April 2022

Outlook

M AGAZ I N E

DETAILS ON THE BACK COVER!

VOLUME 74 ISSUE 4 APRIL 2022 WWW.OKAG.ORG

Outlook OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma OUTLOOK is published by the Oklahoma District Council of the Assemblies of God. Publisher: Dr. Darryl Wootton Designers: Jayson Evans, Chris Ainsworth, Kyler Clapp Copyeditor: Renae Elmore GENERAL PRESBYTERS Dr. Darryl Wootton Superintendent

MINISTRY DIRECTORS Chad Brodrick Church Ministries

Craig Dacus Assistant Superintendent

Heath Corrales Youth Ministries

Jamie Austin Corporate Secretary

Gary Davidson Missions Director

EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERS Bruce McCarty Darren Pilcher

Dean Guthrie Children’s Ministries Susie Purkey Women’s Ministries

SECTIONAL PRESBYTERS Jackie Crafton Section 1

Jimmy Keith Section 7

Keith Williams Section 2

Kelly Coffey Section 8

Mark Davidson Section 3

David Brooks Section 9N

Bob Yandell Section 4

Steve Lance Section 9S

Dave Mewbourne Section 5E

Don Barnes Section 10

Jason Byers Section 5W

Ric Freeman Section 11

Jeromye Jackson Section 6

Arlis Moon Section 12

©2022 Oklahoma District Council of the Assemblies of God P.O. Box 13179 Oklahoma City, OK 73113 (405) 475-1100 www.okag.org @OKDCofAG

Upcoming Events APRIL

Fine Arts (Mustang The Bridge) April 1-2 OSOM Gameday (OKC) April 2 Credential Celebration (Christ’s Legacy, OKC) April 9 OSOM Gameday (Muskogee) April 9 ACTS 2 Journey – Retreat #2 April 22-23 109th District Council April 25-26 Women in Leadership Luncheon April 25 Heritage & Elite Ladies Luncheon April 27 OCM Fun Arts April 30

MAY

OSOM Gameday (OKC) OSOM Gmeday (Muskogee) Youth Camp #1

JUNE

Youth Camp #2 OSOM Gameday (OKC) Youth Camp #3 Credential Application & Exam Deadline Youth Camp #4 Youth Camp #5 Youth Camp #6

May 7 May 14 May 29-June 1

.June 1-4 June 4 .June 6-10 June 10 June 13-17 June 20-24 June 27-July 1

Don’t Miss District Council!

We are “Better Together.” I cannot

wait to connect with you at this year’s District Council and Century Leadership Conference. We will meet on April 25-26 at The Assembly, 3500 W. New Orleans St., Broken Arrow, OK 74011.

God has laid a gigantic vision on my heart, and I cannot wait to share it with you on Monday Evening. Our speakers for both days include Dr. Bryan Jarrett, Mike Dickenson, Spencer Jones, David Bright, Jason Byers, Jeroyme Jackson, Charlie Newman, and Josh Seabolt.

Special events include a Women’s luncheon, a Men’s lunch, Rural Pastor’s breakfast, a Revitalization PAC church Lunch, a SAGU dinner, a Senior Adult Banquet on Wednesday, and more.

Special thanks to Pastors Ron and Kelly Woods and their team for hosting this year’s conference.

Rather than two individual events this year, we have merged CLC and DC into one event covering Monday and Tuesday. This year rather than the past $49 registration fee for Monday, only one registration fee of $15 will cover both days. Plus, ALL the registration proceeds will go towards scholarships helping rural pastors cover their expenses to District Council.

Everyone who registers by April 11, 2022 will also receive a “Better Together” t-shirt.

Please pray that God will pour out His Spirit at this year’s conference. I realize that perhaps you may not need anything we have to offer this year. However, I promise that we need YOU! Hope to see you on April 25-26. We are better together.

Grace and Peace, Darryl Wootton Oklahoma Assemblies of God

The full schedule and online registration can be accessed at okag.org/dc22. Please register as soon as possible.

