April 2026

APRIL 2026 • VOL. 115 | NO. 4

BCM Students ‘Go’ with the Gospel

Spring Break, Gospel Style: BCM Students ‘Go’ with the Gospel Carissa Jones

Advance Conference Wrap-Up Staff

April 2026 · Vol. 115 I No. 4

MESSENGER STAFF Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@oklahomabaptists.org Megan Meador | Communications Coordinator mmeador@oklahomabaptists.org Brook Daniel | Graphic Designer bdaniel@oklahomabaptists.org Jacob King | Staff Writer jking@oklahomabaptists.org Bob Nigh | Contributing Writer bnigh@oklahomabaptists.org

CONNECT WITH US Online | baptistmessenger.com Facebook | thebaptistmessenger Instagram | @baptistmessenger

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 03 | The Importance of Investing in College Student Ministry CONNECT Todd Fisher

04 | Take Heart

SWORD & TROWEL Brian Hobbs

05 | Upcoming Events 07 | Connected to Jesus JUST JOE Joe Ligon

08 | Spring Break, Gospel Style: BCM Students ‘Go’ with the Gospel FEATURE

Staff

12 | Puzzles 13 | Church News The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 300 Johnny Bench Dr., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 36,069.

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14 | Pastor in Focus: Vern Charette 16 | 2026 Advance Conference Wrap-Up 17 | Missionary Prayer Guide

CONNECT

THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN COLLEGE STUDENT MINISTRY

One of the great ministries of Oklahoma Baptists, and one of the many reasons our churches partner together to give through the Cooperative Program, is Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM).

of Scripture. I was so incredibly impressed with these students and their maturity in the Lord and hunger to know Him and His Word better. I knew that night that God was doing something amazing at this BCM.

I don’t think we can overstate the importance of evangelism and disciple-making on college campuses.

Most of us are aware of multiple studies that reveal approximately two-thirds of Protestant college students drop out of church for at least one year between the ages of 18-22. A recent article published by Lifeway states that the average college campus in North America is less than 5 percent reached with the Gospel and that 1,174 college campuses in North America have no Gospel community. However, the good news is that Gen Z (current college students) are very open to spiritual conversations and the sparks of revival are being seen on campuses across our country. All of this to say, now is a great time to reach college students with the Gospel and the ministry of BCM is a very worthwhile investment!

Fast forward to today. The BCM at OSU has outgrown that church building and now meets at another church that isn’t near campus. However, that hasn’t deterred them. Recently, they had over 600 at one of their weekly gatherings. The number of students coming to faith in Christ and the depth of discipleship among them is simply amazing. OSU BCM director Paul Lewis and his team are doing such an incredible job there! Praise the Lord for the work he is doing among these students!

After a long time of preparation and prayer it’s now time to help our BCM at OSU have their own building. Imagine the potential if this BCM had its own building adjacent to campus? We have the property and the building plans.

We just need to make it a reality! Would you join me in praying for God’s provision for this building? And would I want to take a moment and tell you about one particular you consider making a gift toward this worthwhile project BCM in our state. A few years ago, I spoke to the BCM of building our OSU BCM a home? students at Oklahoma State University (OSU). About 400 of them gathered at a Baptist church near campus. Some You can read more about the OSU BCM and make a gift even sat on the floor as I recall. I spoke that night on toward the building at this link: osubcm.org/building. the historicity/reliability/authority of Scripture. I spoke Thank you for your partnership in advancing the fast and covered a large amount of material, some of Gospel together! it quite complex.

Serving Jesus with You, The students listened intently the entire time and when I was done, formed a line to ask me thoughtful questions, Todd Fisher which I answered for about an hour. They wanted to Oklahoma Baptists know where they could study more on this topic and how Executive Director-Treasurer they could talk to their friends about the trustworthiness

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SWORD AND TROWEL

TAKE HEART It’s Spring storm season in Oklahoma, and our Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) volunteers are already at work, trying to serve people in need—to bring “hope and help,” all in the Name of Jesus.

When disaster strikes, Oklahoma Baptist DR will be there for people. This calls to mind that Oklahoma Baptist DR has been there, through the decades, in countless disaster situations.

told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In Jesus, we truly have a helper and One who can sympathize with our pains and wounds (Hebrews 4:15-16).

