Oklahoma Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives - OFBCI

08/12/2026

💙 What a day of connection, collaboration, and community impact!

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for the Faith & Health Community Impact Summit and helped make the day so meaningful. These photos capture just a few of the incredible people who shared their time, expertise, and passion for strengthening Oklahoma communities.

A special thank you to our host and keynote speaker, Pastor Kevin Foster, for sharing such a powerful message about community engagement and the call to Run to the Brokenness. His message challenged us to think differently about how churches and community organizations can become centers of hope and impact in their communities.
Learn more about Kevin’s work and Run to the Brokenness:
https://www.runtothebrokenness.com/

We were also grateful to hear from and connect with:
🚔 Stacey Blaylock and Chance Tuttle with the Oklahoma DPS First Responder Wellness Division, who shared important insight into surrounding our first responders with meaningful relationships and support.
Learn more about their work:
https://oklahoma.gov/okfrwd.html

🚨 Oklahoma Emergency Management Director Annie Mack Vest, who reminded us of the important role faith and community organizations can play—not only when disaster strikes, but in preparing and building relationships before a crisis occurs.
Learn more about Oklahoma Emergency Management:
https://oklahoma.gov/oem.html

🤝 Terry Henshaw, CityServe Oklahoma, and Pastor Pedro, Victory Church, who continue to demonstrate what is possible when churches and community organizations come together to meet real needs.

🧠 Zack Stoycoff, CEO of Healthy Minds Institute, who brings insight into strengthening mental health and community well-being.
Learn more about their work:
https://www.healthymindspolicy.org/

And, of course, thank you to Pastor Ryan Goodnight for hosting us, and everyone who participated and helped create space for meaningful conversations and new connections.

One of our favorite parts of the day has been hearing about the connections being made and plans already taking shape as people return to their communities.

This is what community impact looks like: people willing to come to the table, share what they know, build relationships, and ask, "What can we do together?"
Thank you to everyone who showed up ready to learn, connect, and make a difference. We’re excited to see where these new partnerships lead! 💙

08/11/2026

💙 There’s something powerful about people coming together with a shared desire to care for their neighbors well.

We’re grateful for the incredible group who joined us in Tulsa for Spiritual First Aid™—taking time to learn, connect, and strengthen their ability to walk alongside others experiencing crisis, trauma, and difficult seasons.

A special thank you to Jenks Methodist Church for generously welcoming us and providing such a wonderful space for this training. We’re also incredibly grateful for our partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the opportunity to bring this practical, trauma-informed training to communities across Oklahoma.

From churches and nonprofits to community leaders and everyday helpers, each participant brought a heart to serve—and we loved seeing those connections happen throughout the day.

When we equip people to listen well, respond with compassion, and walk with humility, we strengthen more than individuals. We strengthen our communities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and invested in becoming a more confident and compassionate helper. We’re grateful to be doing this work together! 💙

08/08/2026

💙 Be Part of the 988 Day Movement!

Every conversation about mental health has the power to bring hope.

We are pleased to partner with Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services inviting faith leaders, nonprofits, community organizations, businesses, and advocates to participate in a 988 Day Activation Workshop as we prepare for 988 Day on September 8, 2026.

This year's theme, "988 Reasons," celebrates the many reasons to promote hope, raise awareness, and connect individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis with the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

During the workshop, participants will:
✅ Learn about the 2026 988 Day campaign
✅ Connect with others passionate about mental health
✅ Brainstorm creative ways to engage their communities and organizations

Together, we can help reduce stigma, increase awareness, and ensure more Oklahomans know that help is available.

📣 Join the movement and help make a lasting impact in your community!

Registration information is available: https://oklahoma.gov/faithandcommunity/events.html

08/07/2026

We're looking forward to seeing everyone this Friday!

After months of planning, we're excited to welcome faith leaders, nonprofits, community organizations, public health partners, and state agencies from across Oklahoma for a day focused on one shared goal—strengthening our communities together.

Whether you're looking for practical ideas, new partnerships, community resources, or encouragement in the work you're already doing, we believe you'll leave inspired and equipped to make an even greater impact.

We'll hear from outstanding speakers, learn from one another, and spend time developing practical action plans that can be put to work in our own communities.

There's still time to register! If you've been thinking about attending, we'd love to have you join us.

