February 2017

OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 1

OKLAHOMA

OUTLOOK FEBRUARY

Spanish School of Ministry (Tulsa) SYNERGY Youth Leadership Conference JBQ District Celebration

February 11 February 24-25 February 24-25

Sectional Council Tour: Section 6 | PM (Stroud First) Section 9S | AM (OKC Inner City) Section 4 | PM (Muskogee Lifepoint) Section 9N | AM (Okarche Light Your World) Section 5W |AM (Cleveland First) Section 3 | AM (Broken Bow First) Section 2 | PM (Stigler First) Section 1 | AM (Wagoner First) Section 8 | PM (Enid First) Section 11 | AM (Woodward First) Section 12 | PM (Altus Freedom) Section 7 | AM (Ada First) Section 10 | PM (Lawton First) Section 5E | AM (BA, Aspen Creek)

February 6 February 7 February 13 February 14 February 15 February 16 February 16 February 17 February 20 February 21 February 21 February 23 February 27 February 28

MARCH

School of Ministry (OKC) Credential Seminar (Entry Level) District Council Resolutions Deadline Spanish School of Ministry (Tulsa) District Bible Quiz GM Power Surge

APRIL

School of Ministry (OKC) Credential Celebration Fine Arts (Mustang, The Bridge) Spanish School of Ministry (Tulsa) OYM Christian Fun Day Century Leadership Conference 104th District Council (BA, The Assembly)

March 4 March 4 March 10 March 11 March 24-25 March 25

April 1 April 1 April 7-8 April 8 April 22 April 24 April 24-25

Publisher H. Franklin Cargill Designer Jayson Evans Copyeditor Renae Elmore

GENERAL PRESBYTERS

SECTIONAL PRESBYTERS

H. Franklin Cargill Superintendent

Raymond Frizzelle Section 1

Craig Dacus Assistant Superintendent

Keith Williams Section 2

Darryl Wootton Corporate Secretary

Terry Bradley Section 3

EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERS

Bob Yandell Section 4

Bruce McCarty Ron McCaslin MINISTRY DIRECTORS Chad Brodrick Church Ministries Doug Everaard Youth Ministries Dean Guthrie Children’s Ministries Darren Pilcher Executive Pastor Missions

P.O. Box 13179 Oklahoma City, OK 73113

Susie Purkey Women’s Ministries

405.475.1100 www.okag.org @OKDCofAG OklahomaDistrictCouncil

ORDAINED FEMALE PRESBYTER Deborah Burke

Jamie Austin Section 5E Mike Buie Section 5W Jeromye Jackson Section 6 Jimmy Keith Section 7 Kelly Coffey Section 8 David Brooks Section 9N Duane Elmore Section 9S Don Barnes Section 10 Ric Freeman Section 11 Arlis Moon Section 12

2 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK

SUPERINTENDENT

BECOM E AN OK LAH OMA

STORM CHASER

$ 1, 0 0 0 F A I T H P R O M I S E P L E D GE

BECOME AN OKLAHOMA

STORM CHASER TODAY!

FAITH PROMISE PLEDGES ARE REQUESTED TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF COMMITMENT

FRANK CARGILL DISTR ICT SUPE R INTE NDE NT F R ANK . CAR G IL L @O K AG . O R G

OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 3

MISSIONS

YOU R CHU RCH D OE S N ’T N E E D A MIS S ION S

P RO G RA M

What do you believe about world missions? Our answer to that question will determine the trajectory of our church’s ministry and outreach. Frankly, the last thing our local assemblies need is another program. Church specialists tell us that healthy ministries start with decluttering the calendar and simplifying our strategy. And, to regulate our missions’ endeavors to a programmatic approach could, in fact, cheapen its biblical importance to what we do and how we function as the Body of Christ.

