Growing Global Methodist Church Congregation Welcomes First Pastor; Launches Renewal Weekend Oklahoma City, OK
– In less than two years, North OKC Methodist Church has grown from a small lay led group seeking to remain rooted in historic Christianity into a thriving new congregation of the Global Methodist Church (GMC). The church recently welcomed its first permanent pastor, Rev. Bryan Wardroup, and is preparing to host a major outreach and renewal weekend on its new property in northwest Oklahoma City. North OKC Methodist Church is one of six GMC congregations in the Oklahoma City metro area, joining St. Andrew’s Community Church, St. Mark’s Methodist Church in Bethany, Edmond Chinese International Church, New Creation Global Methodist Church in Norman, and Mount Zion Global Methodist Church in El Reno. Together, these congregations are part of the GMC’s Heartland Conference, which spans multiple states and even includes a church plant in Canada. The Heartland Conference now encompasses 213 congregations, including 16 new church plants.
A Church Born of Lay Leadership
North OKC Methodist Church began in late 2023 when a group of laypeople left their United Methodist congregations in hopes of creating a community like the early church -- marked by a love bold enough to speak truth, tender enough to forgive, and strong enough to hold one another accountable in Christ. For most of its short life, the church relied on guest pastors and volunteer leadership. That changed last month when the congregation welcomed Rev. Bryan Wardroup as its first full-time pastor. The congregation currently worships at Quail Creek Country Club on Sundays at 10 a.m. but has already purchased five acres of land on MacArthur Boulevard, south of the Kilpatrick Turnpike, where it plans to build a permanent home. The church adopted the GMC’s mission statement which reflects its focus: “Led by the Holy Spirit, we exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.” Its mantra is simple but direct: “Love God. Live Holy. Reach the World.” Chris Koehn, a member of the church’s vision team, recalled how the North OKC church leaders initially spent a great amount of time selecting the church’s name and wondering if including “Methodist” in the name would be a good idea. “Denominations today often get a bad rap. People are weary of the divisions/factions they hear about certain Christian denominations, and Methodist traditions have certainly had their fair share of negative publicity. For this reason, many new churches choose not to include a denominational identity in their name. John Wesley was a powerful theologian who led countless individuals to faith in Jesus and believed the world was his parish. His faith in Christ influenced every decision he made—to the point that he asked himself 22 faith-related reflection questions every day. He encouraged the early followers of the Methodist movement to meet in small groups to encourage one another, strengthen each other’s faith, and hold each other accountable. The “method” they adopted added a unique and rich perspective to the Christian faith of which I am extremely proud. It only seemed fitting to me to include “Methodist” in our church’s name.” 1 St. Andrew’s Community Church and its pastor, Rev. DA Bennett, have offered support to this church plant since its inception. “We are excited and committed to helping a sister GMC congregation. We want to see this church succeed, and the GMC has the vision of churches helping plant other churches.”
A Place for Families and Youth
From the beginning, North OKC has placed a strong emphasis on discipleship for all ages. An active youth group has become a hallmark of the young congregation. Stacey Trupiano, a mother of two teenagers, has been helping lead the group since the church’s earliest days. “I wanted my children to be part of a youth group where they would learn the Bible and not just be entertained,” Trupiano said. “But I also wanted a church where they wouldn’t get lost in the crowd. At North OKC, youth and children are connected to the whole church family. Older members encourage them, share their wisdom, and model what obedience to Christ looks like. It’s not about chasing fads—it’s about raising up disciples who seek to become more like Jesus, stand firm on Scripture, and live out His love in the world.”
A Global Movement Rooted in Scripture
The Global Methodist Church formed in 2022 out of a desire for a renewed emphasis on the authority of Scripture, personal holiness, and global connection. At its convening General Conference in San José, Costa Rica, in September 2024, leaders from across the world gathered to set the denomination’s beliefs and practices. Unlike many independent church movements, the GMC has placed a high value on global connection and partnership. North OKC Methodist member Cara Nicklas, who was a delegate in Costa Rica and serves on the denomination’s global council, emphasized the importance of this worldwide perspective: “I love the richness that comes from a global denomination that professes a shared core of Christian beliefs. Our faith is enriched by perspectives from other cultures because it discourages us from interpreting Scripture solely within our own cultural lens. Methodism is unique because leaders from Africa, the Philippines, and other parts of the world don’t just receive our mission efforts— they have a seat at the table where their voices remind us that Scripture speaks with clarity and power across every nation and people.” The North OKC congregation is partnered with GMC conferences in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, deepening its sense of global connection and mission.
Rooted & Renewed Weekend: September 20–21
This fall, the congregation will host its first large community event on the new property. Called Rooted & Renewed, the two-day gathering aims to invite neighbors in north Oklahoma City to experience the life of the church as Scripture intended. 2
• Saturday, September 20 (5:00–7:00 p.m.) – A family event with hot dogs, snow cones, inflatables, and fun activities.
• Sunday, September 21 (5:00-7:00 p.m.) – Bishop Robert E. Hayes, beloved former bishop of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference and now Bishop Emeritus in the GMC, will headline a tent revival service on the property. The event will feature worship, preaching, and community fellowship with dinner provided by sister church St. Andrew’s Community Church.
Bishop Hayes is expected to bring back the spirit of historic Methodist “tent revivals,” which fueled exponential growth in American Methodism during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Between 1776 and 1850, the denomination grew from just 8,500 members to more than 1.2 million as the Good News was boldly proclaimed.
Looking Forward
As it continues to grow, North OKC Methodist Church hopes to establish a permanent home on its MacArthur Boulevard property in the coming years. In the meantime, its members remain focused on the essentials: loving God, living holy lives, and reaching the world. About North OKC Methodist Church Founded in 2023 by a group of laypeople seeking to remain rooted in historic Christianity, North OKC Methodist Church is part of the Global Methodist Church’s Heartland Conference. The conference currently worships at Quail Creek Country Club on Sundays at 10 a.m. and has purchased land on MacArthur Boulevard where it plans to build a permanent home. Its mission is simple but direct: “Love God. Live Holy. Reach the World.”