Preparations are being made for the 2019 Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference Gala, scheduled for Thursday, October 17, 2019 at the Reed Center in Midwest City. The Gala and silent auction is in its fifth year; proceeds from the event support Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC) permanent endowment for pastoral leadership.
“The Gala is important because it celebrates the heritage and lives of Native Americans and proclaims a future filled with hope for the churches and people of the OIMC,” Bishop Jimmy Nunn, episcopal leader of the Oklahoma Conference and the OIMC.
“We have made great progress over the past eight years,” said the Rev. David Wilson, OIMC superintendent. The Gala averages about $90,000, which includes table sales, sponsors and the silent auction. The endowment has grown to approximately $2.3 million which is generating permanent funds for the yearly OIMC budget, according to Wilson.
“We remain so thankful to the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma who provides the seed money to pay for the venue and meal. Everything we make is clear profit for the endowment.” In addition, the Chickasaw Nation donated $100,000 to the endowment.
“The OIMC does much ministry with little, and this is a way to be a part of healing the world,” said Craig Stinson, OIMC supporter and donor. “It’s about more than giving, but the Gala makes it fun to give.”
Brent Greenwood, Chickasaw Artist and member of the OIMC will do a live painting during the Gala which will be auctioned off at the end of the program. Former Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. will be the auctioneer. Silent auction items include original artwork, sports memorabilia, hotel stays and more.
“In the long run, the additional revenue will enable the conference to raise the base salary of full-time OIMC pastors,” Wilson said. Full-time clergy in OIMC are the lowest paid in The United Methodist Church in this country. The base salary for a full time Elder in OIMC is $32,460.
Sponsorships for the event are available. Tables are $1,000 for eight persons and individual seats are $125.00. Invitations to the fifth OIMC Gala will be mailed out in September.
