By: Lani Hansen, Senior Reporter
DUSTIN, Oklahoma– Mvskoke Media continues the series of Muskogee-Seminole-Wichita Association churches, with series four featuring Faith Baptist Church.
According to Deacon Phillip Harjo, there was two sisters by the name of Christine Wolf and Sue Davis from an Indian fellowship church out of Holdenville, Ok. These sisters wanted to build a church in Dustin for Creeks or anyone who wanted to join back in 1985. Faith Baptist Church is a sister church from Many Springs Baptist Church.
“This started in an old home on the church grounds for about 12 years,” Harjo said.
After 12 years of congregating in an old run-down home, they built a church building with fellowship hall and a place to worship. Harjo has attended Faith Baptist Church since 2002, he said they have about 40 members now.
The first pastor of the church was Richmond Carr, then throughout the years there was a number of pastors coming and going. The current acting pastor for the church is Benny Harjo.
Before the pandemic, the church would help conduct baptisms and funeral services when needed. Harjo said they are doing online services, but hope to start back up in-person soon.
“We were able to host our Christmas dinner at the church back in December,” Harjo said. “We had about 50 people come to eat or carry food out.”
Harjo said the church would support the annual Annie Armstrong Christmas offering as one of their outreach ministries. Also, before the pandemic they were having vacation bible school, discipleship training and preaching.
“We would have bible study at 9:45, then preaching would follow at 11 a.m.,” Harjo said. “Discipleship training would start at 1:30 p.m. and on Wednesday nights we would have prayer service.”
Since Faith Baptist Church is predominately Creek, you can hear the language being spoken or sung amongst the members.
When their acting pastor is not there to bring the word, Harjo steps in and preaches. As Deacon of the church it is his role if there is not a supplied pastor. Harjo was ordained in 2004, so he has been serving for almost 17 years.
Faith Baptist Church is located in Dustin, Ok. on 36 S. Seamon.
My Dad.Daniel Buck ministered there for many years.my mom Loise Buck and our family attended church there.after i moved to okc.we still would attend church there on Easter and christmas.my parents played a big role in the church.helping others.