Darryl Wootton Superintendent dw@okag.org

Discipleship and People We Choose A basic reading of the New Testament makes it pretty clear that

discipleship is foundational to following Jesus. We are both to BE disciples of Jesus and MAKE disciples of Jesus. Anything short of this is missing the mark.

There is no shortage of writing about discipleship. Discipleship has become its own industry. There are conferences, books, small group studies, webinars, and social media accounts dedicated to making disciples. When it comes down to it, discipleship is about developing ourselves and developing others to become more like Jesus.

Like the original disciples, we are called to follow Jesus. Unlike the original disciples, we do not have Jesus incarnate to follow. We have the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Bible, and each other. No matter how much we learn to rely on the Holy Spirit, involve ourselves with the Church, or dig into scripture, we will not be the disciples we are called to be without relationships with other people.

To that end, I believe there are three groups of people we all need in our lives.

1. People who are where we want to be.

We need to seek these people out.

They have walked the path we are walking. They can provide us with wisdom and insight. While these people can teach us a great deal, they may not be people we have a great in common with. This is not only likely but it is also preferred. One of the best things these people bring into our lives in perspective.

2. People who are where we are.

We need to have people in our lives who are where we are. These are people who are actively walking and leading through similar situations.

These people are often learning the same lessons and share similar needs.

One of the best things these people bring into our lives is a broader perspective. They can help us see in real-time things we might be missing.

3. People who are where we were.

We need to have people we are developing and pouring into their lives. These are people with a great deal of confidence and certainty. What they don’t have is experience. One of the best things these people bring into our lives is patience. Patience to help them through their inexperience.

Patience as we allow them to teach us to navigate an emerging world we often do not understand.

Now is the time to

build the Church.

Now is the time to

invest in ministry.

Now is the time to

prepare for your future.

Take a few minutes to evaluate the relationships in your life. Do you have people in each of these categories? Are you actively pursuing your relationships with them? If not, begin to take some steps to make it happen.

For more resources, visit www.ecfa.church/churchexcel

Kevin Conner Director of Finance & Operations kevin.conner@okag.org

Global Worker Retreat 2022 It was a blessing to gather our

Oklahoma Global and National workers for our Spring Renewal in Legacy Church!

The Legacy worship team led powerful worship, with the best barbecue ribs this side of heaven prepared by Chef David Brooks! A big shout out to the Legacy staff for your fantastic hospitality and superb care for all our missionaries. You loved on us, and we felt it!

Todd Stamps, Bethany Weatherly, and Mark Davidson shared with tears and laughter their stories as MKs serving with their families in a foreign culture. Our faith was strengthened as Grady and Janet Smalling shared their remarkable story of God’s intervention and healing when Janet was diagnosed with a crippling sickness.

Pastor Darryl Wootton shared a powerful message of God’s faithfulness followed by an intensive time of prayer and intercession as the Holy Spirit invaded our lives with a fresh touch of His presence.

Please PRAY FOR UKRAINE!!! Stories from reputable sources have come to light of remarkable supernatural encounters happening in this embattled nation!

Following are two ways that you may get involved in assisting ministries on the ground ministering to the people of Ukraine.

Jim and Pam King PO Box 700209 Tulsa, OK 74170 www.awakeninghope.com AGWM/COH Disaster Relief—Ukraine 410946 (73) 1445 Boonville Ave. Springfield, Mo 65802

We will not soon forget Emanuela’s lovely reminiscence of her first date with Al Perna and are thankful that he made her list!! We closed our morning sessions with John and Kathy Deisher’s amazing journey from Texas A&M to Oklahoma State Chi Alpha.

It is a joy for Wilma and me to serve our worldwide OKAG Family of Global Workers. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.

Gary Davidson Missions gary.davidson@okag.org

How To Love Those You Lead A pivotal moment in my life came

at a time when there was an anticipated transition that was happening in our ministry. We had served on staff in various capacities for several years and we felt the Lord leading us to be lead pastors.

