Living Word Church

Terry and Tina Lanham were ordained into the ministry in 1988. Terry spent 5 years as youth pastor and 7 years as the associate pastor. They were ordained as Senior Pastor in 2000. Terry and Tina are life long residents of Pittsburg County (Longtown Area). They both graduated from Canadian High School and married after college. They have raised four daughters in McAlester. They value their family and enjoy spending time with them--Jesse, Rachel, granddaughter Grace Samuel, Jordan Lanham, Sarah Lanham, and Rebecca Lanham.

This is their home and they have a desire to bless the McAlester area and all of Pittsburg County through ministry. Terry enjoys hunting, fishing, and watching old westerns while Tina also enjoys fishing, boating, and watching "Murder She Wrote."

What's your motivation?

Terry and Tina Lanham: Their desire is to see people saved, changed, healed, delivered, and redeemed by grace and power of Jesus Christ.

What do you like about the Living Word?

Terry and Tina Lanham: True family atmosphere of Living Word Church and the spiritual freedom to preach the Word.

Crys Wingo felt God leading her back to McAlester back in 1989. She serves as backup Praise and Worship Leader back in 1992. She took over as Praise and Worship Leader in 1997. She has served as Praise and Worship Leader for past 17 years. She is a graduate of International School of Ministry (ISOM). Some of her responsibilities include: preparing and performing holiday music, leading congregation in praise and worship for Sunday and Wednesday, and helping with music during Vacation Bible School.

What's your motivation?

Crys Wingo: "I love to sing God's praises! My desire is to see his children worshipping in his presence. I love God, his people, and music!"

What do you like about the Living Word?

Crys Wingo: "I love the teaching of the Word, the freedom to move in the Spirit, and the life of God found here!"

Frank and Bernice Denike were ordained as the Missions Pastors in January 2011. They have been missionaries in Mexico for 24 years and Kenya for 9 years. They have worked in local church outreach programs wherever they have lived. They have organized and lead people in various projects.

Many of their responsibilities include: Within the Living Word, they help organize and oversee the Love In Action outreach ministry. This includes programs within the local community.  For example, they have asked our church family and other local church families to join us in reaching the lost and encouraging the people in our small local area.

God has laid a vision on their hearts and truly believe that when we come together great things are going to happen in this specific area of ministry. This community will be a "light" to other areas of McAlester and eventually spread throughout Pittsburg County. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!" (Psalms 133:1) When we come together for a common cause, the building up of God's Kingdom, we are pleasing the Father.

This is being done through our Tuesday night prayer rides. People are encouraged to drive through our community, praying for the needs of the people and churches in our area. Other outreach programs include the church's annual Community Picnic, where we serve free lunch to our local community families. Make A Difference Day is a local activity to help people in the McAlester area. Our people are encouraged to participate in this program as well as using their helping hands at Shared Blessings. The Love in Action ministry is there to help our missions the church supports as well as physically helping families within the community.

What's your motivation?

Frank and Bernice Denike: The Love of God and the Love for our neighbors. (Matthew 22:37-40) Our motivation is to bring people within our community to a relationship with Jesus Christ. How we do this is by taking hold of the authority Jesus has given us as ambassadors for His Kingdom and representing Him in the local community. By setting this example, our desire is for others at the Living Word Church to become a part of the Love In Action ministry.

What do you like about the Living Word?

Frank and Bernice Denike: The strong teaching of God's Word and the opportunity to apply those teachings within the local community and beyond.

Melody Green graduated from Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media Communications emphasis in Multimedia Productions. She and her husband, Sean, currently operate the media within the church. This includes recording sermons, operating sound equipment, and maintaining the overall website. 

She moved to Tulsa to obtain her Bachelor's Degree. While living in Tulsa, Melody met Sean in August of 2006, but they didn't start dating until December of 2008. They dated for two and half years before they married. After being away for 10 years, Melody and Sean felt that God was calling them to move back to McAlester and become the Media Director. 

What's your motivation?

Melody Green: To make a difference in people's lives through technology and the media industry. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Philippians 1:6 KJV) "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

What do you like about the Living Word?

Melody Green: The family environment