Oak's Indian Mission Children's Home
1926 - 1980
From its beginning, the Lutheran Missions were primarily focused on the education of Native American young people. The Oaks Mission as a Children’s Home was established in 1926 and is located approximately 65 miles east of Tulsa, Oklahoma, just 23 miles west of Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
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Until 1977, children of the Mission were treated without regard for individual needs. The children were housed, fed, clothed, supervised, and sent to school.
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​Today, the mission serves boys ages 7-17 from various tribes. Children come to this refuge by placement of families or legal guardians and tribes.
OAKS INDIAN MISSION
1980 - PRESENT
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The core ministry of The Oaks Indian Mission is—and has always been—our residential care program for Native American children. Every child who comes to us carries a story shaped by hardship. Many have experienced abuse or neglect, others have been abandoned or removed from unsafe environments. Still others come from loving families who simply cannot provide the daily essentials—food, clothing, schooling, or stable housing—due to circumstances beyond their control.
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Today, we care for children between the ages of seven and seventeen, offering them a safe home, a steady routine, and the love of a community rooted in faith. But the ministry happening at The Oaks extends far beyond shelter. In this season, God is moving in many powerful ways across our campus:
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A quiet boy who once kept his eyes on the floor now laughs freely as he learns he is safe. Siblings who once fell asleep scared now rest peacefully, knowing they are surrounded by people who love them like family.
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The Oaks is more than a place to live. It is a home where children find stability, faith, and the assurance that their lives matter.
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Our children are thriving academically, supported by tutoring, mentoring, and encouragement from staff who believe deeply in their potential.
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Cultural activities are helping our youth reconnect with their Native identity and heritage—experiences that bring healing, pride, and understanding of who God made them to be.
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Life-skills programs are preparing our teens for adulthood, teaching everything from cooking and budgeting to leadership and personal responsibility.
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Spiritual care remains at the heart of our mission, with daily prayer, chapel services, and conversations that point our young people toward hope and a future. Many children who arrive feeling lost or unseen are beginning to understand that they are loved—by God and by the people around them.
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Ongoing facility improvements are helping create safer, more comfortable living spaces, and we have continued needs as our population grows and programs expand.
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The work is great, but so is God’s faithfulness—and He continues to provide through compassionate hearts who stand with us. Your prayers, support, and partnership are making a very real difference in the lives of the children entrusted to our care.