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- 2012 Encounter
Download Poster
Download Registration Form | Register Online
Also, attached are the Encounter poster and a pdf of the Encounter registration in case someone wants to download a hard copy, fill it out and send in a check.
- 2011 Encounter Report
Truly appreciated were the presentations of our ENCOUNTER guest speaker, Rev. Belva Brown-Jordan, who is Associate Dean for Admissions and Students Services and Instructor in Ministry Studies at Phillips Theological Seminary. Rev. Brown-Jordan’s talks and her sermon in closing worship dealt with theology of the spirituality of early American music of the African-American slaves. We were enthralled by her sharing of information and her singing of some of those beautiful pieces of music which expressed so much of the Christian spirituality of that era in American History – especially that of African-American heritage. This was a delight for many reasons because we began to understand more readily the theology that undergirded and supported our sisters and brothers who were slaves in America, and we were treated to some of their music that has passed on to all of us a rich religious and cultural heritage.
Loma Sullivan reporting
- Online links | Powerpoint Learn more about our International
DW
Project of becoming
more aware of and involved in the
fight against "Human Trafficking."
Caminante
Caminante (it means “one who walks the path”) is the Oklahoma Regional Church mission partner in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. It was begun by Sister Denisse Pichardo, a Roman Catholic, 16 yrs ago (1994) as a ministry to the young boys (ages 6-15) of Boca Chica who were dropping out of school in order to earn money to help support their families by shining shoes of tourists who were coming to Boca Chica’s beach resort area. Boca Chica used to have a vibrant sugar cane industry that provided income for most of their families, but, some 15-20 yrs ago the sugar cane industry began to crumble when demand for cane sugar declined sharply. Now there are no more sugar cane factories operating in Boca Chica and the area has been trying to build up its tourism industry to improve the economy. Along with tourism has come the problems of human trafficking, prostitution and drug trafficking. Especially hard hit were children because when they drop out of school to help support the family they are at risk of being lured into these situations. Sister Denisse was charged (by the Roman Catholic Church) with trying to provide options for these families and especially the children. She had worked with adults previously and had no experience with children but saw the need and began her labors. Caminante now has the support of the first lady of Dominican Republic, the government of D.R. and local businesses in Boca Chica as well as our own Global Missions ministries.
Oklahoma Disciples have been in partnership with Caminante now for three years. In that time we have sent nearly 50 Oklahoma Disciples to Boca Chica to see the Caminante ministry and we have raised about $30,000 or more to help support their work. We began by supporting one “homework room” (a classroom of 1st-6th graders who were at risk of, or had already dropped out of public school and were behind in education. These children are brought up to grade level in a homework room and then returned to the public school. Their families are assisted in various ways to earn the income previously earned by those children – this may be done in vocational training or assistance in finding jobs for parents. And, assistance/encouragement is given to keep these children in school and performing at grade level until they complete the 10 grades of required free public education. Caminante provides help in going to college or furthering education by the vocational training classes offered through Caminante.
In 2011 we will have at least 3 or more mission trips going to Boca Chica. Participants will see Caminante staff in operation and meet staff and members of the board of directors of Caminante many of whom are former children/participants of Caminante’s programs. Mission trip participants will also have opportunities to see the schools we now support (now 5 in session) and, with the help of Oklahoma Disciples, Caminante has just purchased land to build another school which we will be helping to build.
All of the money we send to Caminante is sent via Global Ministries. Oklahoma Disciples have committed to about 10 yrs of support at about $8,000 per year. This past year Okla. Disciples have helped start a new ministry at Caminante in a Micro-loan program which allows vo-tech grads to get a loan ($250-$350) to start a business of their own. They must pay back the loan so that others may have the same opportunities.
Contact Rev. Loma Sullivan, Associate Regional Pastor, 405-528-3577 for more information or a program. And, for an interesting article check out this web source. |
DW/CWF Study materials
Just Women
Winter 2012 (January)
Practicing radical hospitality.
How do we extend Christ's invitation to the world beyond our walls? This issue begins the stories from the 2011 Woman-to-Woman Worldwide Program trip to Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. It includes the country map. (Three-session study guide is available.)
New Day 2012 - view order info
An 8-session Mission and Spiritual Enrichment for Individuals and Small Groups
You want a small group material that will balance spiritual development with mission empowerment – this magazine is that tool. Using prayer based Bible study and stories of water missions around the globe, this magazine provides specific ways for groups to grow in spirit and in action.
• Available in English and Spanish
With You [in Scripture]
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