Pauls Valley, Oklahoma —
Pauls Valley may not have all the amenities of large town living, but like any town in America’s bible belt, the choice of churches provides plenty of worship options.
One such Garvin County choice has the potential of a revival story in the making as Ty Curry has taken on pastoral duties at Valley Christian Church. Those in the congregation at 2001 S. Walnut St. were faced with a future of possibly closing their doors after over 50 years in town, but brought in the young minister and his family to give the sanctuary one more chance.
This is Curry’s first full time position as a pastor and he not only hopes to bring more people into the flock, but approach people where they are in life and help direct them to where they can help improve each Sunday. He hopes to do this by finding how each individual can serve with belief everyone has a talent they can use in the name of biblical perspective.
“I’ve approached the pulpit from the standpoint our lives are our pulpit... the way you live your life should speak volumes,” said Curry. “How we live our lives is what Christ is.”
The journey for 29-year-old Curry into ministry goes back to when he was nine and when his dad was an elder in the church in his home town of Seneca Missouri. He remembers telling his dad of his ambitions to speak to parishioners on the way to church in the family’s station wagon one day and though his dad was never a minister, he followed in the early footsteps of some traveling ministry later on.
In fact, one might say this first job is a bit of divine intervention due to the fact Curry and his family were visiting the church to discuss this job when the tornado hit Joplin earlier this year. Seneca is not too far from the damaged area and Curry’s wife Memory, who now works at Mercy in Ardmore, was an employee at the hospital which was wiped out by the storm.
“From growing up watching him, that’s where I developed a desire,” said Curry. “That really felt what God was preparing me for.”
Since Curry started duties July 11, the church has already seen a slightly larger congregation from around 10 members to 25 on average now. The rest of his family includes 10-year-old daughter Breanna, 9-year-old son Matthew and 5-month old baby Sarah.
There is still a somewhat traditional feel to the service, though Curry is working on making it a little more contemporary through guitar along with piano music and a search ongoing for someone to play instruments like drums as well as bass guitar. The services available include life groups or formerly Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., morning service at 10:45 a.m., evening worship at 6 p.m. and P3/Wednesday fellowship at 6 p.m.
Curry feels positive about the potential for the church and attributes much of it to how welcoming the community is. He already has gotten involved himself through coaching the local 4th grade football team, becoming a member of the PV Ministerial Alliance and getting to know service groups like the Samaritan Food Pantry.
“In my opinion, it’s the right size town,” said Curry, who also likes to use the church to open up for other fellowship opportunities like meals. “There’s a lot of people willing to do anything for you.”
Curry can be reached at the office at 405-238-6518.
Features
Related Photos
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Taking a moment to sing a contemporary worship song last week in the Sanctuary of Valley Christian Church, new Pauls Valley pastor Ty Curry hopes to use his time in the community to revive spirits and atmosphere. He has been in the community since July working in the area and is this week’s Noteworthy Neighbor. Ezra Mann
Discussion
New pastor is congregation’s drive to keep doors open
Noteworthy Neighbor
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