There are also many biblically-informed resources out there for people who are looking for healing. In a recent podcast episode with author and chaplain Nick Hamilton, we discussed how “Trauma often disrupts a In a recent trip to New Orleans Seminary, I was reminded person’s faith in God. At times, it even causes people that when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast and to feel as though they have lost their faith in God caused widespread damage and loss of life in 2005, altogether.” But there is hope. That episode can be Oklahoma Baptist DR was there. heard at baptistmessenger.com/podcast.

At the same time, I was also stunned and saddened to hear about areas of the city that had never fully recovered from Katrina’s devastating effects, so significant was the damage and aftereffects.

Thinking about all this as an analogy for life: there are many individuals who have experienced such traumatic or difficult events in life that they have never fully healed.

It could be any number of issues—medical, relational, personal, financial or spiritual. Some people have experienced a wound so severe it has never healed.

Hamilton’s book, Making Friends with Darkness, speaks to those who have “PTSD and moral injury recovery with an approach from the Scriptures, providing a plan that is non-formulaic, helps people heal from their trauma, and helps remove barriers to God.” In the end, life’s hurts can hinder our relationship with God. But it’s God Himself who can and wants to restore us and make us whole—in this life, and ultimately in resurrection life.

If there’s a hurt you are carrying in life today, this season There’s a powerful scene in the Lord of the Rings book can be a reminder to take it to the Lord. Seek His hope, in which the hero, “Frodo Baggins,” is wounded (almost His healing and His presence. And let’s all remember to fatally) by evil creatures stabbing him in the shoulder “take heart,” because Jesus has overcome! with a sword. The wise sage of Tolkien’s work, “Gandalf the Wizard” then says, “That wound will never fully heal.

Brian Hobbs He will carry it the rest of his life.”

Oklahoma Baptists Now, I’m no licensed counselor or pastor, but I have learned where we can turn in difficult times. Christians can and should look to Jesus for inspiration, healing and help. Jesus Himself was mistreated and reviled more than any person. And yet He said these words, “I have

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Editor

events

UPCOMING

EVENTS

See what events are happening around the state!

May 21-23, 2026 Camp Perfect WIngs oklahomabaptists.org/ childhood/camp-perfectwings/

May 24-30, 2026 Associational Children's Camp Session 1: May 24-27 Session 2: May 27-30 accok.org/

May 26-29, 2026

June 1-5, 2026 Falls Creek Youth Camp Week 1 Falls Creek Conference Center, Davis, OK oklahomabaptists.org/ youth/falls-creek/

CrossTimbers Session 1 CrossTimbers Conference Center, Davis, OK oklahomabaptists.org/ childhood/crosstimbers/

Visit oklahomabaptists.org/events/ to view more events happening throughout the year!

YOU’RE INVITED! OBU and Oklahoma Baptists at SBC in Orlando!

TUESDAY

June 9, 2026 7 pm SeaWorld Park

Join us for a special gathering in conjunction with the SBC annual meeting!

THIS EVENT WELCOMES

Oklahoma Baptists Messengers OBU Alumni and Friends Guests of WatersEdge

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

SPONSORS

Connected to Jesus

Last time we left off with our zip lining escapades in Mindo, Ecuador. I thought I might finish that particular story before I got away from talking about our experiences in Ecuador.

There is a famous line in the movie Forrest Gump that says, “Stupid is as stupid does.” I had to look that up to see what it meant. But I couldn’t use it. My wife is not a fan of the word “stupid.” Although I thought it was kind of stupid, I sincerely tried to quit using that word. So, my version of that line from Forrest Gump is “dumb is as dumb does.”

group took a running jump and was zipping across another valley to the side of another mountain. But I as stood there watching this unfold, I noticed the tree that the zipline was tied to was straining with all of its might to keep its roots as deep as possible in the rocky side of the mountain. I truly thought the tree was going to come out of the ground. Since the first guy that did that was a scrawny one, I decided my extra heft would be all it would take to pull the tree loose.

