2020-04-09

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • APRIL 9, 2020

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CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News First-Person: CARES Act provides option payroll relief to churches amid COVID-19 >> THOMAS JORDAN

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: An E-A-S-T-E-R prayer

Encourage: He is risen indeed! >> HANCE DILBECK

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3

This is the third Easter since I began serving Oklahoma Baptists as executive director-treasurer. It will also be the third time you have read this exact article. I will continue to resubmit this same piece every Easter for two reasons. First, I like holiday traditions. I hope you will come to anticipate and enjoy this same good word as part of your Easter celebration.

Second, and more significantly, we focus on the Resurrection of our Lord this week. All the issues that might normally fill this column— our challenges, opportunities and strategies for Gospel advance—all of them take a back seat to the cornerstone of our faith. /// SEE PAGE 3

Oklahoma Baptist churches find ways to be neighborly amid COVID-19 crisis >> CHRIS DOYLE

Oklahoma Baptist churches know this is a time to show care and support for their respective communities. The challenge is, how can church members connect while observing social distancing? Three churches in particular have found a way to resolve this.

Minco, First; Oklahoma City, Trinity and Purcell, First have made neighborhood cards that can be shared in communities, letting people know their churches are willing to help during the COVID-19 crisis. /// SEE PAGE 7

Follow the Baptist Messenger on social media!

To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

>> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: ‘Not without’ >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry Baptist Foundation offers online giving tool for churches >> MIKE SCHUELER

Page 10 | Church Toolbox In the COVID-19 crisis, 10 prayers I need to pray more >> CHUCK LAWLESS

Page 12 | News & Culture IMB postpones volunteer trips through June 30 >> JULIE MCGOWAN

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First-Person: CARES Act provides option payroll & SPORTS & T MISSIONS N E R TA I N M E M I N I S T RY T N E relief to churches amid COVID-19 >> by Thomas Jordan

DIRECTOR OF CHURCH & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, and the social and legal response, is having major effects on the economy. It also could greatly affect the local churches financial future.

That is why, in response to the financial crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Congress recently passed two laws aimed to provide relief. Both laws were signed by President Trump; one of which is the “CARES Act” that offers potential payroll financial relief to churches who wish to pursue it.

The “CARES Act,” which should have significant financial impact on many churches and church staff, gives churches financial resources for maintaining and paying staff during 2020. Churches will be able to access one of two primary options for continuing to keep paying staff in 2020.

Before I discuss those two, it is worth noting these are optional. As GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said, “Churches and pastors have options available to them depending on their own situations and convictions. While we would never tell a pastor what he must do, it is good that the options are available for pastors and churches who I N E availN Loptions Othe may wish to avail themselves N E W of E CONTENT able through this legislation.”

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Option 1: Payroll Tax Credit There are two aspects of the CARES Act that I want to highlight. First, churches with fewer than 100 employees will be able to claim a payroll tax credit for up to $5,000 per employee per quarter. This credit is INFtoODeN2020, available for wages paid from March TIO13, A IC L B U P cember 31, 2020. At oklahomabaptists.org/coronavi-

rus, we have published an Issues Explainer that gives the details surrounding this option.

The credit is determined by multiplying perB O X50comLemployee OO T H C cent times the fi rst $10,000 of R U H C pensation per employee per quarter. Employee compensation includes both wages, employer retirement contributions and premiums for group health insurance. There is no total maximum payroll credit, only the $5,000 per employee credit maximum. This credit is claimed against employer payroll tax obligations. FIfIthe S tax credDpayroll I E to S Sexceeds L A Act it under theC CARES the employer’s payroll tax obligation, the federal government will issue a refund to the church.

Option 2: Payroll Protection Loan option As an alternative to the payroll tax credit, churches can apply for a Payroll Protection Loan. Payroll Protection Loans are designed I C E Sto be forgiven if the VO employer uses the proceeds of the loan for paying and maintaining staffing levels. The proceeds of the loan can also be used to pay rent, utilities and mortgage interest. The proceeds must be used for these eligible expenses within eight weeks of the loan.

If the church is able to demonstrate the use of the loan proceeds for the stated purposes of the loan, the church will be forgiven the loan principal. Any part of the loan proceeds not used for these eligible items within eight weeks of the date of the loan, will be converted to a loan with a term not to exceed 10 years or more than four percent interest rate.

How to apply for a Payroll Protection Loan Churches can apply for a Payroll Protection Loan at their local Small Business Administration loan participating bank. For the loan, churches will be required to attest the COVID-19 virus has negatively impacted their business. The church will also be required

EVENTS In response to the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), many Oklahoma Baptist events have been postponed or cancelled. For a current update on events and information, visit oklahomabaptists.org/coronavirus-response.

The following events have been cancelled: • Women’s Retreat —April 17-18 • Chaplain Refresher Training —April 21 • Men’s Rewired Retreat/Conference —April 24-25 • Oklahoma State Bible Drill —May 2 • SBC Annual Meeting —June 9-10 • All GoStudents and BCM mission trips for 2020 FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS

For further reading GuideStone Financial Resources summary of the CARES Act guidestone.org/newsroom/newsReleases/2020/2020_03_27-COVID-pandemic-phase-III-stimulus-package SBC Q&A with Guidestone expert: The CARES Act and Your Church—vimeo.com/402530500 Summary of the CARES Act from CPA firm Capin Crouse capincrouse.com/key-provisions-cares-act EDITOR’S NOTE: Rules and guidance on these issues are still being developed byLgovernment E auI Nprovide N not W Odoes N EBaptists thorities. Oklahoma T ON ENT tax, XCLUSIVE C accounting orW legal advice.

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Southern Baptist Coburn remembered for faith, integrity TOM STRODE | MARCH 30

EVENTS

Retired Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, a Southern Baptist, is being remembered for his Christian faith, pro-life advocacy, campaign against government waste and friendships with political opponents following his March 28 death.

Coburn, 72, who died after a prolonged struggle with prostate cancer, served Oklahoma as a Republican member of the Senate from 2005 to 2015. He retired with two years remaining in his second sixyear term. He previously had served as a U.S. representative from 1995 to 2001, keeping his promise to step down after three two-year terms.

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

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to provide documentation as to the church’s average monthly compensation. & O P L Eavailable Churches that seek financial P Eresources S to them through the CARES Act willH want to W comNE C R U H C pare the benefits of the two alternatives: the payroll tax credit and the Payroll Protection Loan.

If a church will be seeking forgiveness of the Payroll Protection Loan, the church will not be able to participate in the payroll tax credit for staff compensation. There are many other fiscal issues, including information about unemployment, thatU weLhave RE T UadC & S W E dressed at oklahomabaptists.org/coronavirus.

N If you need assistance with tax filings to claim the payroll tax credit for wages or for paid sick leave provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, contact your tax professional. Norma Woodard and her son, Scott Woodard, are tax professionals available to assist with tax filings. Churches asking tax professionals to file tax credit paperwork should expect to incur additional fees. You can reach Norma Woodard at eagleviewn@cox.net or 405/761-4080.

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

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: 42,147. 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. April 9, 2020 • Volume 109, Number 7.

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: He is risen indeed! /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

This is the third Easter since I began serving Oklahoma Baptists as executive director-treasurer. It will also be the third time you have read this exact article. I will continue to resubmit this same piece every Easter for two reasons. First, I like holiday traditions. I hope you will come to anticipate and enjoy this same good word as part of your Easter celebration.

Second, and more significantly, we focus on the Resurrection of our Lord this week. All the issues that might normally fill this column—our challenges, opportunities and strategies for Gospel advance—all of them take a back seat to the cornerstone of our faith. This is especially true in such an unusual spring.

In the midst of the COVID-19 restrictions that keep us from gathering, on the eve of an Easter that is unlike any other in our memories, let’s rejoice in this unchanging, unchangeable resurrection reality.

Jesus Christ is our Risen Lord.

Hallelujah! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!

Malcolm Muggeridge was a Marxist before he turned to Jesus. During the Cold War he traveled to Russia to write a story about the Communist

party and the decline of religion under that atheistic regime. He was surprised by what he observed.

