OKLAHOMA PASTORS’ DECLARATION ON PUBLIC EDUCATION
The time has come for Pastors to speak positively about Oklahoma’s public school children, teachers, and administration. We pledge to take proactive initiatives that advance a constructive future for Oklahoma’s public school system.
While every family is free to choose the direction of their children’s education, we believe it is wrong to insinuate public schools are “atheist-based” and that parents should abandon public schools in favor of private alternatives.
We recognize that education improvement and reform is necessary in Oklahoma in order to properly fund and resource our teachers, schools, and students. We reject the false notion that schools are “failing” or not caring for our students. We urge a halt to the demonization of public schools and anti-public school rhetoric.
We believe a free public education is a moral good that is vital to our state’s well being and requires adequate investment to ensure thriving communities. We believe public school children are God’s children who deserve the nurture of a good society, the prospect for a good education and the equal opportunity for a good life.
We affirm the separation of church and state, which will keep public schools free from coercive pressure to promote any sectarian faith.
We recognize vouchers, ESAs, and privatization as an attempt to convert the free public education of the many into a marketplace of financial gain for the few. The proliferation of school choice programs is an attempt to redistribute public education resources from the most underfunded districts into the hands of private education profiteers. We call for an end to this profiteering of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable children.
We resolve to be committed to a just society. A just society will ensure that every child has an opportunity for a good education and that public schools have the resources necessary to provide such an opportunity, achieving the highest standards possible.
We, the undersigned, pledge therefore to,
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pray for public schools;
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show our support for public schools through worship services that affirm all school-related personnel;
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advocate for a high wall of separation between church and state that is critical to good public education;
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pursue a just society that benefits every child;
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challenge religious voices who demonize public education; and
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share this letter with others.
SIGN THE DECLARATION
Oklahoma Pastors/Clergy:
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Rev. Clark Frailey
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Rev. R. Mitch Randall, D.Min.
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Rev. Todd Littleton, D.Min.
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Rev. Dr. Kent Berghuis
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Brad Berryhill, Youth Pastor
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Dr. Edith Guffey
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Pastor Drew Swadley
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Rev. P. Aaron Bolerjack
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Rev. Chris Moore
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Rev. Brian Warfield
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Rev. Tiffany Nagel Monroe
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Rev. Kathy Brown
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Rev. Brian Warfield
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Rev. Scott Spencer
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Rev. Kayla Bonewell
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Rev. Marla Lobo
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Rev. Rich Lubbers
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Father Tom Dahlman
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Pastor Scott McLaughlin
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Rev. Anne Clement
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Rev. Michaele LaVinge
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Rev. Roy Joe Ham
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Rev. Jennifer Grantham
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Father Henry Roberson
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Rev. Jeffrey Corson
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Rev. Michael Davison
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Rev. Jenny Wynn
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Rev. Leslie Dotson
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Dr. B. Josef Thomas
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Rev. Kirt Moelling
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Rev. Stephen Carl
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Rev. Nathan Mills
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Rev. Susan Whitley
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Rev. Jessica Maynard
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Pastor Michael Facundo
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Rev. James Hunt
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Rev. Christy Germany
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Rev. Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend
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Rev. Tobin Jackson
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Rev. David Wheeler
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Rev. Shannon Rodenberg
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Rev. April Coates
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Rev. Doug Serven
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Dr. Dan Eischen
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Dr. Bruce Prescott
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Rev. Jack Ballinger
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Bryan Partridge, St. Minister
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Darryl DeBorde, Minister
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Rev. Mark Rickman
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Chaplain Susan Stephenson
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Dr. Randy Ridenour
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Dr. Steve Dominy
