Education:
Saint Paul's School of Theology |
Charles DurantPastorMeet Pastor Charles W.R. Durant: The Man, the Myth, the UMC Minister
Hello! I'm Charles W.R. Durant—your new (or continuing!) shepherd at Cushing and Drumright First United Methodist Church. At the ripe old age of 42, I’m thrilled to be balancing these two wonderful congregations. Think of me as a spiritual juggler, occasionally dropping a pin, but always keeping my eye on the important stuff (like not forgetting to prep my sermon until five minutes before the service). The Home Team Fourteen years ago, I convinced my amazing wife, Kitty, to sign up for a lifetime of this glorious chaos. She's been my rock, my sounding board, and the person who reminds me to wear matching socks. We're blessed with a full house of four delightful daughters: Harley, Kourtney, Gabriella, and the youngest (and reigning champion of mischief), Jayden. They are truly the joy of our lives, and their antics ensure that even when the ministry feels heavy, life at home is always light (and loud, very loud). If you see me looking frazzled, just assume I lost a negotiation with an eight-year-old about bedtime. Born to Roam (and Eventually Settle in Oklahoma) Thanks to my parents' Air Force careers, my childhood was like a world tour sponsored by the U.S. military. My journey started in Spokane, Washington, then took a scenic detour to Germany for three culturally vibrant years—which is why I can say "Guten Tag" and little else. Eventually, my dad and I landed in Knob Noster, Missouri, near Whiteman Air Force Base. I embraced the small-town life by dedicating my youth to a variety of sports: football, baseball, tennis, and wrestling. Yes, I was the kid who needed three lockers to hold all his gear. A Spiritual Journey (That Took a Few Turns) My path to becoming a Methodist pastor is less of a straight line and more of a theological roller-coaster. I started out in the Roman Catholic Church, had a vigorous run through the Southern Baptist camp, and even spent some time on the slopes of Israelite introspection. But in a wonderfully bizarre twist of fate, my search for a spiritual home ended when my mother-in-law passed away in 2013. That led me to Ripley UMC, where I finally found my people, discerned my calling, and realized I might actually look good in a stole. Since then, I’ve served two enriching years at Drumright FUMC and five wonderful years at Perkins FUMC. I chose to dedicate myself fully to the ministry because, well, the Lord works in mysterious ways, and apparently, His way for me involves a whole lot of meetings. Keeping it Light Despite the serious business of shepherding souls, I firmly believe that laughter is highly underrated in the church. Life is tough enough without me making it solemn, too! I'm here to share God’s love, to preach the Good News, and to remind everyone that a well-timed, witty anecdote is practically a spiritual discipline. So come say hello! I'm looking forward to the journey we'll share. |
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Ruth Waldron
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Marilyn Jenkins
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Anthony Durham
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