Over 30 years ago the Broken Arrow church started a program called “Take a City.”  Several groups of 12 to 15 families were formed and each family contributes $10 each month to their group in addition to their regular contribution.  The Take a City groups meet monthly or quarterly.

            The purpose of the Take a City groups is to assist small congregations, usually within a day’s drive of Broken Arrow.  The Take a City groups provide encouragement by visits to these small churches and assist with limited financial support.  Take a City groups do not support building programs and our elders desire that the support be limited to 5 years.

            In the past, Take a City groups have helped churches in Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota and Louisiana, and possibly other states.  At present churches in Oklahoma, Arizona and Colorado currently being assisted by Take a City groups.

            In addition to Take a City groups visiting and encouraging small churches, the groups have taught Bible classes, preached, led the singing, knocked doors, and passed out literature.  In at least one situation, when there was a special need, a Take a City group assisted financially with funds for a baptistery.  Members of Take a City groups have also taught Vacation Bible School.   

            Initial contacts for locating a small church that needs assistance usually comes from one of our local members.  In at least one situation, the need for limited financial assistance for a preacher in Odell, Nebraska, came from the Bear Valley School of Preaching.  One of the Take a City groups is currently providing assistance to Andrew Lemus in Conifer, Colorado.  He a graduate of Bear Valley and served in the Broken Arrow church for several months before going to Colorado.  Jack Hale and Dick Ray are the coordinators for this Take a City group.     

            Another of our Take a City groups is assisting the church in Kenyenta, Arizona.  Herman Johnson is the coordinator for the assistance provided to the Kenyenta church.  This small church had financial needs and this is being met by this group.  A church this distance from Broken Arrow is a special case.

            Another Take a City group is providing assistance to the church in Hennessey, Oklahoma.  Paul Walvoord, our own “home grown” preacher is the minister in Hennessey.  Several members have joined this group as they knew Paul as he grew up in the Broken Arrow church.

            Special situations often arise and one of the Take a City groups was contacted by Walt Cassidy.  Walt and others assisted with the clean-up efforts after Hurricane Katrina came ashore in August 2005.  Walt told us that the church in Belle Chasse, Louisiana was in dire need as several members had lost everything.  This Take a City group began to assist the church at Belle Chasse, Louisiana as soon as the authorities permitted travel on the Southwest bank of the Mississippi River.  The building at Belle Chasse was not damaged, however, there was water up to the doorsteps.  The building several miles south at the small town of Buras, was completely destroyed and members from this congregation lost everything.  No one who lived Southwest of the River was permitted to return home for 2 weeks after the hurricane hit.

            Helping the Belle Chasse church was another special situation.  Not too many years ago Belle Chasse had over 100 members, then when a refinery closed they lost about 35 members.  After Katrina, another 20 families decided not to return to the area.  When the Take a City members arrived to help and survey the situation, only 23 families remained in Belle Chasse. 

            Within a short time, assisted by several other congregations, the Broken Arrow church sent 3 semi-truck loads of food and clothing to Belle Chasse for distribution to the local people.  The Broken Arrow church and Take a City members provided Belle Chasse with much needed cash to set up the FEMA trailers for members to live in and cash for medicine for the three widows.  One of these ladies had water in the attic and the other 2 had nothing as there was not even evidence of a house ever being on their property, which was now a bare plot of ground.  They eventually received Government aid, that is, over 2 years after the hurricane.  In the summer of 2007 this Take a City group conducted a VBS at Belle Chasse with the assistance of Jim Hoffmeister and seven of our young people.  

            The church in Belle Chasse, with only 23 families, distributed food and clothing to over 3000 local people.  Our Take a City members made 5 trips to Belle Chasse, taught Bible classes and preached and helped with a VBS.

            No doubt there are other positive stories about our Take a City groups.

            If you would like to be involved in a Take a City mission effort or if you know of a small church that needs assistance, let me know.

            Harold Tydings, coordinator.  E-mail htydings@att.net