2020-06-25

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • JUNE 25, 2020

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CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Religious liberty questions remain after Supreme Court’s ruling >> TOM STRODE

Encourage: First, let’s deal with that plank

IMB hosts first virtual Sending Celebration

Gather the generations

>> HANCE DILBECK

>> CAROLINE ANDERSON

>> JEFF DEGIACOMO

The summer of 2020 will likely go down in history. You don’t need for me to explain that to you. You are living it—virus precautions or the lack thereof; economic headwinds, whirlwinds, shutdowns; protestors marching in the streets; racial tensions; and political divisions. As I watch the news, listen to conversations, read the paper and, occasionally, scroll through social media—one important teaching of Jesus keeps coming to mind. You might be familiar with it from Matt. 7:1-5.

RICHMOND, Va.—The International Mission Board (IMB) commissioned 61 missionaries June 9 in a virtual Sending Celebration. The missionaries represent churches in 15 states and will be serving in all nine of the IMB’s affinities.

Sending Celebrations provide a forum for Southern Baptists to commission new missionaries and hear their call to missions.

IMB trustees voted on and approved 59 of the missionaries this spring in a virtual board meeting.

I grew up in a small rural community just outside of Tulsa. My family attended Inola, First, and this church played an important role in the life of my family and in my own personal life.

The beauty of this congregation was the generations represented each time the members gathered. Like in most smalltown churches, everyone interacted with each other. The Sunday School classes were divided for specific grades or life stages, but there was a healthy balance in intergenerational interaction.

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Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: What’s wrong? >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Happiness is overrated >> WALKER MOORE

Page 7 | Features Giving in a crisis: McLaurin’s advice to churches on declined giving due to COVID-19 >> CHRIS FORBES

Page 7 | Features Over the bus: Oklahoma bus driver advances the Gospel in NYC amid pandemic >> CHRIS DOYLE

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Religious liberty questions remain S P O R T S & & MISSIONS T I N I S T RY R TA I N M E N E M T N E after Supreme Court’s ruling >> by Tom Strode

BAPTIST PRESS WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON (BP)—The U.S. Supreme Court left multiple questions regarding religious liberty unanswered but provided some hope in its landmark decision for gay and transgender rights, said advocates for the First Amendment freedom.

In a 6-3 opinion Monday, June 15, the high court ruled the category “sex” in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act encompasses “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” thereby providing non-discrimination protections for homosexual and transgender employees. Religious liberty defenders said the justices’ decision left employers with biblical convictions on sexuality open to legal challenges.

Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), predicted the decision “will have seismic implications for religious liberty, setting off potentially years of lawsuits and court struggles, about what this means, for example, for religious organizations with religious convictions about the meaning of sex and sexuality.”

Jonathan Whitehead, a Southern Baptist lawyer in the Kansas City, Mo., area, said the high court’s redefinition of “sex” in workplace law “has indirectly triggered hundreds or thousands of lawsuits against religious groups. Before today, almost no church, ministry or college in America discriminated ‘based on E N sex.’ But N LinIhundreds after 10 a.m. today, theN meaning of ‘sex’ of EW O CONTENT E laws was suddenly diffBerent.”

IV S U L C X -E WEwrote Whitehead, who a friend-of-the-court brief for 24 state organizations of the Family Policy Council, added: “Everyone acknowledges that Congress did not intend this outcome in 1964. It will take years to unwind the implications for Southern Baptist churches, schools, employers and families.”

INFO In the majority opinion,IC theA justices acknowledged TION L B U P they were concerned about protecting free exercise of

religion for employers but provided no assurances for those who act on their beliefs in hiring and firing.

Writing for the court, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch noted Title VII has an exemption for religious organizaOX O O L Breligious T H C tions, and the justices have recognized instiR U H C tutions are protected in their relationships with ministers. He also expressed hope the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)—a 1993 federal law he said “operates as a kind of super statute”—may “supersede Title VII’s commands in appropriate cases.”

But how such religious freedom doctrines relate to Title VII “are questions for S too,” GorI E Dcases I Ffuture such wrote. C L A S S Writing in dissent, Associate Justice Samuel Alito said one of the potential harms in the court’s opinion would be to the freedom of religious organizations to make employment decisions based on the fidelity in beliefs and practice of applicants and workers. V O I C E S Alito wrote that the Supreme Court’s new position “will threaten freedom of religion, freedom of speech and personal privacy and safety. No one should think that the Court’s decision represents an unalloyed victory for individual liberty.”

Some religious freedom lawyers found hopeful signs in the justices’ opinion, however.

The majority’s comments on religious freedom “intentionally signal to the American people that religious rights are still going to be an important consideration in these things,” said John Bursch, vice president of appellate advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom, in a telephone news conference.

Regarding transgender issues, the justices appear to understand “biology is not bigotry, and disagreement about what it means to be male and female is not discrimination,” he said.

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FIRST PERSON: ‘Seismic implications’ for religious liberty, church in SCOTUS ruling

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In historic election, SBC Executive Committee elects first African American chair

JULY 15

The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee elected its first African American chair in a special called meeting June 16. Rolland Slade, pastor of El Cajon, Calif., Meridian, was unopposed as EC chair and was unanimously elected by ballot vote.

JULY 3

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RUSSELL MOORE | JUNE 17

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The Supreme Court of the United States released its long-awaited decision in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, Ga. The ruling will have seismic implications for religious liberty, setting off potentially years of lawsuits and court struggles, about what this means, for example, for religious organizations with religious convictions about the meaning of sex and sexuality.

EVENTS

DIANA CHANDLER | JUNE 17

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Bursch added that Gorsuch seems to be indicating to those with strong religious beliefs about the meaning of male and female “that those views will L E &Court O PSupreme be respected and heard at P theEU.S. and should be in other places as well.”

NEWS H C R U H C Kelly Shackelford, president of First Liberty Institute, expressed gratitude the court “was clear in the opinion that this federal statute does not overrule peoples’ religious freedoms. We will find out in the very near future whether this is a hollow promise or a truthful assurance that the religious liberty of all Americans will be protected.”

TURE L U C & S W E In an article on its website, the ERLC said the deciN sion “raises more questions than it answers.

The court was not clear on many issues that will stem from this ruling and the impact they will have not only on Christians, but others relying on religious freedom or conscience protections.”

The ERLC and other religious organizations signed onto friend-ofthe-court briefs filed last year by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that contended “sex” in Title VII does not include either “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.”

Though “sex” was long interpreted to refer only to whether a person is biologically male or female, the Justice Department under President Obama determined it also included people who identify as gay or transgender. President Trump’s Justice Department has returned to the previous interpretation.

Articles explaining the decision and highlighting significant quotes in the majority and dissenting opinions are available on the ERLC website at erlc. com/resource-library.

The Supreme Court’s opinion andLdissents three I N Ev. inClayton N Bostock E WtheOtitle consolidated casesNunder T N E T USIVE CON County may beW accessed EB-EXCatLsupremecourt.gov.

June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

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: 41,978. 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.

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EVENTS

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VOICES

Encourage: First, let’s deal with that plank /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

The summer of 2020 will likely go down in history.

