Two years ago, Daniel Holbrook attended Kids Camp with questions about faith and sensed God calling him to salvation. Collin Coffee patiently answered his questions, and Daniel trusted Christ as Savior at camp. A few weeks ago, Daniel stepped forward after service and said, “I want to be baptized” publicly declaring his faith. He was baptized before the  church and his family this past Sunday. We celebrate this step of obedience and rejoice in God’s work in his life! “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31, ESV).

Our church made it a focus this last Sunday to engage our community with the love of Christ in a tangible way. Here are some highlights from our recent thanksgiving events.
 
Thanksgiving Baskets
This year, our church family came together to build and deliver Thanksgiving baskets to families in need, ensuring they could enjoy a traditional holiday meal. Here are some highlights:

• 8 families served (23 people in total)
• Volunteers included Bryan and Fay Glass, Virginia Glass, Patricia and Kyle Hicks, and Kaitlin and Andrew Hankins
• Stories of impact:
  • Fay was grateful to pray with a couple facing health and job challenges during the holidays.
  • Patricia delivered baskets to a family whose children were overjoyed to receive them.
  • Kaitlin prayed with a woman whose father was recently diagnosed with cancer.
  • Virginia encouraged an elderly couple facing health issues to spend time with family.

Each delivery was more than just a meal—it was an opportunity to share compassion, encouragement, and prayer. A special thank you to Kaitlin Hankins and her family for leading this event!

Thanksgiving Community Dinner: Welcoming Our Neighbors
Our Thanksgiving Community Dinner was a beautiful expression of hospitality and generosity:

• Over 30 people served in person
• 75+ meals delivered or provided to-go
• 1 full Thanksgiving meal donated to a family in need
• 20 turkeys donated (16 smoked by a dedicated volunteer!)
• 100+ people enjoyed a meal in our ministry center
• 30+ desserts donated
• 500 flyers handed out to invite our neighbors
• Almost every food item was donated with little spending needed!

We met new faces, including a couple looking to connect with the community and possibly find a church home. Many of our members volunteered and many guests asked how they could help, and the spirit of giving was truly contagious. Thank you to JT and Brittany Parsons for leading this event!

A Heart of Thankfulness
This season, our church not only provided meals but also shared love, prayer, and hope with our neighbors. Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and prayed. Our church lived out Colossians 3:12-15…

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Destiny Wilson recently came to faith in Jesus Christ with the help of her family and friends (Jacob and Katy Suskey). After some mentoring from the Suskey's, Destiny agreed to be obedient in believers baptism on November 2nd 2025 and was baptized by Jacob Suskey. At Destiny's baptism, the Great Commission was shared so that we would always remember our charge as believers to make disciples who make disciples.

I’ve always loved Autumn. The cooler weather signals a break from Oklahoma’s summer heat, families head outdoors again, and the holiday season begins to peek around the corner. There’s something about this time of year that feels refreshing and full of promise.

I often joke about my love for Autumn by pausing mid-stride and saying, “You hear that? Autumn is coming.” But behind the humor is a deeper truth: Autumn reminds me of change—something near and dear to my heart.

As the leaves turn and the air shifts, I’m reminded of the transformation Christ brings to the life of a believer. What was once dead is now alive. What was condemned is now redeemed. What was lost is now found. This isn’t just poetic language—it’s the reality of grace at work.

Our church is full of people who have experienced that change through Christ alone. And it’s not just a Sunday thing; it’s a daily joy lived out in community. Just last week, we had the privilege of sharing that joy with our neighbors during our Trunk-N-Treat festival. The turnout was incredible, and more importantly, every person who came was welcomed and loved by our members.

If you’re searching for a church where Christ is at the center, where disciples make disciples, and where transformation is more than a word—it’s a way of life—we’d love to meet you. Join us on Sundays or Wednesdays and see firsthand what God is doing in the lives of His people.

Autumn may be a season of change, but the greatest change is the one Christ brings. Come experience it with us. Check out some photos below!

This past Sunday, Charleigh Hobbs followed the Lord in obedience through believers baptism. For the past few years, Charleigh verbalized her belief and desire to follow Jesus to her parents. During this time, her parents helped her better understand her response to Christ and also what baptism means. Her father, Spencer, said that Charleigh had repeatedly said to her parents 'I want to be baptized!' showing a desire to be obedient and a passion to follow. Charleigh was baptized by Spencer who led our congregation in understanding and observing what baptism is.

Dear Calvary Baptist,
We want to take a moment to thank you for your faithful prayers and encouragement. Over these past months, our family has been through a season of transition and we are grateful for God’s steady hand guiding each step.

