The Freedom House Adult and Teen Challenge Eternal Treasures BBQ Banquet and Graduation Ceremony was held Saturday, October 4 and celebrated several ladies’ freedom from the struggles in this world.

Who would have thought that the Odd Fellows Home which was originally an orphanage built decades ago, would one day house Oklahoma Adult and Teen Challenge women being set free from the struggles of this world to become “Eternal Treasures” for God’s glory?

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” – II Corin. 4:7 NKJV Amazingly all these years later this special place is still serving its purpose by providing a place for young women to rebuild their lives and become the women called by His name.

Through grants and fundraising efforts, the restoration of Freedom House that launched in 2013 is still going strong and is in its next phase of finishing the Freedom Worship and Event Center for tenants to grow even more in the Lord.

As Master of Ceremony David Bright led a packed out banquet facility held in the Free Will Baptist Event Center other dignitaries came to celebrate the facility’s success, including former Exec. Dir. Karen Coon and Oklahoma Adult and Teen Challenge CEO, Wayne Gray, and his wife Mischa Gray.

Special guest speaker Carrie Burden spoke about the character developed during the time these ladies go through the internship program just like she did. She too understood the importance of taking responsibility for her own actions so she could become who she was meant to be in Christ. She also praised Freedom House for being instrumental in teaching how to develop safe relationships within their community and workplace to understanding the importance of developing a personal relationship with Christ in their everyday lives.

The evening began with a silent auction and a lovely catered dinner by Salt and Light BBQ from Spearman, TX. Then Freedom House ladies performed a short skit showing the power of prayer and how Jesus Christ can help anyone overcome all their addictions and troubles in this world.

Exec. Dir. Kathy Love along with her right hand Julie Tittjung celebrated each graduates accomplishments on stage as each lady gave their testimonies of where God had brought them from and how He has made them eternal treasures in His Kingdom.

“Thanks to all who helped make our banquet and graduation ceremony such a beautiful event,” Love said. “Special thanks to Mark and Tammy Murray with Salt and Light Barbecue from Spearman, Texas for the amazing prime rib, ham and turkey meal for this banquet, and for the five years of making us one of their mission trips. Thanks to Shelly Walters for the beautiful painting, David Bright, for being Master of Ceremonies, Carrie Burden for sharing her testimony, LaDonna Rhodes for taking pictures with the newspaper, all of our sponsors, Wayne Gray CEO and Mischa Gray for closing in prayer, just everyone who came and helped. A special thank you to Pastor Mark Shores and FBC for the use of the church gym! And to ALL of my Freedom House staff and students, I appreciate you and your service to Him.

“If you weren’t able to attend it’s not too late to help us reach our goal to finish the Freedom Worship and Event Center by donating any amount. No donation is too small or too large. With the rising cost of materials, Freedom House needs approximately $40,000 more to complete the Worship and Event Center to be used in these last days to change lives forever like He’s already doing in all these Freedom House ladies.”

Donations can be mailed to Freedom House, P.O. Box 20, Checotah, OK 74426 or calling 918-473-3462.