/sell agreements take one of two forms – either they are “entity plans,” where the business agrees to purchase an owner’s interest in the business, or they are “cross-purchase plans,” where the business interest is purchased by the other owners. But while there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of plan, in many cases, neither arrangement fully meets the owners’ expecta-

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tions or objectives. Tax issues, administration headaches, funding inequities, multiple insurance policies – just to name a few – can take much of the luster out of both types of buy/sell agreements. That’s where a Partnership Administration Success Strategy (PASS) can help. Under a PASS Plan, the benefits of both entity and cross-purchase plans can be made available, but without the drawbacks associated with either method. How can a PASS plan assist in buy/sell planning? The business owners enter into a cross-purchase buy-sell agreement, and the owners form a general partnership with all owners as general partners. Each partner acquires a life insurance policy on himself and transfers it to the partnership as a capital contribution – the partnership becomes the owner and beneficiary of the policies. Policy premiums can be paid by the business by paying additional salary or bonus to the insured. The insured, in turn, transfers the cash to the partnership as a capital contribution, or the business itself may become a partner in the partnership and pay premiums directly to the partnership as a capital contribution. The general partnership structure allows the partners the flexibility to allocate items of income, profit, gain and loss between themselves in a manner that meets their business objectives. This allows the partners to equalize cost and fairly distribute life insurance proceeds. Following the death of a partner, the life insurance proceeds from the policy covering that partner would flow into the partnership and be allocated to the surviving partners. The partnership would use a portion of the proceeds to purchase the deceased partner’s interest in the partnership. The balance of the proceeds would be distributed to the remaining partners. The remaining partners would then use those proceeds to purchase the deceased partner’s interest in the primary business. Using a general partnership to manage a buy/sell agreement can also be advantageous following the retirement or disability of an owner. In such a case, the partnership can distribute the disabled or retired owner’s life insurance policy to him or her in exchange for his or her interest in the partnership. The departing owner would assume ownership of his or her own policy income tax-fee.

Over-funding of the life insurance policy(s) – a common strategy - would allow the remaining owners to access cash values in their policies as a resource to help them fulfill their obligation to purchase the departing owner’s interest in the business. Could a PASS plan be right for you? The benefits of using a buy/sell agreement to transfer a deceased, disabled, or retiring partner’s share of a business to the remaining owners are many. Unfortunately, the traditional methods don’t always work in the best interests of the business or business owner. Utilizing a general partnership to manage your buy/sell planning, however, could help mitigate the disadvantages presented by entity and cross purchase plans. The general partnership approach: • Requires only one life insurance policy per owner; • Avoids the corporate Alternative Minimum Tax; • Minimizes, through special allocations, inequities among partners in the cost of insurance coverage; • Provides a full basis increase to the surviving partners after a partner’s death; • Allows the surviving partners to distribute the insurance proceeds to themselves, generally free of income taxes, in order to accomplish the business buy-out and; • Permits the transfer of the policy insuring a departing partner to that partner income tax-free. As a planning vehicle, PASS combines the benefits of both entity and cross purchase plans – as well as additional benefits not present in either – while avoiding the disadvantages inherent in both. For all of these reasons, a Partnership Administration Success

Strategy could be just what you, your partners, and your business needs to accomplish your goals and objectives. This information should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice applicable to your situation. Please consult with a qualified advisor regarding your individual circumstances. Content prepared by Penn Mutual. © 2011 The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, Philadelphia, PA 19172 03/14 A4YK-0313-01E2

Justin Graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in business Administration from John Brown University in 2007. For over 30 years, Justin witnessed his father, Randy, approach his financial planning practice as a ministry. This inspired Justin to pursue a career where he could help families and business owners achieve their maximum financial potential. Justin C. Cowell - Partner ACT Financial Services, Inc. 4111 S. Darlington Ave., Ste. 800 Tulsa, OK 74135 O: 918-664-0081 C: 918-810-7239 jcowell@htk.com