I felt inadequate for the task and after growing up around grandparents who were ministers, I also knew the challenges it brought. With difficult personalities, different opinions, and outright opposition, how do you love those you lead?

It was during this moment of transition that God used my grandfather to speak a leadership priority in my life. It would be a principle that would not only be a guide in dealing with those I led, but also an opportunity for personal growth when dealing with those that are hard to love! He told me; that the one thing that helped him stay on track through 40 years of ministry is Jesus’ command to love others as himself.

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

– 1 John 4:21 (ESV) While scripture is clear that loving others is a result of loving God, putting the elements of love into action is where the heart truly reveals itself. It is the action of love that determines where the heart stands in its desire to show that we have been truly transformed by God’s love! So how do we love those we lead?

Ten Ways to Love Those You Lead: Listen Without Interruption – Place value on those you lead by hearing their heart.

Ask questions that will help you have a better understanding of what makes them laugh, cry, hope and dream. “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2 (ESV)

Speak Without Accusing – Using wisdom in a difficult conversation takes careful thought and Holy Spirit leadership.

Ultimately, we choose how we respond to others. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” James 1:19 (ESV) Give Without Sparing – Being generous with our time, talent, finances, and our relationships is a reflection of our generous God. We are an accurate reflection of God when we give generously to others. “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

Proverbs 23:26 (ESV) Pray Without Ceasing – Being constant in prayer for our people opens our hearts to see them as God sees them. When we pray, ask God to bless them, encourage them and strengthen them! “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” Colossians 1:9 (ESV) Answer Without Arguing – It is easy to allow our emotions to determine our reactions when things get heated. It is far better to respond in a way that seeks peace than for strife. “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.” Proverbs 17:1 (ESV) Share Without Pretending – Showing practical love for others is relational.

Spending time with the congregation and developing healthy relationships is key.

They need to know that you are growing spiritually, just like them. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) Enjoy Without Complaint – As spiritual leaders, we model to our congregation the attitudes and actions of a believer. Not only in spiritual disciplines, but also in the “whatsoever the hand finds to do!” Instead of complaining that you are having to do a job that someone else should do, model

Chad Brodrick Church Ministries chad.brodrick@okag.org

a servant’s heart. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” Philippians 2:14 (ESV) Trust Without Wavering – This can be difficult especially when someone has broken trust with you. Yet the Bible says that we are to: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV) Forgive Without Punishing – The grace of God has shown us what it means to generously forgive others. As spiritual leaders we lead by example, “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13 (ESV) Promise Without Forgetting – Loving people places value on our commitment to serving one another. When we have committed ourselves to someone, it is important to show them our love by keeping our promises. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 (ESV) Loving people is one of the most rewarding actions you can do as a leader.

Healthy relationships are birthed out of godly love for one another. Choose to respond to those you lead with a heart of love and you will fulfill your ministerial call with excellence!

Blessings, Chad and Nyree Brodrick

2022

Women in Ministry Luncheon ARE YOU A WOMAN WHO ASSISTS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH? THEN YOU

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Oklahoma Women’s Ministries invites you to our ANNUAL WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON

Gifts Galore for each Guest! MiniSucculents, Bath-bombs, Jeweled pens, European Chocolates, Cute Tote

Special Guest Trisha Porter

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Gorgeous Centerpiece Giveaway per Table

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Inspirational Story of HOPE! Trisha Porter, Backyard Orphans

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Amazing Connections with other Female Influencers!

This luncheon is for you. We want to invest in your life with community, inspiration, and ministry resources. Please join us!

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Free Resources to Help you Lead

The deadline to register is Friday, April 22, 2022. Space is limited, so Register TODAY!

Susie Purkey

Your ticket includes:

#DC22 #bettertogether #ourchurchourfamily

Trisha is happily married to her best friend, Eric. Their quiver is full with four homemade children and two adopted children: Madison, Isaac, Robert, Kale, Kelsey, and Halle Jo. They travel as U.S. Missionaries equipping the local church to care for the orphan, leading a non-profit ministry called Backyard Orphans. Trish is also a homeschool & public school momma and loves this new arrangement God has planned for her. In her spare time, she loves to be with her friends, family, strangers, basically all people! She loves making people laugh because life’s too short to NOT be joyful. (And laughing burns calories, which is so much easier than exercising!) She especially has a passion to see women grow in their relationship with God, to operate at their full potential with all the gifts God has given them, and to realize and grasp the infinite love and grace our Father has for each of us.