One of the most impactful missions’ book I’ve read recently is authored by J. D. Greear, entitled Gaining By Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches that Send. He writes, “Discipleship is going from ‘mission field’ to ‘missionary’…In the Bible we find no gap between the call to follow Jesus and the call to engage in mission…

To that end, every ministry in the church – and not just the ‘missions department’ – must ask: ‘How is our ministry leading people into God’s global mission?’” Greear goes on to explain, for instance, how their church’s high school and college students are challenged to serve for one month on a missions teams during the summer as well as each small group to adopt a city service-evangelism project and an international missionary. In other words, consider the fact that every church ministry department should be driven globally.

After we answer the first question about our belief regarding world missions, maybe the next question should be the following: How does/should our belief about global evangelism translate into the entire vision and mission of the local church? We do not involve ourselves in getting the Gospel around the world because it fits our ministry strategy; we participate to be obedient to the command of our Lord. As we enter a new year, let’s pray the prayer of Bob Pierce,

DARREN PILCHER M IS S IO N S DIR E C TO R E X EC UT IV E PASTO R DA RR E N . P ILC H ER @ O K AG . O R G @ DA RR E N P ILC H E R

4 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK

founder of Samaritan’s Purse, who wrote the following words in his Bible after visiting suffering children on an island in Korea: “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.” The answer to that prayer will always supersede any ministry program or department.

How can our missions office help facilitate this global passion among your congregation in the New Year? Please call on us!

RECOMMENDED READING

Gaining By Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches that Send J.D. Greear

FINANCE

WHAT CHU RCHE S CAN LE ARN FROM A

F INA N C I A L AU DIT Each year we have our financial records audited by an

independent outside accounting firm. This is something we have had done for decades. This process is time consuming, labor intensive and expensive. It is not something most churches will ever experience, and frankly would ever need to experience. There are, however, some things I have learned and implemented through the years that make our audit run as efficiently as possible. These are things a church of any size can (and should) consider implementing into the financial operations of their church. Even if you don’t have your books audited or reviewed by an outside firm, you should operate as though you do.

This will give great confidence to your board and the members of your church in knowing that the resources of the church are being managed well, and this confidence will transfer to how they view your leadership as well.

The largest factor in having a successful audit has to do with building good systems. Building good systems is key to ensuring you are prepared for yearend reporting. If you are prepared, yearend reporting will go much more smoothly. This means you need to operate with solid financial systems on a monthly basis so that you are not scrambling to get everything done last minute. Much of the financial operations of an organization of any size are repetitive.

This means that systems can be put in place to make them run as efficiently as possible. The last place you want unpredictability and creativity is in your financial operations. You want them to be boring, standardized, and consistent. If your systems are solid and consistent, the preparing for yearend reporting won’t feel as challenging and overwhelming.

Some good practices to have in place are as follows: 1. Have a standardized system for recording deposits. This means you should not be holding cash and checks. You should have a set time to process donations and get the money to the bank as quickly as possible.

5. Reconcile your bank statements, credit card statements, and loan balances each month. This practice is crucial in order to verify that your financial reports are accurate and nothing out of the ordinary is going on.

6. Verify that payroll tax deposits are being made. One of the worst things a church can face is a letter from the IRS stating that payroll taxes have not been deposited. Especially if the taxes have been withheld from employee paychecks. When you file your quarterly 941 forms, verify that the funds have indeed been sent in that quarter.

7. Do some analytics. Go back at the end of each quarter or year and compare income and expense to the prior year or years. If things are out of scope (much higher or lower) do some digging to find out why. There is often a good reason, but this can also be a good way to uncover potential issues.

8. Have your board review financial statement throughout the year. Keeping the board in the know is important. Having them review the financial statements – even if the news is bad – can provide them with the information they need to help correct potential issues before they turn in to full blown problems. Do your best to keep surprises to a minimum and report the negative issues along with the positive issues.

Each of the items mentioned above are items our auditors look at each year. They want to verify these things are being done on a monthly basis. There is much more at which they look, but these few things are practices most any church can implement.

The chances of your church ever needing an audit are not huge.