Recently, we completed our time of ministry in Nepal and have now relocated to Virginia for a short period of time (August 1-October 7). Here, we have the privilege of observing and serving new personnel who are preparing to be deployed across the world. It has been such a joy to encourage and walk alongside these new workers as they get ready to step into their callings.

Looking ahead, we are preparing for our next big move. On October 15th, our family will transition to Greece. We are excited for this new chapter and ask for your prayers as we make final preparations, say our goodbyes, and anticipate all that God has in store for us in this next assignment.

Please join us in praying for:

• Smooth final preparations before our move to Greece.
• Strength and encouragement for the new workers we are serving here in Virginia.
• God’s continued guidance and provision for our family in this season of transition.

We are so thankful to be supported by your prayers and your giving to Lottie Moon Christmas offering by such a loving church family. Your prayers and encouragement mean more than words can say.

With gratitude,
Nathan and Kari Shank (Hannah, Sam, Phoebe and Eli)

To learn more about the Lottie Moon Christmas offering and to also read about 100 years of faithful support of the Cooperative Program, follow this link.

After weeks of interviews and meetings, our Interim Pastor search team (members of this team include Martin Chumley, Brenda Searles, Joel Bell, Wes Shaffer and Adam Henderson) have agreed that Jon Willhite is the best candidate to bring before the church for consideration and affirmation.

Here is a quick bio of Jon and his ministry experience...

Jon Willhite, a passionate church planter, moved to Wellington, Colorado in January 2019 with his wife Tiffany and their children, following a commissioning by Calvary Inola. Drawing from his experience in launching a successful small business, Willhite recognized that both entrepreneurship and church planting are rooted in building authentic relationships. By September 2019, he began hosting small group gatherings in his home, which laid the foundation for StoneBridge Church. The church officially launched public weekly gatherings on January 17, 2021, and has since grown to include four groups meeting in four homes. Willhite emphasizes the importance of three core relationships—our connection with Christ, with fellow believers, and with the world—anchored in John 15:5. His vision was further shaped by a pivotal training hosted by Hope Church in Las Vegas, which aligned perfectly with the mission God had placed on his heart. Today, StoneBridge is part of a growing network of church plants across the western U.S., supported in part by the generous giving of Oklahoma Baptists through the Cooperative Program.

We are excited to bring such an excellent candidate, pastor and brother home to serve and lead for such a time as this. Jon will be preaching the next 2 Sundays (August 24th and 31st) in view of a call as our interim pastor here at Calvary. Come listen, be encouraged and get to know him more. At the conclusion of service on August 31st, we will hold a special called business meeting for the purpose to vote on Jon as our interim pastor.

Melody Gerrard (wife of Travis Gerrard) was baptized today among church members and her family. At her baptism, Acts 2:42-47 was read to remind ourselves that baptism not only adds to the body of believers but also reminds us of what Christ accomplished on the cross (to redeem the lost and unify the body of believers). Congratulate Melody when you see her next for being obedient to follow Christ in believers baptism!

Brooke and Timothy Bertelli (children of Billy Bertelli) are recent additions as members here at Calvary. On July 6th, both proclaimed before the church that Christ is Lord of their life through believers baptism. When you get a chance, take a moment to introduce yourself and encourage them in their faith as young believers in Christ.

Our church is continuing to move forward with the implementation of our new constitution (constitution and by-laws) and entering the next steps in the history of seeing Gods mission achieved in the community of Inola. Here are some key dates and information to be aware of in the next couple of months as it relates to the nomination and installation of additional Elders here at Calvary.

7/20/25: Communicate Needs/Begin accepting nominations
•In consultation with the Implementation team, our existing Elders (Adam Henderson and Wes Shaffer) have decided that we need 4 more elders to 1) satisfy our constitutional requirements and 2) provide more adequate care and oversight of the church. We are making a document available to you to help you better understand the requirements for an Elder.

8/3/25: Regular Business Meeting
•Before this meeting, you will have a chance to nominate elders in advance using an online form. See here: https://calvaryinola.com/resources
•At this regular business meeting, we will enjoy a potluck meal, celebrate how God is working in the life of the church and focus our time on new business.
•We will take a ballot vote at the business meeting for elder nominations. More information about this will be given at the meeting.
•Once we gather results, Adam and Wes will reach out to candidates and begin interviews and seeking Gods will.

8/24/25: Conclusion of Elder Interviews - We are budgeting 3 weeks to initially meet in person with Elder candidates but may conclude earlier.

9/28/25: Conclude initial observation of Elder Candidates
•We believe that it is critical to have as full of a picture as possible of a person's life when making decisions around whether someone is suited to be an Elder here at Calvary.
•During the month of September, Adam and Wes (along with a few members in good standing) will intentionally meet with and observe the life of these elder candidates. If you are interested in being one of these members, please reach out to Adam or Wes to learn more.
•At the conclusion of this observation period, the elders will make their final determinations on which Elders to move forward and bring before the church at our next business meeting (see below).

