TULSA – Written on the slats of a BattleCreek bunk bed are words of encouragement like “I am wonderfully made,” “I am loved,” and “I am never alone.”  

Children in crisis will see these words of truth first thing in the morning and right before bed, thanks to the BattleCreek Bunk Bed Ministry.  

From 5:15-7:45 p.m. once a month, over 20 volunteers will gather at the BattleCreek Downtown shed to build six bunk beds to give to families in need through CarePortal.  

CarePortal, a growing connection technology managed by the 111Project, allows agency partners – like Oklahoma Human Services Child Welfare – to submit vetted needs to the community and local churches to serve families in crisis.  

These vetted needs can range from diapers and wipes to bunk beds and blankets, which will help support a foster family, strengthen a biological family, or help a family get one step closer to reunification. 

BattleCreek was one of the original churches to help launch CarePortal in Tulsa County in 2016. Missions Coordinator Sarah Espinosa said the idea for the Bunk Bed Ministry was born in January of 2021 after the whole church participated in the Isaiah 58 fast.  

“The Isaiah 58 [fast] has an emphasis on serving the oppressed,” Espinosa said. “So, in addition to fasting and praying during that week, we also had volunteer opportunities to serve.”  

Since BattleCreek is a Careportal church, they saw the need for bunk beds and offered a one-day bunk bed build, where they built 10 bunk beds. Those bunk beds were given to families in need through CarePortal in less than two months, Espinosa said.  

“We were like, ‘oh, this is something that’s needed,’” she said. “And we saw, even internally, how it ministered to people to just have that place of belonging.”  

Not only did the one-day bunk bed build grab the hearts of many people, but it also gave men gifted with craftsmanship the avenue they were looking for to use their gifts for the Kingdom, Espinosa said.  

“That’s been so beautiful to just see and offer the whole body of Christ opportunities and ways to serve,” she said.  

In October of 2022, the BattleCreek Bunk Bed Ministry was officially launched full time and, on average, six bunk beds are built each month. Since the launch, 89 bunk beds, along with mattresses and bedding, have been made and given to families in need.  

“That’s 89 families across the metro that we’ve been able to connect with on some level,” Espinosa said. “Our delivery teams that go out to the homes also have a family advocate that goes with them. The family advocate just meets the delivery team there and their focus is just to connect with mom or caregiver and follow up with them.”  

Of the 89 bunk bed recipients, 17 families have walked through the doors of BattleCreek, whether it was for counseling services, Celebrate Recovery, joining a mom group or attending Sunday services.  

“It’s been a super fun way to be intentional in how we do local missions at BattleCreek,” she said.  

Marc Garrett, pictured above, is a retired engineer who has been involved since the very beginning and helped build the system that makes building the bunk beds a smooth process. Garrett said not only does this ministry give anyone with the heart to serve the opportunity to, but also helps families who are living in crisis and have their family unit at stake.  

“The way people get out of crisis is by us helping them,” he said. “There’s no reason for us not to help them.”  

Tulsa County has 991 children in foster care as of December 1, according to monthly numbers released by the OKDHS.  

In January of 2024, the Bunk Bed Ministry will expand to building opportunities twice a month, on a Sunday and Wednesday.  

“So, come January, we’re hoping to have an output of 12 beds as well,” Espinosa said. “As long as we’ve been doing this, we have never been able to keep inventory.” 

Espinosa said every step along the way is blessed by God.  

“The thing I love the most is just the intentional relational connection that happens all across the board – from here in the shop, to delivering, curing lumber, getting with our cut carpenters – every step along the way has created fruitful, intentional relationships,” she said. “God is just in it.” 

 Any churches or individuals interested in learning more or getting involved can visit 111project.org.