After conducting a series of interviews with officials in the Kremlin who declared the decline of Christianity in Russia, he attended a Russian Orthodox Easter service. The church was packed.

At the close of the service the priest announced, “Christ is risen,” and the people shouted back, “He is risen indeed!” Muggeridge looked into their faces and instantly realized that they were right and that Stalin was wrong.

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!

Our confession of faith is simple: Jesus is Lord—is, not was. Jesus is alive and at work in this world and in our lives. Jesus is the living Head of our churches, the chief Shepherd. The work we see Jesus begin in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, He is continuing today. We rejoice in glad submission to our Risen Lord!

The Book of Hebrews closes with a benediction that is a beautiful Easter blessing. This good word reminds us of how our blessings come from the resurrection power of Jesus. This is altogether appropriate. Jesus Himself declared a benediction on

those who believe He is risen.

You probably remember the story. Thomas, doubting the reality of the resurrection, held out for proof. When the Risen Lord finally gave him the opportunity to see and even touch the scars left by crucifixion, Thomas fell on his knees and confessed his faith, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus responded to Thomas’ faith by pronouncing a benediction on all of us who believe, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:29).

The benediction in Hebrews echoes and expands the resurrection blessing of Jesus. Since Jesus is alive, He is living and working in us. Hallelujah! He is risen. I would like to put this good word on you this year as you prepare to worship Easter Sunday.

Now the God of peace, Who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Who be the glory forever and ever. Amen (Heb. 13:20).

Sword & trowel: An E-A-S-T-E-R prayer Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

Thus far, 2020 has proven to be unexpected in every way. From the Coronavirus pandemic to other issues, none of us really expected the year to go as it has gone.

The forced slower pace that quarantines and “social distancing” has created, though, has afforded Christians a better opportunity to reflect and pray than we might otherwise take. To that end, as we near Easter Sunday, I offer this acrostic E-A-S-T-E-R to help you pray for a few groups in particular.

Elderly—There has been an upsetting sentiment that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was that the disease “affects mainly elderly people.” That mindset is not only anti-life, it is anti-Christian. In God’s economy, all people—born

and unborn, young and old—matter. Take time today to pray for those among us who are advanced in years (Prov. 23:22).

Alone—U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse tells a powerful story out of Chicago, when a devastating heatwave in 1995 cost more lives than the Chicago fire of 1871. “Coroners initially counted 465 dead, but many of the dead weren’t discovered until weeks later, when the stench of decomposition oozed from homes and apartments.” Among those most likely to have perished from the heat were people living alone. Don’t let your neighbors be all alone this Easter. Call someone.

Check on people. Pray for the alone (Psalm 139:7-10).

Sick—During the Triumphal Entry, in the days leading up to Easter, the blind and the lame came to Jesus for healing (Matt. 21:14). Bible commentaries say that not all these could come on their own; other people had to help bring these people to Him. As Christians, we bring the sick to Jesus with an attitude of expectation. Today, bring the sick to Him in prayer.

Troubled—Ronald Reagan said, “Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is

when you lose yours.” There is an increasing number of people facing job loss and economic hardship. This affects not just individuals but whole families and communities. Pray that the Lord would provide for those under affliction (Psalm 145:18-19).

Essential workers (& others)—Nurses, doctors, law enforcement officers and others. There are some folks whose workload has increased in recent weeks. Whether deemed “essential” or “non-essential,” pray for folks on the front lines, ones just going about their jobs with little fanfare (Eph. 6:6).

Rulers—When God told him He would answer his prayer, King Solomon asked for wisdom. Whether it’s local, state or national, pray for our government leaders. Pray they would have a fear of God and a wisdom that comes only from Him. In these divided times, let’s unite in prayer, regardless of partisan feelings (1 Tim. 2:2).

These are just a few of the many people we can bring to Jesus in prayer this Easter and beyond.

May you and your family have a blessed Easter/ Resurrection Sunday.

He is risen! Hallelujah, He is risen indeed!

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

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I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

ENDS NEWS & TR

& Rite of passage: without’ S P O R T S‘Not T N AINME

Recently, I was having lunch with Brian Hobbs, the editor of the Baptist Messenger. Brian is one of those guys who, when you visit with him, the time goes by way too fast.

I was having a discussion with him about recording a podcast. I found amSabout the last preacher on I EID F out S I doesn’t A Swho C Lplanet the have one of these shows.

Just the word “podcast” itself is funny to me. Growing up in rural America, we had to hull a lot of pods.

When it came time to harvest the peas, we would take the pods, split them open, dump the peas into a bowl and cast the pods onto the trash heap.

If you grew up on the farm, you knew three activities that would E S to take place during the sumI Chave VO mer: shucking, hulling and snapping. Two of them had to do with green vegetables and the other, yellow. So when I first heard the word “podcast,” all I could think of was peas.

I had to have someone explain to me what a podcast was. If I got the gist of it, it’s a radio station without the radio. You sit in a room with a microphone talking to yourself about something and then post the recording on the internet, hoping someone will listen to it. I heard once that the average podcaster has an audience of two.

Bible Q&A: Christ the victor over the virus Bobby Kelly Ruth Dickinson Professor of Religion at OBU

We have been reminded over the past few weeks just how fragile our physical bodies can be. We are susceptible to all manner of contagions and viruses, the deadly Coronavirus, or COVID-19, to name one.

At the time of writing, there have been more than 3,000 confirmed deaths in the US, with the possibility of 97,000 more. This disease has quickened the sense of our powerlessness, limitations and instability. In these difficult and chaotic days, living in virtual house arrest, we should take time to consider that our spiritual selves are even more fragile than our physical bodies.

There is a disease that is highly contagious, in fact it has a 100 percent catch rate. It is community-acquired, and we know the source of the infection. His name is Adam, and he transmitted it to us all. Adam is patient zero in the sin outbreak. And as a result, every human being carries the virus that has a 100 percent fatality rate for our spiritual lives. As the Apostle Paul phrased it, we are dead in our trespasses and sins. Sin is a terminal illness.

To our own detriment, we tend to think of sin simply in legal terms. We limit our understanding of it to breaking God’s law or missing the mark.

Thus, we limit the remedy to legal terminology, namely justification.

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Jesus, in His death and resurrection, removed the guilt and penalty of sin so that we are justified or acquitted before God the righteous judge. This is a glorious truth to which I say, amen!

The problem is that if we limit sin to this one metaphor, we miss the full scope of sins devastation and the full grandeur of God’s solution. Sin is not only transgressing God’s law, from which we need acquittal, it is a disease from which we need healing.

We don’t need a cotton swab up the nostrils to tell us what we already know.

We are sick and infected. Human beings have devised a multitude of painkillers to deaden the pain of our brokenness— chicken soup for the soul, we might say.

At the end of it all, however, we remain spiritually broken and sick.

Scripture bears witness to sin as sickness. The prophet Jeremiah, speaking to the people of Judah who were staring into the reality of Babylonian invasion because of their disobedience to God, asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? So why has the healing of my dear people not come about?” (Jer 8:22).

Gilead was an area east of the Jordan River known for its balsam trees from which an ointment was made that was believed to have great medicinal value. Later, to the Egyptians, Jeremiah declared, “Go up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin Daughter Egypt! You have multiplied remedies in vain; there is no healing for you” (Jer 46:11). Paul affirms this diagnosis and takes it to its logical conclusion: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,” (Eph 2:1). What a motley hospital ward this fallen world becomes. We are all infected and headed for the morgue.

The outcome of all this is that we not only need a substitute to take our guilt; we need a physician who can heal our disease. We rightly think of God, the judge, bearing our guilt Himself in Christ so that we, the guilty, might be justified.

In the same way, Christ, the Great Physician, takes our sickness and disease upon Himself so that we might be healed. Paul declares that “God made the One Who did not sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). This means that Jesus was scarred by our scourge; He was infected with our virus. The prophet Isaiah diagnosed it this way: “Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds” (Isa 53:4-5).

Thanks be to God for Good Friday!

But without Easter Sunday, disease and death have the last word. If He bore our “sin-sickness” and guilt to the point of death but did not come back to life, then sin and death have the victory. It was the Resurrected Lord, evidenced by the empty tomb, that declares disease and death have been defeated once and for all. His healing and resurrection guarantee ours.

