The idea for the Oilfield Christian Fellowship of Houston began in the spring of 1991 after a phone conversation between Jim Teague, a drilling engineer and John Bird, a salesman for a service company. Each realized that they knew a lot of Christians in the oil patch and felt that a breakfast would be a good place to get to know other believers. The first meeting was advertised by word of mouth and 46 men and women met at the Houston First Baptist Church for breakfast.

Because everyone enjoyed this first meeting, it was decided they would meet monthly on the first Wednesday for lunch. This continues to this day, with the exception of the one day of the year they meet for the annual prayer breakfast during OTC or if holidays should conflict.

This year we had our Sixth Annual Prayer Breakfast with over 500 men and women in attendance at the Park Plaza Hotel across from the Reliant Football Field. This is always held on Tuesday during the OTC conference held at the Reliant Convention Center. John Davis, President and CEO of EnergySouth Inc was our guest speaker, Paul Smith, Grammy and Dove award winner was our singer and Saleim Kahleh, former Muslim, closed for Mr. Davis.

At each monthly meeting a guest speaker shares how he or she came to know Christ as Savior and what God is doing in their life. This format is based on the scripture found in Proverbs 27:17, “As Iron Sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” As many as 250 people meet for lunch and sharing in Houston and now there are monthly luncheons in Dallas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Lafayette as well.

The Oilfield Christian Fellowship’s mission is to share the good news about Jesus Christ, give men and women in the oil industry the opportunity to accept Christ their personal Savior and to encourage them in their walk with our Lord.

Also each month, a free eight-page newsletter is sent out to nearly 3500 recipients. In this letter are meeting announcements, short stories, scriptures and two pages devoted to advertising anyone’s need for employment. There is also a web site available at: http://www.oilfieldchristianfellowship.com. This contains more information including meeting times in other cities, photos and past issues of the newsletter. You can also e-mail us at jbirdocf@ev1.net or call 281 359 1258.

Nearly four years ago a Bible supply ministry was begun and is headed up by Mike Chaffin, also a drilling engineer. Anyone going over seas in the oil business is encouraged to take Bibles to specific people they will come in contact with. Each Bible is in that countries language and is personally inscribed as being from the ‘Oilfield Christian Fellowship of Houston’. Hundreds of Bibles and Jesus Films are sent each year. For Bibles contact Mike at 281-359-3659, ext. 124.

Along with Mike, the President of the OCF is John Bird, Carl Davis, owner of Davis Lynch, is Vice President and board members are Jim Cook, Operations Manager with JM Huber, and Paul Mogabgab, co-owner of EDG. Gayle Stimson, a recently retired missionary to France, is now acting Treasurer.

Come enjoy a good lunch, a good speaker and a good fellowship with us each month at the Houston First Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch is served between 11:30 AM until noon when the program begins and no reservations are needed. If you are unemployed, we have a brief networking meeting in room 249, immediately after the noon meeting.

There are also meetings in Dallas, Lafayette, Oklahoma City and New Orleans. For more information on these chapters please see the following » CHAPTER LOCATIONS