FUEL Vision!
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Lawton, Oklahoma is the epitome of diversity. With great international influence because of Fort Sill, Lawton offers its citizens much with regard to shopping, entertainment, education, dining, and worship. There are many churches and ministries in this community, and each does its part to reach a particular cross-section. Jesus said, in Matthew 16:18, “. . . I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
With all the benefits she affords to her citizens, Lawton also abides serious problems. Poverty is a significant issue here, evidenced by numerous depressed areas around the city. In many areas of Lawton, the formerly one-owner homes that for many years were occupied by an aging population are now owned or rented by a much more transient community. Often, there are drugs and gangs influencing these areas.
While “the gates of hell” are certainly not to prevail against Christ’s church, it would seem that they are indeed prevailing against this city, or at least progressing. Given changes in our nation over the past three decades, children are now being raised by secular school systems and, in many cases, distant parents. While there are plenty of needs in the Lawton community that clearly display homelessness and poverty, the need that moves us is the lack of direction and hope of today’s young people.
This directionless youth culture is the breeding ground for self-mutilation, high school and college violence, and future generations of uncommitted parents. There are numerous statistics about the future of institutional churches in the United States. Every statistic points in the direction of a post-Christian culture, where faith in Jesus Christ is so private that it is silent—and institutional churches will eventually cease to exist. But Jesus said He would build His church and “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
We don’t want to build a church. That’s Jesus’ job. We want to become the church Jesus said He would build. We believe Jesus wants to change this community through the hearts and lives of the young and the young at heart. That’s FUEL, inc.
FUEL, Inc. is the answer to one of Lawton’s greatest needs: what to do with the young people. We do not believe the message of Jesus Christ has to be made relevant to anyone. Jesus said in John 12:32, “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.” Jesus and His gospel are more relevant now than ever. People still need to receive Christ as Savior and make Him Lord of their lives to become a part of God’s family.
While providing plenty of tools and activities to draw young people and plenty of loving adults to supervise them, FUEL offers the most intense praise and worship in town, bringing live instruments, full motion multimedia, and an incendiary message to bear on them. The praise and worship events are held in FUEL’s own building—a large facility located close to the needs it endeavors to meet. All activities are spiritual in their content and context—no activities or events at FUEL are without some degree of spiritual purpose.
FUEL adds play to church life by utilizing ramps to incorporate skateboarders’ and BMXers’ talents, as well as courts to incorporate basketball, volleyball, tennis, etc. This well-supervised environment invites young people to have fun while hearing Christian music and messages, and incorporates their play, which in many cases truly represents their identity at this stage in their development, into church praise and worship services and activities. This is truly where most churches, by virtue of their facility and polity, have had to endure ineffectiveness in reaching this most difficult demographic.
FUEL, from the moment of its inception, seeks to overcome these difficulties and become a ministry that truly empowers young people to change their community, schools, and homes for Jesus Christ.
The name, “FUEL” is not an acronym, nor is it a reference to any scripture specifically. Essentially, we have an admonition from Jesus in Revelation 3:16: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth.” He tells us He would just like us to choose to be either cold or hot—for Him. We don’t want to be lukewarm. We don’t want to be cold. We want to be hot. In fact, we want to be “on fire for Jesus.” So, we are His FUEL, burning for Him. It’s as simple as that.
Because many young people will be impacted by the ministries at FUEL, we feel it is imperative that parents know our statement of faith. While we do not claim to have all knowledge about biblical doctrine, there are certain truths that we, along with all other evangelical Pentecostal churches and denominations, cling to.
Notably, we believe in the complete authority and infallibility of the Bible; the trinity; the fall of man and the pervasiveness of sin; the reality of Heaven and Hell; that Jesus Christ was completely God and completely man; that His atonement on the cross was for everyone; that the atonement of Jesus Christ is applied to an individual when he repents and receives Christ as Savior; that Jesus is coming in the clouds to receive His church; and that He is coming again to reign.
We neither subscribe completely to a Calvinistic or Arminian belief system relative to God’s grace. We believe that since the Word of God teaches both God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility, we must take a view that is less extreme than either of the aforementioned positions. We believe 1) man is completely incapable of being reconciled to God on his own accord, but can hear the prompting and wooing of the Holy Spirit; 2) man must receive God’s gift of grace, and by this act of free will, God elects him to be saved; 3) Christ died for all, but only those who receive Him personally may apply this atonement to their eternities; 4) God’s prevenient grace, proven in the prompting and wooing of the Holy Spirit, can be ignored or rejected by anyone; and 5) that since man is saved by grace through faith, that if a person’s faith is adversely affected by continued sin or renouncement of Christ, his eternal security could certainly be compromised.
Unlike some evangelical denominations and churches, we reject the doctrine of cessationism: the doctrine that says that all supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, fell out of use or ceased around 100 A.D., or after the canonization of the New Testament (350 A.D.). Instead, we are continuationists. We believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit as presented in I Corinthians 12:6-11 are still fully in operation today:
“6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
While we don’t depend upon the manifestations of these gifts in any way as part of a person's salvation, we do look for them and celebrate them when people discover that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). We do believe in the baptism of (in) the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by speaking with other tongues (Acts 2:4).
We believe water baptism and communion (The Lord’s Supper) should be significant parts of church life. We reject, however, the idea that these two rites should be termed, “ordinances” or “sacraments” since they are not termed this way in scripture. While we do not call these activities ordinances, that is not to say that we reject them or hold them in lower regard. We believe every new convert should be immersed in water and that we should persist in partaking of the Lord’s Supper “’till He come” (I Cor. 11:26).
FUEL, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, established in the State of Oklahoma, in pursuit of an IRS 501(c)(3) status.
Unlike the majority of local congregational churches, FUEL does not maintain a membership. When a person repents and receives Christ, Christ baptizes him into His body (the church) (Eph. 4:5). Water baptism is an expression of Christ’s baptism. We do not believe that there should be a separate membership after someone has become a member of the body of Jesus Christ. Youth culture views this secondary membership that most churches and denominations employ as exclusive, political, and sometimes unattainable. That doesn’t make it wrong—just not right for us.
Instead, we embrace partnership. Partners are those people, young and old, who support the work of FUEL’s ministries. They do not vote on church referenda or have regular business meetings. Partners receive the benefit of the ministry of the church as they sow seeds of prayer, service, and finances.
FUEL is led by a board of directors. These directors are chosen by the pastor and the other directors, based on the highest standards of spiritual, business, and character qualifications. This board makes decisions about FUEL’s finances. The directors also serve as church elders and must meet the qualifications put forth in I Tim. 3:1-7.
FUEL is located in a large facility. This facility houses a great deal of square footage of skate-bike park and one multi-purpose half-court for basketball and volleyball. There are kiosks with video games, pool tables, air hockey tables, ping-pong tables, etc. Housed within the facility are computer labs for community literacy programs and at least two classrooms for community events.
This facility also houses an auditorium that will seat at least 2,000 participants. This auditorium includes seating of different types, including bleachers, theatre chairs, beanbags, barstools, etc. Sound is amplified through a state-of-the-art sound system that fills the room with crisp highs, clear mids, and rich lows. The sound system is capable of sounding out the gospel message as clearly as a trumpet and blasting modern music with all its thump and scream. Everything at FUEL is loud!
The walls of the FUEL Center are based in prison gray. On top of the gray is a layer of “Christian graffiti” displaying scripture interpretations in art. On top of the graffiti are many of the names of the Lord inscribed in invisible paint, which glows when exposed to ultra-violet light, which is part of the lighting scheme. The ceiling is exposed infrastructure painted flat black and the floor is bare, sealed concrete.
The lighting of the FUEL Center is completely low-voltage controlled stage lighting. All areas, including the skate park and the ball court are lit with par cans and other stage fixtures, attached to the ceiling infrastructure. The stage is one sixty feet long, thirty feet deep, six feet high box that sits at one end of the center. The backdrop is dynamic, but the stage is lit with different types of stage fixtures. The lighting scheme also includes robotic and effect light fixtures.
At the stage area of the FUEL Center are two 16-foot electric projection screens, on which live and recorded media material is presented. This is much more than “powerpoint” on a screen in front of a church. This material is incorporated into the worship and message presentations. The video capture technology is centered in three or four high quality cameras and one mixer located in a media booth. This technology is used to record FUEL events, but also to include live skate park or ball court material into worship events.
All controls for sound, lighting, multimedia, and video are centralized into one media control booth, and are operated by trained people.
In a concourse area, free refreshments are provided to everyone, including coffee in an area designed with a smaller stage for nightly Christian entertainment by local praise and worship leaders. This area is designed with a true coffee shop aesthetic in mind, including a hot spot and varied seating. Additionally, there is a mart setup in the main FUEL Center that vends skateboard and other extreme sports parts and gear, integrated with a Christian bookstore.
The FUEL Center also houses two dormitory spaces complete with girls’ and boys’ shower facilities. Each dormitory sleeps 20 to 40 in homemade bunk beds. Additionally, there is a complete commercial kitchen area, three office areas, and limited storage.
All this is created to facilitate the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ to teens, young adults, and the young-at-heart in Lawton.
The inclusion of a skate-bike park draws children and teens who have assumed the identity that goes along with those activities. We understand that it is often not the intention of church leaders and businesses to repel potential congregants or customers. However, when these “skaters” are told to leave someone’s property out of genuine concern for issues with liability, those concerned parties are severely limiting their own church’s or business’ potential.
It is important to understand that children and teenagers do not just undertake an activity such as skateboarding in a casual way. They view this as a sport as much as a baseball or basketball player. Young people often do not have an identity outside of the activities they view as their strengths. Therefore, when you tell a teenager to get the skateboard off your property, he believes you are talking about him, not just the skateboard. We welcome young people, however they identify themselves, to come and hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. We welcome them to come and “play” right on our property. We believe this type of play is important to incorporate as a teaching tool and even include it as part of our public events.
We carry the type of insurance required to have all this play and require helmets and pads in certain circumstances. We like for the kids to play, but when it comes to insurance, we don’t play!
FUEL is a ministry, primarily, to those in sixth grade and older. Those younger, including nursery-aged children, will find FUEL a comfortable place. We offer children their own worship experience in a challenging, puppet-oriented style, led by loving adults who have a true calling from the Lord in this area. Children’s ministry at FUEL is held in a separate building from the main FUEL Center.
FUEL is acquiring a number of full-sized used school buses. Each driver is required to pass the Lawton Public Schools bus driver training course and pursue Oklahoma State Department of Education bus driver certification. After having obtained certification, each bus driver is encouraged to become an activity driver for the Lawton Public Schools, filling a difficult-to-fill void in our own school district.
As a part of FUEL’s transportation program, buses are dispatched throughout the city to collect scheduled riders as well as “kidnap” teenagers (with parent permission, of course) who might be idle on the street.
FUEL does not intend or expect to use any 15-passenger vans, as they have been deemed by most insurance companies as unsafe.
One of FUEL’s major programs includes using Christian music, drama, and dance to rehabilitate troubled teenagers. This program employs adults who fulfill Oklahoma requirements as instructors in fine arts. Teens who have been adjudicated locally can be assigned to FUEL instead of a detention center or boot camp for certain petty crimes. At FUEL these teens can be trained in the crafts of ministry and in the Word of God.
The philosophy is that these teenagers, once rehabilitated, will leave the FUEL program as Christians and remain, if possible, as partners and potential ministers. This program is of the caliber that performances of this group could be used locally at FUEL events and at other ministries.
FUEL leaders take safety and security very seriously. We insure the facility and the workers heavily. Additionally, the policies and procedures we have in place satisfy insurance requirements, as well as common sense safety ideologies.
All adult leadership at FUEL must submit to drug tests and background checks, including criminal records checks. There is absolutely no substitute for these precautions when children are concerned.
During FUEL events, trained security personnel are on hand to deal with minor problems. Additionally, there are police officers or deputy sheriffs available for crowd and traffic control if necessary. Our intent is to work with the City of Lawton and the Comanche County Sheriff’s Department at all times to solve foreseeable problems and eliminate safety concerns.
From its inception, FUEL endeavors to be as green (or energy conservative) as possible. Two major efforts have been undertaken to become a green establishment: 1) the generation of our own electricity using solar panels and 2) the installation of water-conserving fixtures in restrooms, showers, and the kitchen. Additionally, we use electronic thermostats and limit energy use at peak hours.
One important question has pervaded every discussion about FUEL since its inception: how ya gonna pay for it?
There are four important sources of income that keep FUEL running smoothly in all of its programs. Before they are mentioned, it must be understood that we do not view any of these “sources” as true sources of income. We believe God is the “Source” of all wealth and income and that He may ordain continued use of the following sources, or He may add new ones, or He may change them all together. He is in control. He is our Source.
First, there are offerings. The partners are the greatest tool in the hand of the Lord to fund His work here. With offerings, God is able to keep His ministry where He wants it—at the center of this community, with resources available to make real differences in real lives—with resources to spare.
Second, there are concerts. The amount of revenue that comes through ticket sales to concerts is enough to pay the entire amount of the cost of the FUEL Center each year. We are thrilled that God can speak to people through music at these concerts and that, even though they pay for it, they come and get ministered to in the process.
Third, there are special revenues that come as a part of conferences, events, and other activities or products we may request a donation for. This revenue is usually, but not always, designated for some specific purpose.
And fourth, there is revenue from the local or state government when a troubled teenager is assigned to the FUEL program for a period of time. This revenue primarily pays for the lodging and food of the individual teenager. Overages are added to a particular fund to enhance their experience.
This is how FUEL is financed. God is our Source!
We expect to see much as a result of FUEL’s impact on the Lawton community. We expect to see schools become less violent. In fact, we expect to see the middle and high schools in Lawton change at the DNA level. The students will be impacted by the pervasiveness of the FUEL vision and programs and will become Christians. The schools will experience peace as a byproduct of these changes.
Impoverished areas will become the breeding ground for miracles and hope. There will be drug pushers and addicts saved and changed by the power of God. Entire neighborhoods will be impacted demonstrably. The local law enforcement will note changes in drug and gang enforcement statistics as well as attitudes of people in these areas.
Lawton’s churches will increase in growth as a result. The city will become the welcoming place it longs to be. FUEL will be around for a long time, bringing the anointing of the Holy Spirit to a city longing for the reality of God.