Needless to say, I was more unhappy about the second zipline than the first. Because there was It doesn’t carry quite the punch but perhaps nothing else to do, I let them connect my harness to communicates something that I often struggle with. the zipline and then the two young Ecuadorian men For some reason, I can get involved in the dumbest literally shoved me off the side of the mountain. They things without even trying. I can be minding my own were traitors, I tell you. Traitors. business and dumb can jump on me like a chicken on a June bug. I can be completely innocent (relatively And once again, there I was zipping through speaking) and dumb can just out of nowhere get me Ecuadorian airspace like an idiot. Did I mention in some of the craziest situations. dumb just sneaks up on me sometimes? I got saved about four times on my way across the valley to the Such it was at the Ecuadorian ziplines. You might other mountain. And so it was that I eventually, finally remember from our last time together, that they finished all of the ziplines. harnessed me in what appeared to be a well-used harness, put a Styrofoam bicycle helmet on my head Once I got back to the starting place and got my (since we Ligons are famous for our Ligon noggins, harness unhooked from that demonic last zipline, I the Styrofoam bicycle helmet didn’t fit very well and did a very “Pope-like” thing and kissed the ground just barely had enough strap to tie the thing on my profusely. Of course, that got some dirt and a few head). And then, off the platform I went sailing over pebbles in my mouth (don’t ask me how). Little did I a valley that was somewhere between 1-10 miles know how sticky Ecuadorian dirt and little rocks can deep. If the thing broke and sent me crashing into be, and I couldn’t even wash my mouth out with water. the valley floor, I don’t think the bicycle helmet was going to be much help. I mean, what would the odds Here are some things to think about. First, ziplines are not for the faint of heart. If you are prone to cussing be of me landing on my head? a little, stay off ziplines. Second, although you can’t Once I got to the end of that first zipline, I told the get saved more than once, stay away from things like young Ecuadorian men that was plenty for me, and I ziplines that make you think you aren’t saved—and would just go back and get in the car thank you very you need to be over and over. Third, if you are going much. They informed me that the only way to get to anchor your life to a tree or anything else make back to the car was to go through all of the ziplines. sure it is strong enough to hold you. In other words, And there would be 15 of those. make sure you are connected to Jesus.

So there was only one thing to do. Stop whimpering.

OK, there was another thing to do: keep going.

The next zipline was tied to a tree that was about as big around as a basketball. The first one of our

Joe Ligon Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director

Spring Break, Gospel Style: BCM Students ‘Go’ with the Gospel

Few people associate Spring Break and college students with advancing the Gospel, but such is not the case for hundreds of Oklahoma Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) students. In addition to local projects, teams from 22 Oklahoma campuses traveled to six different U.S. states and the Czech Republic this Spring Break with the goal of growing in Christ and sharing His love with the lost.

MULTIPLY CONFERENCE Approximately 200 students from three BCMs attended the Multiply Conference at the Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs. The conference equips students to become disciples who make disciples by bringing together “big frogs” (mature believers) and “tadpoles” (students desiring to grow in their faith).

“The Multiply Conference really helped me understand God’s heart to draw near to me and use me to make disciples both here and from all nations,” said University of Oklahoma (OU) student Benjamin Edwards.

Though the conference focuses primarily on discipleship, some students also make proclamations of faith there.

Caelen Montgomery, who attended with the University of Central Oklahoma BCM, encountered the Lord in a very

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powerful and personal way. As she was preparing to go to sleep one night, she prayed, “Lord, I know you—or at least I’m trying to—but do you know me? If so, will you give me a visible sign?”

While out hiking the next day, she heard a voice three times say, “John 14:6.” She stopped in the middle of her hike, pulled out her Bible, and read, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” That led her to read further in John 14 and the recognition that God truly knows her. One night after asking God to give her a sign, she had her answer and her life changed forever.

“Wednesday night I fully submitted and gave my life to Christ,” said Montgomery.

PONDEROSA CAMP

Thirty minutes down the road from Glen Eyrie, students from the Carl Albert State College (CASC) and Eastern Oklahoma State College BCMs got to work at Ponderosa Camp, the state camp of Colorado Baptists.

“Ponderosa serves Colorado and the surrounding region as a light for the Gospel,” said CASC BCM director Clay Phillips. “Our students had the privilege of contributing to this mission through hands-on service projects.”

While manual labor projects are often unglamorous, CASC student Braedy Wardrope appreciated the opportunity.

SERVING COMMUNITIES

“To serve in a capacity that isn’t noticed by many yet benefits the Kingdom of God was eye-opening and Manual labor also provided opportunities for the eight rewarding—something we will carry with us forever,” BCMs who came together in Beaumont, Texas. The she said. group worked with Nehemiah’s Vision, a partnership that began in 2023 when the Rogers State University (RSU) BCM sought opportunities to help with storm recovery in the area.

Shannon Cross, the BCM Director at RSU, took 33 students that year.

“It was so successful that we kept going back and adding more BCMs and people,” said Cross.

