As we conclude our series on the endowments that fund the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation (ODF) Grants Program, we give thanks for the generosity that continues to nurture ministry across Oklahoma and beyond. Over the past several weeks, we’ve celebrated gifts that honor ministers, care for seniors, inspire youth, and strengthen the Church for generations to come.
This final installment highlights endowments that carry the Church’s mission and outreach into the world—extending Christ’s love wherever it’s needed.
Don & Tary Davis Johnson Mission Trip Support Fund Endowment (2025) – Mission trips to Peru and the Dominican Republic changed Don and Tary Johnson’s lives and inspired them to help others experience the same. This endowment provides ongoing support for mission trips through Oklahoma Disciples of Christ churches and honors three teachers who shaped the donor’s ministry journey—John Imbler, Joe Bessler, and Harold Hatt.
Grant Giving Gifts Endowment (2023) – Established by a family member in honor of Bernie and Joyce McNickle, whose lives embodied service without boundaries, this fund provides a continuing source of grants that reflect their spirit of intentional generosity. Each award is made with thoughtful purpose—continuing the McNickles’ legacy of reaching others through compassion, inclusion, and faith in action.
ODF Board “Cloud of Witnesses” Endowment (2015) – Created by the ODF Board, this fund allows congregations that are closing their doors to leave new life in their wake. By channeling remaining resources into grants for innovative ministry, these churches continue to bear witness to Christ’s transforming grace.
A Living Legacy – Together with all the funds we’ve celebrated in this series—those supporting seniors, ministers, youth, and children—these mission-focused endowments reflect the enduring strength of faith in action. Each one tells a story of generosity that keeps the Church’s work alive and thriving.
As we look ahead to the 2026 grants cycle, we celebrate an extraordinary milestone: ODF’s Grants Program will have awarded more than one million dollars in grants since its inception in 2017. This achievement represents not only the generosity of countless donors but also the shared commitment of our congregations to transform lives through faithful giving.
If these stories have inspired you, consider making a gift to the ODF Grants Program or one of its endowments. Every gift, large or small, helps extend the reach of ministry and carries the mission forward in Christ’s name.