The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation marked a major milestone this month as more than 150 supporters, partners, and friends gathered at the Capitol View Event Center in Oklahoma City to celebrate the Foundation’s 60th Anniversary. The evening was filled with heartfelt stories, meaningful gratitude, and a forward-looking vision for the next decade of ministry.
Honoring the Legacy of Kyle Maxwell – A central highlight of the evening was the celebration of the lasting legacy of Rev. Dr. Kyle Maxwell, whose years of service as minister at First Christian Church of Edmond and as ODF’s first full-time executive director helped shape the Foundation into what it is today. His ministry continues to inspire our work and mission.
Guests responded generously in his honor, contributing over $2,700 to the Kyle Maxwell Fund, which supports unrestricted grant gifts—an important tool in ensuring ODF can respond faithfully to emerging needs throughout the state. Click here if you would like to make a gift in honor of Kyle.
Reflecting on Growth and Looking Toward the Future – During the evening, Eric Gray, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, shared reflections on where the Foundation has been and where we are headed. He noted that ODF will soon surpass $1 million in grants given during the ten-year history of the grants program—a remarkable milestone made possible by the generosity and vision of many donors and churches that have closed but made a conscious effort to continue their legacy by establishing permanent endowments to fund grants.
Eric also celebrated another significant achievement: the Foundation’s assets have now grown to more than $45 million, strengthening ODF’s ability to support congregations and ministries for generations to come.
An Evening of Fellowship, Learning, and Fun – Attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner and warm fellowship throughout the evening. Our keynote speaker, Paul Tucker from Bank of Oklahoma, delivered a timely and much-needed presentation on cybersecurity and fraud prevention—a topic at the forefront for individuals and nonprofits alike. Paul provided additional information on the topic, available at this link.
During the evening there were several door-prize giveaways, including a pair of tickets to an upcoming OKC Thunder game, which added a celebratory touch to the evening.
With Deep Appreciation – We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors, donors, partners, and volunteers who made this celebration possible. The ODF staff also wishes to express special appreciation to the outstanding team at the Capitol View Event Center, whose professionalism and hospitality helped ensure a beautiful and memorable evening for everyone in attendance.
As we look forward to the next chapter of ODF’s ministry, we remain deeply thankful for the community that surrounds us—and we step boldly into the future inspired by the faithfulness of the past 60 years.
ODF Staff – Eric Gray, Julie Bowers, Vicki Rose, Frank Gresh