By Mark McAdow
Today is a special anniversary in our life. On this day in 2017, we came to Enid and Willow View Church for our very first worship service with you. There was a good crowd – everyone wants to “check out the new guy” and decide if they are going to like him or not. By now I know for sure!
 
I remember sharing these stats from the pulpit:  5’10,” 196+or-, “58” and 2hours/47minutes/59seconds. What were they in reference to? Height, weight, year born and my PB – Personal Best in the OKC Memorial Half Marathon. That was nine years ago today. I’ve shrunk a little in height and weight (thankfully) and that will always be my PB because I’m never doing that again!

I also shared my favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” White hair is the “new” blonde!

I’m also celebrating another incredibly special anniversary this Tuesday, Election Day, June 16th. Forty-two years ago, I married this cute, godly, vivacious, young redhead named Robin Raboy who willingly took my last name, McAdow. Our lives were changed forever. A brand-new family was formed that day and eventually three children, too! I note that there are 12 other couples at Willow View celebrating June weddings. Congratulations!

Marriage is beautiful but not easy; it is intended to be a picture of Christ and His Church. It says this in Ephesians 5:31-33, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each of you must also love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Love and respect are two keys to a healthy marriage as well as “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” - (Ephs 5:21). For a marriage to thrive, we must have Christ at the center. As we each draw closer to Him, we’re also drawn closer to one another. Relationships matter.

Tomorrow morning, we will honor Jesus Christ and celebrate the life of an incredibly special lady in all our lives, Joyce Fales. I hope you will be present to support her family and to remember a life well lived for others. The memorial service is at 10 a.m. Friday, June 12.

Love you,
Pastor Mark

PS: VBS starts this Monday evening, June 15-18, from 6 to 8 p.m. We have over 40 kids signed up. Be sure your kids and grandkids get signed up today for Illumination Station!

By Pastor Mark McAdow
It’s with heavy and yet joyful heart that I announce the passing of Joyce Fales on Tuesday afternoon. I had the privilege of visiting with her earlier in the afternoon, reading Scripture, sharing appreciation and praying for her.

She certainly lived up to her name – JOYce! A memorial service will be held here next Friday, June 12, at 10 a.m. There will also be a visitation from 5:30 to 7 p.m. next Thursday, June 11, at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home. Please pray for her children, Rob and Robin, and their families during this time.

Our Heartland Annual Conference began last evening in Wichita. Scott, Robin and I, along with our elected Willow View lay delegates, John and Evelyn Allen, are there representing you. We are worshipping, praying, hearing God’s Word, responding and doing some Global Methodist Church ministry business as well. This Saturday morning, our former youth pastor, Quintin Wray, is scheduled to be ordained an elder in the Global Methodist Church! Please keep this conference in your prayers that we may hear from the Lord and expand the Kingdom of God. We’ll all be back this Saturday afternoon to share with you on Sunday.

We’re just two weeks away from Vacation Bible School, June 15-18 in the evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. This year’s theme is Illumination Station. Be sure to sign up your kids, their friends and/or your grandkids to be a part of this exciting week. Jesus is The Light of The World and He lights each of us up from the inside out. Let Mandie know how you can help on her team, too. Please pray for this key outreach opportunity for Willow View.

See you this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion together. Wasn’t last Sunday wonderful? Pastor David Robbins from Voice of the Martyrs shared an incredible story of an Indian man who was an evangelist on a bike. He rode into unreached villages and beat a drum on the back of his bike to draw a crowd. He then shared the gospel of Jesus Christ among Hindus and was often beaten mercilessly. He was asked what he did next. His response? He rode his bike to another village and began to beat his drum there. Amazing! He shared sometimes people would accept Jesus and begin a new church, too.

When you miss Sunday worship, you miss an opportunity to hear from the Lord and to respond. Last Sunday, it was Joyce’s last Sunday with us. I’m so glad I got to worship with her one more time! Hope to see you this Sunday.

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
That’s the question our Willow View's Missions Team is asking us this month. Beginning this Sunday, May 31, they will collecting new or gently used Bibles to send to Christian believers in the Philippines through a friend here in Enid.

The Bible is in great demand. If you have an extra new or gently used leather or hard-backed Bible (paper Bible covers do not hold up well in their climate), please bring it with you to worship. There is a clear plastic box on the fireplace hearth to collect them. Any translation is great.

If your home is anything like ours, we have multiple Bibles from over the years. Many are on a shelf or in a box. What better place for those to go than into the hands of those who eagerly desire them and have none! Take a moment to look through your home for any you may have with which you can part. I found an old Bible of my dad's and will be bringing it; I simply pulled out the cover page that had his name and date written on it. Otherwise, it’s still in good condition. Please don’t bring any with missing scripture pages. We want our brothers and sisters around the globe to have the “Full Word of God!”

This Sunday we also have an opportunity to support a local ministry to the homeless right here in Enid – Street Outreach Services (SOS). During our Discipleship Community/Sunday School hour, we’ll be making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to be distributed here in town. Children will decorate small brown paper sacks with words of encouragement, and we’ll form teams to make sandwiches and pray over the sack lunches for distribution.