This year, 100 people made the trek to help work on homes affected by natural disasters and build wheelchair ramps at homes of people with impaired mobility.

The group met spiritual needs as well and encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones.

“Our quietest student found his voice,” said Jay Kindsvater, BCM Director at Redlands Community College. “He shared his testimony three times during the trip.”

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Another Gulf community, Westwego, La., likewise benefited from Oklahoma BCM students giving their Spring Break to share the Gospel and serve the community. Three BCMs partnered with the Westwego, La., First to meet tangible needs.

Oklahoma City University (OCU) student Carson Patton lauded Westwego for their ongoing, intentional efforts to be a light for Christ in their community.

“I know that the work we did (in Westwego) will help the church continue to reach their community for the Kingdom of God,” he said.

The trip also unified the team, as many of them had never met previously. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M student Raylyn Yoder said that it “was an amazing representation of the body of Christ coming together for one purpose— to know God and make Him known.” This new bond empowered them in their work.

“We could tackle whatever He was calling us to do,” said Yoder, “and by the end of the week we all walked away with a better understanding of how to serve the Lord anywhere we go.”

BEACH REACH Three BCM teams from Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the Tulsa metro returned to Panama City, Fla. to minister to their peers through Beach Reach.

“It’s always very heartbreaking and eye opening,” said Tulsa Community College student Francisco Orbe.

“Talking to so many people that are my age, lost, and searching for happiness but not finding it definitely gives me urgency to share Jesus.”

These three groups combined to pray with 950 beach goers, share the Gospel with more than 700 of those and lead more than 30 people to the Lord throughout the week.

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“This trip was such a blessing because I got to see how the Lord uses us in so many different ways,” said OSU student Jaycie Adams. “Even when it seemed like we had nothing in common, Christ found a way to speak through me.”

SACRED CITY CHURCH

While students from the Northeastern State University BCM partnered with local churches to minister in Arizona and the Czech Republic, a group from the BCM at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) headed to Providence, R.I. to work with Sacred City Church in a variety of ways.

“My favorite part of the trip was by far the survey evangelism,” said Sophia Walker. “These surveys really just opened the door to so many Gospel conversations with both believers and non-believers, which was so beautiful!”

Walker will return to Providence this summer, spending six weeks serving Sacred City through the North American Mission Board’s GenSend program.

“There are so many opportunities to share the Gospel and be a light in the darkness, so I can’t wait,” Walker said. “God is moving in and through Sacred City and Providence. I am so excited to see what God has in store this summer!”

Oklahoma Baptists State BCM Director Chad Coleman, who joined the SWOSU team this year, applauds the students for taking advantage of the opportunity to use their Spring Break for Kingdom purposes.

“What makes BCM Spring Break trips so powerful is not just what happens there, but what happens after as students return further equipped and discipled, ready to multiply ministry on their campuses and in their churches,” Coleman said.

Carissa Jones Oklahoma Baptists Baptist Collegiate Ministries Assistant The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Note: Bible translations may vary for clues

46 He would __ into heaven 49 Hourly pay 50 Spirit helps us __ in faith 51 Holy Innocent, e.g.

52 Chestnut horse 56 Riyadh dweller 57 Metric weight unit

59 Church feature 60 Mongolian desert 61 Halo 62 Actor’s parts 63 Smithsonian (Abbr.)

64 Ditch (var.)

65 Calvary sight

DOWN 1 Bang 2 Christmas tree 3 Bunsen burner 4 “Suffer little __...to come unto me” (Matt. 19:14) 5 He would cause the blind to __ 6 Student’s paper 7 Pistols (slang) 8 “__ Maria” 9 Corrupt 10 Easter month, often 11 Plague pest 12 Small land mass 13 He would __ the hungry 21 He will judge good and __ 23 Gathering 25 He will be our __ 26 They will pierce His __ 27 Mineral group 28 Jesus’ teaching, e.g.

29 Summer veggie 30 We are “__-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17)

32 “ Fragrant __, the work of a perfumer” (Ex. 30:25 niv) 33 Start over 34 He would atone for __ 35 He would __ His sheep 39 “I am not...___ to the ‘superapostles’” (2 Cor. 12:11 niv) 42 He would be given __ to drink 45 Jesus would __ with sinners 46 Rod of __, tabernacle item 47 Jesus’ side piercings, e.g.

48 Biblical measurement 49 He would be born of one 50 They would come to worship Him 51 KJV weed 53 Norwegian city 54 Beers 55 Loch __ monster 58 See 44 across 59 Rainbow shape

ACROSS 1 Plan details, for short 6 “Yikes!”

10 Arabic alphabet start 14 Supple 15 He came to __ 16 False prophets __ as Messiah 17 Comics orphan 18 “Is a __ between me and death” (1 Sam. 20:3 niv) 19 His __ will have no end 20 Last Supper, e.g.

21 __ relief, sculptural feature 22 He would be __ from death 24 Donkey pull 26 Bethlehem in Jesus’ time, e.g.

27 Docked 30 Coffee 31 Annoyed 32 Not one of His __ would be broken 33 With Insp., a book section 36 Chili con __ 37 Pan go-with 38 “Like as corn is sifted in a __” (Amos 9:9) 40 In the manner of (Fr.) (2 words) 41 Twilights (poet.)

43 Land under Ahasuerus’s reign 44 Herb Pharisees would tithe 45 His arms would __ 4 Down

WORDSEARCH N T E X A S T U D E N T S V V K A W U Z K Q P C P X B R E A K Q G O J U C O R H O D E I S L A N D T M N S N S U L E S H A R E M D M V B S Y I F S E C L J P B B E A U M O N T O L W E S T W E G O A O C R I R G K C A S C B C M M S X T V Z S S L M H P U R P I F T R S U E W T L Y J U H N N T P E U F C G C X N B A P T I S T Q L W D R R O M A G N L S Z V C F G C Y Y G V P A N A M A C I T Y T P E T I E O O L WO B P R O V I D E N C E M P A E H Y I R C K L O A N C Y B G D P G J H F Z D N O S R R P H H L L R U F O O Q Z L D P L P E A A M P N P I L M Y A E I F E L A D V A N C E Z O I S R O C D E Y X X H G D J R O B I G F R O G S S B E A C H R E A C H O E A M E R C G O S P E L I C O A S U S Q X R G F M J D N N A N L K A W I U U N E O T Y C U E E O C A Q T Z C D L M I X C O S WO S U X H S J O U G S X Z V W E O L J L B L T A D P O L E S O O C P J E A Note: The word clues are chosen by Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.

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LAST MONTH ANSWERS

WORDS ADVANCE

GOSPEL

SHARE

BAPTIST

LOUISIANA

SPRING

BCM

MULTIPLY

STATES

BEACH REACH

OKLAHOMA

STUDENTS

BEAUMONT

OCU

SWOSU

BIG FROGS

OSU

TADPOLES

BREAK

OU

TCC

CASC

NEO

TEXAS

CZECH

NSU

UCO

COLLEGE

PANAMA CITY

WESTWEGO

COLORADO

PONDEROSA

CONFERENCE

PROVIDENCE

EOSC

RCC

FLORIDA

RHODE ISLAND

GLEN EYRIE

RSU

Church N EWS

CHURCH NEWS

PIERCE RECEIVES INAUGURAL ‘TRANSFORMATION IN AGING’ AWARD

Long-serving President and CEO of Baptist Village Communities (BVC), Bill Pierce, was recognized with the inaugural Dr. Bill Pierce Transformation in Aging Award at the 2026 LeadingAge Oklahoma Annual Conference. Pierce was honored by Claire Dowers-Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of LeadingAge Oklahoma, who recognized his extraordinary contributions to senior adult services in Oklahoma and across the nation.

Pierce has served for 35 years, leading BVC through decades of growth and innovation in senior housing and services.

ADA, FIRST INDIAN CELEBRATES 75 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

On Sat., March 7, Ada, First Indian celebrated their 75 year anniversary. Oklahoma Baptists Native American ministry partner Emerson Falls presented the church with a certificate in recognition of this milestone. “The Lord has brought us a long way from our start as a mission under Ada First Baptist in 1951,” the church wrote in a Facebook post. “We are grateful for the blessings we have received over the years and look forward to the Lord’s plans for us in the next 75 years.”

TRIBUTES Albert Quick died Feb. 18. He was pastor of the Sumner Church from 1983-2022.

Mary Bauer died Feb. 25. She was a dedicated servant at the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma for 33 years, where she worked in various roles including as executive assistant to James Swain, Equipping Team Leader. She also served as Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Assistant to the late Ron Fannin, who had served as Senior Assoc.

Executive Director for Oklahoma Baptists. Mary, who also served with the Baptist Messenger, was also a charter member of the Singing Church Women of Oklahoma.

Jo Richards died Feb. 22. She retired in September 1999 after serving in different areas for 19.5 years with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, and was the widow of Vernon Richards, one of Oklahoma’s hosts for mission volunteers in Malawi, who died Feb. 6, 2021 in Lilongwe of an apparent heart attack.

Jimmy Anderson died March 2. Anderson was a nationally-known Native American evangelist and preacher who served for more than 50 years. Read more at baptistmessenger.com.

Don Clark died March 6. He was pastor at Dewar, First and Lone Grove, First, an evangelist and former DOM/ AMS at Enon and Johnston-Marshall associations. He founded Don Clark Ministries and served at evangelistic Darlene Riley died Feb. 18. She was the meetings in Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Brazil, Argentina, wife of Jim Riley, pastor of Lone Wolf, First. Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominica, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and Scotland, as well as in 15 states.

He had a weekly radio program, “A Moment with the Book,” on KQCV in Oklahoma and KVSO in Alaska.

PASTOR

s u c o F In

VERN CHARETTE Pastor, First Baptist Church Coweta, Oklahoma

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY? CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT WHERE ALL GOD HAS HAD YOU SERVE IN MINISTRY? I met my wife, Jennifer, at Falls Creek, June 18, 1991. We have a stone outside of the tabernacle commemorating that special day. We were married two years later at Park Hill Baptist in Tahlequah. After a few years of working and preaching as an evangelist and while doing “Experiencing God,” the Lord called me to start a formal educational journey. So, at the age of 26, this high school dropout and GED graduate enrolled at Oklahoma Baptist University. Jen worked, I went to school and preached.

This would be our journey for the next several years, as I went to school in Memphis and Fort Worth, finally graduating with my Ph.D. After serving in evangelism for more than two decades and preaching all over the country, God opened the door for me teach homiletics at Southwestern Seminary. I would spend 7 years at Southwestern as a professor and evangelist. During this time, God allowed Jen and I to adopt a precious baby boy that we named Christian, after the character in Pilgrims Progress. Shortly after that, I felt God calling me into the pastorate. We returned home to Oklahoma and by the providence of God I am now in my 8th year as senior pastor at Coweta, First. Jen has been with me the whole way and that precious baby boy is now 12 and about to enter our youth department.

WHAT A GREAT TESTIMONY! THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU A HEART FOR EVANGELISM. NEW REPORTS SHOW THAT BAPTISMS ARE DECLINING IN THE SBC. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SOME KEYS TO EVANGELISM? I think it begins with a burden. I am preaching through Acts right now and we get a snapshot of Paul’s burden that drove his missionary journeys in Romans 9:1-3.

I believe that our beloved SBC Zion has, generally speaking, become somewhat apathetic. It is like the man that said to his friend, “I believe the two greatest problems in the world today are ignorance and apathy.

What do you think?” His friend said, “I don’t know and I don’t care.” Truth be told, many of us just don’t care.

If we’ll become burdened for the lost, evangelism will follow. It is the burden to see people become worshipers of the Triune God that should motivate us. It is what drove me to do evangelistic preaching last Tuesday night at the Salvation Army homeless shelter in Tulsa. It is also what drives me to share my faith in one on one situations. It begins with a burden. Get that settled and the various methods will naturally follow.

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CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE WAYS YOUR CHURCH IS A LEADER IN MISSIONS THE LORD HAS BEEN WORKING THROUGH AND GIVING. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHURCH IN COWETA? CHURCHES TO GIVE THROUGH THE God has been doing some amazing things as we focus COOPERATIVE PROGRAM? on inviting people to our living room (corporate worship), moving them to our dining room (small groups), and ultimately getting them to the kitchen (outreach and mission teams) where they can serve and share others.

Besides the normal amount of discipleship opportunities, we have a number of unique spaces God has allowed us to serve. For example, last summer we took a team of nearly 30 people to a Sioux reservation in South Dakota and are currently gearing up to go to different reservation. We have a Horse Camp ministry every Summer for kids and youth. We have partnered with several community ministries which have allowed us to serve free meals, gather food for local food banks, as well as feed and worship in the Tulsa Salvation Army.

We have an ongoing prison discipleship ministry in Lexington prison. We have members that volunteer at the Hope Pregnancy Center. I am teaching a new converts class and we are about to baptize four brand new believers, all adult men. In short, Aslan is on the move!

Simply put, because I believe in the Cooperative Program (CP). The sun never sets on the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for a reason. Not only does it allow us to put thousands of missionaries on the field, it allows us to touch the world with so many ministries, few of which our churches could be partnered with if we were alone. We determined that we were going to give a charitable percentage of our budget to the CP as we have been able personally to receive and see the benefits of our giving. Bottom line, our giving touches the world and this allows all of us, big and small, to play a part. Thank you for allowing us to participate.

YOU’RE A FREQUENT SPEAKER AT EVENTS AND MINISTRIES. WHO HAS HELPED SHAPE YOUR MINISTRY AND CALLING? I was led to the Lord and discipled early by an African American named Jesse Joyner. I always emphasize the fact that Jesse was black mainly because I want people to know that the Gospel overcomes racial barriers.

Jesse, who now resides in glory, was the first to pour into my life. I have been blessed through the years to have various Aquila and Priscillas pour into my life, several who now reside in glory. Some of these have been highly educated professors, others just “ordinary” pastors, but all of them a massive part of who I have grown to be. Being part Native American, and having cut my teeth in our Native churches and ministries, I am extremely grateful, especially for those in that special community, for their investment in me. I have become, by grace, “scholarship on fire,” I have been blessed to wed both head and heart, all for the glory of God. I believe that is why God has opened up so many doors for me.

Editor’s Note: Photos provided.

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2026 ADVANCE CONFERENCE WRAP-UP MOORE — Hundreds of Oklahoma Baptists attended the annual Advance Conference, March 2-3 at Moore, First. This annual event focuses on equipping pastors and church leaders with skills and methods to improve the mission work in their church.

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After a short break and time of worship, Mark Croston, National Director of Black Church Ministries for Lifeway, spoke on the steps of discipling: Teach, Train, Tutor, Test, Repeat. Croston said that the average church goer is not good at discipling, but by following the steps they can get better.

Alan Quigley opened the first session by welcoming everyone and highlighting the speakers who were about Then Zack Randles, pastor at Washington, D.C., to present. After that, Oklahoma City, Quail Springs’ Waterfront, delivered the final sermon for Monday. worship team led in praise.

Randles focused on what the Gospel was made for, sinners, and that pastors need to be willing to get their Monty Patton, Arizona Mission Network, spoke during hands dirty to reach those who are lost. He reminded the first session of the Advance Conference from John pastors that it takes time for movements to begin and and Peter. He focused on instructing pastors in finding to rely on God’s timing for all things. the “one” person to minister to. The core of missions is taking the Gospel to those who haven’t heard it and The next day, Tues., March 3, began with numerous make disciples. breakout sessions that covered all areas of ministry.

Topics included children’s ministry, artificial intelligence Another advantage to discipling one person or a group usage in the church, how to evangelize and more. After two of people is that pastors can find the person they sets of breakouts, attendees took a lunch break before want to replace them. The next generation of disciple returning for the final session of the Advance Conference. makers can only be made by those who are willing to make disciples. Patton warned pastors not to take on Joe Sherrer opened the pre-session with guidance on more than they are prepared for and only focus on the how pastors should structure their Sunday Schools. He important things. said that classes should focus on teaching, outreach and ministry, being genuine in wanting to teach those Following a lunch break, Oklahoma City, Quail Springs who attend. pastor Connor Bales called pastors to focus more on disability ministry. As a father who has two children Finally, Robert Smith, Distinguished Professor of with disabilities, Bales is dedicated to reaching those in Divinity at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, spoke for the final session of the Advance Conference. the church who are often unreached.

He opened with an explanation of “imago dei,” image Another set of worship was led by Oklahoma City, Quail of God, and “missio dei,” the mission of God. Smith Springs before Bales returned for the second session. reminded pastors that they must be focused on both He emphasized the importance of listening to what the by proclaiming the Gospel and magnifying Who God is.

Lord is saying and baptism. He also encouraged pastors to not stay silent, saying that words are required to For more information on Advance Conference, visit oklahomabaptists.org/evangelism/advancepreach the Gospel. conference/.

April 2026

2 0 2 6 M I SS I O N A RY

Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!

Why T U LSA

Who & Where

OKLAHOMA

Riley Sowell

B RA Z I L

Oklahoma Disaster Relief

How to Pray

As the BCM Director at Tulsa Community Pray that the Lord of the harvest College, Riley ministers to college students would send laborers in His harvest. through evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, missions, church partnership, campus relationships, and recruitment. The Pray that the Lord would call students mission of TCC BCM is to give students a to Himself to become fishers of men. chance to consider Jesus, and equip them to follow Him through all of life.

Pray that the Lord would use Riley, his family, and those involved with the TCC BCM to make disciples of all nations.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief has been serving in some of the most devastating crises in the state and nation for more than 50 years. With more than 5,000 trained volunteers, it is considered to be one of the largest disaster relief ministries in the Southern Baptist Convention. Experienced volunteers working side by side stand always ready to help those impacted by the devastating effects of disasters. They offer help and hope, meeting people at their point of greatest need.

Please pray that as disaster relief volunteers go to wherever they are needed, they would be safe and effective.

Pray those impacted by natural disasters would have hearts that are soft toward Jesus and His Gospel of salvation.

Pray victims of disaster would know that Jesus loves them through the actions of disaster relief volunteers.

Anna and Seth serve as missionaries in São Pray that Anna and Seth would grow in their ability to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Paulo, where they focus on sharing the clearly and naturally in Portuguese.

Gospel and making disciples among the many university students in the city. They Pray for open doors on university campuses, do this by building relationships on campus, since missionaries are not allowed engaging in evangelism, and helping students on campuses. grow in their faith and reach others with the Pray for Gospel encounters, that unbelieving students would come to know Christ and that Good News. young believers would grow as disciples who share their faith with others.

WO R L D -W I D E

Anna & Seth Moles

Secure Country Missionaries

Prayer Guide

Pray for the Oklahoma Baptists who are serving through the International Mission Board in areas of the world that are so dangerous we cannot reveal their names or where they serve, not just for the safety of these missionaries, but for those under their care who choose to follow Jesus. The majority of these workers serve in countries where other religions and spiritism are deeply entrenched in the cultures. These are some of the greatest challenges to overcome.

Pray the Spirit will give the workers boldness and discernment of when and with whom to share.

Pray for the protection of the families physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Pray indigenous new believers will be bold to share as God builds His church among them.

To receive weekly missionary prayer requests, text the word PRAY to 833-942-3800.

The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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2025 Year-End Giving Report Through your Cooperative Program giving, together Oklahoma Baptists are advancing the Gospel in our state and around the world through missions and ministry.

Scan the QR code to see information about your church’s giving through the Cooperative Program.

Baptist Village Communities Announces President/CEO Search Baptist Village Communities is prayerfully seeking its next President and Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next chapter of mission-focused service and growth.

This leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced executive who is deeply committed to Christian ministry and passionate about serving older adults with dignity, compassion, and excellence. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and CEO will provide strategic leadership for Baptist Village Communities’ statewide organization, guiding operations, financial stewardship, executive leadership, and key external relationships while ensuring continued alignment with BVC’s mission and long-term vision.

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated senior leadership experience in senior living, healthcare, or a closely related field, along with strong operational insight, financial acumen, and the ability to lead with wisdom, humility, and integrity in a complex and evolving environment. This individual must affirm the most recent version of the Baptist Faith and Message and be a member of a cooperating Southern Baptist Church.

As a servant leader, the next President and CEO will play a vital role in strengthening Baptist Village Communities’ impact across Oklahoma while building upon its legacy of faith-based care.

Qualified candidates with experience in senior living, healthcare, nonprofit leadership, or faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply at baptistvillage.org/president/.

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Impact Report (2025 SUMMARY)

MINISTRY FAC T S CHILD-FOCUSED CARE

98 children served.

19 lived in College and Career.

21 accepted Christ.

FAMILY-FOCUSED CARE 89 children served.

40 mothers served.

5 accepted Christ.

HOPE PREGNANCY MINISTRIES 2,883 individuals served.

843 ultrasounds, 81% chose life.

68 accepted Christ.

FOSTER CARE MINISTRIES

33 C.A.R.E.S presentations made.

16 church partnerships developed.

25 community partnerships developed.

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18 (NLT) For 123 years, Oklahoma Baptists have answered the call to provide for the needs of children and their families served by Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC). Our mission to show and share the love of Christ flows from a verse in 1 John 3 that teaches us that love is ultimately seen in what we do.

Thank you for making a tangible and eternal impact in the lives of children and their families!

In His 13 Service,

Dr. James 12L. Swain

PRESIDENT OKLAHOMA BAPTIST HOMES FOR CHILDREN

300 JOHNNY BENCH DRIVE, SUITE 450 I OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73104 I 405.363.6242 I obhc.org The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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