Church That Matters cancels Sunday service, serves Sand Springs instead

When Church That Matters (CTM) first began meeting in 2010, they set a goal to be a church that matters to God and to the community. A church that doesn't just take up space, but that makes a definite impact on the world in tangible way. 

One of the ways that CTM works to better the community is "Don't Go To Church Sunday." This past weekend, Church That Matters volunteers didn't go to church, but decided to be the church instead. 

CTM was one of nine churches in the Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance that hosted a Back-to-School Bash at the Tulsa Technology Center campus in Sand Springs. They teamed up with Olivet Baptist Church, Harvest Church, Broadway Baptist Church, HillSpring Church, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Sand Springs Church of the Nazarene, Sand Springs United Methodist Church, and Word of Life to provide inflatables, haircuts, dental checkups, flu shots, school supplies, and more. CTM volunteers assisting in the setup, organization, and running of the event.

Many CTM members served at the home of a disabled citizen and client of Sand Springs Community Services. The volunteers replaced and repaired windows and doors, installed porch steps, performed lawn care and landscaping, and removed felled limbs from the client's home.

At Sand Springs Lake Park, the church scraped off the old sun-damaged paint on the pedestrian bridge over the dam and gave the structure a fresh paint job.

At DaySpring Villa, a shelter for victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking, the church cleaned the facility, sorted clothing, and hosted worship services for both the adult and child residents. 

CTM picked up the tab for patrons of Prattville Laundry and Bubble Town Car Wash, providing free laundry services and car washes for anyone who stopped by. Volunteers handed out quarters, detergent, and fabric softener, and helped drivers scrub their cars clean. They also offered prayer for the needs of the individuals. 

Volunteers also assisted Berryhill Baptist Church with a door-to-door survey in the West Tulsa suburb. 

Church That Matters is pastored by Rusty Gunn and meets at 3 West 41st Street on the south side of Sand Springs. The church has three Sunday services at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m. The last service is specially geared towards individuals with special needs and families with special needs children.