2020-06-11

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • JUNE 11, 2020

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CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends First Person: What’s really going on? >> WALTER WILSON

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Now and then

Encourage: Responding to racial injustice

Indian Falls Creek 2020 goes virtual, July 26-31

>> HANCE DILBECK

It has been a couple of weeks since George Floyd died under the knee of a white police officer. Since then, sadness, disgust, confusion, frustration, anger and even violence have filled our hearts and our streets.

Public figures are responding.

Our families are responding, yet how should we, as the Church, respond?

I recorded a series of Insight Podcasts titled, “Responding to Racial Injustice.”

COVID-19 has changed everything in the world, even Indian Falls Creek (IFC). The IFC Board of Directors decided to go virtual, following the decision to cancel the remainder of the camping season at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center.

The IFC Board and Native American Churches were saddened by the decision but agreed it was the right call.

Safety has to be the number one priority especially with the large number of elders who attend IFC each summer.

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>> VIC TOR COPE

Even Now, God is moving: Oklahoma Baptists offer two summer options for students >> TODD SANDERS

The summer of 2020 is different. Really, this year has already proven to be one for the books, but even now, in the midst of altered routines, God is moving.

Realities experienced in recent weeks have provided opportunities to flex, learn, grow, change and keep moving forward with the Gospel. /// SEE PAGE 7

>> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Preparing a place >> WALKER MOORE

Page 7 | Features Racial healing, Great Commission, Cooperative Program headline SBC Advance >> DIANA CHANDLER

Page 10 | Church Toolbox 3 lies we believe about our stories >> JAMIE IVEY

Page 12 | News & Culture Yes to VBS! >> CHARLIE GAT TON

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To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

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First Person: What’s really going on?S P O R T S & & MISSIONS Walter Wilson Pastor, Lawton, Friendship; African American Ministry Partner of Oklahoma Baptists

In the 1960s, there was a popular song by an artist named Marvin Gaye that hit the radio.

The song says, “Mother, mother there’s too many of you crying.

“Brother, brother, brother there’s far too many of you dying.

“You know, we have got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today. What’s going on?”

I think there are a lot of people who are asking this same question today.

I am aware that Marvin Gaye’s song was written during the time of the Vietnam War, but as we look around at the world today, we see there is a war of another kind going on.

The problem is compounded because the enemy has blinded some and caused them to forget the Apostle Paul’s writing to the church in Ephesus.

In Ephesians 6, he wrote “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,

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against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.”

When we are reminded that the battle is not of flesh and blood, we are left with the same question today that Marvin Gaye had in theL ‘60s, “What’s X goBO O Ogoing T H ing on, somebody tell me what’s on?”

C R U H C The enemy wants us to believe this battle is about white against black, or black against red, or brown against yellow, rich against the poor, or denomination against denomination. But those who serve the Living God know the battle is not against flesh and blood. It is a battle of the darkness of this world, against the One Who is theFLight of the S world.

ED S I Ihide L AnoSlonger Ccan The Church behind its sanctified ignorance. It can no longer remain passively silent when the cries of humanity are just outside its doors.

During this time of global pandemic, the Church is being asked to make a stand and cry out against injustice everywhere. No matter the race, color or creed, the Church V is being E Sto stand up for the O I Casked one it has said for years is the only answer, Jesus Our Christ.

You do remember that the Word of God condemns those who know the right thing to do but fail to do it? I am also reminded that, throughout

MENT N T E R TA I N E the Bible, Jesus always sided with the underprivileged, the down-trodden and others counted as undesirable.

When going for a morning jog could result in your death because of the color of your skin; or when P L E & law you could be shot eight times byO unannounced PE S enforcement who mistakenly kicksH in N your door; EW C R U H C or when we hear “I can’t breathe,” it makes us ask: “what is going on?”

How can the Body of Christ remain silent? I dare say our ministries and our churches will never be the same. All of us are forced to minister to everyone no matter the color of their skin. We cannot pick who hears the Gospel. I believe pastors of R all E TU L U C & S W E ethnicities are to fulfiN ll the mandate of Matthew 28.

The size of your budget has nothing to do with reaching lost souls for Christ. Churches must use what we have to get the soul-saving Word of God to a people who had no where else to turn.

So, to answer Brother Marvin’s question, The Gospel of Jesus Christ is what’s really going on.

Even in these unsure times, let the Body of Christ rise and show this world Jesus is still the answer.

Let us turn back hate and bigotry by shining the light of Jesus on it; because when Jesus is lifted, darkness must go.

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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: • CrossTimbers-Davis & CrossTimbers-Grand Lake —All Summer Camps • Falls Creek Youth Camps* • Indian Falls Creek* • LifeWay Collegiate Week • All GoStudents and BCM mission trips for 2020

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Southern Baptist leaders issue joint statement on the death of George Floyd BP STAFF |MAY 30

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Southern Baptist leaders have published a statement grieving the recent death of George Floyd and calling for the end of “racial inequity in the distribution of justice in our country.” The statement, co-authored

by SBC president J.D. Greear and New Orleans Seminary president Jamie Dew was unanimously signed by all SBC officers, entity heads and state convention executive directors, including Hance Dilbeck.

EVENTS

Moore: Court’s ruling on church falls short TOM STRODE | JUNE 2

*NOTE: Although Falls Creek Youth Camp will not assemble in 2020, there will be online and regional events this summer as part of the “Virtual Falls Creek” and the “Falls Creek Road Show” evangelism tour (see page 7 for more). Indian Falls Creek, which will not meet in person, is offering a virtual option (see page 5 for more).

The U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of a California church’s emergency appeal of the state’s restriction on worship gatherings failed to provide the clear guidance needed during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Southern Baptist religious freedom leader Russell Moore.

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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: 41,029. 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. June 11, 2020 • Volume 109, Number 11.

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

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

FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS FIND ALL THESE STORIES AND MORE ONLINE AT WWW.BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM

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June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

>> Chris Forbes | Staff Writer/ Branding & Marketing cforbes@oklahomabaptists.org

VOICES

Encourage: Responding to racial injustice /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

It has been a couple of weeks since George Floyd died under the knee of a white police officer. Since then, sadness, disgust, confusion, frustration, anger and even violence have filled our hearts and our streets. Public figures are responding. Our families are responding, yet how should we, as the Church, respond?

I recorded a series of Insight Podcast episodes titled, “Responding to Racial Injustice.” I interviewed good pastor friends with long experience shepherding the flock, two of whom are black and one who is white.

In praying and preparing for these interviews, I found myself with seven basic questions for pastors and churches trying to serve honestly, effectively and redemptively in this moment of our nation’s history.

1. How are we, our people and our communities, feeling?

2. What should we be thinking (biblical theology of race and justice)?

3. How should we be praying?

4. What should we be preaching?

5. How should we be worshipping?

6. What should we be saying?

7. What should we be doing?

Notice the progression. Often our pattern is to jump from feeling, to saying and doing. I am not diminishing any of the three. Racial injustice demands strong feelings. If the video of George Floyd’s death and the events that have followed do not stir us at a visceral level, our hearts are indeed dead to the Spirit of God. We are compelled to speak. Silence is not really an option. Straight talk from public figures and honest conversations within our communities are needed. Yet, we all know that talk is just talk apart from action—Micah teaches that justice is what we DO (Micah 6:8).