ARE A FEMALE INFLUENCER!

Monday, April 25, 2022 12:00pm – 1:30pm $40.00 per person

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Tulsa Marriott Renaissance Grand Ballroom – 6808 S. 107TH EAST AVENUE, TULSA, OK 74133

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5-Star Menu: Crispy Skin, French-cut Chicken w/Natural Au Jus, Frizzled Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Dried Cherries, Smoked Cheddar Grits, Bread, Butter, Chef’s Choice of Dessert, Iced Tea & Tableside Coffee

Meet me there!

Backyard Orphans

Susie Purkey Women’s Ministries susie.purkey@okag.org

Fine Arts

2022 Hey OYM, I just want to say thank you to everyone who was a part of this year’s Fine Arts Festival. This year was absolutely amazing!

Parents, youth pastors, judges, and participants, thank you for your time and investment.

I would also like to congratulate our merit award winners along with everyone who advanced to nationals with a superior with invitation. Students, keep using your gifts and talents to glorify God. We can’t wait to cheer you all on in Orlando!

Be Blessed OK, Heath

Heath Corrales Youth Ministries heath.corrales@okag.org

It’s for the Safety of our Kids Over the past several months, the

OCM department has been reviewing the policies that we have in place to ensure the safety of our leaders, volunteers, and children when it comes to the events that we hold. As we are always looking for procedures that would help us do that within our department, the local church should be doing all it can to ensure that they are doing all they can as well.

Never in the history of the Church has there been such great concern about protecting children, lay workers, ministers, churches, and ministries from the blight of child abuse and its ramifications. Child abuse is a rude reality in today’s society. A single incident of abuse or molestation, even if only alleged, can devastate a child, a family, a church, and a ministry.

For this reason, every church should have an established, active child abuse prevention policy. Child abuse prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

The following suggestions, if put in to place, could help save a world of hurt to not only your church, but to children, families, and all parties involved.

The Church’s Responsibility – According to law, the local church is not a guarantor of the safety and well-being of children, but is responsible for injuries that result because of negligence on the part of the church. To protect itself from concerns of liability, the local church should both screen and supervise its teachers.

Screen Your Workers – Every potential children’s worker should complete an application form for church workers. The applicant should include any previous church activities, as well as personal references, and should include a signed statement. Each church or reference contacted should be listed on a record of contact form.

Establish Procedures and Policies – Set up procedures and policies for proper conduct. Make sure they are understood and followed by all workers.

Establish Job Descriptions – Every worker should have defined responsibilities for which he or she is accountable.

Require at Least Two Adult Leaders for All Off-Site Activities – To protect the integrity and safety of your Leaders, two or more responsible adults should be present at all special activities.

Avoid One-on-One Activity between a Child and an Adult – If a teacher needs to counsel with a child, he/she should do so in a private area but in view of another adult or other individual. This procedure is not to inhibit the teacher’s relationship with the children, but rather to protect those relationships from being misunderstood by others.

Report Incidences of Child Abuse to Your Pastor or Church Board – If you suspect or are aware of child abuse, immediately report it to your pastor or church board. Any of these church leaders should take appropriate measures and action, reporting the incident when necessary. (Every person, private citizen or professional who has reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 is being abused or neglected is mandated by law to promptly report suspected abuse to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). Failure to do so is a misdemeanor.)

Each week across the state of Oklahoma, there are children’s pastor, pastors, leaders, and other people doing all they can to ensure an incredible encounter with God during their services. Let’s make sure to use that same drive and passion to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our kids and leaders as well.

Respect the Privacy of Others – Every person deserves to be respected.

Teachers must respect the dignity and sanctity of every child. Privacy requires space. Teachers should respect the space of every child, being careful to not intrude into a child’s space without an invitation to do so. Teachers also need to be cautious of where and how they place their hands on children. Innocent signs of affection can be misinterpreted by others.

Keep a Record of Unusual Behavior and Occurrences – Always keep a written record of any unusual behavior and occurrences involving children, teachers, and helpers. Document the unusual behavior, the time and place it occurred, the circumstances in which it occurred, and what action was taken. A pattern of unusual behavior and occurrences should be reported to your pastor or church board.

Dean Guthrie Children’s Ministries dean.guthrie@okag.org

In Memory Finis Pack

11/3/1933–2/2/2022 Reverend Finis Pack was born November 3, 1933 in Weleetka, OK to William Lester Pack and Myrtle Lee (Lancaster) Pack.

He traded his earthly home to go to his heavenly home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at the age of 88.

Brother Pack was a resident of the Wetumka area most all of his life and always considered it home. He married Carol Colene Gann on May 14, 1955 in Wetumka. He was an ordained minister through the Assemblies of God which was truly his life calling having pastored in Oklahoma, Colorado and Oregon. Mr. Pack was a gifted carpenter as well. He and his brothers built countless barns in the area and everyone knew if you need a barn built, just call the “Pack Boys” and they would take care of it. He enjoyed hunting, especially deer hunting, woodworking and playing dominoes. He became a great baker as well and was known for his chocolate turtles.

Mark Fitzgerald

1/11/1958–2/8/2022 Reverend Mark Fitzgerald, 64, finished his race on February 8, 2022 at 2:46 p.m.

Mark was born to Harry and Alta Mae (Sisk) Fitzgerald on January 11, 1958, in Hartshorne. He grew up in Buffalo Valley and graduated from Buffalo Valley High School in May of 1976.

Mark married the love of his life, Nancy (Potter) Fitzgerald, on June 16, 1978. Mark was thrilled to be Mitchel and Angela’s father as well as grandad to Malachi, Ezekiel, and Micah.

Mark pastored two churches: Yarnaby Assembly of God and Race Track Assembly of God. Mark ministered in 20 different countries as an Ordained Minister of the Assemblies of God. Mark and Nancy served as Assemblies of God world missionaries in Mexico from February 1992 until 2006 when they transferred to US intercultural missionaries working with the Hispanics in Oklahoma, and they continue to serve. Mark’s ministry has touched, and continues to touch, thousands of people around the world. His dying prayer was for revival. Mark co-owned and operated Hope 94.3 and Faith 100.3.

Danny G. Walters

8/19/1941–3/8/2022 Reverend Dan Walters, 80, of McAlester, entered into heaven on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at his home in McAlester.

Dan was born on August 19, 1941 to Gus and Christine (McElhaney) Walters. Dan married Sharon Compelube on February 7, 1964. He was an ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God.

Johnny Beckmon

7/11/1941–2/5/2022 Reverend Johnny Gene Beckmon was born on July 11,1941, in Tuskahoma/ Clayton OK area to the late Eugene and Velma Hamilton Beckmon. However, Johnny was raised by his late grandparents, Fred and Florence Hamilton. Brother Beckmon finished his earthly journey on Saturday, February 5, 2002, in Sulphur, OK, when he claimed his residence with the Lord.

While a young man, Johnny met and started a long journey with the two most important persons in his life….Jesus Christ and Sue Crittenden. Johnny and Sue were married on July 30, 1960.

In the ‘70’s, as young married persons, Johnny and Sue began attending and working in church. Johnny felt God was calling him to serve in the ministry. A family was also part of God’s plan for the Beckmons. First came a son, Johnny Dwayne. Their hearts were broken when they lost their second child, an infant son, Billy. Then came a daughter, Cindy. Johnny’s family was the center of his life. His love for them was evident by his esteem for his wife, and in the way he nurtured his children.

