2020-05-14

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • MAY 14, 2020

/// SEE PAGE 6

CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Falls Creek unveils tentative revised camp schedule >> STAFF

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Living Trust

Don’t pause, prune >> HANCE DILBECK

Our patterns of life have been changed this spring—school cancelled, work altered, agendas changed and events postponed. Our lives were driven by important pursuits like winning a championship, walking down an aisle or donning a cap and gown. Our days were consumed by less important things like weekend trips or little league games.

The pattern of church life has been changed this spring.

Weekly schedules came to a sudden stop. /// SEE PAGE 3

Missionaries find a ‘home’ with Oklahoma Baptists

How to pray through the Psalms

>> AMY CORDOVA

The Book of Praises As a whole, the Psalms comprise the best place in Scripture from which to pray Scripture. I base that on the original purpose for which God inspired the Psalms. The Book of Psalms—which means “book of praises” in Hebrew—was the songbook of Israel. The Psalms were inspired by God for the purpose of being sung to God. It is as though God said to His people, “I want you to praise Me, but you don’t know how to praise Me.”

Oklahoma Baptists have a long legacy of sending and supporting missionaries serving overseas. For the local church, it is a joyous occasion when missionaries return home for a stateside visit.

Dozens of churches across Oklahoma provide housing to missionaries while they are on stateside. With travel suspended to many countries due to COVID-19, missionary housing among Oklahoma Baptists has reached full capacity. /// SEE PAGE 7

>> DONALD S. WHITNEY

/// SEE PAGE 10

>> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: CAR! >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry Sub-Saharan Africa team announces ‘55 in 5’ strategy >> IMB STAFF

Page 6 | Features Oklahoma Baptists help Binger community during pandemic >> CHRIS DOYLE

Page 7 | Features Feeding the hungry: Churches provide relief to struggling communities >> CHRIS FORBES

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Falls Creek unveils tentative revised camp schedule & SPORTS & MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

>> by Staff DAVIS—Due to concerns from the COVID-19 outbreak, leaders with Oklahoma Baptists announced in April that Falls Creek Youth Camp will not begin on June 1 as previously planned.

Leaders with Falls Creek have formed tentative plans to host eight sessions in a condensed “splitweek” format beginning Sunday, June 28. A final decision about holding these camp sessions in late June and July will be announced on or before May 18.

Groups previously scheduled to attend a week-long session would instead participate in a three-nights, four-days formatted session—Sunday afternoon through Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon through Saturday morning (see schedule*).

“We have been closely monitoring the impact of the Coronavirus and following the guidance offered by health and government authorities. After a lengthy period of time of prayer and reflection, as well as conversation with numerous ministry leaders, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our early summer camp plans and work toward a later, more condensed summer schedule,” said Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer with Oklahoma Baptists.

“In the unfortunate event that prolonged COVID-19-related factors make it impossible to offer our revised camp as presented, that announcement will be made by May 18,” Dilbeck added. “I’m so thankful that Oklahoma Baptists have been so positive and flexible during these times ofEuncerIN N L opportunity tainty, as well as so eager N EtoWtakeOevery E CONTENT to share the Good News ofCJesus Christ.”

LUSIV EB-EX W Oklahoma Baptists’ Board of Directors’ Executive Committee approved the revised plans. While the leadership and camp staff are actively implementing plans to have each of these sessions, the plans are being evaluated each week in light of the developing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The spiritual and physical ION INFofOour Twell-being A IC L B U P campers is our priority. These adjusted plans are designed for the safety of our campers and to max-

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imize the number of young people who can have an opportunity to hear the Gospel,” Dilbeck added.

Revised Falls Creek schedule* Important Note: If your church group was set to attend during weeks E Sweek is moved to a V O1-4,I Cyour later date, and you will attend the first portion (Sunday-Wednesday) of the newly established schedule. If your church was scheduled to attend during weeks 5-8, your week remains the same, and you will attend during the same week beginning on Wednesday of that week (Note: Cabin renters may contact cabin owners to discuss details about the new schedule).

Left side shows previous schedule. Bold text shows new schedule: • Week 1 (June 1-5) is now Session 1 (June 28-July 1) • Week 5 (June 29-July 3) is now Session 2 (July 1-4) • Week 2 (June 8-13) is now Session 3 (July 5-8) • Week 6 (July 6-10) is now Session 4 (July 8-11) • Week 3 (June 15-19) is now Session 5 (July 12-15) • Week 7 (July 13-17) is now Session 6 (July 15-18) • Week 4 (June 22-26) is now Session 7 (July 19-22) • Week 8 (July 20-24) is now Session 8 (July 22-25) “This split schedule still offers the great preaching, teaching, music and camp activities that stu-

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: • Camp Perfect Wings —May 28-30 • CrossTimbers-Davis sessions 1-5 —June • SBC Annual Meeting —June 9-10 • All GoStudents and BCM mission trips for 2020 have been cancelled until further notice.

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

dents and sponsors have come to know and love,” said Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director.

“We are so thankful to student ministry leaders and groups for their help in making this major shift.”

CrossTimbers-Davis’ plans affected CrossTimbers Children’s Missions Adventure Camp, which is owned and operated by Oklahoma Baptists and offers camp in two locations—Davis and Grove—also announced significant changes to its summer schedule (see oklahomabaptists.org/ crosstimbers for details).

CrossTimbers leaders cancelled sessions one through five in Davis, which were set for June, and are actively working with groups previously scheduled during those weeks to accommodate them in weeks being planned.

Plans for Indian Falls Creek and Collegiate Week, which are set for late July and early August, remain unchanged at this time.

The announcement to change the camp season schedule came as numerous other camps and events across the nation have been or E N L I Ncancelled EW O postponed out ofN concerns for public safety.

T N E T N COCrossTimbers, SIVEand CLU For the updates Falls Creek -EX WEBon visit oklahomabaptists.org.

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Ridgecrest for sale following special-called meeting of LifeWay trustees BP STAFF AND CAROL PIPES | APRIL 24

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LifeWay Christian Resources trustees have authorized exploring the sale of Ridgecrest Conference Center and Summer Camps in North Carolina. The trustee board unanimously approved in executive session April 23.

Oklahoma Baptists observe S May 7 National Day N Tonline E Vof EPrayer CHRIS FORBES | APRIL 30

Joining others across the nation, Oklahoma Baptists participate in a virtual National Day of Prayer, Thursday May 7.

IMB’s 175th anniversary emphasized with prayer, virtual timeline ANN LOVELL | MAY 2

A special 175-day prayer emphasis of International Mission Board’s 175th anniversary began May 11 and will culminate with Southern Baptists’ annual Week of Prayer for International Missions Nov. 29-Dec. 6.

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

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

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May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

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EVENTS

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VOICES

Encourage: Don’t pause, prune Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

Our patterns of life have been changed this spring—school cancelled, work altered, agendas changed and events postponed. Our lives were driven by important pursuits like winning a championship, walking down an aisle or donning a cap and gown. Our days were consumed by less important things like weekend trips or little league games.