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Rev. Jonathan Watt
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Rev. Dr. Jarrett Banks
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Dr. Steve Dominy
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Rev. Jennifer Long
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Rev. David Spain
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Rev. Don Heath
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Rev. Loyd N Dunaway
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Rev. Susan Marks
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Pastor Kevin Sutton
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Kent Epling, Youth Minister
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Pastor David Burgess
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Pastor Justin Dunn
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Pastor Michelle Castle
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Rev. Alan Nagel
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Rev. Lori Walke
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Rev. Andrew Shelton
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Rev. John Bain
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Rev. Dr. Debi Powell-Maxwell
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Rev. Julia Jordan Gillett
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Rev. Tim Blodgett
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Rev. Dr. Jason Haddox
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Pastor Dewayne Davis
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Rev. Dr. JD Ward
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Rev. John Malget
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Rev. Rick Anthony
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Rev. Charles King
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Rev. Bob Younts
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Rev. Tracy Evans
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Rev. Aaron Krueger
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Rev. Jen Logsdon-Kellogg
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Rev. Desi Sharp
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Pastor Rick Anthony
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Rev. Josh Wright
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Rev. Andrew Long
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Pastor Gabriel Pennington
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Rev. John Langille-Hoppe
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Pastor Jenny Archer
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Pastor Julian Rodriguez
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Pastor Dana Olson
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Pastor Scott Olson
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Rev. Jessica Dixon
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Rev. Emily Robnett
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Pastor Chris Perrey
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Pastor Chad Kaminski
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Rev. Dr. JD Ward
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Dr. Bob Searl
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Rev. Bruce Davis
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Rev. Susan Whitley
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Rev. Kim Morrison
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Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel
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Rev. Kate Hogue
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Rev. April Coates
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Rev. Randy Mitchell
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Pastor Johnny Beckham
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Evangelist Belinda Mason
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Pastor Rick Goodman
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Pastor Katy Goodman
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Rev. Trey Witzel
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Rev. Dr. Joe Kendrick
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Rev. Shannon Fleck
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Rev. Olivia Lane
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Rev. James Blagg
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Rev. Jason Rowinski
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Rev. Kelly Becker
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Chaplain Laura Woods
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Rev. Gary Siebert
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Pastor Phillip Gregg
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Kenyatta Wright
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Rev. Kris Mayberry
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Rev. Billy Harding
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Rev. Kyle Clark
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Rev. Dylan Ward
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Pastor Billy Harding
- Father Everett Lees
- Rev. Kyle Lee Tubbs
- Tyler Grant
- Rev. Ruth Atterberry
- Ms. Marilynn Knott (Ret. Christian Church Minister)
- Pastor Terrence L. Marshall
- Rev. Jon Middendorf
Friends of Oklahoma Pastors:
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Autumn Lockett, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Sheryl Frailey, Coffee Creek Church (Edmond, OK)
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Daniel Manuel, Trinity Baptist Church (Ada, OK)
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Sandra Looper, Baptist
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Larry Stevens, D.Min., Spring Creek Baptist Church (OKC, OK)
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Rajeania Runyon, Church of Christ
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Tammie Phanson, Western Hills Church of Christ (OKC, OK)
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Kristen Huffty, North Church (Oklahoma City, OK)
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Dorinda Mayhue, Spring Creek Baptist Church (Oklahoma City, OK)
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Ava Wilhelm, Westmoore Community Church (Oklahoma City, OK)
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Lori Stevens, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)|
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Ria Huckeby, First Baptist Church (Ada, OK)
