Leadership
Delbert Craddock has served as an elder since 1991, when he and his wife Norma moved to Durant. Prior to moving to Durant, he served in various leadership roles with several different congregations - Deacon and treasurer at the SW59th & Villa church in Oklahoma City; Elder and treasurer at the 5th & Garfield and Prattville churches in Sand Springs, OK. He was serving in this leadership role when two congregations in Sand Springs merged to form a new congregation with a new building on a neutral site. Over the years, he also has taught numerous adult Bible classes.
Delbert taught business and industrial arts in a high school near Walters, OK, (1950-1955). Then he worked as an accountant for Amoco Oil (1956-1986) until he accepted early retirement from Amoco Oil on October 1, 1986. Since that time he has managed his retirement by investing in various companies.
Delbert and Norma are both graduates of Southeastern University, and Norma earned a Masters Degree from Oklahoma City University. She taught in elementary schools for twenty-seven years. Delbert earned an accounting degree from LaSalle University in Chicago, IL.
The Craddock's son, Del, and his wife, Rebecca, are members of the church in Farmington, N.M. Their daughter, Cheri, was a member of the East Sunshine Church in Springfield, MO for many years. Cheri's daughter graduated from Harding University in Searcy, AR. While attending Harding, she went on several foreign mission trips as a Spanish language interpreter. Cheri's son, Daniel, is currently attending Harding.
The Elders can be reached collectively by e-mailing elders@7thandbeech.org.
Charles Villines
Charles has served as an elder for 39 years after moving to Durant in 1967 with his wife Kay and two children Mark and Judy. He first served the congregation as a deacon working in the areas of education and youth activities and began serving as an elder in August of 1972. He has taught Bible classes for youth through adult, has been active in personal evangelism, worked in campaigns in New Hampshire, Maine, and Oklahoma. He has taught in workshops for teachers, elders and preachers in Oklahoma and Texas. During the early 70’s he taught workshops in Oklahoma and Texas on Drug Abuse Education. Charles has also been active in community activities serving on the Board of Directors of the Durant Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival and in city government.
Charles and his wife Kay are both graduates of Central Christian College, now Oklahoma Christian University, where they met in 1954. Charles recently served on the National Alumni Council for Oklahoma Christian. They were married in 1956 and both graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Kay in Education and Charles in Pharmacy. Kay has taught Bible classes for children and ladies and worked with Charles in campaigns in the northeast United States.
Their son Mark and his family are members of the church in Calera, Oklahoma and their daughter Judy and her family are members of the church in Lewisville, Texas.
The Elders can be reached collectively by e-mailing elders@7thandbeech.org.
John became the pulpit minister at the 7th & Beech congregation in August, 2001, when he, his wife Joy, and daughter Julie, moved to Durant.
John is a native of Nashville, Tennessee. He and Joy met at Harding University in Searcy, AR and married in June, 1970. They have three wonderful children. Their oldest son John Mark, and his wife Charice live in Mansfield, TX and have two beautiful children, Zachary & Anna Claire. Julie, their daughter, still lives at home. Jonathan, the youngest, his wife Courtney, and handsome Dax live in Edmond, OK.
John attended Harding University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Bible (1970), and later Harding Graduate School of Religion, where he received an M.A.R. degree in Ministry (1989). He has served as a youth & education minister, missionary, associate minister and preacher in churches in Sherman, TX; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Jackson & Southaven, MS; and Pauls Valley, OK.
Ever since his youth, John has had a great love for Christian camping. He has filled several different roles in some 35+ camp sessions and served on the Board of Directors for three camps – Acampamento Monte das Oliveiras, Sardis Lake, and Pettijohn Springs.
Joy devotes much of her time ministering to women in and out of the congregation. She teaches and organizes ladies classes, a support group, and special projects. She makes numerous visits and is a great encouragement to many people.
Layne Heitz moved to Durant in the summer of 1997 and served as the campus minister at SOSU until the fall of 2009. It was at that point he was offered a full time faculty position in the mathematics department at Southeastern. Wanting to stay actively involved in ministry, he also accepted a part time position as family minister with the 7th and Beech congregation.
Layne has served as a youth minister, a missionary, and a campus minister. He loves to sing and teaches each summer at the Alva School of Music in Alva, Oklahoma. He also teaches singing seminars, preaches when needed, and takes groups on various campaign efforts both stateside and abroad.
Layne is married to April who serves as the secretary for the 7th and Beech congregation. The Lord blessed them with two fantastic sons. Joshua, 22, is a computer programmer in Amarillo, Tx and is married to their wonderful daughter-in-law Callie. Bregan, 20, is a business/finance major at SOSU.
Layne loves to hunt and fish and is working on his Ph.D. in his spare time.
Jake Hudson has served as the Director of the Student Bible Center since July of 2009. He was married to Ashley in 2002. They have three children Rylee, Kadence, and Ezekiel "Zeek". Jake currently holds a B.S. in Bible/Ministry from Amridge University. Jake and Ashley have worked with congregations in Oklahoma City, El Reno, and Madill. Jake also served as a Chaplain's Assistant in the Oklahoma Army National Guard for 8 years. Jake enjoys spending time with his wife Ashley and their 3 children as well as technology, playing paintball, and teaching the Word of God.
Click here to be directed to the Student Bible Center website.
Click here to be directed to Jake's blog.
FEBRUARY 2012 
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