LAVERNE—This Harper County community can be found at the base of the Oklahoma Panhandle. With a population of about 1,200 residents and the closest grocery store 45 minutes away, this town is the definition of rural. However, “rural” has never stopped God.
Every Wednesday night, Laverne, First goes all hands on deck to accommodate more than 150 kids through their three youth programs: Stomp, Level Up and Youth. Through these ministries, Laverne, First draws nearly half of the small town’s school system and reaches them with the Gospel. But the movement doesn’t stop with children and youth.
“In many ways, that Wednesday night program has become a connection point to children, students and families,” said Donnie Scott, pastor of Laverne, First. “We are constantly seeing God change lives in students or parents.”
On Wednesday nights, adults are brought to church by their kids, and many begin attending Sunday morning services. Laverne, First then continues to build relationships with the parents.
“Our church is a diamond in the rough, alive and thriving,” said Scott. “It’s amazing to be a part of it.”
Donnie and his wife, Mandy, were members of Mustang, Chisholm Heights for several years, where mentors helped Donnie grow in his faith. The couple has three sons. Donnie continued to work in the private business sector, where he picked up life skills along the way.
Two years after graduating from Midwestern Seminary, Scott again felt lost and wondered if he had heard God correctly. Then, within the span of a week, he received calls from five different churches requesting his resume for a pastoral role.
“I recall Laverne was interested in finding a pastor with experience, so they maybe didn’t want someone like me at first,” said Scott. “One guy kept rotating my resume to the top of the pile, telling the search committee, ‘This guy has a degree in Agricultural Education. Maybe he will understand us a little bit.’” That opened the door for conversation between Scott and Laverne, First. For the past 13 years, Scott has faithfully served the community at Laverne.
Students and adults alike have been able to go beyond Laverne to proclaim the Gospel. Through the International Mission Board, Laverne, First has sent groups to Belize and Peru, and through GOStudents to Tulsa.
This past year, northern Oklahoma was subject to intense, damaging wildfires. Many in Laverne were affected, including Doug and Debra Little, who lost their house to the fire. Despite the losses, God has used the community at Laverne to help those affected.
“We have been prone to disaster out here, and fires are one of them,” said Scott. “The amazing thing is how God has worked through each one of those situations. There would not be enough time to describe how God has worked through them.”
Whether it’s weekly church activities, such as their bustling Wednesday night program, special events or unique situations like disaster response, Scott is trusting the Lord to continue building God’s Kingdom in their area of the state and beyond.