Even under virtual house arrest, we have much to celebrate this Easter. The declaration “He is risen” means there is indeed a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.

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

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hitting us, I think there is an even greater need for us to know that with Jesus, we are “not without.” Here are five Scriptures to affirm that truth: 1. You are not without a friend, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5b).

2. You are not without hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

3. You are not without peace. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

4. You are not without love. “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39b).

5. You are never without guidance. “Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me” (Ps. 31:3).

It is amazing how much a relationship with a living, loving God brings to our lives. While we are hibernating and I’m trying to figure out how to shuck one of these podcasts, you and your family could spend this time drawing strength from His Word or listening to one of the “Dog Backwards” podcast episodes.

Also, the Baptist Messenger offers a podcast program that is worth downloading. Visit baptistmessenger.com/podcast for recent episodes.

In this season, people are hoarding all kinds of things, but remember that if you have Jesus, you’re “not without.”

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

when my son Caleb started a podcast, “Dog Backwards: Looking at God, Life and Culture From a Different Angle.” Now, he has people around the world listening to him as he interviews people. If & E podcast, you would like to type “Dog E O PoutLhis Pcheck S Backwards” in your search engine, and something W E N CH UofRhis CH will come up.

One latest episodes was “Leaving Polygamy and Finding Jesus with Lila LeBaron.”

Now back to my conversation with Brian. I do many radio shows and have had lots of radio interviews concerning my books, carrying the cross up Mount Kilimanjaro and my mission work. Almost weekly, my sermons are broadcast on TV and U RinE whatever Tradio L U C & S W E town I amNin. I even have had several radio personalities encouraging me to start a radio program of my own; they said I have a face fit for radio.

So as I was thinking of this, I mentioned to Brian, “Why don’t we start a podcast?” It seems to many as though the print medium is decreasing, and newspapers are having a hard time making it. Maybe we need to look at an additional avenue of getting the good news out.

I am always throwing ideas one after another at Brian, and he can dodge them as well as Muhammad Ali in a prizefight. But this time he asked me, “What would you call it, and what do you want to talk about?”

What a counterpunch! He had decked me with a one-two punch coming out of nowhere. I hadn’t considered that at all. I told him to let me think about it, and that I did. I was asking myself, “What is the one thing I would like to tell the world?” and then it came to me: “Not Without.” And now that the coronavirus is

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NTERT E I became more familiar with these podcasters

P R A Y

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY Walker Moore

Mike and Sarah Lehew Sapulpa, Church Inside Out Launched August of 2017

Mike developed a heart for the Gospel when he was 16, and his pastor gave him many opportunities to practice and express his gifts. Because of this discipleship, he has a passion for discovering gifts in people in order to help them make disciples. He has a desire to see people move beyond the walls of the church to be the church and start new mission points.

Prayer Requests: • For the four people who gave their lives to Christ at Camp Inside Out before the pandemic hit Oklahoma.

• For opportunities to be the church during this crisis.

• For Mike’s stepdad, who is 96. He has been in the hospital for three weeks and hopefully will be released soon.

churchinsideout.com

oklahomachurchplanting.com

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

Baptist Foundation offers online giving tool for churches X PEOPLE & O OLB O CHURCH T

>> by Mike Schueler

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DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE BAPTIST FOUNDATION OF OKLAHOMA

A new online giving solution from The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma is offering relief to churches struggling with decreased giving in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Known simply as “Online Giving,” the web-based system provides an easy, fast and affordable solution for churches that need to rapidly deploy a digital giving platform. As its name implies, Online Giving allows church members to give tithes and offerings online, using their credit or debit card, as well as by electronic check (e-check).

Many Oklahoma Baptist congregations have been forced to cancel or limit services as part of social distancing initiatives designed to help slow the virus’ spread. And while many agree that these measures are an important part of “loving thy neighbor,” they come with an unintended side-effect—cutting off access to church members’ traditional giving mechanisms.

“Oklahoma Baptists are generous people who care about the ministry and mission of their local church,” Foundation CEO Robert Kellogg said. “But the humble offering plate is still the most widely-used giving vehicle. Without regular Sunday and Wednesday services, weekly tithes and offerings aren’t being collected. That’s why an online giving option is critical, and why the Foundation moved quickly to make our online giving platform available to all Oklahoma Baptist churches.”

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I giving options, there is VO Unlike many other online no direct cost for churches or donors to use Online Giving, and no contract. Churches can start or stop using the service at will. A third-party, 2.9 percent processing fee applies to transactions made with a credit or debit card. And there’s no paperwork, since tax receipts for online gifts are sent to donors automatically via email.

“We understand the financial challenges churches are facing, and we’re serious about helping,” Kellogg added. “That’s why the Foundation isn’t charging anyone to use Online Giving. Other platforms have dropped fees temporarily, but we don’t make money from this initiative, period. The only cost comes from the third-party provider who processes transactions.”

Online gifts are deposited weekly into churches’ checking or savings accounts, and the funds are

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purposely unrestricted and undesignated, which means they can be used immediately to meet any church need. Churches who register for Online Giving are provided with a unique URL that takes church members directly to their congregation’s giving page, allowing gifts to be made with only a few clicks. The Foundation also provides pastors with free promotional materials like social media posts and an Online Giving Guide to help church members learn about using the platform.

“I highly recommend this new online giving option introduced by The Foundation,” said Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists. “In order to facilitate continued giving toward Kingdom work, pastors should embrace online giving technology.”

To learn more about Online Giving from the Foundation, visit bfok.org/onlinegiving.

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

OPPORTUN

OKLAHOMA

These ministries have various on-going opportunities for volunteers: • Tulakogee Conference Center, Wagoner—John Hewitt, 918/462-3212 or john@tulakogee.com • DaySpring Villa, women’s shelter in Sand Springs— Susan Cox, 918/245-4075 • Hospitality House of Tulsa—918/694-8888 • Hospitality House of Oklahoma in McAlester —918/429-0142 • OK Jail & Prison Ministry—405/917-2242 or ojpm@ ojpm.org

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Bertholomew “Prophet” Bailey He is the Baptist Collegiate Ministries director at Langston University. Pray for spiritual revival on campus.

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DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

May 2-Ponca City, First—218 S. 6th St. Sept. 12-Owasso, First—13307 E. 96th St. N. Additional information can be found at www.okdisasterhelp.org

Chaplaincy:

May 16- Chaplain Refresher Training-8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Baptist Building; Cost $10 payable in advance.

June 2-5- Tulsa, South Tulsa, 10310 S. Sheridan Rd. For more information go to www. crisisresponse.org

Pray for North American Missionary Tim Kimberley He and his family are church planters in Iowa. Pray that the Body of Christ would have one heart to live on mission in rural, central Iowa.

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

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

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April 19 marks 25th anniversary of OKC bombing /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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>> PHOTOS: 1) BOB CAREY; 2) BOB E. MATHEWS 1) The Oklahoma Baptists’ director of chaplains, at the time,

>> by Bob Nigh

Joe Williams comforts fellow chaplain Phyllis Poe at the scene of the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing; 2) Early signs of the bombing, seen from the Baptist Building, were white smoke followed by thick black smoke. Within minutes, local broadcasters told listeners of the explosion.

HISTORIC AL SECRETARY, OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

At 9:02 a.m., Wed., April 19, 1995, a huge explosion rocked downtown Oklahoma City, and a pillar of black smoke soared into the bright azure sky above the center of the state’s capital. Shocked and stunned residents watched in disbelief, wondering what had happened.

Thanks to almost immediate television coverage, it took only a few minutes for most residents to learn that the explosion was the result of a bomb placed in a 24-foot Ryder rental truck parked in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

It was determined later that Timothy McVeigh, a disgruntled former U.S. serviceman, carried out the bombing that killed 168 people, as well as three unborn babies, and injured more than 680 others. The bombing was the deadliest act of terrorism in the United States prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon.

McVeigh was arrested shortly after the bombing and indicted on 160 state offenses and 11 federal offenses, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction. He was found guilty on all counts in 1997 and sentenced to death. He was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001. Co-conspirators Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier were also convicted.

Nichols was sentenced to eight life terms for the deaths of eight federal agents, and to 161 life terms without parole by the state of Oklahoma for the deaths of the others. Fortier was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and was later released.

At the time of the blast, the Murrah Building housed some 600 federal and contract workers, as well as an estimated 250 visitors. The explosion represented the most destructive—and costly in the terms of

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lives taken—act of domestic terrorism carried out in U.S. history. The blast was felt as far as 30 miles away and damaged 347 buildings in the immediate area.

Thirty buildings were heavily damaged. In the aftermath, almost 20 buildings were torn down. Twenty blocks of downtown Oklahoma City were cordoned off due to the extent of the bomb damage.

Tragically, among the lives lost that spring morning were 19 children under the age of 6 being cared for in the America’s Kids Day Care Center on the second floor. The total number of lives lost would increased by one with the ensuing death of a first responder— nurse Rebecca Anderson—who died as the result of a piece of concrete striking her in the back of the head while she was engaged in rescuing survivors.

Two decades earlier, Oklahoma Baptists had made preparations to respond to disasters. The state had been divided into four areas, each with a team of volunteers under the supervision of an area leader. This enabled more volunteers to become involved in ministry without calling the same team to respond time after time. All volunteers and leaders of the four areas were called upon to help in the Oklahoma City bombing.

According to the 1995 Oklahoma Baptists Annual Report, 55 disaster relief volunteers prepared approximately 6,000 meals for rescue workers, and 21 volunteers provided emergency day care at Shepherd Mall Shopping Center at N.W. 23rd St. and Villa Ave. for 11 days. A total of 93 children were given supervised care at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Oklahoma Baptists’ chaplaincy program officially was organized in 1984 by Bob Haskins, and in 1986, Nicoma Park, First Pastor Joe Williams was brought on board as chaplaincy and community services specialist. Under Williams’ direction, chaplaincy grew in many areas. As the dust and smoke from the destroyed Murrah building was settling, Southern Baptist chaplains—including Williams, Oklahoma City Police Department chaplain Jack Poe, Oklahoma City Fire Department (OCFD) chaplain Ted Wilson and Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office chaplain Paul Bettis—ministered to teams searching the Murrah Building for survivors.

Bettis, who also was working in prison chaplaincy at the time, later served as Oklahoma Baptists chaplaincy specialist from 2002-2013. As the bombing response continued, he was involved— along with officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency—in serving death notifications to family members.

Wilson, who was actually the OCFD volunteer chaplain at the time, was kept busy 1618 hours a day, leading continuous Critical Incident Stress Management sessions.

He said a total of 985 OCFD firefighters participated in the rescue and recovery effort after the bombing. In addition, there were about 250 police officers. All told, there were more than 25,000 people who worked the site, he said.

Not only did Williams, who died

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

in 2016 from bladder cancer, minister as a chaplain, but he also later represented Oklahoma Baptists as a member of the committee that distributed donated funds to survivors and victims’ families. Also serving on that distribution committee was Wilson, who, at the time of the bombing, was fresh out of rookie school. Wilson recently retired as OCFD chaplain after serving in that capacity for 30 years.

Records showed that as of Aug. 9, 1995, donations to help victims and their families and relief workers totaled $678,862.63 with $264,758.31 having been disbursed. Pastors were being asked to personally deliver checks to the recipients. With the stipulation that it be made available immediately as future needs arose, $125,000 had been placed in the Baptist Foundation by the relief committee.

A later update of the fund revealed that contributions totaling $691,350.92 had been received, and disbursements of $314,582.31 had been made to assist victims of the disaster.

In the days and months following the bombing, the response and outpouring of love and self-sacrifice made by Oklahomans came to be known as the “Oklahoma Standard.”

Anthony L. Jordan, now retired executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists, and pastor of Oklahoma City, Northwest at the time of the bombing, wrote 20 years after the tragedy in his Perspective column in the Baptist Messenger that, “In the hours and days that followed the bombing, one thing became clear. Oklahoma faced tragedy in a different way than had been evidenced in other parts of the country and world. Volunteers, companies and first responders rushed to the site, offering themselves, equipment, food and anything needed to help with the search and rescue effort... No need went unmet.”

Oklahoma Baptist churches find ways to be neighborly amid COVID-19 crisis /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED 1) OKC, Trinity is one of three churches that is sharing neighborhood cards, letting people know their churches are willing to help during the COVID-19 crisis; 2) Mission OKC provided 1,000 meals a day during Spring Break and will continue to provide meals; 3) Sand Springs, Church That Matters has been providing 8,000 pounds of meat and distributing 4,000 meals through the support of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief.

>> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

Oklahoma Baptist churches know this is a time to show care and support for their respective communities. The challenge is, how can church members connect while observing social distancing?

Three churches in particular have found a way to resolve this.

Minco, First; Oklahoma City, Trinity and Purcell, First have made neighborhood cards that can be shared in communities, letting people know their churches are willing to help during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Basically, it is a way to love your neighbor and be the church outside of the building,” said Brett Selby, southwest regional ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists, who is serving as interim pastor for Purcell, First. “People are encouraged to put cards on the doors of four or five of their closest neighbors. They can safely reach out to them without violating the six-foot social distancing buffer. It also provides a way to encourage the neighbor to join them for online worship.”

Selby said he got the idea from Tobin Jackson, pastor of Oklahoma City, Trinity, and Mike Luster, pastor of Minco, First. Both of these churches have seen encouraging results from serving the neighborhoods.

“We had so many new people and believe it was a result of this,” Jackson said of people who have made requests for Oklahoma City, Trinity’s food pantry and other ministry services. “Several people we have been

in contact with said, ‘Somebody put a note on my door.’ We want to make sure we tell our neighbors that the church is available to help meet needs. We want to stay connected with our community.”

On the neighborhood cards, a church member can list their name, where they live and how the church can be contacted. The card mentions services the church will offer, including grocery pickup/delivery, urgent errands or supplies, mail or package pickup, daily check-ins or calls, provide a meal or prayer.

The card also features times for online worship services and how the neighbor can tune in to watch and participate.

“The best thing we can do is pray for them, and if they need something, we’ll go meet that need,” Luster said.

All of the pastors believe this can be the beginning of a great evangelistic outreach for their churches.

“We have to continue to reach out like this,” Jackson said. “People have to continue the work of being a good neighbor. We have engaged more people because of this, and it’s been an incredible benefit to those who have come back to the church or who are coming for the first time.”

Luster said he hopes the neighborhood cards will let the Minco community know their church cares for them.

“I hope, at the end of this, our community sees that First Baptist really loves Minco,” he said. “When they think about our church, that’s what they think about.

Hopefully, this will open doors, even a year down the road, for opportunities for Gospel conversations.”

Other church outreach efforts Many Oklahoma Baptists have provided N95 surgical masks to first responders. Yukon, Trinity has provided masks for Canadian County officials. Falls Creek Baptist Conference Centers near Davis offered masks to Davis Police, Garvin County and Oklahoma Highway Patrol who serve near that area.

Sand Springs, Church That Matters has been doing food distribution, providing nearly 8,000 pounds of meat and more than 4,000 meals.

“We prayed for every family and shared the Gospel with every family who came through,” said Rusty Gunn pastor of Sand Springs, Church That Matters.

Chad Clement, pastor of Oklahoma City, Mission OKC, said his church provided 1,000 meals a day during Spring Break and will continue providing meals. Fox 25 in Oklahoma City did a televised report on the work Mission OKC is doing.

Many of the outreach efforts these churches are doing are possible by partnering with Oklahoma Baptists Disaster Relief and Oklahoma Baptists Hunger Relief Fund.

2020 SBC Meeting cancelled >> by George Schroeder

SBC EC ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONVENTION NEWS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting has been cancelled for the first time in 75 years.

Citing authority provided by the SBC Constitution “in the case of grave emergency,” the decision was made Tuesday, March 24, in a unanimous vote of a body composed of SBC officers, the SBC Executive Committee and leaders of the SBC’s boards and institutions.

The Annual Meeting, which was originally scheduled June 9-10 in Orlando, is not being rescheduled. SBC President J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area, said he was “saddened” to make the announcement, but described it as necessary in light of the ongoing crisis and the uncertainty of when it might end.

“We are a people committed to keeping the Gospel above all,” Greear said, “and our sole purpose in coming together is to support one another in that mission, catalyzing our collective mission efforts.

This year, our unusual circumstances mean we can best meet that goal by not meeting together.”

Calling the SBC Annual Meeting “the most pivotal gathering we have as we advance our commitment to reaching the world for Christ,” Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, said SBC leaders were “faced with a decision

that none of us believed we would ever face,” and described the cancellation as “heartbreaking,” but said, “the reality around us nationally and globally cannot be ignored.”

“While we will not physically be coming together in June in Orlando, we will be going together in unity as we minister to our churches, our missionaries, our church planters, our seminary students and our own communities.”

The last time the SBC Annual Meeting was cancelled was 1945, during World War II, when the United States government banned meetings of groups larger than 50 people. The SBC was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary, but instead skipped a year.

The protocol was instituted by messengers to the 1946 SBC Annual Meeting. The historic decision, set out in SBC Constitution Article XI, Section 4, was reached during two video conference calls.

In a roll-call vote, the SBC Executive Committee voted 77-0 for cancellation, with five members absent. It was followed by a unanimous vote of the body composed of the Executive Committee, convention officers and leaders of convention boards and institutions.

Mike Stone, chairman of the SBC Executive Committee and pastor of Blackshear, Ga., Emmanuel, said while the decision involved consideration of legal, financial and constitutional factors, he viewed the decision “as a pastor, not a board chairman.” He added that the fact it was the first cancellation in 75 years “proves this is not a decision that is made lightly.”

“While the constitutional process of voting to can-

cel is a simple one that involves around 100 leaders,” Stone said, “the information needed to actually make the wisest decision is quite involved. The EC staff, officers and legal counsel worked diligently to consider the various results of cancellation.”

The 2021 SBC Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 15-16, 2021, in Nashville. According to the SBC’s governing documents, postponement of an annual meeting is only an option “if the entertaining city withdraws its invitation or is unable to fulfill its commitments.”

With the cancellation of the Annual Meeting, SBC officers would remain in office until their successors are elected at the next annual meeting. Members of many committees would remain in office, as well. The expiring terms of trustees of Convention entities would depend upon each entity’s individual charter.

The Cooperative Program Allocation Budget and the Executive Committee and SBC Operating Budget could be adopted by the Executive Committee, which has ad interim authority.

With the cancellation of the 2020 Annual Meeting, all ancillary meetings that would have been held in the convention space have also been cancelled.

Greear said even without an annual meeting in 2020, the mission of Southern Baptists “will go on,” and urged Southern Baptists to find encouragement in focusing on ministry until the 2021 Annual Meeting.

“My prayer is that when we come together in Nashville in 2021, we will find ourselves stronger than ever and rejoicing that our God was with us.”

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

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Scott Allen sets sleeping cots up before guests arrive.

Grace Rescue Mission transforms into quarantine shelter for homeless

Capital Association’s Grace Rescue Mission in south Oklahoma City is transforming its facilities into an emergency quarantine shelter for the city’s homeless people. Each transient is voluntarily quarantined and monitored for symptoms of COVID-19, the Coronavirus, currently spreading worldwide.

The quarantined individuals, normally limited by their lack of resources or social status, receive their own private living space, access to the Disaster Relief shower unit, food and even free internet. Each person will be welcome to stay for up to two weeks, after which they will be released in order to facilitate others during this national crisis. “We’re able to do what we do here,” said Scott Allen, director of Grace Rescue Mission, “because (Oklahoma Baptist churches) give and pray.”

Backward celebrates 55 years of music ministry at Salina, First

>> PHOTO: BAPTIST PRESS

Doug Melton, pastor of OKC, Southern Hills, featured above, participated in a March 26 prayer service that was broadcasted on multiple TV and radio stations across Oklahoma. Melton prayed specifically for healthcare professionals and their families, as well as for researchers battling the Coronavirus.

Alex Himaya, pastor of Broken Arrow, The Church.at Battlecreek, read and delivered a brief message from Psalm 34 during the prayer service that was organized in conjunction with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Proclamation of March 26 as a “Statewide Day of Prayer.”

“I’ve never heard of all the news stations in the state being commandeered by faith for an hour in primetime—and for free,” Himaya said.

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

SALINA—Robert Backward recently celebrated his 55th year of leading worship through music at Salina, First. Pastor Steve Waechter offered these words honoring Backward: “While he has always and only been ‘parttime,’ his service to the church through music (as well as many other means) has been full-time and then some! Bro. Robert has trained and encouraged dozens and dozens of musicians, both instrumentalists as well as vocalists, throughout his years of ministry. Many of those who were part of the celebration service began to use their skills in ministry, from pianists to organists to bass guitarists to singers in choirs and quartets, under the leadership of this godly man. Salina, First is blessed by God and humbled by the privilege to honor Bro. Robert.”

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Garber, First one of many to offer IFIEDS C U LT U R E & S W C L A S S‘drive-in’ E N worship services

EWS CHURCH N PEOPLE IN THE NEWS HINSON DEATH. Bob Hinson, 82, died Nov. 18, 2019 in A service OM H Springfi eld, Mo. Funeral A L K O E H T planned forCApril I V17Ehas been S T A RHis H ministry included B A P T Icancelled. pastorates at Marlow, First and Midwest City, First. He retired in 2000 after 40 years in the ministry. He is survived by his wife Sue, two sons Barry and Scott, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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HOFFMAN DEATH. Jimmy Hoffman, 88, died March 22 in Oklahoma City. He started six of the 20 churches he pastored in Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma. He resigned as pastor of Ada, Homer last October after 13 years at the church and 66 years in full-time ministry. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Linda; his son, Bob; his daughter, Jayme Blessing; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

GARBER—Garber, First is doing its part to adapt to the recent COVID-19 crisis. Like many churches across the country, Garber, First has been offering “drive-in” services in the main area of town. Church members are driving downtown, staying in their cars or at least six-feet apart and listening to Pastor Tom LeGrand deliver his sermon.

In the first two weeks that the church has been observing “drive-in” services, average attendance has been more than 40 people, with 38 showing up the first week and at least 50 attending the second week.

Like other churches, Garber, First is also broadcasting Sunday morning services on Facebook Live and reported more than 875

MOODY DEATH. Roy Moody, 82, died March 27 in Oklahoma City. For more than 20 years, he pastored churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Washington, including Elgin, First and Tonkawa, First. He also ministered at Tulsa, Garnett Road before serving 20 years as a denominational leader in Oklahoma and for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention. Before his death, he was serving at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs, as senior adult minister and pastoral care minister. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sharon; his daughters, Janay Stephens and Lisa Sanders; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

views of the services.

Vanessa Miller, who serves with the church’s student ministry, reported four new vehicles of guests attended the second week. Also men who were working on a building across the street from the worship service stopped on their lunch break and listened to the service, Miller reported.

“We’ve established online giving for those who prefer to send their tithes and offerings electronically,” Miller said. “We have encouraged our members to call and check on one another. We have a team of people who have volunteered to go to the grocery store and pharmacy for those who are older or have compromised immune systems.”

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES Bryan Dennis is youth pastor at Shawnee, Blackburn Chapel.

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

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In the COVID-19 crisis, DS CLASSIFIE 10 prayers I need to pray more were already declining. Now, this additional SOUTHEASTERN SEMINARY DEAN OF threat will likely force them to discontinue DOCTORAL STUDIES, CHUCKLAWLESS.COM meeting unless God intervenes.

6. For church members and others E S alEDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was who’ve lost their jobs.VSome O I Chave previously featured on chucklawless.com. ready been let go. Others have been notified. Still others are working a declining This Coronavirus crisis has been chalnumber of hours, and they don’t know lenging to everyone. As I think what the future holds. Seemingabout my community in ly within days, everything Wake Forest, N.C., I’m rehas changed. minded that I need to 7. For church mempray for these needs— bers and others whose retirement needs for which I income seems to don’t pray enough: 1. For spousbe disappearing. es and children in I’m 59, and I’m wonabusive situations. dering if I’ll need to work additional We don’t know what years to make up for goes on behind losses in these hard closed doors, but my guess is that the stress days—so I can’t imagof this crisis will lead to ine what others slightly other crises—even dangerolder than I are facing. I fear ous ones, I’m afraid. the stress will be too much for 2. For marriages that are strugsome people. gling. If couples were struggling before the 8. For local pastors in my community. virus threat, I pray that those who are forced My own pastor is one of those pastors in the to be together more would deal with their is- middle of a transition (see No. 4). Others I sues. I’m sure, though, that this situation will know are working overtime to figure out only exacerbate the problems in many cases. how to shepherd and care for their congre3. For pastors who are wrestling gations when meeting together isn’t possiwith their commitment to a difficult ble. They need our prayers for wisdom. church. Those difficulties preceded the 9. For non-believers who have no real crisis, and they’re likely to be broadened direction to turn. I know God is with me, during the crisis. Social distancing won’t but non-believers have no such peace. Sadeliminate the challenges that cause pas- ly, they have no God to whom they can turn. tors to look elsewhere.

T H E that situation by the billions, and R O MMultiply 4. For pastors and churches in theFmid- you see G of the global lost.

LOneeds Bthe R SFor I N G E10.

D S Lof dle of leadership transition.

God to glorify Himself in this WOI Rknow more than one church who was in the lat- crisis. My theology says that He will, but my ter stages of calling a new pastor when this prayers in that direction help me to rest in crisis unexpectedly hindered all church His sovereignty. The truth of His sovereignty events. It seems lives are on hold right now. matters, especially when everything seems 5. For churches whose existence may out of control. not survive this crisis. Some churches What prayers would you add? >> by Chuck Lawless

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BA PT ISTS OKLAHOMA H IG H L I GH T E C R U O S E R

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In this quarantined, social-distancing moment in history, get advice and tips from Oklahoma Baptist leaders by listening to this free podcast series.

Planning an online Easter service and outreach amid this pandemic? Receive free downloadable resources and information at the site below.

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

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

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N F RO M T H E G E R S B LO G WO R D S L I N WS &

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DUST TO DUST: LOVING EACH OTHER WELL IN TIMES OF CRISIS >> ANGELA SANDERS

V E S AY S A D If nothing else, the current pandemic has taught or

reminded us of this: we are touchable. Strong in spirit and resolve, maybe, but vulnerable in our flesh. No matter how much we wished or actually believed that they were, our very temporary bodies—their functions, S all our efplans, emotions, thoughts, etc.—are I S Tfor B A P Tnot, forts, invincible.

OKLAHOMA T IG H L I GtoHthis There are R asEmany revelation RC EtoHrespond S O Uways or reminder as there are people on this earth. This being true, it’s vital to our collective well-being and future that we all extend the same mercy, grace, kindness, compassion, and patience God shows us to one another in the days ahead as we each experience, learn, grieve, process, and grow at our own pace and in our own way.

How? Here are a few suggestions: Mourn with those who mourn (Rom. 12:15). You don’t have to understand why a person is grieving or think it’s necessary to share their burden. Let them talk. Pray for them. Tell them they are loved. Let them know you are hurting or have hurt, too, maybe not in the same way or for the same reasons, but that you understand what it is to mourn.

To read the rest of Angela’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/dust-to-dust

F RO M T H E E R S B LO G G N I L S D R O To read W more blogs with Jesus in mind, visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog

D AV E S AY S IS IT AN EMERGENCY? Dear Dave, My husband and I just completed Baby Step A P TforI S T S Bsaved A M 3, and we have six K months ofOexpenses H A L O HT an emergency fund. How shouldEwe when IG H L I G Hdetermine C R U O S E R something is actually an emergency?—Riley Dear Riley, Congratulations on doing the work, being disciplined, and saving like crazy! Now you’ve got peace of mind, and a pile of cash, that will help turn an emergency into nothing more than an inconvenience.

There’s no shame in using your emergency fund if you really need to. That’s what it’s there for. Just remember to ask yourself a few questions anytime something pops up to make sure you’ve got a real reason to use it. Is the expense really unexpected? Christmas happens on December 25th every single year. You know your semi-annual car insurance payment is coming, too. Make sure things like this are part of your regular, monthly budgets. Some examples of unexpected expenses might be a job loss or pay cut. Emergency medical expenses and car accident repairs might fall into this category, as well.

Is it absolutely necessary? Most people say they know the difference between a want and a need, but that’s not always the case. Replacing your only mode of transportation would be a need. Upgrading to a newer, fancier car is not. If your car goes down for the count, you need transportation. Use your emergency fund to buy something affordable and reliable you can pay cash for. But don’t dip into it just to upgrade your decent car for one with a million bells and whistles.

Is it urgent? Practice the art of patience whenever possible. If your home’s air conditioning unit goes out in the middle of summer, that’s probably an urgent fix. But hearing about the “sale of the century” at your favorite retail store? Grabbing the newest, hottest cell phone when yours works just fine?

Nope! Your emergency fund is all about long-term security, not instant gratification. Don’t blow it impulsively, but don’t be afraid to use it when it’s really needed. Be wise, and ask those three questions. Check yourself so you don’t wreck yourself—or your budget!—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.

services, multiple school systems, healthy church and youth budget, 100 weekly attenders in youth programs. Please send resumes to: David Camp david@emmanuelenid.org.

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>> WORSHIP DIRECTOR: Emmanuel is hiring a modern contemporary Worship Director. Visit www. emmanuelenid.org for more information about the church. Please send all resumes to the Executive Pastor, David Camp, at david@emmanuelenid.org.

EMPLOYMENT >> F/T PASTOR: Fletcher First Baptist Church is prayerfully searching for a F/T Pastor. Send resume & cover letter to: Attention Pastor Search Committee, Office@fletcherfbc.com or Fletcher First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 359 Fletcher, OK 73541. >> F/T YOUTH PASTOR-MUSIC LEADER: Utopia Baptist Church in Big Cabin is looking for a F/T Youth Pastor/Music Leader. Please send resumes to: utopiasbc@gmail.com. >> F/T PASTOR: Wetumka First Baptist Church in Wetumka, OK is seeking a F/T Pastor. Duties include worship, Bible studies, counseling, visitation & other pastoral duties. Send a cover letter, resume, references & sermon link to: slee.hill@gmail.com. >> F/T PASTOR: Warner First Baptist Church in Warner, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Submit your resume to: fbcw@crosstel.net. >> MUSIC/FAMILY MINISTRIES ASSOCIATE PASTOR: First Baptist West of Lawton is seeking God’s man to fill the F/T position of Associate Pastor for Music/Family Ministries. Send resumes to: harold. gaches@sbcglobal.net or First Baptist West, 7302 NW Cache Road, Lawton, OK 73505. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Byars Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a traditional BI/VO Southern Baptist Pastor for a small, rural church. Please send resume to: P.O. Box 83 Byars, OK 74831 or byarsbaptistyouth@gmail.com. >> F/T PASTOR: Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church in Liberal, KS, is seeking a F/T Pastor. Responsibilities include regular preaching & teaching, counseling, visitation & other pastoral duties including church administration in conjunction with the church council & other designated entities. Send a cover letter, resume, references & a sermon link to: esbc.liberalks@gmail.com. >> F/T YOUTH PASTOR: Emmanuel’s F/T youth pastor position is open. Multigenerational, multiple

ship, such as small groups, pastoral care, Next Steps & Growth Track. Please send resumes to: kyle@newpoint.church.

>> P/T OR BI/VO STUDENT PASTOR: Faith Baptist Church of Harrah. Please email resumes to: Dr. Dan Campbell at FBCBRODAN@GMAIL.COM. >> BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Sperry, OK is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Please email resume to: robland@peoplepc.com or mail to: FBC Search Committee P.O. Box 907 Sperry, OK 74073. >> BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Bowlegs OK is seeking a Lead Pastor/Elder. No parsonage. Send Resume & letter explaining your conversion & goals to: FBC Bowlegs, P.O. Box 145, Bowlegs, OK 74830 or rwtroglin@ gmail.com. >> P/T STUDENT PASTOR: One Church Elk City is prayerfully seeking someone to lead & direct an established youth ministry. Send resumes to: onechurchelkcity@gmail.com. >> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church of Jasper, AR, is seeking a F/T Pastor. Please send resumes to: P. O. Box 407, Jasper, AR 72641 or email to: fbcjasper2@ gmail.com. >> BI/VO WORSHIP MINISTER: Accepting Resumes for BI/VO Worship Minister for blended service. Send to: fbccomanche@gmail.com or FBC Music Search Team, 315 Oak Main Comanche, OK 73529. >> F/T PASTOR: Hilltop Country Church, Morrison, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Send cover letter, resume, brief statement of call to ministry, 2 video/ audio sermons (as email attachments/hyperlinks) to: Hilltop Country Church, P.O. Box 136, Morrison, OK 73061 or email to: burton@htopc.org.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Canaan Baptist Church is seeking a BI/VO Pastor to lead a small congregation.

Interested candidates should send their resume to: Attn: Pastor Search Committee, Canaan Baptist Church, 17092 CS 2730 Minco, OK 73059 or email to: Eisenmangd@gmail.com. >> BI/VO OR P/T WORSHIP MINISTER: Seeking God’s candidate for our next BI/VO or P/T Worship Minister for blended services. The position involves planning & leading worship services, as well as working with choir, instrumentalists & media/technology.

Candidate will work closely with the pastor & other staff members. Resumes, along with a cover letter, may be sent to: cbcbamusic@gmail.com or Clearview Baptist Church, Attn: Music Search Committee, P.O. Box 140892, Broken Arrow, OK 74014. >> F/T WORSHIP LEADER: FBC Canton seeking spiritually mature, F/T Worship Leader. Must have a heart for worship & for connecting with a strong, growing church. As a multi-generational church, we love contemporary worship music, but we also love a balance of traditional or hymn arrangements.

Minimum 5 years full-time experience, music degree preferred. Please send resumes along with a video or link of you leading worship to: libby@firstcanton. com by April 10, 2020. >> PIANIST/KEYBOARD PLAYER: Needing a piano or keyboard player to help us in worship services.

We are a loving family of believers that enjoy music.

Call (918) 605-9486. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Laverty Baptist Church is seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Email resumes to: lavertychurch@ gmail.com or mail to: 2776 County Street 2760, Cement, OK 73017. >> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church of Cache, OK is seeking a F/T Pastor. Please send resume to: Office@ fbccache.org or PO Box 437, Cache, OK 73527.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: After completing the SBC Transitional Pastor process, FBC Wellston, OK is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Send resume to: P.O. Box 106, Wellston, OK 74881 or email: FBCWellstonPastorSearch@gmail.com. >> F/T STUDENT PASTOR: Student Pastor sought for FBC Carrizo Springs in south Texas. Send resumes to: jonathan@firstbaptistcarrizo.org. >> F/T YOUTH MINISTER: First Baptist Church Clinton is accepting resumes for a F/T Youth Minister.

Please submit resumes by mail to: Youth Minister Search Committee, 900 Frisco, Clinton, OK 73601 or email to: cfields@clintonfbc.com. >> STUDENT MINISTER: First Baptist Church of Piedmont is seeking a F/T Minister to Students to minister in one of the fastest growing communities in the state.

Email resume to: ryan@fbcpiedmont.org. >> F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Davidson First Baptist Church is prayerfully searching for a F/T or BI/VO Pastor. Resumes may be sent to: Davidson First Baptist Church at P.O. Box 187, Davidson, OK. 73530. >> P/T or BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: Enterprise Baptist, Norman is prayerfully seeking a P/T or BI/VO Youth Pastor to lead current youth program. Resumes may be submitted to: EBC c/o Youth Search Committee, 2425 84th Ave, SE, Norman, OK 73026 or email: scbeutler@gmail.com. >> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church Davis, Oklahoma is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Mail cover letter & resume to: First Baptist Church, Attention: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 297, Davis, OK 73030. >> P/T OR F/T STUDENT PASTOR: Woodland Acres,Baptist Church, Tulsa, is seeking a Student Pastor to lead youth & college-age student ministries. Please submit your resume to: SearchTeam@wabc.org.

>> F/T PASTOR: Eastside Baptist Church is seeking a F/T Pastor. Please send resumes to: Eastside Baptist Church 1120 Ida Ave, Sallisaw, OK. 74955, Attention: Pastor Search Committee.

>> BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: Sharon Baptist Church, Chickasha, is prayerfully seeking God’s person for our Music Minister. Send resume to: Sharon Baptist Church, 2414 State Highway 92, Chickasha, OK 73018.

>> F/T SENIOR PASTOR: First Baptist Church, North Kansas City, MO, is seeking a F/T Senior Pastor.

Suburban church with a global outreach located in a multi-cultural, diverse community. Average worship attendance is 200. Resumes to: pastorsearch@ fbcnkc.org.

>> F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: NewPoint Church, Ponca City, OK is a growing, new church seeking to hire a F/T Associate Pastor to oversee adult disciple-

>> F/T YOUTH MINISTER: Memorial Heights, Claremore, is prayerfully seeking the man called by God to serve as our F/T Youth Minister. Please send resumes

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

CROSSWO

ACROSS 1 Cheat 5 Treaty 9 Bible legume 13 1813 Battle of Lake _ 14 Wing-like 15 “I will __ on you no longer” (Jer. 3:12 niv)

to: memorialheights@sbcglobal.net, or to 1500 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK, Claremore, 74017.

16 Measuring instrument (var.)

17 Choir piece, maybe 18 Church feature 19 Race-runner, as Christ’s church 21 Church __, cemetery site sometimes 23 James or John’s need 24 Storm on Galilee call, maybe

RD

25 Martha’s worries at Lazarus’s tomb 29 Easter month, often (Abbr.)

30 Plague pests 32 “__, Lord: I believe” (John 11:27) 33 Affliction of many Jesus healed 36 Ado 37 Mary “__ at Jesus’ feet” (Luke 10:39) 38 Reveal a secret 39 Resign 40 Face a camera, perhaps 41 “He has performed mighty deeds with his __” (Luke 1:51 niv) 42 What the healed lame man does 43 “No bread, no bag, no money in your __” (Mark 6:8 niv) 44 Family member, for short 45 Affectations 46 What James and John might do 47 Several gentlemen, for short 49 East of Eden land 50 Delivery service 53 Church song 55 Like ocean bottom 57 Enlarge 60 Church section 62 Currency in Paris or Rome 63 Append 64 “They that __ soft clothing are in kings’ houses” (Matt. 11:8) 65 Sound croaky

66 Shirt clasp 67 Church is the “__ of the earth” (Matt. 5:13) 68 “Resist the devil, and he will __ from you” (James 4:7) DOWN 1 “Eternal life...promised before the world __” (Titus 1:2) 2 Very angry 3 Church, __ in world of darkness 4 Boat element 5 Church pulpit occupier 6 They were brought to Jesus’ tomb 7 Nutritionist’s concern (Abbr.)

8 Helen of __ 9 Church, the __ of Christ 10 Greek mythological figure 11 Punching tool 12 Vane reading (Abbr.)

15 “The __ sows the word” (Mark 4:14 niv) 20 Catch sight of 22 Tie choice 26 Household cleaner brand 27 Mustard seed “the __ of all seeds” (Matt.

13:32) 28 Fills 29 “__, and it shall be given you” (Luke 11:9) 30 Little leaven leavens many __ 31 29 Across bloom, perhaps 33 Blood element 34 Eagle’s nest

35 Church is as “__ among wolves” (Luke 10:3) 36 “__ not, little flock” (Luke 12:32) 39 Natural belief in God 40 Church seat 42 Vocal cord locale 43 Church, “the __ of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27) 46 Former Crystal Cathedral Schuller 48 Christ “giveth his life for the __” (John 10:11) 49 Adenoidal 50 Typical 51 Analyze syntactically 52 Mount of Olives feature, e.g.

54 Negatives, slangily 56 Vassal 57 God is, __, and ever shall be 58 No room for Mary and Joseph here 59 Genetic code (Abbr.)

61 Pot dweller

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

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

11

CLASSIFIE

LT U R E NE WS & CU

DS

ENDS R T & S W E N

I N I S T RY M L E P S O G

IMB postpones volunteer trips through June 30 VOICES our best, at both the local and global levels, to make SPORTS & T good decisions for our perMEN sonnel’s health and safety, E N T E R TA I N RICHMOND, Va.—International Mission Board se- and for those who desire to nior leaders have directed IMB missionary person- serve alongside us as volnel around the world to postpone hosting any min- unteers for a shorter time. istry volunteer groups through June 30, leaders Ministry overseas, however, announced Wednesday, March 25. Consideration of hasn’t stopped as many of missionaries hosting volunteer teams beyond June our missionaries are makXthe same efforts to PEOPLE & O B L O 30 will be reviewed on May 1, leaders reported. ing O T H WS H U R Cto postpone all move to online discipleship Cpersonnel “We’re instructing our HURCH NE C volunteer efforts at this time due to the uncertainty training and other types of health and travel for those traveling internation- of meetings to ensure that ally and also to comply with the State Department’s Southern Baptists’ work guidance,” IMB President Paul Chitwood said. “We and witness among the nastrongly recommend that Southern Baptist volun- tions remains strong.” teer teams postpone any travel during this time, E S Chitwood said every particularly overseas travel.”C L A S S I F I E D Southern Baptist and othS & C U LT U R W E N Chitwood said setting a parameter about volunteer er partners have an opporteams is a complex issue because of the global nature of tunity to support missions the virus, including with the United States being great- now, even while being rely impacted and movement becoming more restricted. stricted in their travel, by “We highly value all our field personnel and their committing to a concerted time of prayer. ple while our eyes are on the condition of the world.” partners—our long-term personnel; our mid-term “We believe that prayer not only paves the way Prayer requests on IMB.org/Pray provide a winS IMB leaders urge those personnel, including journeyman; and the faithful for the Lord to work, but following Jesus’ example, dow onCthe world, and NEW H S E R C U I H O C V mission volunteers,” Chitwood said. “Throughout we know that prayer itself is, in fact, part of that vital who are committed to prayer to join IMB’s 175 this situation, we are continually assessing local sit- work,” Chitwood said. “What an incredible opportuni- Days of Prayer, planned for May 11-Nov. 29, 2020, uations in the context of the global crisis and doing ty to step into the gap for millions of unreached peo- at IMB.org/175. >> by Julie McGowan

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

IMB AVP OF COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

OMA T H E O K L A H HIVE C BAPTIST AR

DS CLASSIFIE D CO N T I N U E Rate: $1.00 per word, $25.00 per issue, minimum • Deadline: Two weeks prior to publication.

Submit a classified ad at www.baptistmessenger.com/advertise on the Classifieds Form

CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA STO R YO UTH MUSI C

JOB LISTING VEH I C L E M I S C.

>> HIGH SCHOOL PASTOR: FBC Madill, OK is praying for a person who is called, gifted, & motivated to reach 9th-12th grade students. Opportunity for impact is spectacular with such a specific focus! Contact Randy at (580) 795-3341 or rkendrix@fbcmadill.org.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: NHBC is prayerfully seeking a mature believer as Bi/VO Pastor to serve in the rural community of Jay. Responsibilities include Sunday AM & Wednesday PM teaching & preaching. Resumes & questions may be sent to: nhbcjay@gmail.com. >> F/T PASTOR: Praying for a F/T Pastor for the First Baptist Church Mannsville Oklahoma. We do have a parsonage on grounds. Send resume with cover letter to: Charles Shockley, 12414 Sartin Rd, Madill, OK, 73446.

>> BI/VO YOUTH MINISTER: Hillside Baptist Church, McLoud, OK is seeking a BI/VO Youth Minister to begin this summer or in September.

Great opportunity for a college student for ministry experience. All resumes will be considered.

Email revwesbates@live.com.

>> BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: First Baptist Church of Nowata is seeking a BI/VO Music Minister. Contact Pastor Wayne Clayton at (918) 273-2526 or send resume to: 433 N. Mississippi, Nowata, OK 74048.

>> P/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Panola Baptist church is seeking a P/T or BI/VO Pastor. Send resumes to: Pastor Search Committee at P.O. Box 120 Panola, OK 74559 or email: sansbois@crosstel.net.

M I SC E LLA N E O U S

>> F/T SR. PASTOR: Sequoyah Hills Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is accepting resumes for a F/T Senior Pastor. Please send resumes to debbi@shbctul.com.

>> 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 MUSIC MINISTER: FBC in Hamburg, AR is seeking a F/T Music Minister. Resumes should be submitted to: fbchbg.office@gmail.com or First Baptist Church. Attn: Music Minister Search Committee, P.O. Box 352, Hamburg, AR 71646.

>> BUS FOR SALE: 2002 Starcraft Freight-liner Church Bus. Chassis is a Freightliner by Mid America Coach, Caterpillar ISB 300hp engine Allison 220PTS transmission, 5.13 rear Axle Ratio with Airliner air ride suspension. Electrical system has duel batteries & a 275 amp alternator. Suspension includes Merritor axles & Bosch hydraulic brakes. Mileage: 40,174. The bus seats 34 including the driver, fabric freedom seating, 2 point seat belts, vinyl trim, rubber flooring. Bus can be viewed at First Baptist Church, 505 North Broadway, P.O. Box 370, Broken Bow, OK 74728.

Phone (580) 584-6353. Monday thru Thursday.

>> F/T PASTOR: Waterloo Road Baptist Church, Edmond, OK is seeking a Senior Pastor. Please send resume to: WRBC, Pastor Search Committee, 3100 E. Waterloo Rd., Edmond, OK 73034 or email: pastorsearch@waterlooroad.org.

>> BIBLE REPAIR & THESIS BINDING: Hand Sewn, fine stamped leather. McSpadden Book Bindery, 911 West Benedict, Shawnee, OK. 74801. www.mcspaddenbookbindery.com, (405)275-7788.

>> YOUNG COUPLES MINISTER: First Baptist Church of Mangum, OK is searching for someone to minister to young couples, children & youth. Updated house provided. Email resume to: mangumfirstbaptist@gmail.com.

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‘WE C AN DO IT ’ Oklahoma Baptists are not new to a world being swept with a mysterious virus, and Oklahoma Baptists are not new to the faith that journeys with such fearful happenings.

R.C. Miller testifies to the courage and discipline of the denomination in the November 6, 1918 edition of the Baptist Messenger.

Even in the wake of the quarantine and disruption the Spanish Flu brought at the time, Miller calls Oklahoma Baptists to continue to give to missions and to their churches.

“Shall we, the Baptists of Oklahoma,” wrote Miller, “permit a denominational tragedy to come upon us in this stressful hour, by failing to do our duty in state missions? No. That is we will not, if we go at our task with earnest prayer and sensible business methods...

Baptists can do wonderful things in a short time if they will go at it

with courage and zeal.”

As Oklahoma Baptists continue to navigate this historical moment with COVID-19, let us keep in mind Miller’s closing words to the church of 1918.

“Let us see to it that we do our duty both in effort and offering. Let us put everything else aside now and do this one thing. Most of us are poor, and the drought has hurt some part of the state. Sickness and death are all about us. Some have been put to extra and heavy expense, but brethren, how shall we behave in trying hours? The world is watching to see, and so is our Master... We can do it. We must do it.”

To learn more about Oklahoma Baptists’ Cooperative Program efforts, visit oklahomabaptists.org/cp.

To find out more about how Oklahoma Baptists are responding to the spread of the coronavirus, visit oklahomabaptists.org/coronavirus.

Do you have Oklahoma Baptist history such as Falls Creek testimonies, historical church stories, or photos of a past Baptist event? Send them to baptistmessenger@okbaptist.net!

April 9, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture