OIMC Advance Projects:

Construction Project
Advance # 583633

 

Parish Partners
Advance # 583634

 

Native American Children’s Fund
Advance # 583581

 

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Construction of Southeast Region Church to be completed by end of the year

56800866_10157432277142845_5454348633283493888_oA work team from White’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas is already planning a trip back to Oklahoma to continue construction work on Chihowa Okla United Methodist Church, part of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC). Twenty volunteers spent a week in April installing sheet rock and walls in the multi-use building of the church located near Southeastern State University in Durant, Oklahoma.

“The church started with plans in 2012 and started the church building in 2016,” said the Rev. Dara Austin, pastor for Faithworks Mission & Outreach at White’s Chapel. “We would like to see it complete by the end of the year.”

In addition to the donation of time and materials from the work team, the denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries approved a $20,000 grant to complete electrical and plumbing requirements when the work teams are done.  The money was made available through donations to the Native American Ministries Sunday Fund.

57299337_10157432277162845_8692660593288544256_o“This is one example of how important it is for United Methodists to support the Native American Ministries Sunday,” said the Rev. David Wilson, OIMC conference superintendent. Native American Ministries Sunday is one of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church. The special offering supports Native American outreach within annual conferences and across the United states.  “A portion of the money funds scholarships for Native American seminary students and a portion allows annual conferences to support Native American ministries in a number of ways such as church construction and repairs.”

03-2019_NAMS_Poster_180x278When Chihowa Okla was chartered in 2010, it was the first church in the OIMC southeast region to charter in 30 years.  Durant is the capitol of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, which deeded the land to the church in 2014. The church has grown to more than 60 members. The congregation from Chihowa currently hosts a Native American Campus Ministry program. Every week, elders lead the congregation in Christian hymns in the Choctaw language.

Volunteer teams from Broadstreet and Fairview United Methodist Churches in Maryville, Tennessee were also instrumental in building the church structure, according to Wilson.

“All of the work teams have come with hearts and love of a servant and remind us of the great connection with have as a denomination.”

May 5, 2019 has been designated as Native American Ministries Sunday. Resources and a leader’s guide are available at www.umcgiving.org.

Contact Information

Conference Headquarters
602 SW 35th
Oklahoma City, OK 73109
Office: 405-632-2006
Fax: 405-632-0209

 

Resident Bishop:

Bishop James “Jimmy” Nunn
1501 NW 24 Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106
405-530-2000

 

Conference Superintendent:

Rev. Margaret Johnson

mjohnson@oimc.org

Director of Connectional Ministries: 

Rev. Donna Pewo

dpewo@oimc.org


Administrative Assistant:

Linda Draper

ldraper@oimc.org

 

Northern District Superintendent:

Rev. Mike Svitak

Msvitak@oimc.org

 

Southern District Superintendent:

Rev. Sharon Yeahquo

Syeahquo@oimc.org

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