RIDING HIGH

Pastor Robert Duran of Antlers rides a donkey bareback May 1 on High Street in the southeastern Oklahoma town, fulfilling a promise to his congregation, which met an attendance goal. He was inspired by his father, who carried out a similar feat in the 1950s as a Baptist training union director in McAlester. This year, Easter attendance totaled 159 worshippers at Antlers UMC, lifting the weekly average to 100 and resulting in Rev. Duran’s ride. Also Easter Sunday, eight children and teens were baptized, and four more teens were confirmed. The next Sunday, another child was baptized and the father joined the church. Duran also pastors at Soper UMC, where two infants—cousins born on the same week in February—were baptized on Mother’s Day. Accompanying the pastor during his ride were Bradley Caraway, holding the reins; teen Zeth Allen; and 7-year-old Raysen Luginbill.