KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 3/18/25)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has mobilized a One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) appeal to aid the Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church congregation and community in Southwest Oklahoma. On March 14, when high winds downed a power pole, sparking flames that rapidly fanned into a roaring wildfire, destroying the primary church building.

Local firefighters were dispatched and able to save outbuildings on church property—the parsonage and fellowship hall—from being engulfed, but the main structure was a total loss despite their best efforts. “This tragedy is overwhelming, but so many are showing their care,” said Terry Hunter, Rainy Mountain Church moderator, speaking on behalf of Pastor Gerald Haunpo and the congregation. “God is being good to us. The congregation is grateful that no one was hurt.”

Reporting from Oklahoma, the Rev. Ben Sullivan, ABHMS’ national coordinator for Native American Ministries, described his reaction to the incident: “As soon as we heard the news on Friday, my brother and I went to the church. Several of our family were members there. I was heartbroken, especially for the elders who had spent most of their lives in that church.”

In the wake of this disaster, Sullivan found a sad but resilient church community, ready to demonstrate determination by clearing the fellowship hall of water and patching broken windows in time for Sunday worship. “The March 16 service, led by Haunpo, was full of members and visitors who pledged their commitment to pitch in,” said Sullivan, adding that “Lawrence Spottedbird, the Kiowa tribal chairman and member of First American Baptist Church in Hobart, Oklahoma, was present with words of encouragement and support.”

“The ABHMS Board of Directors and staff are grieving with and praying for the Rainy Mountain Kiowa Baptist congregation,” said Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, ABHMS’ executive director, who with members of the board traveled to Oklahoma in June 2024 to meet with members of Oklahoma Indian American Baptist Association churches, including Rainy Mountain Church. “Spending time with leaders and listening to their stories was an enriching moment that strengthened our bonds and commitments with our Native American siblings across the nation. ABHMS will walk alongside Rainy Mountain Church members as they heal from this tragedy and work to rebuild.”

The Rev. Lisa Harris Lee, director of Healing & Transforming Communities at ABHMS, said that its staff will maintain ongoing communication with Rainy Mountain Church leaders. “We have been in communication with the Rev. Dr. Gregg Hemmen, regional executive minister of American Baptist Churches of the Central Region, about the region’s response efforts,” she added. “Support for this historic church will be coming through many channels, and 100 percent of the donations that ABHMS raises in this OGHS fire recovery appeal will go toward the rebuilding that Rainy Mountain Church leaders envision.”

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing the distribution of the annual OGHS offering received by churches.

How you can help:

Please join American Baptists in supporting the recovery and rebuilding of Rainy Mountain Kiowa Baptist Church.

You can donate via your church or directly online here.

Checks designated to OGHS–Rainy Mountain Kiowa Baptist Church 2025 Fire Recovery may be mailed to ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary, PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. If intended, donor checks should also include the name of the donor’s church and the name “Rainy Mountain Kiowa Baptist Church 2025 Fire Recovery” in the memo section of the check to ensure that the church receives credit for the gift.

To learn more about ABHMS, visit abhms.org.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.