2020-01-09

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • JANUARY 9, 2020

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CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends McLaurin fills new SBC EC role >> AMY WHITFIELD

29th Annual Rose Day set for Feb. 5 at State Capitol

YEC brings ‘Clarity’ in 2020, Jan. 19-20

10 marks of a good staff meeting

>> CHRIS DOYLE

>> CHUCK LAWLESS

>> BRIAN HOBBS

DAVIS—Playing off the year being 2020, Oklahoma Baptists’ Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC) has “Clarity” as its theme.

YEC will meet again at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center Jan. 1920, and Oklahoma Baptist leadership envisions many students at the encampment near Davis.

Brian Baldwin, student evangelism and missions ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists, said 2,700 students have pre-registered for YEC, and with the possibility of surpassing 3,000 at this year’s YEC, the weekend student conference will more than double the attendance of the 2016 YEC, which was the first year of meeting at Falls Creek. /// SEE PAGE 7

Over the years, I’ve been in a lot of staff meetings in different organizations. As I think about those meetings, here are the characteristics of meetings I thought were most productive: 1. The leader was someone whose spiritual walk I trusted. I cannot underestimate the power of this truth. When I genuinely trust the leader, I’m ready to listen. On the other hand, I dreaded going to meetings led by someone whose walk with God I questioned.

2. The people gathered were people I knew and loved. That is, the team really was a team. /// SEE PAGE 10

Each year, pro-life Oklahomans gather inside the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City for the annual Rose Day Pro-Life Indoor Rally.

The 2020 Rose Day Pro-Life Rally is set for Wed., Feb. 5 and is expected to draw more than 1,000 supporters from across the state.

Rose Day, now in its 29th year, is organized by Oklahoma Baptists and other pro-life organizations, who are asking pastors and church members from across the state to attend. /// SEE PAGE 7

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To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

Page 3 | Voices Encourage: Pray for your pastor this year >> HANCE DILBECK

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: What’s new for 2020 >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Grins and growth >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry OBU honors 110 graduates during Winter Commencement >> KENNY DAY

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McLaurin fillsM I Snew S I O N S & SBC EC role S P O R T S & I S T RY AINMENT ENTERT

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>> by Amy Whitfield

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONVENTION COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE SBC EXECUTIVE COMMIT TEE

NASHVILLE (BP)—Willie McLaurin has been named vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee (SBC EC)—a new position created to maximize resources and Gospel impact at the EC. “Willie McLaurin is a highly relational, disciplined, gifted and growing leader,” said Ronnie Floyd, EC president and CEO. “He is a powerful preacher who inspires people to follow Christ passionately. Willie loves people, and it is more than evident when you are around him.”

McLaurin began his work with the EC Jan. 2. He has served among leadership at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board since 2005.

As vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization, McLaurin will implement Cooperative

ery church in living out the Great CommandProgram and stewardship education, ment and fulfilling the Great Commission.” work to strengthen relationships and promote increased giving among SouthHance Dilbeck, Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer, noted the importance ern Baptist churches, develop strategies & E CooperP Lthe of McLaurin’s role in P promoting to strengthen relationships with multiO E X O B L O T Othe SBC ative Program. ple demographic C Hwithin U Rgroups NEWS H H C C R U H C and provide oversight and assistance “We express our fellowship in the Gospel by giving to meet the financial needs of our to the executive directors of church relations and mobilization for Hispanics, work,” Dilbeck said. “This is part of the tie Asian Americans, African Americans and that binds all levels of our convention to>> PHOTO: BAPTIST PRESS of church affiliations. gether. Our deep connection in theology Willie McLaurin A native of North Carolina, McLaurin and mission is expressed in the sharing of holds a master of divinity degree from the our resources. Promoting the U Cooperative S D TURE E L I F I C S & S S A L W C E Duke University School of Divinity and an undergrad- Program serves to strengthen that connection in the N uate degree from North Carolina Central University. future so we can continue to advance the Gospel.”

Prior to serving at the Tennessee Baptist Mission “This is a strategic season for Southern Baptists,” McLaurin said, “and I am excited to serve alongside Ron- Board, McLaurin was executive pastor at Clarksnie Floyd as he leads the SBC Executive Committee for- ville, Tenn., Greater Missionary and senior pastor at ward. The future for the Southern Baptist Convention Union City, Tenn., Greater Hope. He has also served is bright. Our team of servant leaders at the SBC Execu- as an interim pastor for numerous Southern Baptive Committee areV committed O I C EtoSpartnering with ev- tist churches.

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

WEB-EXCLU

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NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

N INFO PUBLICATIO

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

EVENTS

SIV WEB-EXCLU

JAN 12

JAN 19-20

Oklahoma Baptist Symphony Concert

Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC)

Info: 6 p.m., Enid, Emmanuel oklahomabaptists.org/worship

JAN 16

Youth Ministry Network

WEB-EXCLU

Info: Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center, contact Amy Biliske at abiliske@oklahomabaptists.org

JAN 20

Info: Contact Todd Sanders at tsanders@oklahomabaptists.org

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

JAN 16

JAN 20-22

Singing ChurchWomen West Concert

Transitional Pastor Training

Yanes named executive director of Asian American relations and mobilization AMY WHITFIELD | DEC 14

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

Peter Yanes has been named executive director of Asian American relations and mobilization at the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

Fairness for All Act draws opposition from both sides

EVENTS

TOM STRODE | DEC 16

Info: 7 p.m., Moore, Regency Park oklahomabaptists.org/worship

JAN 19

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

Info: To access online resources, visit oklahomabaptists.org/life

Info: Baptist Building, contact Kdie Nix at knix@oklahomabaptists.org

JAN 23

Singing ChurchWomen East Concert

Info: 7 p.m., Skiatook, Immanuel oklahomabaptists.org/worship

FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS

A new congressional proposal seeking to balance religious freedom and gay rights is a misguided effort that will fail to achieve its stated goals, according to the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

Court to review ‘ministerial exception’ rulings TOM STRODE | DEC 21

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rule once again on the freedom of churches and other religious organizations to make employment decisions without government interference.

FIND ALL THESE STORIES AND MORE ONLINE AT WWW.BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM

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January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

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PUBLICATIO

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The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published semi-monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112-6506. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 42,308. Individual subscriptions $13.75 per year. When writing for a change of address or a subscription renewal, please include a copy of your mailing label. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Baptist Messenger, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506.

While the Baptist Messenger attempts to provide advertisers of integrity who furnish quality products, it is recommended that buyers be cautious, do research and get references to any advertiser with which they are not familiar. Publication of an advertisement in the Baptist Messenger does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or businesses. January 9, 2020 • Volume 109, Number 1.

Member, Baptist Press News, Christian Newspaper Association, Evangelical Press Association, Oklahoma Press Association.

EVENTS

MESSENGER STAFF >> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@baptistmessenger.com >> Hannah Hanzel | Art Director hhanzel@baptistmessenger.com >> Lori Coats | Subscriptions/Assistant lcoats@baptistmessenger.com >> Advertising advertising@baptistmessenger.com

VOICES

Encourage: Pray for your pastor this year Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

Did you make any New Year resolutions? Most people make the same three every January: Lose weight, exercise more and save more money.

A resolution is a firm decision. I would like for you to consider another resolution for 2020. Would you make a firm decision today to pray for your pastor every week this year; maybe even every day? The advance of the Gospel depends on the health of our churches, and the health of our churches depends on the health of our shepherds.

Consider using 1 Peter 5:6-11 as a guide to pray for your pastor—or any pastor.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Father, deliver my pastor from a fear of obscurity.

Your word says, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time.”

Much of his work is unseen, unappreciated and unrecognized; give him grace to labor on without the spotlight. Deliver him from the pride that seeks recognition. Fill him with faith that You are more than able to exalt him at the right time.

Father, lift any burden of anxiety from my pastor.

Teach him to “cast all anxiety on You, because You care for him.” He carries burdens that he has picked up himself; ambitions, self-imposed expectations, the fear of failure and exposed inadequacies. He also carries the very real burdens of the shepherding task; the heart-

ache, the grief, the loneliness and frustrations of the flock. He carries the leadership burden. He is burdened for the lost people in his community.

Hal Luccock used to say, “Sundays come at the preacher like telephone poles come at the train.”

Lord, ease the creative burden from my pastor as he labors to feed the flock week by week. Give Your beloved servant rest.

Father, protect my pastor from our adversary, the devil. His labor is challenging enough on its own. Yet, we know that he performs his duty while under attack. Oh Lord, give him grace to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Make him ever alert, on guard. Give my pastor grace to stand and serve even while under attack.

Finally, Father, give my pastor the good sense to avoid isolation. He need not work alone. He has brothers who are experiencing the same battles with obscurity, anxiety and the adversary. Give him support from preacher friends. Give him the humility he needs to seek and accept their support.

One more thing: Ask God to raise up a Gideon’s army of godly, faithful pastors in 2020.

Sword & trowel: What’s new for 2020 Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

For more than 100 years, the Baptist Messenger has been informing and inspiring Oklahoma Baptists, as we advance the Gospel together.

For 2020, all the existing reader favorites, like Walker Moore’s column and the crossword puzzle, continue as great as ever. Also for 2020, we are rolling out some new features and offerings I wanted to highlight.

More Church News The Messenger has long published a “People and Church News” section. From church anniversaries to baptisms, revival reports to news about ministry leaders, this is your feature as Oklahoma Baptists. We are moving this feature from page 10, and expanding the church news section, so we may include more info, photos and events from you, with a full spread on pages 8 & 9.

Please send us your Oklahoma Baptist church and people news and info to baptistmessenger@okbaptist. net. Sending it a month prior to when you would like it to be published is best. While we cannot guaran-

tee everything sent will be able to be printed, we are grateful to expand this feature.

One website The Messenger’s award-winning blog “Word Slingers” has been located on a separate website since its launch more than five years ago. Now, all articles, blog posts and podcasts will be located on one website (www.baptistmessenger.com) for your convenience.

If you’ve not been to our website lately, check it out today. From a weekly movie review on the latest releases, to inspiring columns to church-help articles, there’s something for everyone on our website.

One app The Messenger has featured two apps—one called “Messenger Digital,” which featured a digital replica of the print issue—and one called “Messenger Go,” which has featured breaking news, podcasts and more. The Apps are now being combined into one.

The “Messenger Go,” which has a green icon and is downloadable in the App Store and Google Play, will give you access to the digital edition for free, as well as news and features. To download the free app, search for “Baptist Messenger” in the app stores or go to www. baptistmessenger.com/messengermobile.

Re-launched podcast program The “Insight” podcast has featured a wide array of guests, including Michael W. Smith, Dennis Jernigan, Albert Mohler, as well as many local pas-

tors and international missionaries. For 2020, the podcast program will be offered each week, with inspiring and helpful content for Oklahoma Baptists. To download the podcast, find us on iTunes, Spotify or your preferred podcast platform.

One customer service portal In 2019, the Baptist Messenger underwent a major database transition, i.e. a change in our master mailing list software. To ensure database and mailing accuracy, all Baptist Messenger subscriptions will be handled by the individual subscriber. All Baptist Messenger subscriptions are now self-service, which means everyone can now request and manage their own subscription.

Each church member can visit baptistmessenger. com/subscriptions and request a free subscription by clicking the “Subscriber Services” button. Also, I will remind you that, as of 2019, Oklahoma Baptists, through the Cooperative Program, assumed the cost of subscriptions for Oklahoma Baptist churches, so there is no out-of-pocket cost associated to subscribing for individuals or church members.

As always, feel free to contact us by emailing baptistmessenger@okbaptist.net or by calling 405/942-3800, if we can serve you better. Together, let’s continue to lift up Christ and advance the Gospel in 2020 and beyond.

Voices | January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Rite of passage:S P OGrins and growth RTS & T N AINME

Just Joe: A corndog connoisseur prefer the all-beef franks, but a real corndog connoisseur (And, yes, that is a thing) will always tell you an all-beef Oklahoma Baptists’ frank just takes the mystery comSenior Associate pletely out of it. There is just someExecutive Director thing about pig parts and chicken lips @marlowpreacher that make a hotdog extra special.

Others think the best part of the cornHolidays really are a unique time of the dog is the fried bread that covers the year. They always get here sooner than hotdog. That fried bread is a particular we expected. They are more expensive favorite if it has a little hint of sweetness than we planned. They are over quicker to it to offset the tanginess of the yellow than we anticipated. And suddenly we mustard. As good as the hot dog and find ourselves in January. No wonder the bread are, they are not my favorite January is one of the sadder months. part of the corndog.

One of the good things about JanuWhat is my favorite part of the cornary is all of that holiday cooking has ei- dog you may ask? My favorite part of the ther been consumed or discarded or sent corndog is that little crunchy piece that home with unsuspecting guests who dis- connects the corndog to the stick. I call carded it. Either way, January means we that piece the corndog connector. can get back to our regular eating habits.

The corndog connector is an incredA bologna sandwich is always good, ible invention. After all, without that but it is particularly tasty after the hol- connector, your corndog would just idays. Of course, a fried Spam sand- slide right off the stick. The guy that wich will put even the best bologna invented that was an absolute genius. sandwich to shame. They are partic- But more importantly, the corndog ularly good with some of that Spam connector is undoubtedly the tastiest jelly that’s in the bottom of the can part of the corndog. smeared on the bread.

Let’s be honest. We have all eaten But the all-time favorite food after the the corndog only to go after that little holidays has to be the corndog. After all, crunchy piece like a rabid beaver gnawany time you can get a complete meal ing at a willow tree. We have turned on a stick it has to be a favorite: pre hol- that stick in every direction making sure idays, post holidays, or right in the big there was no connector left. And if we middle of the holidays. It is hard to beat were ever eating corndogs with children a good corndog. who were uninitiated in the finer points A corndog is a favorite for different of eating corndogs, we have slid the corn reasons. For some, it is the hot dog it- dog off the stick and given that to the self which is usually made from a va- kids while we shamelessly crunched the riety of meat selections. Some folks corn dog connector off of their sticks.

Joe Ligon

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A corndog has not been officially consumed unless the connector has been bitten off the stick.

I have often wondered why restaurants didn’t just offer corndog connectors on their menus. I would certainly order the family size portion of corndog connectors with a side of yellow mustard and a diet Coke every time. You have to save calories where you can. I might even take an order home with me.

By now you are wondering if this is really about corndog connectors. The answer is a resounding yes. They are the absolute best part of the corndog. But this is also about the little things in life that have a way of just making life better.

After all, a corndog connector is a really small part of the corndog, but a corndog wouldn’t be a corndog without a connector. And life wouldn’t be life without an occasional quick hug from someone that we love. Life wouldn’t be life without hearing a small child giggle.

Life wouldn’t be life without catching a glimpse of a falling star. Life wouldn’t be life without the person we always sit next to in church telling us she missed us last Sunday. Life wouldn’t be life without accidently catching a favorite episode of Andy Griffith on TV. Life wouldn’t be life without a cup of hot coffee on a cold morning. Life wouldn’t be life without hearing that we are loved.

It really is the small things in life that make such a big difference in our lives.

Don’t ignore them. Don’t overlook them. Instead enjoy every corndog connector that comes your way.

January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

P L A N T E R

If you have read only a few of my articles, you already know that humor is important to me. I had the privilege of growing up with a mom who said and did funny things. Even though she has been with the Lord a long time, people E DtalkSto me about her humor.

F I ofstill L A ShasSaIway CHumor leveling the rough spots on the road of life, and laughter is an amazing gift from God. It helps you cope with both sadness and with daily life. Have you ever felt angry, and then someone said something to make you laugh? Even though you were upset, the laughter made your heart feel lighter.

It’s always great to have a cheerful heart and laugh V with C E Sand friends. I do everything I O Ifamily can to make my 9-month-old grandson, River the Peacemaker, laugh. I make weird sounds and faces, blow on his belly and try other things I will never put in print. When his pudgy face breaks into a smile and he begins to cackle, joy floods my heart.

So my goal for 2020 is to laugh more.

Laughter, along with the prayers of the saints, is what got me through 2019 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Praise God, I have been declared cancer-free. So here is my list of New Year’s resolutions for 2020.

If you laugh for 10 to 15 minutes a day, you burn anywhere between 10 and 40 calories. If you can laugh for 12 hours, you will burn off a pound. Laughter also increases your body’s defense system, and if your children are in school, laughter will improve their grades. See what laughter does? It makes you skinnier and smarter.

Did you hear about the man who stole a calendar on New Year’s Eve? He got 12 months!

If you are laughing at the last joke, you have lost about three calories. “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Prov. 17:22a).

In this new year, choose one thing you want to change or improve on. The Swahilis have a saying, “Slowly, slowly grows the elephant,” which you can apply to the way you want to grow this year. If you have never had a quiet time, don’t start out the year by saying, “I’m going to read the Bible for an hour a day.” When people have this as their goal, they don’t usually last long. How about reading just one verse a day, and see where that takes you?

Ask some close friends to help you pick your one thing to work on this year. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Eccl. 4:9-10).

Happy New Year, my friends! I believe God wants to put a little more laughter in your heart this year—and that’s a resolution everyone should be able to keep.

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O O L B OX T H C R U H C

1. Learn more about how to find the humor when life takes an unexpected turn.

Sara was 90 years old when she found herself pregnant, and she laughed. “So Sarah laughed to PLE herself as she thought, I am&worn out and my P E O‘After lord is old, will I now have H this pleasure?’”

N E W S(Gen. 18:12).

C R U H C So if you are at the dollar store and see a 90-yearold lady trying to read the small print on a boxed pregnancy test, just yell out “Sarah!”

2. I want to read more this year.

The best way for me to do that is to put subtitles on my TV (Sometimes I wish pastors’ sermons would come with subtitles).U Did you R E the Bible T Uknow L C & S W E gives us N instructions on how to read God’s Word?

Read, understand, obey, be blessed! “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (Rev. 1:3).

3. I want to help all my friends gain 10 pounds; it will make me look skinnier.

Did you know the best place to go on a diet is the paint store? You can get thinner there.

But I have another list of New Year’s resolutions, too (my wife still hasn’t told me what my real resolutions are): 1. Stop making lists. B. Be more consistent. 7. Learn to count. But the following verse may be the greatest resolution of all: “Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the Kingdom of Light” (Col. 1:11-12).

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President Emeritus of Awe Star Ministries Email | walker@awestar.org @WalkerDeanMoore

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P R A Y

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY Walker Moore

Noah Graves Edmond, East Edmond Community

Noah Graves, left, serves as a church planting resident with Pastor Ray Strauss, right, at Edmond, East Edmond Community, which is a church plant reaching those in the northeast side of the Edmond area. Noah is a junior at Oklahoma Baptist University studying Biblical Studies and Business Administration. He commutes throughout the week to Edmond to serve in the connections and teaching aspect of the church

Prayer Requests:

• For open doors to reach the many families moving to the Edmond area every day.

• That Noah will gain wisdom and experience while serving at East Edmond Community. eastedmond.org

oklahomachurchplanting.com

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

SPORTS & T MEN E N T E R TA I N

OBU honors 110 graduates during Winter Commencement PLE & O E X P O B L O H TO

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>> by Kenny Day

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OBU MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) conferred degrees upon 72 undergraduate and 38 graduate students during the Winter Commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 13. The ceremony took place in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. Heath Thomas, incoming president of OBU and current dean of the Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry, delivered the address.

Graduates took their ceremonial final walk across campus as OBU students before filing together into Raley Chapel. The students, in academic regalia, walked from the Geiger Center to the chapel, passing through rows of OBU faculty members before reaching the chapel’s east steps.

Mack Roark, a 1958 graduate and Professor Emeritus of Bible, delivered the invocation. Pat Taylor, who served as OBU interim president, welcomed the students and delivered introductions.

Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists, delivered the greetings, and Kenny Day, marketing and communications director, read the Scripture.

Thomas delivered a message about the good news of the Gospel.

“As you think about your graduation and the next page in your life, the Gospel is good news we can hold onto,” he said. “And the Good News given to us is the message that Jesus reigns. Embrace King Jesus, embrace His reign.

“And as you go from Bison Hill, I encourage you,

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I bow your heart or president, delivered the address; 2) Students took their final I plead with you, V doO not ceremonial walk to Raley Chapel as they passed through your knee to another person, party, posirows of faculty, staff and administrators. “The Walk” mirrors tion or place. Give your hearts and lives fully one that many of the students took as new students when to Jesus the King. Allow His message of the they began their studies on Bison Hill. good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to have all authority over your lives as you leave Bison Hill.” president of the OBU Student Government AssoThomas reminded graduates of the transforma- ciation, and Susan DeWoody, provost. The Gradtional power of the Good News. uate College graduating class was presented by “The Good News of Jesus does not just trans- Nancy Bailey, who graduated with a Master of Arts form our spiritual lives and leave the rest of us un- in Christian Studies, along with DeWoody. touched,” Thomas said. “The Good News of JeNear the conclusion of the ceremony, gradusus Christ means that Jesus is King and all of life is ates were inducted into the OBU Alumni Associlived under His lordship, enchanted by His liberat- ation by Will Smallwood, senior vice president for ing rule in everything.” advancement and university relations. Taylor then He concluded by charging graduates to em- delivered the charge. Finally, Lindsey Panxhi, assisbrace the Good News of the reign of Christ over tant professor of English and director of the Honall of their lives. ors Program, delivered the benediction.

The program included a presentation of the unTo view the commencement service or for a full dergraduate graduating class by Clayton Myers, list of graduates, visit www.okbu.edu. >> PHOTOS: HEATHER HAMILTON

1) Heath Thomas, OBU incoming

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

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OKLAHOMA

These ministries have various on-going opportunities for volunteers: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OKC and Community Food Bank of Eastern OK, Tulsa—both locations, call 405/972-1111 (Not a Baptist ministry, but many Oklahoma Baptist churches receive food from them for local food pantries).

Arms Around Broken Arrow—food pantry, clothes closet - 918/258-7714—hugh@armsaroundba.org Lake Texoma Baptist Resort Ministry Pete Richards, Director, 580/579-1671 2034 Max Rd, Mead 73449 email: thehelm2034@gmail.com Cherokee Baptist Assembly, Cherokee – 918/506-5482 email: cba_tahlequah@yahoo.com

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

Orientation and Credentialing (Training) Dates for 2020: Feb. 8—TEaM Center, 7180 NW Expressway, Okarche 73762 April 4—Muskogee Area, Site TBD May 2-Ponca City, First, 218 S. 6th St.

Chaplaincy: Dates for 2020 Chaplaincy Classes: Feb. 27-29—OSFA & Chaplain Manual Training-Baptist Building June 2-5—K-Love Sponsored Training-Tulsa, South Tulsa, 10310 S. Sheridan Rd

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Hance Dilbeck Pray for D. Hance Dilbeck Jr., executive director/treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists since the spring of 2018.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Amy Petersen Amy Petersen is a ministry wives ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists. Pray for Amy and her husband Brandon.

For Powerpoint slides of Prayer Guide, visit www.oklahomabaptists.org/cp

Missions & ministry | January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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‘Hope’ on wheels: OBHC announces launch of mobile ultrasound unit for 2020 /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED 1, 2) Images from inside and outside a mobile ultrasound unit. Hope Pregnancy Center will utilize a similar unit with the Hope name on it; 3) Trained Hope staff and volunteers make an impact through pregnancy recources.

>> by Marcus Wehmuller

OBHC DIREC TOR OF COMMUNIC ATIONS

With five pregnancy resource centers located across Oklahoma, Hope Pregnancy Center continues its vital mission of helping women and men have hope and choose life in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy.

For more than 30 years, Hope has brought life and hope to many Oklahomans at its various locations. In 2020, that Hope will now be on wheels.

Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children President Greg McNeece recently announced, “After much prayer, research and God’s generous provision, Hope Pregnancy Center will be launching its first mobile ultrasound unit in the summer of 2020.”

The 27-foot-long mobile unit will empower Hope “to equip young men and women with tools they need to make an informed pregnancy decision and provide opportunities for Hope to share Christ’s light of truth, love and hope into the lives of those overwhelmed with unplanned pregnancies,” he said.

McNeece explained, “Hope has started working to determine the most abortion-vulnerable areas in and around the Oklahoma City metro area, which will allow us to park the unit in selected locations each week, building trust and relationships with those communities. Hope will partner with local ministries, helping provide a support system for the women being served.”

He added, “Even with multiple pregnancy centers, it is difficult to reach the most abortion-vulnerable women who lack transportation to visit a pregnancy center. These include women who live in government housing communities, those

trapped in human trafficking and those in nearby communities who do not have a pregnancy center near them.”

While the annual abortion rate in the United States is reported to be on the decline, the abortion rate in Oklahoma is on the rise. Abortion in Oklahoma rose 12 percent in 2018 compared to 2017. This 12 percent increase led to a total of 5,014 unborn children whose lives were tragically lost.

Each year, Hope’s ministry efforts save the lives of unborn and provide hope and help to women and men. With the mobile unit, opportunities are expected only to grow.

To equip the unit, Focus on the Family agreed to fund 80 percent of the ultrasound machine. Hope partnered with ICU Mobile for training and support. The unit will be staffed with a mobile operations manager and a registered nurse trained in sonography. According to Hope Pregnancy Center, volunteers will be needed as back-up staff for pregnancy test intakes, ultrasounds as well as a “pit crew” to provide weekly maintenance.

For information on staff positions, volunteer opportunities or ways to financially support this ministry, visit obhc.org/hope.

McNeece concluded, “Thank you, Oklahoma Baptists, for your continued support of Hope Pregnancy Center. As we look forward to what God will do through the mobile unit, please pray for Hope’s staff as they work diligently the first two quarters of 2020 to lay the groundwork for this much needed ministry expansion.”

D I D YO U K N O W. . .

Oklahoma features more than 40 faith-based pregnancy resource centers.

Abortion in Oklahoma rose 12 percent in 2018 compared to 2017.

The first Oklahoma Baptist crisis pregnancy center opened in 1986.

12% INCREASE =

5,014 unborn lives tragically lost

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday will be on January 19.

O B H C.O R G / H O P E

YEC brings ‘Clarity’ in 2020, Jan. 19-20 >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

DAVIS—Playing off the year being 2020, Oklahoma Baptists’ Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC) has “Clarity” as its theme. YEC will meet again at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center Jan. 19-20, and Oklahoma Baptist leadership envisions many students at the encampment near Davis.

Brian Baldwin, student evangelism and missions ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists, said 2,700 students have pre-registered for YEC. With the possibility of surpassing 3,000 attending this year, YEC will more than double the attendance in 2016, which was the first year the annual event met at Falls Creek.

“It’s been a good thing to have YEC at Falls Creek,” Baldwin said. “It is a 1 draw to have it in a camp setting.

People know what to expect and are excited.”

Speakers at this year’s YEC include D.A. Horton, a pastor in California who

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is a popular speaker among young people. Baldwin said Horton has a great heart for evangelism and discipleship and will kick off YEC addressing why Gospel urgency is important. Horton also will have a Q&A session with church youth leaders on the opening night of YEC. The Skit Guys, which feature Tommy Woodard and Eddie James, are a Falls Creek favorite. They will speak at YEC’s Monday morning session, discussing the principles of the Gospel.

“They are super funny and creative,” Baldwin said about the Skit Guys. “They also have a great understanding of the Gospel, as far at the prin-

January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

ciples of sharing and why it’s important to share the Gospel.”

During the second Monday session at YEC, Baldwin and a panel of students will discuss developing a strategy of sharing the Gospel.

“When it comes to peers speaking, you don’t need to be that dynamic or creative,” Baldwin said. “Peers will pay attention and listen.”

Baldwin chose students from nearly a dozen Oklahoma Baptist churches, who will share with YEC attendees how to present the Gospel message clearly.

The final session of YEC will allow church groups to apply what they know about the Gospel and plan to engage in Gospel conversations.

29th Annual Rose Day set for Feb. 5 at State Capitol: Former Planned Parenthood worker to share testimony of conversion /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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>> PHOTOS: 1) GRANT BIVENS; 2) PROVIDED 1) The Oklahoma House Chamber fills up as the 2015 Rose Day rally begins; 2) 2020 Rose Day keynote speaker, Abby Johnson whose life story is told in the movie ‘Unplanned.”

>> by Brian Hobbs EDITOR

Each year, pro-life Oklahomans gather inside the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City for the annual Rose Day Pro-Life Indoor Rally.

The 2020 Rose Day Pro-Life Rally is set for Wed., Feb. 5 and is expected to draw more than 1,000 supporters from across the state.

Rose Day, now in its 29th year, is organized by Oklahoma Baptists and other pro-life organizations, who are asking pastors and church members from across the state to attend.

“In the nearly 30 years of Rose Day, important legislation has been passed that has helped save lives. There is so much more we must do to end the barbaric practice of abortion in Oklahoma. We are asking Oklahoma Baptists to step up, to be part of Rose Day,” said Blake Gideon, senior pastor of Edmond, First who is serving as Oklahoma Baptists’ president.

Rose Day takes place during the beginning of the new legislative session. Attendees are encouraged to present red roses to their elected officials—representative, senator, Lieutenant Governor and Governor—as a positive symbol of protecting unborn lives.

The 2020 event will feature Abby Johnson, who previously directed a Planned Parenthood center

Each group will develop a strategic action plan to accomplish their “Gospel-advancing goals.”

“Inspiration without application al2 ways leads to frustration,” Baldwin said. “We will talk about how to live out the plan of sharing the Gospel at school, with sports teams, in neighborhoods and so forth. We also will challenge students to take action of sharing the Gospel whether that’s texting a friend or writing a letter

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in Texas before becoming a pro-life spokeswoman.

Johnson, who spoke at Rose Day in 2012 said, “For eight years, I ran an abortion clinic. It provided abortions up to 25 weeks (in the gestational period). I worked for Planned Parenthood until 2009, and they trained me in media correspondence. Little did I know at the time that I would later use that training to oppose them in public.”

Johnson’s life changed in September 2009 when she saw something that changed her stance on abortion for good.

“I had justified my sin and par2 ticipation for years,” she said.

“But God put something in front of my face that changed me.”

Johnson was asked to assist in an ultrasound-guided abortion procedure. On the ultrasound screen, she saw a 13-week baby in the womb fight for his life.

“What I saw on the ultrasound was a child who was frantic, struggling for his life.

The place that was the safest became the least safe,” she said. “There we were with scrubs in that (operating) room. The boy did not stand a chance.”

“Nobody stood up for him. This happens 4,000 times a day in America,” Johnson said.

The baby’s life was taken, but the tragedy led Johnson to resign the next month. She has since become a leading pro-life advocate.

In a joint letter to pastors, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children President Greg McNeece and

or making a commitment of sharing with friends at school.”

YEC will offer times of recreation and fun at Falls Creek. There also will be more than 20 breakout session options for students to choose.

Some breakout topics include “Answering Hard Questions,” “Culturally Christian,” “Evangelism and LGBTQ Issues,” “Mission Trip Prep,” “Sports Outreach,” and “Youth Leader Training.”

Hance Dilbeck, Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer, encouraged pastors and churches to make Rose Day a priority.

“Educating families on the value of life has never been more critical than it is today. Abortion in Oklahoma rose 12 percent in 2018 compared to 2017.

This 12 percent increase led to a total of 5,014 children—more than all the children in the Ponca City school district—who were robbed of the opportunity to take their first breaths,” they said.

Previous Rose Day speakers include the following: • Alveda C. King, niece of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. • Ronnie Floyd, executive director for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee • Melissa Ohden, abortion survivor • Lila Rose, pro-life activist and president of Live Action • Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life To take part in Rose Day, Oklahoma Baptists and others may come to the Capitol at 9:30 a.m., with red roses as a symbol for life, and deliver a life-affirming message to lawmakers.

At 11:30 a.m., in the House Chamber, an indoor rally takes place, where attendees will hear from Johnson and others.

For more about Rose Day, visit www.roseday.life.

“All students will be right at home (at YEC),” Baldwin said. “This includes the core students who want to go deeper; the ‘scaredy cats’ will be in good company; lost people will hear the Gospel and have a chance to respond. Even ‘fringe students’ will want to go all in.

The group will go back with a common cause.

Students want to live for a cause. We have the greatest cause the world has ever seen, which is The Great Commission.”

For more information on YEC, visit skopos.org/yec.

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>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED 1) Brian Baldwin will lead a panel of students at YEC who will discuss developing Gospel-sharing strategies; 2) YEC speaker D.A. Horton has a heart for evangelism and descipleship; 3) The Skit Guys will discuss principles of the Gospel; 4) YEC attendees display light from their cellphones to show they have shared the Gospel through a text message.

Features | January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

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I E D Syouth apologetics E W S & C U LT U R S I Fhost C L A Sto OBU N MORE CHURCH NEWS conference March 7 The Baptist Messenger has expanded its People & Church News section, dedicating two pages to featuring more news from Oklahoma Baptists, including church anniversaries, coming events, revival reports, ordinations, special achievements, church staff changes, retirements, baptisms and other news items. The Messenger especially wants quality photos that are printable to feature with the news items. Send news and photos to baptistmessenger@okbaptist.net and allow for sufficient time, especially with announcements of upcoming events. For a timetable of the Messenger’s 2020 print schedule, visit baptistmessenger.com/publication-schedule, and remember that the Baptist Messenger now prints twice a month.

VOICES

Anadarko, Bethel surpasses LMCO goal in one day with dessert auction

>> PHOTO: OBU GRAPHICS

SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) is hosting a youth apologetics conference Sat., March 7, on its main campus in Shawnee. The conference is titled “Generation ‘Why?’—Reasonable Faith in a Post-Christian Age,” and is a one-day-only conference for youth groups and students, designed to equip students to effectively defend the faith by providing rational foundations that show how the Christian faith is true.

The cost of the conference is $10 per person, $60 per group for groups with 6 to 14 people, and $70 per group for groups of 15 or more. The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

Visit www.okbu.edu/genwhy for more information and to register.

>> PHOTO: FACEBOOK.COM

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January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

ANADARKO—Many churches across Okahoma were creative in promoting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in December. Anadarko, Bethel reported on Facebook.com that the church hosted a dessert auction in order to meet its goal of $4,000.

Pictured left is Anadarko, Bethel’s Lottie Moon dessert auction.

Bethel’s Facebook post said, “We surpassed our Lottie Moon Offering goal of $4,000 in a single day! Our Lottie Moon Dessert Auction and the morning LM offering combined for (more than) $4,500! Thank you to all who gave and all who are still planning to give! God is using Bethel Baptist Church, and we are so thankful.

God bless you all.”

O O L B OX CHURCH T

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

Tisher cares for senior residents

DS CLASSIFIE >> by Chris Doyle

LT U R E NE WS & CU

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MANAGING EDITOR

Cathy Tisher is a Mission Service Corps chaplain missionary through the North American Mission Board. For more than 16 years, she has led “Called to Care” minisI C E Sto residents and staff V Oministers try which members of senior living communities in the Oklahoma City area.

Tisher, posing right with a resident, completed her seventh Christmas of providing a Christmas store for residents. The Christmas store allows residents the opportunity to provide Christmas gifts to caregivers and family members.

“The Christmas store shows the love of Jesus and gives the opportunity to share the Gospel with residents and family members,” Tisher said. “It has happened on many occasions.”

There are many stories of residents and family who have made professions of faith in Christ because of the Christmas store.

One resident who had been closed off to Gospel discussions was open to a visit from Tisher after the Christmas store made a gift possible for her. The 93-year-old lady made a profession of faith in Christ.

Tisher said more than 500 gifts were provided this year through the Christmas store.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS DOOLEY DEATH. Glenn Dooley, 97, died Dec. 7. Funeral serM13Aat Crawford O H vices were Dec. A L K O E H T Family Funeral I V Ein Edmond.

HHome A R Cfor HeTworked the Baptist MesBAPTIS senger as a printer from 1954 to 1997 and was considered to have one of the longest careers working for Oklahoma Baptists. Dooley served as a medical unit clerk with the U.S. Army’s 13th Field Hospital in Europe. He was a D-Day Plus One survivor. After D-Day, he fought across France until he and his fellow solders participated in The Battle of the Bulge. He was baptized at Holdenville, First in 1947 and was a faithful member of Edmond, First for 55 years, serving in many capacities, including deacon. He is preceded in death by his wife Rose. He is survived by his wife JoAnn; his daughters, Brenda Price and Beverly Sleder; his son, Brad; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

CRAIG RETIRES. Claude Craig preached his first sermon Jan. 19, 1957 at Miami, Ottawa Indian, and he preached his last sermon at the same church on Nov. 24, 2019. Church leaders prayed over Craig. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University.

COX RETIRES. Perry Cox retired as pastor at Tulsa, Easton Heights after 18 years. He has been in full-time ministry for 66 years, serving also with Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children and the Baptist Foundation. He is available for supply preaching and can be reached at 918/639-8950.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES Cameron Whaley is now pastor of Broken Arrow, Aspen Park. He served as pastor of Yukon, Canadian Valley for nearly 11 years.

COMING EVENT OBU HOSTS CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW LECTURES JAN. 13-14. Michael Licona, associate professor of theology at Houston Baptist University, will deliver a series of lectures on Christian worldview during Oklahoma Baptist University’s (OBU) January term. Licona’s lectures will be based on his book, “Why Are There Differences In The Gospels?” The lectures will be in OBU’s Geiger Center Jan. 13-14. Visit www. okbu.edu for more information.

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

She also said her ministry gave more than 350 Christmas gifts to residents.

A member of Oklahoma City, Southern Hills, Tisher had many Southern Hills members, including Pastor Doug Melton, help with wrapping the Christmas gifts.

This year, Tisher will be featured in different periodicals provided by the national office of the Woman’s Missionary Union.

Quapaw, First hosts ‘Blessing Box’

>> PHOTO: FOURSTATESHOMEPAGE.COM

Quapaw, First was asked by Quapaw High School’s Future Farmers of America Chapter to place their Blessing Box, a benevolent resource station, at the church.

Quapaw High School students earned a grant from the national FFA organization to launch the project.

A local TV news station featured a report in December about the project.

SUDOKU

TO SHARE NEWS, PLEASE EMAIL ALL INFO TO BAPTISTMESSENGER@OKBAPTIST.NET

RCH WORD SEA

C A R TO O N

Note: The word clues for the Word Search are chosen by the Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.

Attendance Baptism Church Disciple Evangelize

Eve Exciting Exercise Fresh Goals

Grow Kingdom Learn Live Missionaries

New Obedience Oklahoma Outreach Resolutions

Sacrifice Start Twentytwenty World Year

People & Church News | January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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O O L B OX T H C R U H C

10 marks of a good staff meeting IEDS /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N GERS W O R D S L I N S & C U LT U R E NEW

EXPLAINING GODLY MORALIT Y TO YOUR KIDS >> CALEB MOORE

VOICES

5. We had a clear agenda from the beginning. We had no question as we went to the meeting that we were going to discuss stuff that mattered. If we ever varied from EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was the agenda, the reason for doing so was obpreviously featured on thomrainer.com. vious and necessary.

6. Every person there was enlisted Over the years, I’ve been in a lot of staff ahead of time to contribute. This aspect meetings in different organizations. As I I especially appreciated—the leader asked think about those meetings, here are the each of us ahead of time to bring somecharacteristics of meetings I thought were thing to the table. We thus had time to premost productive: pare, and we knew our voice was going to 1. The leader was someone whose spir- be heard. itual walk I trusted. I cannot underestimate 7. Discussion was real—not just reports the power of this truth. When I genuinely trust or announcements. Too many staff meetthe leader, I’m ready to listen. On the oth- ings are quick reports from staff and a monoer hand, I dreaded going to meetings led by logue from the leader. The best meetings I’ve someone whose walk with God I questioned. attended have been decidedly different.

2. The people gathered were people 8. The leader reigned in diverting conI knew and loved. That is, the team really versations. That’s because we had a plan at was a team. We knew each other’s families. the start and a goal to reach.

We played together outside of the office.

9. The leader shepherded us more Meetings were fun because we were a team than supervised us. Here’s what I felt afliving out a vision. ter leaving these best meetings: informed, 3. The meetings were prayer-saturat- challenged, excited, appreciated and S asked me about me, ened. Prayer was not just a perfunctory begin- loved. leader GMyE R N I L S D R O ning and ending task. We seriously W prayed couraged me, and made me want to be on for each other, for the organization, for the team. A good leader can do that even God’s vision and guidance. In some meet- in a brief meeting. ings, we prayed more than we discussed.

10. My action steps were clear at the 4. They started and ended on time. The end. Before we left the room, I knew exactly amount of time varied, particularly because what my next steps were to be. I could write of our commitment to prayer, but we knew them down and then get started. exactly how much time to set aside.AThe AY Sother characteristics of a good E SWhat V D leader respected our time. meeting would you add? >> by Chuck Lawless

SOUTHEASTERN SEMINARY DEAN OF DOCTORAL STUDIES, CHUCKLAWLESS.COM

BAP T IS TS OKLAHOMA H IG H L I GH T E C R U O S E R

2020 M I SS I O N ARY PR AY E R G U I D E

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ CP MINISTRY

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ ERLC

Download your weekly guide to praying for Oklahoma connected missionaries serving across the state and around the world.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday will be on January 19. Oklahoma Baptists have many resources available to them for promotion of this special Sunday. Visit the site below for a preacher’s guide.

oklahomabaptists.org/CP

oklahomabaptists.org/SHLS20PG

Check back with the highlight every issue to learn more about the resources available to every SBC church!

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January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

V E S AY S A D There is an aspect of Christian thought that falls into the

moral philosophy category that all children should know.

I know when I use words like “moral philosophy,” some readers might began to fall asleep. Such a phrase can sound like a discussion reserved for academics. However, this topic is rather easy and exceedingly TS A P T I Simportant.

O M A Babout K L AofHthinking There areOways what GH Tis right and I L H IG H E C wrong that isRdiff than what the Bible teaches. For exOUR E Serent ample the current mainstream way the world views morality is through a lens called moral relativism. This means that they believe right and wrong can differ from person to person. It’s all based upon emotion and if it feels good it must be good.

We say things like, “to each their own” or “as long as they aren’t hurting anyone who cares?” The reason this view is so popular is because it makes everyone his or her own judge of what is right and wrong. Most people believe they are a good person, so it makes sense for them to have a morality that always reaffirms that.

There is a big problem with this view, though, and teaching it to your children hinders them to see the value of believing in God. If morality is relative then nothing is really evil.

To read the rest of Caleb’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/explaining-morality

RS RD SLINGE O W To read more blogs with Jesus in mind, visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog

D AV E S AY S GREAT START, BUT FOLLOW THE STEPS Dear Dave, IS TS BAPT A M I’ve recently begun living on a budget, and O H A L OK HT L I G$150 I’ve got $1,000 saved. At the moment, I have E H IG H C R U O S E R left over each month after everything is account for in my budget.

I also have three debts totaling about $12,000. Should I use this extra cash to pay off debt, or would it be a better idea to start investing the money? —Leland Dear Leland, Let’s put off investing for the time being. You’ve done a great job so far by getting on a budget and saving $1,000. Making mature decisions and telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went, is the key to gaining control of your finances.

Now, let’s take a closer look at my plan and where you stand. You’ve already set aside $1,000 for a beginner emergency fund. That’s Baby Step 1. Don’t touch that money except in the event of an actual emergency. You’re ready now for Baby Step 2, which is to pay off all debt except for your mortgage using the debt snowball system.

To do this, make a list of your debts from smallest to largest.

Make minimum payments on all but the smallest debt, and attack it with a vengeance. As soon as you get that one paid off, move on to the next one and then the next one.

Once you finish the debt snowball, and you’re debt-free except for your house, you go back to your emergency fund and stash more money away until you have a fully-funded emergency fund of three to six months of expenses. This is Baby Step 3. Now you can begin concentrating on investing for retirement, which is Baby Step 4. Start with your employer’s 401(k) plan. Then, you can invest the rest into Roth IRAs—one for you, and one for your spouse—if you’re married.

Saving and investing are both very important. But it’s also important to become debt-free. That’s what makes them easy!

—Dave The views expressed by Dave Ramsey do not necessarily reflect those of the Baptist Messenger and do not constitute legal financial advice.

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CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PASTOR YOUTH MUSIC

JOB LISTING VEHICLE MISC.

EMPLOYMENT >> F/T PASTOR: FBC, Pocola, OK is seeking a F/T Pastor, will consider BI/VO. Please send resumes to: Search Committee at Pocolafbcsearch@gmail.com. >> F/T YOUTH/CHILDREN’S MINISTER: Clearview Baptist Church, Broken Arrow OK is accepting resumes for a F/T Youth/Children’s Minister. Please send resumes to: cbcmysearch@gmail.com or mail to: Clearview Baptist Church, P.O. Box 140892, Broken Arrow, OK 74014. >> YOUTH/MUSIC MINISTER: FBC Cache, OK is seeking: 1) F/T Youth/Music Minister or 2) F/T Youth Minister & a BI/VO Music Minister or 3) P/T BI/VO Youth Minister & a P/T BI/VO Music Minister. If you are interested in any position in these 3 options listed, please indicate same & send resume to: office@fbccache.org. >> F/T YOUTH MINISTER: First Baptist Church, Ninnekah, OK is seeking a F/T Youth Minister. Music would be a plus. Send resume to: Attention Search Committee at ninnekahbaptistchurch@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 277 Ninnekah, OK 73067. >> WEDNESDAY NIGHT COOK: 12-8pm Wednesdays. Includes planning for 150 people, purchasing, cooking & clean up. Call (405) 321-3545. >> P/T RECEPTIONIST: Wed, Thurs, Fri 8-5. Computer experience required. Send resume and cover sheet to: Office@ibcnorman.org.

>> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church, Davis, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T pastor. Interested candidates should mail resume with cover letter to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 297 Davis, OK 73030.

VOICES

>> LEAD PASTOR: First Baptist Church Wewoka is a diverse, growing, multi-generational church located in Wewoka, OK which seeks a devoted Pastor to lead our congregation into the future, guiding them in fulfilling God’s plan & purpose. Ideal candidates should be enthusiastic, community minded, have a passion for God’s Word & a heart for His people.

Seminary degree is preferred & holding to the SBC teachings. Send Resumes to: fbcwewoka@gmail. com or mail to: Attn: Pastor Search Team, P.O. Box 916, Wewoka, OK 74884. >> PASTOR: FBC Soper, OK is seeking a BI/VO or F/T Southern Baptist Pastor. Parsonage is available.

Health insurance benefit. Please send resume to: office@FriscoBaptist.com or to Attention: FBC Soper Search Committee.

>> YOUTH/MUSIC ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Holdenville FBC is looking for an Associate Pastor of Youth & Music with Christlike character, a passion for God & His word, a love for people & a strong work ethic.

Send resumes to: youthmusicsearch@fbcholdenville.com before 2/29/2020. >> BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Gracemont, OK is seeking a Pastor. Parsonage available. Send resume to: P.O. Box 357, Gracemont, OK 73042 or email: jerrypatterson@ tds.net. >> BI/VO PASTOR: New Life Baptist Church, 851 W Norman, Broken Arrow, OK, 74012 is seeking a BI/ VO Pastor. Please send resumes by mail or email: tandrmartindale@cox.net. >> P/T OFFICE MANAGER: Oakdale Baptist Church is looking for a P/T Office Manager. Experience working with Quickbooks, Word & Publisher is helpful.

This person needs to be experienced in managing an office from top to bottom. Please send resumes to Paul Kersh at: kersh.legacy@gmail.com.

>> F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Davidson First Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a F/T or BI/VO Pastor.

Send resume to: P.O. Box 187, Davidson, OK 73530. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Highland Baptist Church in Moore, OK is seeking a BI/VO Pastor to a medium-sized church. Send profile to Highland Baptist Church; Attn: Pastor Search Committee, 2425 SE 4th St., Moore, OK 73160 or email to highlandbcpastorsearch@gmail.com. >> F/T MINISTRY ASSISTANT: Springhill Baptist, Howe, OK is seeking a F/T Ministry Assistant. Visit www.springhill.us/career to print application. Send application & resume to: Pastor Dr. Don Laughlin at: springhillbaptist2000@yahoo.com or 18210 State Highway 83, Howe, OK 74940. >> F/T YOUTH PASTOR: Lakeside Baptist Church, Mannford, OK is seeking a F/T Youth Pastor. Please send resumes to: lakeside@lmok.org. >> BI/VO ASSOCIATE/FAMILY PASTOR: Quapaw FBC is prayerfully seeking an Associate/Family Pastor to assist in ministry & preaching duties. Send resumes to the Pastor: mrobertson@wyandotte.k12. ok.us or by mail to P.O. Box 76, Quapaw, OK 74363. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Brush Hill Baptist Church, near Lake Eufaula State Park, 3 mi S of I-40. Parsonage provided. Contact Marla MaGee at (918) 926-0017.

Mail resumes to: BHBC Search Committee, 109985 HWY 150, Checotah, OK 74426 or email: mrlmagee@ windstream.net.

16 Jesus shows us the __ to heaven 17 “He is risen!” announcer 18 Through Jesus, God would __ us 19 Sin 20 “Amen!”

21 __ of the Apostles, Bible book 23 Adult insect 25 Jesus, from David’s ___

>> F/T YOUTH MINISTER: Canyon Road Baptist, Sapulpa/Tulsa, OK is seeking an experienced leader called to youth ministry who is relational & has a passion for students. Send resume to: Pastor Mike Peter at: crchurch8550@yahoo.com or 8550 S. 49th W. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74131. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Buffalo Valley Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a Pastor. Parsonage available/ utilities paid by church. Please send resumes to: 4152 S.E. Hwy 63, Talihina, OK 74571 or email: bvbc4152@ yahoo.com. >> BI/VO YOUTH MINISTER: First Baptist Church Langley, OK is in search of a BI/VO Youth Minister.

If you feel the Lord leading you to be a part of His church here in Langley, please send resumes to: fbclangley@yahoo.com or to P.O. BOX 202 Langley, OK 74350.

MIS CEL L A NEO US >> VAN: Free 1999 Fifteen Passenger Ford Van, Runs Good, but AC Not Working. Call FBC, Noble, OK if interested (405) 872-9000. >> VANS: 2017 Chevrolet Express LT 15 Passenger 3500 6.0 v8 34k miles $22900.00. Call (918) 967-3394.

Williams Chevrolet Inc. 1100 E Main St. Stigler, OK 74462.

>> F/T STUDENT PASTOR: FBC Weatherford, email resumes to: justearl@fbcweatherford.com.

CROSSWO

ACROSS 1 Wind dir. (Abbr.)

5 Roman coliseum, for one 10 Weary shoulders might do this 13 Bind, as soldiers did to Jesus (2 words) 15 At about 30, Jesus would __ His ministry

>> F/T PASTOR: Fletcher First Baptist Church is prayerfully searching for a F/T Pastor. Mail resume & cover letter to: Attention Pastor Search Committee, Fletcher First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 359 Fletcher, OK 73541.

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26 51 Down __ relationships 28 Jesus ascended into these 31 Civil rights org. (Abbr.)

32 What a goose does 33 “That hurts!”

34 Satan, the old evil __ 37 She (Fr.) 38 Church feature 40 Cocoon dweller 41 What angels do 42 “Ye shall in no __ enter into the kingdom” (Matt. 5:20) 43 Apostle in Jerusalem church 44 “God so loved the __” 45 Museum guide 46 Greek muse of music 49 “When ye __, be not...of a sad countenance” (Matt. 6:16) 50 Cover story 51 Spirit’s gift 52 Mary or Martha, e.g.

55 Blabbed, texting style 56 Lowest point 59 Jesus, Prince of __ 61 Bard’s conjunction 62 Ten Commandment no-no 63 Sunday anthems 64 He brought five loaves and two fish 65 Hell 66 Extra-wide shoes

DOWN 1 “__ here and keep watch” (Mark 14:34 niv) 2 Jesus changed water into it 3 Prays 4 “If any man will __ thee at the law” (Matt. 5:40) 5 Lessen 6 Cincinnati team 7 Pride 8 “__ it in the bud” 9 Believers first called Christians here 10 Jesus’s blood was like___ in Gethsemane 11 “This is disgusting!”

12 Greek sandwiches 14 Scottish fabrics 22 Brain and spinal cord (Abbr.)

24 Wipe 25 21 Across writer 26 Paul’s former name 27 Spice 28 Gourmet cook 29 Slouch 30 Jesus, God’s __ Son 31 Smelled 34 Rant 35 Jesus’ tomb was __ 36 Bethlehem star locale 38 Seniors’ org. (Abbr.)

39 Crete, for one

40 Agreement 42 Early church city 43 Mary’s husband 44 Part of www 45 Injured serviceperson’s org. (Abbr.)

46 Artist’s need 47 Extreme 48 Measured 49 Walled towns 51 “Believing ye might have __” (John 20:31) 52 Esau’s quest 53 Teen’s woe 54 Mustard seed is “__ than all the seeds” (Mark 4:31) 57 “Gotcha!”

58 Teacher’s advanced deg. (Abbr.)

60 “Beam that is in thine own __” (Matt. 7:3)

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Classifieds | January 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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