In the fall of 1970 we moved to a small town by the name of Chaffee, Missouri. Our "Life in Ministry" began from there. A small, but extremely loving group of people, gave us the foundation we needed to move ever forward in our ministry. Little did we know that God would have allowed us to experience so many exciting things. I was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on December 25, 1947. Adana was brought home from the hospital where she was born to a church parsonage. Her father and mother had just started their Life in Ministry in a small community in southern Oklahoma. Then, in a summer youth camp, at the age of 12, life would change forever for Adana Jared and Wayne Pense. It was my first year of Youth Camp. I experienced a wondrous spiritual change that year as God continued to plant the seeds of our calling - and - I met the girl that I would be my wife.

On June 10, 1966, at the Coweta, Oklahoma Church of God of Prophecy, we were married. I had just been awarded a basketball scholarship to Oral Roberts University, and Adana had checked in on a Nursing career. Much took place in the next 3 years including the arrival of our first child, Devin. College life - work life - and church life - all came together in spring of 1970, when we received a call from the Overseer of Missouri, and the rest is history. Our second son, Brian was born during our first pastorate. Now we have two beautiful daughter-in-laws, and five extremely wonderful grandchildren (Jordan, Casey, Madison, Tyler, and Olivia Adana)!

As we moved through the states where God placed us, along with pastoring, we also served in other various ministry related capacities. For fifteen years we either assisted, directed, or coordinated the Camping Ministries for those states. In our fifteenth year of full time ministry, we were assigned the pastorate of the Keith Street COGOP in Cleveland, Tennessee, which is adjacent to our International Offices. Those were especially "stretching years" for us! But, God was faithful, and we were blessed. Eight years later our life was changed again when we were invited to travel to the west coast to fill the position of Regional Overseer of California and Hawaii. There we discovered another world of great people! For the next five years we traveled to the islands, and up and down the extremely beautiful state of California. There may still be some "gold in California," but the real wealth of that region is to be found in the wonderful ministers, pastors, and people.

As we drew to the close of our fifth year in California we experienced another tugging (for lack of a better word) on our life. After much time in prayer and meditation we felt a need to return to our "home country." A door of opportunity opened to minister in the church where I spent my formative years as a youth, and had my first experience in ministry as a Youth Director. It was also home to Adana in the sense that she had spent 3 years there with her parents as they pastored the Broken Arrow Church. Soon after our arrival back home some of the questions as to why we needed to return home became a little more clear. My mother became very ill. It would be an illness that would help usher her from her earthly home to a far better place. As the angels ushered mom home, I thanked God for letting me stand close by and witness the moment as mother's faith finally became sight. Heaven is real.

Other amazing things have taken place over the last three and one half years. God inspired us to share the vision of Hope with the families of the Broken Arrow Church. Hope Christian Ministries COGOP is moving forward quickly into the last days harvest.

All of this brings us to where we are today. On March 1, 2007 we accepted the invitation of our North American Presbyter to fill the position of Regional Overseer of the Mid America Region of the Church of God of Prophecy. It is in our hearts to give back some of what was planted in us so many years ago through the ministry of loving pastors, and churches. I believe that our region (Arkansas and Oklahoma) has a tremendous potential to impact our world for the cause of Jesus Christ. The theme listed above in the banner of this web site, states a simple, but profound goal. We are seeking to "Raise The Standard." Jesus said:

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to Myself."

- John 12:32

By "lifting up Jesus," the only true standard, we will accomplish what Christ commissioned us to do...

". . .Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation."

- Mark 16:15

Thus, our "Life In Ministry" continues as we gladly serve along side of the great Pastor, Ministers, Members, and Friends in the "Arkansas / Oklahoma Connection," the Mid America Region of the Churches of God of Prophecy.

- - Bishop Pense