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22nd Annual Oklahoma Renaissance Festival

Now with SIX Weekends of Merriment!

pring is here and along with the beautiful weather, Oklahoma will once again enjoy one of the best, family-funpacked festival attractions. The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival has proven to be a crowd-pleaser year after year and this time it is bigger and better than ever. Held in Muskogee, only a short drive away from Tulsa, the Festival provides a unique mixture of history and fun. Thousands of people will again make the drive and come home with memories of good, wholesome entertainment. This year, the festival is stepping into 1569 Elizabethan England to celebrate with the Royal Court of Castleton. They invite you to spend your days with their Knights as His and Her Majesty hosts a festival featuring the royal quest for knighthood, a full-contact Jousting Tournament, Birds of Prey exhibitions, as well as travelling Acrobats! This festival embodies the science and arts of the times so ‘tis of no surprise that Queen Elizabeth has invited nobles, merchants, pirates and most importantly… YOU to celebrate!

The Castle welcomes new performers for 2017! The Unpronounceable Irish Band will be setting the tune of the Maypole dance on Somer’s Field. Guests may look forward to a new addition on the Castle’s Cave stage, the Dublin Harpers, a family of duel harpists who put an exciting spin on the melodious harmony that we all love. To the ladies of Castleton, the Renaissance Festival would like to introduce the Duelists, a merry manly duo who tell jokes over swordplay from our Harbor Stage. Sure to make hearts flutter and belly’s chuckle, they are so proud they have joined this season’s lineup. In addition to the newest performers, you will find all your favorites appearing on 1 of the 14 stages on the Castle grounds. “Real Faires spell it with an E” is a joke amongst the Renaissance Faire community. For good reason, though… we’re proud

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of the experience provided to guests. For example, Foodies may enjoy a diversity of Worldly delights. Options span from a Fire Roasted Turkey Leg to finer delights such as pan seared Quail Strips. New this year, Fools Cap is now offering Gluten Free selections in addition to their delectable vegetarian menu items. Pair any of these options during an entertaining visit to 1 our 9 pubs throughout Castleton. The friendly wenches are happy to tell stories over sodas, frothy brews, and chilled water and juices. Our local winery hosts the social hotspot of Castleton. Guests (21+) may enjoy samples of varietal blends and meads while overlooking the Joust and Birds of Prey show. You'll find a dazzling array of artisan creations with over 140 Renaissance merchant shops. OKRF is proud to include new merchants in Castleton! Inside the Keepe, they encourage you shop with Roark Acres Honey Farms, where patrons can shop from a diverse selection of homemade products made from local honey, while also enjoying a demonstration of wax dipping and carving. For the young in age (or heart), they encourage you to visit the Steel Key Carver in the Italian Quarter, a new merchant who is music to their ears! This artist features hand carved wooden flutes masked as Wearable Mustaches. These flutes are fun to play, beautiful to hear, and so unique – who “nose” how great a gift this can be! Patrons may also participate in special daytime events like the newly enhanced Queen’s Tea, the Royal Luncheon, and the King’s Smoker. Looking for Castle Nightlife? Visit the website or Info Booth for tickets to the after-hours entertainment of the Masque Ball, Pirate’s Feaste and the Ceilidh. Entertainment for all ages will be found at the 2017 Oklahoma Renaissance Festival! Dates and Hours: Saturdays & Sundays: April 29thJune 4th, plus Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th, 10:30am-6pm (*Student Day May 5h, 9am - 3pm*) For more information on Walgreens discounts & purchasing online tickets: okcastle.com And, be sure to “Like them” on Facebook as The Castle of Muskogee. It is a great way to stay up-to-date on the continued good times available at The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival.