That being said, implementing these practices now would help you be prepared if you find yourself in a place where one could be required.

2. Have a standardized system for issuing checks. Do not issue checks on an ‘as needed’ basis or at-will. Issue checks one time per week, or two times per month.

3. Verify the business purpose of expenditures. Make sure that when invoices show up or receipts are submitted they have a legitimate business purpose. The IRS language is that the expense needs to be “ordinary and necessary” to the operation of the church.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be offended by questions. Some things need more clarity. Understand that questioning a transaction is not questioning someone’s character.

Questions are okay. Don’t be afraid to ask them, and don’t be defensive if they are asked of you. In fact, if questions offend you, the assumption could be that you have something to hide.

KEVIN CONNER F INANCE & O PE R ATIO NS K E VIN. CO NNE R @O K AG . O R G @K E VINSCO NNE R

OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 5

CHURCH

IN P U RS U IT OF

WISDOM Throughout my life and ministry, I have often read and

quoted James 1:5 which says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” With it comes the reminder that God desires to be intricately involved in the growth of our wisdom as we face difficult situations in life and ministry. There is no doubt in my mind that each one of us has asked for wisdom as we faced a decision in which we did not know how to handle or we have encouraged others to ask God for wisdom for their own unique situation.

While asking God for wisdom for our lives is an important step in the process, as I look back on the book of Proverbs, the writer reminds us that gaining wisdom is a process which usually involves the day to day decisions that we make as well as, the tough decisions, situations and circumstances we find ourselves in. It would be great if we could simply ask God for wisdom and He instantly zaps us with all the wisdom we will ever need. But Proverbs 2 reminds us that it is through a series of “if/then” statements, that wisdom is acquired.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

How do we gain wisdom in our lives and apply it daily?

1. Be receptive to wisdom (1-2) In order to gain wisdom, we must position ourselves to be attentive to the voice of God. This is not something that simply happens because we attend church, read the Bible, or preach a sermon. It happens when we purposely stay aware of the presence of God and attentive to His leadership in our lives.

2. Earnestly pursue wisdom (3-4) Throughout our world, we are reminded on a daily basis of what pursuing a dream, position, or prominence looks like. Those who are running for an office, auditioning for a spot on a television show, or building a company

becomes an all-consuming passion and focus to those who succeed.

It is that laser-guided focus that the writer of Proverbs encourages us to have in our pursuit of wisdom.

3. Cry out in prayer for understanding (3) Since we are encouraged to be receptive and pursue wisdom, it stands to reason that the source is not found in our human understanding, but in an outside source. The Holy Spirit was sent for that purpose, to be the one who gives light to our path, who gives sight to our understanding. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can apprehend and apply the truth of God’s Word in our lives. Pray earnestly for wisdom and He will guide you!

4. Search, through diligent study, for wisdom (4) Have you ever lost something that was valuable? How did you search for it? Did you tear the house apart looking for your lost item? The writer tells us to search for wisdom which we do so through the discipline of study.

While prayer is the first step to opening our understanding in order for the Holy Spirit to guide and direct, we are reminded that we are to diligently search out wisdom.

Wisdom is a valuable and necessary quality to nurture in your life. It is important that each one of us make the commitment to seek wisdom and keep seeking the rest of our lives. Wisdom doesn’t come for just a momentary circumstance but is developed throughout our entire lives. Cherish the process, remember what you have learned in the past, and God will continue to grant wisdom in the days ahead.

INVESTMENTS M A D E

E A S Y.

MINISTRY

M A D E

P O S S I B L E .

CHAD BRODRICK C H URC H M IN IST RIE S C H A D. B RO DRIC K @ O K AG. O R G

6 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK

cepnet.com/OK

WOMEN’S

DAU GH T E RS OF

THE KING I’m excited to announce the Launch of our Brand New Design, Logo and Theme for Oklahoma Women’s Ministries:

“Daughters of the King…finding our Inheritance” and “Hijas del Rey, encontrando su Herencia.” (In Spanish) (With a companion 21-Day/Week Devotional for Groups or Individuals, in English and Spanish.)

Over the last seven months, since stepping into this Role as your New Women’s Director, I have fervently sought the Lord for Direction. I’m so grateful that He speaks to us and whispers all sorts of wonderful things when we slow down and listen… Last June, I clearly understood the “Daughters of the King” Theme. Then, at our September Conference, it was unveiled to over 600 ladies through a Powerful, five-minute, pageant finalè, which featured a Bride and Groom. They represented the Bride Church and Jesus our Bridegroom whom, we are anxiously awaiting the Return of!

Going forward, the Oklahoma Women’s Department will host the annual “Daughters Conference” every September. This year, it will be held at the Bridge AG Church in Mustang, OK on Friday and Saturday, September 15 – 16, 2017. Mark your calendars! Girls, you will not want to miss this!

Our sub-theme and emphasis this year will be “Finding Our Inheritance,” which will be referencing the scriptures in Ephesians 1:13 -14. (NLV) “And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him.” The 21-Day/Week Study that I have written over the last six months, can be utilized in either a 21-day or week format. (i.e. if a Church Group is meeting once a week, all they need is a $5 book for each lady and a Moderator to facilitate end-chapter, Discussion Questions.

I’ve done all the work for you.) I am getting many requests for Resources from the local level and this study is entry-level, written for believers of any age and very affordable!

In this Study, we will see Women who inspire Women with how they defied the odds, triumphed during times of extreme adversity and who were found faithful in the sight of Father-God, through it all!

What can we learn from each of them? What can we imitate? These women didn’t overcome in their own strength. No, they had the Spirit of God in them that gave them incredible determination, grit and grace…and we can have that too, through the power of the Holy Spirit!

I will be present at all 14 Sectional Councils throughout our State in February and will be happy to personally showcase the Study Guides and to answer any questions you may have. (Please note: Spanish Versions will be available in April, 2017 at our Oklahoma District Council, as well as coordinating products for purchase at the Women’s Booth.)

Several Churches have contacted us to request a larger order for Mother’s Day Gifts and/or Bible Studies in their large Groups. We will do a Group Discount Of $4 per book for orders of 20 copies or more.

Thank you for your Support!

This Theme and Study will precede the “Daughters Conference” in September and lay important groundwork for hundreds of women to be empowered and filled with the Spirit this year. We will extend an invitation to our 36 Hispanic Churches to join us and have Spanish Interpretation on the platform in all three services. It’s a New Day in Women’s Ministry and The Lord is about to do something “BIG” through the women of Oklahoma! We covet your prayers.

May the Lord grant Favor and Bless the work of my hands and give us success in the marketplace, is my continued prayer. I have arranged for All proceeds from the sale of these Study Guides to go back in to the L.I.F.E. Missions Fund (Ladies Investing For Eternity), to help advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world! A sincere “thank you” to all our churches for lending your continued support! #What’sInYourHand Much Love! Susie

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

Daughters of the King 21 Day/Week Devotional $5.00 each $4.00 for 20 or more.

SUSIE PURKEY WO ME N’ S DIR E CTO R SUSIE . PUR K E Y@O K AG . O R G

OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 7

YOUTH

T H E P IP E LIN E

EURASIA Do you have students who may feel a call to missions

or just want to know more about the whole process of becoming a missionary? Please get them connected to The Pipeline. Once a student signs up, someone from the pipeline will call them and start walking with them on answering their questions about missions and the whole process that comes with it. If at any time a student feels like their call has changed, then they will no longer receive contact. However, if a student still shows interest as they get older, the pipeline will be there to guide them and help get them ready for the process to be a full-time missionary. We have cards in the OYM office that we can send to you free of charge or you can use the info on this page and copy it.

The Pipeline is sponsored by Eurasia and The National Office of the AG.

