Elder Board

Dan Adams’s Testimony

I am a sinner saved by grace. In 1972, after I realized I could not do anything to save myself from my sin. I repented of my sins and received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I am spending the rest of my life saying thank you to God and serving Him.

Dan and his wife Precious have four children and one grandchild. Dan and his family have been attending TBC since 1987 and he has served in various ministries including Christian education, primary Sunday school teaching, Good News Clubs, and Usher.

Forrest Cowan’s Testimony

One Sunday, God came knocking on my heart’s door. I was eleven years old and the Holy Spirit’s conviction was heavy on me. As the pastor prayed a sinner’s prayer of repentance, so did I. In John 14:6, Christ says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Throughout my adult years, my favorite passage has been Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Over the years my testimony of the Lord is that He never fails; He never lets go; He prunes us and lifts us up because He loves us so.

Nina and I were married by Pastor Hardin Boyer and attended TBC from 1978 to 1984 until my career moved us out of state. We returned to Oklahoma in 2001 and have been at TBC ever since. We serve in the Oasis Flock in supporting, encouraging and serving with our active Older Adults Still In Service. God has richly blessed us with 31 years of marriage and three children. Since then we have gained two son-in-laws and three grandchildren.

“My parents made God the center of our home and I can not remember a time when I did not hear the Bible read or know Jesus died for sinners like me. I accepted Christ as my personal Savior and Lord when I was six years old. Though I was young, I clearly remember the battle in my soul. My sinful nature did not want to surrender to Jesus but I remember the release and joy when I finally admitted my sin, put my trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection, and gave my life to Him.”

Jim was born in France to missionary parents but he spent most of his growing-up years in Deerfield, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Jim is a graduate of Wheaton College (BA Philosophy) and holds a M.Div. and Ph.D. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. As Senior Pastor, Jim serves the church with a vision for preaching God’s Word, shepherding God’s people and mobilizing the church for gospel ministry. Jim and Lisa have four children.

“Raised in a very Godly home, my parents prayed for my salvation from as far back as I can remember. I accepted Christ into my life when I was eight years old. John 3:16 was the verse that God used to get my attention through personally applying it. “For God so loved Travis, that if Travis believes in Him, Travis will not perish but have everlasting life.”

Travis and his wife Marlene have three children, April married to Tom Graney (New Life Ranch), Kelly married to Joseph Shoop (TBC Deacon), and Kyle married to Vanessa—many of whom attend TBC with their families. Travis and his family have been attending TBC since 1974, and he has faithfully served with the youth and as a deacon. He continues to serve now as the Vice-Chairman of the Elder Board.

“I was an “un-churched” 12 year old invited by a friend to attend their youth group. Encouraged by the fellowship, I attended a weeklong revival that summer and received “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…that does not fade away.”

Dennis and Valarie have attended TBC since 1995, teaching children and serving in AWANA as leaders and Director of Sparks. They have three married daughters, Teresa and Seth Patterson who attend TBC, Kandace and Travis Thompson live and worship in Edmond, and Jennifer and husband Jay Felker, who currently serves as youth pastor at Countryside Church in Stillwater. Our gracious Father has blessed them with seven grandchildren.

Dennis is challenged by Colossians 1:9-10, “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

“God gave me godly parents who taught and lived out the Scriptures that made me wise for salvation that is through faith which is in Christ Jesus. By God’s grace I realized my sinfulness and called out to him at the age of five. Since then God has been faithfully working to complete the good work He began in me.”

Phil is a native Tulsan. He is a graduate of OSU-Okmulgee (AA in HVAC) and Moody Bible Institute (BA in Bible-Theology). Before coming to Tulsa Bible church he pastored a small church in north Tulsa, taught at an area Christian school, and served in the Summer KIDS program at John 3:16 Mission. As the associate pastor of shepherding since 2007, Phil helps the saints at TBC to become conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ and equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to serve Him effectively. He is married to Donna, and has three adult children.

“I grew up going to church, but it wasn’t until I was in college that the truth that I was a sinner in need of a savior sunk in. One of my favorite verses is 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

David and his wife, Marilyn, have been members of Tulsa Bible Church since 1995. They have four daughters ranging in age from 27 to 20. David has served as an AWANA leader and director, and as a Deacon. He has been an Evangelism Explosion trainer, and is co-Elder over the Timothy Flock along with Jim Stubbs.

“When I was 8 years old, my mom—always alert and very wise—used an instance of my disobedience to illustrate my sinful heart and my need of a personal Savior. It clicked, and I responded to the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit, and fled to Jesus to deal with my sin forever.”

Brian Shoop is chairman of the Worship Council, head of the drama ministry, a member of the Communication Team, and produces the weekly “Mission Minute”. He and his wife, Marybeth, are part of the Ambassador flock.

“I trusted in Jesus Christ when I was ten years old in response to an altar call, but I did not really begin ‘walking’ with the Lord until late in my junior year of high school. Through circumstances, the Holy Spirit showed me how shallow, unfulfilling, and temporary life was without a real and active relationship with Jesus.”

Jim and his wife, Leslie, joined TBC in 2002. They have three adult kids: Micah, Katy and Libby. Jim has a passion for ensuring that visitors, as well as regular attenders to TBC, are welcomed, loved and “connected” to the Body and actively serving in the ministries of the church. He is also the co-Elder over the Timothy Flock along with Dave Sargent. One of his favorite verses is I Peter 4:8—“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another.”

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