This Sunday we’ll also be hearing more about the Voice of The Martyr Ministry headquartered in Bartlesville, OK. God is a missionary God! He has one Son and He made Him a missionary to us. I saw this quote by Christian author Dr. John R.W. Scott last week, “We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God.” On top of that, we’re a Global Methodist Church, too!

Last Sunday was such a blessing! Many of us responded to our need to be filled and refilled by the Holy Spirit according to Ephesians 5:18: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to be debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit!” The Greek word means “continually filled.” Can’t wait to see what the Lord will do this Sunday!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
There was a thunderstorm in OKC last night: Thunder 122, Spurs 113. We experienced a traditional one this morning in Enid, too. What a blessing to receive some much-needed rain without the severe weather. Thank you, Lord. Storms are a part of all our lives. Storms disrupt our normal schedules, often creating anxiety but also blessings at times as well.

Rain is a welcome answer to prayer for many. It clears the pollen, refreshes the air, fills dry ponds, and nourishes the earth. Life requires water. In the beginning, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” in creation - Genesis 1:2. Not one of us can live very long without it. But, if we get too much too soon, it has a negative impact causing flooding that can lead to property loss and life as well. The tragic flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas last summer is a painful reminder of the loss of both.

How did Jesus deal with storms? Do you remember? One day Jesus was on the lake with his disciples and a terrible storm arose, while Jesus was sleeping on a cushion in the stern of the boat. (Apparently Jesus took naps and could do it anywhere!) The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Did you see that? They accused Jesus of not caring! Martha did that one time as well.) Jesus’ response? “He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still! Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” – Mark 4:38-39. He questioned their lack of faith and they replied to each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" - Mark 4:41.

Do you remember when Jesus walked on the water to reach the disciples in another terrible storm? He invited Peter to join him on the water and he did. Amazing! But once again the issue of faith came into play. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those in the boat worshiped saying, "Truly you are the Son of God.”- Matthew 14:30-33.

In both accounts, Jesus calmed the storm. He will do the same for you and me. He will take us safely through or he will calm the storm completely. His presence makes all the difference. Did you notice the two different responses from his disciples? The first time they asked the question, “Who is this?” and the second time they knew. “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Looking forward to being with you this Sunday in worship as it’s Pentecost Sunday. A totally different view of the wind. I’m so thankful the winds have died down this week in Oklahoma but praying for a fresh windstorm this Sunday!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
We hosted The Chisholm High School Baccalaureate on Sunday, May 3, here at Willow View. As many of you know, our own Roydon Tilley resumed his role, serving as the Chisholm Superintendent for the 2025-2026 school year.  I had the great privilege to share the gospel with the 2026 graduating class. I also shared the following account from Douglas Moore and Herb Miller regarding another Commencement
 He was only trying to keep the line moving across the stage, but his words are good advice for a lifetime – “keep moving.” After every achievement – growing up, graduation, marriage, job promotion, even retirement – the best advice is “Keep moving. Don’t Stop. Don’t stagnate. There is more to life than you have found this far.”

Even after you have made the important decision to become a Christian, God will say the same thing to you: This is not the end; it is only the beginning. Keep moving.”
 
Keep moving! Keep learning! Keep growing!  Good advice for us all in our relationship with Jesus Christ. After all, He “came that we might have life and that more abundantly!”- John 10:10. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to  harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”- Jeremiah 29:11.

This Sunday we will recognize our graduating seniors in worship at 9 a.m. Pastor Scott and I will present them with a new Bible and pray over them at the altar. We have seniors from Chisholm, Enid and Kremlin-Hillsdale high schools this year. The message this Sunday is “Don’t Worry; Be Happy” based primarily on Philippians 4. It's a message we all need to hear and adopt for daily living.

Have a blessed day. See you this Sunday at Willow View!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Today is The National Day of Prayer! It’s always the first Thursday in May. What a wonderful opportunity for Christians across America to stop to Thank God and pray for our Nation. Our Enid Ministerial Alliance is hosting this event at the Courthouse gazebo downtown. It begins at 12 noon and lasts until 12:45 (still time for a quick lunch!). I’ve been asked to pray for The Churches of Enid during the Prayer gathering today, along with other City leaders who will also be praying. If able, I hope you will take time out today to pray with us!

America, our World, Oklahoma, and Enid need prayer! Prayer is the means God uses to allow us to be involved with Him, in the joys and challenges of this world. Jesus intercedes for us and The Holy Spirit prays on our behalf as well. We are called to prayer. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.”- Hebrews 4:16. Christians are to pray and not give up!

Our World is at war – Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Iran- to name a few. President Trump and Vice-President Vance and their Cabinet need Divine wisdom and discernment in their decision-making on our behalf. Our Nation is so highly divided. We desperately need unity as Americans. As Christians, we know Jesus is the Ultimate Answer!

One day, the LORD appeared to King Solomon and said, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”- II Chronicles 7:14. Notice He was addressing His people- that’s us today! Christians. If Christians don’t pray; we cannot expect God to act. But if we do- He promises revival!

Let’s commit to daily, heartfelt prayer. This Sunday for Mother’s Day, my message is entitled, “Pray Like Hannah!” Come discover genuine prayer as we celebrate our Moms!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

PS: Thanks to Robin, Kathy, and Amie for organizing our visiting Rapid Response Team’s meals and to EVERYONE who gave money, cooked food, and served our guests with Christ’s love! I’m so very thankful for you all!

By Pastor Mark McAdow
One week ago today, April 23, was just the next day on the calendar – nothing especially noteworthy or unusual. How quickly things can change. Those who were watching TV saw the tornado warning symbol in the corner of the screen identifying Oklahoma counties where the weather conditions were such that a tornado could occur, including the Enid area. Just another Oklahoma spring evening – until it wasn’t!

Weather alerts on phones began sounding by the National Weather Service and outdoor sirens began to sound off in Enid. OKC weathermen were telling us all to move to the center of our house or our storm shelter. Storm chasers began broadcasting live pictures of the largest tornado I had ever seen churning the earth up in southeast Enid. The pictures took your breath away!

Forty minutes later, 40-plus homes were damaged or destroyed in the worst tornado in Garfield County in 35 years! It was an EF4 tornado with 175+ mile per hour winds. One of our church families, Shawn and Jennifer Aebi (John and Evelyn’s daughter) lost their entire home, and others we know also had severely damaged or destroyed homes in and around the Grey Ridge Estates. Miraculously, no fatalities!

This is the perfect time to use the word “miracle.” It truly describes what happened. I’ve never heard of an EF4 tornado with no deaths. Never. God’s hand of protection was on those people who weathered the storm in their safe rooms, storm shelters and even laundry/ bathrooms. God is good! Though homes were destroyed and recovery will take months and even years, no lives lost. Thank God!  I also want to thank God for our Enid police, firefighters, EMT’s, first responders and city officials who converged on the scene to rescue folks and assess the damage.

Mandie, Scott and I had the opportunity to spend Tuesday afternoon working in the affected area with Samaritan’s Purse ministries. We met people from Shawnee, Okla., to Washington State, Arizona and North Carolina – all here to volunteer their time to help the people of Enid! This is the same organization we support annually through our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes (we’re an official Enid collection site). Our Administrative Council voted Tuesday evening to seek designation as a Lighthouse Church with Samaritan’s Purse to host and send teams to disasters as needed. We also got to work side by side with Pastor Brad and members at World Harvest Church. What a blessing to serve our Lord together!

We have a team of volunteers coming this evening to stay at Willow View through Wednesday morning. Please be sure to greet them warmly and offer to help answer questions. They plan to join us for worship at 9:00 on Sunday, too.  Robin is coordinating three meals a day for the 12-member team. They are also joining us Friday morning at Wee Too for the First Friday Men’s Breakfast. Thanks to ALL of you who have already volunteered to help with meals.

” God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear…”- Psalms 46:1-2a. Hope to see you this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion together.

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Jesus appeared to his disciples and hundreds of other believers for 40 days following his resurrection. Paul records it this way: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter and then the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time…”- I Corinthians 15:3-6a. Ten days later, He ascended into Heaven and the Holy Spirit arrived to the 120+ believers in Jerusalem as Jesus had promised.

We’re currently living in the time between Easter and Pentecost. I want to suggest this is a wonderful time to engage in greater praise of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Praising Him acknowledges His lordship in our lives and frees us from our own self-focus. It helps us to “fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.” – Hebrews 12:2a.

Last Fall, Robin, and I attended a pastors conference at Focus on the Family in Colorado. In a session on worship, we met a gifted worship leader who introduced us to a new morning devotional called The Worship Initiative, created by Christian singers Shane and Shane. It’s a devotion you can listen to on your phone every weekday morning free of charge.
 
Each morning, a small group of believers share a prayer, word of encouragement, and one song is chosen to sing. It may be an old favorite hymn or a new contemporary Christian song. The words are provided so you can sing along if you choose. They challenge us to sing our faith without fear and with genuine joy. Robin and I have found it to be very uplifting. I’ve shared it with our staff and some of you personally, too. I’d like to share the link with all of you today.
https://short.theworshipinitiative.com/home
I’d encourage you to check it out during this special season.
 
Looking forward to worshipping our Lord Jesus with you this Sunday.
 
Love you,
Pastor Mark
 
PS: Keep the OKC Marathon runners in your prayer this weekend. I plan to run the 5K with my daughter Hannah on Saturday morning.

By Pastor Mark McAdow
I asked that question last Sunday morning in my message (as I was eagerly looking for several of you!). Hope to see you all this Sunday as every Sunday is a “mini-Easter.”

Did you know the one commandment Jesus did not repeat in the New Testament was the commandment regarding sabbath? It wasn’t because we shouldn’t still maintain a sabbath, but it no longer was mandated to be Saturday (that was originally to the Jewish people only who worship beginning Friday evening to Saturday evening). Christians began worshipping the Lord on the first day of the week to always remember and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. That’s why we worship on Sundays!

Where did you see Jesus this week? Were you looking for Him? I’d love to hear from you. Shoot me a text at (918) 277-4821. I heard a person say she really enjoyed meeting with a prayer partner through Lent and now is continuing that praying relationship. Do you see Jesus in that? I do! I know another person who recently prayed out loud in a small group for the first time. They were listening to Jesus and responding to Him. I saw Jesus in worship last Sunday morning as two of our children took out the fire, the “light of Christ” into the world! I saw the kindness of Jesus at Colton’s yesterday extended to me and another brother in Christ.

Jesus is at work in the people of Willow View. Where have you seen Jesus this week? What have you done for another who has no ability to repay you? Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you have done for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Do you ever doubt God? We’ll be wrestling with that this week in worship. Looking forward to seeking the Lord Jesus in His Word together this Sunday, April 19.

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
I was so thrilled last Sunday morning when Lary Weeks shared with me the great news that our missing U.S. airman had been found and rescued from Iran! What a relief for him, his family and all Americans.

We genuinely believe and support “no man left behind” in our military ethos. Americans overall value life and are willing to expend the cost to save even one life. I remember I felt similarly when I saw the movie “Saving Private Ryan” many years ago. Our U.S. military goes to extraordinary lengths to recuse their own.

So did Jesus.

Jesus was on a “rescue mission” to save every one of us, even before we knew we needed rescued. “But God demonstrates His love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”- Romans 5:8. He saw our desperate need and our inability to rescue ourselves. We live behind enemy lines every day where Satan has been given opportunity to tempt us to live for ourselves rather than for God. Satan is a real threat but one who has been defeated by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! “Greater is he who is in you that he who is in the world.”- I John 4:4. Each of us who have surrendered to Jesus have that hope!

Surrender is a terrible word in the military but a “wonderful” word in our spiritual life! To relinquish control to The One who created us and has our best interest at heart is a blessing. But to surrender to the  enemy is heartbreak. Satan “gas us” until we give our life back to Jesus. We live no longer for ourselves but for Jesus! Our ultimate safety is found in Christ and Christ alone.

We’re in a spiritual battle every day! We must put on our armor and defend our faith against the enemy. Our Willow View children are going to be learning about God’s armor in the coming weeks. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. I try to put on my spiritual armor every morning in prayer. I encourage you to do the same.

Tell your family, friends and neighbors, “We’re open this Sunday, too!” Looking forward to seeing you!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

PS: I began to tell you in this article about a fund at Willow View called “Answered Prayer.” When our folks receive a blessing – an answer to prayer – they can give a donation to the fund. We use those resources to help our own and others in times of need. Many people have been and are blessed through our “Answered Prayer Fund”– even today!

By Pastor Mark McAdow
In the Christian world, this is the Best Weekend of The Year. Are you ready? It’s here!
 
Today is Maundy Thursday. It almost sounds like “Monday Thursday” but it’s not. Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” from which we get out English word “mandate.”  It’s the day Jesus washed his disciples' feet and said in John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you:  Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Come join us tonight for “The Room Upstairs” Reader’s Theatre and interactive dinner beginning at 6 p.m. in our Family Life Center. The room is ready and our Congregational Care Team is preparing the food even now! We still have a few tickets available for “walk-ins” tonight. Come join us!
 
We will gather tomorrow evening, Friday, April 3, at 7 p.m. for our Good Friday worship service as we focus on the Cross of Christ. I hope you will make every effort to be present this Friday, too. You can’t really experience the joy of Easter Sunday morning without understanding the suffering of Jesus on Friday. He died for you and for me.
 
On Saturday, April 4, you can read scripture aloud in the sanctuary for Holy Saturday. The Bible reading begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. beginning with the Gospel of John and continuing through Acts, Romans and I Corinthians. Come and read or just come and listen to others in the sacredness of our sanctuary as we prepare for Easter Sunday.
 
Sunday morning our Easter celebration begins at 7 a.m. with a brief outdoor service at our three crosses.  Pastor Scott will bring the morning devotional, and our youth and band members will lead us in worship. Our traditional pancake breakfast will be served inside immediately following the service by Truman and his team. We will worship our Risen Lord at both 9 and 11 a.m. with adult Discipleship Communities and Sunday School classes meeting as usual at 10:10 a.m. It’s going to be a great day at Willow View. Be sure to invite your family and friends to join you for Easter worship at “Willow View on Purdue!”
 
Looking forward to sharing this holy weekend together.
 
Love you,
Pastor Mark
 
PS: Men, we also have First Friday’s Men’s Breakfast in the morning at Wee Too. Hope to see you there at 7 a.m. in the back room.

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Holy Week is almost here! It begins this Sunday, March 29, with Palm Sunday and concludes next week with our celebration of our Lord Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. There is no more significant week in the life of Jesus or the world.

As I shared at our 11:00 worship service last Sunday from John 17:3, Jesus told us why He came: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom I have sent.” He came that we all might have eternal life. He also said in John 10:10, "The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly!” Jesus came to die for us, so that we can experience genuine life with Him here and now and for all eternity. Praise His Holy Name!