Why does it seem to be so difficult to say and do the right thing? Why does our righteous indignation so often dissipate with the duties of Monday morning? Why is it so easy to allow our protests to cloud instead of clarify—to excuse instead of expose? Could it be because we fail to process our feelings through these God-given filters? Feeling, saying and doing are important, but add to these thinking, praying, preaching and public worship.

How much more effective and sustained would our striving for justice be if we were filtering our

feelings through the truth of Scripture? How much more powerful would the impact of our church ministries be if we prayed for justice and compassion and peace?

Preacher, if you preach the whole counsel of God’s Word, year after year after year, you will give your people a regular diet of God’s heart for justice, His compassion for those without status, His expectation for those with status. Your people will know that if those with power do not give justice, we will get justice on that day.

What if our worship were not so self-absorbed?

Honestly, we too often come and go from Sunday worship talking about nothing that matters such as the volume of the music, the temperature in the room, the meal to follow and ignoring all that does matter. What if we set these matters of racial injustice, cultural brokenness, political toxicity before the throne of God, together? True worship transforms. True worship sustains justice.

Feel compassion. Think Scripture. Pray in the Spirit. Preach the whole counsel of God’s Word. Worship. Say what is true. Do justice.

“Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even look at the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:23-24).

Sword & trowel: Now and then Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

A headline appeared about Southern Baptists objecting to gambling establishments being allowed to meet, while some religious gatherings were not permitted to assemble. There is a story announcing alternate plans to Falls Creek, which had to be cancelled as a statewide assembly. There are stories about Russia and China, about local churches and international missions. Still more stories are written about ministry opportunities after a tremendous national and international crisis.

These headlines and stories were taken, not from the year 2020, but from the Baptist Messenger archives from 75 years ago, in 1945.

In so many ways, the societal problems we face— from systemic racism to pandemics, from financial woes to social unrest—have echoes from the past.

As one historian said, it’s not merely that history repeats itself; it’s that people repeat the same mistakes and sins throughout history.

In spite of our particular sins, wrongs and shames today, God’s grace and the hope and promise of the Gospel remain. Each generation, each age of the Church has opportunities amid the backdrop of crisis to share the love of Jesus, if we will redeem the time (Eph. 5:16).

But how can we best redeem the time? For many, spending hours on social media or consuming cable news is how our time is spent.

If we think about it, this is one aspect of our generation that would be unfamiliar to the folks of 1945. Social media did not exist back then, nor did the Internet. In fact, the average American did not own a TV set. Today, we have media at our fingertips every day, all day.

Social media, cable news—our society rewards people for taking part in these outlets, for sharing their unfiltered opinion on just about everything.

That’s what has given rise to the term “hot takes.”

Yet with this technology, we still do not seem to be making any traction. A recent news poll said that “57

It’s a Girl!

Tour and Dedication Friday, June 19, 2020 Come and Go: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dedication Time: 12:30 p.m.

Oklahoma Baptists parking lot 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK

percent of Americans say they agree with the statement that social media sites like Facebook and Twitter do more to divide the country, while 35 percent think they do more to bring the nation together.”

The poll also said, “55 percent believe social media does more to spread lies and falsehoods… (while) 61 percent think social media does more to spread unfair attacks and rumors against public figures and corporations. And a whopping 82 percent say social media sites do more to waste people’s time.”

All of these tools of communications now have us talking past one another instead of conversing with one another. Meanwhile, the Bible tells us, “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). Whether in 1945 or today, that posture is commendable.

By God’s grace, if we will adopt James’ teaching as our demeanor and way of life, we will better become the sort of people that future generations look back upon, not with contempt, but with admiration. Whether then or now, let’s become more like Jesus, Who is to be exalted throughout all generations!

Arriving: June 19, 2020 Weight: 18,000 pounds Length: 27 feet Join us in welcoming the newest arrival to the Hope Pregnancy Center family

Patty Ann mobile unit

For additional information contact Deborah Young at 405-623-3865 or deborah.young@obhc.org.

Voices | June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Rite of passage:S P OPreparing a place RTS & T N AINME

An echo that won’t go away Emerson Falls Oklahoma Baptists’ Native American Ministry Partner

We have all read about George Floyd who was pinned face down to the ground by a Minneapolis police officer. The police officer immobilized Floyd by placing his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck. In a video of the incident, Floyd can be heard pleading for the officer to release him because he can’t breathe.

Later, Floyd was transported to a medical facility where he was pronounced dead. The officers involved were subsequently terminated, and Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident.

This is another log thrown into the fire of racial division in our nation. Prior to Floyd’s death, Ahmaud Arbery, a young black man was gunned down while he was jogging by a group of white men who suspected him of theft.

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Christian leaders have rightly denounced these incidents. After the feelings of outrage have subsided, will we be closer to solving the issue of racial division?

We have had formal dialogues between racial groups to promote better understanding. We have had calls to prayer for racial reconciliation. Yet, echo of discord continues to sound.

As followers of Christ, we believe that Jesus “has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” (Eph. 2:14). As Christians we want to solve this problem.

Perhaps a change in attitude might be helpful. Instead of seeing this situation as a problem to be solved, maybe we need to see a person to be loved.

In Luke 14:12-14, Jesus said do not just invite your friends and people of influence to dinner; invite the poor and people of little influence (a paraphrase).

Is it not true that the people to whom we are closest are also the people with whom we socialize? I wonder what would happen if black, white and brown people acted like family and shared meals together in normal course of life?

In 1864, an outbreak of leprosy occurred on the Hawaiian Islands. The lepers were quarantined in a colony on Molokai. They were given food and water, but nothing else. Life was hard.

Joseph Damien went to Hawaii as a missionary. When he saw the condition of the lepers, he saw people who needed relationship. Damien chose to personally minister to them, even though he risked the possibility of infection.

One day, a pot of boiling water fell on his foot, but he felt no pain. He realized that he had become a leper. He usually addressed the people as “my fellow believers.” The next Sunday, he addressed them as “my fellow lepers.”

He didn’t know the people as lepers, he knew them by name.

We may be deceiving ourselves into thinking we have a racial problem, when really we have a relationship problem. Who are the guests at our dinner table? What are their names? Sometimes it is easier to attempt to solve things at the macro level, because addressing things at the micro level means I might have to get involved.

June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

P L A N T E R

Three years ago, my wife and I bought a swing set. It was a small, inexpensive one. We realized we needed something for our grandsons to play on when they D Sto visit. Up I Ecame I Fonly S Swe L Apoint, Cthis to had small, inside toys, but Titus the Honorable was 3 and wanted to go outside to play.

I purchased one of those swing sets that comes in a box with a gazillion bolts and instructions drawn by a first grader. After eight hours of frustration, E S up with two V O IweC ended swings, a slide and little sandbox.

I noticed by the end of last summer that our grandsons (Cohen the Goodhearted was now old enough to participate) had outgrown the small swing set; it needed an upgrade. Unknown to them, I dismantled their swing set and built the new improved Poppy 2.0 version, patent pending.

I extended and raised it, so it had two swings, monkey bars and a climbing wall on one end. I also added an extension from the top that went out over their little pool and created “Mr. Buckethead,” a shower head that pours water into a gallon funnel. When it’s three-fourths full, it dumps the water into the pool or onto whoever is underneath. This has been my least favorite addition, as I’ve been caught off-guard on several occasions when a sudden downpour came my way.

“dazzling,” like nothing we have ever seen. His presence alone will take our breath away.

I only worked for a few days on the jumping dock, but Jesus has been working on His place for 2,000 years.

We are speechless to describe the beauty of the earth, which He completed in just six days. I sent pictures to the boys to give them a preview of what was in store for them when they got to Poppy’s house. Jesus also sent us “text” messages, and you can find the text in Revelation 21.

But every blessing is a snapshot of heaven: the birth of a baby, your salvation, an answered prayer—all are just little previews. The sad part is that not everyone will get to experience this beautiful place, but only those who have put their faith and trust in Him. “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

It is my prayer that one of these days, my grandsons will take that leap of faith and realize they are sinners in need of a Savior. Instead of leaping off a dock, they will leap into the arms of Jesus and trust Him for their salvation. It is never too late to trust in Him.

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ed the slide to the dock, making it higher and faster.

The boys were out of P E O P L E & town while I was buildE W S ing the jumping dock, CHURCH N but I kept texting pictures of the progress. I did it as a teaser; I wanted them to beg their Mom and Dad to bring them to our house.

E They got back in on R U T L Thursday evening, and NE WS & CU on Friday, our doorbell rang. Two little boys ran through the front door, out the back and screamed in delight.

It was our first day of warm weather, and the water was still very cold, but their parents gave them permission to try it out.

They ran into the house, and before the door could close, they We started this summer with three were running back out in their swimgrandsons: Titus, 6; Cohen, 4; and Riv- suits, ready to try the jumping dock. I er Walker 1.33. With three boys climb- sat in the glider and watched for the ing around, the Poppy 2.0 version will next several hours as they enjoyed no longer suffice. Currently, I have fin- their new Poppy 3.0 swing set. Popished the Poppy 3.0 three-boy ver- py couldn’t have been more pleased. sion swing set, patent pending.

I wonder if Jesus had similar feelOff the back of the swing set, I ings when He said, “And if I go and prehave added a deck that surrounds pare a place for you, I will come back one end of their little 10-foot round and take you to be with Me that you swimming pool. It is called the also may be where I am” (John 14:3). “jumping dock,” and it has room for Jesus is preparing a place for those them to back up, run as fast as they He calls His children. I can’t imagcan and leap for all they are worth. ine what it is going to be like. I know It has a tanning deck and blackboard we have a few clues. One translafor them to write on. I also relocat- tion of Revelation 21 describes it as

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

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& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY Walker Moore

Brady and Melissa Sharp Lawton, Credence Church Launched September 2018

Brady and Melissa Sharp love Lawton and southwest Oklahoma. They ministered in Texas for almost two decades before the Lord clearly moved them to Lawton to plant Credence Church.

They desire to multiply churches so that all may know Jesus.

Prayer Requests: • For the Sharps as they navigate away from the place where they have been meeting and continue casting the vision for what it means to be a church without walls.

Pray that they will find a new meeting location.

• For financial growth after being heavily affected by the crisis caused by the current pandemic.

• For leaders who can share the vision of the church and plug into ministry.

oklahomachurchplanting.com

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

Indian Falls Creek 2020 goes virtual, July 26-31 PLE & O E X P O B L O C H TO WS 1

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>> PHOTOS: 1) MESSENGER FILES; 2-3) PROVIDED 1) Mike Keahbone will serve as camp pastor for virtual Indian Falls

Creek 2020; 2) ‘Awaken’ is the theme for IFC 2020, based on Eph. 5:14; 3) IFC board members meet through teleconferencing.

>> by Victor Cope

INDIAN FALLS CREEK PROGRAM DIRECTOR

COVID-19 has changed everything in the world, even Indian Falls Creek (IFC). The IFC Board of Directors decided to go virtual, following the decision to cancel the remainder of the camping season at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center.

The IFC Board and Native American Churches were saddened by the decision but agreed it was the right call. Safety has to be the number one priority especially with the large number of elders who attend IFC each summer.

The theme for camp is “Awaken,” taken from Eph. 5:14, “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Mike Keahbone a Cherokee, Comanche and Kiowa Native American will serve as IFC’s camp pastor. He serves as the senior pastor of Oklahoma City, Cherokee Hills.

The dates for camp are July 26-31, a Sunday night through Friday evening. This year’s IFC will have nightly worship services, beginning at 7 pm and featuring Joshua Street Band leading worship through music. There also will be daily classes for age-specific groups, activities, a statewide blood drive, a virtual early morning prayer walk, sports events and other exciting offerings.

The pandemic has stirred the creative juices of the members of the IFC Board of Directors. They have seen the potential of going virtual this summer and utilizing

the same format alongside IFC 2021. The new format will allow every indigenous congregation in the continental United States, Alaska, Canada to experience Indian Falls Creek for the first time.

Indian Falls Creek has never been cancelled in 73 years, and this summer, IFC will have the opportunity to reach more people with the Good News than ever before. Best selling author Henry Blackaby believed the next Spiritual Awakening could begin with Native Americans. Pray that IFC 2020 may become the catalyst to reach Native American people and start a revival in America.

The schedule for Virtual IFC 2020 will be posted on indianfallscreek.org and facebook.com/groups/ indianfallscreek beginning in late June.

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

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On-going opportunities for volunteers:

Tulakogee Conference Center, Wagoner—John Hewitt, 918/462-3212 or john@tulakogee.com DaySpring Villa, a faith-based shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence or human sexual trafficking and their children, Sand Springs—Susan Cox, 918/245-4075 Hospitality House of Tulsa provides family-centered lodging, emotional and spiritual support for family members of patients traveling to Tulsa for medical care.

918/694-8888 Hospitality House of Oklahoma provides for the physical, spiritual needs of families with loved ones incarcerated in McAlester. Lodging available. 918/429-0142 OK Jail & Prison Ministry needs volunteers to go into the jails and share the Gospel each week. For more information call 405-917-2242 or email ojpm@ojpm.org

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

For currently badged DR members, CPR/First Aid, and Forklift/Skidsteer training will be held on: Friday, July 17 Saturday, Aug. 15 Monday, Sept. 14 If interested, go to www.okdisasterhelp.org for more information.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Justin Romaine He is Baptist Collegiate Ministries director at Northern Oklahoma College in Enid. This BCM is the only ministry on campus of this two-year college.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Andrew Scott He is the director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Pray for Andrews and his wife Lisa as they share the Gospel.

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

Missions & ministry | June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Our heritage of missions: The continuing legacy of Oklahoma Baptists serving as missionaries with the IMB /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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>> PHOTOS: 1) GEORGE GREEN; 1) PROVIDED 1) A 1926 missionary group on safari in Nigeria have a picnic; Adults, left to right: Ruth Kersey,

>> by Chris Forbes

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ COOPERATIVE PROGRAM BRANDING & MARKETING PARTNER

Oklahoma Baptists have a long history of sending missionaries through the International Mission Board (IMB). Throughout 2020, Oklahoma Southern Baptists will join with other Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches in celebrating the history of 175 years of mission-sending through the IMB. On a related note, Oklahoma Baptists have an additional reason to celebrate this year—their own missions anniversary.

Oklahoma Baptists can celebrate their partnership with IMB mission work for 110 years, sending Oklahomans overseas to serve since 1910. Luke Holmes, who hosts the SBC History Podcast and serves as pastor of Tishomingo, First, gave some insight about the early years of mission-sending in the state.

“Oklahoma made the decision to send missionaries as soon as Oklahoma Baptists came together to form one state convention,” Holmes said. “They had regularly sent ‘home missionaries’ but also devoted money, manpower and more to international missions.

Men like T.C. Carelton, J.C. Stalcup, and A.G. Washburn promoted home and foreign missions across Oklahoma. The Woman’s Missionary Union in Oklahoma promoted foreign missions heavily across the state through women like Maude Abner and others.”

After forming a unified convention in a newly-formed state, Oklahoma Baptists set the standard that Gospel advancement, including mission-sending, was to be one of the core values. Stalcup, Oklahoma Baptists’ founding president, wrote in his first report to the convention in 1907 a message that will sound strikingly contemporary to Oklahoma Baptists.

“I seriously doubt whether there is a place in the whole world where our Baptist people are facing greater opportunities or more tremendous responsibilities than are now confronting us,” Stalcup wrote. “Now is the day of our opportunity. We MUST GO FORWARD (emphasis from the report) or suffer irretrievable loss. May the Lord give us wisdom to lay our plans wisely for the future; and may He lead us, as we shall join hands and hearts in the execution of these plans, until the year just beginning shall be made glorious by the salvation of thousands of our people, and the training of all of our forces for more aggressive and effective work in His Kingdom, at home and abroad.”

The next year in the 1908 annual meeting report, one of the first explicit challenges was given to Oklahoma Baptist churches to respond to God’s call to send missionaries. “No Baptist church, district association or state convention will remain strong and effective at home very long that does not look beyond her own borders,” the report stated.

Despite limited financial resources, the new convention of Oklahoma Baptists made mission-sending a priority.

“You have to remember that it was difficult to send missionaries then, as we needed all the help we could get back home,” Holmes said. “There was a great mission field in the new state, and it cost to send the best and brightest to foreign shores. But Oklahoma Bap-

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Mrs. George Green, E.G. MacLean, John Spurgeon Richardson, Mrs. J.S. Richardson and Mrs. E.G. MacLean; 2) The 1925 mission meeting group in Nigeria. Front row, left to right: J.S. Richardson, Dr. J.C. Anders, Dr. George Green, L.M. Duval, J.C. Powell. Middle row, left to right: Mrs. Della Richardson, Miss Elma Elam, Miss Susan Anderson, Miss Ruth Kersey, Mrs. J.C. Powell, Mrs. L.M. Duval and Mrs. MacLean. Back row, left to right: Dr. E.G. MacLean, Mrs. Anders, Miss Lucille Reagan, Mrs. George.

tists knew that the mission was worth it, and it caused them to get more people involved in the mission work at home. They had strong ministry in the state like the mining camps around McAlester and ethnic groups around the state. But missions remained a central focus, with the power radiating out from the center of the local church to across the street and across the world.”

The commission to go to the nations was made clear, and the calling to advance the Gospel received responses. The following are some of the first Oklahoma-affiliated missionaries to respond to the call to take the Gospel to unreached people, according to IMB records.

J. V. Dawes was born in Wisconsin and raised in Missouri. He attended and graduated from the Baptist Indian University (BIU) in Oklahoma, which qualified him as an Oklahoman. He married Laura Moore who also graduated from BIU. They were appointed in 1910 and are the first missionaries the IMB can identify with Oklahoma ties.

Grace Elliott appeared before the committee on June 11, 1919 and arrived in Yingtak in December 1919. She married Manly Whitfield Rankin in 1924.

Rankin was born in Hong Kong, and Grace was actually born in Texas but was living in Oklahoma when she was appointed.

Edward Hansford Crouch was born in Duncan in 1892 and appointed to Brazil on June 14, 1923.

He served with his wife Ura through 1947. Crouch was the first to be appointed who was actually born in Oklahoma.

John S. and Della Richardson were appointed to Nigeria in 1924. Born in Arkansas, John graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in 1923. Della was born in Grant County in 1898 before statehood.

Della was appointed under her maiden name—Della Black—and married John a few months later.

June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

Rosalee Mills Appleby was appointed just six days before the Richardsons. A Mississippi native, Appleby went to OBU and Oklahoma State University. She was the first person to respond to the call to missions at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly. Oklahoma Baptist students will recognize Appleby as the namesake of the Appleby Society, a designation given to a registry of people who received their call to ministry at Falls Creek, maintained by the student ministry of Oklahoma Baptists.

“Appleby surrendered to ministry under the preaching of J.W. Jent at Falls Creek in 1917,” Holmes said. “After graduating from OBU, she was appointed to be an IMB missionary in Brazil in 1924 along with her husband David. While expecting their first child in 1925 her husband died in surgery in Brazil. Appleby chose to stay on the field in Brazil and worked with Brazilian Baptist Publishing House, writing Sunday School material, devotionals and more than 10 books. Her call to missions was stronger than the tragedy she endured in the loss of her husband. Her commitment and support from Oklahoma Baptists allowed her to stay in Brazil for decades.”

A new generation carries on the Oklahoma missions legacy In a challenge similar to their 1908 convention counterparts, Oklahoma Baptist messengers to the convention approved a resolution in their 2019 annual meeting to increase the mobilization of new Oklahoma missionaries by 20 percent by the year 2025. The increase would mean 40 new missionaries by that year.

This month, Oklahoma Baptists celebrated the continuing legacy of mission-sending with a unique opportunity, experiencing firsthand the virtual appointment of two new missionary families who have responded to that challenge and will be serving with the IMB. With the necessary cancellation of the SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., where the Sending Celebration was to take place, IMB moved the celebration to an online event on June 9. This was IMB’s first-ever virtual Sending Celebration.

Four appointees with connections to Oklahoma will be commissioned by the IMB: Michael & Lydia Moses* (names changed for security) Affinity: Northern Africa & Middle East, and Andrew & Elizabeth Bailey* (names changed for security) Affinity: Northern Africa & Middle East.

The June 9 Sending Celebration was another opportunity for Oklahoma Baptists to hear stories of how God has called missionaries into His service.

Event participants prayed over the newly-appointed missionaries as they prepared to make their homes overseas for the sake of the Gospel.

Even Now, God is moving: Oklahoma Baptists offer two summer options for students /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Todd Sanders

FALLS CREEK PROGRAM DIREC TOR

The summer of 2020 is different. Really, this year has already proven to be one for the books, but even now, in the midst of altered routines, God is moving.

Realities experienced in recent weeks have provided opportunities to flex, learn, grow, change and keep moving forward with the Gospel. Committed to seeing students come to faith in Christ and grow in Him, the Oklahoma Baptists youth ministry staff has been working on two exciting opportunities available to resource groups in advancing the Kingdom this summer.

Even now God is working. Even now, believers worship. Even now, God’s people willingly respond to His move!

Although Falls Creek youth camp will not take place on grounds in the Arbuckle mountains this summer, this will be a great summer. Students, leaders and churches can come together in person, digitally and through resourcing to unite around the task of seeing students saved and grow in Christlikeness, for lives to change and groups to grow together.

Virtual Falls Creek The first option is a Virtual Falls Creek kit, providing some familiar elements offered through a week of Falls Creek and based on the theme “Even Now.” Groups can enjoy downloadable worship services including worship sets and evangelistic sermons from a few of our favorite Falls Creek guest bands and preachers, a group Bible study resource, a student quiet time guide and a leader quick start guide.

The kit will also include leader decision follow-up resources, links to online giving to the My5 offering, timely and helpful video student breakout content, an online mission mobilization portal, as well as some fun add-on extras aimed at engaging students with camp at home. The virtual option offers customizable resourcing for churches to bolster their summer plans.

Sarah Wooten, Falls Creek Program Associate, said of the virtual resourcing, “I am excited about this great opportunity to plug students in at the church or from their homes.”

Through the virtual camp experience, the continued commitment is to see students saved, the church equipped and believers sent on mission around the world.

Falls Creek Road Show The second option to bring Falls Creek youth camp to the state is the Falls Creek Road Show.

Churches have the opportunity to connect their youth groups to one of the more than 10 tour stop locations around the state to enjoy a night of worship, challenge and preaching.

The Gospel message will be clear, and students will have a chance to respond with saving faith in Jesus.

Cody Dunbar, The Summit OK Collective, Brian Mills, Stuart Henslee, Caleb Freeman and others will lead out on these powerful nights of corporate worship.

Jake Anson, youth pastor at Ardmore, First, is serving as one of the Road Show site hosts and said he is looking forward to this unique opportunity.

“I am beyond excited for the Falls Creek Road Show,” Anson said. “I pray God uses it to bring students into a relationship with Christ and that we see people reconnect to the church through this event. It holds a level of excitement I cannot recreate, so I pray that students come and that God will move!”

To further resource churches, Road Show events will livestream when possible.

Even now, the Oklahoma Baptist youth ministry community has an opportunity to connect students with the Gospel. There is something for leaders and students this summer through the ministry of Falls Creek youth camp.

This moment in time will be remembered as one in which God did what only He can do, apart from man’s plans, outside of valued traditions and beyond expectations. Even now, God’s people can pray to that end and join in that journey.

Registration and information for both Falls Creek options this summer, including complete Road Show line-up, schedule, and details, are available online at skopos.org/fallscreek. Follow Oklahoma Baptist youth ministry on Instagram and Facebook (@okbaptistyouth) for other youth camp and summer updates.

Racial healing, Great Commission, Cooperative Program headline SBC Advance >> by Diana Chandler

BAPTIST PRESS GENERAL ASSIGNMENT WRITER/EDITOR

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Amid unprecedented challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as racial unrest and tumult after the recent death of an African American man in police custody, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee (SBC EC) offered a healing balm Tuesday, June 2 with SBC Advance.

The two-hour online event was not intended to replace the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting (originally scheduled June 9-10 in Orlando, Fla., but canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic), but instead to provide Southern Baptists the opportunity to hear how God has continued to work through the SBC. SBC Advance highlighted Southern Baptist achievements in the Great Commission, the Cooperative Program, religious liberty, seminary education, diversity, disaster relief and missions at home and abroad. Entity leaders, pastors, state convention and Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) executives joined to spotlight Southern Baptist work.

“Our goal with SBC Advance is to inform you of all that is happening in the SBC, and inspire you to continue to join us in this work,” said Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. “When COVID-19 began to impact large gatherings across our country, the Executive Committee began the constitutional process to cancel the 2020 Annual Meeting with the SBC officers and with the executive heads of the convention boards and institutions.”

In introductory remarks, Floyd addressed racism and the current unrest roiling the nation since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn. He called it “another horrendous act of racial injustice.”

“To our African American pastors and churches across America: We stand with you, and we mourn with you,” Floyd said. “This is a moment when

church after church and pastor after pastor must stand for righteousness and holiness.”

SBC President Greear SBC President J.D. Greear encouraged Southern Baptists to persevere during the national turbulence. He referenced God’s growth of the early Christian church, as recorded in the book of Acts, as evidence of God’s faithfulness.

“What our enemy means for evil, God turns to good,” Greear said. “God is sovereignly using this moment for the advance of the mission.”

Greear said distress has historically provided fertile ground for the Gospel, as great uncertainty has led to unbelievable expansion in the life of the Church.

Entities, WMU The SBC Advance included reports from International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood, North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell, GuideStone Financial Resources President O.S. Hawkins, LifeWay Christian Resources President Ben Mandrell and Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Russell D. Moore. Woman’s Missionary Union Executive Director/Treasurer Sandy Wisdom-Martin and President Linda Cooper also gave a report.

Presidents of the six Southern Baptist seminaries updated Southern Baptists on their work as well. Although the COVID-19 pandemic forced alterations, the consensus was that the ongoing work of theological education has not been disrupted.

“Even in this moment of unprecedented challenges, God is still doing an extraordinary work at your Cooperative Program-funded seminary in Fort Worth, Texas,” said Adam W. Greenway, president of The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, expressing a sentiment that was echoed by his five peers.

SBC EC Diversity In his first year as president of the SBC EC, Floyd tapped as leaders Willie McLaurin, SBC EC vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization; Julio Arriola, SBC EC executive director of Hispanic relations and mobilization; and Peter Yanes, SBC EC executive director for Asian American relations and mobilization.

The three spoke of their passion to mobilize a diversity of Southern Baptists in fulfilling the Great Commission.

“The Southern Baptist Convention is the most racially and ethnically diverse convention of Great Commission people who have gathered together,” McLaurin said. Of about 47,500 Southern Baptist churches, he noted, “about 23 percent are racially and ethnically diverse.”

Serving a growing Hispanic population in the U.S., about 3,500 Southern Baptists churches have majority Hispanic congregations. Arriola encouraged Hispanic Southern Baptists in missions, church planting and Gospel preaching.

“Our focus is to do this from the Hispanic community where we have the opportunity to present the need,” Arriola said, “and present the different options for them to get ready to reach every single person in America.”

Yanes has the opportunity to mobilize an Asian American population comprising 20 languages and currently served by eight Southern Baptist fellowships. Southern Baptist Asian American congregations number about 2,000 and comprise about 170,000 members.

“We may be sharing similar cultures with diverse backgrounds, but it’s very challenging because coming together ... we need to speak in a common language, if you may, and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Yanes said. “We share the same purpose, we share our common goals and we share what we intend to do together and collectively, and that is being faithful to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.”

SBC Advance is available at SBCAdvance.net.

Features | June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

OBU Honors Program students recognized E R S D LT U CLASSIFIE NE WS & CU with scholarship awards >> by Kenny Day OBU MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

S

V O I C E students in Oklahoma BapSHAWNEE—Four tist University’s (OBU) Honors Program have been recognized with special scholarship awards. The awards are selected by the Honors Program committee based on criteria specific to each scholarship.

The Deaton Memorial Scholarship is awarded to both a rising junior and a rising senior with outstanding academic records. Katie Onkst, business management major and biblical studies minor, is the rising junior recipient. Christin Muller, an interdisciplinary major in graphic design and computer science, is the rising senior recipient.

Lindsey Panxhi, director of the Honors Program and assistant professor of English, is proud of both students.

“Katie and Christin are both excellent, diligent students who have consistently demonstrated their pursuit of the good, the true and the beautiful throughout their time in the Honors Program,” she said.

Jonathan Soder, a philosophy major with English and biblical studies minors, is the recipient of the Michael E. Travers Memorial Scholarship. Travers served the university as associate provost, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, chair of the Division of Language and Literature and professor of English.

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>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED Four students in the Honors Program at OBU have The criteria for the Travers Scholbeen recognized with special scholarship awards, from left: Katie Onkst arship, awarded to a rising senior, inand Christin Muller, the Deaton Memorial Scholarship; Jonathan Soder, clude the student having a love for the Michael E. Travers Memorial Scholarship; and Dannie Deason, the the world of literature, demonstrating Thomas E. Dowdy Memorial Award. academic excellence, having a strong evangelical faith and exhibiting integration of faith with academic discipline. Soder is currently in the process of writing an celled in all of these areas. Deason is a graduating honors thesis on John Keats and Søren Kierkegaard. senior and will be attending Emory Law School in Dannie Deason, a political science major and Atlanta, Ga., in the fall. history minor, is the recipient of the Thomas E. “The Honors Committee commends all of these Dowdy Memorial Award, which is given to the stu- students for their outstanding academic work and dent with the top honors thesis. Dowdy served on is delighted to celebrate their academic achievefaculty at OBU for nearly two decades as professor ments,” Panxhi said. of sociology.

These awards are announced annually during an The criteria for determining the merits of the the- Honors Program luncheon for graduating seniors sis include an evaluation of thesis content, style, held the day of Spring Commencement. However, originality and extensive research. Deason’s thesis, with the move to online learning and postpone“Evaluating Presidential Power in the Proper Con- ment of commencement until Aug. 1, the antext of the Constitutional Separation of Powers,” ex- nouncement was made online instead.

June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

O O L B OX CHURCH T

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

Southern, Southeastern & Southwestern S Seminaries Oklahoma graduates Dannounce LT U R E CLASSIFIE NE WS & CU

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>> by Staff Twenty-four students with ties to Oklahoma graduated from three Southern Baptist seminaries this spring. Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. reported five Oklahoma graduates; Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. also reported five Oklahoma graduates, and Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas had 14 graduates hailing from Oklahoma.

Southern conferred degrees to 342 master’s and doctoral students on May 15 through an online commencement ceremony. Southeastern also conducted a May 15 online ceremony for its 288 seminary and college graduates, and Southwestern celebrated 336 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students on May 8 with an online service.

Following are the students and their information provided by the seminaries Southern Seminary Jason K. Culp, Tahlequah, M.A. Denny R. Kuhn, Noble, Ph.D. Christopher C. Leonard, Mustang, MDiv

Shelby C. Maddox, Enid, MDiv Laura Winstone, Mooreland, M.A. Southeastern Seminary Gavin T. Hart, Moore, MDiv Matthew J. Tramel, Midwest City, MDiv Tyler S. Fink, Dewey, MDiv Stephanie L. Hart, Oklahoma City, M.A. Joanna G. Beasley, Norman, M.A. Southwestern Seminary Paul D. Stohler, Arnett, DMin Gene P. Escoe, Walters, MDiv Kyle J. Bowler, Edmond, MDiv Easton D.D. Denton, Muskogee, MDiv Phillip A. Ford, Ardmore, MDiv Danielle E. Spunaugle, Broken Arrow, MTS Sara E. Heffington, Duncan, Certificate Rachel Cornelius, Bixby, MDiv Charles McConnell, Healdton, MDiv Hayden Hefner, Newcastle, MTS Jon L. Eason, Cushing, MTS Aaron M. Hembree, Shawnee, MDiv Jantz J. Wald, Hobart, MTS Francisco J. Oropeza Hernandez, Hennessey, MTS

EWS CHURCH N PEOPLE IN THE NEWS BOYD DEATH. Glenn Thomas Boyd, 84, died May 16. Funeral serMA OCity, H vice atKOklahoma Southern Hills A L O E H T will be determined.

He E as diV I R C H served T I S Tof A church music for OklahoB A Prector ma Baptists from 1980-88. He also served with the International Mission Board in Africa, 1972-80 and 1988-99. After graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University, he followed God’s call into full-time music ministry serving churches in Oklahoma and Texas. Boyd was a charter member of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma. In 2004, he received the F. Royce Brown Lifetime of Music Ministry Award, presented by the Singing Churchmen to a faithful member who has been a minister of music and has served more than 40 consecutive years in church or denominational staff positions. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanine Boyd; two daughters, Rebecca Johnson and Janet Aery; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

ADAMS DEATH. Elizabeth “Edwine” Adams, 85, died May 21. Funeral service was Tuesday, May 26 at Mercer-Adams Chapel in Bethany. She was the wife of Larry Adams who pastored Eufaula, First; Shawnee, Immanuel; and Piedmont, First and served with Baptist Village Communities (BVC). The Larry and Edwine Adams Assistance Fund was established by BVC to help residents with living expenses. She is survived by her husband of 67 years; her children Pam Lang, Pat Adams, Penny Cramer and Polly Latta; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

COMING EVENT JUNE 19. Hope Pregnancy Center and Okahoma Baptist Homes for Children is hosting a dedication service for the Patty Ann Mobile Ministry Unit, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Baptist Building, 3800 N. May. The mobile unit will be accessible to reach some of the most vulnerable to abortion. The dedication service will feature a special prayer and commissioning time at 12:30 p.m. The unit will be open for tours.

SUDOKU

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

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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.

Anson Camp Church Collective Connected

Creek Digitally Dunbar Even Expectations

Falls Freeman Henslee Homes Mills

Now Opportunity Road Sanders Session

Show Summer Tour Virtual Wooten

People & Church News | June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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

3 lies we believe about our stories

DS I Estoand think that her story matters I Fhis C L A S Sand

>> by Jamie Ivey

LIFEWAY WRITER

I love a good story. When I have the chance to sneak away with a new book and a cup of coffee, I’m in heaven. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or a personal memoir, I love a good story. And that’s because I believe that stories can change the world.

As followers of Jesus, we have the unique ability to change the world through our own personal stories. Every single believer can share how God has stepped in over and over again to save us from sin, suffering and even from ourselves. When we are vulnerable and let others into our lives, we get the opportunity to use our stories to point people to Jesus.

Time and time again, people tell me that they can’t share their stories, that they don’t know how, or even worse, that they don’t think they have a right to share their stories.

We are believing far too many lies that are keeping us from sharing the incredible stories that God has written in our lives.

ry matters and they are doing great things for the Kingdom. Those people are changing the world. We fall into the lie of comparison, believing that our lives and our stories must not matter.

But here’s the truth: every part of the Body matters, which means that every story matters. You matter to theV Kingdom O I C Eof SGod! And just like a human body, it’s really hard to function well when some of your body parts are missing or aren’t working.

Lie: I’m not important enough to tell my story Your story is important because of Whose you are. Your identity was changed when you started following Jesus. No longer is everything just about you. Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead you received the Spirit of adoption, by Whom we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’”

This is good news for us all! Your story matters, because your identity is not about what you have done, who you are, what you do for a living, the mistakes you’ve made Lie: People will never think of you the or the things you have accomplished. Your same way if you share your story story matters, because your identity was Sometimes we are afraid of how our sto- changed when you began following Jesus. ries will be received. What will people think Your identity is that you are a child of the of us? What if no one believes us? How will most Holy God! it make us look? We are afraid that people The Bible, God’s Word, is made up of stowon’t think we’re reliable leaders or that ries about real people who had real enwe’ll be disqualified from leadership. We counters with God, and we get the benefit are afraid that our stories are too messy, too of learning from and relating to them. We much, or too small—and yet, God is in the see people make bad choices and run away business of using all of our stories to point from God. We see people strive to follow those around us to Him. God. We see failures, forgiveness, and faithLetting people into our most vulnera- fulness. Throughout the entirety of Scripble places is difficult. But I am absolute- ture, we see Jesus redeem all things. Jesus ly convinced that when we view our sto- has done the very same thing in the story of ries through the lens of the Gospel, the every single believer.

Good News of Jesus, everything changes. ISo when E RweS look at our own stories as G N L S D R O When we look at our storiesW through this God has written them, let’s choose to fonew and better lens—when we ask God cus on how He has uniquely crafted us and to use our stories for His glory and His will the events in our lives to proclaim the Good alone—the pressure is off of us. We can News of the Gospel. He chose you to be His share our stories with Jesus at the center child, and He wants to use you to do good instead of ourselves. works for Him. Share your story! And watch your good Father use it to proclaim the S of Jesus and change the lives of Lie: My story doesn’t really matter Good S AYNews E V A D Sometimes we look at those around us the people around you.

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

E V E N T S C ALE N DAR OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

M I N I S T E R I AL C R I S I S A SS I S TAN C E

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ PASTORAL MINISTRY

With every cancellation and rescheduling of Oklahoma Baptists events, it’s important to stay informed and to get the latest updates. Visit the site below for an events calendar:

Counseling support is provided through the Edna McMillan State Missions Offering to pastors, paid church staff and their dependents.

oklahomabaptists.org/calendar

oklahomabaptists.org/min-crisis

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

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June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

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

WHAT I WILL TEACH MY KIDS ABOUT RACISM >> RYAN SMITH

V E S AY S A D Like many of us today, I find myself at a loss.

I don’t know how to help heal the deep racial fractures exposed in recent days. I don’t know if I can. I understand the immediate frustration—the desire to swing at something—as forces beyond personal control press and re-exasperate already unfathomable wounds.

IS TS A BAPT AHOM If there were to change it all, H O KaLbutton T press it G I would I L H IG H E C quickly and R forcefully.

ESOUR Sadly, no such quick-fix exists.

Racism is a long-term problem. Long-term problems require long-term solutions.

As I’ve reflected on my own desire to enact change, I recognize that there are some long-term strategies I can employ and some I can’t. There are things within my power to change and things beyond my power. I am tempted to dwell on all the things I can’t do to help my African-American brothers and sisters who daily feel the weight of racial tension. Yet, as I have thought about what I can do to help provide a long-term solution—even in part—to racism, one thing is clear: I can commit to teach my children about the sin of racism.

To read the rest of Ryan’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/teach-kids-about-racism

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

D AV E S AY S TEACHABLE MOMENTS ARE VALUABLE AT ANY AGE Dear Dave, A P TInI S T S Brecently.

A M A good friend of mine passed away O H A L OK GHT his will, he left me a couple of items H L Imoney, IGsome E Hand C R U O S E R and I’d like to share the money with my son. He is 25, and a good kid, but he is still impulsive with his finances. Do you have any advice for handling this in a way that will do him the most good? —Frank Dear Frank, It’s tough enough losing a close friend without having to worry about a grown son with money issues. I’m sorry you’re going through all this.

To be honest, I don’t like the idea of just handing him money when you already know he’s impulsive. I learned a long time ago that handing money to someone who’s financially irresponsible is not a good idea. Lots of people think other folks would be fine, and all their problems would be solved, if they just had more money. That’s not generally the case. You need to ask yourself if giving this young man a bunch of cash would really, truly help him. More than likely, the answer is no.

You obviously love this kid, and you’ve got a generous heart. But under the circumstances, it might be a good idea to attach a few strings to any cash. Don’t make him jump through a bunch of hoops for no reason, though. I’m talking about teachable moment-type things that will help train and educate him to handle his finances in a more responsible and productive way.

There are lots of paths you could take. You might require that he start living on a written, monthly budget, that the two of you go over together for the first few months. Sitting down with a good financial coach—one with the heart of a teacher—is something you might consider throwing out there, as well.

In my mind, this approach is fair to everyone involved. It allows you to help him help himself, instead of just handing him something that may or may not be a blessing. —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

E MPLOYM ENT >> 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: 11275 N. 441 Rd. Big Cabin, OK 74332 or email: utopiasbc@gmail.com. >> F/T CHILDREN’S PASTOR: Eastwood Baptist Tulsa is seeking a F/T Children’s Pastor who is gifted & motivated to reach children from birth - 5th grade. Conversant in Spanish is a plus is our culturally diverse area of Tulsa. Please send resume to: jeremy@eastwoodtulsa.org. >> F/T WORSHIP LEADER: FBC Canton, TX searching for a spiritually mature F/T Worship Leader. Must have a heart for worship & for connecting with a strong, growing church. Please send resumes along with a video or link of you leading worship to: libby@firstcanton.com. >> WORSHIP LEADER: FBC Coweta, is are looking for gifted Worship Leader that has the ability to lead a growing multigenerational church in blended worship.

Any other abilities & gifts are a plus. Send a resume to: personnel@fbccoweta.org attention: “Music Position.” >> F/T YOUTH MINSTER: FBC Coweta, near Tulsa, is taking resumes. A potential to make a major impact in the lives of many students. Any other abilities or gifts offered are a plus. Send a resume to: personnel@fbccoweta.org - Attention “Youth Position”. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Liberty Baptist Chap-

VOICES

JOB LISTING VEHICLE MISC.

el in Liberty, OK is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Please email resume to: libertybaptistchapel@gmail.com or mail to: 2621 East 201st Street South, Mounds, OK 74047. >> P/T WORSHIP LEADER: Grace Place Baptist Church in SE OKC is looking for a P/T Worship Leader, God’s man, to plan, organize, & lead the church body in blended worship for a multigenerational congregation. Send resumes to: robbyroberson24@gmail.com Graceplacechurch.org >> F/T PASTOR: Accepting resumes for F/T Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Send resumes to: IBCLeah@gmail.com. >> MINISTER TO FAMILIES: 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.

regular preaching & teaching, counseling, visitation & other pastoral duties. Include a cover letter, resume with references & a sermon link to: fbcpurcelltj@gmail.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. >> 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. >> 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: 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 MINISTER: F/T Youth 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: FBC Purcell, OK, is seeking a F/T Pastor. Responsibilities include

CROSSWO

ACROSS 1 Chew 6 Fine wood 10 Modern-day help for Levi (Mark 2:14) (Abbr.)

13 Cameroon seaport 15 Former Guinean currency 16 Some were masters of

decorative __ 17 Coiled 18 NT fisherman, for short 19 Fibber’s forte 20 Joseph and Zebedee 22 Workbench tool 24 Mary and Joanna 26 Manna measure

RD

28 False front 29 Heaps 30 Hit 31 Book title start, maybe (2 words) 32 Abraham’s nephew 33 “Mine eyes have __ thy salvation” (Luke 2:30) 34 Levi’s levy 35 Bishop’s staff 37 Where chickens gather (2 words) 41 Brain and spinal cord combo (Abbr.)

42 Herod was one 43 Owner of vineyard today, perhaps (Abbr.)

44 Samuel, Gad, and Zadok 47 Saucy 48 “Father knoweth __ things ye have need of” (Matt. 6:8) 49 Writer Bombeck 50 Former Venetian magistrate 51 21 Down need 52 John the Baptizer, for one 54 Input 56 Body design, for short 57 Choir section 59 Uniform 63 Parisian summer (Fr.) 64 Mason’s project, maybe 65 Lack of iron 66 Little bit 67 “Mary hath chosen that good __” (Luke 10:42) 68 Complainer

DOWN 1 Omaha summer hour 2 “__ great a matter a little fire kindleth” (James 3:5) 3 French “yes” 4 “Melts in your mouth” candy brand 5 Beggar’s cries 6 Kitchen meas.

7 Fancy fabric 8 “I will not...__ what my lips have uttered” (Ps. 89:34 niv) 9 Ukrainian capital 10 Candle maker’s need 11 Eli, Zacharias, or Caiaphas 12 Record player 14 “__ to your faith virtue” (2 Peter 1:5) 21 Farmer 23 Synthetic resin 24 Dock a boat 25 Jesus “went up __ a mountain to pray” (Luke 9:28 niv) 27 God’s creation 29 God’s compassionate ways, for short 30 God “__ what is done in secret” (Matt. 6:18 niv) 31 “Law and the Prophets __ on these two commandments” (Matt. 22:40 niv) 33 What Jesus forgives 34 Product of Paul’s trade 36 Remnant 37 What owner of vineyard did

38 Jesus would soothe it 39 “Did ye never __ in the scriptures...?” (Matt. 21:42) 40 Dab 42 Vineyard need, perhaps 44 Choral group 45 List of boo-boos 46 Displayed feeling 47 Clay handler 48 Cloth maker 50 Nile area 51 “O death, where is thy __?” (1 Cor. 15:55) 53 Fastener 55 Similar to (2 words) 58 Choose 60 Flightless bird 61 Cusp 62 Blabbermouth would do this

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Classifieds | June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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LT U R E NE WS & CU

Yes to VBS! >> by Charlie Gatton

CROSSTIMBERS CHILDREN’S CAMP & CHILDHOOD MINISTRY PARTNER

“Gonna say ye ye ye ye yes to va va va VBS!”* The year 2020 has turned out to be like no other year. A crazy scary virus, church from home, no Sunday School, no Wednesday night discipleship, no camp and now riots in the streets! The world needs to hear about how much God loves them and what Jesus has done for them more than ever. Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a great tool to do just that.

Will normal ever return? Things may never return to the normal that we used to know, but things will settle down. There will be a new normal.

Many might say that Children’s Ministry isn’t normal anyway. It is different than other ministries in the church. It is likely one of the largest ministries in many churches with the most volunteers. Sunday School, as a whole, may be the only ministry that is larger.

There are things you have done for years that you may never have changed until now. Now you have an opportunity to look at everything you do and why you do it. Does it match your mission? Does it fit the vision of your church? Some things will not come back after everything settles down. Other things will be back but different. Then there are the things that will be done just the same as before.

But, let’s talk about right now. How are you planning to minister to kids and families this summer? Normal summers consist of camp, fun activities, cookouts and VBS. We know that CrossTimbers is not happening, but children’s ministries all over the state are planning all kinds of new and exciting events to fill the gap. VBS is still an option for you. It may need to be rescheduled or reimagined.

Vacation Bible School fits the mission and vision of Oklahoma Baptists churches. The purpose of your church, and every church, is to mobilize the Body of believers to reach the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your church does this in many ways, but one way involves the entire church and most of your community—Vacation Bible School.

Is it still possible to have a big church-wide community event at your church? Is it safe? Will anyone show up? Yes. However, you may need to do things a little differently.

Lifeway Kids has provided four possibilities for summer VBS (lifeway.com/4ways): 1. Traditional VBS—This is the “VBS as usual” approach. Go all in and all out. For some churches, it may well be that VBS can happen as it always has. You may have to pick an alternate date, but VBS can still happen as planned. You might even experience record-breaking attendance.

2. Neighborhood VBS—Conduct driveway, front porch, backyard or cul-de-sac neighborhood gatherings. This approach utilizes church-member “hosts” in multiple neighborhoods throughout your community to conduct a small-scale VBS at their homes. This could be a great solution to meet in smaller groups of 10-20.

3. Alternate VBS—Embrace a creative approach using alternative timetables such as conducting VBS over five consecutive weeks (e.g.

Wednesday nights, Sunday nights, Saturdays), as a back-to-school kickoff or over Labor Day weekend or Fall Break. This approach allows you to still do VBS, but in a low-maintenance, low-prep manner.

4. VBS at home—Deliver VBS directly to the home. Post or livestream media-driven Worship Rallies to engage kids as viewers, and utilize home delivery methods to equip parents to facilitate Bible study, rec and crafts at home.

These are just a few ways. There are many other ways that you can come up with. One thing is sure; there is no wrong way to do VBS! This year’s Lifeway Theme is Concrete and Cranes, as kids explore a world of concrete and cranes, rivets and rebar, bulldozers and backhoes, they will learn to build their faith on Jesus as they uncover the truth that He who began a good work will be faithful to carry it on to completion.

Phil. 1:6 (CSB), “I am sure of this, that He Who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

There is ONE great God. God is perfect in His love and He has proven His love for us “But God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

We all have ONE great problem.

We have a sin problem. Every person has rebelled against God and sin has broken their relationship with God. “…all have sinned” Romans 3:23 and “…the wages of sin is death.”

Romans 6:23

There is ONE great hope. God loves us so much that He sent Christ to die for our sin. Christ has taken care of our sin problem. “Christ also died for sins, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

We have ONE great decision. We must repent of our sin and believe the gospel. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

*YES to VBS lyrics by Jeff Slaughter

If you have never made a personal decision to accept God’s gift of love and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, why not make this decision now? To begin this new direction in life pray this in your own words:

117” x 88” (4x3) Flat Graffiti SEG Pop-Up with Two Endcaps Graphic Template Graphic Size with Bleed: 143.75”w x 90.25”h Final Graphic Area: 140.75”w x 88.25”h Front Visual Area: 117.25”w x 88.25”h

Dear God, I know that I’m a sinner. I believe that Christ died on the cross for my sins and then rose from the dead. Please forgive me of all my sin. I turn away from my sin and confess you as Lord and trust You alone for salvation. Thank you for your love, forgiveness, and the free gift of eternal life. Amen.

Front Safe Zone: 113.25”w x 84.25

For more information, or to talk to someone about your decision, contact Oklahoma Baptists at 405/942-3800 or aquigley@oklahomabaptists.org.

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June 11, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture