Jonathan Gilliland has been involved in full-time senior pastoral ministry since the spring of 2013 when he began serving at Medford, First. Three years later, he served as senior pastor at Cushing, Oak Grove, and in 2022, God led him, his wife Stephanie and his family to Enid, First for him to serve as senior pastor.
“We have found Enid, First to have a long, rich history of being a healthy multi-generational community of believers,” Gilliland said. “And, currently, as has proven true across the church’s 100-plus years of life, our demographics continue to be balanced across all age categories, from birth to 100 (literally).”
Gilliland said the church intentionally creates and cultivates a culture and community that encourages members to value the importance of all stages and seasons of life.
“We are careful not to promote, praise, or ‘pick’ one generation over or against another,” he said. “We seek to reach all generations with the Gospel of Jesus, while equipping and empowering all generations to live the way of Jesus under the Lordship of Jesus… we truly believe a healthy church is a multi-generational church.”
Gilliland knows how important Cooperative Program (CP) giving is, as he has been a benefactor of CP giving. Growing up in Ponca City, he attended Falls Creek where he publicly surrendered to full-time vocational ministry. He also was able to attend Southwestern Seminary because of CP giving.
“Enid, First and I understand the importance of the CP—what it offers our churches, ministries, organizations, missionaries, seminaries, etc.—and that the CP only reaffirms this statement: we are better together.”