Many people you know and love are not experiencing the abundant life only Jesus can bring. They are alive physically but dead spiritually. What a tragedy! They could be living a full, satisfying life in Jesus, but instead are merely existing. They don’t know The Good News. Or more specifically, they don’t know The God News – God became one of us in Jesus so we could become like Him. Jesus put a “face” on God for us.

We were visiting with out-of-state family members on the phone last evening inquiring about their Easter plans. They indicated to Robin that they will have an “Easter” brunch with their extended family, but that simply means they will get together for lunch and hide Easter eggs for the grandkids. No mention of Jesus. No worship service together. No acknowledgement that Easter is all about Jesus. No Jesus. No Easter. How sad.

Six years ago, all churches in the entire world were closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic. That had never happened before in the history of the world. Easter was still celebrated by Christian believers – we did it on our parking lot! – but many people never returned once the church doors had been closed. People need the Lord. People you and I know and love. We have several worship opportunities this next week. Who will you pray for and invite to a worship service or our Maundy Thursday Dinner Theater next Thursday evening? Which events will you participate in to express your appreciation to our Lord for his incredible sacrifice? You can’t really appreciate Easter Sunday without experiencing Good Friday.

Come be The Church this Holy Week and invite someone to come with you.

Love you,
Pastor Mark
 
Thanks to all who have signed up to read scripture on Holy Saturday in the sanctuary. There are still about 15 time slots available. Sign up this Sunday. You will be blessed to spend some quiet time with the Living Word – Jesus – as you read aloud the written Word.

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Our family loved watching the TV show Extreme Home Makeover featuring Ty Pennington. He was always so enthusiastic about not only renovating an old house but providing folks with a new home! He had two iconic phrases he would use each week once the demanding work of renovating the home was complete. As you may remember, they would drive a big tour bus in front of the home and place the family behind it in time to reveal their new home. He would look at the driver in the bus and say, “Bus driver, Move that bus!” The family’s faces would light up seeing their new home for the first time!

At the conclusion of touring their new home, Ty would say, ”Welcome Home, (insert name) Family, Welcome Home!” I always loved hearing that phrase. There’s something about coming home that warms our hearts and blesses our soul.

Have you noticed the new welcome mat at the front door of our church? It is a designer floor mat with our Willow View logo and the phrase at the top “Welcome Home.” It was designed to welcome everyone ”home” to Willow View.

Everyone needs a church home. I’m so glad Willow View is our home. Home really is where the heart is. The designer Willow View floor mat was given in honor of Maryetta Kelly with memorial funds (today happens to be John Kelly’s birthday – he’s 29, if you’re dyslexic!) Happy birthday, John.

We’ve been blessed to have more guests visiting with us on Sundays recently and I’ve seen some folks coming back home to Willow View. What a thrill! The Lord is good. Be sure to always greet every person you meet with the love of Jesus and a handshake or hug. I’ve been told this last week by a couple “we’re a very welcoming church” and another person told me, “This always feels like home.”

Jesus reminded us in John 14:2: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Jesus has put the welcome mat out for each of us who have surrendered our heart to Him. There will be a day when we are all home. We will long to hear our Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Welcome home.

Who can you invite to worship this week? Easter is coming soon!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

PS: Be sure to get your tickets this week to our Maundy Thursday Dinner Theatre presentation of The Last Supper on Thursday, April 2, at 6 p.m. It often sells out! You may want to invite a friend. Blessings.

Robin and I arrived home from visiting our grandson Julian and his parents in Montana at 2 a.m. yesterday. It was a great visit and great to be home!

I did get to hear most of Ron Todd’s message to our men last Saturday via Facebook Live and Brian Meyer’s message on Sunday. Thanks to Jeff Funk and Lezlie Gilbert for their media ministry.

Ron spoke about "mentoring” using the biblical example of Paul and Timothy. Paul was investing in Timothy as a younger brother in Christ, teaching him to love Jesus and live according to His Word.  Paul was the mentor and Timothy his mentee. We all need a Paul in our life and a Timothy, too. Paul wrote, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first existed in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that this faith exists in you.”- II Timothy 1:5.

I loved how Ron reinforced that truth using their names as an acrostic. Do you have a Paul in your life? How about a Timothy? Here’s what I heard Ron share: To be a Paul to a younger believer, you need to:

P - Pray about how to lead another closer to Jesus.
A - Affirm the spiritual gifts you see in the other person.
U - Understand the season of their life (single, married, parent, etc.).
L - Lead by example in your own growing personal relationship with  Jesus.

How about if you are a Timothy in need of a Paul?

T - Teachable. Be willing to learn and grow in your relationship with Jesus.
I - Initiate a relationship with a more mature believer. Ask if they would help you.
M - Multiply your ministry, in turn, by investing in another’s life.

We all need a Paul or “Lois” in our lives and to be a Timothy or “Eunice” in someone else’s life. Are you actively investing in the spiritual life of another? Who is it? Would you like to be? The best coaches invest in their athletes, parents in their children, and pastors in their people. We need each other in the Body of Christ. I’m so glad to be a part of the Willow View family, growing in Christ with you. We’re never too old to learn or too young, either!

Looking forward to worshiping our Lord Jesus with you this Sunday.

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
That quote by Pastor Mark Batterson has been on our marquee for over a week. I believe it with all my heart. We put it on our marquee before Israel and the United States launched attacks against the leadership of Iran last Saturday morning, killing many of their nation’s leaders.

What should our response be to such actions? Thoughtful and soul-searching prayer, as I sought to do last Sunday, by asking the Lord to protect the innocent in Israel, Iran and America, too. No one wants war. We know the words of Jesus when He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9. Peace is the ultimate goal – peace with God and one another.

And yet, the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote in Ecc. 3:8: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven, ‘a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.’” Sometimes war is inevitable to promote real peace. Still yet, Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people.” Peace is the goal but not peace at all costs.

Though I personally have no desire for the United States to be the police keeper of the world, I appreciate our support for the nation of Israel against our joint enemies – in this case the world’s largest supporter of Islamic terrorism who has declared “Death to Israel and Death to America” as their intended and ultimate goal. Our conflict is not with the people of Iran but their leadership. It’s always too early to quit praying!

Please pray for our active military and their families in this time of uncertainty and for divine protection of innocent life. We don’t know what the immediate future holds, but we do know who holds the future! Our future is secure because “The Lord is near.”- Phils 4:5.

Praying with you for our world!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

Men: Remember this Saturday’s men’s breakfast at 8 a.m. at the church with our own pilot instructor Ron Todd speaking.

Ladies: Our Willow View Women’s Bible study and gathering is this Sunday afternoon at 5:00. All are welcome!

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Halt! Not a word we use very much. When I think of someone saying “halt!,” I usually picture a uniformed office or soldier at a checkpoint demanding me to “stop!” It’s a command not a suggestion.

Yesterday I was visiting with a new friend at lunch, and we were talking about temptation in life. We know Jesus was tempted by Satan, but He never gave in. Jesus is perfect; we are not. We, on the other hand, have been tempted and given in to temptation too many times to count!

Temptation is real and Satan is, too. How can we overcome temptation in our lives? We must be aware of Satan’s strategies.

I was sharing a concept I learned years ago based on the acrostic H.A.L.T. When are we most tempted? It’s usually when we are: H-hungry, A-angry, L-lonely, and T-tired. Think about a recent temptation in your life. Were any of those four factors impacting your life at the time? I bet one or more of them were. Tempted to stay up and watch something questionable? Maybe you were lonely or tired. Tempted to say something you know you’ll regret? Maybe you were angry or tired. Tempted to spend money you don’t have? Maybe you are angry or lonely believing you deserve better. Discontent can also lead to sin.

Temptation is not sin, but giving in to temptation is. Next time you’re tempted, I pray you might HALT and seek the help of the Holy Spirit and the power of God’s Word to help you overcome.

That’s what Jesus did when He was tempted. He quoted scripture He had hidden in his heart and mind. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” wrote the Psalmist in Psalm 119:11. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth this: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.’- I Cor. 10:13.

As we said last Sunday, “Love God and Hate Sin.” That’s our call as Christian disciples.

This Sunday is March 1, 2026. Can you believe it? Looking forward to worshipping with you this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion together.

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
I was pleased that many of you were able to be with us for our Ash Wednesday service last night at Willow View. The season of Lent has officially begun – the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday not including the six Sundays. It’s a “holy pause” to prepare our hearts to follow Jesus every day in a meaningful way. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2.

As Pastor Scott and I marked each person with the sign of the cross, we were reminded Christ died for each of us. He showed us the full extent of His love. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”- Romans 5:8b. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”- John 15:13. That’s exactly what Jesus did for you!

What will we do for Him this Lenten season? What must we allow the Holy Spirit to prune – cut out of our lives – to make more time for Jesus? How can we abide more fully in Him, our True Vine?

I’ve challenged us to spend more time with Jesus in prayer. We host Wednesday evening prayer in the Sanctuary every week at 6 p.m. I’ve invited you to pair up with another person as a Lenten prayer partner for fellowship and encouragement during this season. We’ve provided a daily devotional for you to read to draw closer to Jesus (we still have a few copies at the church). The opportunities are there, but you must choose to participate. I can only encourage you. Prayer is our relationship with Jesus. He longs to spend more alone time with you!

I have an active couple in our church who turned in a Lenten prayer partner form indicating they would be praying together every week with each other. I was thrilled! I believe it’s true, the couple that prays together stays together. But very few couples – even Christian couples – pray together other than at mealtimes. Robin and I have found setting aside time to pray together every week provides wonderful emotional and spiritual benefits. You may too! I’ll close with this reminder, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Heb. 4:16.

Looking forward to worshipping with you this first Sunday of Lent!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

PS: Our Willow View Welcome luncheon for prospective and new members is this Sunday at 12:15. It sounds like we’re going to have a large group! Call Emily today if you are yet to RSVP. Thanks!

By Pastor Mark McAdow
I had the opportunity to speak at Emmanuel Christian School’s morning Chapel Service yesterday. Since it’s Valentine’s week (hint, hint, guys!), I spoke about love to elementary age kids and asked what they loved. I got several responses including video games, toys, Grandma, and a few for parents, too! I brought with me some of the things I loved in a bag including Hideaway pizza (well, a box!), a can of Coca-Cola that becomes a puzzle, a Rumble doll to signify the OKC Thunder (don’t judge me – it was a gift!), a red Bible (because every Bible should be “read”), and a picture of my beautiful bride, Robin. I love all these things, but obviously some “loves” are much deeper and richer than others.

My point, of course, was that God is love and all other loves pale in comparison to His love. I wanted to teach the Scripture that is inscribed in Robin’s wedding band. I asked if anyone knew I John 4:19 from memory, as I began to write it on a whiteboard. Dozens of students responded “yes!” I was floored. I knew they would know John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life,” but I thought I might stump them with I John 4:19. I was wrong! There is something to be said about Christian education and Scripture memory. I’m so very thankful Mandie is teaching our Willow View kids to “hide God’s Word in their hearts” through Scripture memory.

Do you know I John 4:19? “We love because He first loved me.” Think about that for just a moment. God is love. We didn’t initiate love for God. He first reached out to us in His love. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrated His love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s true love. Jesus is our ultimate lover and friend. His Holy Word is His valentine to each of us.

Receive His love today and offer His love to someone else, too.

Love you,
Pastor Mark

PS: Remember to sign up this Sunday to be part of the Prayer partner for Lent opportunity. You will be blessed and be a blessing, too!

PS: Ash Wednesday worship is coming Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Have a blessed Valentine’s Day. See you this Sunday, too.

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Robin and I were able to attend our granddaughter’s open house at her elementary school in Edmond on Tuesday evening. We hadn’t planned for it, but we both felt impressed to go when we realized we had the opportunity. Though we arrived late – OKC 5 o'clock traffic didn’t help – we were glad we did. We met Mrs. Holliday, her first-grade teacher, and discovered she is a strong Christian serving in the public school system. I’m reminded what a mission field teaching really is and how thankful I am for godly teachers here in Enid and beyond!

I noticed a sign in Lennxy’s classroom that read “Silent and Listen” are spelled with the exact same letters. I had never thought of that before. I began thinking that there is a spiritual truth inherent in that phrase. So often, we really do not listen for the Holy’s Spirit’s voice because we are rarely silent.

Noise pollution is everywhere – outside and inside, too! Some young men in a pickup the other day were blasting their music so loud all of us around them could hear and feel the vibrations from our own cars! We find a lot of noise inside our heads as well, as we think and often worry about our problems. No wonder it’s so hard to hear from the Lord.

Has God seemed silent in your life lately? Does it feel like He’s forgotten you? Let me assure you, He hasn’t! Dr. Henry Blackaby says there are two possible reasons for God’s silences. Sometimes, it’s because there is known sin in our life we have failed to confess or are unwilling to give up. Sin blocks our relationship with Jesus. If that’s the case, ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and give you the honesty and courage to confess and repent of your sin so you can be restored to a loving relationship with Jesus!

Secondly, God’s silences can be preparation for a greater revelation of Himself than you have ever known. Blackaby writes in Experiencing God: “You can respond to God’s silences in two ways. You can become frustrated, feel guilty or be impatient. Or you can expect God to bring you to a deeper knowledge of Himself.” The choice is ours! Psalms 46:10 challenges us to “Be still and know that I am God.” Sometimes, silence is a wonderful gift!

Looking forward to being with you this Sunday for worship.

Love you,
Pastor Mark

Men: I’m going to be sharing at Men’s Breakfast at Wee Too at 7 a.m. this Friday. Feb. 6. Love to have you join us for a hearty breakfast and encouraging time together.

Willow View women: Be sure to join our women for a fun game of bingo and a jewelry sale to benefit Women at Risk this Saturday evening, Feb. 7, beginning at 5 p.m.

By Pastor Mark McAdow
As a young boy growing up at Will Rogers Methodist Church in Tulsa, I always loved going to church – well, unless there was snow to play in outside or maybe a favorite TV show to watch! After all, I was a kid once.

My home church was the place I first met and asked Jesus into my heart, at the altar one Sunday evening, and where my best friends would gather, too. I enjoyed Sunday School and, especially as a teen, when we got to meet at an old house across from the church. We kids felt special to be “off site” in our own space!

But one of my favorite memories was Sunday night vesper services. Our pastor would bring a devotional message, and we would sing some beloved hymns – shouted from the audience with the page number for the pianist to play. Then they would turn the lights down and our pastor would “open up" the altar for an extended time of personal prayer. I always felt close to the Lord there. No matter what challenges might be happening in my world, the altar of my church was a place of comfort and peace.

One of those hymns that would often be played was titled “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” The first line reads: “Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!”

Unfortunately, we don’t have as much time for prayer together in Sunday morning worship services, but we do have an opportunity on Wednesday nights. The last two Wednesday nights have especially been “sweet” as we worship together, pray for one another, Willow View, and others with special needs.

As we prepare for the Lenten season, I pray we will set aside time for prayer in some new way. I invite you to participate in our Lenten prayer partner opportunity and/or begin coming at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights as our children and youth meet. We’ve prayed for them by name on occasion, too!

Prayer is our relationship with Jesus. Come try it out. You may pray aloud or silently or just receive from the Lord. Philippians 4:6-7 challenges us, “Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Praise God!

Looking forward to getting back together this Sunday. Our parking lot is plowed! It will be cold outside but warm inside. Be blessed to be a blessing!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow

"GODISNOWHERE"
 
I put this phrase up on our worship screens not long ago. I prefaced it by saying an atheist had written this on a white board in a college classroom. “God is nowhere” was the intent — a statement of unbelief. A Christian student went up to the board and separated the phrase slightly differently and it read “God is now here.” A statement of abiding faith!

Today in Oklahoma it might read, “God I snow here!”

Just a reminder: If we get an avalanche of snow – as predicted – we will not host worship services this Sunday.

My philosophy has always been “if it’s snow – it’s a go; if it’s ice – no dice!” But, if the weathermen’s prediction is right this time, we won’t be able to clear the snow quickly enough to safely hold services. Plus, it sounds like the temperatures will be bitterly cold.

If we must close, we will send an email update out and put the closing on the OKC television stations. As always, never attempt to come to church if it would put you in danger.

But, if they miss the forecast again, we’ll be here! Because “God is now here!”

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
When I was a single student at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY, I remember having lunch with a friend and fellow “ground hog” — we lived with about two dozen guys on a campground on the edge of town, thus our beloved nickname. The conversation was about adoption. It seemed strange to be discussing adoption as single guys, but my friend Rory (he was Canadian) had a strong opinion about the topic. He believed every Christian couple should adopt a child first, before attempting to have one on their own. I had never thought or heard of that before. His premise was that many children need to be adopted, and what better place than a Christian home. It made some sense, but I’m sure I dismissed that thought soon after.

Fast forward to 1996 when Robin and I had one child, our miracle son Matthew, but hadn’t been able to have another. We learned about an Oklahoma doctor in Russia who discovered an orphanage that indicated they would consider adopting their children to Americans. Through a series of setbacks, multiple miraculous events and answers to prayer, Robin and I contacted him and adopted our Russian baby girl, Hannah Elizabeth, nine months later on Jan. 13, 1997. We had considered adoption earlier in our marriage before Matt’s arrival but found it to be cost prohibitive. Adoption became a part of our family history – something I’m sure we wouldn’t have considered except for our issues with infertility. It became a loving option for us and a great blessing – though a challenging one at times, too!

As I was praying for someone in our Willow View family this morning who is adopted, I realized once again what a wonderfully loving option it truly is for the child without parents and a place to call home.  God our Heavenly Father has done that for each of us. Jeremiah 31:3 reminds us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” The only way we come to the Father is through adoption.

This is Sanctity of Life Month, and I’m so extremely glad the Lord gave me life and a family to belong to. I’ll be sharing more about that this Sunday. Look forward to worshipping our Lord together with you!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

Why a prayer from heaven? It’s from my favorite evangelist Billy Graham who now resides in heaven. Though it was written 12 years ago, the insights and requests are remarkably valuable for our world today! Read it slowly and offer it as your prayer to our Heavenly Father on this first day of 2026.

Looking forward to worshiping our Lord Jesus with you this first Sunday of the New Year! It’s your opportunity to have “perfect” worship attendance for 2026 and maybe – just maybe – set a new trend. (Last year we had to cancel services due to ice!)

Have a happy and blessed new year!

Love you,
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Unto you is born this day…a Savior which is Christ the Lord.”
– Luke 2:11

Santa lived in the North Pole…JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh…JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year…JESUS is ever-present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies…JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited…JESUS stands at your door, knocks, and then enters your heart.

You have to wait in line to see Santa…JESUS is as close as the mention of His Name.

Santa lets you sit in his lap…JESUS lets you rest in His Arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”…JESUS knew your name from the foundations of the world. Not only does He now your name, but your address, too. He knows your past and future, and He even knows how many hairs are on your head.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly…Jesus has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is “HO HO HO”…JESUS offers health, help, and hope.

While Santa says, “You better not cry”…JESUS says, “Cast all your burdens on me, for I care for you.”

Santa’s little helpers make toys…JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes, and builds mansions.

Santa makes you chuckle, but…JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree…JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It’s obvious there really is no comparison. We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about. We need to put Christ back into Christmas, JESUS is still the reason for the season. Yes, JESUS is better than Santa Claus!
 
Merry Christmas!!!
Love you!
Pastor Mark

By Pastor Mark McAdow
- Bethany Farms
 
Love you,
Pastor Mark

Looking forward to worshipping Jesus with you this “Christmas” Sunday at 9 or 11 a.m.