Oklahoma FEATURE

Teaching Safety: Friendships with Strength

In the northern Oklahoma town of Bartlesville, women are learning how to stay safe—and building friendships in the process. Inside the Bartlesville Seventh-day Adventist Church’s community services building, between a rack of clothing and shelves of essentials shared with those in need, church member Dani Kepler is helping equip women with something just as vital: the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves. On the first Sunday of each month, this room becomes a training ground for self-defense.

Kepler knows firsthand how vulnerable a person can feel. As a child, she suffered abuse that left her with lasting struggles in school, relationships and mental health. Even after the abuse ended and the perpetrators were brought to justice, the emotional and psychological impact remained.

In her early 20s, Kepler was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that eventually rendered her legally blind. Still, her determination to overcome her challenges remained strong.

She met Jay, who became her best friend, biggest supporter and later her husband. The couple began attending the Bartlesville church in 2023 after learning about the biblical Sabbath. They completed Bible studies with Pastor Dominick Alipoon and his wife, Ashley, and, after deep conviction, were baptized in October 2023.

Kepler’s involvement in the church quickly deepened, particularly in women’s ministries. Alongside her co-leader, Karol Andrews, she began planning a variety of events for the women of the Bartlesville church, including a monthly self-defense class focused on empowerment and safety. These classes are open to the public, and several women from the community have joined their Adventist neighbors in learning how to stay safe.

“Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to instincts you get from any situation that doesn’t feel right.” These are among the techniques taught.

Instructor Moses “Mo” Gonzalez, a martial artist and close friend of the Keplers, leads the class alongside his assistant, Kendra South. Together, they equip participants with practical strategies for staying safe. “Attackers look for vulnerable victims,” they explain. “Walk with confidence and stay in groups when possible. Avoid situations that make you an easy target.”

Gonzalez has participants practice each skill until they feel comfortable. “These moves need to become second nature,” he says. “Practice them all month long. They’re designed to work against someone who may be larger, stronger or more experienced.”

He also emphasizes the importance of escaping danger as quickly as possible. “If the attacker falls, don’t stick around to see if he gets up," he tells participants. "Get away fast!”

Each class is filled with encouragement and laughter as women practice new skills. One participant remarked, “It’s a safe and fun place to try something I’ve never done before. It helps take away some of the fear. Knowing what you can do—and practicing it— gives you confidence.”

“We decided to offer this class because I didn’t want other women to become victims like I was as a child,” Kepler shared. “Because of my visual impairment, I can’t rely on sight. Gonzalez teaches us how to use other senses to stay aware.”

The class has also served as a community outreach, drawing attendees who might never walk into a traditional worship service—including instructors Mo and Kendra.

“As Christians, we’re called to love and protect others,” said Ashley Alipoon. “We can’t do that if we don’t have tools to keep ourselves and others safe in a crisis.”

By Kathleen Weigand with Ashley Alipoon. Weigand, Alipoon and Dani Kepler are all members of the Bartlesville Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Oklahoma Conference.