Katie Brown | Ministry Assistant kbrown@oklahomabaptists.org
Brook Daniel | Graphic Designer bdaniel@oklahomabaptists.org
Jacob King | Staff Writer jking@oklahomabaptists.org
Bob Nigh | Contributing Writer bnigh@oklahomabaptists.org
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FROM ANGUISH TO REJOICING
So many of the psalms in Scripture have been such an encouragement to me the last seven months, but Psalm 13 has particularly helped me in a time of suffering. This is a brief psalm of David that moves from his cries of anguish in the first two verses to his trust in and praise for the Lord in the last two verses.
It’s a good thing to cry out to the Lord when you are frustrated, in pain, dealing with grief, discouraged, feeling helpless or hopeless, or lonely. Jesus cried out to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane to remove the cup from Him (Luke 22:42) and on the cross when He asked the Father why He had forsaken Him (Matt. 27:46).
David cries out “How long?” four times in vv. 1-2. The intensity and longevity of David’s suffering has led him to believe he is abandoned by God, “Will you forget me forever?” (v.1) and that God’s blessings have stopped, “Will you hide your face from me?” (v.1). We all have raw thoughts and emotions that can be very dark in the midst of suffering, just as David did, “Must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all day?” (v.2). We should be honest with God about our struggles in times of hardship.
However, our cries of despair must turn at some point to praise, as David does in vv. 5-6, to trust in God’s love for us, “I have trusted in your steadfast love” (v.5), rejoice at the salvation He gives us, “my heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (v.5), and sing to Him for the way He works in our life for good, “I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (v.6). We must turn from our anguish to praise even through our darkest days.
It’s okay to have moments in our lives that resemble vv. 1-2, but we cannot stay there. We must ask God to move us to vv. 5-6 and live in a state of trust and praise for God who is always at work for His glory and for the good of those who love Him.
How do we make the transition in times of suffering from anguish to praise and trust? In v.3, David prayed, “Consider…answer… give light to my eyes.” We must be faithful to keep coming to God in prayer sharing our heart and our needs with Him even when we do not feel like it. We must also keep reading and studying the Word.
What gives light to our eyes to help us navigate difficult times? The Word of God! Psalm 119 is the great psalm on the Word of God and repeatedly describes how the Word helps us when we are suffering. Here are just a few examples:
v.28 — “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!”
v.92 — “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”
v.143 — “Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.”
Finally, we must consider that our present trials are temporary and that one day our faith will be sight in the perfect and painless presence of Jesus for eternity.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17-18).
“It’s a good thing to cry out to the Lord when you are frustrated, in pain, dealing with grief, discouraged, feeling helpless or hopeless, or lonely.”
REMEMBERING OUR HEROES
Those of us who were living in Oklahoma at the time could never forget that fateful day. April 19, 1995, like the Pearl Harbor and the September 11th attacks, marks a date that will live in infamy.
Yet, rising from the ashes, the people of this state, led by pastors and people of faith, discovered some hidden strength that God had given us that we did not even know was there. The photos and stories of heroism from the time following the Oklahoma City bombing are known throughout the world.
Even though I was only a teenager at the time of the bombing, I could grasp the tragedy of the moment and the amazement of the heroism. Those feelings are still with me to this day, a time in which we mark the 30th anniversary of the bombing.
In this edition of the Baptist Messenger, there is a story about the response in Oklahoma City, about the heroics of those who responded. Many more stories could be told. This anniversary provides a time to reflect and remember. To that end, I offer these observations:
EVENTS MATTER
Harold Macmillan, who served as British Prime Minister after Winston Churchill, was once asked what determined the course of a government and a people. He famously replied, “Events, my dear boy, events.”
Macmillan’s point is that leaders can plan, plot and prepare what they are going to do, but events themselves will dictate what actually happens. No one would have predicted the Oklahoma City bombing, which is an event that forever changed this state and even the nation.
We never plan for an unspeakable evil like what happened, but we know God, the Blessed Controller of events, was preparing us to face the evil, with courage and hope.
SUFFERING HAS MEANING
Oklahomans are not strangers to suffering. From our first days to the bombing to devastating tornadoes, we have seen suffering and hardship. There is an illusion today, forwarded by modern-day false teachers, that once we come to Christ, our lives will become wealthy, prosperous and worry-free.
John Piper has said people are being promised Heaven too soon. Jesus, meanwhile, does not promise us a trouble-free life. He promises us hope in the midst of storms, His very presence and help and hope for tomorrow. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
ALWAYS REMEMBER
President Ronald Reagan once said, “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” In a similar fashion, if Oklahomans ever forget the events of April 19, 1995, we will have lost something that gives life meaning.
Yet, as a people, we are resolved never to forget, and always to remember. And when we spend time remembering things that truly matter, our lives will be focused on the right priorities.
This April, as we take time to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the bombing, I would encourage each of us to spend time to reflect, remember the 168 and to pray. May the Lord of peace give you His peace, now and always.
Brian Hobbs
Oklahoma Baptists Editor
April 25-26
Men's Retreat Falls Creek Conference Center, Davis, OK
Visit oklahomabaptists.org/events/ to view more events happening throughout the year! See what events are
May 22-24
Camp Perfect Wings CrossTimbers, Davis, OK
oklahomabaptists.org/ event/camp-perfectwings-2/
Weddings
EPISODE 59
Weddings are a joyous opportunity to celebrate love, God's creation order, and the beauty of the Gospel. Pastors receive many opportunities from inside the church and within the community to conduct weddings. Frequently, pastors face a dilemma: "How do I know if I should or should not conduct this wedding?" oklahomabaptists.org/podcast or
Hear how Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children Foster Care Ministries is equipping local churches to create or enhance support ministry in foster care, making a difference it the lives of children and families today at baptistmessenger.com/podcast or find the Baptist Messenger Insight Podcast program on your preferred podcast platform.
Dog Days
It was during the summer between my first and second year at college. I was back home and was employed by the local Western Auto store for the summer. For those of you who are not familiar with Western Auto, it was kind of like Wal Mart without the groceries and the drugs and the clothes. I guess that means it wasn’t anything like Wal Mart. But Western Auto had a variety of stuff, including appliances.
That’s what got me into this mess. My boss sold a refrigerator to a family that lived east of Wewoka. He asked (told) me that he needed me to deliver it, but he didn’t have anyone available to help me. I was on my own.
He did help me get the thing loaded into the back of the truck, and off I went on my merry way.
When I got to the house where the refrigerator was to be delivered, I noticed a few things. There was enough stuff in the yard that I wasn’t going to be able to back the truck up to the porch. There are a couple of diaper-clad kids running around in the yard. There was a most elderly man leaning back in chair on the porch against the wall. And there was a dog on that porch.
I explained why I was there. The most elderly man did not seem too impressed with me or the refrigerator or my obvious dilemma. So, I managed to get the refrigerator out of the back of the truck by myself.
I started pulling the refrigerator on the dolly towards the house. It was a bit of an obstacle course with the stuff in the yard and the holes that had been dug. But I was managing until it happened.
I felt something on my right ankle. Without looking down to see what it was I made the assumption that I had stepped on something in the yard or one of those diaper clad kids and waddled over to me and kicked me in the lower leg.
When I did look down, I discovered that the dog had come down off the porch and was now chewing on my right ankle. To say that I was startled is an understatement.
Then it dawned on me. As I stared down at the dog chewing on my right ankle, I realized that I was not feeling any pain. Maybe the dog had already severed
my nerves. Maybe I was tough enough not to let a little pain stand between me and my mission. But nope. Neither of those were the case.
Come to find out, that dog didn’t have a tooth in its head. But it was doing its best trying to gum its way through my ankle.
Once I figured that out, I looked at the old man who was still leaning back in his chair on the porch for a little assistance. He did nothing to call the dog off and stop the gumming. Instead, he leaned forward in his chair until he got all four legs on the porch. He then spit a stream of tobacco juice about 10 feet into the yard and said, “You know that old dog has gotten to where it will bite just about anything.”
And he leaned back in his chair on the porch.
And I was still in the yard holding a dolly with a refrigerator on it watching a dog feverishly gumming my ankle. I finally got that dog shook off of my ankle. I guess the dog decided it had done all the damage to me that it could and had made its point and wandered back to lay on the porch.
I finally got the refrigerator delivered. As I pushed the dolly back out on the porch, I momentarily toyed with the idea of running over that dog with my dolly. But I like dogs. So I didn’t do it. But if it had been a cat, this would have been an entirely different story. (Please. No hate mail from cat lovers. I am just teasing. Besides, no cat was injured in this story.)
So here’s the deal. One, you have to be careful when you are by yourself. We all need others in our lives who will help remove a dog from your ankle or help you in other unanticipated ways. Two, everything that goes haywire in your life may or may not be someone else’s fault, but it will be your responsibility to find a way out of it. Three, always keep your eyes on severely old men leaning back in a chair on the porch and toothless dogs.
Joe Ligon Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director
We Remember: 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF OKC BOMBING STIRS EMOTIONS, MEMORIES
By Bob Nigh
At 9:02 a.m., Wednesday, April 19, 1995, a huge explosion rocked downtown Oklahoma City, and an ominous pillar of black smoke soared into the bright azure sky above the center of the state’s capital city. Shocked and stunned residents watched in disbelief, wondering what had happened.
Because of almost immediate television coverage, it took only a few minutes for most residents to learn that the explosion was the result of a powerful bomb placed inside a 24-foot Ryder rental truck parked in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building at 200 N.W. 5th St.
The nine-story building contained about 315,000 square feet of occupiable space; 107,000 square feet of office space, 196,000 square feet for storage and 11,750 square feet that included rest rooms and a cafeteria. The building cost an estimated $13.2 million to construct during an 18-month project completed in March 1977 and the structure was dedicated in October 1977.
The building was named for Alfred Paul Murrah (Oct. 27, 1904–Oct. 30, 1975), who was a prominent judge. Located in the building were regional offices for the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Secret Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs
vocational rehabilitation counseling center, the Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). It also contained recruiting offices for the U.S. military.
At the time of the blast, the Murrah Building housed some 550 federal and contract workers, as well as an estimated 250 visitors. The explosion represented the most destructive—and costly in the terms of lives taken—act of domestic terrorism carried out in U.S. history.
The blast was felt as far as 30 miles away and damaged 347 buildings in the immediate area. Thirty buildings were heavily damaged. In the aftermath, almost 20 buildings were torn down. Twenty blocks of downtown Oklahoma City were cordoned off due to the extent of the bomb damage. Tragically, 168 lives were lost, including three unborn babies, and hundreds more people were injured.
Oklahoma Baptists were among the first to respond to the tragedy and by May 5, donations totaling $263,530.08 had been received by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). Disbursements were coordinated by local churches, with requests overseen by a relief fund committee headed by BGCO Executive Director-Treasurer William G. Tanner and Convention President Charles Graves, pastor of
Oklahoma City, Quail Springs. Others on the committee included Anthony L. Jordan, pastor of Oklahoma City, Northwest; Rod Masteller, pastor of Oklahoma City, Putnam City and Capital Association Executive Director Ernie Perkins.
It was determined later that Timothy McVeigh, a disgruntled former U.S. serviceman, carried out the bombing that killed 168 people—as well as three unborn babies—and injured more than 680 others. The bombing was the deadliest act of terrorism in the United States prior to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon. McVeigh was arrested shortly after the bombing and indicted on 160 state offenses and 11 federal offenses, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction.
He was found guilty on all counts in 1997 and sentenced to death. He was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001. Coconspirators Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier were also convicted. Nichols was sentenced to eight life terms for the deaths of eight federal agents, and to 161 life terms without parole by the state of Oklahoma for the deaths of the others. Fortier was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and was later released.
Tragically, among the lives lost that spring morning were 19 children under the age of 6 being cared for in the America’s Kids Day Care Center on the second floor. The total number of lives lost would increase by one with the ensuing death of a first responder— nurse Rebecca Anderson—who died as the result of a piece of concrete striking her in the back of the head while she was engaged in rescuing survivors.
More than two decades earlier, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) volunteers had been organized and specifically trained to respond to disasters. The state had been divided into four quadrants—divided by I-40 and I-35—each with a team of volunteers under the supervision of an area leader. This enabled more volunteers to become involved in ministry without calling the same team to respond time after time. All volunteers and leaders of the four areas were called upon to help in the response to the Oklahoma City bombing.
According to the 1995 Oklahoma Baptists Annual Report, 55 OSBDR volunteers prepared approximately 6,000 meals for rescue workers, and 21 volunteers provided emergency day care at Shepherd Mall Shopping Center at N.W. 23rd St. and Villa Ave. for 11 days. A total of 93 children were given supervised care at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
As the dust from the destroyed Murrah building was settling, Southern Baptist chaplains, including BGCO chaplaincy and community services specialist Joe Williams; Oklahoma City Police Department chaplain Jack Poe, Oklahoma City Fire Department (OCFD) chaplain Ted Wilson and Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office chaplain Paul Bettis—ministered to teams searching the Murrah Building for survivors. Chaplains ventured into the shattered remains of the Murrah Building with search teams of police and fire crews and provided debriefing and counseling services for the first responders who worked under grueling, dangerous and horrifying circumstances.
The chaplains’ work continued during the duration of search and rescue operations, and for months after the building was demolished as they counseled with men and women whose lives were devastated
by the tragedy. Rescue and recovery efforts were concluded at 11:50 pm on May 1, with the bodies of all but three victims recovered.
Bettis, who also was working in prison chaplaincy at the time, later served as Oklahoma Baptists chaplaincy specialist from 2002-2013. As the bombing response continued, he was involved—along with officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency—in serving death notifications to family members.
Wilson, who was the OCFD volunteer chaplain at the time, was kept busy 16-18 hours a day, leading continuous Critical Incident Stress Management sessions. He said a total of 985 OCFD firefighters participated in the rescue and recovery effort after the bombing. In addition, there were about 250 police officers. All told, there were more than 25,000 people who worked the site, he said.
Not only did Williams, who died in 2016 from bladder cancer, minister as a chaplain, but he also later represented Oklahoma Baptists as a member of the committee that distributed donated funds to survivors and victims’ families. Also serving on that distribution committee was Wilson, who, at the time of the bombing, was fresh out of rookie school. Wilson retired as OCFD chaplain after serving in that capacity for 30 years.
Records showed that as of Aug. 9, 1995, donations to help victims and their families and relief workers totaled $678,862.63 with $264,758.31 having been
disbursed. Initially, $125,000 was placed in an account with the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma by a new sevenmember Oklahoma City Disaster Relief Committee appointed by Tanner to oversee the management of funds received by BGCO for that purpose. (The committee, enlisted in January 1996, included Williams as chairman, Adams, Tom Cole, Norma Corley, Kenneth de Cordova, Bob Haskins and Bob Rutherford. The group met Feb. 5, May 21, June 24, and Aug. 28). A later update of the fund revealed that contributions totaling $691,350.92 had been received, and disbursements of $314,582.31 had been made to assist victims of the disaster.
In the days and months following the bombing, the response and outpouring of love and self-sacrifice made by Oklahomans came to be known as the “Oklahoma Standard.”
Jordan, now retired as executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists, wrote 20 years after the tragedy in his Perspective column in the Baptist Messenger that, “In the hours and days that followed the bombing, one thing became clear. Oklahoma faced tragedy in a different way than had been evidenced in other parts of the country and world. Volunteers, companies and first responders rushed to the site, offering themselves, equipment, food and anything needed to help with the search and rescue effort… No need went unmet.”
The OSBDR feeding unit was set up on the parking lot of Oklahoma City, First, located a few blocks north of the Murrah Building site. The operation was discontinued after four days, however, because Oklahoma City officials requested all feeding for police, fire and chaplaincy teams be done at the Myriad Convention Center by members of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. Many well-meaning food vendors, desiring to help, had been bringing in pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and other foods and leaving them without proper temperature and sanitary controls. This was cited as the reason for the change in feeding operations. The safeguards were instituted for the health of the rescue teams.
unspeakable loss, God will bring about good.
Your help makes a DIFFERENCE
For more than 60 years, Oklahoma Baptists have celebrated Mother’s Day in an extraordinary way through the Mother’s Day Offering.
You have trusted Baptist Village Communities (BVC) and Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) to provide physical and spiritual care daily for more than 3,100 children and senior adults in Oklahoma.
Your contribution to the Mother’s Day Offering is more than just a donation. It’s a lifeline for Oklahoma children, mothers, and seniors. With your gift, BVC and OBHC can continue working together to serve and care for others in need.
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.“
James 1:27 (NLT)
I WANT TO HELP. HOW CAN I GIVE?
BVC ABOUT US!
Give through your offerings at church.
church Online at okmdo.org
Make a one-time gift online using a credit card or checking account by visiting okmdo.org and click on give now
If you prefer to give using a check, you can mail it to the address below.
Every penny you contribute is reinvested in residents through the Adams Assistance Fund, which helps meet essential living needs. This fund ensures they have a roof over their heads, a safe place to call home, and an environment that encourages them to serve God and one another.
BVC, Oklahoma’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior housing and services, serves over 2,900 people daily and is deeply committed to our community. With 12 campuses across Oklahoma and four in-home care locations, your support is essential for us to make a real difference in the lives of seniors and fulfill our mission of enhancing lives by serving God, serving you, and serving together
OBHC
Email: mdo@obhc.org
Phone: (405) 724-2872
Mail: Mother’s Day Offering
300 Johnny Bench Dr., Ste 400 Oklahoma City, OK 73104
OBHC provides a stable and nurturing environment for over 200 children who have faced trauma, relational issues, neglect or difficult life circumstances. OBHC helps these children and single-mom families to heal and grow, supporting them emotionally, physically and spiritually. OBHC provides clothing, nutritious meals, educational opportunities, life skills and career development to children and single moms, which helps them succeed as individuals and families.
OBHC exists to show and share the love of Christ to children and their families.
$198,225.60 in gifts for 2024!
87 RESIDENTS
In 2024, BVC was able to help an average of 200 CHILDREN AND MOTHERS were served and cared for by OBHC last year.
$332,000 each month through the Adams Assistance Fund. was gifted to financially challenged residents to help provide them with daily living needs such as:
CROSSWORD
Note: Bible
ACROSS
1 Sicilian volcano
5 Paul’s travels, often (2 words)
10 Wheel’s tooth
13 Book holder
15 Musician/poet Leonard 16 Tokyo tie
17 God promises you this to do great things
18 Foot parts
19 Sports figure, for short
20 Holy Land edible
21 “John and...Pharisees __ to fast” (Mark 2:18)
WORDSEARCH
23 “Every day they __ my words” (Ps. 56:5)
25 At Jesus’ trial, a soldier __ Him
26 “Hast thou not poured me out... and curdled me like __?” (Job 10:10)
28 God promises you this as you walk His way
31 Hymn sound
32 Mirror shapes, often
33 Intones a rhyming patter, e.g.
34 Make taboo 37 Frolic
38 Gain a point
Note:
40 God promises you this always
41 Psalm 23 creature
42 Sin, e.g.
43 Author Carroll 44 God promises comfort when you do this
45 Sinner __ to temptation
46 Princess dress, e.g.
49 King David’s dad, familiarly
50 Repeal
51 God promises you this when you’re burdened
DOWN
Sports channel
pronoun
Salamander
Brew 5 God’s comfort soothes these 6 Has digits
Mary or Martha, e.g.
Conger 9 God promises these when you pray 10 Apples have them
Extremely heavy
Spirit’s favors 14 “Bring forth...__ worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8) 22 Pigpen 24 “Behold a great __ dragon” (Rev. 12:3)
60 “They had bound him, they __ him away” (Matt. 27:2)
LAST MONTH ANSWERS
WORDS BAPTIST CLERGY COUNSELING DISASTER DISBURSEMENT DONATIONS EMOTIONS EXPLOSION FAMILIES GOD GOOD LOSS LOVE
NEED OKLAHOMA RELIEF REMEMBER RESCUE
SACRIFICE SHOCKED SURVIVORS TEAMS TRAGEDY UNSPEAKABLE WORKERS
Church NEWS
OKLAHOMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF RESPONDS TO WILDFIRES
In response to the outbreak of devastating wildfires across the state in March, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) sprang into action and has been preparing meals for first responders and victims of the wildfires and responding in other ways. DR volunteers have provided meals in areas that were affected the fires, including Mannford, Cleveland, Terlton, Guthrie, Stillwater and Pawnee. Ryan Deatherage, who serves as associate director for Oklahoma DR, said DR is offering assistance in ash cleanup efforts. For a current update, or to support relief efforts, visit okdisasterhelp.org.
SE BCM NEW BUILDING DEDICATION
On Sunday, March 9, Southeastern’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry (SE BCM) held a building dedication service for their new BCM building which was complete earlier this year. Multiple alumni, members of local churches and friends of the BCM attended the service to
Richard Lassiter died Feb. 3. He was a member of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma and a long-time Disaster Relief volunteer.
celebrate the history of SE BCM. During the service, a short video detailing the history of SE BCM was shown, documenting the beginnings of the BCM and showing what students and staff hope the future of SE BCM will bring.
‘SERVE COMANCHE’ EVENT REACHES COMMUNITY
On Sunday, March 16, more than 75 people involved in a mission project day in Comanche. There were volunteers from Comanche, First and from Comanche, Patterson Avenue, among others area churches. Pastor Mark Hall of Comanche, First said, “As a church we at First Baptist, have participated in SERVE Tours with the SEND Network in Dallas and Brownsville and Crossover Indianapolis, so we wanted to do something like that here. We had heard about FBC Duncan and Immanuel in Duncan doing this type of event last year, so we patterned ours after what they did. We worked with Kelly Pollack the pastor of Patterson Avenue to plan the event were we served seven different families and had many gospel conversations. We were able to pray with some of the families and even had one family come back and have lunch with us at the church. As a church we have decided to focus on ministry outside the walls of the church.”
TRIBUTES
Jerry Kersey died Feb. 22. He served as associate in the BGCO Brotherhood Dept. with Laddie Adams and worked at Camp Hudgens in the summer. He worker for many years with Royal Ambassadors.
PASTOR In Focus
Can you share about your ministry calling and career?
JEFF MOORE
Senior Pastor, Altus, First Altus, Oklahoma
I felt God’s call to preach in 1980. I committed to the calling and pursued my education at Oklahoma Baptist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I began my vocational service in ministry in 1982 as a student pastor for a brief period of time. During my time at the seminary in Fort Worth, I started my first pastorate in 1988, serving part-time at a small church south of the metroplex. Following graduation at SWBTS I moved to Oklahoma to pastor the Martha Baptist Church. I moved from Martha to Calvary Baptist in Lindsay, Oklahoma, then to the Regency Park Baptist Church in Moore, Oklahoma, to the Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and then I moved to the First Baptist Church in Altus, Oklahoma in 2002 where I continue to serve as the senior pastor to the present time.
Can you tell us about your family?
I married my wife Sharla in 1984. We were blessed with two daughters, Whitney and Allison. Both our daughters are grown and married now with families of their own. Whitney is married to Trey Graham, the pastor at First Baptist Church of Midwest City, Oklahoma. Allison is married to Lee Gregg and lives in Burkburnett, Texas. Whitney and Trey have two children, Hudson and Hadley. Allison and Lee have two children, Landree and Cohen. Our four grandchildren are the joy of our lives.
Your church congregation is making a Gospel impact. Can you talk about some of the ways the Lord is at work in your church and community now?
We are blessed with wonderful lay people who want to serve the Lord and share the Gospel faithfully. Our church has a strong presence in the student ministry through the schools, sports and other events in which the students are involved. We have an incredible prayer ministry that literally reaches around the world. There is a group involved in prison ministry through the local prison where they share the Gospel every Sunday afternoon to the inmates. Our children’s ministry impacts many lives every year through camp, Vacation Bible School, Mother’s Day Out program and other outreach events in the community. Our church is well connected to Altus Air Force Base and has the privilege of ministering to military personnel and their families.
You have consistently served in the ministry. What are some keys to longevity and consistency in ministry?
God’s call to preach was powerful and unforgettable. When I have felt discouraged or tempted to quit, I reflect back on that moment of God’s call. I remember that I made a commitment to obey God’s call on my life. I have discovered God’s sustaining grace in seasons of trial and discouragement. The key to it all, in my opinion, is to die to self every day and seek to be full of the Holy Spirit and focused on God’s Kingdom. The more humble we stay, the more God lifts us up.
Your congregation is a leader in missions, ministry and giving. Why is it important for your church to support the Cooperative Program?
We believe in the power of cooperation. We Southern Baptists certainly have our faults, but our forefathers were surely in tune with the Spirit when they created the Cooperative Program. What an amazing privilege it is to give, as a church, to support the work and ministry of Oklahoma Baptists, the International Mission Board, and the North American Mission Board, as well as the SBC. I remind our church that we are participating in global missions each time we give to the Cooperative Program.
2025 ADVANCE CONFERENCE
‘ENTRUSTS’ PASTORS TO EQUIP DISCIPLE MAKERS
By Staff
On March 3-4, Oklahoma Baptists attended the Advance Conference at Mustang, Chisholm Heights. The theme of this year’s conference was “Entrust,” based on Timothy 2:2, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
The first three sessions were held on Monday, March 3. During the sessions, many speakers from across Oklahoma gave pastors advice on how to effectively make disciple makers. Speakers for this day included Ever Borunda, Oklahoma Baptists Hispanic ministry partner; Cordell, First Senior Pastor Terrel Romberg; OKC, Emmanuel senior pastor Terry Buxton; Pottawatomie-Lincoln Association director of missions James Wilder; Moore, First senior pastor Charlie Blount; Mustang, Chisholm Heights senior pastor Griff Henderson; Durant, First senior pastor Garry McNeill; Oklahoma Baptist University professor of religion Bobby Kelly; and New Orleans Seminary president Jamie Drew.
Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher spoke on Monday as well. He gave updates to his recovery from the automobile accident he was involved in last year, including how the recovery process has strengthened him spiritually.
Additionally, there were testimonies from three individuals whose lives were changed by Christ, including Oklahoma Jail and Prison Ministries president
Luis Ruiz who went from a career criminal to leading others to Christ through prison ministry programs. Tuesday, March 4, began with breakout focus groups for pastors to attend. These included children’ ministry, African American leaders, foster care, Hispanic ministries, worship and many more.
The final session of the Advance Conference was held that afternoon and featured Lifeway senior management of church equipping Chad Higgins, Country Club Hills, Ill., Hillcrest senior pastor Adron Robinson and North American Mission Board’s national next generation director Shane Pruitt.
Like the ones before, this session also had a testimony from Oklahoma Baptists evangelism and apologetics ministry partner Tarvoris “Coach Tee” Uzoigwe and his daughter, Avaria.
Also, Falls Creek Program Director Todd Sanders proposed the 222 Challenge to pastors. This yearlong challenge requested that pastors meet with two people two times a month and pray for two people. The intention of this challenge is to create disciple makers who go out an make more disciples.
This year’s Advance Conference was a time of fellowship and growth for pastors across Oklahoma. The next Advance Conference is scheduled for March 3-4, 2026. Visit oklahomabaptists.org/evangelism for more upcoming events.
2 TIMOTHY 2:2
Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!
2025 MISSIONARY Prayer Guide
Who & Where Why How to Pray
Otey and Cheryl Enoch coordinate the work of International Mission Board teams in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They work in partnership with the North American Mission Board and Canadian National Baptist ministry leaders to start churches, equip pastors, and other ministry leaders to reach people in Toronto. The Greater Toronto Area is a global city of 8 million people and is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
Camp Perfect Wings is a weekend camp for children and adults, ages 8 and up, with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The camp includes tailored games, activities, worship, and Bible teachings. Each camper is paired with a buddy to help them fully participate. Camp Perfect Wings creates an environment where campers experience the love of Christ. Camp Perfect Wings is a place where joy abounds, and everyone is welcome to be themselves.
Chris and Jamie Schilt serve with the International Mission Board in Malawi, Africa. They work alongside local brothers and sisters to see the growth of healthy Malawian churches by making disciples. They focus on discipleship and leadership development so more people will understand the true Gospel and their responsibility to take it to the ends of the earth.
Pray the Lord will touch the hearts of the Enochs’s neighbors and friends to receive salvation and know God’s redeeming love.
Pray God will give the Enochs emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental health as they serve in a demanding ministry context.
Pray there would be a development of robust, dynamic, healthy churches, full of mature disciples who consistently share the gospel with those around them.
Pray for the Camp Perfect Wings director and volunteers as they plan, prepare, and recruit buddies for camp.
Pray for the health and safety of all campers, buddies, volunteers, and staff.
Pray the love of God will be shown and experienced by all campers and that they would grow in their understanding of who God is.
Pray the Schilts will abide in Christ through busy schedules and lots of travel.
Pray their eldest son will adjust well to college in the U.S.
Pray the Malawian church will be in unity and take ownership of the Great Commission and that they will continue to joyfully and sacrifically make Christ known in their families, communities, and churches.
Mark and Aimee Phillips serve in Madagascar with the International Mission Board (IMB). Their focus is on making disciples and multiplying churches among the unreached Betsimisaraka people of Madagascar. They also serve all the IMB missionaries in Madagascar by providing support in areas such as visas, housing, and transportation. One of the most rewarding aspects of their work is teaching the Word of God to the local Malagasy people.
Pray all the IMB missionaries serving in Madagascar will be strengthened and encouraged in their work.
Lift up the Betsimisaraka people, asking for open hearts as missionaries work among them and that pastors will continue to walk in unity as they work together.
Pray for Mark and Aimee and their children as they navigate homeschooling and daily life in the capital of Madagascar and that
Otey & Cheryl Enoch
Camp Perfect WIngs
Chris & Jamie Schilt
Mark & Aimee Phillips
MISSION IGNITION PROPELS MISSIONS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN
I don’t remember memorizing Matt. 28:19-20 as a child. These verses, commonly known as the “Great Commission,” were heard regularly at church as I moved through children’s and youth programs.
They have echoed through sermons and songs in every church I have ever attended. Becoming familiar with and memorizing the words of these verses is simple. Yet taking them to heart and living them out is much more challenging. Hudson Taylor, the 19th Century missionary to China, once said, “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
Since this command is central to the mission of every Christ-follower, it is never too early to teach the command and to practice putting it into action. This is exactly what children across Oklahoma did recently as they attended Mission Ignition.
Mission Ignition is a hands-on day of missions learning, team building, and gospel sharing. This year more than 800 children and sponsors attended Mission Ignition at four locations: Duncan, Immanuel; Moore, First; Tahlequah, First; and Tulsa, South.
March 1, 2025
9 am - 2 pm
$15 in advance
Children and their leaders had the opportunity to hear from individuals and families who have carried out the Great Commission as they served short-term or long-term as missionaries near and far, in places like Tulsa, Utah, New York, Mexico, Peru, Ireland, Kenya, and Tajikistan. Missionaries serving in more restrictive areas of the world—the Middle East, East Asia, and West Africa—also were represented. Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children shared about different aspects of their ministry across the state at each location.
$20 at the door
We pray that as children hear from missionaries and learn how God is at work around the world, some of them will be inspired and called to serve in the future. The day didn’t end there. In Moore and Tulsa, children were taught simple methods of sharing the Gospel so that when they left Mission Ignition, they could have a tool to help them obeyed the Great Commission right away. In Tahlequah, children had the opportunity to make “Kid Kits” and hygiene bags for Fostering Hope, Inc. These bags will be given to foster care workers to give to children who find themselves in difficult situations. It is a blessing to see children encouraging kids, pointing them to Jesus!
There are many churches who give children the opportunity to engage in missions learning and missions projects throughout the year. Each year at Mission Ignition, we are able celebrate churches who tell us about their missions projects through the Mission Ignition Challenge. This year, 20 churches were celebrated for helping children learn to obey the Great Commission!
How can your church give children the opportunity seek and accept the opportunity to live out the Great Commission? A day of missions learning is a good place to start.
To find out more about Mission Ignition and the Mission Ignition Challenge, visit oklahomabaptists.org/missions-ignition
