The Chapel Digest - MAY 2024
Missionary in Residence Open House
In 1981, Christian Chapel purchased our first Missionary-in-Residence (MIR) home in Broken Arrow. Our church opened in 1976, and supporting the work of global missionaries was an emphasis from the beginning. The Missionary in Residence home was the first building that Christian Chapel owned.
The goal of our church’s Missionary-in-Residence program is to provide a home for missionary families and foster a stronger connection with them as they travel to raise support. The traditional ministry cycle for an Assemblies of God missionary includes four years of service in the nation in which they serve, followed by one year of reconnecting with supporting churches and individuals in their sending state. Our MIR home alleviates one of the primary needs for missionaries during their year in Oklahoma: a safe, clean, welcoming, and fully furnished home.
In the 1990s we sold the home in Broken Arrow and built a new Missionary in Residence home right across the street from our Christian Chapel campus in 1995. This home has hosted many missionary families. Our Kingdom Builders giving funds maintenance, upkeep, furnishings and decorations. Numerous volunteers have worked on home repairs and improvements throughout the decades.
We have a short window before our next missionary family moves into the MIR home. This enables us to host an open house for our Christian Chapel family to see the beautiful home that you have provided to so many missionary families. As you walk through it, please say a prayer for all of our past and present Missionary in Residence families!
You can walk across the street for a tour of the Missionary in Residence Home on
Sunday, May 5 after all of our morning services.
Chris Dow
Lead Pastor
The motto for every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be ‘Devoted for Life.'
- Adoniram Judson -
Lacey Randall
I was bombarded with anxiety and overwhelmed after the arrival of our second daughter. I entered an extended season of despair and depression. It was debilitating. At the same time, I began experiencing chronic infections that seemed unsolvable and called for prescription medicine every few months.
By the summer of 2022, I began having severe joint pain in my knees and hands, to the point that I could hardly bend down to pick up my baby or play with my toddler. I started experiencing tingling hands, and my fingers would draw up at night.
One morning, I woke up with one finger stuck in a bent position, which did not resolve as the day went on. I couldn’t do typical, everyday things, like putting my daughter’s hair in a ponytail, with my finger stuck in that bent position.
I was beginning to feel overwhelmed by all the unexplainable health issues I was enduring. I had previously been a relatively healthy, active young mom.
That evening, the story in the Bible where Jesus says, “Is it easier for me to forgive you of your sins or say, ‘Get up and walk’?” came to mind. As I thought about it, I felt that I should pray and ask God to heal my finger.
I began to repent, knowing God had and would forgive my sins. I repented for all the lies I had been believing and had been building my life around. The anxiety, the depression, the lack of purpose - none of that was truth, and none of that was from God.
As I was praying, I suddenly noticed that my finger opened halfway. I continued to pray, and my finger opened up all the way back to normal.
That physical healing was a miracle, but the greater miracle was that in that same moment, the heavy, dark cloud of despair that had saturated my life for 12 months was lifted and did not return. God healed my finger and then, did so much more than I could have imagined.
COMING UP THIS MONTH
SUNDAY Morning Services - 8:15AM, 9:30AM & 11:00AM
Wednesday, May 1st
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [see groups]
Sunday, May 5th
8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am I Donut Sunday
6:00pm - 8:00pm I Home Groups I Chapel Kids I Nursery I Chapel Youth D-Groups [get involved]
Wednesday, May 8th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [see groups]
Sunday, May 12th
8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am I Mother’s Day!
Wednesday, May 15th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Groups I Chapel Youth Senior Night I Chapel Kids I Nursery [see groups]
Sunday, May 19th
8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am I Graduate Sunday
6:00pm - 8:00pm I Home Groups I Chapel Kids I Nursery I Chapel Youth D-Groups [get involved]
Wednesday, May 22nd
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Chapel Kids Awards Night
SIGN UP FOR SUMMER!
CLICK A BUTTON BELOW FOR MORE INFO AND TO SIGN UP
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Wednesday Night Schedule
Join us for a family meal served on Wednesday nights, starting from 5:15pm - 6:30pm.
Adult Groups, Chapel Youth and Chapel Kids run from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Nursery is available.
MENU
May 1 - Team Marilyn
Chicken Wings
4 Bean Salad
Mac and Cheese
Dessert
May 8 - Team Candi
Cheesy Dorito Chicken Casserole
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Corn for kids
Chips & Salsa
Almond Butter Cake w/Fresh Fruit
April 17 - Team Flo
Assorted Entrees
Assorted Sides
Salad
Assorted Desserts
April 24 - Team Marilyn
Sloppy Joes
Potato Chips
Carrots & Ranch
Dessert
Meet A Missionary
Karla and Kent Ford - Missionaries to RussIa
Karla and Kent Ford were both called to missions early in their lives. Kent proposed on the mission field in Siberia, Russia, in 2008, and they were married in 2009. For the next 15 years, they remained in Russia, serving through Assemblies of God World Missions.
Kirk started a regional men's ministry program, and equipped the national Bible school for distance education. He also built a studio and established a media ministry in Siberia. Karla dedicated her time and love to children's ministry, establishing a national structure for children's ministry and founding and equipping leaders for the Royal Rangers.
God has recently called the Ford family to a new mission and location. They are working to relocate to Brighton, England, in September 2024. They will be part of a church plant in one of the least reached cities in England. There are currently 131 English cities of 50,000 people without an AG church. In addition to planting a church, the Fords will work with other missionaries and national church leaders in England as they strategize and work toward planting 400 new churches by 2028.
Local Missions
Welcomers International
Kara Culp is the founder and executive director of 'Welcomers International,' a ministry dedicated to serving immigrants, refugees, and international students in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area. Since its inception, Welcomer's International has ministered to individuals from 100 nations by helping them learn English, establishing friendships within the community, teaching American culture, and introducing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Currently, Welcomers International is heavily involved in the Afghan refugee ministry and is witnessing God's incredible work among this least-reached people group. Eileen Kadlec serves as Christian Chapel's leader for Welcomers International. Eileen has a background working with Muslims in Capetown, South Africa, and a heart for God's mission to spread the gospel. Cheri Coleman introduced the organization to Eileen several years ago, explaining that many Afghan families were coming to Tulsa due to the mass evacuation in 2021. The Lord is bringing the Nations to our doorsteps.
One can imagine the fear and culture shock the families endured, leaving everything they knew and loved behind. International families need help in many ways, in addition to helping them with conversational skills. Christian Chapel has supported Welcomers International under Eileen's leadership, embracing two specific families to help assist their journey. Eileen's team assists with doctor's visits, immunizations, dental appointments, WIC appointments, parent-teacher appointments, teaching to drive, baby showers, and creating loving friendships. The greatest need now is assistance with reading and writing. The children have struggled in school as 2023/2024 was their first structured school experience. Eileen and her team pray for additional summer support to help the children walk into school confidently. Practicing reading, writing, and conversation skills could significantly impact the lives of the children. Hebrew 13:1 states, "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers". Eileen quotes, " The families used to call us their sponsors at the beginning, but now they call us their sisters. We are family."
Christian Chapel currently partners with "Welcomer's International" to support the refugee population in Tulsa. This summer, we are continuing to tutor both kids and adults in English through fun club atmospheres, where we have the opportunity to pray with and share your life-changing stories. Volunteer possibilities daily, weekly, or even monthly are available through our partnership with this local ministry. E-mail godfrey@christianchapel.com for more info.