10/5/25: Regular Business Meeting
•This regular business meeting will focus on the life of the church, vote on our final elder candidates, and celebrate the addition of shepherds to the flock!
In all things, we want to make sure that you know what the plan is, help in the process and get excited about what God is doing for the care of His church. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Adam (918-724-2162) or Wes (417-529-3333).

Imagine stepping into a world where pixelated graphics meet powerful truths, where neon colors and nostalgic tunes set the stage for life-changing encounters. That was Falls Creek this year—a vibrant blend of retro fun and spiritual depth. The theme, Level Up, wasn’t just about video games and vintage vibes. It was a call to grow, to rise above, and to deepen our walk with Christ. With throwback hairstyles, '80s and '90s costumes, and even retro commercials, the atmosphere was electric.

Our guiding verse came from James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” This verse anchored our week, reminding us that true elevation comes through humility.

Each day, our students focused on a different Christian discipline—Sacrifice, Submission, Selflessness, and Surrender. These weren’t just words on a screen; they were lived out in small group discussions, worship sessions, and quiet moments of reflection. Four times a day, students were immersed in Scripture alongside 5,000 other teenagers, experiencing the power of God’s Word in community. The energy was contagious, the worship was powerful, and the conversations were real. Students asked hard questions, wrestled with truth, and encouraged one another in their faith.

Our adult volunteers were the heartbeat of the week. Kyle and Patricia Hicks, Andrew and Kaitlin Hankins, Allie Bynum, Stephanie Henderson, and our incredible cooks Nicole Flanagan and Hillary Hobbs led with love and energy. They guided students through devotionals, shared testimonies, and made sure everyone felt seen and supported. Camp pastor Shane Pruitt brought messages that were both convicting and encouraging, challenging students to take their faith seriously and to live it boldly.

Church, you were there too!  Even if you weren’t at Falls Creek, your went with us. From behind the scenes, you made this week possible:

• Travis Gerard donated his time and trailer to transport luggage.
• You donated 30 pounds of meat and a mountain of sweets when our cooks asked for help.
• You gave generously—above and beyond—to ensure every student could attend.

Your support wasn’t just logistical—it was spiritual. You prayed, you gave, and you showed up in ways that made a lasting impact.

Here’s the most exciting news: two students received Christ as their savior. That’s why we go. That’s why we serve. That’s why we give. On Monday, we reminded our students that while we’ll laugh, be silly, and make memories at Falls Creek, the real reason we’re at Falls Creek is to encounter the living God. To hear His name proclaimed, to be transformed by His Word, and to see the lost come to Christ. These moments are sacred. They’re the kind of moments that echo into eternity.
Want to relive the moments and get a taste of camp? Check out the photos and videos on our Facebook page for more stories and reflections from camp.

It is a busy and exciting time here at Calvary! Many things are happening this summer in the life of our church. Some of which are shaping and molding our church for current and future generations to continue to serve Him and magnify His glory among the nations. We want to provide you some updates of some major items that are in progress and coming up.

We want to make sure that you have the most up to date information for not only things that are happening around our family of faith but also to make sure you know about major events in the life of the church. We are going to use our church website and mobile app more and more for church communications as this allows us to more effectively communicate, reduce costs and minimize complexity in how we have previously communicated. Below is a list of areas you can expect to see communications and what types of information you will see in each:

• Calvary Blog: Our website has a blog that will be used to tell you about the life and happenings of our church. You can expect to see many of our announcements and communications here. /blog
• Calvary Mobile App: Our mobile app makes it easy to communicate regularly throughout the week using the Messages feature. To start seeing the benefits of this, download our mobile app from your app store (for either Android or Apple, search for 'Calvary Inola'). Once you install the app and sign in to the app, here is information on how to use the Message feature of the mobile app. https://tinyurl.com/yjfhfzjv
• Text Message: Our texting subscription limits the number of text messages we can send each month and also limits what we can send, we will start using text messages as a way to communicate urgent/timely items (such as church closings).
• Weekly Bulletin: We will still have paper bulletins each week but they will be slimmed down with minimal information and will direct you to our church website or mobile app for more complete information. This will mostly contain items for the current week (such as events coming up).

Our church voted to adopt a new constitution and set of by-laws (the 'Constitution') on June 29, 2025 by majority vote. We are beginning the implementation process of our new constitution. A Constitution Implementation Team has been formed to identify and prioritize elements of the new constitution (such as additional Elders, formation of standing ministry teams, adding additional deacons, etc.), prioritize and schedule those items as well as communicate progress to the church. This teams first meeting will be July 13. The members of this team are Chad Cook, Bob Sullivan, Martin Chumley, Joel Bell, Tom Landsaw, Wes Shaffer, Kim Jackman, Susan Hendrix and Adam Henderson. If you have questions around the implementation of the new constitution, please feel free to reach out to any of these team members.

We are so thankful for Pastor Collin’s time here at Calvary along with his leadership and care of the flock. With his departure, we are actively working to scope, identify and call an interim pastor until we find a full time lead pastor. We are working with Andy Taylor (our Oklahoma Baptists Regional Ministry Partner) to help shape and guide our churches efforts around searching for and calling an interim pastor. Know that as we make progress, we will communicate to the church our efforts and also obtain affirmation from the congregation per our new constitution. Please be praying for the man that God would call to serve here until we find a full time lead pastor.

The Personnel Team is finalizing the scope of the secretary position which will become available after July 10. If you are interested in applying, feel free to fill out our online Employment application (https://calvaryinola.com/employment-application). Please contact Martin Chumley if you have questions about the position.

The week is over. The team has finished its mission in New York City for now. We are home and ready to tell the tale. We were able to get one final snapshot with our brothers and sisters in NYC to memorialize what happened. Not fun games, not snack time, not sight seeing or eating REAL pizza. Instead, to memorialize what God had done. God gathered believers, God spoke to the hearts of children and adults alike. God placed a firm stand in a community surrounded in darkness. God continued to draw people to Him.
Thank you church family for sending your members on mission to NYC. Continue to pray for the Adamson's and that they would remain faithful and supported on mission.

"And he [Jesus] said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:19 (ESV)

Our team joined the Adamson's at the beach yesterday for a day of sand castle building, body surfing and rest. The beach was full of families enjoying the 4th of July. We were able to spend time with the Adamson's and also enjoy time together as a team.

The ocean is so big and powerful. Looking on to God's creation reminds me of places in scripture where we see Gods promises, majesty and love for His creation.

Psalm 103:12: as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Romans 8:38-39: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Of course, the whole reason we came to NYC anyways was to host VBS for New Song of Hope. Our last night of VBS went great! We sang songs of God's love for us, read scripture, played games and spoke about Jesus death, burial and resurrection and the hope we can have in Jesus Christ.

Oh, and we celebrated a special birthday. :)

1 more day left. Eager to see where God moves and how we can be a part. Keep praying for salvation among the nations here in NYC.

Sometimes during the day in the 'city that never sleeps', we get a chance to explore and see what makes New York unique and exciting. With a group of teenagers on our team, of course they wanted to visit a toy store, a candy store and a gift shop. We met a toy soldier who was eager to share a quick photo with us.

As we moved through the city, we also happened upon St Patrick's Cathedral near Rockefeller Center. We stopped in and got to learn more about our distant cousin (Catholicism) and see first hand how engrained the surrounding community was with this church. We also got to appreciate the beauty and architecture of the chapels within.

It's not all fun and games though in the city. The area that New Song of Hope operates from has a very high population of Islamic believing families. Within a 15 block radius of the Adamson's church, there are ~50 mosques, ranging in size. There is a large population also of Bengali (Bangladesh) living in the area. It's a stark truth that they are reminded of every day: many people still need to hear about the hope they can have in Jesus and know that whatever their scenario, they can call on the name of the Lord and be saved. Continue to pray for the Adamson's and their kingdom impact to a lost and dying world.
Stay tuned for our next update. 

Our church has had the privilege to participate with New Song of Hope in Jamaica, NY to do missions in New York City. Calvary sent a team to the Big Apple this past Saturday after the team spent most of the summer raising money, praying, training and preparing.

Our team immediately became immersed in the culture, hustle/bustle and vibrancy of the city as we hoped off the plane, on to buses, onto subways and into the city on our way to our home we were staying in. After a long day of travel, we arrived at our home and got some much-needed rest in preparation for worship in the morning at New Song Of Hope.

Sunday morning we woke up early and headed into the city to New Song Of Hope. On the bus ride, we encountered a woman named Jill. You could tell she had a rough life and was in the middle of a struggle by her speech and her appearance. We were able to share the good news of hope of Jesus with her, pray for her and help her with some physical needs. No opportunity wasted on a 45 minute bus ride each morning. When we got to the church, we reconnected with the Adamson‘s after being apart for a year. It was good to hear about how God has been growing their ministry and how they have remained faithful to his call on their lives to minister to the people of Jamaica, New York. Their worship service looks very much like ours at Calvary: worship through song, prayer, reading scripture and preaching the word.

That’s just day 1. Imagine what else God is going to accomplish while we’re here. Stay tuned for more updates soon. Continue to pray for the Adamson‘s, Jamaica and the people in their community.