Two of Okmulgee’s oldest congregations, Eastside Baptist Church and Second Baptist Church, will unite for a special joint worship service on Nov. 23 at Second Baptist Church. A community breakfast will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:30 a.m.

According to Pastor Marcus Jeffrey of Eastside Baptist and Pastor Adam Hiett of Second Baptist, the service is a step toward breaking down racial and denominational barriers.

“Heaven is not going to be segregated,” Pastor Jeffrey said. “We just thought it’d be good if the two churches got together and fellowship.”

Pastor Hiett agreed, adding that churches should work together, not compete. “We are God’s church, and we are God’s people,” he said. “Why doesn’t the church look like the neighborhood?”

The morning will feature a combined choir and worship team, along with two short messages – Pastor Jeffrey speaking on unity and Pastor Hiett on thankfulness. Both pastors are encouraging attendees to mingle freely. “There will be no Eastside section,” Pastor Jeffrey said with a smile.

For both congregations, the service represents a desire to heal divisions and model community unity. “There won’t be Black and white in heaven,” Pastor Jeffrey said. “Just children of God worshiping together.”

Pastor Hiett added, “I really believe our town needs a move of God. It’ll have to be Jesus and God’s people moving out of the way so He can reach out beyond the walls.”

If successful, the pastors hope to make this the first of many joint gatherings, possibly involving additional churches in the future.