2023/April

MESSENGER STAFF

>> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com

>> Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@baptistmessenger.com

>> Lori Coats | Subscriptions/Assistant lcoats@baptistmessenger.com

>> Tori Hamilton | Art Director thamilton@baptistmessenger.com

The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published 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: 39,042. Individual subscriptions are available upon request. 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.

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

Connect: The Just and the Justifier

I’ve been reading in the book of Hosea this Easter season, and I was reflecting upon the vivid description of God’s love for His children in chapter 11. One of the most striking things about this chapter to me is verse 9. Here, God says that He is “God and not a man” and is “the Holy One in your midst.” And yet, the same verse describes how God will not pour out His wrath on His people—“I will not execute My burning anger.”

On the surface, this doesn’t make sense. How can God be perfectly holy and, at the same time, not execute His judgment on sin? How can He be and do both at the same time? The answer is Jesus.

Paul states in Rom. 3:26, “So that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” In Jesus, God satisfied His demands for righteousness—something we could not do in our sinful state. To be God and to be holy, He must punish our sin. He cannot “look the other way.” For us to be saved, we cannot absorb that punishment. So, Jesus absorbed God’s punishment on our behalf. He is the Just. He is the perfect sacrifice. And He is the Justifier because His death provides for our salvation, which He did for us out of His great love.

The old British pastor G. Campbell Morgan commented on this verse in Hosea 11. He stated, “In Jesus I see how righteousness and peace meet together, and God can be just and the justifier. Through Jesus, the claims of justice which are against my soul are all met… Through Christ, He has made the way by which sinning souls can be conformed to His image, His likeness, His will. The Gospel is gleaming in Hosea. It is shining in full radiance in Christ.”

Part of a father’s love is that he makes sacrifices, so his children can thrive and even live. Sometimes he makes the ultimate sacrifice.

In 2012, George Tyson and his disabled son, Garry, were on a Sunday afternoon walk in the countryside of England. Someone driving a sports car too fast and out of control came barreling at them. Tyson pushed Garry out of the way to save his son’s life but was hit and killed by the car.

In 2015, Justin McCary was walking along a train track on a bridge in Chattanooga, Tenn. looking for rocks with his 10-year-old daughter and niece. They heard the train coming and moved to safety, but Justin looked back to see that his daughter’s foot was trapped in the tracks. He rushed to her, freed her foot, and just before the train hit, threw his daughter to the creek bed below the bridge, saving her life. Justin was killed instantly.

What these fathers did for their children reminds me of the great sacrifice our heavenly Father made for His children. Jesus, the just and justifier, gave His life so that He could fulfill His promise and redeem us. May the thought of God’s unconditional, sacrificial love for us who are so undeserving be our motivation—not to live in rebellion against Him, but to live for Him in faithful obedience.

Todd Fisher Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer

Sword & Trowel Star player

When I was a boy, I was excited to hear an NFL star was going speak at a rally at my school. I was standing there, eagerly looking around the room for some sort of giant football player, wondering who it would be.

The rally emcee then called for Al Del Greco, star kicker for the Arizona Cardinals, to come to the podium. The man I was standing near, who was more average in size, moved toward the microphone. Yes, it turns out I was standing right beside an NFL great and didn’t know it.

Just last month, I was honored to stand beside another great football player, Michael Turk, who most recently played for OU and who may likely play in the NFL.

Turk, who is known for his popular YouTube program “HangTime,” uses his platform as a star athlete to point people to Jesus and the Bible. His YouTube episodes are a bright spot for young people amid an otherwise dark social media environment.

To hear the Baptist Messenger interview with Michael, in which he shares about his faith, football and his fiancé (star OU softball player Grace Lyons), you can go to BaptistMessenger.com, or search for “Baptist Messenger” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you access podcasts.

Throughout the interview, I was particularly encouraged to hear this successful individual (who, by the way, is a member of a Southern Baptist church), living out the Christian life and trying to have a positive impact on young people.

Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” When you hear Michael talk, you can immediately tell he wants to make the name of Jesus known, not his own name.

The late, great NFL star Gayle Sayers once said, “I am third.” What he meant is “God is first. Others come second. I come last.” I see that same attitude in Turk.

But it’s not only star athletes or celebrities that have opportunities to make the name of Jesus known. It’s everyday people, too. Each day is a gift for the Lord. We can choose, in our own circles, to build up our own kingdoms—or better to build His Kingdom.