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Michelle Boykin, The Salvation Army (Oklahoma City, OK)
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Lynn McNeill, First Baptist Church (Ada, OK)
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Condy Byrd, H2O Church (Ada, OK)
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Sheri Ridenour, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Sister Patty Metts, Baptist
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Linda Skaggs, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Thresa Swadley, University Baptist Church (Shawnee, OK)
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Sherri Thompson, University Baptist Church (Shawnee, OK)
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Joshua Lockett, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Janie Helm, Kirk of the Hills (Tulsa, OK)
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Marsha Stark, Church on the Move (Broken Arrow, OK)
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Kay Leslie, Faith UMC (Broken Arrow, OK)
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Jennifer Randall, First Baptist Church (Tulsa, OK)
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Lucia Frohling, Coffee Creek Church (Edmond, OK)
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Will McCutcheon, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Lori Wood, Southeast Baptist (Muskogee, OK)
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Dr. Nicole Taylor, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Lisa Raiber, First Baptist Church (Norman, OK)
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Cindy Rieger, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Debbie Skeel, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Wendy Frailey, Coffee Creek Church (Edmond, OK)
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Kim Anders, Bethel Baptist Church (Norman, OK)
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Scott Brown, Coffee Creek Church (Edmond, OK)
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Dena Nason, Coffee Creek Church (Edmond, OK)
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Kimberley Schooler, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Pam Spain, First Christian Church (Norman, OK)
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Melissa Randall, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Leatrice Donaldson, Church of the Harvest (Edmond, OK)
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Yolanda Shelton, Integrity’s Voice of Victory (Warr Acres, OK)
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Anita Cribley, United Methodist Church (Enid, OK)
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Phyllis Klugas, Newcastle United Methodist (Newcastle, OK)
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Michael Arrisontz, First Baptist Church (Oklahoma City, OK)
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Mary Harmon, Arrow Heights Baptist Church (Broken Arrow, OK)
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Mary Ray, First Baptist Church (Oklahoma City, OK)
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Jennifer Cox, University Baptist Church (Shawnee, OK)
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Dr. Cindy Brown, New Hope United Methodist (Oklahoma City, OK)
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William Huntington, St. Thomas More Catholic (Norman, OK)
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Shouna Brown, Coffee Creek Church (Edmond, OK)
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Joanie Abbott, NorthHaven Church (Norman, OK)
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Lamassick Cece, Evangelistic (OKC Metro)
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Sharon Willhite, First United Methodist (Broken Arrow, OK)
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Dave Willhite, First United Methodist (Broken Arrow, OK)
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Travis Carlson, First Christian Church DoC (Cyril, OK)
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Kim Moyer, (OKC Metro)
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Patricia Stephens, Mustang UMC (Mustang, OK)
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Deborah Friant, Spring Creek Baptist Church (Oklahoma City, OK)
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Risa Pierce, Wildwood Community Church (Norman, OK)
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Joe Ann Vermillion, Canadian United Methodist (Canadian, OK)
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Teresa Capps, BridgeView United Methodist (Norman, OK)
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Kelly Nix
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Dr. Wesley Fryer, First Presbyterian Church (Edmond, OK)
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Sherri Malget, First Christian Church (Oklahoma City, OK)
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Amie Fowler, Southern Hills Baptist Church (OKC, OK)
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Mary Littleton, Snow Hill Baptist Church (Tuttle, OK)
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Ashley Arnold, Coffee Creek Church (Edmond, OK)
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Steve Reese, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (Shawnee, OK)
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Nash Carey, Connecting Point Presbyterian Church (OKC)
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Sandra Looper, Trinity Baptist
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John Waldron, Church of the Madalene (Tulsa, OK)
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Jennifer Crum, First United Methodist (Claremore, OK)
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Rob Carmichael, Crossings Community Church (OKC)
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Michael Cobb, Landmark Missionary Baptist (NE OK)
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George Harris, Methodist (NE OK)
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Kao Laizure, Goodrich United Methodist (Norman, OK)
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Dana McConnell, First UMC (Owasso, OK)
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Robim Combd, UMC (OKC Metro)
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Glenda Thomason, First Baptist Church (SE OK)
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Stephanie King, Asbury UMC (Tulsa, OK)
