Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children
The mission of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children is to help children become capable, caring Christian adults by sharing Christ’s love and providing hope and homes for children.
Baptist Children’s Home began over 100 years ago, before Oklahoma was a state. A pastor and his wife took in an orphaned baby then later took in another child who had been abandoned in a covered wagon. There are now four different campuses that are a ministry of the Southern Baptist Church in Oklahoma: a boy’s ranch in Edmond (a working ranch where the boys raise beef), the Oklahoma City campus, Madill campus, and Owasso campus. Scott Pallett Administrator for the Owasso campus says their campus is mostly girls and they also have a maternity home for mothers under age 18. All services are provided free of charge. Pallett says most of the children at the Owasso Baptist Children’s Home are there for at least a year or so. A major part of the support system for the children is the structure provided by house parents that live with the children in homes or cottages on the Owasso campus. There are 8 children in each home where house parents teach biblical values and morals and provide meals. The children attend public school and church. On the Owasso campus there is also transitional living apartments for those who are pursuing a career or a college education. There is bed space for 40 children in Owasso plus independent living.
School supplies are needed for children of all ages. Items like pens, paper, notebooks can be donated. Donations of personal hygiene items are also needed. Items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, as well as sheets, pillows, pillow cases, towels, and there is especially a need for diapers for their maternity program. Also, individuals or groups can volunteer at the Baptist Children’s Home. Individuals are needed to tutor kids in math or English, or simply to read with kids. Volunteers can do craft projects or most any area of interest a volunteer has can likely be done as an activity with the children. Sunday school classes and other groups have come out for various projects. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Darla Neighbors at the Owasso Baptist Children’s Home office at 918-272-2233.
Scott Pallett encourages people to visit their website at OBHC.org. There people can learn more about Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children - information, history, and specific needs including a gift registry. Needed items are placed on the online gift registry. Items from the gift registry can even be purchased online to give directly to the ministry. Individuals can also donate money online and other ways to help include setting up Memorial gifts in honor of a loved one can be done on their website.
OBHC.org
