Homecoming Sabbath Rekindles Fellowship at Claremore Seventh‑day Adventist Church

The Claremore, Oklahoma Seventh‑day Adventist Church experienced a powerful spirit of revival as members, former members, and guests filled the sanctuary for a special Homecoming Sabbath and the launch of the Encounter Jesus: Through His Word series which begins Friday night and runs through June 5th, 2026. What is normally a congregation of about 75 grew to 160 in attendance, creating an atmosphere of joy, reconnection, and renewed mission.

Much of the strong turnout resulted from intentional outreach. Working with SermonView, members distributed professionally designed flyers and sent 150 personal invitations, which brought in friends, neighbors, and several families who had not attended in years.

The day was further enriched by the presence of five former pastors, whose return added a meaningful sense of heritage and continuity.

A Sabbath Filled With Worship and Warmth

The morning began with a thoughtful and engaging Sabbath School led by Pastor and former Conference President James Shires.

During the worship hour, Nathan Shires delivered the sermon and reflected on the day’s spirit of unity, noting that “this Homecoming Weekend was fantastically planned with warmth and leadership that began in the parking lot and ran through each service.”

“This special Sabbath also reflects a much larger movement taking place across the Oklahoma Conference through the Oklahoma Reconnect initiative, a conference-wide effort focused on reclaiming missing members, restoring relationships, and helping churches become places of intentional belonging. As part of this initiative, churches across Oklahoma have been encouraged to plan Homecoming Sabbaths designed not only to celebrate God’s faithfulness in the past, but also to lovingly reconnect with those who may have drifted away from church life. Homecoming Sabbaths remind us that the church should always have its eyes open for the missing, its doors open for the returning, and its heart open for restoration. Claremore’s Homecoming Sabbath was a beautiful example of what can happen when a church intentionally creates space for people to come home.“

Pastor Louie Rojas blessed the congregation with a musical selection on his saw—an unexpected and cherished moment—and spent time reconnecting with former members throughout the day. With every pew filled, the sanctuary radiated gratitude and fellowship.

Celebrations of Faith and New Beginnings

The Homecoming Sabbath became a day of spiritual milestones as the church witnessed:

• Three baptisms—a mother, her daughter, and a close friend

• One baby dedication, celebrated with joy by both the family and the congregation

These decisions brought a deep sense of purpose to the weekend, reminding all in attendance of God’s ongoing work in the Claremore community.

Afternoon Inspiration and Evening Worship

At 2:00 p.m., former pastor and Air Force Chaplain Ryan Neill shared a moving personal story that resonated deeply with attendees and added a powerful layer of reflection to the afternoon program.

The day concluded with a peaceful and spiritually rich vespers service led by Pastor Harvey Gil, drawing the congregation into quiet gratitude after a full day of worship and fellowship. Current pastor Brian Cowin served as host for the entire event, ensuring a smooth, welcoming experience for all who attended.

Looking Ahead: Encountering Jesus Through His Word

The momentum from Homecoming continues with the ongoing Friday‑night “Encounter Jesus: Through His Word” series, which runs through June 5. Members and guests are already responding positively as the series provides weekly opportunities to grow deeper in Scripture and in relationship with Christ.

The Claremore Seventh‑day Adventist Church’s successful Homecoming Sabbath not only celebrated the past—it ignited fresh energy for the future, reminding the church family of its mission, its heritage, and the joy of gathering in God’s presence.