The Renaissance was a period of European history from the 14th to the 17th Century. The word Renaissance, literally meaning "Rebirth" in French, first appeared in English in the 1830s. The age has mixed conations as a period when society was moving out of the Middle Ages and into modern history. Although it was a rough time in our history, it was also a time of creative new thinking, producing such people as Leonardo da Vinci, William Shakespeare and Michelangelo, who inspired the term “Renaissance man.” The period also brought the invention of such things as cement and the moveable letter printing press. The rich history of the Renaissance age is full of tales of crusades, sword fights and jousting, making it a favorite backdrop for theatre…and for lots of fun at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival!

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LORI HARE Healthy Smiles Pick a Dentist Who Loves Her Job!

t’s not just everybody who can be a dentist. The tough schooling, the million hours on your feet, and the stress of seeing patients who would rather be somewhere else, all add up to a job which demands the right set of skills, attitude and personality. For Dr. Lori Hare, it’s the perfect job. She loves the people, the science, the technology and it makes her feel good to know that she absolutely helps make people healthier. A homegrown Tulsa girl, Lori graduated from Edison High School (Class of 1984) did her undergrad at Oklahoma State (Go Pokes!) and then attended the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. Afterwards, she added another year sharpening her skills in a special residency called the AEGD – Advanced Education in General Dentistry. “If I set the rules,” she said seriously, “I would require every dental graduate to do it.” A dental clinic, located in school setting, the advanced training puts new dentists through a grueling, but satisfying year of seeing patient after patient. The result is years of experience packed into one year of training. Add that training together

“I just try to treat patients the way I would want to be treated… Little or no waiting in the waiting room, no surprises at checkout, and good communication.”

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with 24 years of owning her own dental practice and you have one very experienced dentist. Lori has a stepson in Dental School and a 19 year-old son who is a competitive swimmer at Eastern Illinois University. She is married to Todd Frazee, a Risk Management Director at Energy Transfer Partners. Her mother worked for an orthodontist and Lori says she was around the office growing up. She credits that experience as part of the reason she decided to go into dentistry. Thinking first that she would become a dental hygienist, she later decided to become a dentist. “I love it,” she says with a brilliant smile of her own.

Every day is a challenge. Every case is different. I never get bored and I make a point to be constantly learning, doing lots of continuing education.” Partnered with two other female dentists, the group has offices in Brookside and in Claremore. Maybe it is the “female touch,” but the patients often note that the offices have a calm, non-stressful atmosphere. “I just try to treat patients the way I would want to be treated… Little or no waiting in the waiting room, no surprises at checkout, and good communication. Lori has been practicing for 24 years. Her friend from dental school, Billie Reeder, RDH and DDS, joined her 21 years ago, and Robin Ross, DDS, came six years ago. When not seeing patients, Lori is often at the gym. A selfconfessed exercise addict, she loves running, yoga and TRX Suspension Strap workouts at Sculpt Tulsa. In fact, she says that if she weren’t a dentist, she would be a trainer. But there is no time for teaching others, this full-time dentist, wife and mom only has time for her own workouts. In addition, she and her husband love spending time in Phoenix, where they hike, bike and enjoy the outdoors. Looking for a dentist? Dr. Lori Hare would be a great choice. And although a surgical mask covers it up, you can just about count on her to be smiling. She is right where she wants to be.

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Are Your Teeth Sensitive? being too harsh to the gum tissue. Replacing your toothbrush every 3 months is also recommended. Waiting for the free toothbrush your dentist gives you every 6 months may not be the best thing for your teeth and gums. The type of toothpaste has also been shown to affect gum recession. In general, whitening toothpastes are more abrasive than sensitive toothpastes. So what should I do if my gums are receding?

f you’ve ever regretted taking a bite of a frozen popsicle or a sip of your favorite cold beverage because your teeth were so sensitive then you might be suffering from gum recession. Gum recession is the movement of your gum tissue exposing the more sensitive roots of your teeth. In addition, other symptoms of gum recession include teeth with a yellow or dark base, teeth appearing longer or uneven due to more of the root showing, and sometimes sore gums or even loose teeth. Gum recession is a common problem. Studies report that over 50% of Americans 30 years of age or older have at least one tooth affected by gum recession. You may not notice recession or believe it to be an issue because it happens gradually and oftentimes is not painful. Many accept recession to be a normal part of aging when in fact it is not. So what causes gum recession and how can it be prevented? The two most common causes of gum recession pertain to how you are cleaning your teeth. If you aren’t cleaning your teeth well enough, the bacteria sitting around the gum line can cause gum disease which leads to the loss of gum tissue and even the supporting bone around your teeth. However, overzealous cleaning of your teeth can cause trauma to the gum tissue and also make the gums recede. Understanding what causes recession can help you take steps in preventing or slowing down this disease. Here are a few tips to stay ahead of recession: • Brush Often: It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice every day for two minutes at each time. Flossing once a day is also recommended to remove the bacteria from in between your teeth. • Brush Gently: How you brush is just as important as how often you brush. Small vertical or circular strokes are recommended over horizontal strokes. Light pressure is all that is needed. If your knuckles are blanching when you brush, you are likely brushing too hard. • Brush With: A soft or extra soft toothbrush is always recommended for daily brushing. Electric toothbrushes often do an efficient job at removing bacteria from around your teeth without

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Gum recession may be a sign that more serious problems are beginning or already exist. Gum recession often indicates the presence of gum disease which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the world. If you notice any of the symptoms of gum recession, it is recommended that you either ask your dentist about it or visit a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist that has extensive training to specialize in treating the foundation of the teeth: the gums, jaw bone, and roots of teeth. Various treatment options exist to treat gum recession depending on the severity and the concerns you might have about the recession. Although some dentists might recommend placing a filling on the exposed root to mask the recession, this often does not improve the foundation of the teeth nor treat the underlying cause of recession. The goals for treating recession should be to strengthen the foundation of gum tissue around the teeth and possibly improve the appearance of the teeth by covering the exposed roots. Gum regeneration procedures are the most stable and natural treatment for gum recession. A newer, more innovative technique called Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation ™ allows a periodontist to treat gum recession with less discomfort and faster recovery. Tulsa Dental Implants and Periodontics exists to help patients achieve their goals for a healthier mouth and a more beautiful smile. We are the only practice in Tulsa with two board certified periodontists and offer the most comfortable, predictable, innovative techniques including Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation ™ . Choose health for your mouth and give us a call today to learn more. You’ll be glad you did!

Historic Tulsa Church Hits Restart Button New Pastor, New Vision, Same Savior

ut of Tulsa’s hundreds of churches, one stands out as possibly having the biggest, long term impact. For off of that one church, spun a long list of direct church plants and an even longer list of church leaders. Sheridan Christian Center, located at 205 S. Sheridan, was one of the key places where the charismatic revival forever changed the landscape of Tulsa’s Christian community. The excitement there spread on to start churches such as Victory Christian Center, Harvest Church, Grace Church, and Eastland Assembly of God. Other churches were impacted such as Church on the Move, Rhema Bible Church, and Lakewood Church in Houston (John Osteen). Leaders such as Terry Law, Steve Pringle, Larry Dalton, Billy Joe Daugherty and David Grothe all served at Sheridan Christian Center at some point in their careers. And, Fred Price was healed at SCC during a Hagin Camp Meeting.

Roberts University’s School of Ministry, he holds both a B.A. and M.A. in Theological-Historical Studies. He also has served as the state coordinator of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and state director of Christ for All Nations, the ministry of Reinhard Bonnke.

Started by Pastor Glen Millard in 1951, the church has been led by the talented Pastor Vep Ellis Jr. for the past 33 years. At the age of 75, Pastor Ellis has decided it is time to step aside, “play a little golf,” and pass the reins to Jackson Lahmeyer, a minister 50 years his junior.

Both Ellis and Lahmeyer expect God to continue to do big things at Sheridan Christian Center and they long for another explosion like the church experienced in the 60s. Their stated vision is to preach the gospel, engage in worship, train disciples, reach out to the community and raise up the next generation of leaders.

While serving as its youth pastor, Jackson Lahmeyer has been learning at the feet of Pastor Elllis and the two have gradually made the transition, making changes along the way to ensure the church is ready to reach a new generation, particularly targeting the neighborhood around them. Pastor Lahmeyer brings a tremendous talent in the pulpit along with many fresh ideas. A graduate of Oral

If history has any bearing on their success, you can expect Sheridan Christian Center to play a key role in whatever the Lord has planned for the 21st Century church.

Pastor Ellis will indeed be missed for his ministry both in the pulpit and in music. His father, Vep Ellis Sr., was a well-known gospel singer and song-writer who wrote more than 500 gospel songs and is in the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The entire family was involved in music ministry. The younger Pastor Ellis served Sheridan Christian Center first leading their music. Then, after heading ministering in music at Rhema Bible Training Center for a while, he returned to the church in 1984 as senior pastor.

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Good Samaritan Health Services Taking Faith-Based Medicine Directly to the Greatest Need

haven’t gone to a doctor in years. I also skip my blood pressure medication. Who can afford it? I sure can’t afford health insurance.” For most of us, never seeing a doctor or purposefully not taking needed medication sounds crazy…like some sort of death wish. But for thousands of people in our community, it is the norm. After all, good medical care costs money and is beyond their reach. Although social programs do exist to help, many don’t have the knowledge, skills, or guts to ask about them. Instead, people, including their children, do without, often paying deadly consequences. Seeing the need and responding to God’s call, there is a group of people who invest themselves into making sure no one goes without care. For nearly twenty years, they have taken high quality medical care directly to the people who need it. Good Samaritan Health Services (GSHS) is a faith-based medical outreach to the Tulsa community that provides free, mobile medical care to the underserved and uninsured in the greater Tulsa area. Partnering with local churches in the neighborhoods of greatest need, they bring a special blend of medical science and local, face-to-face ministry. And since many of the churches are already giving away such things as food, clothing and after-school programs, the medical van is a well-accepted and appreciated addition to their ministry. The result? People are getting well and lives are being touched for Jesus. Good Samaritan provides a free medical examination, free labs when necessary, and free medications. Even free specialty care is also available. Good Samaritan currently has 14 locations, doing 54 clinics per month Monday through Saturday, and one women’s health screening clinic per month at different locations throughout the metropolitan area. Currently, they have two fully-equipped medical trucks. Good Samaritan is supported by individuals, churches, businesses, and several local foundations. The ministry is staffed by over 200 volunteers. Some bring medical knowledge, but many do not. Instead, they join in to provide hospitality, resources, financial support, prayer and more. Letha has served Good Samaritan as a volunteer nurse for over 15 years. Although she often joins international medical missionary teams, she enjoys being able to use her skills right here in her own community. For her, volunteering right here in town is just as special as traveling across the globe.

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As a nurse, she sees firsthand how grateful patients are to find the medical care they desperately need. A recent patient visit stands out in her mind as a special moment. “We had a patient who injured his arm very severely. We were concerned he might lose his arm. We surrounded him with prayer, and with a caring medical team.

“Good Samaritan Health Services is changing our community through mobile health care clinics” Today, he has not only gained the use of his arm, but he is back to being able to live a normal life. As he got better, each time he would come to the clinic, he would give each one of us a big hug. He could not thank us enough for all that was done for him at the clinic. There are so many people that need our help. They don’t have anywhere else to go to get medical attention or medications. Often, we are their lifeline and their only hope, and they are always so thankful for the care they receive.” Meeting the physical needs of patients is rewarding for Letha, but her passion is for God to use her for ministry. At the clinics, she has an opportunity to pray with patients and show them God’s love. As our volunteers serve with hearts of love and compassion, God is at work in the lives of the patients. He is reigniting their faith to believe in a better tomorrow and in His blessings for today. You don’t have to travel far to find people who are in need. You can bring hope by serving in your own community. You can be a part of this mission field that is close to the heart of God and close to home.

“There are so many people that need our help. They don’t have anywhere else to go to get medical attention or medications. Often, we are their lifeline and their only hope, and they are always so thankful for the care they receive.” Does YOUR church reach out to the poor? Maybe you should partner with Good Samaritan Services to provide FREE medical care? Do you have some medical skills, or a heart for people? Maybe this is where God wants you to volunteer?

You can learn more about Good Samaritan Services on their website… www.GoodSamaritanHeath.org. Give them a call. Join this incredible ministry and bring good health and salvation to people right here in our community.

Good Samaritan Health Services (GSHS) is a faith-based medical outreach to the Tulsa community that provides free, mobile medical care to the underserved and uninsured in the greater Tulsa area. Good Samaritan Health Services is unique in that it partners with local churches in the neighborhoods of greatest need, bringing primary health care to the uninsured. The churches provide two things: 1) a venue to process patients, and, 2) volunteers to help process the patients and minister to them spiritually. Many of the churches we work with already have outreaches to their communities in the form of clothing, food, after school programs, etc. Good Samaritan provides a free medical examination, free labs when necessary, and free medications. Free specialty care is also available. Good Samaritan currently has 14 locations, doing 54 clinics per month Monday through Saturday, and one women’s health screening clinic per month at different locations throughout the metropolitan area. Currently, we have two fully equipped medical trucks. Good Samaritan is supported by individuals, churches, businesses, and several local foundations. You can learn more at www.GoodSamaritanHealth.org.

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Kevin Grover Buick/GMC in Wagoner… A Christian testimony, One Car at a Time

hink all auto dealers are the same? Think again.

Meet Kevin Grover Buick/GMC in Wagoner, a team of people who understand they are in the people business as much as they are in the car business. The small-town atmosphere, combined with a wholesome, Christian “take care of the customers the way you would want to be treated” attitude, makes this dealership attractive to car shoppers from all over Northeastern Oklahoma and even parts of Arkansas. They find something special here, not common among the many of the big city dealerships. Owned by Kevin Grover since 2003, the dealership is one of Community Spirit Magazine’s oldest advertising supporters. “Community Spirit speaks to people. It has purpose…investing back in the community, pulling the community together. In doing so, it makes a difference in people’s lives. I think through the articles that are in there and the people we get to read about, whether you are faith-based or not, there are things that speak to us and things we see that make a difference. That is what the magazine has done for a lot of people. It is a para-ministry… an outreach to help people. That is why I support it.” Some joke that Kevin Grover has gasoline in his veins. His father owned a gas station when Kevin was young and later owned first a Volkswagen/Mercedes dealership and then a Toyota dealership. He taught Kevin the car business, but more importantly about how to be a good Christian man. “Dad taught me that your word is your bond. When you tell a customer, you are going to do something, or when you tell an employee you are going to do something, you do it,” Kevin said. “My father also demonstrated what it means to work hard. He wasn’t an absentee owner. He was there every day, interacting with his employees, working right alongside the sales, service and parts people. He was always approachable and accessible. He was involved in the community, coaching baseball teams, serving as a member of the local Kiwanis Club, and doing a lot of good things in his community. He was also very active in his church. He and my mom demonstrated what it is to do things right and live the right way… living a life of integrity. They taught me to live a life that has purpose and do things

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for others when you have the opportunity.” Kevin learned well and does the same kind of things his father did. “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree,” as they say. Kevin teaches a class to all high school freshmen each year at the Wagoner High School. He encourages the kids to stay in school, painting a real world of what it means to live on your own. But his main purpose is to drive home one principle…to Learn, Earn and Return. He explains that they now have the opportunity right now to learn. When they are done with schooling, they have the opportunity to earn. Then, they will have the opportunity to return. “Return is giving back. It doesn’t have to be monetarily. It can be. It can be time or a lot of things like mentoring a young person, or going back and reading to some kindergartners. We are a blessed nation. Sure, we have a lot of issues, but then again, not really. We have it pretty good. Invest in the young people and invest in the next generation. Help them continue what the other generations have allowed us to build upon…stand on their shoulders.” Kevin’s business philosophy is simple…to treat others the way you would want to be treated. He hires good, extremely honest people and then empowers them to serve the customers. And the customers keep coming. If you are on the hunt for a new car, take the short drive over to Wagoner. We believe you will be impressed. The dealership’s tag line has always been, “Where people send their friends.” Here are some of the members of the sales team... experienced, friendly, hometown and just really good guys. Randy Cobb – Sales Consultant Randy is a homegrown Wagoner native. In fact, his great grandparents moved to the area 127 years ago. Randy has worked for the dealership for over 22 years. “I like the way we do business. We tell people the truth up front. We take care of the customers and treat them right. “People typically come to Wagoner for two reasons… to visit the lake and to visit relatives. Now, they come for a third reason… to buy cars from us.” Chris Luna Sales Manager Chris was born and raised in Wagoner and loves raising his family here. He is married to Ginger, a counselor at the Wagoner High School and has kids ages 13, 10 and 7. He is closely tied to the com-

munity, attends First United Methodist just down the road from the dealership, and he loves Wagoner Bulldog Athletics. Justin Carpenter – The dealership’s newest Sales Consultant When Justin isn’t selling cars, he is serving as an Associate pastor. He is also a walking miracle. A few years ago, he fought a rare germ-cell cancer that was considered absolutely terminal. The community came together to raise money and to pray. They even established the Justin Carpenter Foundation, a cause supported by Kevin Grover. The doctors said Justin was crazy… that he was in denial and for him to get his affairs in order. But Justin held to his faith. “I told them that they didn’t know who my healer is. You don’t know what my Jesus is capable of. I got down to 88 pounds, but kept speaking the Word and was completely healed. I ultimately had a big operation only one surgeon in the country would consider.” “I had never been in the car business before, but Kevin believed in me. He told me I could be open about my faith and be myself. I have no doubt, I am where God wants me to be. He has great plans for me. God on my side, I can’t fail.”

Jimmy Phillips – Sales Consultant Jimmy was raised in Wagoner and only left to serve in the Marine Corps. He came straight back after his four years of service. “I love working for Kevin and I love to help people. He takes very good care of us and expects us to take care of the customers. At Kevin Grover Buick/GMC, we are able to sell cars and do so with integrity.”

“Kevin’s business philosophy is simple…to treat others the way you would want to be treated. He hires good, extremely honest people and then empowers them to serve the customers. And the customers keep coming.”

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Little Hospital Withstands Tests of Tough Industry Jimmy Leopard, CEO of Wagoner Hospital

ust when you thought small, rural hospitals were a thing of the past, a proud and confident little facility in Wagoner continues to prove that “small” can mean “quality.” Wagoner is one of the last few hospitals in Oklahoma that is not affiliated with a large system. As a not-for-profit, independent, public trust hospital, they get no tax subsidy from the city or county. “It’s a tough industry in changing times, especially for rural hospitals. But we believe if we do right by our community, we will continue to grow,” says CEO, Jimmy Leopard. Leopard has been the CEO at the hospital for ten years and his strong management skills are only part of the reason for the hospital’s success and strong reputation. He believes the other component is that he does his best to instill Christian principles, making sure employees and patients are treated with the upmost care. Purposefully getting out of the office to visit with patients and work with his staff, he is able to look for ways to minister as well as manage. He loves his job and knows that God has blessed him with this opportunity to lead. And along with those blessings, comes the responsibility to bring glory back to God. Jimmy’s personal mantra is Luke 12:48 “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” A big part of what he loves about his job is Wagoner itself. He loves the community and is a walking Chamber of Commerce billboard, promoting the town’s growth. “I believe Wagoner is in a great position to expand. We have new, pro-growth leadership in city government, a productive industrial park and we are at the crossroads of Highway 51 and Highway 69. We are also close to Highway 412 and only a short drive to Tulsa’s major airport. And, we have a great Economy Development Association which continues to be successful bringing at bringing in new business,” he said. Jimmy and his wife and daughter live just north of town and are active in their Wagoner church and local activities. Whatever spare time he can carve out, he enjoys raising beef cattle. Jimmy didn’t start off in high school saying he wanted to be a hospital administrator. Rather, he says things just developed over time. Adopted into a Christian home, he was blessed with good, Christian parents who taught him how to work and pray hard. “Whatever I have become is because of the goodness of the