Now accepting Applications for Summer Youth Camp Interns, to apply, please visit www.oklahomayouthministries.com

DOUG EVERAARD YO UT H M IN IST RIE S DO UG . EV E R A A R D@ O K AG. O R G @ DO UG E V E R A A R D

8 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK

YOUTH PASTOR BIO: TONY & CHELSEA NOCHIM Tony and Chelsey Nochim are the Youth Pastors of Grand Assembly of God in Chickasha, OK. They arrived at Grand in October.

Tony grew up outside of Chicago and then attended the University of Missouri, where he got saved by the grace of God through Mizzou Chi Alpha. Chelsey was born and brought up in the suburbs of Indianapolis and had a similar path, where she became a Christian around the time she graduated high school.

They met at the Atlanta Dream Center, which is a non-profit Christian organization that reaches the lost, rescues those in need and restores the brokenhearted through their three major ministries, iAm (men), Out of Darkness (women) and Metro Kidz (children).

Tony moved to Atlanta a few months after graduating from MU in May 2014 and became the Dream Center’s Homeless Outreach Coordinator while Chelsey started her second year at their School of Ministry. They got married once and forevermore in August 2015 and shortly thereafter, Tony took a Youth Pastor position in Marietta, GA. They then had a honeymoon baby, their beautiful baby girl, Zion Bella, on April 30, 2016.

Chelsey enjoys praise and leads youth worship. Their passion is to lift up the name of Jesus Christ through God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate who He truly is in all of His glory. They love seeing Jesus set youth free from dead religion or rebellion by finding joy in embracing the perfect truths of the gospel.

If you know of someone who is interested in being a lifeguard this summer at SPARKS Youth camp, please call OYM office and speak with Cody Phillips or by email at cody.phillips@okag.org.

CHILDREN

OK LAH OMA BGMC

2016 BGMC had an excellent run in 2016. I am happy to tell

you that nationally, BGMC had the highest year ever. Collectively, $7,840,698.60 was given to BGMC during 2016! Giving was up $828,786.25 over giving for 2015!

Since 1949, $141,413,377.27 has now been given to missions through BGMC! THAT’S AMAZING! Oklahoma had a pretty good year as well. Our total BGMC giving for 2016 was $284,446.73, ranking the Oklahoma District fourth in the nation.

Thank you for all that you do to support missions, to teach your kids about missions, and to sacrifice for the cause of missions. Millions of lives have been touched and won to the Kingdom of God because of you, your church, and your kids!

2017 AG KIDMIN CONFERENCE The National AG Kidmin Conference is coming up April 19th thru the 21st. The Conference will be a two-and-half-day training focused on investing in the primary Kidmin leader at the local church. This event will be intentional on investing in the spiritual health of the leader in the general sessions, shaping perspectives of Kidmin philosophies in super sessions, and providing training in a variety of skills through a limited number of workshops. This Conference will create an environment for children’s leaders who are serving the Spiritempowered/Pentecostal churches. Networking and “iron sharpening iron” moments will help to create a network of support that lives on long after the event is over.

For more information you can call the OCM office or go to agkidmin. ag.org.

Hope to see you there!

DEAN GUTHRIE CHIL DR E N’ S DIR E CTO R DE AN. G UTHR IE @O K AG . O R G @O CMDE AN

OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 9

IN MEMORY

Jeannie L. Maze

8/13/1953 - 1/7/2017 Reverend Jeannie Kincheloe-Maze, 63, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 7, 2017.

