GRAND OPENING
When most people hear the words, Grand Opening, they immediately imagine the celebration
of something new, something that has never existed before. But for River of Life Church, grand
opening means much more; it will be a day of transition, a new beginning yet the continuance of a
place of worship that has been in existence for 72 years.
On Sunday, April 14, this congregation, which began in March of 1947 as the Southwestern
Pentecostal Holiness Church (PHC), became known as Compassion Church OKC. This new identity is the
result of months of planning, preparation, and vision casting piloted by Lead Pastor Jeff Patterson and
his team of committed leaders.
Through the years, the church has experienced other transitions and name changes. On
November 30, 1952, Southwestern PHC moved into its first permanent building and adopted the new
name, Muse Memorial, in honor of the late Bishop Dan T. Muse.
During the late 1990s, Muse Memorial navigated another transitional period. Under its new
title, River of Life, the church took up temporary residency on the campus of Southwestern Christian
University while its new home was under construction in far Northwest Oklahoma City. The dedication
of that facility took place on April 23, 2000.
Now, 19 years later, almost to the day, the congregation is launching into a new season of
ministry as Compassion Church OKC. This name reflects the church’s vision and goals for future
outreach and ministry to people with hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
“As we move forward, our goals include opening a Hope Center, where individuals battling
addictions can find hope and restoration in Jesus Christ,” says Pastor Patterson. “We also will minister
to our community by offering a recovery program.”
These plans are reflected in the church’s Statement of Purpose: “Compassion is a family of
individuals who have hope in Jesus and simply want as many people as possible to experience that
same freedom in Him.”
Friends of Muse Memorial/River of Life, residents of the surrounding communities, as well as
current and former members were invited to attend the Grand Opening of Compassion Church OKC,
6901 N. W. 150 th St. The celebration began at 11 a.m. on April 14, 2019 with a ribbon cutting.
Newcomers will find it to be a “Place of Hope and a People of Promise” with a bright future.
Shirley G. Spencer
When most people hear the words, Grand Opening, they immediately imagine the celebration
of something new, something that has never existed before. But for River of Life Church, grand
opening means much more; it will be a day of transition, a new beginning yet the continuance of a
place of worship that has been in existence for 72 years.
On Sunday, April 14, this congregation, which began in March of 1947 as the Southwestern
Pentecostal Holiness Church (PHC), became known as Compassion Church OKC. This new identity is the
result of months of planning, preparation, and vision casting piloted by Lead Pastor Jeff Patterson and
his team of committed leaders.
Through the years, the church has experienced other transitions and name changes. On
November 30, 1952, Southwestern PHC moved into its first permanent building and adopted the new
name, Muse Memorial, in honor of the late Bishop Dan T. Muse.
During the late 1990s, Muse Memorial navigated another transitional period. Under its new
title, River of Life, the church took up temporary residency on the campus of Southwestern Christian
University while its new home was under construction in far Northwest Oklahoma City. The dedication
of that facility took place on April 23, 2000.
Now, 19 years later, almost to the day, the congregation is launching into a new season of
ministry as Compassion Church OKC. This name reflects the church’s vision and goals for future
outreach and ministry to people with hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
“As we move forward, our goals include opening a Hope Center, where individuals battling
addictions can find hope and restoration in Jesus Christ,” says Pastor Patterson. “We also will minister
to our community by offering a recovery program.”
These plans are reflected in the church’s Statement of Purpose: “Compassion is a family of
individuals who have hope in Jesus and simply want as many people as possible to experience that
same freedom in Him.”
Friends of Muse Memorial/River of Life, residents of the surrounding communities, as well as
current and former members were invited to attend the Grand Opening of Compassion Church OKC,
6901 N. W. 150 th St. The celebration began at 11 a.m. on April 14, 2019 with a ribbon cutting.
Newcomers will find it to be a “Place of Hope and a People of Promise” with a bright future.
Shirley G. Spencer