You can’t be a Christian without daily embracing the grace of hope and no one more than the children of God can appreciate true hope.  True hope extends beyond the fences of poverty, loneliness, abuse, neglect, and fear, because it is grounded in the promise of God that a real, tearless future awaits us.  This future is characterized by rest, safety, peace, and joy.  These realities can only be truly experienced in Christ.  While the world can give expressions of God’s common grace striving to meet the physical needs of those in crisis, only believers be instruments of Gods special grace, bringing the actual love of God into places of anguish and pain.  God illustrates His love with the extended arms of His children, picturing for the world the invitation of God Himself to every person to know and rest in His embrace.

The one Hope Center is just such a place, where the loving arms of God can be seen and felt by the children and families of Tulsa.  Joe Blankenship personifies the compassion of our Heavenly Father, and is God’s voice of true hope.  For several years, students from The Master’s College have joined with Joe and his family to become living, breathing examples of God’s love.  Our students have interned under Joe’s careful and faith-filled leadership to discover that they too can pursue not the American Dream, but God’s dream for people.  Nothing is of greater importance than bringing the message of hope, peace, and freedom that will last for all eternity.  To order the priorities of one’s life around the message of the Gospel is to finally embrace the call to authentic Christian discipleship.  The guaranteed impact will be realized in communities that have been marginalized and have experienced the effects of man’s neglect and injustice.

I would strongly encourage everyone to take a step of faith and participate in the one million people, one dollar, one hope campaign.  The impact will last for eternity!

--Dr. Mark Tatlock
Vice President of Student Development
The Master’ College

"A veteran and somewhat famous football coach once told me,
. . . Don't let the simplicity of a play fool you into diminishing its effectiveness!" 

I could say much the same about The ONE HOPE Ministry operating and serving the inner city youth of Tulsa.  ONE HOPE is giving these young people the opportunity to develop confidence in school both academically and athletically.  These youngsters don't typically get to participate in youth sports or take private coaching lessons. Consequently, they are usually behind their peers in the suburbs in developing their skills and commitment to the sports they play.  ONE HOPE
is simply taking the sport to the kids.  ONE HOPE partners with highly qualified high school and college coaches and former players to build a "teaching and mentoring" relationship with these potential young athletes. Statistics show that participation in Varsity sports dramatically improves their high school graduation rates.

ONE HOPE ministry is simply about "loving others".  That love is shown by tutoring, playing, mentoring and teaching young people that don't routinely have those opportunities.  While I appreciate ONE HOPE's commitment to helping kids stay in school, get an education, and prepare for a great career, that is only the beginning of the story.  ONE HOPE is committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus as the life changing hope of the world.  The only reason for the ONE HOPE Center is to get kids to come and learn sports and get academic help so they can get to know JESUS, the ONE HOPE of the world."      

--Bill Blankenship
Special Teams Coordinator
University of Tulsa Football

I’ve had the wonderful privilege of supporting One Hope’s Tutoring Program and Sports Camps over the past several years.  I have found One Hope to be one of the most needed, caring and rewarding ministries I’ve ever been exposed to.  This ministry is motivated by love, fueled by faith and directed to hurting children of various ages; many of whom are routinely subjected to hunger, drug abuse, violence and hate.  One Hope openly expresses the love of Jesus Christ to children who are in desperate need of Love, Hope and Salvation.

Despite the difficult circumstances many of these children routinely face, they are truly a joy to minister to.  They love to laugh…love to play games…love to learn…and love to hug.  Ironically, those of us who attempt to minister to the needs of the children often discover the children offer more rewards to the Tutor or Coach (in love and appreciation) than the adult could ever offer to the child.

Obviously, there are many charitable organizations and ministries certainly worthy of your prayer and financial support.  Nevertheless, please consider supporting One Hope, as God is doing a wonderful work in the hearts of the children of Tulsa…and your support would go directly to where God is working.           

--Rick Shackelford
Power Plant Manager
Green Country Energy, LLC.   

The hymn tells us to "rescue the perishing and care for the dying." I think it was Francis of Asissi who said, "Only one life 'twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last." And of course we must not forget the words of our Lord who said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." The Christian knows that there is something right and freeing in  dying to self and giving ourselves away for the good of those who cannot pay us back and for the glory of God who will one day reward this kind of service. People matter to God. God's glory matters to God. And these are the very things that matter to the brothers and sisters who are a part of One Hope. My wife and I have had the privilege of seeing the Christ-centered compassion of those who lead One Hope over the long haul of life. This is no fly-by-night ministry. One Hope is committed to helping the needy, loving the unlovable, preaching the gospel, and magnifying the unbelievable goodness and grace of God in all that they do. If you are looking for a ministry to be a part of either by your physical involvement or your financial investment, I urge you to consider One Hope. Talk to Joe or Rex or Andrew, hear the burden of their heart, and pray about being a part of this effort. I promise, you will not regret it.

--Derek Cox
Pastor, First Baptist Church
Guymon, Oklahoma