First Deaconess from OIMC Commissioned

On March 11, 2008 history was made for the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, the first Deaconess from OIMC was commissioned at the General Board of Global Ministries Spring Board Meeting.

Deborah (Debbie) Humphrey who serves as Program Coordinator for Cookson Hills Center was commissioned as OIMC’s first Deaconess.

Debbie was born and raised around Greenwood, Arkansas to an Irish/Cherokee mother and a Choctaw father and is the oldest of seven children. On April 16, 1976 Debbie found the Lord at a Baptist youth rally.

In 2001 Debbie found her way to Canterbury Chapel through invitations from one of the drivers at the Ft. Smith Transit Department where she worked. Debbie became involved with the youth group, started up a puppet ministry and sings with a group called “Praise and Worship.” Debbie joined the Cookson Hills Center staff as Program Coordinator, Public Relations and Children and Youth Director in March 2006. She heard about the Deaconess program and knew that this was what God was calling her to do.

Debbie said, “I am going to commit myself to the Deaconess Program and Cookson Hills Center to reach out to the low income families and the children and youth in our area. I have been loved and I have been given so much throughout my life that I feel very rich. I want to give back as much as I can by using the love God has given me.”