J. Alan and Mary Louise Gibson
In April 2020, J. Alan and Mary Louise Gibson established an endowment at the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation to benefit future maintenance and repairs for the new Gibson Lodge at Camp Christian in Choteau. Thanks to generous gifts from many friends of the camp and Disciples churches, the sleek, modern Gibson Lodge was constructed on camp property. The new Lodge replaces the former Howard Lodge that burned to the ground on Good Friday morning in March 2018.
Due to the pandemic and social distancing requirements last year and this year, construction of the lodge took a bit longer than anticipated and the dedication of the new building wasn’t held until recently. On Saturday, May 22, 2021, the 4,500 square-foot J. Alan and Mary Louise Gibson Lodge was formally dedicated on the campgrounds in the presence of friends and family. The worship gathering included violin music by Andrei Tone; a greeting from Rev. Anna Hubbard, Camp Christian Board Chair; prayer and dedication of purpose; scripture reading; chalking ceremony; and camp history from Rev. Dan Bubach, camp Director.
Gibson Lodge
Longtime members of First Christian Church, Tulsa, the Gibsons have been active in the life of the Disciples church and have been strong supporters of Camp Christian. J. Gibson’s first summer camp experience was at Camp Christian where he found a passion for Christ and the camp.
Over many years, the Gibsons have participated in camp activities and generously given gifts to support the camp and its ministry. Additionally, J. has faithfully served on the camp Board of Directors for over two decades and was instrumental in fund-raising for the new building.
The Gibson Lodge is their legacy for future generations of campers. In addition, the Gibsons have given a perpetual gift through their endowment to assure sufficient funds are available to maintain, repair and keep up the appearance of the new lodge through the years.
The Gibsons have made a commitment to add to their endowment on a regular basis. However, the blessing of establishing a permanent endowment at ODF is that others may make gifts to the endowment
to support the same mission and grow the fund. Anyone who has passion for Camp Christian can make a tax-deductible gift to the Camp Christian J. Alan and Mary Louise Gibson Lodge Endowment. Donations may be made online at www.okdfdn.org/donation (be sure to scroll down in the select funds field and click Camp Christian J. Alan and Mary Louise Gibson Lodge Endowment). Or, checks may be mailed to the Foundation with the fund noted in the memo line.