About North Heights Church of Christ

Our Congregation's History 

The North Heights church began in February 1965 with a desire to begin a great soul-winning effort in North Bixby. A small living room served as the first auditorium. The congregation occupied a larger room seating about 50 people in 1965. The church constructed an auditorium that held about 100 people in January 1966. Our present facilities that seat approximately 200 people completed construction in 1968. The old class room and office building was demolished August 2007 and construction of a foyer, classrooms, restrooms and office building is planned for completion by 2008.

The first ministers for the congregation previously were Harvey Edmunson, Jack Veteto, and Bill DaVee. The first full time preacher was Jim Lundy, and the succeeding were Lee Miller, John Hooper (youth minister), Dennis May and Stephen Garman. Our current ministers are Milton Smith and Grant Sullivan. Milton began preaching July 23, 1989 as we were without a minister and were selecting our next minister. Milton Smith started full time beginning September 24,1989. Grant graduated with honors from Brown Trail School of Preaching and then began June 24, 2007 as our Associate Minister.

The first elders to serve the congregation were Jimmie Greene and Doug Welch appointed in April 1977. Others serving the congregation as elders in the past were Clyde Bemies and Bob Walker. We were without elders during the period from 1989 until 1996. Then in May 1996, the congregation appointed three men to serve as elders and they were Jim Lower, Jerry Marlin and Doug Welch. Jim Lower served the congregation as an elder until he resigned February 13, 2000. The congregation appointed two additional men, Ken Loden and Bill McConnell, to serve as elders with Jerry Marlin and Doug Welch in June 25, 2000. Ken Loden served the congregation until he resigned December 18, 2005. Jerry Marlin served until he resigned October 8, 2006. Bill McConnell and Doug Welch serve as the current elders.

In April 1978, the first deacons appointed to serve the congregation were Jerry Ashlock, Clyde Bemies, George Davis, Jimmie Joe Greene, Delmar Hooper, John Spring and Bob Walker. Others serving later as deacons were Fred Keas, Charles Allcorn, Jr., John Horn, Ken Loden, Bill McConnell, Darwin Cooper, and Larry Dinwiddie. Deacons Ira Nicholson and David Smith were appointed July 1996. Orl Wright was appointed a deacon October 11, 1998. Darwin Cooper, Larry Dinwiddie, and Larry Jenkins were appointed deacons 26 August 2001. Orl Wright resigned as deacon September 24, 2006 and David Smith resigned as deacon June 28, 2007. On April 24, 2011 Joshua Harris and Verl Williams were installed as deacons. Therefore, our current deacons are Larry Jenkins, Ira Nicholson, Joshua Harris and Verl Williams.

Consideration of a merger between North Heights and the Downtown Bixby congregations was evaluated during 1977 and 1978. A merger was first proposed for consideration in January 1977. However, the proposed merger was not pursued at that time, due to several members expressing their desire to remain as two congregations. In March 1978, the Downtown elders requested a meeting to discuss possibilities of a merger. This led to meetings of the two congregation's elders, deacons and ministers. Discussions were held to develop proposed ground rules for the merger and then each membership was surveyed for their comments. The desire of a majority of each group was to continue as two congregations. Both congregations continue to support each other in gospel meetings and other outreach ministries.

The State approved the incorporation of North Heights as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Oklahoma in February 1979.

We are active in mission and evangelistic efforts in Bixby and other locations of opportunity. In July 1976 a group of 39 traveled to Buffalo, Wyoming by bus and conducted a vacation bible school in the morning, knocked doors in the afternoon and supported an evening gospel meeting for one week. In May 1989, the North Heights congregation sponsored a Campaign for Christ in Bixby. About seven retirees came from surrounding states and participated with us to knock doors and set up bible lessons with Bixby residents. Our congregation is active in sending bible lessons from the World Bible School to students in Africa, India, Jamaica and other locations with some very positive results. We currently provide financial support to The Search TV program, World Bible School, Cliff Lyons (Russia), Greg Clodfelter (Africa), and K. Nagabhushanam and six other local men in India., We have supported K. Nagabhushanam by providing his full time support in India since June 1978. Also, financial support is provided to Ron Hass (OK Prison Ministry), of Owasso.

We continue to provide benevolence support for the needy. This benevolence includes support of the Hope Harbor home for displaced children.

 Participate and grow with us as brothers and sisters in Christ that we may reach our heavenly home.