OKLAHOMA CITY – The International Pentecostal Holiness Church has named Mr. Charles Henry Johnson the 2008 National Children’s Pastor of the Year.  Johnson has served as the children’s pastor of  Springs of Praise World Outreach Center in Crystal Springs, MS for 33 years.

Johnson has taught three generations of families in children’s church.  During his 33 years as a children’s pastor, he has never received or asked for a salary.  

“It is an amazing feat to have filled this position for so many years and still be able to maintain a fresh new approach to the children’s ministry,” said Rev. Darrel Blankenship, senior pastor of Springs of Praise. “This man certainly deserves any accolades that our denomination could give him.”

Johnson moved to the Crystal Springs area in 1975 and soon began working in children’s ministry.  He provides training opportunities for children’s church volunteers throughout the year, including a trip to Willie George Ministries in Tulsa, Okla.

Johnson is also trained in puppetry and is a self- taught illusionist.  He incorporates magic tricks and puppets into his weekly lessons.

“What stands out to me is that his passion never fades,” said Sylvia Langford, who attends Springs of Praise.  “Sunday after Sunday, month after month, year after year he continues to be passionate about teaching our children the word of God.” 

The church honored Johnson with “Charles Johnson Day” on Oct. 26.  Ms. Elaine Wood, the IPHC national children’s director, presented Johnson with a $1000 check and an award.  The church also gave Johnson a $1000 matching check to thank him for his many years of selfless service.

Link: http://oklahomatellers.blogspot.com/2008/09/nw-okc-tellabration-slated.html

Contact: Marilyn Hudson
Director of Library Services
Southwestern Christian University
405.789.7661 ext. 3451
marilyn.hudson@swcu.edu

Southwestern Christian University will host “Tellabration: A Night of Wonder-Filled Stories” at 7 p.m. Nov. 22. The event will take place in Minchew Auditorium, located at 7210 NW 39th Expressway in Bethany.  

Tellabration is an internationally celebrated emphasis on storytelling held each November. SCU is partnering with Territory Tellers, the state storytelling organization, to host Oklahoma City's only Tellabration.

Proceeds from the event will support a student mission trip to Africa in January.

“Southwestern is truly excited to be hosting this unique event that will be a delight to everyone who attends,” said Marilyn Hudson, director of library services at SCU. “It will also be such a support to students involved in the school’s mission program.”  

“Tellabration” will feature local storytellers Kathryn Thurman, Molly Lemmons, Chester Weems, and Marilyn Hudson.

All are welcome to attend.  The cost is $5 per person or $3 with a current student ID from any area school. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Marilyn Hudson at 405.789.7661 ext. 3451 or marilyn.hudson@swcu.edu. For a list of other storytelling events in the state, visit the Territory Tellers website.

Six-time world champion Clay Millican will be sporting a new car on the track this year. Millican will drive the new Hope4Sudan dragster to promote the nonprofit's mission. 

Millican will compete in the NHRA Mac Tools US Nationals, which will take place August 27- September 1 in Indianapolis.  This annual competition is drag racing's biggest event of the year and will air four time on ESPN2. 

Millican is a 6-time IHRA Top Fuel World Champion (2001-2006), as well as a “hometown” hero who cut his drag-racing teeth at Memphis Motorsports Park.  He will now bring his 330 mph dragster to the NHRA circuit, where he hopes to add several more championships to his collection. 

Millican's team owner is Tennessee-based MPE Motorsports. MPE is making a bold step to help bring public awareness for the plight of Sudan to the race fan community.

Hope4Sudan is a nonprofit organization that is working to provide humanitarian assistance to the millions of displaced people in Sudan.  They construct churches, schools, medical clinics,and deep water wells.  The organization also partners with other humanitarian relief organizations to offer feeding and educational assistance to Sudanese orphans.

To learn more about Hope4Sudan, visit their website or email info@hope4sudan.org.

OKLAHOMA CITY – CrossRoads Church will host its first Free Camp August 8-10 at 5201 Courthouse Road in Prince George, Va. Free Camp seeks to break racial, social and economic barriers by offering a summer camp experience to children ages 8-12. There is no cost for any child to attend.

Free Camp began eighteen years ago at Christian Heritage Church in Amarillo, Texas.  The camp has been a tremendous success, drawing children from all backgrounds. This year, Christian Heritage's senior pastor, Rev. Gary Burd, is working with other churches to offer Free Camps nationwide.

“We were sending our kids who were raised in church to a camp that cost a lot of money, but the kids we were busing in didn’t get to go to a church camp,” said Rev. Burd.  “So we decided at that point that we would have a free youth camp, and that’s exactly what we did.”

The camp focuses on building up each child’s self-esteem through activities that promote positive attitudes, character, and setting a good example.  Every activity is designed to “level the playing field” so children are not aware of athletic, intellectual, racial or social differences. 

“Everything that goes on in this camp is about building the individual,” said Rev. Burd.

The camp has enjoyed tremendous success since its start in 1990.  This year, approximately 375 people attended the camp in Amarillo. 

Christian Heritage Church also hosted a free camp in Phoenix, Az in July.

Christian Heritage Church andCrossroads Church are part of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.  Rev. Burd also serves as the Director of Mission: M25, which reaches out to nontraditional groups such as bikers and the homeless.

For more information or to register for the camp, contact Rev. Kevin McBride, senior pastor of Crossroads Church, at 804.733.8876.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) is planning what may be the largest community outreach in Daytona Beach’s history. The event will take place during Youth Quest, an annual teen conference held July 21-24 at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Avenue, and the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 Atlantic Avenue.

“These are turbulent times, so we plan on being a cool and refreshing opportunity for the Daytona Beach area,” said Rev. Charles Boyd, IPHC National Youth Ministries Director. “Many groups come into the area to party, but we want to give back. We plan to bring a service mentality.”

On Thursday, July 24, a projected 1500 teens and their sponsors will participate in two projects. Some will pass out free bottled water to beachgoers. Others will visit local restaurants to offer free cleaning services.

The outreach will conclude with a free community service at 7:30 p.m. in the Ocean Center. Bill Wilson, founder of Metro Ministries, will speak. Wilson’s non-profit organization reaches 23,000 children in New York’s inner city each week.

Youth Quest is hosted by Church Education Ministries, a ministry of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Youth Quest encourages teens to use their talents to make a positive impact in their communities and schools. The four-day conference includes talent competitions, ministry and leadership training, and a Christian concert in addition to the outreach project.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Mégan Miles at mmiles@iphc.org or 405.787.7110 ext. 3108.