Our roots run deep into the red Oklahoma earth. Since the early 1920’s we have heeded God’s word, giving assistance to all of God’s children. The Spirit of the Lord blessed our founding members in their efforts to assist any neighbor and stranger that joined the community. Between the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression of the 1930’s, everyone had to work together to survive those challenging times. The work of the Compassionate Ministries touched many people. Once Dennis H Petty, son of the one of the founders, was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar, he established a more formal structure for the Compassionate Ministries by creating a constitution and by-laws that would direct the ongoing, fundamental purpose of the Compassionate Ministries. In the summer of 1938, the Church of Compassionate Ministries was acknowledged. Although there was a desire for more structure, the pure intention to minister to those in need remained unchanged. The founders of the Church of Compassionate Ministries witnessed God’s miracles that changed the lives that they ministered in those challenging times
As many men and women took up the call of duty in World War II, the membership provided assistance to their loved ones. The doors were open to anyone in need and we working with many different churches and charitable organizations. As our veterans returned, we were there to welcome them home. Guided by the hand of God, the membership listened and aided those asking for assistance to rebuild their lives.
Through the following decades the governing trustees were joined by an ever changing membership. Funded mainly by the commitment of the governing trustees, the church continued to minister to those families “within arms reach” in various parts of Oklahoma. The early 1960s welcomed some new governing trustees and marked the first attempt to offer assistance to a community outside of the United States. The village of El Taraiz in northern Mexico received assistance. Through hard work, funding by the church and the voluntary efforts new wells were developed and a small clinic/school built. Although this mission was short term, it touched the lives of many poor families.
A major test for the church was the sudden loss of two of the founders. We wish to acknowledge, J.D. Petty and Dennis H Petty for their vision, Acts of Compassion and devotion to sharing God’s love with everyone “within arm’s reach.” Although a main source of funding was also lost, we were still able to continue ministering to our neighbors. Several of the small homes, built on the Asher Oklahoma farm, were given to homeless families until they were ready to move on with their lives. In exchange, they offered part time labor or simply the fruits of their labor from the fields; these families were able to settle down for a year or more. Our Acts of Compassion made a strong impression on these families. They witnessed first hand the love God has for His children.
In the spring of 1993, the Church lost the last of its founding members. Ida Petty, at the cusp of her hundredth birthday, joined the Lord. Before her passing, the governing trustees and its membership pledged its commitment to the fundamental purpose at the heart of the church. She also shared the story about a young family that we helped. They only stayed a few months in one of the homes and left in the middle of the night. Many years later, one of their children returned to visit Ida. She wanted to see her “old” home. She thanked her for all that we had done. She simply said that her parents had become overwhelmed by the love and generosity, and took the family to south Texas and her parents had recently passed away. Before she left she said that her family followed our example and helped many families settling in their community.
The dawn of the twenty-first century has had an amazing impact on everyone. The “global community” continues to impact our daily lives. We acknowledge the wisdom of our elders, the blessings that we receive as we shared His love with everyone we meet. The governing trustees share the same conviction as the founders. We have witnessed the power our Acts of Compassion have on others. Like a stone dropped into water, as these acts touch others they ripple with more acts of compassion. We shall continue to cloth the naked, feed the hungry, minister to the sick and educate those in need of knowledge. We shall serve those that are “within arm’s reach” in our communities and that these communities can be anywhere on the ever shrinking planet.