Jeannie was born August 13, 1953 in Fairview, Oklahoma to Earl and Loucile (Maret) Kincheloe. Jeannie married the love of her life Larry Maze on December 5, 1969. Jeannie was an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God Church and spent a lifetime ministering alongside her husband. In her ministry, she was a Pastor, Children’s Pastor, Youth Ministries, member of a singing group and taught all ages and groups, ministering wherever she went. She loved meeting new people and never met a stranger, and would mother all who were in need. She enjoyed helping others, traveling, spending time with family and friends, playing the piano, singing, learning, playing with grandkids, telling stories, genealogy, prayer, teaching, studying the Bible, and God who was the center of her life. Her faith in Jesus was great because nothing was impossible with God, which she reminded everyone who would listen and sometimes those who didn’t listen. Jeannie took great joy in being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She survived cancer and many health issues, always believing in God’s strength to help her persevere, and she was full of faith until the end.

Jeannie is survived by her husband Larry; sister Earlene Kincheloe, four children: James Maze and wife Linda; Debra Lamar and husband Adrian; Stacie Maze; Jennifer Maze-Hennig and husband Scott; five grandchildren: Calley Lamar, Stephen Lamar, Matthew Lamar, Jamie Maze and Taylor Minshall; and three great-grandchildren.

She will be reunited in Heaven with her parents, two brothers, Elmer and Leroy Kincheloe; two sons, Larry Don and Jeffery; and numerous grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

10 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK

Larry Womack

2/18/1950 - 1/3/2017 Reverend Larry Wayne Womack 66, passed from this life to be forever with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, January 13, 2017 in Nashoba, Oklahoma while in the presence of his family and friends.

Larry was born February 18, 1950 to Ernest and Johnnie (Kirksey) Womack in Heavener, Oklahoma. He later married Verna Sue Scarberry on August 8, 1969 in Waldron, Arkansas.

Larry was a hard-working man. He owned a fencing business for 35 years and he enjoyed hunting and fishing, traveling and being with family. Brother Womack pastored for 28 years and started Glory Hill Assembly of God Church in Finley, Oklahoma August 6, 1991. He loved life to the fullest and enjoyed spending time with family and friends and to share his love for God. Larry leaves behind a loving wife, Verna Sue Womack of the home; one sister Betty Obokivich and husband Eric of Rodgers, Arkansas; five brothers Bill Womack and wife Pat of Arkoma, Oklahoma; Gene Womack of Spiro, Oklahoma; Jerry Womack and wife Gloria of Shady Point, Oklahoma; Paul Womack and wife Brenda of Paducah, Kentucky; Ronnie Womack and wife Billie Gene of Liberty, Oklahoma; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of friends.

OKLAHOMA

DISTRICT NEWS PRAYER REQUESTS Steven Waters - job Marvin Boyles - health

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

PASTORS’ REPORTS Clint Gray, Arpelar, reports 60 year old man saved in Sunday morning service.

Jerry Yoder, Thomas, reports one saved on Hero Day in regular service and one filled with the Holy Ghost in a dairy barn.

Raymond Frizzelle, Miami, reports three adults saved, three water baptisms, 13 saved in jail ministry, and seven children saved in children’s church.

Oren D. Jackson, Watonga, reports two saved, several healed, and one re-filled during revival in October. Healings are taking place.

EVANGELISTS’ REPORTS NEW PASTORS Ft. Gibson Community Gospel Center

Robert Adams

TRANSFERS Transfer In Jonathan Chambers Meagan Collinsworth Michael Shepherd Transfer Out David Bosarge Kenneth Griffith Gabriel Miller Daniel Lemlowill Chad Wilson

Dale Floyd reports 129 men and women saved.

Alex Hanna reports 185 Arabs and Muslims saved. Forty received healings from vertigo, cancer, and thyroid problems.

NOT IC E

From Rocky Mountain Michigan Wisconsin/No. Michigan To Illinois North Texas North Texas Arkansas Kansas

NEEDED Spirit Church is looking for a full-time Children’s pastor. Please contact Business Administrator Laura Howard or Lead Pastor Darryl Wootton at 918-336-1131 or mail@spiritchurch.com for more details.

RES OLU TIO NS FOR D ISTRI CT COU N CIL M UST B E S U B M ITT E D N O LATER THAN M A RCH 1 0, 2017

OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK | 11

12 | OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK