university of central oklahoma
Ravah Church, Launching - Fall, 2026
‘i don’t want people to just attend a new church, I want them to be part of a loving family where transformation is experienced. At the same time I want to see a church where college students are not just an afterthought or a side ministry, but part of the whole church and central part of the mission.’
Jeremy Kenney, church planter
meet jeremy & amanda
We have sensed God’s call to launch a church for the campus for many years. What began as a quiet burden has grown into a clear conviction, one affirmed through countless conversations with others who saw in us a unique ability to connect with people and help them grow in their relationship with Jesus. We have run from this calling for a long time but the Lord’s persistence has been unmistakable. Now, we are stepping forward together, convinced that this is the work God has been preparing us for all along.
We believe God is calling us to help transform both the city of Edmond and the University of Central Oklahoma by forming a Christ-centered family where people can truly belong, grow, and live on mission. Our vision is to create a community where discipleship is not merely taught but practiced, where those who have never known Jesus, or who have struggled to find genuine connection, can finally find a home.
To us this calling is not optional, it is the mission God has shaped us for. By the power of the gospel, for the sake of the city, the campus, and the generations to come.
the campus is not a momentary mission field - it is a generational one.
the opportunity
growing population
Edmond is experiencing rapid growth that creates a clear and timely opportunity for a new church. The city’s population has grown over 5% since 2020, and city planners are actively preparing for decades of additional growth. There are plans to add up to 4,500 homes, welcoming an estimated 11,000 new residents in the near future. At the same time, more than one in four Edmond residents is under the age of 18, signaling a strong concentration of young families who are seeking community, belonging, and values-driven formation. As new neighborhoods form and families put down roots, there is a unique window to establish a church that grows alongside the city and serves people from the very beginning.
campus opportunity
The University of Central Oklahoma has over 12,000 students enrolled and is growing. This is the third largest college in Oklahoma and often forgotten mission field in Oklahoma City area. Recently, this campus has experienced transformation that leads to great missional opportunity. The campus has moved from a mainly commuter campus to a residential one, leading to more time on campus with students. Likewise, enrollment has shifted to be over 90% in-state students becoming one of the most accessible in the state. Having a church, not just a campus ministry, led by people who understand the community is essential for setting the direction of a young persons life. A new and welcoming church plant can reach students and help them integrate into a multi-generational church family.
spiritual hunger
While Edmond sits within the Bible Belt, there is a clear and growing spiritual hunger beneath the surface. Many residents are no longer meaningfully connected to church, even in a county where churches are plentiful, suggesting that proximity to churches does not always translate into discipleship, belonging, or lived faith. At the same time, Edmond is a highly educated community where people are asking thoughtful questions and seeking a faith that is credible, practical, and embodied in everyday life. Alongside this are real local needs that persist even in an affluent city (families facing instability, gaps in healthcare, disability, and isolation) creating space for a new church to serve quickly and relationally. This combination of openness, unmet spiritual longing, and tangible community needs presents a significant opportunity for a church plant that leads with hospitality, discipleship, and mission from day one.
Partner with us
We are inviting sending partners to come alongside us for the next five years as we launch this new church. Sending partners invest in the mission at all different levels, and each is incredibly important. Our goal is to raise the first year operational funding amount for three years and have future growth covered by our sustainability plan.
