When destructive wildfires swept across Oklahoma on March 14 of this year, one of the buildings lost was the sanctuary of one of the state’s most historical churches, Kiowa, Rainy Mountain. The effort to rebuild is already underway, and Oklahoma Baptists are assisting with fundraising efforts.
On May 18, Carnegie, First, where the Kiowa Tribe is headquartered, combined with Rainy Mountain’s congregation to host a luncheon. The event, boosted by a $1,000 donation from Oney, First, raised $7,550.
Pastor Kenny Mossman of Carnegie, First pictured with Pastor Gerald Haunpo of Rainy Mountain Baptist church, a historic church which burned down in a fire recently. Carnegie and other churches are helping the church financially toward recovery.
“One of our church members, Trecil Bearbow, approached me about the idea and connected us with the leadership of Rainy Mountain,“ said Carnegie, First Pastor Kenny Mossman. “The result was one of the best days our church has experienced in a long time.”
Carnegie, First provided the groceries and desserts while members of Rainy Mountain prepared the fry bread for Indian Tacos. Some 400 lunches were served. Visitors to the luncheon came from as far away as New Mexico and Oklahoma City, which is 90 miles northeast of Carnegie.
“The turnout was excellent, and our kitchen was a flurry of activity,” Mossman said, “but honestly, that was not the best part of the day. On the night the two churches met to choose a date and lay out the plan for the lunch, representatives of Rainy Mountain decided that they would also worship with us that day.
“On that morning, Pastor Gerald Haunpo updated us on the church’s progress and offered the prayer for our service. We also sang The Love of God and Amazing Grace in Kiowa with several members of the two churches combining as a choir. It was incredibly moving.”
During his sermon, Mossman asked why God would allow a church to be destroyed. One of the reasons he offered was the unification it forged between his church and Rainy Mountain.
“I know Rainy Mountain is under great hardship in rebuilding a church, but God is showing up all over the process,” Mossman said. “We were blessed to work and worship alongside our neighbors. We’re praying that the funds will continue to roll in so the church can be rebuilt as quickly as possible.”
Kiowa, Rainy Mountain before it was destroyed by fires.
Kiowa, Rainy Mountain, located four miles east of Gotebo and south of State Highway 9 in Southwestern Oklahoma, was destroyed when high winds disconnected power lines and ignited the fire. On that day, winds of between 60 and 80 miles per hour swept across Oklahoma. The resulting fires charred 170,000 acres and burned some 300 buildings across the state. Twelve counties were declared disaster areas.
Kiowa, Rainy Mountain has existed for 131 years and survived two previous fires to its church buildings.