The pattern of church life has been changed this spring. Weekly schedules came to a sudden stop.

Gatherings long taken for granted were taken away, and sacred cows have been put out to pasture. Routines, rituals and regular activities no longer fill our spring days.

We now have more time at home, more time with family, more time to be quiet and more time to talk

with friends on the phone or neighbors over the fence.

What is the nature of this season of change? How should we experience it? I hope we will have wisdom to embrace this interruption of our lives as a pruning, not just a pause. Let me explain.

To pause is to take a break; a temporary rest. After the pause, we pick up right where we left off. We push the pause button to stop, then push the same button to keep right on going.

When we “re-open,” will we pick up right where we left off? Is this merely a pause or is it a pruning?

To prune is to cut away what is unproductive, unnecessary and undesirable. The cut can be painful. We tend to resist the cutting. Yet now, by God’s grace, the pruning has come. Think of all the “stuff” that has been cut out of your schedule. Make a list of all the “stuff” that has been cut away from the life of your church. Things we would never give up, never let

go, never stop—they have ceased.

God help us to resist our urge to push the “unpause” button!

Wisdom would make “re-opening” a process, not an event. Take your time. Start with the most essential, the most productive. Try not to reattach those dead, dry branches. Maintain the margins.

Some of what was cut from your life should stay cut. Some of what has been cut from your church should stay cut. If this spring was merely a pause, all we got out of it was a little rest. If we embrace this cutting as a pruning, the result could be an increase of productivity that we have not seen in a generation or two. Cutting the undesirable, unnecessary and unproductive will leave room and energy for a new season of Kingdom productivity. Maybe we can travel a little lighter as we advance the Gospel together.

Sword & trowel: Living trust Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

When it comes to a question of who you trust on any given topic, new public polling reveals that we are living in times of increasingly widespread distrust.

From politics to news, from the economy to the Coronavirus, it seems Americans are divided on who to listen to, even divided on which basic set of facts (the “who-what-where-when-why”) is to be believed.

This is not the first time in American history that people had to sort through what to trust. A recent podcast reminded me of “The War of the Worlds” radio broadcast story from 1938, in which some listening reportedly thought a fictional alien invasion was actually happening.

Because the radio dramatization was so well done and presented in a news bulletin fashion, a panic reportedly set in during the broadcast, with some only later learning what had really happened.

Part of the human experience is learning who and what to trust and distrust. In a context of confusion and distrust, Christians have an important opportunity. To be specific, we have the opportunity to point people to a better source, the only infallible and al-

ways-reliable source: namely God and His Word.

The Bible says, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save” (Psalm 146:3). The Bible also says, “For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness” (Psalm 33:4).

Far too often, Christians fall into the trap of telling people to follow this person or that person, this program or that. We are living in times that demand a Back-to-the-Bible movement that implores people to see God’s faithfulness through His Word.

As you drive through my hometown of Bartlesville, you may see a particular billboard, one that has appeared, off and on, for many years. The sign says simply, “Regardless of the price of oil… Regardless of the price of gold… Regardless, Jesus Christ. The same yesterday, today and forever.”

This billboard, which of course is referencing

Heb. 13:8, stands as a reminder of what—or rather Who—we owe our ultimate trust.

Whether in times of peace and prosperity, or in times of pandemic and want, we need to turn to Jesus. We do not know what businesses will be operating a year from now. We don’t know for certain who will hold what office in politics.

What we do know, however, is that God is on the throne and that Jesus Christ is the same. Steadfast, faithful, reigning, always loving and forgiving.

In times of mistrust, let’s not spend all our energy turning people toward one news source over the other; or one so-called expert over the other.

Instead let’s spend our time, energy, prayer, words and works, turning them to Our Savior Jesus. He is worth it. He is trustworthy. He is the same “yesterday, today and forever.”

Voices | May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Rite of passage: S P O R T S & T CAR! AINMEN

The plain thing is the main thing Bob Mayfield Oklahoma Baptists Small Group and Personal Evangelism Ministry Partner @bobmayfield

Our state is gradually reopening from sheltering at home caused by the COVID-19 virus. As most of our Oklahoma Baptist church facilities reopen, many of us have learned and experienced the essence of the Gospel in ways we did not expect.

Many things we considered to be “essential” were not as important as we might have thought. Furthermore, many things we may have taken for granted now have a greater appreciation of their importance. For many followers of Jesus Christ, we are rediscovering the very plain truths of our faith.

Jesus was once asked to share the plain truth about what He considered to be the most important commandment.

His response was for us to love God with everything we have, and love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. Following the resurrection, Jesus told His followers that, as they are going, make disciples—very plain things.

Three very plain truths about being a Christ follower come straight from the words of our Lord. As a follower of Christ, we are to: 1) love God with all we’ve got;

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2) love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves; and 3) as we go through our daily life, make disciples.

One of the simple truths that the church can glean from the COVID-19 crisis is, “Make the plain thing the main thing, and the main thing the plain thing.”

There is a new excitement about Christianity today. We are discovering that we do not necessarily need a church program to minister to an elderly neighbor who needs a medication refill and someone with whom to talk. Serving a neighbor by mowing their lawn or putting their trash bins on the curb is an act of Christian hospitality. Sharing a testimony or having a Gospel conversation while walking with a neighbor is quite a normal thing for a Christ-follower to do.

We have suddenly discovered that we have the time to read the Bible and have family discussions about God’s

Word. Prayer has become more frequent and more intense now that the things that used to distract us from holy living are more apparent.

We are rediscovering the plain things about following Christ. What has helped us rediscover the plain things of Christianity is that, for the past several weeks during this pandemic, these plain things became the main things.

As your church begins the process of re-opening, be sure to make safety a priority. Practice social distancing.

Be sure the church facilities are clean before, during and following worship services. Figure out the church’s “meet ‘n greet” plans and how you will collect the offering. Those are all important things.

But also, remember to keep the plain thing the main thing, and the main thing the plain thing. Love the Lord.

Love your neighbor. Make disciples.

May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

P L A N T E R

teresting. In March, he turned 1, and for this past year, he has been your typical baby.

Much of his life, up to this point, has consisted of eating, sleeping and getting changed. Now he is crawling with the best of them and beginning to build a vocabulary. He can S for his brothers, “DaE D“Bubba” Isay, S S I FHe C LandA“Ma-ma.” da” can also say, “Poppy,” though for some reason, I am the only one who can make it out.

But the word River uses most often is “car.”

When the weather is nice, Titus the Honorable and Cohen the Goodhearted ask permission to ride their bicycle and scooter out in the street. Although the street they live on is not a terribly busy one, they cannot ride one Sor more of their parents superOICE Vwithout vising. Many nights, you will see Caleb and Adrian sitting in lawn chairs at the end of the driveway, one of them holding River, watching as the other two ride their bicycles up and the down the street.

When a car approaches, one of the parents yells, “CAR! Here comes a CAR!” They yell loud enough, so the boys can hear and safely pull over to the side, letting the car pass by.

After several evenings of this, River began to connect the sight of a car with the word itself. He says it with the same intensity his parents do. He was at our house the other day, and we were standing on the front porch when a car came driving by. River started yelling, “CAR! CAR! CAR!” If River is in his car seat and a car pulls up alongside, he again starts yelling, “CAR!” He doesn’t know

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O O L B OX T H C R U H C Life with River the Peacemaker is about to get in-

ments are the “CAR!” verse of the Bible. They give a child wisdom and a warning.

Here are five reasons you need to have your children memorize The Ten Commandments: 1. They were important to Jesus, and He taught from them.

“I have kept My Father’s commands (John 15:10b). mands” 2. As parents, we are commanded to teach them.

Moses told the Israelites, “Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when He said to me, ‘Assemble the people before me to hear My words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children’” (Deut. 4:10).

3. The Ten Commandments serve as a good place to start teaching your child to love Jesus. “If you love Me, keep My commands” (John 14:15).

4. The Ten Commandments will keep your child from sin. “I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11).

5. The Ten Commandments were so important to God that this is the only portion of the Bible that He wrote personally: “The Lord gave me two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God” (Deut. 9:10a).

Do you know why Moses had to climb Mount Sinai to receive The Ten Commandments from God? They were stored in the cloud and had to be downloaded. Download them into your children today.

CAR!

F O R

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

T is “CAR!” the wordE“car”; N TallEheRknows It is funny how a child can pick up on words. From watching his parents, River has learned to warn his brothers of possible danger.

Recently, Titus the Honorable has been wanting to earn monP LhasE & ey. A friend of mine who PEO now gone home to be H withN E W S C R U H C the Lord had a contract with his two grandchildren, giving them a dollar for each Bible verse they memorized. Each of his grandchildren could quote 100 Bible verses. None of these cameU LT U R E & C in W S verses from theN 11 E shortest the Bible: 1. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

2. “Rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16).

3. “Pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17).

4. “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).

5. “Despise not prophesyings” (1 Thess. 5:20, KJV).

6. “You shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13, NIV).

7. “You shall not steal” (Ex. 20:15).

8. “You shall not murder” (Deut. 5:17).

9. “You shall not steal” (Deut. 5:19).

10. “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19, KJV).

11. “Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thess. 5:25, KJV).

So far, Titus the Honorable has earned $3 and memorized some significant Scriptures. It has been fun watching him as he FaceTimes me and stands at attention to quote his latest memory verse. To get his dollar, he must quote them in front of me.

Helping your children memorize Scriptures should be one of your top priorities. Most of the verses that you can quote, you probably learned when you were a child. You may notice that out of the 11 shortest verses in the Bible, four have to do with the Ten Commandments. The Ten Command-

P R A Y

& MISSIONS Y M I N I S T RWalker Moore

Nicolas and Brenda Cornejo Kingfisher, Iglesia Bautista Emanuel Launched August of 2017

Originally from Mexico, Nicolas came to the Lord at a very young age and has been living for Him since.

He and Brenda have two children together, Camila and Maheo. Nicolas has a passion for teaching and for evangelism. Their church’s mission is to expand the Kingdom of God to the families living in Kingfisher.

Prayer Requests: • God has used this COVID-19 Crisis to expand the influence of the church via the digital platform. Pray that this will continue.

• For continued learning to trust God in the midst of uncertainty.

• For guidance and wisdom for Nicolas to know how to guide the church and his family in these times.

• For the finances of the church.

oklahomachurchplanting.com

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

Sub-Saharan Africa team announces ‘55 in 5’ strategy PLE & O E X P O B L O O RCH T

>> by IMB Staff

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)—International Mission Board (IMB) leadership in Sub-Saharan Africa has announced a five-year goal to engage 55 unengaged, unreached people groups (UUPG) in five years. Each UUPG selected has a population of more than 100,000.

“A people group is unengaged and unreached when no indigenous community of believers who is able to engage this people group exists and there is no strategy for church planting consistent with evangelical faith and practice taking place,” said Daren Davis, Sub-Saharan Africa affinity group leader.

“These 55 UUPGs may have believers and may have churches among them but the church is insufficient to engage in a church planting strategy to reach the people group and therefore needs outside help.”

This first year of the emphasis—2020—is a year of prayer and education. Missionaries believe that these two things are vital first steps among their teams and partnering churches before engagement can happen.

Each month they will focus on five priority people groups. Resources on these people groups will be published on the web page: imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/55-in-5. Davis has also

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C H U to send these tasked missionaries CHURCH N resources to prayer supporters and partnering churches to join in the task.

Prayer will remain the priority of the strategy, but future years will include encour- S LT U R E IED U C S I Fand & aging churches S W C L Ato Stravel E N work alongside missionaries and national churches to reach the groups with the Gospel.

The goal is to engage these 55 UUPGs in the next five years in hopes that healthy, multiplying churches will be planted VOICES among them.

“This is a big goal, bigger than us,” >> PHOTO: IMB.ORG The Ngando are one of the 55 people groups that missionaries in Sub-Saharan Africa hope to engage in 5 years.

Davis said. “But our vision is a side-byside vision, so this goal, it pushes us to remember that we who graduate from school are employed in small need African partners, African businesses and the public sector. Most are nomiconventions, other mission or- nally Christian, but there remains a strong adherganizations and stateside part- ence to divination. Engaging this people group ners to all do our part to engage with the Gospel will not be easy and will require in this future toward this reality.” commitment, but missionaries in Sub-Saharan AfriOne people group on the list is ca believe that the task is possible with God’s help the Ngando of the Democratic Repub- and the obedience of believers. lic of Congo. Most Ngando are farmers, but Resources are available for you to join in prayer due to a lack of transportation, they face difficul- at imb.org. New people group profiles and requests ties getting their harvest to market. As a result, they will be published monthly. These products can be remain impoverished. Most live day to day. Some downloaded, printed and copied for distribution.

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

OPPORTUN

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OKLAHOMA

Ongoing opportunities for volunteers: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OKC and Community Food Bank of Eastern OK, Tulsa—both locations, call 405/972-1111 (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 or thehelm2034@gmail.com Cherokee Baptist Assembly, Cherokee—918/506-5482 or cba_tahlequah@yahoo.com

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

Please check the website for the most current information.

Orientation and Credentialing (Training) Dates for 2020: Sept. 12-Owasso, First, 13307 E. 96th St. N. Additional information can be found at okdisasterhelp.org

Chaplaincy: June 2-5- Training-Tulsa, South Tulsa, 10310 S. Sheridan Rd. Pre-registration required.

For more information go to crisisresponse.org.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Paul Lewis Paul is the director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). Pray for revival among college students at UCO.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Phillip Ford Phillip is the director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the University Center of Southern Oklahoma (UCSO). Pray that students will be receptive to the Gospel.

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

Missions & ministry | May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Grand Re-opening: Churches prepare for process of regathering in wake of Coronavirus /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Staff

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With the state of Oklahoma permitting churches to open for in-person meetings or worship in early May, Oklahoma Baptist pastors are wading into what it means to reopen the church building.

Plans to re-gather for worship vary in pace and style. At Bethel Acres, New Hope, Pastor Will Wilson planned for “Lawn Church” for several Sunday mornings in May, before later gathering in the worship center. Much like a drive-in service, the lawn service will allow members to gather for worship in person, but at a distance.

Shawnee, Immanuel also tentatively plans to have a “lawn-chair service” May 24 and 31, where Pastor Todd Fisher said members will “gather together for an outdoor service (weather allowing) so that we can spread out. For those who feel it is best for them to continue to worship at home, the broadcast will still be available.”

Fisher said Shawnee, Immanuel plans to start a modified schedule, beginning June 7, of having worship services in the church’s worship center. He did point out there are “precautions to be evaluated and shared closer to time.”

At Heavener, First, Pastor Brock Hardin announced a plan to re-gather for worship services on May 17, with precautions put in place to ensure distancing and sanitation procedures.

An informal look at Oklahoma Baptist congregations reveals that nearly all plan to continue to offer online worship services for members who are advised not to attend in person just yet, such as those in vulnerable populations.

Beyond offering worship services, most churches are wading through what the regathering process will look like for Sunday School meetings, events, Wednesday evenings and other gatherings.

New resource gives ideas 3 for re-opening Oklahoma Baptists published a resource that pastors should find helpful as they ponder how to regather the church for worship.

Titled, “Reopening Our Church Buildings,” the resource offered practical encouragement, tips, resources and links.

From topics like “Key considerations for first gathering” to “measures to protect congregations,” the resource was emailed to pastors across

the state and published online at oklahomabaptists.org homabaptists.org.

“A pressing question on the minds of pastors and church leaders today is related to the reopening of church buildings for worship. The question actually has two aspects that need to be answered: ‘When’ and ‘What,’” said Alan Quigley, associate executive director of Oklahoma Baptists’ church resources group. “When do we need to reopen, and what needs to be done to reopen safely?”

James Swain, associate execu2 tive director of Oklahoma Baptists’ church relations group added, “In keeping with Oklahoma Baptists’ strategic patterns of being pastor-connected and associational-partnered, the ideas contained in this new resource have been provided by pastors across our state and gathered with the help of our directors of missions.”

The following information was presented by Oklahoma Baptists: General ministry encouragements —Reopening should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event.

—Although churches were permitted to open on May 1, decisions about reopening should be based on local congregation’s context.

—Decisions should be made in conjunction with key church leaders and additional members who can give valuable insight to the decision.

—Decisions should be consistent with federal, state and local government guidelines (In areas where local authorities have not made a statement, consider seeking input from your area).

Key considerations prior to the first gathering 1. Consider cleaning and safety measures to protect the church family.

2. Consider how the gathering space should be arranged to provide for social distancing.

3. Consider continuing online services for those who are uncertain or unable to attend.

4. Consider conducting worship service in an alternative venue (e.g. drive-in church, outdoor lawn church).

5. Consider rotation of members in live services by alphabet using last names (last names beginning with A-I, J-Q, R-Z) based on the number of services the church provides to allow for social distancing.

6. Consider the goal of the first regathering of the church family.

7. What other groups will be allowed to gather and what guidelines will they need to adhere to?

Key considerations for the first gathering When gathering, consideration should be given to: • How to limit handouts (e.g. announcements, hymnals, orders of service, and other bulletin information).

• Maintaining social distance and sanitation requirements with the presence of young children in the worship service.

• How to clean common areas between services.

• Displaying signage that would discourage hand shaking, and/or other greetings that require physical touch.

• Identifying which doors can remain propped open in order to limit the number of people touching the handles handles.

When worshiping, consideration should be given to: • The benefits and health concerns of the congregation concerning expressions of worship (For example, “Should we sing or not?” “How do we take the offering?” and “How do we conduct the invitation?”).

• How to arrange the meeting area so that the six-foot social distancing can take place (For example, possibly ushering people to appropriate seats).

When dismissing, consideration should be given to: • Possibly staggering the dismissal, so that there is not the creation of an unintentional crowding the social distancing space of individuals.

• What gathering in large group signals to other groups in the church (For example, questions like, “Should youth group start back?” and “Should small groups begin meeting together?” will arise quickly after your first service).

A complete list of helpful links, both from government and health entities, as well as ministry and church-specific resources, was published. A full Spanish-language version was produced.

To view the new resource, or to learn more about Oklahoma Baptists’ response to COVID-19, visit oklahomabaptists.org/coronavirus. >> PHOTOS: PROVIDED Creative, socially-distanced church gatherings include 1) Coalgate, First’s lawn worship service; 2) Bethany, Council Road’s drive-in service; and 3) Indiahoma, First’s distanced seating service.

Oklahoma Baptists help Binger community during pandemic >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

BINGER—Mark Price remembered feeling safe on Easter Sunday. The pastor of Binger Church said COVID-19 appeared not to reach his community in western Oklahoma. That changed the next day.

Binger Nursing Home and Rehab Facility reported one positive COVID-19 case on Monday, April 13, Price said. “It went from one to four to 21 and now 43 (positive cases)” he said.

By the end of April, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported seven deaths in Binger as a result of COVID-19.

Price contacted Binger Nursing Home to see what his church could do to help. The administrator told him they needed a place for six people to sleep. Price went on Facebook to ask for fifth wheels or RVs to house nursing home staff members. Within two hours, people responded and provided, but Price also needed to find generators to power the large vehicles.

After searching for help, Price was not having

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Kandy Price, wife of Pastor Mark Price of Binger Church, helps with laundry for Binger Nursing Home and Rehab Facility.

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

much success. Then he called Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists.

“He was a breath of fresh air,” Price said about Dilbeck. “I didn’t think he would call me right back, but he called three times before I could call him back.”

Dilbeck got Price in touch with Don Williams, state director for Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR), who was able to provide resources. Pittsburg Association provided its DR shower trailer, and Cimarron Association provided its DR laundry trailer

May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

for Binger Nursing Home.

“We did 20 loads of laundry in the first three hours the trailer was there,” Price said. “The shower trailer also is a great blessing for (nursing home) staff members.”

Price’s wife Kandy and Daphne Opitz have been overseeing the laundry duties for the nursing home, but other Binger Church members have stepped up in helping with maintenance of the generators and in other ways of serving the nursing home. Among the church members were Tad Hollis, Benny Bowling, Mike Opitz, Jeff Cart, Robbie Gunter and Arlene Bordwine.

“We are willing to stand in the gap here for them and help them continue to put diesel in those generators and do what we need to do,” Price said. He also mentioned the nursing home administrator “has been so grateful, even to tears.”

As of May 6, reports indicated a downward trend in COVID-19 cases in the Binger Nursing Home.

“In a world full of ‘No’ (responses), Oklahoma Baptists should be ‘Yes’ people for the things that matter,” Price said.

Missionaries find a ‘home’ with Oklahoma Baptists /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Amy Cordova

MISSIONS & WOMEN’S MINISTRIES PARTNER FOR OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

Oklahoma Baptists have a long legacy of sending and supporting missionaries serving overseas. For the local church, it is a joyous occasion when missionaries return home for a stateside visit.

Dozens of churches across Oklahoma provide housing to missionaries while they are stateside.

With travel suspended to many countries due to COVID-19, missionary housing among Oklahoma Baptists has reached full capacity. Thankfully, churches from all over the state have stepped up to provide housing for missionaries who are stateside in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City, Southern Hills has faithfully supported Oklahoma missionaries for decades. “Over the years the Lord has blessed,” said Southern Hills Pastor Doug Melton. “We have had one missionary house for more than 20 years.”

Over time, the church continued to expand housing for missionaries. Now the congregation owns eight houses near the church property. These houses have been used for various purposes, but when the coronavirus hit Oklahoma in March and missionaries’ stateside time was extended, members of Southern Hills worked to make the properties a home.

In order to make the properties livable, the church family worked on renovations and decorating.

Their efforts have blessed many families. Randy Whittall, minister of missions and evangelism, served with

the International Mission Board (IMB) and was the used by a missionary family needing a temporary first stateside missionary to stay in a Southern Hills place to stay.”

Derek Dennis is serving as transitional missionary home. A couple of decades latpastor at Medford, First and reported er, Randy has come full circle as he the church was ready to welcome now has the opportunity to protheir guests. vide housing.

“The Church was excited to More than half of the IMB’s serve in a mission capacity to affinity groups is represented one of our IMB missionary in Southern Hills’ missionfamilies,” Dennis said. “They ary homes. Families who eagerly completed the renare staying in the homes ovations to the church parhave served in North Afsonage and generously rica and the Middle East, furnished it. They are hapEurope, Sub-Saharan Afripy to stock the pantry with ca, the Americas and East food if necessary.”

Asia. Melton has urged other Please continue to pray for congregations to utilize their Oklahoma Baptist missionaries. Ask properties to help provide housthe Lord to open the hearts of those ing to missionaries during this un>> PHOTOS: RANDY WHITTALL Oklahoin the countries where the missionarprecedented time. ma City, Southern Hills’ members ies have been ministering. One stateAs the need arose for housing, install and assemble furniture in side Oklahoma missionary recentmany associations and congrethe church’s missionary house. ly sent an update of encouragement gations have offered help. When about their country in South Asia. hearing about the need for mis“We greatly appreciate your prayer support for sionary housing, Matt Spann, director of missions in Cherokee Strip Association, so many friends that we love but don’t know the saw an opportunity for Medford, First truth,” the missionary said. “Our friend who has heard the truth so many times but hasn’t believed to help.

“Even though they are current- has started to read the Word during this lockly without a full-time pastor, Med- down. Pray for his heart to be softened and that ford, First was excited about the he will believe.”

Through the Cooperative Program, Oklahoma possibility of serving one of our missionary families by providing Baptists partner with churches providing housing lodging,” Spann said. “They worked for missionaries on stateside by supplying a stipend hard to get their parsonage remod- for basic essentials items to stock pantries or other eled and furnished, so that it could be household essentials.

Feeding the hungry: Churches provide relief to struggling communities 1

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>> by Chris Forbes

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS COOPERATIVE PROGRAM BRANDING & MARKETING PARTNER

With weeks of shelter-in-place orders issued around the state due to the Coronavirus, many families have found themselves faced with another crisis, a shortage of food in their homes. To help people with food insecurities, Oklahoma Baptist churches across the state have been using hunger funds from the Edna McMillan State Missions Offering to provide much-needed relief. Churches have accessed the funds which were disbursed through the Oklahoma Baptists Chaplaincy office.

Don Williams, chaplaincy ministry partner, said it’s another example of Oklahoma Baptists taking action in a time of trouble.

“It always amazes me that when a crisis occurs, Oklahoma Baptists rise up to penetrate darkness,” Williams said. “Churches throughout Oklahoma have risen to the challenge. I am thankful that Oklahoma Baptists gave, so we can provide nearly $100,000 to help reach communities with the Gospel while also meeting physical needs.”

Several churches partnered with local school systems to distribute meals to Oklahomans in need.

Duke, First Pastor David Wilson explained, “I contacted the superintendent of our school. He used the money to provide meals for the people of our community. This helped families who were hurt by

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>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED 1) Kids and adults alike are being impacted for the Gospel through churches providing meals for their community; 2) A volunteer prays with a member of the Sand Springs community during a food distribution; 3) Martha Road church members prepare sack lunches for distribution.

school being cancelled. A great deal for a little community like ours.”

Altus, Martha Road Pastor Kevin Baker gave details of how the church has been meeting needs in Altus.

“We were able to partner with the Altus Public school system,” he said. “We have given money to the school, and they have used that to buy extra food, fruits and vegetables and snacks that they have given to the kids.

Through the first five weeks we have fed 66,148 meals.”

Ada, First deacon chairman Kevin Bell said his church distributed more than 500 meals through the school system, and they have worked to provide relief to frontline healthcare workers.

“We have two healthcare facilities that we serve evening meals to two healthcare facilities once a week,” Bell said. “All the restaurants here close at 8 p.m., so the night shift doesn’t have a way to eat supper. We’ve done sack lunches once a week for the last five weeks.”

Rusty Gunn, pastor of Sand Springs, Church That Matters, detailed how his church leveraged a restaurant the church had recently acquired to feed at-risk people in that community.

“Using hunger funds, we were able to feed kids and senior adults for free in this time of crisis,” Gunn said. “We have fed over 20,000 meals in the last five weeks. We’ve done the Coney dogs, but we have also partnered with other places to purchase other food, so we could have a variety of menu each day.”

Since March 23, Mission OKC has delivered 27,000

hot meals and 800 grocery boxes to homes of families living in poverty across Oklahoma City. Chad Clement, senior pastor of Mission OKC, said his church has seen a lot of future ministry opportunity come from the food distribution.

“We have heard so many different moms say things like, ‘I have 11 kids in our home, and we had no idea how were going to be able to feed them.’ And we have made a lot of contacts over the last few weeks that we plan to follow up on this summer,” Clement said.

Alan Quigley, associate executive director for Oklahoma Baptists’ Church Resources Group, observed that churches serving in economically-depressed areas of the state have stepped up to feed the young and old alike.

