what we do
Restore OKC
RestoreOKC is an outreach arm of ministries connected to City Pres. RestoreOKC seeks to draw together the entire body of Christ in Oklahoma City in order to mobilize the human, financial, and spiritual resources of many churches, students, and businesses in the area to manifest God’s love to the poor and oppressed in our city and see the Kingdom of God established.
Our core values for RestoreOKC include:
Seeking justice on behalf of the poor, oppressed, widow, and fatherless
Freely expressing God’s mercy by sharing our lives and resources to seek restoration alongside our brothers and sisters in some of OKC’s poorest neighborhoods
Humbly acknowledging the complexities of injustice, the roles we play in it, and its systemic effect so that we can build relationships of true reconciliation
Where We Work and Why
We believe that God intends for the church to display his commitment to reconcile all things to himself in a culture that does the opposite. The majority culture church has been historically complicit in the oppression of African American brothers and sisters. It has also failed to consistently stand alongside those in minority communities in times of need. Our desire is to make a demonstrated commitment to repent and seek justice and mercy together.
The NE OKC area is marked by high percentages of discrimination and poverty, and the multitude of issues that stem from them. A few statistics for the community in which we are based include:
More than 80% of the zip code is comprised of single-parent households
Median household income is less than $25,000 per year
More than 60% of children live below the poverty line
Low high school graduation rate and failing schools
High crime and violence [homicide rate 8 times the city average]
Significant percentages of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction in youths and adults
Worship
We long to worship together
City Pres meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. to worship Jesus together. Come join us at 829 NW 13th Street (at the corner of NW 13th and Shartel). Here’s a video with driving directions from NW 13th. Here’s a video with driving directions from 23rd and Classen.
Every worship service in every church has a structure, so of course ours does as well. We sing historic hymns set to new music, but we also love great new hymns and choruses too. We hear from God’s Holy Word. We take the Lord’s Supper every week because we believe this is a sign in which Jesus spiritually meets with us in a physical way. God sends us out on mission with his blessing called the benediction. We’re trying to connect historic practices with Oklahoma City today. You might find many things unfamiliar, but we want you to feel invited into this, so God can speak to you and you can respond to him.
We have a CityKids time during the service for the younger children to get some great Bible teaching on their level. We think children are valuable members of our church community, so they’re invited to stay.
If you’d like more information about the songs we sing, about our worship service, or if you’d like to help us lead music or take a prelude or postlude, we’d love to have you join in. We’re also looking for those who could help us with the sound system or are interested in learning how run it. Please contact Brenden Gateley at worship@citypresokc.com.
Kids + youth
Our Children’s Ministry strives to care for children safely and with excellence. All of our volunteers and staff are background checked and receive Ministry Safe training. For more information about our child safety policies, or if you are interested in volunteering in one of our classes, please contact Megan at childsafety@citypresokc.com.
If you have yet to register your child for our Children’s Ministry, you may do so here.
Nursery
We want our kids to love God, love people, and love the city, too. We want them to love the church! We aim to treat children with respect and dignity, and we also want to give parents the option of a safe place for their kids. While children are invited to join with us in worship, the Nursery is also always an option for them (and for you).
All children up to but before Pre-K are welcome to our Nursery during the service. We have a designated room for babies and another for toddlers. We strive to teach our kids about Jesus. We use fantastic curriculum like the Jesus Storybook Bible.
If you have any questions about the Nursery, please contact Lauren at nursery@citypresokc.com.
City Kids
Jesus welcomed children into his presence. Jesus treasured kids as examples for grownups to follow in humble love and unashamed reliance on the grace of our heavenly Father. And Jesus’ church embraces children as members in his visible body through the promises of God extended to Christian families. We want our church to be a place of love, security, playfulness, and growth for all ages.
Our City Kids class for PreK through 2nd graders takes place during the sermon on Sunday mornings. Prior to the sermon, they are dismissed from the sanctuary; and then after the sermon, they are brought back into the sanctuary to return to their parents/guardians. Participants must be potty trained; we will not take children to the bathroom.
Our City Kids class for 3rd through 5th graders takes place after the Sunday worship service for 30 minutes. The first 15 minutes is for fun activities and games. The remaining 15 minutes is for discussing the sermon they just heard, or a separate Bible lesson.
If you have any questions about our City Kids classes, please contact Megan at citykids@citypresokc.com.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEURODIVERSITY INITIATIVE
As part of the City Pres Neurodiversity Initiative, we are beginning to offer accommodations for neurodiverse children. It is our hope that these accommodations can assist in integrating neurodiverse children into the church community as valued members of the Church. Accommodations include, but are not limited to, the following intervention methods:
Contractors trained in occupational therapy who will provide one-on-one assistance in the classroom and model intervention methods to teachers and students
Specialized training for church volunteers who lead or assist with City Kids on Sundays
A designated area where children in need of accommodation can calmly transition (after church begins and before City Kids dismissal)
In-class accommodations that meet ADHD/sensory needs (e.g. noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, focus-gadgets, etc.)
Alternate City Kids craft/activity option geared toward children with fine motor delays
If you think your child could benefit from any of the above accommodations, please note as much in this registration form.
PYRETICS Youth Group
Our young people need real community. They are busy and connected individuals, but we want to engage with them as well. They have stories, and their stories are important! We don’t want to always segment them off or communicate that church isn’t for them. We also want them to form great memories of the crazy and great things they did with their friends at church. We want them to feel loved and included. We want them to serve and remember that life is bigger than themselves. We want them to know and love God without relying on their parents’ faith. We want them to believe and grow and flourish into men and women of God.
Pyretics youth meets at City Pres on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm as well as on Sundays after the service from 11:30-11:45am. We also organize events and parties throughout the year so the youth can see each other and invite their friends.
For more information, contact Austin Bowles at youth@citypresokc.com.
Events
Our building dates back to 1920 with Park Congregational Church, which soon became Pilgrim Congregational Church and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. From 1989 to 2014, it was used for various commercial purposes. City Pres purchased the building in 2014 and held our first worship service Easter Sunday, 2015.
At City Pres, we believe that throwing good parties is a part of kingdom living. That desire fuels our passion especially for weddings. We think your day should be fun, memorable, special, and honoring. Our goal is for you to begin your marriage confident in God’s love for you as individuals and as two who have become one.
If you’re interested in using our building for an event, please contact our church administrator Renee Gateley at admin@citypresokc.com. For wedding inquiries contact our wedding coordinator Julie Koiner at events@citypresokc.com.
