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METHODISTS WELCOME WHEELER TO OOLOGAH
By FAITH WYLIE, Leader Writer
Rev. David Wheeler was called to ministry in Oologah in a very direct way: a telephone call.
Bishop Robert Hayes, head of the Oklahoma Methodists, was on the line.
"The bishop said 'I think it's a unique fit for you,'" Wheeler said. "I really wanted to get my own congregation again."
Wheeler first found his calling in a part-time job during college.
As music major, he discovered he could make more money leading a church choir than making pizza.
"I loved it. I caught myself doing more and more in the church," Wheeler said. "I realized that God had uniquely gifted me to do this."
Wheeler went on to earn his master's degree at Northwestern Nazarene University and become an ordained minister. He pastored his first church at age 21. His most recent job was Assistant Pastor for outreach and music at Faith United Methodist in Tulsa.
Wheeler took over leadership of the Oologah congregation on July 1.
Oologah-Talala impressed Wheeler with its school and family-oriented community spirit.
"I had no idea about how good Oologah schools are," Wheeler said.
That's important to Wheeler. He and his wife, Cherie, have two sons. Joshua is in third grade and Isaac is in fifth grade.
Cherie will be the band director at Nowata High School and Middle School in the fall.
For recreation, the family enjoys music and sports. Wheeler was an All State basketball player in high school and stills plays basketball with a group of Methodist ministers once a week. He likes coaching his sons' teams.
But his real passion is ministry to families with youth and children. He plans to spend some time getting acquainted with the Oologah congregation and "finding the dreams of the church." His vision includes a vibrant ministry to families and a deep commitment to serving the community.
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