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Tim Cox - Senior Pastor

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Senior Pastor Tim Cox and his family joined the ALT church family in August 2007.  Pastor Tim and Sheila were married in June 1984.  They have two daughters: Heather, age 23 and Holly, age 18.  Heather completed one year with Master’s Commission in Memphis, Tennessee.  She is currently attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is majoring in special education and is currently on the church staff as the part-time Children's Director. Heather was recently married June 5th, 2010 to Luke Valentine. Holly graduated from Durant High School in 2010 and enjoyed playing clarinet for the “Pride of Durant” high school band. She recieved her local ministerial license in 2010 from the New Horizons Ministry Conference of the IPHC. She is preparing to attend Southwestern Christian University to major in biblical studies.

Pastor Tim and family have ministered in Wheaton, Illinois, and previously in Rogers, Arkansas.  Sheila is a native of Oklahoma whereas Tim is originally from Missouri but says that “he got here as fast as he could.”  Tim graduated from Mustang High School in Mustang, Oklahoma and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. He completed his biblical studies with Berean University. Tim is pursuing his Masters of Minstry degree through Southwestern Christian Univeristy. Sheila graduated from Putnam City West High School in Bethany, Oklahoma and also attended the University of Central Oklahoma. Sheila, also with our daughter Holly, received her local minsterial license in 2010 from the New Horizons Ministry Conference of the IPHC. Sheila prefers for Pastor Tim to concentrate on the serious part of ministry while she participates in the fun part of ministry.

“We are excited about serving Durant and the surrounding communities” says Pastor Tim.  “ALT is blessed to be a blessing.”  We want to accomplish this by providing fun and dynamic programs for children, relevant and impactful youth services along with men’s, women’s and single’s ministries. Our Sunday services include prayer, songs of praise, worship and sound practical biblical preaching.  Wednesday night services have great teaching and fun for all ages.

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Shaun and Jamie Smith - Youth Pastors

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Shaun moved to Durant from Fort Worth in October of 2006. He graduated from Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, TX. He graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Shaun has been a minister for over 6 years now and has been involved in youth ministry for 10 years. Some of his influencers are pastors like Rob Bell, Ed Young Jr., Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, Robert Morris, and Craig Groschel.

Shaun and and his better half, Jamie, have been married since June of 2005. They have two girls, Zoey who is 4 and their newborn Ayla who joined us May 14th 2010.  Shaun enjoys playing sports, playing video games, playing games in general...well lets just be honest...he just enjoys playing around. One of his biggest passions is music. He feels that music is very influencial and he loves to use his gifts and talents to glorify God in every way.

"The students of this generation need to know the God that I met when I was a teenager. It is so much harder now to reach out to some of the students when there are tons of obsticles just waiting to bombard them and pull them away from a God that loves them very much. We all need to spread a little love and kindness around and SHOW people who Jesus is and what he is about."

Follow Shaun's Blog or look for resources for Parents, Students, and Youth Leaders by checking out www.youthsourceonline.com

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Heather Cox - Children's Ministry Director

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Heather Cox was hired on as the Children’s Director at Abundant Life Temple in February 2009. After high school she attended Master’s Commission in Memphis, Tennessee for a year. That summer she was a camp counselor for ten and eleven year old kids in Vero Beach, Florida. During that time God gave her the desire to see kids around her grow in His love because they are the future of the church. She is currently attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma with her majoring being Special Education. Heather’s passion is for kids not only to accept Jesus, but for the kids to build a relationship with him. Also on June 5th 2010 she will be marrying Luke Valentine.

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Mary Loyce McWilliams - Office Manager

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Mary Loyce McWilliams has been office manager for Abundant Life Temple for a number of years.  She is the friendly voice you hear when you call or come to the office.

Mary Loyce is the source for information at ALT. She is responsible for producing most of our publications, newsletters, and bulletins.