Today, let’s not make ourselves the star. Let’s lift up Jesus, who said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).

Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger

Upcoming Events

MAY 1 - MAY 3

NextGen Spring Leadership Conference

APR 28-29

Men’s Retreat

Falls Creek Conference Center oklahomabaptists.org/men

MAY 28-31

Associational Children’s Camp

Falls Creek Conference Center accok.org

JUNE 5-9

Falls Creek Youth Camp (Week 1)

Falls Creek Conference Center oklahomabaptists.org/ youth/falls-creek

NCED Conference Center & Hotel, Norman

MAY 4 - MAY 5

Hispanic Preaching Workshop

MAY 9

Oklahoma Worship Collective

Shawnee, Immanuel

MAY 23

Board of Directors’ Meeting

Baptist Building

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

FEATURED RESOURCES:

FEEDING

Preparing to Preach Through a Book of the Bible

One of the joys of expositional preaching is preaching through a book of the Bible. oklahomabaptists.com/category/feeding-and-leading/

LEADING

The Power of Presence — Incarnational Ministry

Pastor, one of the two biggest moments in the history of the cosmos centers... oklahomabaptists.com/category/feeding-and-leading/

Rite of Passage Blahbety blah

I was listening to a conversation the other day. I didn’t mean to, but a person was yelling into a cell phone, and I couldn’t help but overhear.

You’ve heard this type of person before. You’re on Aisle 15 of “WildMart,” and they’re on Aisle 37, but you can hear them as if they were standing next to you. If the public address system ever goes out in a WildMart store, they just need to bring that person up to the front, let them call a friend and repeat, “Cleanup on Aisle 12.”

This person’s phone conversation had to do with someone flying back into the U.S. from overseas. This individual was saying, “I don’t know why they didn’t fly back a day earlier, you know, with all of these delays, mechanical problems, weather conditions, blah, blah, blah, blahbety blah, it would have been wiser for them to fly in a day earlier.” I guess the speaker wanted the person on the listening end of the conversation to fill in the “blahs.”

The first “blah” could be “lack of a pilot.” The second “blah” could be “computer problems with ground control,” and the third could be a “medical emergency” on the incoming flight. As a frequent flyer, I’ve encountered all three of these “blahs.” But I’m still scratching my head on the “blahbety blah.” To be honest with you, I don’t really want to know what it is. I might never want to fly again.

“Blah, blah, blah” even came up on an episode of “Peppa Pig,” in which I am well-versed since I have three grandkids. Peppa Pig was talking too much, and one of her friends mimicked her words, saying, “Blah, blah, blah.” The word “blah” is “used to refer to something which is boring or without meaningful content.” At least that’s what the blah, blah, blah internet said.

But here’s some good news. There isn’t one “blah” or “blah, blah, blah” or even a “blahbety blah” in the Bible. Yes, every page, every book, every chapter, every verse is God speaking to us: “All Scripture is God-

breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

When God used the word “all,” He removed anything that was meaningless. Do you need love today? First John 4:8b says, “God is love.” And God wants to give you that deep love of His. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a).

You see, when you have the blahs, and your life turns into “blah, blah, blahbety blah,” God says you are a person of worth and value, worthy to be loved no matter what you have done. He doesn’t need “blah” or “blah blah blah” to make His point. His Son did that at the cross. No blah.

Walker Moore

Author & Messenger Columnist Email | walker@back40.org

Oklahoma BCMs share the Gospel to thousands of Spring Breakers

Tens of thousands of people recently flocked to the beaches of Panama City, Fla. and South Padre Island, Texas from all over the world. Most of them desired a week of partying hard on the beach and in the local bars.

These “spring breakers” were not the only ones to make the trek, however. Thousands of students and college ministers also went down to participate in a ministry called Beach Reach.

Beach Reach is an annual collaboration of Baptist student groups from college and university campuses across the nation, aimed at bringing “Light” to the pervasive darkness that descends on Panama City and South Padre Island during Spring Break each year. This outreach initiative began on South Padre Island in 1980 and in Panama City in 1995.

The ministry seeks to serve immediate physical needs of spring breakers by offering van rides and serving pancakes, then uses those encounters to share the Gospel. Beach Reachers who are not helping in the vans or with the food can be found either in the prayer room as real-time prayer requests come in from the vans or out on the beaches seeking people with whom to share the Gospel.

Clayton Bullion, co-coordinator for Beach Reach: South Padre Island, mentioned a conversation he had with a young man.

“I’ve done some really awful things this week, and I need a change of direction in my life,” the young man told Bullion. “I want something different. I want new life.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CLAYTON BULLION

“This is grace upon grace that this is how I get to spend my energy,” Bullion said, reflecting not only on this conversation but on the many chats he had during Beach Reach.

This year, 75 students and leaders from multiple Oklahoma Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) joined nearly 2,000 others in participating in Beach Reach. Tulsa University and Tulsa Community College came together to minister at South Padre Island, while Oklahoma State University participated in Beach Reach at Panama City.

The immediate presence of such a vast number of people who do not know Jesus and are not seeking to follow Him—coupled with physical exhaustion that takes place—highlights the absolute necessity of prayer and dependence on God for each of the “Beach Reachers.”

Brandon Brister, BCM director at TU, said he was pleased with the many ministry opportunities Beach Reach offered, allowing BCM students to engage college students and share the Gospel.

Riley Sowell, BCM Director at Tulsa Community College, noted that it is easy for Christians to get caught in their comfort zones, often forgetting God’s calling and failing to enter conversations and situations that require complete reliance on the Holy Spirit.

“I had 60 people on my (prayer) team,” Sowell said, “and we soaked the Island, the spring breakers and each other in prayer after prayer because we needed Jesus. We needed one another.”

God answered those prayers in mighty ways. One spring-breaker, Henry, received a ride one evening

with some of the Tulsa students who engaged him in a spiritual conversation. Henry was a convinced atheist and had anger towards Christianity. One of the students began praying that the Lord would bring Henry back to their van the following night.

South Padre had nearly 900 Beach Reachers in more than 80 different vans, so the odds were against Henry finding his way back to this specific group. But God answered those prayers. Henry reconnected with these Tulsa students and even stayed to talk about spiritual things for more than an hour after they reached his destination.

While Henry did not make a profession of faith that night, his anger lessened tremendously. He thanked the Beach Reachers for the love they had shown him and for giving him answers to some of the questions he had.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CLAYTON BULLION

PHOTO PROVIDED BY

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PAUL LEWIS PHOTO PROVIDED BY PAUL LEWIS PHOTO PROVIDED

“My word for the week was ‘awestruck,’ said Mary Hibbits, a senior at OSU. “I truly underestimated the power and goodness of God.”

Andrew Thorpe, a student at TCC, shared similar feelings. “(Beach Reach) was life changing,” he said. “I watched the truth of Christ change hearts and minds all over the island. I felt myself yield to the Lord.”

The four combined weeks of ministry at both South Padre and Panama City allowed Beach Reachers to offer nearly 40,000 safe rides to Spring Break participants. The Gospel was shared more than 18,000 times, and Beach Reach witnessed more than 350 people make professions of faith in Christ. South Padre observed 49 baptisms, which were done in partnership with local Baptist churches.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CLAYTON BULLION

PROVIDED BY CLAYTON BULLION PHOTO PROVIDED BY CLAYTON BULLION

Pastoral listening

Preachers talk. We are called to talk, hired to speak, paid to make comments. We talk at services, at meet ings and small groups. We speak with staff, in coun seling, at special events. It is easy to begin thinking that we NEED to comment on everything. Preachers often feel the NEED to talk.

Pastors also NEED to listen. We probably (definitely) should not talk until we have done a good bit of opening our ears without opening our mouths. There will be a time to speak (Eccl. 3:7).

But listening is hard. “Hearing” someone demands mental energy, focus and self-discipline. So how can a pastor, on top of being a good communicator, become a good listener? Here are a few thoughts.

Listening requires humility. When listening to someone else speak, the good pastor realizes that this moment is not about him. Lay aside your need to be heard and REALLY hear with understanding what the person is saying to you.

Stop thinking about what you will say in response. Stop looking for an on-ramp for your brilliant insight. When you do this, you miss a lot of hurt, frustration, pain, insight and possibly the entire meaning of the conversation. Listen. To. Every. Word—without formulating your amazing reply.

Listen with your entire body. Look the other person in the eye. See their emotions. Use a posture that invites them in. Avoid “looking off” like you are thinking about how to answer. Uncross your arms. Square up to them. Lean forward. And for the love of all that

redirect or change the subject or even quote Scripture verses in an attempt to lighten the moment. That opportunity will likely come later. Let them emotionally open up. Your job is to listen.

Remove the phrase “I know how you feel.” You don’t. Not entirely. Individuals possess their own compilation of circumstances that impact current feelings. There rarely is a need to tell them of your experience with a similar situation. If you do, you will most likely make them feel “one-upped.”

Instead, say “Tell me more about that.” This communicates that you are engaged and concerned. This little phrase “Tell me about…” serves as a great initiator of conversations. You, the pastor, are walking through the crowd on Sunday morning and see a young woman that you know has an ailing parent. “Hi Janet, tell me what is going on with your mother.” And then listen…and pray. Or the returning college student—“Tell me about school!” and then lock in on that kid.

I am not a professional counselor. I do know that they call these principles “active listening.” So, pastor, listen. And be active in it! Be “quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19).

Andy Taylor East Central Regional

Ministry Partner Oklahoma Baptists

YOU’RE INVITED to join OBU and the Tom Elliff Center for Missions for the FINAL Missions Forum of the semester.

Special guests and authors, Nik and Ruth Ripken, share stories of victorious, persecuted believers.

Maggie’s Story

To know Maggie today is to know a woman of determination, joy and grace. This is all due to the work of Jesus in her life.

loss was her children, along with her hope. For the next three years, she experienced homelessness, sleeping under bridges and in trees.

She soon began her journey back home to central Oklahoma. She was now clean and, again, pregnant. She needed and wanted to be in a place to raise her baby in a healthy environment. She needed a fresh start. She made her way to Grace Home, which was a time of healing, learning and redefining. The next step in the process of regaining custody of her other children was to move to Children’s Hope at the Oklahoma City campus of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. While there, she continued to intentionally grow in her relationship with God as she relentlessly pursued goals that enabled her to build a healthy life for her family. Also during her time there, she continued to gain the tools and resources needed to lead a life of success as defined by Jesus. Today, Maggie knows her purpose is to grow in the likeness of Christ and to disciple her children. Maggie now gets to be the one to ensure stability for her family. Maggie gets to be a part of instilling the truths of scripture into the lives of her children. The impact of this treasured responsibility has led to her daughters, Scarlet* and Clara*, and her son, Jake*, placing their faith in Jesus, with Scarlet and Jake being baptized in 2022 and Clara in 2023. Maggie is blown away by the undeniable growth in her children’s self-worth and identity over the last year. The best is yet to come for Maggie and her beautiful family.

In the midst of a childhood full of instability and a household of drugs and alcohol, Maggie recalls the love and care shown to her by her grandparents. She fully believes introducing her to Christ was the best thing that her grandma could have ever done for her. Receiving salvation at a young age, Maggie had the foundation of a life built on Jesus.

However, as she moved into adulthood, she did not have the basic tools or resources needed to embark on a life of success. She had been taught and came to believe that her sole purpose was to become a wife, which ushered her into a slew of unhealthy relationships for the next 13 years. By the time she reached her early twenties, she had given birth to four children by four different men. At age 26, she began experimenting in drugs and alcohol, a life she had grown up to know as normal, which began her descent toward rock bottom.

The drugs quickly took control of her life. She lost her job, her home, her driver’s license and her car. The most devastating

*Names changed to protect their privacy.

A Mother's LOVE

Baptist Village Communities

There is nothing in the world quite like a mother’s love.

When trying to describe a mother’s love, we typically use adjectives like “unwavering” and “unconditional”. Linda Scott, resident of Baptist Village Oklahoma City, describes her mom as a “mentor” and a “source of security.” Linda says her mom motivated her to be a strong and independent person.

While often not understood during childhood, a mother’s love lies at the core of her nagging – clean your room, finish your homework, eat your vegetables, etc., because she wants what’s best and for her kids to learn to make the best decisions. Linda remarks that to this very day she makes her bed when she gets out of it because that is something her mom instilled in her every day.

A mother’s love can be illustrated in how she makes sacrifice after sacrifice for the sake of her children. Linda says she doesn’t ever remember her mom having a winter coat, and she thinks it’s because as soon as she would save enough money to buy one, either Linda or her brothers would need something. “Mom would always sacrifice for her kids. Her kids always came first,” Linda commented.

Linda’s mom was a homemaker and described by Linda as “the disciplinarian” - taking care of everything at home while her dad was working. Linda says her dad was “the worker.” He always had multiple jobs to make ends meet…oftentimes working a full-time day job and then part-time in the evenings. Life wasn’t always easy growing up. Like so many, life was riddled with difficulties for Linda’s mom and dad, but Linda and her brothers never realized the challenges her parents

faced, because her mom managed to leap every hurdle that came her way. Mothers are doing extraordinary things every single day, and Linda’s mom was no different. As Linda’s mom grew older, her health deteriorated. Linda’s brother, Gary, moved in with their mom to be her full-time caregiver, and Linda would visit on the weekends to take over and give her brother a break.

Her mom wasn’t working, and social security was falling short of paying the bills. Linda helped financially by paying utility bills and covering unpaid hospital bills. Linda knew it had to be done, but it took a toll on her own financial well-being.

Using her own savings to financially help her mom depleted the savings Linda had. She sold her home and moved to Baptist Village of Oklahoma City. Her brother already lived on campus, so it made perfect sense, but after paying her bills, her monthly expenses were more than she could afford.

Linda applied for the Larry and Edwine Adams Assistance Fund of Baptist Village and was approved. The Adams Assistance Fund is available to BVC residents and offers monthly financial help to residents facing hardships just like Linda. Funds are applied directly to the monthly rent for her apartment which leaves a little cushion in Linda’s monthly budget to afford necessities such as over-the-counter medicines, prescription copays, and other daily living needs.

The Adam’s Assistance

Fund is 100% donor funded by gifts from our gracious supporters. Without your help, residents like Linda would be forced to find other living arrangements. BVC is honored to offer this help to our residents.

“Mom would always sacrifice for her kids. Her kids always came first.”

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 and Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children to provide physical and spiritual care daily for more than 2,500 children and senior adults in Oklahoma.

Working together through your gift, BVC and OBHC will serve others in need. If BVC and OBHC are ministries that represent you and your heart, will you consider participating in the offering this year?

okmdo.org

Choose your best way to support the 2023 Mother’s Day Offering!

OBHC

OBHC’s mission is to demonstrate Christ’s love by providing hope through empowering children and their families to follow Christ.

OBHC cares for children affected by abuse, abandonment, neglect or poverty by providing safe and healthy homes. OBHC also helps children through its single-mother family program, Hope Pregnancy Center, One Such Child foster care program and LifeWize curriculum for middle and high school students.

BVC

The gifts donated to BVC through the Mother’s Day Offering, provide financial assistance to residents through the Larry and Edwine Adams Assistance Fund. This fund helps ensure seniors have a roof over their head, a safe place to call home, and a living environment where they are encouraged to serve God and one another.

As Oklahoma’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior adult housing and services, BVC serves senior adult residents age 55 and better at 11 Oklahoma locations and three home health care offices. BVC is enhancing lives by serving God, serving you, and serving together.

Phone: (405) 942-3000 x 4628 Online: www.okmdo.org

Greetings from OBHC Three guiding principles

A few weeks ago, I began serving as the president of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC). It has been a whirlwind of visiting our ministry locations and getting to know the wonderful men and women who serve so faithfully in our ministry.

Last year, 2022, proved to be a challenging year of transition, and I am so thankful for Michael Williams’ faithful service as interim president. During the year we were blessed to serve 153 children on our campuses and 37 mothers through Children’s Hope. Our Hope Pregnancy Centers served almost 3,000 clients, and One Such Child assisted churches in foster care ministry. The number that drives all of what we do is the 77 people who came to Christ and the numerous Gospel conversations beyond them.

Over the past weeks, I have shared with our Board of Trustees and staff three guiding principles that will characterize my leadership in the days ahead.

First, it will be Christ-honoring. In the way that we work together and walk together; in how we talk to each other and about each other. This spirit is more evident in what people see than in what we will say. I will strive to set the expectation by the way that I walk and talk. I pray the Lord will enable us to encourage one another in our work.

Second, it will be child-and-family-focused. The mission will drive the organization. Our mission is to demonstrate God’s love through empowering children and their families to follow Christ. The question I will consistently ask in all our decisions is “How does this further the mission?” Whether it is a child in the mother’s womb or a child that cannot be in their home, I will lead us to do what is best in serving them and their families.

In 1978, Lowell Milburn wrote the introduction to the book recounting the first 75 years of OBHC’s ministry. He quoted Psalm 27:10, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up,” and then he wrote, “Can you feel the heartbreak in those words? The experience was a reality for the Psalmist, and it is real to thousands of children and youth today. They have been forsaken, abused and neglected. I believe the Lord led Oklahoma Baptists to ‘take up’ these boys and girls.”

I share Dr. Milburn’s conviction that the Lord has led Oklahoma Baptists to “take up” these children. I pray the Lord will enable us to empower every child and family He brings our way.

Finally, OBHC will be church-connected. When the Baptist Churches of the Oklahoma Convention and the Indian Territory convention joined together to establish what was then named the Baptist Orphans’ Home in 1903, it was an act of compassion and a step of commitment from the churches. I am committed to continuing and building on this rich 120year legacy. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for any church to do the work we do, but we cannot do that work without the church.

I will not let us forget that we were established by the church for our mission. I will lead us to continue to engage the churches of our state in our kingdom work. I pray the Lord will enable us to engage every church that will come alongside in our mission.

James Swain President of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children

ACROSS

1 Island Paul was shipwrecked on

6 “Lo, the winter is past, the ___ is over and gone” (Song 2:11)

19 “The angel Gabriel was ___ from God” (Luke 1:26)

24 “The wise took ___ in their vessels with their lamps” (Matt. 25:4)

30 Eager to imitate

47 Alcoholic beverage

20 “Sir, come down ___ my child die” (John 4:49)

25 Competition at the Greek games

27 What the seraphim did in Isaiah

28 Tag

10 Yarmulkes

14 In con ict with

34 What Mary goes through giving birth to Jesus

48 “They all hold swords, being expert in ___” (Song 3:8)

40 Level o

42 What brides and bridegrooms do

43 Dale

44 Boston airport

45 Tower that looks toward Damascus (Song 7:4)

48 “Many ___ cannot quench love” (Song 8:7)

49 ___ mode

50 “Swear not, neither by heaven. . . neither by any other ___” (James 5:12)

51 “His ___ over me was love” (Song 2:4)

54 Hairstyle

55 “He planteth an ___, and the rain doth nourish it” (Isa. 44:14)

58 Ardor

59 “His ___ hand is under my head” (Song 2:6)

61 Cleft in rock where dove hides

63 “Open to me, my sister, my love, my ___” (Song 5:2)

64 Fencing sword

65 Colder

thought ___ o ” (Ps. 139:2)

3 Theme of Song of Solomon

4 Second day of work week (abbr.)

5 What Song of Solomon is often viewed as

6 “Black as a ___” (Song 5:11)

7 Center of rotation

8 How Maiden feels when not with her love

9 “One thing is ___” (Luke 10:42)

10 Cuban leader

11 Palestine, e.g. 12 ___ pong

13 Fill

22 Yang’s partner

24 “The wise took ___ in their vessels with their lamps”

(Matt. 25:4)

25 Competition at the Greek games

27 What the seraphim did in Isaiah

28 Tag

___” (Song 4:8)

41 Loathe (var.)

43 Twisted

46 Illegal

47 Alcoholic beverage

48 “They all hold swords, being expert in ___” (Song 3:8)

50 Frequently

51 “To the ___ of spices” (Song 6:2)

52 Plant in the Bridegroom’s garden

53 Church part

54 “They had __ ___ small shes: and he blessed” (Mark 8:7) (2 wds.)

55 Vinegary

56 Butter used in soap and candles

57 Mister (Ger.)

60 Government agency

62 “He casteth forth his ___ like morsels” (Ps. 147:17)

21 The Bridegroom’s are like doves by rivers of waters (Song 5:12)

29 King Solomon’s was a palace

23 Senility

50 Frequently

15 Shaft

30 “I have ___ my honeycomb with my honey” (Song 5:1)

35 “___, King of the Jews!” (John 19:3)

51 “To the ___ of spices” (Song 6:2)

52 Plant in the Bridegroom’s garden

36 “The other holy o erings ___ they in pots” (2 Chron. 35:13)

66 “If ye had faith as a grain of mustard ___” (Luke 17:6)

67 “Until the day ___” (2 Peter 1:19)

29 King Solomon’s was a palace

30 “I have ___ my honeycomb with my honey” (Song 5:1)

25 Against (var.)

16 Opera solo

31 Bearing

53 Church part 54 “They had __ ___ small fishes: and he blessed” (Mark 8:7) (2 wds.)

38 “Horns of ivory and ___” (Ezek. 27:15)

68 “We will inclose her with boards of ___” (Song 8:9)

31 Bearing

32 Accepted practice

33 Bat GPS

32 Accepted practice

33 Bat GPS

17 “Thy ___ is like a round goblet” (Song 7:2)

18 What God views sin as

26 “Our rafters of ___” (Song 1:17)

55 Vinegary

56 Butter used in soap and candles

35 What an angel supposedly wears

37 “From the lions’ ___” (Song 4:8)

41 Loathe (var.)

43 Twisted

46 Illegal

Word Search

57 Mister (Ger.)

27 Pitcher that brought comfort to Bridegroom (Song 2:5)

60 Government agency

39 “I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ___ it up” (Rev. 10:10)

62 “He casteth forth his ___ like morsels” (Ps. 147:17)

DOWN

1 Horse hair

2 “Thou understandest my

35 What an angel supposedly wears

Puzzle 39: Ecclesiastes

37 “From the lions’

MAR. ANSWERS

A T I O N C

J L K W W A K S I W N Y R D T Z A I Z R H J T R H

X B E P N X T U V A I M C P D L N V J Z M L M K R

Puzzle 41: Song of Solomon Puzzle 42: Isaiah

P J S A U N F V J A Q H A T D H M K H E N R Y X I

A P M C E G E E E L B A P T I S T Z B O P Y G F S

R A V D M P Q P E X L Z C X W S S P R I

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.

Kingston, Texoma Southern has groundbreaking one year after tornado destruction

On March 21, Kingston, Texoma observed a groundbreaking ceremony for the church’s new building, which was destroyed by a tornado, March 21, 2022. Pictured are members of the building committee with Pastor Jeff Renard, center.

TRIBUTES

Larry Nigh

Larry Nigh, 71, died Feb. 27. Funeral service was March 3 at Ponca City, Northeast. He served 42 years in full-time pastoral ministry with 34 years at Ponca City, Northeast. He also pastored Gage, First and Norman, Alameda.

Randy Parsons

Randy Parsons, 71, died March 5. Funeral service was March 9 at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs. He served many Oklahoma Baptist churches as minister of music, including 19 years at Mustang, Chisholm Heights.

Southeastern BCM has groundbreaking Southeastern Oklahoma State Baptist Collegiate Ministry (SE BCM) held a groundbreaking on March 24 with many faithful supporters in attendance. Through a building campaign, SE BCM will have a new place to gather! For more information, visit oklahomabaptists.org/bcm.

It is a joy to report on what God is doing in the southwest region of Oklahoma Baptists. As in other parts of the state, and even the nation, the Asbury Revival has captured the imagination of pastors and is impacting their churches. Like a previous spiritual awakening in 1970, this revival embodies the essence of what many Oklahoma Baptist churches are seeking (Psalm 85:6).

After feeling the need for revival toward the end of 2022, a south central Oklahoma Baptist church has been preparing for revival meeting this month with a prayer walk in their community. Lift them up and ask God to pour out spiritual renewal upon them.

Another Oklahoma Baptist church in southern Oklahoma has seen some initial stirrings of revival through a Disciple Now weekend for their students. Pray that God will fan the ember of awakening into a raging flame of renewal.

As I travel across the region, I hear pastors talking about the Asbury Revival and expressing their heartfelt desire to see something similar in their churches.

Let’s all prayerfully echo the sentiment of the old hymn, “O Lord send a revival and let it begin in me!”

LANDRUM HONORED. Overbrook, Marsden honored Mary Ann Landrum for 70-plus years of service. She served as youth Sunday School leader and song leader, as well as other roles. Pictured, from left, are Pastor Don Clark, Barbara Campbell, Mary Ann Landrum, Georgeina Brown, Kay McGill and Lonnie Stewart.

