By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Josh and Courtney Stewart have been trying to conceive a child for more than three years now. Like Abram and Sarai in the Bible, it has been a long and trying experience that has often tested their faith. But unlike the biblical couple, the Stewarts have an option that wasn't available four thousand years ago. In Vitro Fertilization.

The IVF process can often cost anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000, and for many couples like the Stewarts, the expenses are entirely out-of-pocket. Currently only fifteen states have laws requiring insurance coverage for infertility treatment, and Oklahoma is not one of them.

The journey through infertility has inspired the Stewarts to start the nonprofit organization Anchored in Faith to help other couples with the problem. "We want to use Anchored in Faith to help other families who have the same desire to bring the joy of a child into their life."

Anchored in Faith will be hosting their first annual golf tournament this Friday at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge in Sand Springs, where Josh is the Head Golf Professional. The tournament will be a four man scramble format with a putting contest, long-drive prize, closest-to-pin prize, and hole-in-one prize. Keystone Chevrolet in Sand Springs is sponsoring the hole-in-one contest and will be giving away a car to anyone who accomplishes the feat.

The tournament is expected to be the first of many annual fundraisers that will help assist couples engaging in IVF. For now the organization is selling tickets for a quilt drawing that will happen September 12th. Tickets can be purchased at the golf shop. They also have special Anchored in Faith Rustic Cuff bracelets available through August 5th. In the future the couple is looking at many possibilities including 5K runs, bake sales, bowling tournaments, and more.

"We want to provide an anchor to couples by helping provide for them financially during these treatments." The Stewarts will be going through the IVF process this September.

The couple, both Charles Page High School graduates, attend Life.Church Jenks at 81st and US-75 where Courtney meets with a bi-weekly life group called the Infertile Myrtles. Through their church and their current doctor, they plan to reach out to couples dealing with infertility to help in whatever way they can.

For now, Courtney works as a Mental Health Specialist with Tulsa Educare, but eventually she would like to work for Anchored in Faith full time. The organization is still young, but with time they hope to grow it to a state-wide network of sponsors for couples in need.

"God has been our source of hope and inspiration; He has been our anchor," says the couple.

In Hebrew 11:11, the Bible says that "By faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise."

Friday's golf tournament will begin with check-in at 11:30 followed by lunch and the putting contest with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. The tournament still has plenty of availability and will happily accept day-of entries. No pre-registration is required. Golfers may show up Friday ready to participate. Team entry fee is $300, single player entry is $75.

For more information, contact:
jcstewart@live.com
cnstewart1@live.com
or
918.906.7967

If you would like to contribute to this couple, there is a GoFundMe account set up at this link.