“I recently learned that Jeanie Usler, the pastor’s wife at Wynona, First, saw a need in her community, and she led the church to serve between 70-80 people every week at least one hot meal,” Quigley said. “Small churches and large churches alike have stepped up to feed the hungry through Oklahoma Baptists Hunger Funds that were and are raised through the State Missions Offering every September.”

Other churches that have used the hunger funds are Lexington, First; Albion, First and Cartwright, First.

For more information about State Missions Offering Hunger Funds, contact Don Williams at dwilliams@oklahomabaptists.org.

Features | May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

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ASSIFI C>>L by Bill Pierce

Baptist Village is stronger…together!

TURE EDS L NE WS & CU

PRESIDENT, BAPTIST VILLAGE COMMUNITIES

We are blessed. The folks who live and work at Baptist Village Communities (BVC) encourage all of us every day. They encourage one another! The mission of BVC is more important than ever.

S campuses across the state I C EVillage The V 12 O Baptist are displaying the same powerful message: STRONGER TOGETHER! Joshua 1:9. COVID-19 is the greatest challenge long-term care has ever faced. We are heartbroken for those who have lost loved ones in our state and across the nation. If you know someone who works in senior living, thank them. They are true heroes serving on the front lines.

Many weeks ago, with a heavy heart, we asked loved ones, children, spouses and friends to stop visiting in order to help prevent the spread of the virus. Communal dining was discontinued as were gatherings in community spaces. The temperatures of residents and staff are checked three times daily. We are very thankful for the courage and commitment of residents, families and staff during this extremely challenging time.

What have we experienced on our campuses in these weeks? We have experienced the presence of God. We see love and joy even during a battle with one of the deadliest threats to face senior adults across our world. We are not “waiting out” the quarantine. We are carrying out the BVC mission, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and serving one another in love.

S I am thankful for those who liveCand work N EatWBVC! H R U H C Throughout these weeks, I have constantly been encouraged by wonderful stories and selfless examples of love from our campuses. There are so many won-

derful examples of Friends Team members (employees) and residents going above and beyond to serve one another—too many to mention.

Chef Lesly at Baptist Village Lake Texoma cooked a delicious Easter Sunday lunch with all the trimmings. She personally delivered a meal to each apartment, where residents were greeted with a smile, a wonderful meal and an encouraging word.

Residents appreciate the Friends Team so much and are finding ways to say “thank you”—straight from the heart. Led by Baptist Village of Okmulgee resident Kathy, residents created posters and beautiful handmade books filled with inspiration and scripture. They presented these words of encouragement to the Friends Team.

Baptist Villages have played host to multiple car parades. Baptist Village of Oklahoma City hosted three parades in one week. Dozens of cars drove through campus with signs of support and encouragement to residents and team members. Residents, in turn, were prepared with signs of sweet sentiments to greet the guests. In addition, Baptist Village of Cleveland resident Jean celebrated her 95th birthday in style with a family car parade of her own.

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

I am thankful for technology. My mom lives in the health center at Baptist Village of Owasso. Even though I haven’t been able to visit her for many weeks, we are connected. We chat every day through text, telephone and FaceTime. BVC also has Skype available, and many families connect daily with loved ones this way. How wonderful to live in an age of technology that makes this possible.

I am thankful for the many friends of the BVC ministry. Amy Cordova, Oklahoma Baptists missions and women’s ministries partner, has mobilized volunteers throughout the state to sew masks. Many people and churches have stepped up to assist in these efforts. Thousands of masks have been delivered to BVC campuses. We received much needed help from Don Williams and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief. Praise the Lord! In addition, our friends at Ben E. Keith Company have partnered with us in a weekly food distribution program. A number of residents are being served, and we are hearing many expressions of gratitude from them.

We have a great opportunity for you to show appreciation for the BVC Friends Team. You can send a positive and encouraging video message of emotional and spiritual support. We encourage you to make and send your video today. Visit baptistvillage. org/encourage for more details.

We know that our Lord is with us. We are stronger together in the presence of God. The Lord spoke to Joshua and said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

We love you!

Birthday blessings at Baptist Village 1

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PLANS CHANGE, THEN AND NOW In its 100-plus year history, Falls Creek, Oklahoma Baptists’ beloved summer youth camp, has continued its vital ministry amid the backdrop of much change and upheaval across America. As the country went through times of recessions, wars, severe weather, epidemics and more, the camp/conference center continued to be a place where the Gospel is shared and where people surrender to God’s call.

In 2020, the rare decision was made to postpone the start of camp (see page 2 story), due to effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. This was not the only time in its history that an epidemic affected summer camp plans. Another such time was 1943. The Baptist Messenger reported of Oklahoma Baptist and Falls Creek leaders, “In view of the spread of poliomyeli-

tis (infantile paralysis); in view of the fact that the continued heat-wave makes it impossible to purchase one pound of ice for the Assembly (Falls Creek); in view of the order to close all swimming places; on advice of competent doctors and public health officials; and after consultation with representative pastors and laymen in all parts of Oklahoma, the Falls Creek Assembly for 1943 has been cancelled.”

While, then and now, the world continues to throw challenges at beloved ministry places like Falls Creek, we know the Lord is great and,

by His grace, will continue to bless and provide through it all. For more information on Falls Creek’s revised summer 2020 schedule, or the latest news and updates on camp, visit OklahomaBaptists.org.

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!

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>> PHOTO: PROVIDED 1) Pictured before the birthday event,

>> by Jason Davis

Lanette, left, found a creative way to celebrate her mom Sissie’s birthday; 2) Brinley made a birthday sign for Sissie.

BVC DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

HUGO—Imagine getting ready to celebrate your birthday—and knowing your family can’t come celebrate with you. Every Baptist Village Communities (BVC) resident has a birthday, yet we find ourselves in the middle of a pandemic. What do you do?

Sissie has been living at Baptist Village of Hugo for nearly a year. She absolutely loves living there. Sissie’s 75th birthday was fast approaching, but her daughter Lanette received a call, saying her mom is quarantined during the pandemic.

Lanette was thankful, yet heartbroken.

She’d be unable to be with her mom on her special day. Lanette is very close to her mom, but not geographically. Lanette considered driving to Hugo from Texas just to wave to her mom. But she decided that would make it even sadder for both of them.

God provided. Lanette has friends to support her. She asked her friends to mail birthday cards to Sissie. She scheduled a time to Skype with her mom on her birth-

May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

day. Even though Sissie is almost deaf, she would be able to see her beloved daughter through Skype. Lanette also gave her mom a present: a slideshow of pictures of Sissie from birth to 75 years—a special trip down memory lane.

Lanette remembered she had a young friend named Brinley in Hugo, who was an artist. She asked Brinley to make a beautiful birthday poster and tape it outside Sissie’s window as the final touch.

Through Lanette’s determination, faith and love, her dear mom experienced an amazing birthday.

“Sometimes, you just have to improvise,” Lanette said. “My mom was thrilled to get so much mail and even have a personal sign outside her window. She asked one of the nurses to send me a picture of her on her birthday and tell me she was having a great day.”

Even though she couldn’t be with her mom, Lanette thinks it was one of her best birthdays yet. “Happy 75th Momma!

I love you!”

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

O O L B OX CHURCH T

OBU hosts May 21 webinar DS LT U R E CLASSIFIE NE WS & CU on pastor renewal SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma Pastor Renewal is hosting a free Zoom Webinar, 11 a.m.-noon on May C E STodd Littleton, Joe LiV O Ileaders 21. Ministry gon, Bryan Laramore and Matt Henslee will discuss strategies for reconnecting with older and offline church members.

The strategies include how to get members who are offline to stay connected during social distancing. Participants will learn strategies on how to minister in rural and small attendance churches, while maintaining a connection with the entire congregation.

Littleton has served 26 years as senior pastor of Tuttle, Snow Hill. Ligon is senior associate executive director of Oklahoma Baptists and previously pastored Marlow, First for 20 years. Laramore is senior pastor of Cherokee, First, and Henslee is senior pastor of Mayhill Church in Mayhill, N.M. Visit oklahomapastorrenewal.eventbrite.com to register.

Oklahoma Pastor Renewal (OPR) is pastors helping pastors through encouragement, community and resources for leading healthy churches. To find out more about OPR, visit pastorshelpingpastors.com.

Tulsa, South Tulsa members provide masks for healthcare workers

Tian and Liying, faithful members of Tulsa, South Tulsa, made it possible to provide N95 masks for Saint Francis Hospital, the largest medical center in Tulsa. They delivered a box of 300 masks at a time when Saint Francis was running out of masks. Pastor Eric Costanzo of South Tulsa reported St. Francis sent him an email thanking Tian and Liying for their generous gift. The couple also have sent masks to healthcare workers across the state. They continue working day and night to get more masks sent across the country.

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

EWS CHURCH N PEOPLE IN THE NEWS BENTLEY DEATH. Jerry “Jody” Wayne Bentley, Jr., 60, died April 21.

A 24 at OwMApril Owas H Graveside service A L K O E H T alla Cemetery. HeH Iwas Ethe current R C VSequoyah T I S TofAClaremore, and B A Ppastor preached at several churches during his years of ministry. He began his ministry in Alabama working as Mission Service Corp and earned a yellow cap, blue cap and chaplain for his involvement in disaster relief. He is survived by his wife Nancy for 41 years; his daughter Angela Nowlin; his son Joey Bentley; and five grandchildren.

GOFORTH DEATH. Stephen Goforth, 60, died May 1. Funeral service was May 7 at Tulsa, South Tulsa. He taught music at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) and was an exemplary musician. He received his bachelor’s degree in music eduction from OBU. He is survived by his wife Sharon for 35 years; two sons, Kade and Parker; and one grandson.

HOLDEN DEATH. Carol Holden, 82, died Feb. 23. He pastored six churches and was a traveling evangelist. Among the churches he pastored includes Commerce, Southeast; Miami, Liberty; and Afton, First. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Bertha; his daughters Denise Ober and Kerry Holden; his son Tony; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Congregational News NEW AFFILIATE. Sapulpa, Native Stone is now an Oklahoma Baptist church. Gary Hawkins is pastor.

NEW CONGREGATION. Newcastle, New Life is now meeting. Darren Rice is pastor.

NEW CONGREGATION. Purcell, Starting Gate Cowboy Church is now meeting. Tim Jones is now pastor.

SUDOKU

MATHIS DEATH. Richard “R.B.” Mathis, 85, died April 22. Funeral service was April 24 in Cordell. He recently served as pastor of Strong City, First. He pastored six churches during his years of ministry. He is survived by his wife Pat for 65 years; his sons Chris and Mike; and seven grandchildren.

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.

Agenda Championship Change Church Dilbeck

Embrace Encourage Events Home Interruption

Margins Patterns Pause Postponed Pruning

Quiet Routines School Season Spring

Stop Sudden Weekend Wisdom Work

People & Church News | May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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How to pray through the Psalms IEDS /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

>> by Donald S. Whitney

PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL SPIRITUALITY, SOUTHERN SEMINARY

CLASSIF

called “Psalms of the Day.” If you intend to pray through a psalm, using the Psalms of the Day approach helps you avoid thumbing through the middle of your Bible, randomly searching for a psalm that looks inICES teresting. Too often, suchVan Oinconsistent process results in omitting many of the Psalms. It also can slow your devotional momentum as you find yourself aimlessly meandering through chapters instead of praying.

With the Psalms of the Day you take 30 seconds or so to quickly scan five specific psalms and pick the one that best leads you to prayer on that occasion. It’s based on taking the 150 Psalms and dividing them by thirty days (because most months have at least thirty days). That results in five psalms per day.

Or to put it another way, if you were to read five psalms a day for an entire month, at the end of the month you would have read through the entire Book of Psalms. While reading five psalms a day is a great practice that many enjoy, that’s not what I’m advocating here. What I’m suggesting is that you take half a minute to quickly scan five psalms and pick one of those five to pray through.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was previously featured at crossway.org.

The Book of Praises As a whole, the Psalms comprise the best place in Scripture from which to pray Scripture. I base that on the original purpose for which God inspired the Psalms. The Book of Psalms—which means “book of praises” in Hebrew—was the songbook of Israel. The Psalms were inspired by God for the purpose of being sung to God. It is as though God said to His people, “I want you to praise Me, but you don’t know how to praise Me. I want you to praise Me not because I’m an egomaniac but because you will praise that which you prize the most, and there is nothing of greater worth to you than I. There is nothing more praiseworthy than I, and it is a blessing for you to know that. It will lead to your eternal joy if you praise Me above all others and above all else and to your eternal misery if you do not. But there’s a problem. You don’t know how to praise Me, at least not in a way that’s fully true and pleasing to Me. In fact, you know nothing about Me unless I reveal it to you, for I am invisible to you. Therefore, since I want you to praise Me, and it is good for you to praise Me, but since you don’t know how to praise Me, here are the words I want you to use.”

In other words, God gave the Psalms to GERS N I L S D R O us so that we would give theW Psalms back to God. No other book of the Bible was inspired for that expressed purpose.

The ‘Psalms of the Day’ In light of this, I want to commend to you a systematic approach for praying a psalm each day. The approach did not originate with me, but I can’t recall where I first enE S AY S V A D countered the concept decades ago. It’s

Praying the Bible Donald S. Whitney Offering Christians encouragement and advice for reinvigorating their prayer lives, this practical resource outlines a foolproof plan for praying through the Bible— turning the duty of prayer into delight.

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

SU M M E R C A M P N E WS U PDAT E S OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ CONFERENCE CENTERS

21 DAY C H ALLE N G E OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ MINISTRY

Get the latest news on Summer camp news for CrossTimbers Mission Adventure Camp and Falls Creek.

The 21 Day Challenge will help you grow in your personal relationship with Christ as we focus on a specific spiritual habit every day. Each day includes a Bible passage and a simple action to apply that day.

oklahomabaptists.org/falls-creek

oklahomabaptists.org/21challenge

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

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May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

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

THE TIME IN-BET WEEN >> RYAN SMITH

We are all in a state of in-between.

YS VaElotSofAquestions: DA In-between comes with When can we go back?

Are we okay right now?

What’s happening that we don’t know about?

One thing that brings me solace in a time of in-between is that the Bible says a lot about this state of S being. In fact, T I S Tto follow God Psought A B A M most peopleOin the Scripture who O H KLA L I GH Tand a future did so in a state between a time H IGofHstability E C R U O S E state of rest.RSome followed well. Some did not. But when it comes to the Scripture, most of what we know about walking in faithfulness is modeled by those who are living in the in-between.

Consider Thomas. A loyal disciple who walked the same roads, Thomas heard the same teachings, and was awed by the same miracles as Peter and John. Yet as Peter and John stood in that locked room while Jesus displayed His resurrected body and held out His scars, Thomas was away. Why would Jesus choose that time? Peter had betrayed Jesus, why not appear when Peter was gone? For an entire week, while the other disciples celebrated the finality of what they had seen, Thomas was waiting. He was still with the disciples, but he was waiting. Jesus intentionally put Thomas in the in-between.

To read the rest of Ryan’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/the-time-in-between

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

D AV E S AY S EVERYONE NEEDS AN EMERGENCY FUND Dear Dave, BAP T IS TS A M I will back onKactive duty O H A L O soon in the armed forces. I’mE H IG H L I G H T URC SO R Efor debt-free except my home, have been following your plan, and I’m about to start Baby Step 3. We are provided certain relief funds based on where you are stationed and other factors. Knowing this, how should I approach the next Baby Step?

—Kevin Dear Kevin, First of all, thank you for your service to our country. You’re on the right track. Baby Step 3 means having three to six months of expenses set aside for emergencies. Considering the stability of your employment situation, I think you’d be okay leaning toward the three-month side of expenses. It’s not like you’re a straight commission sales rep whose income can fluctuate wildly from month to month, right?

You’ll still have emergencies, though, and it’ll be your responsibility to cover them. Some of those may need to be addressed immediately. See what I’m saying, Kevin? Everyone needs an emergency fund. Just make saving for it part of your budget for a while, until you have three or four months of expenses sitting in a good money market fund with check writing privileges. You’ll be glad you did!

—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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>> 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.

P/T OR F/T STUDENT PASTOR: WoodES V O I C>> land Acres,Baptist Church, Tulsa, is seeking a

>> F/T PASTOR: Warner First Baptist Church in Warner, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Submit your resume to: fbcw@crosstel.net.

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 WORSHIP LEADER: Looking for a F/T Contemporary Worship Leader & Outreach for Westside Baptist Church of Waynesville, Missouri. Bachelor degree desired. Recent College graduates encouraged to apply. Send resume by email to: pastor_shaw @yahoo.com. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Parkview Baptist in Duncan, OK is seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Please send your resume to: mulsix@hotmail.com. >> F/TYOUTH MINISTER: F/TYouth Minister. View Acres Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Vibrant, multi-generational church in the West Tulsa area seeks F/T Youth Minister to lead growing student ministry. Send resume to: shannonfayebaker@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. >> 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. >> 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.

>> F/T PASTOR: FBC Purcell, OK, is seeking a F/T Pastor.

Responsibilities include regular preaching & teaching, counseling, visitation & other pastoral duties. Include a cover letter, resume with references & a sermon link to: fbcpurcelltj@gmail.com.

>> 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.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Shidler, OK is prayerfully seeking a traditional BI/VO Southern Baptist Pastor for a small rural church. Send resume to email: mom_sharp@yahoo.com or FBC Search Committee P.O. Box 53, Shidler, OK 74652.

>> 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.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Sunset Baptist Church in Ponca City, OK is seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Please send resumes to: Pastor Search Committee, 915 Greenwood Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.

>> 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.

>> 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.

>> 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.

Student Pastor to lead youth & college-age student ministries. Please submit your resume to: SearchTeam@wabc.org.

>> 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 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. >> 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. >> 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. >> 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 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.

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

CROSSWO

ACROSS 1 Swing around 5 Fundamental 10 Hebrew letter 13 Winter jacket 15 Methuselah’s dad 16 John took the book “and __ it up” (Rev. 10:10)

17 Theme: slow to __ 18 Paul’s woes, “in danger __” (2 Cor. 11:26 niv) (2 words) 19 9 Down book (Abbr.)

20 Ball holder 21 Evil in a field, parable-speak 23 Track features 25 Fish hands

RD

26 19 Across, e.g.

28 Last Supper, a spiritual __ 31 Theme: not easily brought to this 32 Sever 33 Like an angel, maybe 34 Repeated, word of disapproval 37 __ scallopini, Italian dish 38 Kick out 40 Indonesian island 41 “Tongue is the __ of a ready writer” (Ps. 45:1) 42 Car rental agency 43 Authoritative list, as Bible books 44 “As water ____ on the ground” (2 Sam. 14:14) 45 Garaged the car 46 A __, choir with accompaniment 49 “Like a __ or a sword...is one who gives false witness” (Prov. 25:18 niv) 50 Egg-shaped 51 Attention-getting calls 52 Before faith, we’re under the __ 55 Jesus, true God, true __ 56 Caffeine pill brand 59 Philippine dish 61 Average 62 Cow’s belly 63 Organ setting device 64 Pie __ mode (2 words) 65 Arabian peninsula nation

66 Join together DOWN 1 Row 2 Path 3 “I __ you to imitate me” (1 Cor. 4:16 niv) 4 Make do 5 Theme: __ things patiently 6 Wager 7 Distress call 8 Frost 9 Theme, KJV style 10 Implied 11 Coral reef 12 Bible book section 14 Creator 22 “Go to the __, thou sluggard” (Prov. 6:6) 24 Brimstone leaving 25 Theme: It will never __ 26 Little Mermaid’s love 27 Theme: now we know in __ 28 Invitation request (Abbr.)

29 Fencing sword 30 God has a good __ for you 31 Keep belt of truth around your __ 34 Chariot descendant, maybe 35 __-eyed, almond shaped feature 36 Theme: is __ to others 38 Theme: thinks no __

39 Bob __, home improvement man 40 Sharp point 42 Theme: joy __ (in abundance) 43 Instrumental 44 “City that is __ on an hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14) 45 Layer 46 Punctuation mark 47 Reward 48 Chinese bamboo eater 49 Cheat 51 Theme: one of three that remain 52 Modern 9 Down 53 First murder victim 54 Theme: gentle in __ and deed 57 Lode yield 58 “Eyes of Israel were __ for age” (Gen. 48:10) 60 Manna came with it

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Classifieds | May 14, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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