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Lord,” he said without pause. The small hospital at Wagoner is respected and stands out for their quick Emergency Room response times and high patient survey scores. No, they don’t do open heart surgeries here, but they do a great job of offering the community fast, acute care. “We aren’t big. We can’t do everything here, but we do offer an impressive list of specialty doctors for a hospital our size. In addition to internal medicine and family care, we offer women’s health, cardiology, general surgery, ear nose and throat, kidney, lung, neurology, orthopedics, cataract surgery and sleep studies. And we do so at a great value,” Jimmy explained. Walk into the ER at Wagoner Hospital and you are likely to be seen by a doctor within 15 minutes. The average person who comes in with chest pain are getting evaluated within only 4 minutes. Major trauma patients can be life-flighted to Tulsa, but compared with the time required to drive to an ER in Tulsa, the stop at Wagoner Hospital is often the wise decision. The hospital may not look state-of-the-art from the outside, but don’t let that alarm you. Although the building was constructed in 1973, the diagnostic equipment and the training of the staff would rival any regional facility. (The hospital actually owns land and dreams of building a new hospital in the future.) “There will always be people who think healthcare is better somewhere else. The grass is always greener… But there are a lot of people who depend on us being here, especially seniors, people who find it difficult to drive to Tulsa. Access to local health care is valuable to this community. Some might say it is somewhat of a luxury in a town the size of Wagoner, but thus far, we have been able to maintain and grow it,” Jimmy said. The Wagoner Hospital is one of the larger employers in town. They currently employ over 200 people and have a payroll of $11 Million per year. An Oklahoma State University study recently listed the hospital’s economic impact on the community is over $22 Million per year. So, let’s cheer for rural Oklahoma and a little hospital that thinks (or knows) it can. With the oversight of a dedicated CEO with the right goals and objectives, the Wagoner Hospital can be proud of the healthcare it is proving the people who call this friendly, little community… home.

Therapist in both staff and Director positions, Director of Quality Management, Director of Marketing, and Chief Operating Officer. He was the Chief Executive Officer of a hospital in Hope, Arkansas from 1997 till he relocated to Wagoner, OK in 2006 to become the Chief Executive Officer of Wagoner Community Hospital. Mr. Leopard received the FACHE credential in 2007 (Earning the distinction of board certification in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) signifies your expertise, experience and commitment to continuing education and professional development. Just as members of the medical staff are board certified, having the FACHE credential by your name indicates a level of achievement in the profession.) Member of the local Rotary Club as well as Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Chamber of Commerce President: 2012 & 2013, OHA Regional Chairman: 2014 till November 2015 Sooner Healthcare Executives President: 2015, OHA Chairman: November 2015 to present

Jimmy Leopard, CEO Jimmy has 25 years of experience in hospital management. He received his Executive Master of Science in Community Health Administration in 1993 from California College for Health Sciences and did his undergraduate work at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His work history includes a Registered Respiratory

Awards: 2000: Named Administrator of the Year by Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association 2001: Regentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award from American College of Healthcare Executives 2011: Best Overall Performance Award from QHR 2014: Best Overall Performance Award from QHR 2014: Outstanding Service Award from American College of Healthcare Executives 2015: Award of Excellence from Oklahoma Hospital Association for political advocacy activities

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