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Debbie Kerr, Yale Avenue Presbyterian Church (Tulsa, OK)
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Claudia Sweger, South Community Church (Tulsa, OK)
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Sandra Dee, Christ the King Church (Tulsa, OK)
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Staci Hunt, First Baptist Church (Piedmont, OK)
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Darla Larza, First Baptist Church (Blanchard, OK)
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Micah Groves, Cooperating Baptist Fellowship (Oklahoma)
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Chelsea Cox, First Baptist Church (Bixby, Oklahoma)
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Christina Corry, Choctaw UMC (Choctaw, Oklahoma)
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Scott Wasson, Genesis Church (Moore, Oklahoma)
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Alex Otalora, Snowhill Baptist Church (Tuttle, Oklahoma)
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JJ Burnam, All Souls Unitarian Church (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
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Dr. Savannah Stumph, (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
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Bonnie Rogers, Redemption Church (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
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Wendy Pratt, (SW Oklahoma)
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Monica Whiteley, Kirk Crossing (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
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Stephanie Ryker, Newspring Family Church (Jenks, Oklahoma)
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Sandy Skinner, Home Church (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
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Robin Combs, UMC (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
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Rebecca Rowton, Victory Family Church (Norman, Oklahoma)
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Denise Brewer, St. Marys (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
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Joe Harwell, (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
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Patt Curtin, First United Methodist (Watonga, Oklahoma)
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Bambi Rogers, (Edmond, Oklahoma)
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Lloyd Snow, Olivet (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
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Stephanie Roesler, Discover Church (Noble, Oklahoma)
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Lori Laub, Green Country Friends Meeting (Quakers)
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Sherri Brown, First United Methodist (Edmond, Oklahoma)
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Dale Spradlin, First Baptist Church (Buffalo, Oklahoma)
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Erin Brewer, Skyline Church (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
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Janel Manuel, Trinity Baptist Church (Ada, Oklahoma)
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Lacy Kendrick, Spring Creek Baptist Church (OKC, Oklahoma)
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Dr. John Harris, (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
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Katrinka Greear, (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
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Michael Linder, Baptist (Southeastern Oklahoma)
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Chrystalynn Sanchez, Nazarene (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
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Mary Eastman, St. Charles (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
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Carrie Nault, Northwest Baptist Church (Ardmore, Oklahoma)
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Lynda Hardwick, UCC Seeker Church (Norman, Oklahoma)
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Krystal Bonsall, OKC Metro
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Emilie Tindle, Stillwater, Oklahoma
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Lesli Barrett, H20 Church, (Ada, Oklahoma)
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Lynnwood Moore, Christ United Methodist (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
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Glenda Knight, Trinity Methodist (Muldrow, Oklahoma)
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Tammy Voegeli, First Baptist Church (Chickasha, Oklahoma)
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Robin Roberts
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Michelle Jones, OKC Metro
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Teresa Gayman, Coffee Creek Church (Edmond, Oklahoma)
- Mary Boren, First Christian Church, OKC Metro
- Pam Merrill, First Christian Church, OKC Metro
- Susan Spradlin, First Baptist Church (Wagoner, Oklahoma)
- Lea Burke, Adams Blvd Church of Christ (Bartlesville, Oklahoma)
- Teresa Barnhart, Oasis Center Church, OKC Metro
- Dr. Michelle Powers, Crossings Community Church, OKC Metro
- Russell Casement, Northeast OK
- Linda Ashton, St. Stephens, (Norman, Oklahoma)
- Dr. Kirby Lehman, (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
- Ros Elder, All Souls Unitarian, (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
- Barbara Lovell, Oklahoma City
- Dana Pitman, Crossway First Baptist, (Sulphur, Oklahoma)
- Cathy Battles, Oklahoma City
- Melissa Green, First Christian Church, (Norman, Oklahoma)
- Rosemary Stephens, (Minco, Oklahoma)
- Christy Chesnut Levine (Hope Unitarian Church, Tulsa)
- Dr. Naomi Poindexter (Transformation Church, Tulsa)
- Elaine Warner (First Christian Church, Edmond)
- Claudia Swisher, Norman, Oklahoma
- Kimberly Ragsdale, Snow Hill Baptist (Tuttle, Oklahoma)
- Emily Clark, Heritage Presbyterian Church (Edmond, Oklahoma)
- Sharon Hulsey, Chandler, Oklahoma
- Charissa Cothran, Coffee Creek Church (Cashion, Oklahoma)
- Anne Buvinger, Trinity Christian Church (Edmond, Oklahoma)
- Diana Winslow MSW, ACSW, Episcopal/UMC (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
- Paula J Willis, First Christian Church (Norman, Oklahoma)
- Lisa Kirk, Asbury UMC (Bixby, Oklahoma)
- Kyra Jones Swift, Muskogee