OCC annual meeting 2026

2025 Year in review

I was informed of the opening at OCC in the beginning of February. My pastor, Micah Heist thought it should be something to check out and I showed up. Candy and Chris Burns Introduced me to people and told me to participate in services and get to know everyone. They were handling the worship and messages. I slowly started teaching and occasionally leading worship when Chris had to work.

After a few months, Chris and Candi informed the church that they were leaving and we had a goodbye service. I started teaching weekly and leading worship weekly with Rachel. I was settling in to a routine, asking God for strength and help very often. I remember being thankful and really starting to see to effort other members were bringing.

Early in the summer, Hayden and Shannon moved back to Orondo and I quickly saw the potential for Shannon to take the worship leading ministry,and Hayden to take the lead on upgrading the sound system and replace the projector with the flat screens. They were willing ! I was again very thankful for their their skills and their great attitude. It was apparent to me that the next generation was coming forward to serve and lead. Ty and Doug were already elders. Nick was really good at bringing in songs for the church family to enjoy and be inspired with. He was a new elder when I came. I call him my ‘closer’ now due to his musical and spiritual leadership done in a unique way!

Later in the summer we started sprucing up the outside of the church due to a generous donation which also covered much of the sound system upgrade. Again I was very thankful and encouraged that God is making a way for us! We are al;so going to get a new sign for the front of the church soon. There are other projects to tackle for 2026. but lets look at outreach now.

We had a family musical group com in from Canada, The Springmans. They were great and nice to work with, but we need to plan and promote events like that better this year. I hope and prayer is for more community involvement. We also did a Christman carolling event at Sun Cove which was enjoyable and successful. For 2026, I would like to consider a VBS. I will also start offering free coffee and water to cars passing by the church.

By Law changes

ELDERS

Section D Elders

It is a biblical fact that Elders are to serve the Church in a spiritual and leadership capacity. They are a gift to and a necessity for the Church.

In the New Testament men are identified as "Elders" and serve as leaders in the Church as those needs arise.

The qualifications for the Elder are described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and those so used are first "tested" to their faithfulness to God in character and second to the Church in committed service.

The elder’s role is leading and making decisions with Pastor (Head Elder) and Eldership,

Selection: The Board of Elders will be made up of those nominated by the Board of Elders and elected by the membership. There will be one elder for every eight members with the exception that there are not less than three or more than twelve, regardless of total membership.

Term: Elders will stand for election each year. There is no limit to the number of years an elder can serve.

Duties: An Elder complies with the responsibilities, requirements, and duties as established in the following documents: “Elder Selection Guide” and “Elder Expectations”

************************************************************************** Section E Deacons

It is a biblical fact that Deacons are to serve the Church in a practical and physical way and are a gift to and necessity for the Church.

In the New Testament both men and women were identified as "Deacon" (Deaconess) and met special needs in the Church as those needs arose.

The qualifications for the Deacon (Deaconess) are described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and those so used were first "tested" first to their faithfulness to God in character and, second to the Church in committed service.

The deacon's role is under the Pastor (Head Elder) and Eldership, and authority and offices of service are given as the needs arise. Many practical offices in the Church are lead with deacons' gifts and callings.