Oklahoma Ordinations

OKLAHOMA CITY – Four of Oklahoma’s pastors have been ordained this quarter. Dominick Alipoon, TJ Sands, Nathan Shires and Mang Lian have devoted themselves to the service of their faith and community, and the ordination was a special occasion to recognize the call God has placed on their lives publicly.

Dominick Alipoon is passionate about the beauty of God and has spent his time in Oklahoma helping others see God more clearly. Alipoon was ordained in the Bartlesville Seventh-day Adventist Church on Nov. 19. Bill Kilgore gave the main sermon titled “Getting Dumped On.” The Holy Spirit certainly works among His servants. Alipoon and his family were prayed over and blessed by all who attended.

TJ Sands simply cannot keep quiet about God’s love, and he strives daily to spread the Gospel message of hope, healing and wholeness in the Oklahoma Conference. Sands was ordained in the Edmond Seventh-day Adventist Church on Dec. 10. Southwestern Union President Carlos Craig delivered the main sermon. Sands and his wife, Sarah, were prayed over by the Oklahoma Conference administration and received abundant blessings and encouragement from all those present. 

Nathan Shires was ordained on Dec. 3. All three of his churches (Claremore, Broken Arrow and Revelation), were represented at his ordination ceremony, which was held at the Claremore Seventh-day Adventist Church. Southwestern Union Executive Secretary Stephen E. Brooks shared an inspiring sermon, and the Oklahoma Conference President James Shires shared some personal details and gave a pastoral charge to Shires and his wife, Gurpreet. With the laying on of hands, Shires and Gurpreet were prayed over petitioning the blessing of God, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the divine credentials to ordain them for continued success in ministry. 

Mang Lian is a humble man with a strong faith. The Guymon Seventh-day Adventist Church was so happy to celebrate their pastor on the day of his ordination. On the evening of Nov. 16, they started off the celebration with a meal followed by a lovely service ordaining Lian and dedicating his family to the work of sharing Jesus with all. John Moyer, who was the conference president that called Lian into the ministry, gave the ordination prayer encouraging Lian to continue the work he had started.

The four men have been an inspiration to those around them, and their ordination is an example of dedication to faith and service. They have devoted their lives to helping others, and they will continue to be shining lights in their homes, churches and local communities.