October 25, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 12

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025 The Elk City News FATHERLESSNESS 1. Fatherless children commit 72% of adolescent Clearly, adult self-confi- murders. dence can be chosen and 2. 70% of juveniles and developed even if a father 67% of prison inmates are hasn’t been present, but the fatherless. path to self-confidence is 3. 60% of rapists come very different for the adult from fatherless homes. man or woman who has a 4. Fatherless children are strong, loving relationship 30% more likely to abuse with their fathers, as op- drugs and alcohol; twice as posed to those who do not. likely to drop out of school and 11 times more likely to But, whether we have a exhibit violent behavior. loving relationship with Dixie Yoder earthly parents or not, the Fatherlessness in Amer- Enduring cultures have only permanent source for Area Church Directory ica is a growing problem. strong family bonds across having our need for accep- It’s most often absenteeism generations. In America, the tance and approval fully met Assembly of God Prairie View Baptist Lutheran I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City through divorce; it may be generational bonds between is a continually deepening Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran grandfathers, fathers and relationship with our Heav- Assembly of God 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City caused by death, or may be 115 W. 5th St., Erick Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 neglect or the inability to children have deeply eroded enly Father. Knowing our Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 Pastor: Gary Griffin parent effectively because of so that many children have true identity--our eternal Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Seventh-Day Adventist generational brokenness. no information or interest name—is absolutely essen- Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist Retrop Baptist Church in their heritage. This gener- tial for developing healthy, 7th and Locust St., Sayre Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City ational disconnect is always loving relationships in our 580-928-4296 580-472-3472 Research shows that a fa- Jimmy Blanken, Min. 580-303-0791 ther’s spiritual leadership is the beginning of significant homes, church families, Service times: Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study more likely to be followed cultural decline. businesses, and communi- First Assembly of God Queen of All Saints 2:50 pm Church Service by children; compared to a ties. 2701 S. Randall , Elk City 914 N. 5th St., Sayre mother attempting to fill the To become a man, a boy 580-225-1167 580-928-2385 Methodist must have a male role mod- Knowing who we are in Kevin Akins, Min. spiritual role. Fathers in the Rev. Danny Grover Field, an organization that el, and ideally, it shouldn’t be our inner being is essential United Methodist Grandview Assembly of God 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk mentors fatherless boys says, only his father. Even with a for receiving the abundant Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City “twenty-four million Ameri- strong father figure, young life Jesus died to give us. His 580-225-7742 580-225-0262 580-225-0066 can children are growing up men also need an interactive life in us frees us progres- Bryan Herrick Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. without a biological father in community of men to pro- sively from fear of failure, Baptist Christian United Methodist the home. More than half vide various models of what humiliation, and rejection, productive adult men do. A as well as the bondage of Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick of all American children Great Plains Baptist Assn. 580-526-3949 fatherless boy is prone to ap- struggling constantly to 1902 Watts St., Sayre 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City are now born to unmarried 580-243-0066 parents; even more among athy—believing he is worth- please everyone all the time. 580-928-2585 Jeff McDowell United Methodist poor, minority populations.” less; or workaholism—try- Realizing who we are and Calvary Baptist Church 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 ing to prove his value. who our Heavenly Father is 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 are not optional extras that 580-225-5344 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene Until we effectively ad- Pastor Brad Hyatt When a little girl lacks a we can choose to believe if 580-526-3284 dress this cultural epidemic Sunday Worship 11 am First Church of The Nazarene through a deep and ten- good relationship with her we feel like it; it is founda- Wednesday 6 pm First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City der relationship with Fa- father; experiencing absen- tional Truth that impacts (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 ther God, the disruption of teeism, rejection or emo- every area of life. Central Missionary Baptist 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages tional coldness from him, 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 our children’s spiritual and emotional maturity, and the her self-confidence will Infinite Grace Ministries 580-225-0212 Pentecostal First Christian American cultural devasta- be tainted and warped or teaches freedom and abun- Eastside Baptist 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple tion will continue to escalate. completely destroyed. Her dant living by focusing on 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City expectation of a loving, life- the limitless love and mercy 580-225-0742 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors Chase Brower, Min. Church of Christ The problem of father- long marriage relationship of God. Call 580-774-2884 Church of Christ Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La lessness is rooted in selfish- becomes distorted. She of- for more information, or to Pena Fairview Baptist 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City ness; motivating decisions ten believes herself lacking schedule a personal appoint- 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 600 W. Main, Elk City that make children’s deep in appeal, no matter how ment today! 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes needs secondary to those of pretty, vivacious, lovable, 580-799-2964 funny, or intelligent she may Send your questions and First Baptist 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick adults involved. The effects 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City Presbyterian truly be. She will likely be- comments to: Douglas Holland, Minister of fatherlessness on boys and 580-225-7951 816-726-6988 girls are far reaching: come promiscuous, looking Dr. Dixie Yoder Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian for male acceptance. [email protected] First Baptist Worship 11am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- 580-225-3130 580-526-3375 day Jason Klechner, Min. Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Wednesday First Baptist The Way Church 504 N. 4th St., Sayre Church of Christ Elk City 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City 580-928-5518 Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-225-5295 Elk City Community First Hispanic Baptist 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Northeast Church of Christ 580-225-1184 580-225-7901 616 N. Locust Avenue 580-225-4395 Gateway Main Street Baptist 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City 1101 N. Main St., Elk City Westside Church of Christ 580-225-1184 580-225-2938 580-225-3052 Curtis Newton, Min. Mt. Carmal Baptist Church of God The Link 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 501 W. 1st, Elk City 200 S. Main, Elk City 580-225-2061 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. Trinity Fellowship One Church Sayre 200 East Broadway, Elk City Jehovah’s Witnesses 580-928-2345 580-210-8881 Jehovah’s Witnesses Kevin Brosius (pastor) 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Christ Ministiries 580-928-9330 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-243-9708 Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000