📣 Know someone who has a heart for serving their community? Please share this post and invite them to come with you!

We can't wait to see you Friday!

More information & registration: https://oklahoma.gov/faithandcommunity/events/2025/faith---health-community-impact-summit.html

08/06/2026

What an incredible day of learning, connection, and hope! 💙

We're grateful for everyone who joined us for Spiritual First Aid™ and invested their time in learning practical ways to care for others during times of crisis and trauma.

A special thank you to Life Restoration Center Church for graciously hosting this training and to our partners at the Oklahoma State Department of Health for helping make this opportunity possible.

It was inspiring to see pastors, church volunteers, nonprofit leaders, community partners, and other everyday helpers come together with a shared desire to better serve those facing life's most difficult moments. Through meaningful conversations, hands-on activities, and new connections, participants gained practical tools to walk alongside others with compassion, confidence, and hope.

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and contributed to such a meaningful day!

Our upcoming Tulsa Spiritual First Aid™ training is already at capacity, and we're so encouraged by the interest. Stay tuned for future training opportunities—we look forward to equipping even more Oklahomans to strengthen their communities through compassionate care.

08/05/2026

Partnerships begin with a conversation. 🤝

Director Bobek recently had the opportunity to meet with Pastor Jonathan Knox, Senior Pastor of Magnify Church in Norman, to discuss ways faith communities and state agencies can work together to strengthen Oklahoma.

Pastor Knox is also the co-founder of The Surround Center, an innovative, trauma-informed care hub being developed in Cleveland County to better support foster and kinship families. By bringing services together in one place—including therapy, coordinated care, and caregiver support—the Surround Center aims to strengthen placements and help children remain connected to their communities.

In addition, Pastor Knox serves as Executive Director of Community Action Missions (CAM), which equips young people to serve their own communities through local mission opportunities and service projects.

We are grateful for leaders who are asking, "How can we make a greater impact together?" It is partnerships like these that strengthen families, support vulnerable children, and create healthier, more connected communities across Oklahoma.

08/02/2026

One conversation can change everything.

Some of Oklahoma's best community partnerships started with a simple conversation.

On August 7 you'll have the opportunity to connect with:

🤝 Churches

🤝 Nonprofits

🤝 Community organizations

🤝 Public health leaders

🤝 State agency representatives

🤝 National experts

If you've ever wished you knew who to call...
If you've wanted to build stronger partnerships...
If you're looking for ideas that actually work...

This summit is for you.

Register now!
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d258621f77d3fb9ad4493036a8588

07/31/2026

Churches. Nonprofits. Community organizations. This summit was designed with YOU in mind.

And it's ONE WEEK from today!

What if you could spend one day...

✔ Connecting with state agencies and public health leaders
✔ Learning from national experts on community engagement
✔ Discovering resources already available to your community
✔ Building relationships with organizations doing similar work
✔ Leaving with a customized Community Impact Action Plan

That's exactly what the Faith & Health Community Impact Summit is all about.

Whether your organization serves families, youth, seniors, those experiencing homelessness, individuals in recovery, or your local neighborhood, you'll leave with practical ideas, new connections, and tools you can immediately put into action.

📅 August 7 | Jenks, OK

Register today and help us spread the word by sharing this post! https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d258621f77d3fb9ad4493036a8588

07/30/2026

You don't have to serve your community alone.

Some of the greatest impact happens when churches, nonprofits, public health, and community organizations work together.

Join us for the Faith & Health Community Impact Summit where you'll meet partners from across Oklahoma who share the same heart for strengthening communities.

Together we'll discuss:

• Mental health
• Emergency preparedness
• Sustainable partnerships
• Community engagement
• Practical strategies that work

You'll also participate in a hands-on workshop to create your own Community Impact Action Plan.

One day could change the way your organization serves your community.

Register today! https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d258621f77d3fb9ad4493036a8588

07/29/2026

What a great resource from our friends at Oklahoma State Department of Health!

Feel free to pass along to anyone who could benefit from this toolkit.

This toolkit and video series was developed to help grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren, whether you are living with them or just watching them a few days per week. The goal is to help increase your confidence and knowledge about common issues, and to learn about available resources for grandparents.

To implement these trainings in your community, or if you have questions about this toolkit, please contact [email protected]. Learn more at https://brnw.ch/21x4wAv.