Oklahoma Disciples Foundation

06/20/2026

Over the past several weeks, we have highlighted ministries supported by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Grants Program. From a community pantry in Oklahoma City to a visitation ministry in Stillwater, each story offers a glimpse into how congregations serve their communities.

While these ministries are different, they share something in common: they are made possible, in part, through gifts entrusted to ODF.

This year's grant recipients include food pantries, blessing boxes, breakfast ministries, senior programs, caregiver support initiatives, youth ministries and camps, and community gathering programs. All are committed to caring for neighbors, building relationships, and strengthening communities across Oklahoma.

Every endowment has its own story with a common purpose: creating resources for ministry that endure year after year. Through ODF annual distributions and our grants program, those gifts become meals for families, visits to homebound members, opportunities for young people, and support for congregations seeking new ways to serve.

While some grant recipients focus on meeting immediate needs, others invest in the future by helping children and youth grow in faith, leadership, and service. In just over three months, applications for the 2027 ODF Grants Program will open, and we look forward to learning about the next generation of ministries supported by the generosity of individuals, families, and congregations who have chosen to create a lasting legacy.

This is what ministry looks like.

To learn more about ODF endowments and the ministries they support, visit our endowments page.

Next week, we'll continue our "This Is What Ministry Looks Like" series by highlighting ministries that invest in the next generation through camps, leadership development, and faith formation opportunities for children and youth.

Tax-deductible endowment contributions, large or small, are combined into the Named Endowments pool. It is invested to provide maximum earnings, while protecting the principal against inflation. The pool has grown to over $43MM since the inception of the Foundation. Earnings are allocated to each fu...

06/13/2026

This Is What Ministry Looks Like: Communion, Conversation, and Flowers

Throughout the summer, we are highlighting ministries supported by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Grants Program. While each ministry is unique, together they tell a larger story about how congregations across Oklahoma serve their communities. We call this series “This Is What Ministry Looks Like.”

At First Christian Church in Stillwater, ministry often arrives with a prayer, a conversation, and sometimes a small bouquet of flowers.

Through its Grace Delivered ministry, church members bring communion to those who can no longer attend worship regularly. They visit members at home, in assisted living communities, and in hospitals, sharing prayer, conversation, and news from the church family. Thanks in part to an ODF grant, volunteers have also begun delivering small floral arrangements that bring beauty and encouragement.

Among those served are longtime Disciples whose lives have been shaped by decades of faith and service. Recipients such as JoAnn Seamans (pictured above with Teresa Brown, Grace Delivered Volunteer) and Patti Jobe (not pictured) value staying connected to their church family through these regular visits. What begins with communion often turns into conversation, shared memories, laughter, and encouragement.

Across Oklahoma, congregations supported in part by the ODF Grants Program are finding creative ways to care for their neighbors. Some provide meals, operate food pantries, or offer blessing boxes. Others, like Grace Delivered, focus on maintaining relationships and reminding people they are not forgotten.

This is what ministry looks like.

Ministries like these are made possible through the generosity of individuals, families, and congregations who choose to invest in lasting ministry through ODF endowments. To learn more, visit our endowments page at https://okdfdn.org/our-mission/named-endowments/.

06/06/2026

This Is What Ministry Looks Like: A Prayer in Motion

Throughout the summer, we will highlight ministries supported by the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Grants Program. While each ministry is unique, together they tell a larger story about how congregations across Oklahoma serve their communities. We are calling this series, “This Is What Ministry Looks Like.”

At Crown Heights Christian Church in Oklahoma City, ministry takes the shape of a pantry.

The ministry began with a church member who had a heart for helping others. After her passing, a small pantry beside a mural honoring her memory continued to serve neighbors in need. Families facing food insecurity stopped by for a few groceries at the end of the month. Unhoused individuals might find crackers, tuna packets, or a pair of socks.

As the need grew, so did the ministry. This year, a grant from the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation helped fund a larger, more durable pantry with extra space for food, hygiene products, and other essentials. Church members now support the ministry through a monthly “Pack the Pantry” effort, bringing food and supplies to share with neighbors.

Crown Heights is not alone in this work. Across Oklahoma, congregations supported through the ODF Grants Program are operating blessing boxes, food pantries, meal programs, and other ministries that provide practical care for neighbors facing food insecurity. While each ministry looks a little different, they share a common commitment to meeting people where they are with dignity and compassion.

A member of Crown Heights recently described the ministry as “a prayer in motion.” That feels exactly right. What began with one caring person, a small pantry, and a generous congregation continues to bring food, hope, and encouragement to people who need it most.

This is what ministry looks like.

Ministries like these are made possible through the generosity of individuals, families, and congregations who choose to invest in lasting ministry through ODF endowments. To learn more, visit our endowments page.

05/30/2026

Cultivating Community

At Central Christian Church in Enid, ministry is taking shape in a garden.

This year, the church received funding through the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Grants Program for programs focused on senior adults, wellness, and community connection. One recent seminar invited participants to explore gardening, healthy living, and the benefits of staying active and engaged in community life.

The program reflects a growing understanding among many Oklahoma congregations that ministry is not only about worship services or events. It is also about creating places where people experience belonging, purpose, friendship, and care.

This is what ministry looks like: churches finding practical and relational ways to support the well-being of their communities.

Across the 2026 grant cycle, senior adult ministries remained one of the strongest themes in applications submitted to the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation. Congregations across the state are investing in ministries that support wellness, connection, caregiving, mobility, and active community life.

Ministries like these are made possible through the generosity of individuals, families, and congregations who choose to invest in lasting ministry through ODF endowments. To learn more, visit our website at

Let’s Change Lives Together What will your legacy be? Carry into the future the mission and ministries that have been important to you your whole lives. Ways to Give How We Help The mission of the Foundation is Supporting Disciple missions in Christ’s community.  Supporting caregivers with ad...

05/23/2026

Every Wednesday morning during the school year, New Covenant Christian Church in Oklahoma City opens its doors to students from neighboring Putnam City North High School for “Breakfast Before the Bell.” The program provides a warm breakfast, caring adults, and a welcoming space before the school day begins.

During a recent visit, one thing stood out immediately: the students looked comfortable walking into the building, as though they truly belonged there. Volunteers greeted many of them by name, carried on conversations, and created a welcoming environment that felt natural and genuine. The students, in turn, were respectful, appreciative, and clearly grateful for the breakfast being served.

This is what ministry looks like: people showing up week after week to create a place of welcome, care, and community for their neighbors.

The ministry serves an average of 70 students each week and operates on a weekly budget of approximately $100–$150. This year, the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Grants Program awarded $2,000 to help sustain the program through funding provided by the Children, Youth, and Young Adults Grants Endowment at ODF.

Established through the generosity of anonymous donors, that endowment provided more than $25,000 in grant funding this year alone, supporting ministries across Oklahoma. It is a reminder that legacy gifts continue to serve long after they are created, often in simple but meaningful ways.

As we observe “Leave a Legacy Month,” we give thanks for those whose generosity continues to shape lives and strengthen ministries across our communities.

05/16/2026

Much of the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation’s work exists today because of individuals and congregations who chose to think beyond a single generation.

One example is the Howard Operating Endowment, which is the Foundation's primary source of operational funding. Because of this legacy gift, ODF has been able to serve at the intersection of congregations, donors, and ministries for many years.

Today, the Foundation manages over 110 endowments established by churches, families, and individuals throughout Oklahoma. These funds support scholarships, grants, outreach ministries, congregational life, and other areas of Christian service.

Each endowment reflects a lasting commitment to ministry beyond a single moment or season. Together, they embody generations of faithful stewardship and a shared belief that ministry should endure well into the future.

As we observe “Leave a Legacy Month,” we give thanks for those whose generosity continues to shape and sustain ministry through the Foundation’s work.

To learn more about endowments and other legacy giving opportunities, visit odflegacy.org.

You can leave a legacy to perpetually support the causes you love with an endowment gift. An endowment is a fund you can create now or in the future to achieve the impact you desire. The income earned on your endowment will provide lasting annual support to your charitable causes.

05/09/2026

A Gift That Gives Back

Some charitable gifts are designed to support both the ministries you care about and your own financial planning. One example is a Charitable Gift Annuity.

A charitable gift annuity allows a donor to make a gift to support ministry while receiving fixed payments for life. Those payments can begin this year or at a later date. The gift may be funded with cash or appreciated property, and payment rates are generally based on age.

For some individuals, a charitable gift annuity offers a way to support the Church's future work while also creating a dependable stream of income. After the lifetime payments are completed, the remaining funds continue to support the ministries and programs designated by the donor.

Like many aspects of charitable planning, this approach is not right for everyone, but it is one of several tools available to those seeking to align generosity with long-term planning. As we observe “Leave a Legacy Month,” we will highlight several other ways individuals support ministry for future generations.

You can learn more about charitable gift annuities and other planned giving options by visiting our website at

This site is informational and educational in nature. It is not offering professional tax, legal, or accounting advice. For specific advice about the effect of any planning concept on your tax or financial situation or with your estate, please consult a qualified professional advisor.

05/03/2026

I so love this! This Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, Inc. theme song was “AI” generated and modified and approved by staff. It says who we are and what we do in such a charming and catchy song/melody. We are the hands and feet along with Oklahoma Disciples (CCIO) Churches in Oklahoma — making Giving into Glory! It is our mission and our passion. Thanks to our longtime co-worker, mentor and fellow technology embracer for being the guiding force behind this amazing song about who we are and what we do!

05/02/2026

A Thoughtful Approach to Artificial Intelligence

This week, the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation met and approved a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Policy. As AI tools become more common, this policy provides clear guidance for how they are used in ways that reflect our values, responsibilities, and commitment to trust.

The policy affirms a simple principle: AI can assist our work, but it does not replace human judgment, thought, and interaction. All AI-supported work is reviewed, verified, and approved by staff, ensuring that accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality remain central to everything we do.

We are already using AI in practical ways. It can assist with drafting communications, including this weekly newsletter, summarizing information, and supporting day-to-day work. For example, reading through previous board meeting minutes to find when fee or policy changes were approved by the board has been significantly automated with the assistance of AI. We are now able to search for specific data in just a few minutes.

One interesting and fun way we have recently used AI is in the development of a theme song for ODF (https://okdfdn.org/odf-theme-song/). While these tools may be used to enhance our work, you can be assured that real humans are overseeing all aspects of our work with care and transparency.

As new technologies emerge, we will explore the available tools to assist us in more efficient operations that continue to support our mission and strengthen the trust placed in us.

04/25/2026

How a Gift Continues to Serve

When a gift is made to the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, it is often intended to do more than meet a need in a single moment. Many donors choose to create endowments so their generosity can support ministry over time.

An endowment is structured so that the principal is invested and a portion of the earnings is distributed each year. This preserves the original gift while providing annual funding for ministries, congregations, and programs, including the ODF Grants Program, in line with the Foundation’s spending policy.

This week, we were honored to establish a new endowment created by an anonymous donor. This fund will support early childhood and primary education programs through future grant distributions. While the gift is made today, its impact will continue for years.

This is how many of the ministries we support are sustained. Gifts given in one season continue to serve in the next, strengthening churches, supporting communities, and extending care in ways that reach far beyond a single moment.

If you would like to learn more about how an endowment works, we would be glad to visit with you.