The Pivot

The New Normal of Voice of Hope
December 21, 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY – 2020 was to be a banner year for the Oklahoma City Voice of Hope Seventh-Day Adventist Church with our 100-year anniversary celebration scheduled for May. Instead, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we did “the pivot.” We pivoted to online worship services and Zoom meetings, and partnered with Adventist World Radio to host a digital evangelism meeting.

Betty Taylor, our community services leader, pivoted from a monthly food pantry schedule inside of our facilities to a weekly drive-up event. 

Our community services team serves approximately 30 families a week. Pam Allen, our health ministries leader, pivoted from health seminars and cooking classes to supplying the University of Oklahoma (OU) dermatology clinic with much needed personal protection equipment (PPE). 

Members Shirley Ellis, Emma Street and Twila Calhoun teamed up to make 193 masks. Sheila Shavers and the deaconesses were accustomed to visiting the sick and shut-in to bring hope and joy. They pivoted to sending out 133 greeting cards to church members, sharing love and giving encouragement. Additionally, our family ministries team led by Lottie McClain sent out 189 birthday and holiday cards.

Michele Keyes and the personal ministries department gave away over 200 God’s Goodie Bags of Blessings from the back of a truck at shopping areas where the bags were received with joy and thanksgiving.

Still, there is much to learn about “the pivot” in this new normal.

By Beverly McCoy