Who We Are
New Beginnings Veterans & First Responders Ministry is for anyone, with a focused outreach for Veterans and First Responders, who want to grow in their faith and live a life according to biblical principles. By aligning their lives to Biblical Truth, they are able to lead their families, workplaces, and their communities in a way that honors God and blesses those with whom they engage.
Our Mission
The primary mission of this ministry is to serve those in our Veteran and First Responder community and to lead them into a relationship with their Savior and King and to disciple them to become obedient followers of Christ—helping them find hope, peace, and purpose in Jesus Christ, as they grow into the leader God has called them to be. Secondarily, we hope to bridge the actual or perceived gap between the Veteran and First Responder community and the community, in general, in which we serve. We do so through community and church-wide events designed to open dialogue and strengthen the community of the body of Christ.
History
On June 29, 2020, Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson and Officer Aurash Zarkeshan were shot during a traffic stop. Sergeant Johnson would die from his wounds the next day making him the first Tulsa Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty since 1996. Officer Zarkeshan would suffer many significant injuries, but due to outstanding work by local medical professionals and the grace of our Lord and Savior, he would recover and return to work with the Tulsa Police Department.
In the aftermath of that tragedy, hundreds of Tulsa area first responders were forced to confront issues of anger, hate, anxiety, and other issues that existed in their own lives. Through shared or similar struggles, many of these first responders found a welcoming brotherhood alongside the veteran community. Many of these veterans and first responders found the freedom and healing they were looking for through a relationship with Jesus and began living their lives in accordance with and in obedience to His Word.
This adherence to Truth found in Scripture has not only changed the lives of these men and women, but has changed families, organizations, and legacies. Because of this, NB’s Veterans and First Responders Ministry was formed to bring Truth through personal relationships, training, and ongoing accountability, so that all can properly follow Christ and lead their families in the way that God intended.
Mike Griffin, Lay Pastor
NB’s Veterans and First Responder ministry is led by lay pastor, Mike Griffin, who was ordained for this role in March of 2025. Mike serves as a police officer for the Tulsa Police Department and has been in law enforcement for close to 29 years. Mike spent approximately 20 years working undercover, primarily investigating large scale drug trafficking. His current assignment is as a Patrol Sergeant in the Gilcrease Uniform Division.
Mike is actively involved with Mighty Oaks Programs, which is a faith-based peer counseling organization for Veterans and First Responders. He also is fortunate to have formed close relationships with Pastor Brian Haynes and USMC Veteran Joey Molis of Bay Area Church in League City, TX who he has partnered with to take veterans and first responders on Biblical studies tours of Israel and Turkey.
He is a graduate of the University of Tulsa.
Mike has been married to Aimee for 26 years, and they have two sons. They live in Kiefer, OK.