Oklahoma Disciples Foundation

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.

04/18/2026

When Plans Don’t Match - 4/18/2026

Some assets, such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and certain financial accounts, are distributed based on beneficiary designations. Those designations determine how the asset is distributed, regardless of what is written in a will.

These designations are often completed when an account is first opened, and they are easily overlooked as life changes. This can create situations where a plan that seemed clear on paper does not fully align in practice.

For example, a beneficiary designation made years ago may no longer reflect current relationships or priorities. If it has not been reviewed or updated, it may direct resources in a way that no longer aligns with its intended purpose.

An annual review of beneficiary designations is important to ensure your wishes are carried out as intended.

We are here to help with these questions. For specific decisions, we encourage you to consult a qualified attorney or financial advisor, or we would be glad to connect you with someone if needed. Visit our Legacy website to learn more about Beneficiary Designations.

If you still have questions, give us a call.

04/11/2026

Why We Value Conversations More Than Decisions

Many decisions surrounding finances, planning, and legacy are significant. Everyone wants to have clear answers and a sense of direction, especially when thinking about the future.

At the same time, not every decision needs to be made all at once.

The most meaningful decisions are shaped over time and through conversation. They come from listening, asking questions, and allowing space to reflect on what matters most.

What is right for you may not be right for me or others. There is not a typical set of recommendations or solutions.

Our role is to provide clear and accurate information and tools so individuals can understand their legacy options, consider what is most meaningful to them, and make decisions in their own time.

It is important that this work be done without any personal incentive tied to the outcome. Our conversations remain focused on what is best for the individual, not on achieving a particular result.

There is value in taking time to understand your options and consider what aligns with your values and priorities. That kind of clarity comes from thoughtful reflection and honest conversation.

If you ever find yourself wanting to talk through these kinds of questions, we would be glad to visit with you. No decisions are required, just a conversation.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter, OKC! Easter is a day of resurrection, redemption and new life. May your Easter bring celebration and renewal!

(Pictured is the steeple of what is likely the oldest church in the city limits of OKC - West Point Christian Church in far Southwest Oklahoma City on Richland Road, built in 1899.)