Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912
BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • FEBRUARY 13, 2020
/// SEE PAGE 6
CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Chitwood announces IMB’s five-year plan >> ANN LOVELL
YEC increases attendance, prepares students to share the Gospel >> CHRIS DOYLE
DAVIS—The Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC) drew more than 3,000 people from 160 churches this year, as students across Oklahoma met at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center Jan. 19-20 to be taught how to share the Gospel in their communities. “Kids were excited and engaged,” said Brian Baldwin, student evangelism and missions ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists. /// SEE PAGE 7
3 basic ways to care for the lonely >> TRILLIA NEWBELL
It’s rare that people will come right out and share that they are lonely. Perhaps, for some, it might seem needy—and unfortunately neediness is a taboo in our society. Yet, didn’t Jesus come for the needy? If we are honest, we are all needy. We are all longing for something else, something better. We have eternity planted on our hearts (Eccl. 3:11). We know that there’s a better future ahead—something lasting. Our understanding that this is not our home can motivate us to be honest about our loneliness. /// SEE PAGE 10
Follow the Baptist Messenger on social media! To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com
Page 3 | Voices Encourage: Covered, clean and quiet >> HANCE DILBECK
Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Wrong talks >> BRIAN HOBBS
Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Down Memory Lane >> WALKER MOORE
Page 5 | Missions & Ministry First person: A big Gospel for small places >> JEFF NINE