Prayer request in the ABC Forum...

[David Flick]

There are 15 ABCUSA Native American churches in Oklahoma. One, the Wichita Community Church located about 6 miles north of Anadarko, tragically lost their their building and fellowship hall (two separate buildings) in a tornado last Wednesday evening. Their pastor, Damon Smith, is a good friend of mine. shows the extent of the damage. The building was over 100 years old. I have preached in there. Notice an outdoor baptistery in the early portion of the video.

Wichita Community Church is a member of the Oklahoma Indian American Baptist Association (OIABA).The church is located on the grounds of the OIABA associational campground. There is a tabernacle located about 300 feet to the west. Since there was no word about damage, I'm assuming that the the tabernacle escaped unharmed.

Please pray for our sister church. Thanks.

[Bruce Gourley]

I am sorry to hear of the church's loss, and will be praying for the congregation.

[Ed Pettibone]

Ed: David, Trudy and I will be praying for the Wichita Community Church, and they will be added to the prayer list of the North Creek/ Minerva Baptist parish. Many of the people here have no real concept of the destruction that can be caused by tornadoes, as they are quite rare in this part of the country. On the other hand, I have seen the results of several in Indiana, Kentucky and Florida.

[Chris]

Count me among those praying for this historic church. Is it near the Riverside Indian School Reservation? Since I don't see a river going thru Anadarko, I am curious how the reservation got this name.

[David Flick]

[Haruo]

Just a note to say that the pastor specifically mentioned "an American Indian Baptist Church that lost its sanctuary and fellowship hall last week" in her pastoral prayer this morning at Fremont.

[David Flick]

[Chris]

That's a great map, David. It obviously is better than mine (Microsoft Streets and Maps 2008)

And The Washita is a famous river. Isn't there a country song or two that mentions it? Maybe in the Bob Wills, Merle Haggard, or Hank Williams song books?

[Ed Pettibone]

[ehart]

David, I'm praying as well.

I've been gone from the board dealing with my own life (including some downed trees and a high school graduation) and didn't know about the loss of the sanctuary till this past week when I received the Central Region Life.

You may remember that it was through a national White Cross faux pas involving Damon Smith's church and your White Cross associate's address that we met by phone.

Is there an update? How are they doing?

[David Flick]

[ehart]

Thanks for the update. I'll be sharing this with the local and association ABW.

[Haruo]

Belatedly, here is (dated June 9) on this topic.