Johnny received his license to preach in January of 1977 and ministerial ordination in 1980. During his career as a pastor, he filled the pulpits of several Assemblies of God Churches in Oklahoma. Those included churches in Monroe, McAlister, Terral, Stringtown, Durant, Arpela, and Yanish, Ending his pastorate duties in Davis, OK in 2017. During his years in the ministry, he was involved in building three new church buildings, one of which was the church at Davis. In 1984 the Beckmons started their pastorate in Davis. Johnny pastored the church three separate times, totaling over 25 years of service.

Billy G. Covey

2/18/1931–3/12/2022 Reverend Billy Covey passed away Saturday, March 12, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Brother Covey was born February 18, 1931 in Wister, OK to William David (Bill) and Inez Gertrude (Call) Covey. He drove cross country trucking before joining the US Navy during the Korean War. He returned home to work at Tinker Air Force Base. He became an Ordained Assemblies of God minister in 1960. When retiring from full time ministry, he became a Funeral Director Assistant for Evans & Miller.

He married the love of his life, Francis Jane Knight, in 1954. To their union three daughters.

District News Minister Reports • • • •

Dale Floyd – 17 men saved in our prison services.

Larkin Enlow – We Praise God that we are seeing a moving of the spirit in our services! To God Be The Glory!

Alex Hanna – 75 converted Muslims accepted Jesus, with supernatural protection, eight baptisms of the Holy Spirit, miracles of healing.

Bo Gibbs, Carney First – 10 Children received Christ as Savior; Two Adults asked Christ into their lives; Two Adults Rededicated their hearts to Jesus.

Prayer Requests • • •

Jim McGaughy – Please keep Wilson Assembly of God and us in your prayers.

Fred and Jan Ticeahkie – pray for our health. Jan for her lungs and Fred needs a good report for his health needs (heart).

Pray for all of our family.

Danny Johnson – pray that God will sovereignly move in the Byng, OK area.

Harrah First

Mike L. Bates

Minister’s Spouses Jessie L. Girkin 1/29/1931 – 3/12/2022 Spouse of The Late James C. Girkin Lavada L. West 8/16/1939 – 3/14/2022 Spouse of John West Evelyn “Eva” Marie (Ogdon) Coleman 11/1/1956 – 3/23/2022 Spouse of The Late Bill Coleman

Information Help for Pastors call (918) 758-4147 or visit www.pastoralcareinc.com.

Needed •

New Pastors

Don Brown – Skedee First AG is in search of a good used van

Transfers Welcome From Randy Caswell Illinois

In Memory (Cont’d) Jack J. Salkil 3/27/1947–3/21/2022 Reverend Jack Joe Salkil, 74, passed from this life on March 21, 2022. He was born to Leo and Ethel Salkil on March 27, 1947, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma.

Jack married his true love, Faye Roberts, from Skiatook, OK, on June 30, 1966. Jack was known as a hard worker, a quality he embodied from a young age. In his early career, he worked as a butcher, welder, and was a draftsman at National Tank. He also served in the Air National Guard. He loved working with his hands and never found something he couldn’t fix. Those who knew him saw his ability to turn any idea, no matter how crazy or seemingly undoable, into a workable reality.

He felt the call of God to pastor in 1974, preaching in local congregations and then led thriving congregations in Mooreland, OK, for three years, and Wagoner, OK for ten years. He was elected to the Oklahoma District Office of the Assemblies of God in 1990 and

served as the Director of Christian Education for 19 years. During that time, he joyfully fostered a thriving Kids Camp summer program leading countless kids to Christ and shepherding many volunteers into full time ministry. After leaving the Christian Education position he served for five years as Executive Administrator to the District Superintendent. All together Jack served for 50 years in ministry with the Assemblies of God. Jack strove to find ways for others to utilize their gifts and exercise their creativity. He was selfless in his actions. He didn’t need the spotlight and was happiest when those around him were successful.

He was a man of integrity, leadership, compassion, and generosity, and his love for God was immeasurable. He found every opportunity to share the love of Christ with his words, but more importantly through his deeds and constant acts of kindness. Those who truly knew him will most remember Jack’s generosity.