Walter Wilson

African American Ministry Partner Oklahoma Baptists

March 24-25 was an awesome weekend at Oklahoma City, St. John for the first Healthy Church Conference sponsored by Oklahoma Baptists African American Ministries. Presenters were Billie Rodgers who led a session on “Prayer, in His Presence Daily;” Leroy Fountain who spoke on “Making Disciples of Christ;” and Robert Smith, Jr., the dean of biblical preaching at Beeson Divinity School, who spoke on “The Doctrine that Dances.”

On Friday evening, there were 62 in attendance, and on Saturday there were 87 in attendance.

The Oklahoma African American Fellowship, Robert Haskins School of Ministry, Oklahoma Baptist University and Baptist Village Communities had representatives at the conference. Art Hallet, a Gospel flutist, led a time of worship through music.

On Saturday, special greetings were offered by Joe Ligon, senior associate executive director of Oklahoma Baptists, and Mark Walters, director of missions of Metro Baptist Network, who provided Saturday’s lunch.

This event was made possible by the faithful support of Oklahoma Baptists through the Corporative Program.

Brett Selby

Southwest Regional Ministry Partner Oklahoma Baptists

In Focus: Johnny

Johnny Montgomery has served in full-time ministry for more than 22 years. He began full-time youth ministry at Heavener, Trinity. His first pastorate was at Albion, First, and he has been at Red Oak, First for more than 16 years.

“Red Oak, First is a rural church with a vision for outreach,” Montgomery said. “We are always looking for new ideas and new approaches to have a wide reach into our community and county. We want to touch the lives of the lost and hurting.”

Red Oak, First works to embrace family through marriage conferences, ladies’ and men’s ministries, strong children and youth programs, and special projects. They recently organized and implemented the Oaktober Pumpkin Palooza and transformed the church’s lawn area into a fall festival complete with haybales, canopies, firepits, twinkling lights and pumpkins. Each canopy and booth held excitement and adventure. More than 500 attended the extravaganza.

“The Palooza was just another way to reach our area,” Montgomery added. He appreciates how church members come together to serve.

“Unity is always at the forefront of everything we do,” Montgomery explained. “Everybody has to be rowing the boat in the same direction. Red Oak, First believes what the Bible teaches about unity and using our gifts and talents for the glory of God in all things.”

Montgomery and Red Oak, First embrace the Cooperative Program (CP). They recognize the importance of working together to make an impact not only in their community but in the world.

“It is amazing to see the people of God serve together to flesh out ideas and have a vision for the church,” he said. “We truly understand that we can do more together than we can ever do alone. We love being a part of the CP and helping reach our world for Christ.”

Montgomery

Miguel Vasquez

He is planting a church in Shawnee in partnership with Shawnee, Immanuel.

Tyler Barnes

He is the lead pastor and planter of Oklahoma City, Thrive Community.

Kevin Ngyuen

He us the lead planter for Bixby, Broken.

Logan Key

He is the church planter and pastor of Mustang, Refuge.

Griff Henderson

He is the Northwest Regional Ministry Partner with Oklahoma Baptists.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries:

BAPTIST

MINISTRIES & YOU

Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) is currently active on 39 college campuses across Oklahoma (see map).

Baptist Missionary Volunteers and Baptist Student Missionary Movement came together to form the Baptist Student Union (now BCM). These groups were student-led. In 1924, those students adopted a motion to join Oklahoma Baptists. That motion was presented at the convention’s annual meeting and was approved.

The motto of BCM is “Every campus. Every life.” BCM directors, volunteers and student participants are making a Gospel impact all across Oklahoma throughout the school year and on mission trips. Last year alone, there were nearly 500 professions of faith through BCM ministry!

DID YOU KNOW?

The current BCM State Director is Cris Lowery. T.H. Farmer could be called the first State BCM Director.

Many BCM ministries have Baptist associational connections, and BCM is a major recipient of Cooperative Program funding in Oklahoma.

New BCM building campaigns are currently underway at Oklahoma State University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

FOR MORE ABOUT BCM, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/BCM.

Edmond First Baptist Church

LIFE CONCERNS: Child/Family, Marriage, Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Grief/Loss, Aging, Relationships SPIRITUALITY

Dr. Ron Cruse, Ph.D. Psychology

Dr. Craig Robison, EdD LMFT/LPC

Laura Piatt, MA Counselor LPC

Aimee Walker, MS Counselor LPC

Insurance Accepted: BCBS, Medicare, Tricare,