During the deepest moments of the COVI-19 pandemic, our nation was riveted by the heroism of healthcare workers and first responders. Images and narratives of doctors and nurses putting their own lives and families at risk to care for incredibly high-risk patients waiting in the hallways of hospitals across the country resulted in rallying cries of ‘heroes work here’ on the sides of hospitals and nursing homes across the nation. As our focus was directly on the public health emergency, many officials were equally concerned about the potential long-term social impact resulting from the economic fallout of systems closures. Somewhat behind the scenes, a secondary layer of community heroes began to stand up, taking control where they could, to deliver basic resources to low-income neighborhoods through non-profit and faith-based organizations.

The story of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Oklahoma City is a perfect example of a story of a specific leader and his committed team identifying that there was unprecedented need resulting from the sudden removal of core systems that had been developed over the decades to support at-risk communities. Immediate and unexpected unemployment swelled in this community, disproportionately impacting women and people of color, resulting in surging hunger, expanding homelessness and the loss of hope for many who had never experienced issues before. Poverty was striking quickly and with force in more families than ever, and communities across the state had to respond or risk generations of economic progress lost in a moment.

Pastor Derrick Scobey, with the support of the deacons and trustees of Ebenezer Baptist Church immediately put their ‘Yes on the table,’ and began to open their doors and parking lots to anyone who needed help.

In the months since the onset of the pandemic, Ebenezer Baptist Church has been seen as the gold standard for community response, serving hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and millions of dollars of household goods and school supplies through their drive through distribution system, opened to help address the virtual education and mental health needs for children as schools closed, partnered to distribute COVID vaccines and opened their sanctuary to the homeless and vulnerable neighbors without heat during historic cold weather.

Although Pastor Scobey is quick to give credit to so many other partners when asked about the response, he has become the face of the church’s efforts to serve a high risk community, and his story should provide inspiration that one person can make a difference in this world. Episode 1.7 of the ‘Thousand Stories’ podcast details Pastor Scobey’s background in NE OKC, his life detour to north Texas, where he first engaged in large scale service projects, and his journey back to the community in which he grew up.

Although his work in his community isn’t finished, listeners should be encouraged that Pastor Scobey represents thousands of other individuals in the community who’s ‘yes is always on the table.’