2020-07-09 Baptist Messenger

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • JULY 9, 2020

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CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Supreme Court disappoints pro-lifers with abortion ruling >> TOM STRODE

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: The sound of silence

Encourage: A psalm when we feel clueless

MedAdvance 2020 going virtual

Falls Creek kicks off Road Show

>> STAFF

>> CHRIS FORBES

>> HANCE DILBECK

I want to make a confession to all Oklahoma Baptists: I feel as clueless as a small child.

This year has made my head spin. As we enter the second half of 2020, I am more confused, not less. We are trying to make decisions about starting schools, playing sports, holding events, balancing budgets; in general, about how to finish the year.

Yet, so often we are confronted by a simple reality: We just don’t know. Psalm 131 comes to my mind:

In 2019, Oklahoma hosted the International Mission Board’s (IMB) MedAdvance Conference, an event designed to mobilize and equip healthcare professionals to serve around the world for the sake of the Gospel.

In 2020, amid the backdrop of a global pandemic, the MedAdvance Conference will be held online Aug. 7-8.

MedAdvance 2020 is being organized by Rebekah Naylor, a renowned medical missionary who served with the IMB. Naylor has underscored the unique impact medical missions can make.

The first two stops on the Falls Creek Road Show took place in Cushing and Woodward in late June. The events were attended by students from area Oklahoma Baptist churches with about 150 students gathering in Cushing June 26 and 134 in attendance June 30 in Woodward.

The Road Show was developed by Oklahoma Baptists youth ministry to be offered as an alternative when it was determined that the popular summer camp would not be hosted at the conference center near Davis because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

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>> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Old school >> WALKER MOORE

Page 10 | Church Toolbox 5 reasons churches have a great window of opportunity >> THOM RAINER

Page 12 | News & Culture Recommendations sought for Oklahoma Baptists’ boards, committees & officers >> STAFF

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Supreme Court disappoints pro-lifers with abortion ruling & SPORTS & MISSIONS

MENT N T E R TA I N E and said it “would place substantial obstacles in the

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>> by Tom Strode

BAPTIST PRESS WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON (BP)—Pro-life leaders expressed deep disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal June 29 to uphold a Louisiana law designed to protect the lives and health of women by requiring hospital admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions.

In a 5-4 decision, the high court ruled the law— which mandated a physician must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of a facility where he or she performs an abortion—violated the U.S. Constitution by imposing an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to the procedure. The justices found the Louisiana measure was nearly identical to a Texas admitting privileges law they struck down in 2016.

Pro-life advocates had been hopeful the Supreme Court’s willingness to rule on the Louisiana law signaled it was already prepared to revise the legal standard it used when it invalidated the Texas requirement four years ago.

Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore described the ruling as “disappointing and wrong-headed.”

“The Louisiana law was directed toward the simple goal of protecting women from danger by placing the most minimal restrictions possible on an abortion industry that insists on laissez-faire for itself and its profits,” said Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). “Nonetheless, E we NLIN will continue to seekN anEAmerica vulnerable W O where NT NTEmothCOtheir persons, including unborn and LUSIVE EB-EXCchildren W ers, are seen as precious, not disposable.”

The National Right to Life Committee is “extremely disappointed,” said its president, Carol Tobias. The decision “leaves women vulnerable,” she added.

Kristen Waggoner, general counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, said women who want aborFO tions “have the same right toAcompetent and qualTION IN IC L B U P ity care as patients involved in other surgical pro-

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

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JULY 21

Falls Creek Road Show

Falls Creek Road Show

Info: Durant, First skopos.org/fallscreek

Info: Lawton, First skopos.org/fallscreek

JULY 13

JULY 22

Falls Creek Road Show

Falls Creek Road Show

Info: S.W. Baptist Assembly, Lone Grove skopos.org/fallscreek

Info: Choctaw, First skopos.org/fallscreek

JULY 15

Falls Creek Road Show

Info: Muskogee, First skopos.org/fallscreek

JULY 17

Falls Creek Road Show Info: El Reno, First skopos.org/fallscreek

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cedures. Louisiana’s admitting privileges law protected that right.”

In the June 29 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts provided the margin needed for the justices who voted to reverse an opinion by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans that upheld the law.

S decision by a Roberts did not sign onto I CtheE court’s VO four-person plurality, but he cast the deciding vote by filing an opinion that concurred in its judgment.

Roberts dissented from the high court ruling in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, the 2016 ruling that overturned the Texas admitting-privileges law. But he said in his concurring opinion on the Louisiana measure that the question “is not whether Whole Woman’s Health was right or wrong, but whether to adhere to it in deciding the present case.”

The legal principle of precedents governing the court’s decision-making “requires us, absent special circumstances, to treat like cases alike,” Roberts wrote. “The Louisiana law imposes a burden on access to abortion just as severe as that imposed by the Texas law... Therefore Louisiana’s law cannot stand under our precedents.”

In the court’s opinion, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer described the measure under consideration as “almost word-for-word identical” to the Texas law

EVENTS

Falls Creek Road Show

CLASSIFIE

JULY 24 Info: Clinton, First skopos.org/fallscreek

JULY 27

Falls Creek Road Show Info: Gibson Baptist Assembly, Hardesty skopos.org/fallscreek

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

ERLC commends Trump order on child welfare TOM STRODE | JUNE 27

The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has commended President Trump’s new executive order to bolster the country’s child welfare system.

PUBLICATIO

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High court affirms religious access to state programs TOM STRODE | JUNE 30

EVENTS

The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upheld June 30 a state tax credit scholarship program that includes religious schools, maintaining its recent support of the right of faith groups to participate in government programs.

The high court voted 5-4 to overturn a Montana Supreme Court decision that invalidated a state program that provides a tax credit of up to $150 for a donation to a Student Scholarship Organization. Contributions to SSOs finance scholarships given to families for student tuition at private schools of their choosing. The program approved by the state legislature includes Christian and other religious schools.

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

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path of women seeking an abortion in Louisiana.”

Associate Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan joined Breyer in the opinion. Dissenting were Associate Justices Clarence E &KavaThomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch P E O PandL Brett naugh. Each filed a dissenting opinion.

NEWS H C R U H C In his dissent, Thomas said the abortion providers lacked legal standing. He also said the court’s previous abortion opinions on which the latest ruling was based “created the right to abortion out of whole cloth, without a shred of support from the Constitution’s text. Our abortion precedents are grievously wrong and should be overruled.”

TURE L U C & S W E The “undue burden” N test relied upon in the court’s decision is a standard offered by the justices in their 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey opinion, which affirmed a legal right to abortion while allowing states to regulate aspects of abortion practice to protect the lives and health of women.

The ERLC, joined by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, contended in a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the Louisiana law the “undue burden” test is the incorrect standard for laws that regulate abortion doctors. In place of the “undue burden” rule regarding health and safety requirements, the Supreme Court should use a standard from a 1997 opinion that calls for “ordinary rational basis review,” they said in the brief.

Before the opinion, 11 states had some form of admitting privileges laws in effect, according to the Guttmacher Institute, formerly an affiliate of Planned Parenthood. Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.

The Louisiana measure—introduced by Democrat Rep. Katrina Jackson—gained passage with overwhelming, bipartisan majorities in both houses and was signed into law by L I N E Gov. N Democratic John Bel Edwards.N E W O NT CONTv.ERusso.

SIVE Services CLUMedical The name of W theEcase B-EisXJune

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

PUBLICATIO

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The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published semi-monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112-6506. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 41,956. 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. July 9, 2020 • Volume 109, Number 13.

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EVENTS

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

VOICES

Encourage: A psalm when we feel clueless /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

I want to make a confession to all Oklahoma Baptists: I feel as clueless as a small child.

This year has made my head spin. As we enter the second half of 2020, I am more confused, not less. We are trying to make decisions about starting schools, playing sports, holding events, balancing budgets; in general, about how to finish the year. Yet, so often we are confronted by a simple reality: We just don’t know. Psalm 131 comes to my mind: “O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;

Nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me.

Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me.

O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever.”

This is a psalm of David—David the shepherd, David the warrior, David the builder, David the king. David was not one for inaction; he did not tend to shrink from taking the reins, being responsible, and coming up with a plan to execute. David was a man of vision, of action, a true leader. Yet, David seems to have learned that the real challenges of life tended to tower high above his capacity.

This little psalm anticipates the teaching of Jesus. He took a little child and put him on His knee for the whole crowd to see. Then Jesus said, “Who-

ever humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:4).

I find two sacred patterns in David’s short prayer in the psalm. The pattern of the self-reliant moves from pride to presumption to pressure. “I am the grown up in the room, the leader. I must fix all that needs fixin’! I must have a wise remark for every occasion and a solution to every problem.” We undervalue people, and we overreach our capacity because we overestimate our ability to manage every circumstance.

That may have been David’s pattern as a young man, but he has taught his soul a new rhythm. The pattern of peace—humility, honesty and hope in the LORD. “I am not all that clever, I am not so very strong. I am a man like other men; and my only hope is in the LORD.” O LORD, give us grace to compose and quiet our souls; and to rest, humble and quiet, in Your strong and faithful arms.

Sword & trowel: The sound of silence Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

I am encouraged to see more pastors and Christians step forward and speak out for racial justice (and against racial injustice). I myself recognize that I previously had been too silent, or at least too hesitant, to speak on these important issues.

My hesitation did not really help anybody or anything. The Bible, meanwhile, has much to say about speaking up for the oppressed. Prov. 31:8-9 says “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Prov. 3:27-28 says not to withhold good from those “who deserve it when it is in your power to act.”

We are living in an age that emboldens people to speak out. At the same time, an idea has emerged that must be pondered.

It is this: Silence is agreement. If you do not speak out—or even if you do not speak out quickly enough on any given topic—it’s viewed to be agreement or complicity with a wrong.

Is that idea right or biblical?

Let’s first look at the life of Jesus Himself. Time after time, Jesus was fearless in speaking truth to authority (Matt. 23:13; Luke 13:32; John 19:11).

At the same time, we notice a pattern in which Jesus sometimes refused to speak or comment. Prior to helping a Gentile woman’s daughter (Matt. 5:2128), He does not speak when we expect. Jesus refused to explain by what authority He was performing miracles (Mark 11:33). In the events leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus remained silent before His accusers (Matt. 26:62-63).

It has to be stated that there were very specific underlying reasons for His silence in these examples; and what’s more, that’s Jesus. He’s God’s only Son, and we are not.

So how should everyday Christians act and speak?

The Bible has much to say about the tongue and seems repeatedly to praise holding your tongue.

Prov. 21:23 says, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

Prov. 17:28 says, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

So on one hand, we see the need to speak, and on the other, the need to be silent. Between the extremes we see and hear on social media today— of people uttering everything that comes to mind, and others refusing to speak on the most pressing issues—is there a golden mean of which Christians should aspire?

King Solomon said, “There is a time to listen, and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:7). In the New Testament, James extols, not silence, but rather being “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).

It appears from the Scripture that Christians must learn when to speak. During Job’s great suffering, his friends said all the wrong things at all the wrong times. Bildad and the others did great harm through their wrong words (Job 8:4).

When the topic of race comes up, I know many people who are afraid of saying the wrong thing, so they say nothing at all.

The famous Roman historian Edward Gibbon, who served in British parliament, was once asked why he never gave a speech. He said that the examples of all of the good speeches and all of the bad speeches deterred him from ever speaking forth.

Today, there are a lot of good and bad—and ugly—examples of people commenting on race. I have come to realize we cannot let these deter us from saying anything. While silence may not always be agreement, we must learn, like James, to be “quick to listen” and “slow to speak.”

The next time news hits, take a moment to listen before you speak. Find ways to speak wisely, to speak with people, not at them. In the end, God’s Kingdom and the Gospel advance will be helped by Christians learning the right time to listen and the right time to speak.

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

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I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

Rite of passage: school S P O R T S &Old T N AINME

& MISSIONS Y M I N I S T RWalker Moore

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

O O L B OX T H C R U H C Titus the Honorable is just two months shy of 7

years old. Oh, how the time has flown! Your children grow up fast, but your grandchildren zoom by faster than a small-town parade.

During my 47 years of working with students, I have noticed different classes or groups of them, based largely upon D Spersonality and their CreS S I F I Etheir CLA ator’s design.

First are the “rushers.” These are the students who have more compassion than they know what to do with. If they don’t get to hug someone or something today, they will explode. It could be a sad-looking dog on a street or a child in an orphanage. I call them “rushers” because they are the first toV rush E Sbus, rush to find someone who I Cthe O off needs a hug, rush to engage a homeless person or someone in need. They are also the last group to get on the bus because they take more than an hour to say goodbye. I love the rushers.

Then you have the group I named the “shortcutters.” These are the students who don’t like to wait in line to get off the bus, so they just climb out the window. If there is a long line getting back on the bus, they will open the back door or climb back through

R Ton a mission, bent on getting the window.

T Eare NThey E the job done, so they will find the quickest way to accomplish it. The shortcutters always bring me a smile because they are the ones who get stuck in the window trying to climb back in. I love the shortcutters.

But there is another group I call “old school.” I E & up. This is the probably fit in this O P Lgrowing P Egroup group of students who want W Sout with oldNtoEhang H C R U H C er adults rather than their peers. They like deeper conversations, and they ask questions about everything. Even though Titus the Honorable is only bearing down on his seventh birthday, he is already demonstrating old-school characteristics.

If he has a choice between a new toy or an old typewriter, Titus will pick the old U R E every T typewriter L U C & S W E time. HeN will ask lots of questions, take a piece of paper and spend an hour trying to figure out all the keys and levers, then type his name.

Recently, he has been asking about cassette tapes.

He thinks the things his grandparents grew up with are the coolest. He told his Grammy and me the other day, “I don’t know why, but I really like the old stuff.” I am glad he does, because Grammy and I are “old stuff.”

Lately, his fascination with cassette tapes and players has been growing. He found an old sermon on a cassette tape, so he listened to it and thought it was “pretty good.” He wanted to know if we could find an old cassette player somewhere so he could listen to some tapes at home.

His Uncle Jeremy found one for him at a Goodwill store, but after about three minutes of playing, it died, to run no more. So Poppy stepped in and

bought Titus a new Walkman-type player. He and I went to a used bookstore, and he bought a couple of tapes. (I think they cost more now than when they were new.) He took his player home and asked his dad, “Where’s my Amy Grant tape?” He has listened to that tape a hundred times over.

“Do you like Amy Grant?” his dad asked.

“She is right on what she sings about Jesus,” Titus told him. What an old-school answer!

Jesus Himself was an “old schooler.” He sat in the temple, listening to the rabbis and asking them questions, and they were amazed at His understanding of God’s Word and truth (Luke 2:46-47).

Jesus was also a “rusher.” He had compassion for a woman at a well and a man who was born blind.

And Jesus was a “shortcutter” too. He revealed that in John 9:4 when He said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”

It is our job as parents and grandparents to identify the portion of the Creator instilled in that child by the Creator himself. Yes, Titus, you are right; Amy Grant is right on what she sings about Jesus. I am glad that even at 6, you are listening with a critical ear and taking every thought captive. You remind me a lot of Jesus when you say those kinds of things. Keep it up!

Now let’s go help your brother Cohen. He’s stuck in the window again.

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them” (Gen. 1:27).

Parents, don’t be afraid to lead your kids to Christ!

Charlie Gatton Childhood Ministry Partner for Oklahoma Baptists @gattonc

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut. 6:4-7).

While the church does a good job of biblical training for kids, it is limited to 2-3 hours a week. Parents and guardians are with their kids at least 44 hours together, possibly much more.

You don’t need a pastor or children’s volunteer to lead your child to Christ. You can do it.

“But, what if I don’t have all the answers? What if I do it wrong? I just became a Christian myself, how can I lead someone else?”

Have you ever said or thought something like that?

Everyone has. Whether it was about their kids or simply sharing the Gospel with a neighbor or friend.

There are many great tools available to use, such as the flip book, “What Everyone Should Know” written by Glenn Barber, or “The Gospel, God’s Plan for Me” from LifeWay. Or you can watch “VBS Gospel Presentation Video” at vbs.lifeway.com/downloads-media/#videos.

But how do you know if your child is ready, that their faith is “real”? Here are a few tips to help you evaluate what is going on in your child’s mind and soul about the Gospel.

Pray. Pray for your kids to understand the Gospel and believe. Pray for clear understanding and discernment.

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Listen to the Holy Spirit. If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives in you to guide you. Listen. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, then you should seek help to lead your kids to Christ.

Talk with your kids individually. It’s great to have family conversations about the Gospel. But when it gets serious for one of your children, talk with them without the other kids around.

Have a conversation. Don’t ask yes or no questions.

Ask open-ended questions that require your child to answer with a sentence or two.

Be careful what words you use. Sometimes kids know all the church words and what they mean; sometimes they don’t. Ask them if they understand a word that seems “churchy.” For example, wages. Rom. 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Wages aren’t bad; they are something you get for what you do.

Don’t rush! If your child doesn’t understand that their sin is what has separated them from God and that they deserve to be punished because of it, they may not be ready. Talk again in a day, or a week or a month. Your child may understand more than they can articulate. It is OK to wait until they can.

Kids have short attention spans. We may start a Gospel conversation that lasts longer than they are willing or able to participate.

Take a break and talk later.

You can count on about one minute of attention for every year old they are.

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

The Bible is key. Don’t forget to use your Bible when talking through the Gospel. Kids need to know that what you are saying is backed up by God’s Word.

Know the difference. There is a difference between becoming a Christian, being baptized and joining the church. Sometimes the Gospel conversation will start because a child sees a friend or relative baptized. They may think that the act of baptism is what is necessary. This opens up the opportunity to talk about faith and what Jesus did for us on the cross. Baptism is a picture of what God did through Jesus on the Cross.

It also pictures that when we become a Christian that we become a new creation. Buried with Him in baptism, raised to walk a new life.

I am praying for you as these opportunities present themselves. You can do it!

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

MedAdvance 2020 going virtual PLE & O E X P O B L O NEWS H U R C H TO CHURCH

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1) Rebekah Naylor will oversee MedAdvance 2020, as she has faithfully done for many years; 2) MedAdvance 2019 met at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs and was well attended. This year, attendees can participate virtually; 3) IMB President Paul Chitwood will address IMB’s commitment to healthcare missions.

VOICES

>> PHOTOS: MESSENGER ARCHIVES

>> by Staff In 2019, Oklahoma hosted the International Mission Board’s (IMB) MedAdvance Conference, an event designed to mobilize and equip healthcare professionals to serve around the world for the sake of the Gospel.

In 2020, amid the backdrop of a global pandemic, the MedAdvance Conference will be held online Aug. 7-8.

MedAdvance 2020 is being organized by Rebekah Naylor, a renowned medical missionary who served with the IMB. Naylor has underscored the unique impact medical missions can make. “As healthcare professionals, we are able to cross every geographic, cultural and economic barrier because all people need healthcare,” she explained. “But perhaps what is most significant and unique is the fact that, in health-

care, a person can get to a spiritual conversation in minutes. For most others, it takes days, weeks or months of relationship building to have a spiritual conversation. In healthcare we’re able to talk about spiritual matters very quickly.”

According to Naylor, attendees of the virtual 2020 MedAdvance Conference will hear from IMB leaders and hear inspiring stories from missionaries.

MedAdvance will feature three one-and-a-half hour sessions, including the following: Friday evening, Aug. 7 “Healthcare Missions: The IMB’s Commitment,” featuring IMB President Paul Chitwood, IMB Vice-President for Global Engagement John Brady and others.

Saturday morning, Aug. 8 “Healthcare Missions: Sharing the Gospel and

Starting Churches,” featuring Brady, as well as four IMB field personnel presentations. The session also will cover “How to get connected as a volunteer.”

Saturday afternoon, Aug. 8 “Healthcare Missions: Praying, Giving and Going,” which will feature IMB leaders as well as missionary testimonies. This session covers “Finding pathways to serve.”

Each session will allow opportunities for questions and answers. Sessions will be recorded for later viewing in case a person misses one of the sessions.

The IMB is asking churches to promote the event among health care professionals and students, as well as others who may sense a call to medical missions.

More information and registration link can be found at imb.org/healthcare.

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

OPPORTUN

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OKLAHOMA

On-going opportunities for volunteers: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OKC and Community Food Bank of Eastern OK, Tulsa—both locations, call 405/972-1111 (Not a Baptist ministry, but many Oklahoma Baptist churches receive food from them for local food pantries.)

Arms Around Broken Arrow—food pantry, clothes closet—918/258-7714 or hugh@armsaroundba.org Lake Texoma Baptist Resort Ministry—Pete Richards, director, 2034 Max Rd, Mead 73449—580/579-1671 or thehelm2034@gmail.com Cherokee Baptist Assembly, Cherokee—918/506-5482 or cba_tahlequah@yahoo.com

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

For currently-badged DR members, CPR/First Aid and Forklift/Skidsteer training will be offered 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. $20.00 fee for the First Aid/CPR class. For more information go to okdisasterhelp.org

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Bronson Baker Bronson works through Baptist Collegiate Ministries in Norman, primarily with student athletes. Pray that God will use him at OU to reach students for Christ.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary James Lee James is part of Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the University of Oklahoma, working with more than 2,000 international students.

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

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

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Pressing forward: Oklahoma Baptists’ board revises budget, introduces new church planting strategy /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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>> by Staff The first Oklahoma Baptists’ Board of Directors meeting in 2020 took place March 10, just before COVID-19 was announced to be a global pandemic. On June 25, board members met for the second time this year at the Baptist Building. The Board reviewed what had occurred since the previous meeting, shared time in prayer and fellowship and pressed forward with ministry plans, a revised budget and a new church planting strategy.

Dilbeck highlights challenges, Gospel opportunities in 2020 Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Hance Dilbeck, in his address to the Board, underscored the many challenges that the 2020 year has seen, but he emphasized that the Gospel advances in challenging circumstances. Citing Phil. 1:12-14, he said, “When the advance of the Gospel is our passion, challenging circumstances are opportunity, not obstacle.

“We learn from Paul that we can be ‘content in any and every circumstance’ because the advance of the Gospel was his passion, and the Gospel thrives in adverse circumstances,” he said.

Dilbeck said that while the COVID-19 pandemic restricted the ability to hold events and programming, other opportunities for Gospel advance have emerged.

“If our passion and purpose is building institutions, sustaining programs, winning an election (or) advancing our career; our circumstances can derail us,” Dilbeck added. “We are often the victim of circumstances. We live one recession, one pandemic, one budget cut away from total frustration. The year 2020 has provided a platform from which we can proclaim the Gospel and encourage the brethren.”

Dilbeck led a time of prayer with board members, which included a focus on Gospel opportunities around the state, as well as praying for healing in the racial unrest in the country.

Board approves adjusted budget amid COVID-19 One of the challenges 2020 has presented for Oklahoma Baptists’ convention is financial pressure, which has come in the wake of COVID-19.

Dilbeck said, “We are responding to unforeseen challenges and opportunities of COVID-19, including financial headwinds.

“At the conclusion of the first financial quarter, Cooperative Program giving was below budget by 15 percent. This, combined with our loss of (Falls Creek and CrossTimbers) conference center activity, will cut our 2020 revenue by approximately 30 percent, or more than $8 million,” Dilbeck reported.

The Board’s Finance Committee and other Board leaders therefore presented an adjusted Financial Plan “for the last half of 2020 that will indicate how we plan to manage our way through this year as responsible stewards,” he said.

“This adjusted Financial Plan requires three basic actions. First, we must continue the severe spending cuts that we initiated in March. Second, we need to carefully draw from our reserves this year. Third, as a

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>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED 1) On June 25, Oklahoma Baptists’ Board of Directors met at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City, while some members joined through virtual meeting technology; 2) Hance Dilbeck speaks about the challenges and Gospel opportunities the year 2020 has presented; 3) Kathy Gibson, left, who serves as director of HOPE’s Mobile Unit, gives tours of the new unit.

last resort, we made painful personnel reductions.”

Dilbeck and Board members considered and approved revised budget plans to adjust to historic financial challenges in 2020.

The adjusted Financial Plan included the elimination of 17 full-time jobs, which represents 13 percent of convention staff. The staff reduction plans were previously approved by the Board’s Executive Committee, and action was taken in early June.

A summary of the full-time job reductions included: eight conference center positions; three Baptist Collegiate Ministry associate director positions (OU, OSU and UCO); four support services positions; one church resources position; and one executive leadership office position. In addition, all six members of Oklahoma Baptists’ staff leadership group voluntarily took a salary reduction of 5 percent for the remainder of 2020.

“This year has demanded flexibility, creativity, effort and endurance from all Oklahoma Baptists,” Dilbeck said. “Our pastors and churches are responding with grace and strength. I am grateful for the leaders of our convention staff who are diligently serving in like manner. As you can imagine, these are heavy, burdensome matters. Join me in praying for all who have lost their jobs and for our remaining servants who now carry an extra load.”

New church planting strategy connects with NAMB While the personnel reductions impacted Oklahoma Baptists’ church planting group, a new strategy emerged to continue this ministry work. Board members approved action for Oklahoma Baptists and the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to enter a church planting partnership.

The agreement between Oklahoma Baptists and NAMB is to help plant new churches across Oklahoma, each of which will have an in-state church partner and local association approval.

NAMB, which will fund the partnership and sending network, will hire in consultation with Oklahoma Baptists one part-time Send Network Oklahoma director and two part-time church planting catalysts. NAMB will provide planter care ministry, regular funding for all church planters who pass through the Send Network process, among other assessment and support functions.

“There are many advantages of this partnership, which will be fully debuted at the Annual Meeting in November,” Dilbeck said. “It will ensure churches are planted where they are wanted and needed, and in connection with our churches and associations.”

Regional ministry strategy bears fruit Ministry reports were given in convention areas including church resources, conference centers, church relations and media/communications.

Stories of life change and ministry reports were given from James Swain, Alan Quigley, Andy Harrison, Thomas Jordan, Walter Johnson, Brian Hobbs and others.

Dilbeck and leaders have seen increasing fruit from the regional ministry strategy, since the COVID-19 pandemic affected churches’ ability to meet in person.

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

“I am proud of our churches, and I’m thankful for our staff,” Dilbeck said. “Our regional ministry approach has allowed us to be flexible, relational and pastor-focused during this unusual season.

“We are more confident in our mission and strategy than ever,” he added. “As Paul said in Philippians that the churches were stronger and the Gospel spread wider (Phil. 4:22) because of his chains, I believe the same might be said for the COVID crisis.

This has been a time of refocus and strengthening.”

Affiliate presidents give ministry reports Reports were given by presidents of each of the four Oklahoma Baptists’ ministry affiliates, Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma (BFO), Baptist Village Communities (BVC) and Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC).

Each president addressed how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their respective organizations, and how God has provided in unique ways amid challenge. OBU President Heath Thomas addressed how OBU adjusted to online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and BFO President Robert Kellogg addressed the financial impact and market downturn. Bill Pierce, BVC president, addressed how Baptist Village of Hugo handled an increase of COVID-19 cases, meeting that challenge.

OBHC President Greg McNeece gave a ministry update, and shared how the HOPE Pregnancy Ministry has continued to serve abortion vulnerable clients amid the pandemic. McNeece and OBHC staff allowed board members to tour the new Hope Mobile Unit, which will offer pregnancy resource ministries in communities not near a center. The “Patty Ann” Mobile Unit, which is equipped with first class medical equipment, was on display outside the Baptist Building.

Oklahoma Baptists’ President Blake Gideon chaired the meeting and led in various orders of business. Board motions included adjusting the financial plan for 2020, board members approved a new 2021 Cooperative Program objective in the amount of $23,100,000.

Several members of the Board participated through online meeting technology. Throughout the duration of the meeting, board members present followed safety and social distancing protocols.

“I was so encouraged to hear the stories of people giving their lives to the Lord through the ministries of Oklahoma Baptists in the midst of a pandemic, showing that while circumstances may change, the mission to advance the gospel remains steadfast,” said Board member Douglas Matlock, associate pastor of discipleship and worship at Chickasha, First. “From Baptist Homes for Children to Baptist Village Communities, we heard stories of how our Oklahoma Baptists’ teams are working more diligently than ever to bring hope and the Gospel to people during these challenging and difficult days.”

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Sept. 15 at the Baptist Building. While the June 2020 meeting was different in many respects, the God who causes His Kingdom and the Gospel advance remains the same.

Falls Creek kicks off Road Show /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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1) Cody Dunbar leads students in worship at the Falls Creek Road Show in Cushing; 2) Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director, left, listens as Caleb Freeman, center, and Jeremy Freeman talk at the Woodward Road Show; 3) Brian Mills preaches the Gospel to students at the Woodward Road Show.

>> PHOTOS: CHRIS FORBES

>> by Chris Forbes

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ COOPERATIVE PROGRAM BRANDING & MARKETING PARTNER

The first two stops on the Falls Creek Road Show took place in Cushing and Woodward in late June.

The events were attended by students from area Oklahoma Baptist churches with about 150 students gathering in Cushing June 26 and 134 in attendance June 30 in Woodward.

The Road Show was developed by 3 Oklahoma Baptists youth ministry to be offered as an alternative when it was determined that the popular summer camp would not be hosted at the conference center near Davis because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Brian Mills, pastor of Trinity, Yukon, is the Road Show speaker in the first seven of the 14 events. Mills said he believes the Road Show is off to a good start.

“Todd Sanders and his team have put together a dynamic program to take all across the state,” Mills

said. “And the effort he and his team have put in, I think the Lord is showing His favor on their work. The students have been very engaging and responsive. You can tell they are inviting the unchurched, because we are seeing people come to know the Lord.”

The Road Show recorded 18 students making professions of faith, six answering God’s call to ministry and 14 making other spiritual decisions.

Another speaker at the Road Show events is 19-year-old Caleb Freeman, who was severely injured in a car accident in December 2017 and has been featured extensively in the media for his miraculous recovery. Freeman shared his testimony of faith in Christ and was candid about how his faith helps him in his struggles as he continues to rehabilitate from injuries from the wreck.

Freeman, a 2020 graduate of Newcastle High School, encouraged seniors and other students at

the meeting to not let the confidence of youth cause them to neglect to respond to the Gospel.

Jeremy Freeman, Caleb’s father and pastor of Newcastle, First, interviewed Caleb at a recent Road Show and asked him, “If you were sitting in the audience, like these students, and you were hearing your story for the first time, what would you think?”

Freeman replied, “I would think, ‘Oh that’s awful for that kid. But that wouldn’t happen to me, I’m pretty much invincible.’ But the truth is, something bad could happen to you. You’re probably going to get in the car after this and drive home. And you could get in a wreck. You always need to make sure, you are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, because that’s the only thing that gives you hope.”

Worship at the Falls Creek Road Show was led by Cody Dunbar in Cushing and the band Summit OK Collective in Woodward. The Road Show will continue with events across the state through July 29.

For more information and to register, visit skopos. org/fallscreek.

OBU President excited about opportunities at Bison Hill “OBU is taking the approach that we are anticipating a second wave of COVID, based on what we see with the CDC recommendations,” he said. “We want Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) President Heath to be prepared for that. We are starting a week early, Thomas was a recent guest of the Messenger Insight and then we are removing Fall Break, so we will power podcast. Since starting his presidency this year, Thom- through the entire fall semester and be done the final as has seen unexpected changes occur due to the week before we take Thanksgiving Break. At Thankspandemic in 2020, but he is encouraged by giving, students will not come God’s provision and with the prospect of new back to class.” programs at OBU and the ambition of recent Since OBU draws students graduates. from all over the country, it is One graduate in particular Thomas menpossible, Thomas said, that some tioned is Misael Gonzalez who is currently servstudents will be coming from ing at Owasso, First as teaching pastor. Thomas “hot spots,” areas that are greatly said Gonzalez is already having an impact at this impacted by COVID-19.

“When you think about OBU, great Oklahoma Baptist church, and he is a rewe are not an island. We are a maflection of the entire graduating class. jor industry in Shawnee and “These are our graduates,” Thomas said. for the greater Oklahoma “These are the folks who come to OBU. City metro,” Thomas said.

They are equipped, and then they go to >> PHOTO: OBU PHOTO OBU President Heath “We don’t want our stutheir communities to make a difference, or Thomas gave an encouraging update on a recent Messenger Insight podcast. dents going into our busiif God calls them to advanced study, they nesses and into our workare going to ‘Tier One’ universities.”

Thomas mentioned a recent OBU nursing school spaces all over this area, either contracting COVID-19 graduate who was accepted at Vanderbilt Universi- and bringing it back to campus or contracting it on ty’s graduate school, and he said OBU has a 99 percent campus and taking it out to the community. We felt like to be a good neighbor, to be wise with our campus, we placement rate of graduates.

“OBU is worth Oklahoma Baptists’ investment be- wanted to start sooner and end a little more quickly.”

Thomas said he already has heard back from stucause we want to receive our students from our churches, equip them under the lordship of Jesus dents and families of students saying they appreciate Christ so that they leverage their lives for Jesus for eter- OBU’s decision for the schedule change, knowing the nal and lasting Gospel impact in whatever sector that University has the students’ health in mind.

On the podcast, Thomas also spoke about the “B.A. God places our graduates,” he said.

Thomas addressed a major change that will be hap- to M.Div.” program, which will allow students the benpening for the fall semester. OBU’s Board of Trustees efit of earning up to 27 hours toward a master’s degree voted to move up the start of semester to Monday, at one of the six Southern Baptist seminaries, which inAug. 10. Fall Break will not be observed, and final ex- clude Gateway Seminary, Midwestern Seminary, New ams will take place prior to Thanksgiving (Nov. 16-19). Orleans Seminary, Southeastern Seminary, Southern The purpose of this schedule change, Thomas said, is Seminary and Southwestern Seminary.

“We have great Southern Baptist seminaries,” Thomto reduce the threat of COVID-19 spread during the as said. “All six of them are fantastic. Each have their course of the semester. >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

own strengths. Each have their own geographical locations, and I love each and every one of them.”

Thomas said the “B.A. to M.Div.” program will be “biblically-rooted, Gospel-centered and practical.” All six seminaries are “on board,” Thomas said, and will work with OBU students.

“If a student is called to ministry or called to the mission field or called to bi-vocational or co-vocational ministry,” he said, “they can be adequately equipped at OBU and then get up to 27 hours toward their master’s degree, cut down the runway and get out into the churches immediately.”

Thomas also discussed a new degree program with Lexington Correction Center, developed in partnership with Oklahoma Baptists. With Oklahoma having a high incarceration rate, he believes this program will transform lives by equipping students and will advance the Gospel by embracing brokenness.

“We created a bachelor of arts in Christian studies that will be deployed through the Lexington Correctional Facility,” Thomas said. “The Department of Corrections said (Lexington) would be a good place to begin this program and can pull from all prisons in the state. We plan to put 40 students in the program. This will help inmates understand the Gospel, what it is to live well before the Lord and what it is to make a positive impact in community rather than a destructive impact.”

The program, which will be highlighted in the upcoming Edna McMillan Oklahoma State Missions Offering, is modeled from similar programs in Louisiana and Texas that have been successful and seen a change in the culture of prisons. After the inmates receive a bachelor’s degree, Thomas said they become eligible to be chaplain assistants or helpers in other prisons, as they are sent to other prisons across the state.

“It’s a long look, but we’re looking at lasting impact,” Thomas said. “We are thrilled about this opportunity and very grateful for the partnership with the Department of Corrections.”

To hear the interview with Thomas on the Messenger Insight podcast, visit baptistmessenger.com/thomas.

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

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O O L B OX CHURCH T

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

Hatchett passes on Foundation’s estate planning legacy

IFIEDS Anna S S Dellinger A C>>Lby BFO CONTENT CREATOR

Kathy Lee Hatchett is no stranger to Oklahoma Baptists. For more than 25 years, she’s built a reputation of caring for others and helping them prepare for the future through her work at The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma.

E SHatchett rose through the ranks VO During thatI C time, from junior file librarian to vice president of estate planning. Since 2005, she has assisted more than 1,500 families and individuals with estate plans and helped secure more than $121 million in future gifts to ministry.

“Estate planning is so important because God has called us to be stewards not only of the Gospel but also of the possessions and talents that He’s given to us,” Hatchett said. “We need to take that responsibility seriously and be prepared for all circumstances and situations.”

Hatchett is leaving the Foundation to join a financial planning firm in Oklahoma City, but the transition won’t be easy.

“The Foundation is like my family… half my life has been spent here,” she said. “I will dearly miss the won-

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U LT UasR 1 derful people W I’ve S served & Calongside, E N well as the clients I’ve helped protect while impacting God’s Kingdom.”

Oklahoma City attorney and longtime Foundation board member Julie Stanley will take Hatchett’s place as vice president of estate planning.

Stanley brings 20 years of experience practicing law, specializing in estate planning and tax law. She also served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors from 2013-2019 and as a board advisor for the first quarter of 2020.

Hatchett said she’s confident Stanley is the right choice to lead the Foundation’s estate planning team.

“This will be a great fit for Julie. Not only does she have the estate planning background, but also the tax planning background, which will benefit the whole team and our donors,” she explained. “Plus, her experience on the Foundation’s board means she is familiar with our mission and values.”

The new role is an unexpected change for Stanley, who wasn’t looking to make a career transition.

“I wasn’t interested at first but I felt God confirming in my spirit that I just need to go and trust Him,”

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

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>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

1) Kathy Lee Hatchett served the Foundation for more than 25 years; 2) Julie Stanley is familiar with the Foundation, serving six years as a board member.

Stanley said. “Through reading His Word and conversations with others, I knew that the Foundation is where I am supposed to be.”

Stanley and her husband, Don, and their three teenage children attend Moore, First. Outside of work and family time, Stanley enjoys hosting people in her home, reading, and being active.

“I look forward to working with people who are like-minded and have a heart for ministry and benefitting the Kingdom,” she said.

O O L B OX CHURCH T

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

CWJC honors OKC, Faith DS LT U R E CLASSIFIE NE WS & CU Crossing graduate VOICES

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED Gina

>> by Amy Cordova

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ MISSIONS AND WOMEN’S MINISTRY PARTNER

Oklahoma City, Faith Crossing has been an official Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) site, a ministry of the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), since July 2014 under Nancy Reeves’ leadership. Through this program, women are equipped for life and employment through practical life skills, job skills, mentoring and Bible study.

Gina Richie graduated from the program in March 2016. Since then, she has become a certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist at the Oklahoma City Crisis Unit. In 2019, her employer, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, awarded Gina the “Employee of the Year” for her unit.

This year, Helen Thornton, assistant site coordinator for CWJC, nominated Gina for the Sybil Bentley Dove Scholar-

Richie, center with certificate, received a CWJC scholarship to further her education. Celebrating her award at a June 20 event were, from left, Craig Wright, pastor of OKC, Faith Crossing; Leo Brown, director of religious programs and services; Helen Thornton, CWJC co-site coordinator; Nancy Reeves, CWJC site coordinator; and Stacy Neuschaefer, Oklahoma WMU president.

EWS CHURCH N PEOPLE IN THE NEWS BUTCHER DEATH. Orby Lee Butcher, Jr., 92, died June 21. Graveside serA OM H vice was June 27 at Resthaven MeA L K O E H T morial Park in Shawnee, offi ciated by E V I C H of Shawnee, ImA RFisher T I S TTodd B A PPastor manuel. He and his wife Betty served as missionaries in Thailand for 20 years, where he served as a missionary physician. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University and University of Oklahoma Medical School. He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years. He is survived by his children, Judy Friesen, Steve Butcher, Michael Butcher and Peter Butcher; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

BANKS DEATH. Martha Sibley Banks, 88, died June 27.

Graveside service was June 30 in Sandy Springs, Ga. She served in Baptist work with her husband Bob Banks who served many years with Oklahoma Baptists in men’s ministry and with Royal Ambassadors. She served as office assistant at Baptist Village of Oklahoma City. They were members of Oklahoma City, Trinity for the 21 years they lived in the area. She is survived by her husband of 67 years and her children, Sibyl Cantrell; Brenda Benson; and Brian Banks.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES WILL WILSON is pastor of Goldsby in Union Association after serving more than 10 years at Bethel Acres, New Hope.

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

ship, awarded nationally to a CWJC participant and funded by an endowment through the WMU Foundation. Gina won the award, receiving a $2,000 scholarship to further her education.

Family, friends and volunteers gathered at Faith Crossing June 20 to recognize Gina for her award. Craig Wright, pastor of Faith Crossing; Leo Brown, director of chaplaincy and programs with the Department of Corrections; and Stacy Neuschaefer, WMU state president of Oklahoma, all recognized Gina for her scholarship.

SUDOKU

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED Okemah, Last Chance had its first service in their new sanctuary on Sunday, June 7 after a 28-month construction project. Pastor Don Baker presented the Building Committee, the trustees and the deacons with a plaque, thanking them for their time and dedication to the project. The new building has a sanctuary, large foyer, work room, four classrooms, pastor’s study, double nursery and restrooms.

RCH WORD SEA

C A R TO O N

Note: The word clues for the Word Search are chosen by the Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.

Celebrating Challenges Change Churches Commission

Community Congregations Different Exciting Gathering

Joy Members Methodically Opportunity Pandemic

Positive Rainer Reasons Receptive Services

Substantive Unified Variety Window Worship

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

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5 reasons churches have a DS CLASSIFIE great window of opportunity have been exposed to hundreds of streamFOUNDER & CEO, CHURCHANSWERS.COM ing worship services. Many of them look and sound nothing like their own. Their world As congregations return methodically to has expanded for the better.

VOICES in-person services, something else will be takMany church members have already ing place. It will be obvious to some churches; made changes. I received a comment it will be more subtle to others. Simfrom an older church member who ply stated, churches will have an made the transition to digital incredible window of opporgiving during the pandemtunity to make substantive ic. His words were likely meant to be humorous: and positive changes.

“I swore I would never We have been watchgive online because ing closely the responses of congregations and I was certain it was their leaders during the the abode of the devpandemic. We have il.” His willingness to change to digital givsurveyed thousands of ing is but a microcosm them during our webinars. There seems to be of the changes many little doubt. God is using church members have althis difficult season to preready made. They will likepare churches for unprecely be receptive and prepared for even more change. dented opportunities.

Why is the window of opportunity The community is more receptive. opening right now? Of course, the correct an- In most communities, those who don’t atswer and perspective is that God is opening tend church have been watching streaming the window for our churches. But it is fasci- worship services. Many of the residents of nating to see specifically how He is working in these communities have requested prayer. our congregations. I see at least five reasons Many churches have been highly intentionfor this new and exciting opportunity. al to reach out to members of the commuChurch members are more unified in nity. The window of opportunity is wide the midst of the challenges. This crisis has open in these communities. brought our congregations together. NitChurch members are anticipating and picking and self-serving has made the tran- celebrating re-gathering in person. They sition to praying and serving. More of our are more in the mood of joy and celebration members are focused beyond themselves. rather than complaining and nitpicking.

God is preparing them to move in greater They are not nearly as focused on themS passion and obedience to the Great Com- selves. has made them realE Rpandemic GThis N I L S D R O mission and the Great Commandment. ize that their churches, as imperfect as they W Our congregations have been exposed are, truly are blessings from God. They are to a variety of worship experiences. Have not taking their churches for granted. you ever seen a church member’s perspecIt is indeed a window of opportunity. If tive and attitude change dramatically for the past major events are indicative, this winbetter when he or she went on a mission dow of opportunity will remain open for trip? That church member becomes aware several months to a year.

S given us an opportunity. We canof a world and cultures dramatically diffA erent AYhas E SGod V D from his or her own. Our church members not and must not let it go to waste. >> by Thom Rainer

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

R AC I AL H E ALI N G D I S CUSS I O N R E S O U R C E S OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

FALLS CREEK ROADSHOW

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ STUDENT MINISTRY

During these days of racial and social unrest, pastors must be even more willing to have open dialogue with congregations on racial unity.

The Falls Creek Road Show offers live events through which you can engage students in a familiar Falls Creek service!

Check locations and dates for a stop near you.

oklahomabaptists.org/race-discussion

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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July 9, 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

IS 2020 AMERICA’S BABEL? >> RYAN SMITH

2020 was the year.

YS E SA D Aa Vnatural Because 2020 was aim for renewed vision (20/20…get it?), many organizations and leaders placed great expectations on the dawn of the decade.

As the time drew near, goals from personal success to organizational overhaul looked to the broadening 2020 horizon as the arrival of achievement, satisfaction and a T I S T Sfuture.

Pmodern A B A M charge toward new beginnings in a O H OKLA T a celebraI GHand A prospect of promise, aE forecast H IG HofLhope C R U O S E R awaited us all as the year 2020 slowly crept tory finish line into view. In 2020, we would arrive.

And then 2020 came.

In Genesis 11, a design is laid for a grand pinnacle of human achievement. Brick by brick, in a valley of settling, mankind raised their summit into view. As the tower arose high above the expectant city, few realized the depth of shadow such an obelisk would make.

One cannot fault individuals and organizations for setting goals and forecasting progress. That’s what good leaders do. However, if this year has taught us anything, it is that our plans are fragile and our efforts certainly are still those of mere men.

To read the rest of Ryan’s blog, visit baptistmessenger.com/is-2020-americas-babel

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

D AV E S AY S DON’T PUT YOUR HOME ON THE LINE! Dear Dave, P T IS TS Afuture, B A M We’d like to start preparing for the O H A L OK but our debt is preventing us E from investing forH re-T HLIG H IG C R U O S E R tirement. Would it be okay to use a home equity line of credit to start investing? We were thinking the eventual returns might justify doing this.

—Nick Dear Nick, No! Never put something as important and meaningful as your home on the line just for the sake of investing. Do not borrow against your home!

I’m guessing you’re new to my way of doing things, so let’s start from the beginning. First, follow the Baby Steps. Getting $1,000 in the bank as a starter emergency fund is Baby Step 1. Next, pay off all your debts from smallest to largest—except for your home— using the debt snowball method. That’s Baby Step 2. It’s time then to revisit your emergency fund, and bulk it up to a full three to six months of expenses in Baby Step 3.

Now, it’s time to really start thinking about your future and retirement. In Baby Step 4, take 15 percent of your gross household income and start investing it for retirement. Start with your company’s 401(k) plan, up to the full employer match. Then, invest the rest into Roth IRAs. One for you, and one for your spouse, if you’re married.

Here’s the thing, Nick. Investing becomes easy at this point, because you’ve freed up your income. And that’s the most important wealth-building tool you have!

—Dave

The views expressed by Dave Ramsey do not necessarily reflect those of the Baptist Messenger and do not constitute legal financial advice.

CLASSIFIE

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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: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

pia Baptist Church in Big Cabin is looking for a F/T E SPastor/Music Leader. Please send resumes V O I CYouth to: 11275 N. 441 Rd. Big Cabin, OK 74332 or email:

sa, 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”.

>> 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.

>> 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 YOUTH MINISTER: First Baptist Church of Ninnekah is seeking a F/T Youth Minister, musical skills a plus, not required. Submit resume & cover letter by email or US mail at the following addresses: ninnekahbaptistchurch@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 277 Ninnekah, OK 73067 .

J OB L ISTIN G V EH IC L E M ISC.

EMPLOYM ENT >> 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. >> BI/VO OR F/T PASTOR: FBC Soper, OK is seeing a BI/VO or F/T Southern Baptist Pastor. Parsonage is available. Health insurance benefit provided.

Please send resume to: office@FriscoBaptist.com or to: ATTEN: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 68, Soper, OK 74759. >> P/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Easton Height Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK is seeking P/T or BI/VO Pastor.

Must be available for Sunday AM & PM services & Wednesday PM services. Please mail resume to: 2901 W. Easton St., Tulsa OK 74127. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Kent Baptist Church in SE Oklahoma is seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Parsonage is available. Send resumes to: Pastor Search Committee, 262 N. 4160 Rd. Soper, OK 74759. >> BI/VO PASTOR: First Baptist Wyandotte is seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Please send resume to: PO Box 216, Wyandotte, OK 74370 or email resume to: wyandottefbc@gmail.com. >> F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Quapaw FBC is prayerfully seeking a Pastor. If you feel your calling is more to an Associate Pastor at this time, please consider seeking information as well. Send resumes to the current Pastor at: mrobertson@wyandotte.k12.ok.us. >> F/T PASTOR: FBC Purcell, OK is seeking a F/T Pastor. Responsibilities include preaching & teaching, counseling, visitation & other pastoral duties.

Include a cover letter, resume with references & a sermon link to: fbcpurcelltj@gmail.com. >> P/T OR BI/VO WORSHIP MINISTER: Clearview Baptist is accepting resumes for a Worship Minister for blended service. Responsibilities: choir, instrumentalists & media. cbcbamusic@gmail.com Clearview Baptist Church, P.O. Box 140892, Broken Arrow, OK 74014.

>> 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.

utopiasbc@gmail.com.

>> 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 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 MINISTER: FBC Coweta, near Tul-

>> 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.

>> 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. >> 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.

117” x 88” (4x3) Flat Graffi with Two Endc Graphic Temp

>> 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.

Graphic Size with B 143.75”w x 90.25”h

Final Graphic Area: 140.75”w x 88.25”h

>> 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.

Front Visual Area: 117.25”w x 88.25”h

>> F/T YOUTH PASTOR/MUSIC LEADER: Uto-

CROSSWO

ACROSS 1 Ship’s letters 4 Shrine item, perhaps 9 Shining, like angels 14 Salon feature, often 15 OT or NT time period 16 “__ we were yet sinners, Christ died” (Rom. 5:8)

>> F/T PASTOR: Accepting resumes for F/T Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Send resumes to: IBCLeah@gmail.com.

17 Devil might __ fiery darts 18 He baptized Cornelius 19 Seeped 20 Web action 22 Evils 24 Devil descriptor 25 Church feature 27 27th U.S. president

Front Safe Zone: 113.25”w x 84.25

RD

31 Sicilian erupter 32 Composer Francis __ Key 33 Bible metal 34 Angry 36 End 38 Arrangements 40 Speaker setting 42 “Now are ye __ in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8) 43 Kinder 44 Expert, for short 45 “Word was made flesh, and __ among us” (John 1:14) 47 Scorch 51 Loch __ monster 53 Hawkeye State 54 Mother of Mary, traditionally 55 Baptism ending 57 John the Baptizer’s river 59 “No longer a __, but God’s child” (Gal. 4:7 niv) 62 Take exception to 65 Baptized are __ body in Christ 66 Tanker 67 Baptism will __ guilt from soul 68 Gossip 69 Garden tool 70 Tears 71 Joppa to Hebron (dir.)

DOWN 1 Functioning 2 Modern 10 Down 3 South Pacific island dweller 4 Agents, for short 5 Fencing sword 6 Sodom fleer 7 Cube cooler 8 Messiah 9 Unauthorized leave 10 “Baptizing them in the name of...the Holy __” (Matt. 28:19) 11 Screen star Taylor 12 Madrid cheer 13 Say “I do” 21 Apparition 23 “__ us...cast off the works of darkness” (Rom. 13:12) 25 Bible book of many baptisms 26 Poet Edgar Allan 28 Molecule 29 Pentecost’s tongues of __ 30 Explosive (Abbr.)

32 Maple tree product 35 Trail feature 36 Lager 37 Disciple Judas acted as one 38 Beget 39 Some people have huge ones 40 Handyman Bob

41 Reformation Day mo. (Abbr.)

42 Caregiver’s certificate (Abbr.)

43 With 64 Down, what baptized believers put on 45 “Live after the flesh, ye shall __” (Rom. 8:13) 46 Many looked at Jesus with awe and __ 48 Baptism __ us with 10 Down 49 Pineapple (Ger.) 50 God will never __ on His promises 52 “Believe and be __” (Luke 8:12) 56 Mary to Jesus (Fr.) 57 “The __ shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17) 58 Mined metals 59 Steel wool pad brand 60 Mouth part 61 Chicken __ king (2 words) 63 Poetic preposition 64 See 43 Down

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Classifieds | July 9, 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:

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