You don’t need for me to explain that to you. You are living it—virus precautions or the lack thereof; economic headwinds, whirlwinds, shutdowns; protestors marching in the streets; racial tensions; and political divisions.

As I watch the news, listen to conversations, read the paper and, occasionally, scroll through social media— one important teaching of Jesus keeps coming to mind.

You might be familiar with it from Matt. 7:1-5: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to

take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

John Broadus titled his commentary on this text, “Rebuke of Censoriousness.” There’s a word you don’t hear every day. Censoriousness – “adjective; a person inclined to judge too severely; carping, critical, faultfinding.” We might not hear that word often, but we find ourselves living in a world of censoriousness.

Jesus warns us against a censorious spirit. He does not command us to avoid judging the character and conduct of others, especially leaders. He is not saying that all ideas and opinions are to be equally accepted.

In fact, this same section of His Sermon on the Mount tells us we can know a tree by evaluating its fruit (Matt.

7:15-20). Wise living involves making wise judgments.

The wise man’s judgment begins with a careful critical examination of SELF. Jesus calls every faithful follower to be more critical of themselves than they are of others. Jesus expects judgment to begin in the household of God. He wants His followers to be generous and gracious in our judgments of others. I don’t see much of that these days.

This kind of Jesus judgment produces a progression of godliness that leads to true moral, social and spiritual influence. When we deal first with our own plank, our own hearts, words and conduct, we are forced to

live and to judge with honesty, humility and sincerity.

On the other hand, the censorious man tolerates and even cultivates a dark dishonesty about the condition of his own heart, a false pride about his own spiritual and moral status and an insincerity that is obvious to everyone around him. Only he cannot see it because of the plank that blocks his vision.

I raised three boys close to one another in age. When I corrected one of them, their response was often, “Well, what about my brother?” Every parent is familiar with this avoidance tactic. I will turn the focus away from my own faults by finding fault with another. And so it goes today —protestors and police, politicians and preachers, white and black, church and culture, democrats and republicans, rural and urban, young and old. All of us shouting about the speck in the other’s eye while ignoring or defending the plank festering in our own.

O Lord, help us.

Lord, give us grace to make the summer of 2020 a historic summer of repentance and renewal. Lord, give us grace to stop fussing about the speck in the other’s eye and to start confessing the old ugly plank in our own.

Lord, help us to lay aside that excuse as old as Adam, “Well, what about my brother or the other.” Search me, O Lord, show me any hurtful way in me!

Sword & trowel: What’s wrong?

Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

Have you ever looked at someone and seen by the look on his or her face that something was wrong? While I am not the most observant person in the world, I can sometimes do this.

It does not take a genius to see that, in America today, something’s wrong. Whether we are talking about individuals or communities or America as a whole, something is obviously wrong. Dreadfully wrong.

Yuval Levin, an author and analyst, said it this way.

“We Americans are living through a social crisis. This is a straightforward fact and easy to see. And yet part of this crisis, one of its symptoms, is that we can’t seem to get a handle on just what it is that’s wrong.

It’s sometimes even hard to tell whether the rage, foreboding and despair that so often shape the national mood now are themselves the essence of the problem or are marks of a deeper dysfunction.”

To put it another way, we are, in Charles Dickens’ words, living in a “winter of despair.” Now, we can and should point to specific problems like racial injustice (which is arguably our most pressing issue).

With God’s help, we can try to heal and improve these problems individually and as a society.

Yet even when we do address this, there still will be even more work to do. The very systems and structures in place that are meant to bring help seem paralyzed in the crisis. So what can Christians do? I offer three ideas: Share the Gospel and pray I recently saw a T-shirt that said, “But first, coffee.”

The first stop to addressing any problem, we must say, “But first, pray and share the Gospel.” The Apostle Paul gave Timothy (and us) instructions to “Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season...” (2 Tim. 4:2). Whether in a season of hope or despair, light or dark, we Christians must be “ready to give a reason for the hope we have in us” (1 Pet. 3:15).

Build good institutions In his book, “A Time to Build,” Levin points to symptoms stemming from our societal problems— isolation, mistrust and alienation. He shows these come from a lack of belonging, confidence and le-

gitimacy; he then upholds the importance of restoring good institutions as part of the solution. For Levin, institutions can include things like state legislatures and universities, but also include the family and by extension religious groups (for us, the Church). Healthy institutions are vital. Look around and see where you can invest in these institutions.

Cultivate relationships and community Levin said, “Many of our struggles seem rooted in relational problems. Loneliness and isolation, mistrust and suspicion, alienation and polarization— these are the characteristic maladies of this era.” A cure to these is having healthy relationships.

Sen. James Lankford is a proponent of sharing a meal with someone of another race than you. By entering each other’s lives, we have a better window into each other’s perspectives. The grace of God shines through at the dinner table. Social problems can be better dealt with in the context of relationships.

These are only three ideas toward addressing what’s wrong, and you may have some of your own.

In an age longing for renewal and reeling in a season of despair, the light of the Gospel is the hope for mankind. It’s the ultimate “right” for “what’s wrong” with us today.

Voices | June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

Rite of passage: Happiness is overrated SPORTS & T N AINME

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY Walker Moore

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

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

After being a grandparent for six years, I am losing my touch when it comes to keeping my grandsons happy. It was easy when I only had one; it was challenging with two; and it is impossible with three. I don’t even want to think about it with a half-dozen.

Of course, I’mFtalking about keeping my grandDS I IE A S Swhen C L happy sons they’re all together. I am more successful when only one grandson visits. I know that child’s interests, his likes and dislikes, and we can play accordingly. Whenever the second joins us, whatever the first child likes, the second dislikes, or else they both want to play with the same toy at the same time. Even though we have 10 identical toys, each E Swants what the other one has.

I Conly V Ochild The other day, the Yada Hoodies came over to swim and jump off their new jumping dock. I had just repaired their vinyl pool; it had several leaks, and I fixed it with some of that tape used to hold submarines together. Using this tape is a challenge because you break more commandments just getting the wrapper off than when opening a new jar of pickles.

Trying to make sure the pool didn’t leak for the summer, I taped the floor seams, the side seams and anything that looked like it would leak. The boys jumped in and started splashing in their newly repaired pool.

When they climbed out—horror of horrors—their toes were stuck together. An adhesive that worked just like Super Glue was stuck in their hair and onto

NTERT E hands, kneecaps and

their places I don’t want to mention.

I wasn’t sure where this glue came from, but using my best detective skills, I discovered that the chlorine PL had dissolved the of E the& subE Oside Ptop marine tape, leaving only the gray WS E N H C R U H C sticky stuff exposed. The boys had been stepping, jumping and kneeling on it. It took me over an hour of scraping and a gallon of “Goof Off” to separate their toes and clean the bottom of their feet so they wouldn’t stick to the sidewalk and everythingU else.

TURE L C & S W E Of course, N I had to close the pool until I could solve this problem. The two older ones, Titus the Honorable and Cohen the Goodhearted, whose hearts were set on spending the day in the pool—let’s just say they weren’t happy. Their Uncle Jeremy had texted to ask for a new picture of the three boys together, but we could only get 1/3 of the Yada Hoodies to smile, so that explains the photo you see here.

Dear Titus, Cohen and River the Peacemaker, I am sorry your pool had a malfunction. I knew you were unhappy and disappointed that you couldn’t spend the rest of the day swimming. I hate to tell you this, but you will have 1,001 more disappointments before you reach your next birthday.

Life is not always going to go your way. I went to the store last week to get a package of ground beef, but they were sold out and haven’t gotten any since. I was disappointed, but I was not unhappy.

Many people connect disappointments with being unhappy. And people like this walk around with frowns on their faces and unhappiness engraved

across their hearts.

Two things will bring you disappointment: people and circumstances. There was a man named Moses who became disappointed with the very people he was trying to help. They didn’t understand and started grumbling against him. Moses was also disappointed in his circumstances; he grew up in the king’s palace and later became a shepherd. He then spent 40 years wandering around a desert.

I would like to share a couple of things that will help you along in life. One, sometimes disappointments just happen. I didn’t plan for your swimming pool to transform into a tub of Super Glue. I wasn’t planning to spend part of my morning scraping the yuck off of you from head to toe. It was a circumstance beyond my control.

Two, I disappointed you. Your motto has been that when anything breaks, “Poppy can fix it.” The older you get, the more disappointed you will be that your Poppy cannot fix it. It isn’t because I don’t want to; it’s because there are lots of things I can’t fix.

Yesterday, two things came together: circumstances and people. If you let these two things control your emotions, you will be at their mercy. That is why we must place our happiness and joy solidly on Jesus. He will never disappoint you. If you do that, you can live out 1 Thess. 5:16, “Rejoice always” and be disappointed without being unhappy.

No matter what happens with the pool, my dear Yada Hoodies, stay stuck on Jesus. He’ll never let you go.

Shine: What the world needs now Alan Quigley Oklahoma Baptists’ Church Resources Group Leader @AlanQuigley1

In 1965, Jackie DeShannon recorded “What The World Needs Now,” but the song didn’t reach fame until a year later when Dionne Warwick released it. It’s a simple song that has one simple but clear message.

What the world needs now is LOVE. Such a simple idea, but one that has radical implications. There is nothing more powerful against hate than love. Martin Luther King knew this to be true. When his marchers were confronted by the Selma police, he made sure that instead of confronting hate with hate, that they would confront hate with love. Had the marching crowd responded with hate or violence, then the police’s actions would have seemed justified to some.

However, when the police met the peaceful protest with force, their response looked ugly to everyone.

Jesus’ emphasis on love extremely challenged the world during His time on earth and continues to do so to this day. The Pharisees and Sadducees were extremely upset with Jesus’ teachings. They devised a scheme in order to expose Him as a heretic, which included a series of questions they thought would box Him in a corner.

However, His response to their questions were so profound that they were the ones left without an out.

Jesus responded to the question found in Matthew 22 about which is the greatest commandment by saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.” That response was predictable and would have been sufficient for the crowd. However, Jesus didn’t stop there. He said, “The second is like it:

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Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law of the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

Jesus confronted hate with His most powerful weapon—LOVE. It was love that had brought Him down to earth to begin with. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes upon Him would not perish but have eternal life.” Love is so essential to the believer that C.H. Dodd said, “There is no real Christian experience which doesn’t express itself through love.”

Jesus taught us to love by His own example. Rom. 5:8 says, “God demonstrated His love towards us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus said to His disciples in John 13:34, “I give you a new command: Love one another just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Today, our world in its fallen condition is filled with all kinds of expressions of hate. Social media is filled with people expressing their hate for political leaders, social organizations, civil servants and others. These expressions divide people and often foster even more vile responses. This seems to be an endless intensification of hate. This hate leads some to dark places and leads to even uglier responses. This is just how hate works. Only one thing can stop hate, and that is LOVE. Clearly, no one event or action has gotten America where it is today, and no one

June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

event will pull us out of this season in our history. Yet, it is good for us to remember that only God can fix this problem because, at its core, it’s a heart problem, and only God can fix our hearts.

How does He do it? He does it by His grace that He has bestowed upon us as He bore our sin on Calvary’s cross. He who knew no sin bore our sin, so that we might have eternal life. Why did He do this? Because of His love for you and me.

As followers of Christ, our response and our role in the world today is to stop hate; stop it by loving everyone as we love ourselves. Yes, I know it’s a simple idea but clearly one that could make a radical difference in our world because what the world needs now is LOVE.

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

IMB hosts first virtual Sending Celebration PLE & O E X P O B L O C H TO WS 1

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>> by Caroline Anderson IMB WRITER

RICHMOND, Va.—The International Mission Board (IMB) commissioned 61 missionaries June 9 in a virtual Sending Celebration. The missionaries represent churches in 15 states and will be serving in all nine of the IMB’s affinities.

Sending Celebrations provide a forum for Southern Baptists to commission new missionaries and hear their call to missions.

IMB trustees voted on and approved 59 of the missionaries this spring in a virtual board meeting.

Two missionaries were appointed in January. The 61 missionaries were to be commissioned at this summer’s SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., before the conference was canceled due to COVID-19.

The cancellation of the annual meeting didn’t keep Southern Baptists from celebrating the missionaries. Southern Baptists gathered around computer screens across the country to watch a video of the missionaries’ testimonies of how the Lord called them to the mission field.

IMB President Paul Chitwood said this was not an opportunity to be missed.

“We’re very thankful to be able to gather in a new and different way to celebrate what God is doing among the nations and in the lives of your new missionaries,” Chitwood said.

This is the first Sending Celebration since November 2018 where missionaries will be welcomed by all nine IMB affinities: American, Central Asian, Deaf, East Asian, European, Northern Africa and Middle Eastern, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Sub-Saharan African.

“Throughout our 175-year history, Southern Baptists have maintained an uninterrupted witness among the nations, in spite of famines, wars, civil unrest and even—as we are experiencing right now—a pandemic,” Chitwood said. “We’re grateful God has continued to expand His kingdom and allowed us to join Him in His work. And

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1) Chris and Sara and their two children were living the American dream in Montana. The family is moving to the Americas to serve with the IMB; 2) Eric and Heather watch the Sending Celebration on their laptop. The couple and their children are moving to Sub-Saharan Africa; 3) Paul and Christina’s journey to the mission field took them to four continents and five countries.

They are moving to Brazil to equip local leaders at a seminary.

>> PHOTOS: IMB

there is still work to do. That is why IMB is still sending Southern Baptist missionaries.”

At every Sending Celebration, new missionaries briefly share about their call. On June 9, many missionaries shared that they made a commitment to serve because of a short-term mission trip. Several said the Lord called them to international missions before their spouses heard the call of the Lord, so they prayerfully waited for the Lord to work in the hearts of their spouses.

This was true of Eric and Heather’s call to missions.

“Life as a husband, father and firefighter was comfortable until I realized God hadn’t called me to be comfortable,” Eric said. “After endless prayers, countless trials, seven children, and medical school, I wrestled with God and told Him I wasn’t a missionary.”

Heather felt differently. After a missionary family visited their church and shared about their ministry, she knew the Lord was calling them on a similar journey.

“I just had to wait on (Eric) to catch up,” Heather said.

Ten years later, God gave both Eric and Heather a desire to serve in Africa. Their family is being sent by Florence, Ala., Ransomed Community, to serve in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Melissa grew up on the mission field in Nigeria where her parents served with the Foreign Mission Board (now the IMB). She said the necessity of sharing the Good News was instilled in her at a young age, so much so that she wrote to the FMB at age 12 to volunteer to serve.

Melissa’s husband, Nick, studied forestry in graduate school. His life was heading in a different direction until he learned at a missions conference how he could use agriculture on the mission field.

Nick and Melissa are being reappointed after a time back in the U.S. They previously served in Ken-

ya for 15 years and then in East Asia for seven years.

“God’s call never stops,” Melissa said.

They are being sent by Jacksonville, Fla., Chets Creek to serve in Southeast Asia.

Paul and Christina’s journey to the mission field spanned four continents and five countries. Both Paul and Christina’s families emigrated from South Korea to South America—Paul’s family to Brazil, and Christina’s family to Paraguay. They met through Paul’s pastor in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Paul and Christina moved to the U.S. and then England to pursue theological training. They are now moving to Brazil to train and develop church leaders at a theological seminary.

The couple said they are thankful for the prayers and training in evangelism and discipleship provided by their home church, Los Angeles, Calif., Berendo Street.

Four appointees with connections to Oklahoma were 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.

“These faithful workers are going out to share the Gospel to the very ends of the earth,” Chitwood said. “Your prayers and financial support are needed now more than ever. Every church, regardless of its size or resources, has a part to play in reaching every nation with the gospel. And the nations are waiting. Thank you for doing your part.”

The IMB offers a prayer card that can be downloaded and used by churches to pray for the missionaries. Visit baptistmessenger.com/imb-prayer-card to receive the card.

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On-going opportunities for volunteers: Baptist Village Communities: Ada—Tracy Scheer, 580/332-6004 Broken Arrow—Monty Baggett, 918/355-0099 Cleveland—Gary Ligon, 918/358-2575 Cordell—Lindsay Altenhofel, 580/832-5831 Elk City—Cathy Henderson, 580/225-5555 Grove (Honey Creek)—Gary Mishler, 918/786-2223 Hugo—Billy Johnson, 580/326-8383 Madill (Lake Texoma)—Matthew Wood, 580/564-3776 Miami—Shane McGhee, 918/542-7124 OKC—Chris Finley, 405/721-2466 Ext. 2115 Okmulgee—Sherri Powell, 918/756-5377 Owasso—Nathan Purifoy, 918/272-2281 Ext. 102 Entrusted Hearts by Baptist Village (services at home)—Shannon Ryan, 405/942-3000 Ext. 4685

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

For currently-badged DR members, CPR/First Aid and Forklift/Skidsteer training will be Friday, July 17 at the DR facility in Okarche. Trainings start at 9 a.m.; lunch will be served. For forklift/skidsteer email Don Whitnah, donaldwhitnah@gmail. com. For CPR/First Aid email Darrell Knapp, dknapp711@ gmail.com. Class size is limited on both. There is a $20.00 fee for the First Aid/CPR class. For more information go to www. okdisasterhelp.org

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary James Wilder James is associational missions strategist for Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties. Pray for the strength and Kingdom impact of the association’s churches.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Kyle Thomas Kyle serves as Baptist Collegiate Ministries Director at Tulsa Community College (TCC). Pray for Kyle to be diligent in ministering to students

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

Missions & ministry | June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Falls Creek hits the open road: Regional events to share the Gospel across the state /// PREVIEWED ON COVER 3

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Ardmore, First July 1

SW Baptist Assembly, Lugert | July 13

Choctaw, First July 22

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Jenks, First July 3

Muskogee, First July 15

Clinton, First July 24

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Cushing, First June 26

McAlester, First July 8

El Reno, First July 17

Gibson Baptist Assembly, Hardesty | July 27

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Woodward, First June 29

Durant, First July 10

Lawton, First July 21

Claremore, First July 29

>> by Staff The Falls Creek “Road Show” is travelling across Oklahoma this summer. Because Falls Creek summer youth weeks were cancelled, regional and virtual events are now being offered. The Baptist Messenger recently sat down with Falls Creek Program Director Todd Sanders to talk about the upcoming plans for 2020.

TOUR DATES | LOCATIONS

Baptist Messenger: For the Falls Creek Road Show, which will take place in multiple venues across the state, what will that experience look like for students?

Todd Sanders: Our goal with the Road Show is to create a Falls Creek evening service experience for those attending, as well as provide some other elements one would come to expect as a program of Falls Creek. Students can expect a fun atmosphere, vibrant worship, a focus on missions, an opportunity to engage with mission opportunities, Biblical teaching challenge, a Gospel message and a chance to respond to the Gospel. We are praying for the Holy Spirit’s move in their lives.

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Messenger: How many stops will there be, and what all is planned?

Sanders: We have 14 stops planned on our tour (see chart for dates and locations). We will be live-streaming from as many of those locations as we can. The night will include different elements we value as a part of a Falls Creek experience. We have some exciting things happening with original content as well as some powerful moments in the program each night.

Brian Mills and Stuart Henslee will be proclaiming the Gospel powerfully at each of the stops.

Cody Dunbar and The Summit OK Collective will be leading us in worship over the tour.

I am excited to show an original spoken word piece from Dillon Chase to our live participants and really thrilled to challenge students through Caleb Freeman‘s story of God’s provision and purpose. It should be a great evening spent enjoying what we know and love in a Falls Creek service and, more importantly, responding to the powerful message of and move of God. Messenger: What was it like trying to “export” some of the best aspects of Falls Creek on the road?

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Sanders: It was a challenge but a great opportunity. Really, the challenge is in reducing such a large, multi-day, multi-faceted experience into one evening. We do know this, and I am happy to be able to confidently say, the centerpiece of a week of Falls Creek is the Gospel. We will definitely share the Good News, the life-changing message of the Gospel.

There are many other things we would love to be able to reproduce, but we are focusing on some targeted elements for the purpose of the Road Show. We are praying that the event itself will provide groups an opportunity to come together and build community and be an extension of the other things they are planning this summer. There is not a way this can be the one solution to replace a week of camp but certainly can be an important part of their experience and plans this summer.

Messenger: Plans are in place for the Virtual, or online, Falls Creek. What all will students experience with this? Have many shown an interest?

Sanders: Virtual Falls Creek is available for groups to access and use according to their contextual needs. It includes group Bible studies, sermon and worship set videos, breakout video content, and more. As of mid-June, we have more than 2,700 students registered for The Road Show so far, and more than 100 churches have registered to use the virtual camp resources.

Messenger: Falls Creek reaches thousands each year with the Gospel. Do you anticipate the Gospel will be heard by many this summer?

Sanders: We do. I know it will be heard clearly through our road show events. And, as always, I know our church leaders will be advancing the Gospel with students in their areas. Before the situation handed to us by Covid-19, we had been praying for 3,000 students to come to faith through the ministry of Falls Creek services this summer. Now, I know the challenge of seeing that happen in a normal summer, at least through what we see recorded through our decision times. I am anxious to see what the Lord does in and through our churches doing camp at home this summer.

I believe we could still see that happen between the Road Show events, Virtual Falls Creek and the many camp alternatives our leaders have been so effective in planning and carrying out.

With God, all things are possible!

Messenger: What are some things people can be praying for as these events begin?

Sanders: For God to do what only He can do.

Save souls and change lives. I am praying for the summer of 2020 to be a summer we remember not because we had to game plan around the pandemic, but because God showed up and we got to experience that.

Visit oklahomabaptists.org/fallscreek2020 or skopos.org/fallscreek, for more information.

Messenger: Can you talk about how helpful the churches and associations have been in planning this?

Sanders: Everyone has been so willing to be a part and to assist. We are excited to partner in this way. We have received positive feedback about the approach and the representation across the state. I wish we could go into every single church and association, but time and money all play into those realities and decisions in producing a series of live events like this.

June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

Visit skopos.org/fallscreek to find content for virtual Falls Creek.

Giving in a crisis: McLaurin’s advice to churches on declined giving due to COVID-19 it for granted that people understand the needs that your church has.”

McLaurin emphasized the importance of integrity when sharing the financial status with With the outbreak of the Coronavithe church. rus, an estimated 40 percent of church“Be honest with the congregation es in Oklahoma have experienced a about, ‘here’s where we’re at,’” he said. decline in giving.

“Because when people have good valThe reasons for the decline are atid information, they are able to make tributed to the inability for churchgood choices as it relates to how they es to gather for in-person worship will continue to contribute.” services to take up offerings, church In addition to communicating members who are not accustomed needs, McLaurin suggests leaders to online giving and members expeclarify the reasons for church memriencing their own decline in inbers to give to their local church. come due to businesses being >> PHOTO: BAPTIST PRESS Willie McLaurin The purpose for giving is not only shut down during the pandemic. for supporting the local church, is vice president for Great Commission Willie McLaurin, Southern Bap- relations and mobilization for the but through the Cooperative Protist Convention Executive Com- Southern Baptist Convention Execugram, missionaries, church plantmittee vice president for Great tive Committee. ers and future ministry leaders Commission relations and moare resourced and equipped. bilization, was a recent guest on the Messen“Communicate your church’s Great Commission ger Insight podcast and suggested a few things vision,” he said. “The Scripture says, ‘Where there is churches can do to counteract the impact of no vision the people perish’” (Prov. 29:18). lower giving.

Consult with trusted Communicate current realities leaders within the church McLaurin explained there is value in having more “One size really doesn’t fit all, as every church has a different set of circumstances,” McLaurin said. heads working together in problem solving. Input from “One thing I’m sensing, even in the church we are key leaders could better contextualize the response of members of, we discovered our church was com- the local church that is facing a financial decline.

“If you are a pastor,” he explained, “get some of municating, but they were not communicating as clearly as they could. So upping your efforts in com- your most trusted church members to be around municating your current reality will help. Don’t take you and receive wisdom and advice from them. >> by Chris Forbes

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ COOPERATIVE PROGRAM BRANDING & MARKETING PARTNER

When you have them around you, get their input into what the next steps ought to be.”

Tap into creativity The COVID-19 pandemic has forced churches to reconsider how to do a lot of things they normally would have taken for granted. Church leaders have had to rethink how to gather for worship, how to have small group Bible studies, prayer meetings and more. McLaurin explained a crisis isn’t always a bad thing for the church.

“Crisis is the bump that moves us from our comfort zone to our creative zone,” he said. “Use this as a season to move beyond your comfort zone and be creative in how you do things.”

McLaurin suggested one way for churches to be creative is to create immediate cash flow for the congregation by working with mortgage lenders, seeking a deferment of payments. Reduce costs to the church for lawn care, maintenance and cleaning by pausing contracts with vendors. Instead, recruit volunteers in the church who can temporarily take on these responsibilities while the church recovers financially.

McLaurin also suggested churches look for ways to make it easier for church members to give. Consider adding the practice of allowing church members to drop off their tithes and offerings in the church mailbox or stationing a person to collect offerings at a popular location of the church building, like the foyer.

To hear the complete interview with McLaurin on the Messenger Insight podcast visit baptistmessenger. com/mclaurin.

Over the bus: Oklahoma bus driver advances the Gospel in NYC amid pandemic >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

Don Laughlin has many bus driving experiences.

He currently drives buses for Village Tours, but he previously served 23 years in church bus ministry.

Now Laughlin’s ministry involves driving buses to different parts of the country. That includes driving medical staff in New York City in the heightened weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, earlier this year.

Through an arrangement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Village Tours sent 36 buses and bus drivers to NYC, serving more than two months as a shuttle service, Laughlin said.

They provided transportation for the numerous doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who were serving in the nation’s most critically-affected area by the Coronavirus.

“We would go to hospitals, picking up medical staff,” Laughlin said. “We would go from hotel to hotel and take them to specific hospitals in New York City. We personally stayed in New Jersey and parked the buses in a mall parking lot.”

3 Laughlin has been to New York City many times on chartered bus tours, but this assignment was a much different experience, especially in traffic flow.

“New York traffic, in years past, would take you anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half to go six or eight blocks,” he said. “During the pandemic, one route I would take to Lincoln Hospital had 130 red lights between the last hotel where I picked up (medical staff) and the hospital. One day I went through 113 of those lights without having to stop. It was incredible. For the longest time, the traffic was virtually nil.”

That does not mean Laughlin did not have difficulty getting around because some streets had

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>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED 1) New Yorkers thank medical personnel who were serving in the heightened weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) New York City streets did not have their usual traffic during these weeks; 3) Don Laughlin ‘shared the Lord’ every day he was in New York City.

multiple cars parked on each side. “We experienced a lot of distractions because of getting the buses through some narrow routes,” he said.

Laughlin’s friendly personality was well-accepted by his regular passengers. Because of multiple buses running the shuttle routes, he said he would have anywhere between five and 40 people on his routes, picking up medical staff who would work 12hour shifts.

Currently a member of Oklahoma City, Southern Hills, Laughlin found ways to share his faith with the riders. On Sundays, he would give a short devotional on his bus.

They also observed worship services for bus drivers, and Laughlin would share preaching duties.

Laughlin also has another form of ministry, through writing blogs. He started writing daily messages that he would email to his children and grandchildren. Unintentionally, he once sent one of his messages to Ruffin Snow, who serves as pastor for evangelism and member care at Oklahoma

City, Southern Hills.

Snow was so impressed with Laughlin’s work that he helped Laughlin get on Facebook to share his daily writings on social media.

“My life has been an absolute miracle,” Laughlin said. “I have so many stories, bus stories, children I’ve led to the Lord who have gone on to be with the Lord. I’ve come close to dying a few times, but God isn’t done with me.”

Laughlin also shared his Facebook page with new friends he made among medical personnel he bused in NYC. One nurse sent him a card; many have connected with him on Facebook.

“I made it clear what they should do to receive Christ,” Laughlin said. “I shared the Lord every day I was there.”

Laughlin appreciates Village Tours, as a Christian operation, as they allow him to share his faith. He said Village Tours also takes prayer requests on its website and will pray for all of them.

Many will have memories of the pandemic in 2020. This has been a tragic occurrence, resulting in numerous deaths. But God is working through this pandemic, through opportunities like a bus driver from Oklahoma driving through New York City and sharing the Gospel.

Features | June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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HUGO—Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) has been serving the state since the COVID-19 outbreak began this year. Along with serving areas such as Binger in western Oklahoma by providing shower and laundry trailers, DR licensed and trained volunteers, left, recently served in Hugo with food preparation. DR also provided Hugo an Incident Command unit and shower trailer. For more information on Oklahoma Baptist DR visit okdisasterhelp.org.

BFO & OBHC meet on the links

>> PHOTO: SCREEN CAPTURE

TULSA—Rusty Gunn, pastor of Sand Springs, Church That Matters was named “Green Country Hero” by a Tulsa television station. NBC affiliate KJRH Channel 2 awarded Gunn with a new Keystone Springdale Travel Trailer, as he was the winning nominee to the station’s “Green Country Hero” contest.

Gunn was nominated for his community involvement. Leading Church That Matters, Gunn and church members have been involved in serving more than 30,000 hot meals as well as produce and dairy to the Sand Springs community since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gunn credited Don Williams of Oklahoma Baptists Chaplaincy for supporting the church’s community involvement through the Edna McMillan State Missions Offering. Gunn also received camping gear to go along with his RV prize.

Sand Springs, Church That Matters is like many other Oklahoma Baptist churches that are meeting needs, embracing brokenness and advancing the Gospel.

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June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

>> PHOTO: HOLLY BLAKEY

OWASSO—The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma partnered with Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children and delivered free snacks and drinks to participants in the ForeKids men’s golf tournament Monday, June 14. All proceeds benefit the summer program and activity fund for the children residing at Baptist Children’s Home, Owasso.

Andrea, left, is currently a resident with Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children and made a profession of faith in Christ while attending church camp with her cottage. Tallie Thompson, right, serves as the Foundation’s compliance officer, daily helping individuals and families to create estate plans that protect their families and promote Kingdom work.

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PEOPLE IN THE NEWS BUTLER RETIRES. Keith Butler announced his retirement at Yukon, Canadian Valley, where he served as muOM H sic minister for 18 years.

Overall, Butler hasA served in muA L K O E H T57 years, including 21Hyears sic ministry for Eat Oklahoma V I RC T I S TatA City, Olivet. He also Poteau, First and Anadarko, Pserved BA First. Butler plans to continue to be a part of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma.

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DARBY RETIRES. Dana Darby retired as head of Altus Christian Academy (ACA). A member of Altus, First, Darby served ACA for 14 years. The school grew from one class of pre-K 4-year-olds to a school with pre-K through 8th grade. ACA grew from 16 students to 185 students under her leadership.

TULSA—Mark Dance, top left, regional ministry and pastoral development partner with Oklahoma Baptists, recently took a tour of the Greenwood District in Tulsa with Pastor LeRon West of Tulsa, Gilcrease Hills.

“Pastor West blessed me greatly today with a tour of the Greenwood District in Tulsa where he grew up, fell in love and pastors a thriving church,” Dance said in a Facebook post.

The Greenwood District was nicknamed “Black Wall Street,” as it once was identified as “the wealthiest black community in the United States.” The area suffered greatly 99

years ago last month from what has been described as the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921.

Dance, who recently joined Oklahoma Baptists, has been touring his new location, as he now lives in Broken Arrow after moving from Tennessee.

West was able to help Dance learn more about the historic Greenwood District, as both visited monuments such as the Healing Walkway in the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park and the Black Wall Street mural.

“We believe there is a great ministry opportunity before us to listen, learn, love and lead well in Tulsa and beyond,” Dance said.

SEMINARY GRADUATES. Gateway Seminary and New Orleans Seminary recently annouced their spring semester graduates from Oklahoma. Jeff DeGiacomo, student pastor at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs, received his doctor of ministry degree from Gateway.

New Orleans had three graduates from Oklahoma. They include Doug Matlock, associate pastor of discipleship and worship at Chickasha, First, who received his doctor of ministry degree; Dale Griffin, transitional pastor at Yukon, Canadian Valley, who received his doctor of ministry degree; and Billy Benson, pastor of Enid, Garland Road, who received his master of theology degree.

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

Coming Event JULY 31-AUG 1. Del City, First Southern, 6400 S. Sooner Road, is hosting a live simulcast of Promise Keepers: Men of Integrity.

The event begins Friday, July 31, 6-9 p.m. in the Discipleship Center at First Southern. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. The second session will be Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 a.m.- noon. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

Speakers during theU Promise Keepers simulcast will include Tony K UDO Evans,SVoddie Baucham and Chad Hennings. First Southern’s worship team will also lead times of worship through music. Cost is $5.

Register online at firstsouthern.tv/events.

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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.

Advancing Blocks Blogs Bus Coronavirus

Devotional Distractions Don Driving Evangelism

Friendly Gospel Hospital Laughlin Medical

Miracle Pandemic Passengers Route Shuttle

Snow Tour Traffic Village Worship

People & Church News | June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Gather the generations F I E D S /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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care for one another (1 Tim. 5 and Titus 2).

Outside of the Bible, there is no shortage of support for intergenerational relationI grew up in a small rural community just ships. In many sciences, intergenerational outside of Tulsa. My family attended Inola, relationships are vital to healthy growth and S First, and this church played an important development. For one generation V O I CtoE grow role in the life of my family and in my own in appreciation for another, there needs to personal life. be movement from knowledge of God’s deThe beauty of this congregation was the sign for intergenerational relationship to generations represented each time the acting on that knowledge. members gathered. Like in most small-town There are three key movements to help churches, everyone interacted with each people and churches move toward more other. The Sunday School classes were di- intergenerational interaction. First, small vided for specific grades or life stages, but groups are a proper environment for healthy there was a healthy balance in intergener- intergenerational interaction. Second, inational interaction. From Sunday school to tergenerational groups support the emospecial events to weekly worship, a variety tional health of their members. Third, every of people representing multiple genera- member of a group having responsibility is tions poured into my life. I stand convinced a means for empowering every generation. that the healthy intergenerational relationThere are three action steps churches can ships I established with these believers led take to help create more intergenerationme to remain connected to a local church as al interaction leading to more intergeneraI entered young adulthood. tional relationships. The first is create interOver the last 15 years, I have served as a generational small groups for the purpose student pastor, witnessing both the pow- of Bible study, prayer, Scripture memory er of intergenerational interaction but and accountability. These groups will learn, also the effects when there is none. While encourage and empower one another. age-segregated and life-stage ministry is A second action step is give opportunities important and helpful, more intergenera- for generations to serve missionally togethtional interaction needs to take place with- er, whether that is a local mission project, in the walls of churches, not just for the domestic mission trip or an international benefit of younger generations but for the mission trip. When generations serve side older generations too. by side together, they learn to appreciate While this intergenerational interaction is and value what each brings to advancing multi-faceted and requires a multi-faceted God’s mission. response, I believe one key element that is A third action step is creating an aveoften missing is generations growing in ap- nue for church members to develop an inpreciation for one another. I long to see the tergenerational friendship with someone generations have more interaction that will from another generation. This may be done lead to a stronger and healthier church. through women’s or men’s ministry, one For this to happen, the generation inter- Sunday School class adopting another, etc. action process must have the Bible as its I personally have watched the benefit of foundation. The Bible reveals who God is, all three of these action steps. While not evHis work among His people, and what their ery group, mission project or intentional responsibilities are in carrying out His work. friendship was perfect, most of the people One of the church’s responsibilities is pass- involved expressed a growth in appreciaing on God’s grand story, the Gospel mes- tion for those of other generations. sage about Jesus Christ, to those of all genWe know God’s mission will continue to erations. Scripture offers three theological advance using one generation to reach anS I N GWeE R truths that serve as the biblical basisR forDthisS Lother. also know our churches will be O W interaction process in order that God’s story stronger and healthier with more intergenbe passed from one generation to another. erational interaction. Psalm 145:4 says, “One First, God desires people of one generation generation shall commend your works to anto tell of His works to another (Psalm 78 and other, and shall declare your mighty acts.”

Psalm 145). Second, God desires generations May we not just do this with our words, to relate to one another (Rom. 12 and 1 Cor. but rather establish and cultivate relation12). Third, Christians contribute to the unity ships with from different generations AY S those of the church through the way generations to tell God’s great story.

D AV E toS continue >> by Jeff DeGiacomo

STUDENT PASTOR, OKC, QUAIL SPRINGS

BAP T IS TS A M O H A L OK H IG H L I GH T R ESOURCE

V I R T UAL FALL S C R E E K

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ STUDENT MINISTRY

Virtual Falls Creek offers digital elements to help you plan, customize and implement a camp experience right where you are! This resource is made free through the Cooperative Program. skopos.org/fallscreek

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

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June 25, 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

PASTORS, POLITICS AND THE GOSPEL >> TIM HARE

V E S AY S A D If I were to illustrate the cultural setting in which our church-

es currently exist, I would paint a picture of a ship in the middle of a raging storm, trying to maintain its direction in the darkness of night. The wind is attempting to blow the ship off course. The waves are tossing it to and fro. In complete darkness, it is nearly impossible to know T S is north.

P T I Sdirection B Awhich M Apastor—who L A H Othe Today in our like a O Kchurches, T GHfunctions I L H IG H E C ship’s captain—is tasked UR with leading the church through RESO the cultural storms of the day.

I understand that every generation of pastoring has had its difficulties. I imagine pastoring a church through world wars and great depressions and other world-wide catastrophes was extremely challenging. But I do believe that in our current day and age, there exists a new level of difficulty for the pastor that has never been seen.

Because of technological advances in media networks and the rise of social media platforms, anyone has the ability to have news at their fingertips and can immediately voice their judgement for the world to see. The result, in my opinion, is what we have now: a country that is tragically divided. In my own experiences, these divisions have seeped (if not poured) into the church. This is especially true in the political sphere.

To read the rest of Tim’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/ppg

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

D AV E S AY S SELF-INSURE?

BAP T IS TS A M O H A L OK H IG H L I GH T R ESOURCE

Dear Dave, I’ve been researching long-term care policies. Can you reach a point financially where you can self-insure long-term care needs, and not buy a long-term care insurance policy?

—Paul Dear Paul, It’s possible, mathematically speaking, if you have the resources available to pay for the care you’d receive in a nursing home or similar facility for about 20 years. Not many folks have that kind of money, though. I think it’s a large enough bill that it makes sense to transfer the risk to a long-term care insurance policy.

Keep in mind, too, if you’re married you have to think about your spouse, and make sure they have enough to live on comfortably at the same time. That’s a lot of money. And that’s why I advise virtually everyone to put good, long-term care coverage in place at age 59 or 60. It can mean the difference between living with dignity, or having to depend on the government!

—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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Rate: $1.00 per word, $25.00 per issue, minimum • Deadline: Two weeks prior to publication. Submit a classified ad at www.baptistmessenger.com/advertise on the Classifieds Form

CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY:

ed 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.

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>> 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.

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>> F/T CHILDREN’S MINISTER: (OK) Minco, FBC is a Spirit-led, Bible-believing church. We are seeking a F/T Minister for our Children’s Ministry. If interested, email resume to: mike@mincofbc.com. >> P/T DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & WORSHIP: University Heights Baptist Church, Stillwater is seeking a P/T Worship Leader to lead music and worship for a blended worship service for a multigenerational, college town congregation. Send resumes to: jobs@uheights.org. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Addington Baptist Church is searching for a BI/VO Pastor. Location in Addington, OK. Send resume to: pastor.search@addingtonbaptist.net. >> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church Davis, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail a cover letter & resume to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 297, Davis, OK 73030. >> F/T PASTOR: F/T pastor needed for the First Baptist Church, Mannsville, Oklahoma. We do have a parsonage onsite. Send resume to: Charles Shockley, 12414 Sartin Road, Madill, Oklahoma 73446. >> PT OR BI/VO PASTOR: Panola Baptist Church is seeking P/T or Bi/VO Pastor. Send resumes to: Pastor Search Committee at P.O. Box 120, Panola, OK 74559. >> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church Apache, Oklahoma is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Send resume & cover letter to: First Baptist Church Apache, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, fbcapache@pldi.net or P.O. Box 327, Apache, OK 73006. T: 580-588-2369. >> P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Eastland Hills Church in Choctaw, OK is seeking a P/T Youth Minister to lead our youth ministry. You may contact Pastor Kenny at: (405) 361-0656 or email resumes to: kenny@eastlandhills.org. >> 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 & motivat-

>> WORSHIP LEADER: FBC Coweta, is 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 Chapel 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. >> 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. >> 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: 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. >> 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.

CROSSWO

ACROSS 1 Board game 6 Handy household tape 10 Sprite 13 Writer Blaise 15 Crete or Cyprus 16 “Thou art not __ from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34)

17 Respiratory ailment 18 Preacher to Gentiles 19 TGIF part (Abbr.)

20 “Now my life __ away” (Job 30:16 niv) 22 Followers __ in God’s Word 24 Writer Bombeck 26 Washington figures

RD

28 Look over 29 “God, do not ignore my __” (Ps. 55:1 niv) 30 Followers have __ for the future 31 Condemned 32 Belonging to (Suffix) 33 Old story 34 NT time, e.g.

35 Followers __ new members 37 Dot 41 Garden gal 42 “Casting all your __ upon him” (1 Peter 5:7) 43 Veto vote 44 41 Across downfall, traditionally 47 Preacher might stand on one 48 “__ to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40) 49 Jesus’ follower, for short 50 Domestic dog 51 Salad choice 52 26 Across river 54 “He sent them to preach...and to __ the sick” (Luke 9:2) 56 Example for sluggard, per Proverbs 57 Chinese gelatin 59 Leering 63 Devil’s statement, e.g.

64 “Woe __ you, ye blind guides” (Matt.

23:16) 65 “Shepherds living out in the fields __” (Luke 2:8 niv)

66 Digital watch image (Abbr.)

67 “The __ shall be first” (Matt. 19:30) 68 Angel appeared to Joseph in one DOWN 1 Tax-time helper (Abbr.)

2 KJV’s hath 3 Superlative (Suffix) 4 Outline 5 Brazilian dance 6 “Lazarus, that he may __ the tip of his finger in water” (Luke 16:24) 7 Operational 8 Puzzle elements 9 “I __ you the truth” (John 8:45) 10 Result 11 Newly hatched insects 12 “What a __ We Have in Jesus,” hymn 14 Big dog, for short 21 Fern seed 23 “God of Abraham, and of __” (Acts 3:13) 24 “ Thoughts...accusing or __ excusing one another” (Rom. 2:15) 25 Fisher’s need 27 Poet’s reveal 29 Sanctuary seat 30 Our heavenly __ 31 “Truth shall make you __” (John 8:32) 33 Followers commanded to __ one another 34 Sins 36 Oratorio instrument, perhaps

37 Followers have __ in God 38 Door grip 39 “I Am Jesus’ Little __,” hymn 40 “Light of the body is the __” (Matt. 6:22) 42 Purrer 44 Revolt 45 Relating to language 46 Pocked 47 Coins, slangily 48 Preacher’s neckwear 50 __ Carta 51 Daniel’s lions, e.g.

53 Mangle 55 Long, long time 58 “Name of the wicked shall __” (Prov.

10:7) 60 Wrath 61 Athletic group (Abbr.)

62 Workout site

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Classifieds | June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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CLASSIFIE

VOICES

LT U R E NE WS & CU

DS

Recommendations sought for Oklahoma Baptists’ boards, committees & officers

>> by Staff The Nominating Committee of the convention of Oklahoma Baptists invites Oklahoma Baptists from across the state to recommend persons to serve on the various boards and committees. The committee’s nominations will be presented to messengers at the annual meeting of Oklahoma Baptists to be held Nov. 9-10, at Broken Arrow, First.

It is important that consistent information be available for all recommendations. The recommendation form printed with this article may be copied. Accurate completion of the form is requested for each name submitted. Those sending names for consideration may contact any member of the committee; however, recommendation forms must be received by the Nominating Committee no later than July 30. The electronic form can be completed online at www.oklahomabaptists.org, or the printed form may be mailed to the Nominating Committee, Baptist Building, 3800 North May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 731126506, or faxed to 405/942-1339.

Committee members are Mike Scrivani, chairman; James Bond, Teresa Brady, Shelley Brown, Trevor Bulls, Debbie Cruce, Harold Gaches, Janet Hays, Nick Johnson, Cristobal Lujan, Mauricio Mejia, Danny Ringer, Scott Watkins, LeRon West, and Pete Wilson.

Potential directors and trustees should have a personal history of effort and experience in Christian causes and an interest in promoting the objectives of the organizations to which they are recommended. Knowledge and ability in business are beneficial characteristics for nominees for each board. All board positions are for three-year terms

except as otherwise noted. Following are the vacancies to be filled: Board of Directors of Oklahoma Baptists will have 18 positions on the 60-member board to be filled from 15 associations; all three-year terms. Three three-year at-large positions will be filled. Four new directors must be laymen, and seven must be laywomen. One position is open in each of the following associational areas: Central, Chi-Ka-Sha, Choctaw-Chickasaw, Cimarron, Comanche-Cotton, Craig-Mayes, Enon, Kay, Mullins, Muscogee-Seminole-Wichita, Northwestern, Pittsburg, Sans Bois, and South Canadian; four positions are open in Tulsa Metro. To comply with convention bylaws, the number of directors elected from specific associational areas will vary as the resident membership fluctuates, and the number of at-large members will change accordingly from year to year. The constitution specifies that there are to be no fewer than 16 persons who are not ordained ministers of the Gospel serving on the board, including at least eight women and at least eight men.

Board of Trustees for Oklahoma Baptist University will have 10 vacancies on the 30-member board; all three-year terms. Five of the 10 new trustees must be laypersons, and five must be selected from among the professional clergy (pastors, church staff, directors of missions, etc.) or their spouses. The committee seeks to maintain a balance of members from all areas of the state; however, there are no requirements regarding geographical locations.

Board of Directors for The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma will have six vacancies on the 18-member board; all three-year terms. To fulfill bylaw specifications, five of the new directors must be lay-

persons, of which two shall be women; one new director must be ministry related or ordained. There are no geographical requirements, but a geographical balance is desirable.

Board of Directors for Baptist Village Communities of Oklahoma will have seven positions open for recommendation on the 21-member board; all threeyear terms. BVC bylaws stipulate that the board shall be geographically representative of the state.

Board of Trustees for Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children will have openings for eight members on the 24-member board; all three-year terms. To conform to OBHC bylaws, seven new directors must be laypersons and one must be an ordained minister or minister’s spouse. There are no geographical requirements, but a geographical balance is desirable.

Convention Committees: Nominees from all areas of the state are eligible to serve on convention committees. The Audit Committee will have three vacancies; all three-year terms. One new member must be clergy who is a recent past officer of Oklahoma Baptists, and one must be a CPA. To comply with the committee’s charter, members must meet the following criteria: 1) member of the clergy who is a recent Oklahoma Baptists past officer; or 2) certified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, who are experienced in finance, accounting, and/or knowledgeable of tax and regulatory requirements; or 3) must have senior corporate management experience including finance or accounting, or other comparable experience or background. The following positions will also be open: three three-year terms on the Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee; and three three-year terms on the Historical Commission.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS Any member of an Oklahoma Baptist church is invited to use this form to submit recommendations. The electronic form can be filled out online at www.oklahomabaptists.org, or the printed form may be mailed to the Nominating Committee, Baptist Building, 3800 North May, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506, or faxed to 405/942-1339.

Recommendations must be received by July 30 Believing this person to be personally committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to the missionary endeavors of Oklahoma Baptists, I recommend:

1. Title: Dr. Rev. Mr. Mrs. Miss

2. Name:

3. Address:

City: Zip:

4. Home/Cell Phone:

Work Phone:

5. Approximate age: Male: Female:

6. Occupation:

7. Ordained Minister: Yes No

8. Church membership:

9. City/town where church is located:

10. Association:

11. Involvement in local church:

(1) Frequency of attendance

(2) Major activity in church

(3) Supportive of Cooperative Program

In church:

In convention:

12

12. Involvement and work within association:

13. Prior service on state boards and committees:

Check the board, commission, committee or office on which you believe this person could best serve: Board of Directors, Oklahoma Baptists

Board of Directors, Baptist Village Communities

Board of Directors, The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma

Board of Trustees, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children

Board of Trustees, Oklahoma Baptist University

Audit Committee

Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee

Historical Commission Please understand that your recommendation does not assure the person you are suggesting will be presented by the Nominating Committee to the state convention. However, your recommendation will be given serious consideration.

Name:

(Person making recommendation)

Mailing address:

Daytime telephone: Date:

June 25, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture