2021/December/16

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • DECEMBER 16, 2021 This is the final issue for 2021. Look to receive the first edition of the New Year on Jan. 13, 2022.

Thank you for reading the Messenger!

Merry Christmas FROM YOUR BAPTIST MESSENGER FAMILY

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Pro-lifers hopeful after high court abortion arguments >> TOM STRODE

WatersEdge celebrates 75 years of Kingdom impact

2022 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, Rose Day near

Shared vision opens doors for Enid churches to combine

>> ANNA DELLINGER

>> BRIAN HOBBS

>> CHRIS FORBES

Page 3 | Voices Just Joe: It happened on a school bus >> JOE LIGON

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Christmas gifts >> BRIAN HOBBS

What started three-quarters of a century ago with the generosity of one man has today blossomed into the generosity of thousands. WatersEdge exists to financially empower donors and ministries to transform lives with the Gospel, and this fall the organization celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Two major annual pro-life emphases in Oklahoma Baptists life are drawing near. The 2022 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (Jan. 16) and Rose Day Indoor Pro-Life Rally (Feb. 16) will place an urgent focus on promoting the sanctity of human life, protecting unborn children with the goal to bring legalized abortion to an end.

/// SEE PAGE 6

/// SEE PAGE 7

ENID—When two Oklahoma Baptists pastors met for coffee, each shared their vision for reaching their city. They both came to the conclusion that the Lord was leading their two congregations to merge, becoming one church.

It all began when Enid, Calvary pastor Steve Williams reached out to Enid, Open Door church planter Kevin Hisey, inviting him for coffee. Williams said Calvary’s attendance was hit hard

by COVID, and they lost a good number of members. /// SEE PAGE 7

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry A story for kids: The Yada Hoodies Detective Agency >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry Advance Conference to encourage Oklahoma Baptists to ‘Gather,’ Jan. 24-25 >> CHRIS DOYLE

Page 10 | Church Toolbox The Bible as your evangelism tool >> D. SCOT T HILDRETH

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To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

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Pro-lifers hopeful after high court abortion arguments & >> by Tom Strode

BAPTIST PRESS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF

WASHINGTON (BP)—The U.S. Supreme Court’s oral arguments Wednesday, Dec. 1, left pro-life advocates hopeful the justices are poised to uphold a state ban on abortion after 15 weeks’ gestation and possibly to overturn long-standing decisions in support of legalized abortion nationwide.

During a nearly two-hour session, conservative justices questioned the high court’s previous rulings that prohibit bans on abortion before an unborn child is viable in their consideration of Mississippi’s 2018 Gestational Age Act. The high court also pondered at length if it would be appropriate to reverse its own precedent of almost 50 years that struck down all state restrictions on abortion.

The Supreme Court had limited its consideration of the law to whether “all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.” Viability for an unborn child, or the ability to survive outside the womb, is typically considered to be several weeks after the 15-week limit set by Mississippi’s law.

Mississippi, however, had also asked the high court to overturn the Roe v. Wade opinion of 1973 and the Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling of 1992, decisions that prohibit states from banning abortions before an unborn child is viable. The Roe decision legalized abortion throughout the country, while Casey affirmed Roe but permitted some state regulation of the procedure.

The questions and comments from the conservative wing of the court suggested the justices’ opinion, which is expected to be issued by next E unI N and summer, might maintain W O N Lban N E Mississippi’s T ON ENT dermine Roe without XCLUSIVEitCexplicitly or EB-Eoverturning W actually reverse Roe and Casey, thereby returning abortion policy to the states.

“Today was a good day for the pro-life movement” at the Supreme Court, tweeted Brent Leatherwood, acting president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC).

INFOthe While he acknowledgedIC it isA difficult to forecast TION L B U P court’s ruling based on the oral arguments, Leatherwood said in an ERLC news release, “After listening to

IONS S S I M today’s proceedings, I’m left askingY R a simple question: What good is precedent bad? At multiple points, M I NifIitSis T

whether it was, for example, the faulty reasoning of Justice Harry Blackmun in his Roe opinion or the irrelevance of the viability standard, it should be abundantly clear that the precedent in the area of abortion is completely unmoored from the Constitution itself.

“Furthermore, it completely disregards Xthe indiOLBO T Oaffected: Hmost vidual whose rights the preborn R Care HU C child,” he said. “That cannot continue. Denying the dignity of our most vulnerable neighbors should not be a hallmark of American jurisprudence.”

In friend-of-the-court briefs, the ERLC and some other pro-life organizations urged the Supreme Court not only to uphold the state ban but also to reverse Roe and Casey. I F I E D S L A S S senior fellow at the Ethics Ed Whelan,Cdistinguished and Public Policy Center, said he heard nothing from five justices in the conservative wing of the court that “set off any alarm bells in my mind.” He referred to associate justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

In a post for National Review Online’s Bench MemS Roberts “seemed os, Whelan said Chief Justice I C EJohn O V to be searching for a middle ground that would enable him to vote in favor of the Mississippi 15-week ban without overturning—or at least without declaring the overturning of—Roe and Casey.” He expressed hope Roberts “will conclude that there is no middle ground and will lead a supermajority of justices to overturn Roe and Casey.”

During the arguments, Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart told the justices the Roe and Casey decisions “haunt our country. They have no basis in the Constitution. They have no home in our history or traditions.

“For 50 years, they’ve kept this court at the center of a political battle that it can never resolve.”

In arguing for the abortion issue to be returned to the states, Stewart said, “Roe and Casey have failed, but the people, if given the chance, will succeed.”

Roberts, however, said viability, “it seems to me, doesn’t have anything to do with choice” and asked why 15 weeks would be “an inappropriate line” for a woman to have had a choice for an abortion.

January Update

8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Children ministry training Oklahoma City, Northwest nwelch@oklahomabaptists.org

JAN 13

Singing Churchmen Concert 7-8:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City, Southern Hills oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

JAN 16

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

oklahomabaptists.org/erlc/life

JAN 16-17

Youth Evangelism Conference

SIV WEB-EXCLU JAN 16

Oklahoma Baptist Symphony Concert 6-7:30 p.m.

Lawton, Cameron oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

JAN 20

Singing ChurchWomen West Concert 7-8:30 p.m.

Enid, Emmanuel oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

JAN 23

Oklahoma Student Worship Choir Concert 6-7:30 p.m.

Pawhuska, Calvary oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

Falls Creek Conference Center oklahomabaptists.org/yec FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS

2

Korea,” Roberts said. “And I don’t think you have to be in favor of looking to international law to set our constitutional standards to be concerned if (you) share that particular time period” with two oppressive regimes.

Regarding stare decisis, Alito asked Elizabeth PrelogPLE & ar, the U.S. solicitor general, if P Plessy an 1896 E Ov. Ferguson, WS Supreme Court ruling that found C racial segregation E N H R U H C laws were constitutional, should have been overturned if it were reargued a year later. The high court did not correct Plessy until 1954 in Brown v. Board of Education.

“I think it should have been overruled, but I think that the factual premise was wrong in the moment it was decided, and the court realized that and clarified that when it overruled in Brown,” said TURE LPrelogar, U C & S W E N who argued in opposition to the Mississippi law in behalf of the Department of Justice.

Members of the high court’s liberal wing—Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan— expressed skepticism about, if not opposition to, reversing the Roe and Casey precedents.

L In 2018, a federal judge invalidated U AMississipN N the A pi law because it prohibits pre-viability abortions.

G INFO ETIN The Fifth Circuit CourtM of E Appeals in New Orleans affirmed the ruling the following year in the case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Mississippi’s ban permits an exception for threats to the life or “substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function” of the mother. It also allows an exception for a “severe fetal abnormality” that “is incompatible with life outside the womb.”

If Roe is overturned, 26 states are either certain or likely to prohibit abortion, according to an Oct. 28 analysis by the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that supports abortion rights.

The United States has one of the most permissive abortion policies in the world. A study released in July by the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute showed 47 of 50 European nations ban elective abortions or restrict them to 15 L weeks I N Eorsixearlier.

E W Ois N The United States N reportedly one of only TENTcounCONthat USIVEKorea, CLNorth tries, including and permit EB-EX WChina elective abortions after 20 weeks’ gestation.

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

EVENTS JAN 13

RTS & O P S “When you get to the viability standard, we share NT Ethat M North I Nand standard with the People’s T E R TofAChina E NRepublic

Lottie Moon’s home church stays true to her vision KAREN WILLOUGHBY | DEC. 6

Charlottesville, Va., First (Park Street), where Lottie Moon was baptized, is regaining its health. All it took was a new pastor who said it was too historically significant to wither away, who believed it could become vibrant again, and a congregation that responded to the pastor’s message.

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

TS

E V EtoNlead NAMB’s Vance Pitman SEND Network NAMB STAFF | DEC. 6

Vance Pitman, who planted Las Vegas, Nev., Hope in 2000 and pastored there 21 years, will lead the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) church planting efforts as the new president of Send Network.

Pitman and NAMB president Kevin Ezell shared the announcement in a video released Dec. 3. Pitman will resign from Hope Church and begin his new role at NAMB on March 1, 2022.

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

December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 07449518) is published semi-monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112-6506. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 40,010. 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. December 16, 2021 • Volume 110, Number 23.

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EVENTS

MESSENGER STAFF

>> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@baptistmessenger.com >> Lori Coats | Subscriptions/Assistant lcoats@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Forbes | Staff Writer cforbes@oklahomabaptists.org >> Tori Hamilton | Art Director thamilton@baptistmessenger.com

VOICES

A N N UA L NFO MEETING I

Just Joe: It happened on a school bus He could get out in the bar ditch and throw up to his little heart’s content.

I ended my instructions with this statement: Oklahoma Baptists’ Interim Executive Director-Treasurer “Don’t you throw up in my bus.” The little boy shook his head in agreement and dutifully sat @marlowpreacher down behind me.

I picked up the junior high and high school kids and took off to deliver all of the little angels to WARNING! I know you don’t often see an article in their homes. It happened right after I turned off the the Baptist Messenger that has a warning attached to black top and onto a gravel road. I felt a little tap on it but I think you should be warned before you read my shoulder, but before I could even think about further. If you have a queasy stomach, you probably pulling over, I heard it. should stop reading now. If you have a queasy stomYou know the sound. It is one of those yells that ach and you choose to read it anyway, you are on start in your feet, reverberate through your body and your own. exit your body out of your mouth along with whatevIn my previous life—that doesn’t mean I believe er you had for lunch. Yep. The kid puked in my bus. in reincarnation. I am talking about my life before I pulled over. Made the kid get in the bar ditch in vocational ministry when I was in public educa- case anything else was going to be brought up. To tion—I taught school at Konawa for several years. It my good fortune, I found one of those containers was before Gayla and I were married. So, the school of absorbent that looked like saw dust. Back in the district decided I must have had a lot of extra time day, every good custodian had some of this stuff on my hands and thoughtfully assigned me several that would absorb just about anything. extra duties. One of those was driving a school bus.

So, I began to dump some of it on the pool of One afternoon I stopped at the elementary school puke on my bus. I quickly decided that if a little bit to pick up some of my riders. One little boy climbed would work, a whole lot of it would work even betthe steps into the bus, stopped right next to me and ter. By this time, all the kids on the bus were opensaid, “Mr. Ligon, my stomach doesn’t feel good.” ing their windows and whining about the odor.

In my most compassionate, caring way I told the I finally let the offender back on the bus. He sat young boy to sit in the seat right behind me. I also down. I sat down and put on my seat belt. I put the told him if he thought he was going to throw up, he bus in gear and started down the road. That’s when should tap me on the shoulder. I would pull over. it happened.

Joe Ligon

At about 35 MPH, there was enough wind whistling around in the bus that all of that puke laden absorbent suddenly became airborne and started swirling about the bus. To this day I remember looking in that big bus driver mirror and watching what looked like a puke tornado blowing through the bus.

Thankfully, the vast majority of kids on the bus were completely oblivious to what was happening. After all, obliviousness is a pretty common trait among kids.

But I wasn’t oblivious. If anything, I was a victim. As that stuff was blowing around, it stuck in my hair, got up my nose, blew into both of my ears, and tried to get into my mouth. But I kept my mouth so tightly closed, you couldn’t have shoved a piece of bacon in there.

It was my first and only pukenado that I had ever been in. I have no desire to experience any more of those kinds of atmospheric phenomenon.

There are some pretty obvious lessons in this little story. For example, if you have a kid with an upset stomach don’t let him get in your car. Put him in someone else’s car or make him go to the bar ditch.

Second, don’t give your absorbent a chance to get airborne. It will. Third, most people will tolerate a lot of things if they don’t know what they are tolerating.

Finally, school bus drivers go through a lot. Next time you see one, give him a high five unless he has weird saw dust looking stuff on his hand.

But the real lesson is this. People can be messy.

We have to be willing to help them get through whatever the mess is. If you think about it, that’s kind of why Jesus came.

Sword & trowel: Christmas gifts Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

What do you predict will be the most popular Christmas gift given in 2021?

A recent article I read talked about the most popular Christmas gift year-by-year. In 1977, it was Star Wars toys. In 1980, it was the Rubik’s Cube. Christmas 1983 was all about the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Later on, in 1988 was the Nintendo console.

Still later, in 1996, it was Tickle Me Elmo. More recently, it was the iPod in 2007.

Even as Americans are talking about “supply chain” issues, there no doubt will be one Christmas gift that rises to the top choice this year. As Chris-

tians, we sometimes, like Charlie Brown, rightly bemoan the commercialization of Christmas.

After all, shouldn’t Christmas be about giving, not receiving? Yet Hance Dilbeck once said this, “Ultimately, Christmas is all about receiving.”

He was, of course, referring to receiving the greatest Gift ever given to mankind: The Son of God, Jesus Christ.

How can we best walk in that truth this Christmas?

First, I recommend we tell others about how to receive Jesus and the salvation He brings, also inviting them to church. There is perhaps no other time in society that people will be more open to attending church. After the pandemic, that neighbor of yours might be more open than you think to going to a Christmas service with you.

Next, I would encourage us to treasure Christ through prayer and worship. Recall in the Christmas accounts that Mary “treasured these things in her heart” (Luke 2:19). With a heart like hers, we can look past all of the distractions and focus our hearts on Him.

Also, we can contend for the Truth of Christmas in the public square. I’m not talking merely waging cultural warfare on social media, complaining about companies that have watered down Christmas. I’m speaking more of what the Apostle Peter said, when he wrote, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

There are no doubt other ways you can be all about receiving this Christmas.

But we do give, too. As you work on getting that choice 2021 gift, remember to put down your smartphone and give the gift of paying attention to those immediately around you. Remember to give to the needy. And remember to offer as a gift your whole heart to the Lord in praise and worship of Jesus, the greatest Gift of all.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift of Jesus (2 Cor. 9:6)! Merry Christmas!

Voices | December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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ENDS NEWS & TR

I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

A story for kids: The Yada Hoodies Detective Agency: The T S & the missing pockets O N S & of the Blue Zsebek S P O Rand M I S S Icase NMENT T RY MINIS

Walker Moore

Author & Messenger columnist Email | moorewalker51@gmail.com @WalkerDeanMoore

O O L B OX CHURCH T “Wake up! Wake up!” Tito said, as he shook his younger brothers, Coco and Rio. “We have a mystery to solve!”

“Whaaat?” said Rio, the youngest of the three, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Look!” Tito said, pointing to a pile of clothes, stacked S “What do you see?” high in the middle Droom.

IofEthe S S I Fdetectives LA CThe younger leaned closer to examine the pile. “Those are our clothes!” they shouted.

“But there’s more,” Tito said. “Put on your thinking caps and take a closer look; something else is missing.”

As Coco and Rio studied each piece of clothing, they noticed something: Their pockets were gone.

All of their pockets were gone: front pockets, back E S jeans pockets, shorts pockpockets, shirt I Cpockets, VO ets—all were missing!

“How can we carry our rocks, if our pockets are missing?” Coco said.

“And where are we going to put our hands?” Rio said.

“This looks like a case for the Yada Hoodie Detective Agency,” Tito proclaimed.

They pulled out their spyglasses to search for clues.

“Look!” Rio said, pointing to a single blue pocket by the door. “Whoever stole our pockets must have dropped one as they were leaving, let’s see if we can find another clue.”

Opening the door and looking down the hallway, the brothers saw a trail of pockets. A red pocket, a green pocket and a gray pocket lay several feet apart. Each of the Yada Hoodies recognized where the pockets had come from.

“We are hot on their trail” Coco said. The three detectives followed the pockets out the door and down the sidewalk.

“Whoever stole these were having a hard time

I carryingE them.

HeTA keeps NTER dropping them.” Tito said to his younger brothers.

Ahead of the three detectives lay a white pocket from a doctor’s coat, a pocket from a lady’s P L Ea & dress and a blueP pocket E O from police uniform. There C were all E W S CHUR H N kinds of pockets.

“What kind of a person would steal these pockets? And why steal our pockets, doctors’ pockets, and girls’ pockets? It doesn’t make sense,” Rio said, as his brothers nodded their heads.

“We must find out who is stealing these and why!” Coco exclaimed. C U LT U R E & they saw a furry blue beast S corner, E Wthe As theyN turned carrying an armload of pockets as high as a giraffe’s neck. “Wait!” Tito yelled, and the beast started running.

It turned a corner and disappeared from them.

The Yada Hoodies wondered where it had gone.

Rio got out his magnifying glass to search for a clue. “Aha!” he said U A Lto a long piece of AasNheNpointed red thread running under a door.

FO G IN E T IinNthere,” E gone “He mustM have Tito said.

As the Yada Hoodies opened the door, they saw a room filled with pockets of every shape, size and color stacked to the ceiling. There must have been a gazillion and one pockets.

There in the center of the room stood the notorious Blue Zsebek: blue from head to toe, eyes as big as saucers and a sheepish look on his face.

“We’ve got you cornered!” Tito said. “Why are you stealing pockets?”

“Yeah!” Coco and Rio said in unison.

Tears formed in the Blue Zsebek eyes. “This is why,” he said, pulling a picture out of his pants pocket and handing it to the three detectives.

The Yada Hoodies studied the picture, which showed a kangaroo with no pocket.

“I heard there are kangaroos that didn’t have any pockets to carry their babies,” the Blue Zsebek said.

“I thought I could help these no-pocket kangaroos by collecting pockets and sending them to Austra-

lia for Christmas. Can you imagine how terrible it would be not to be able to carry your own baby?”

The Yada hoodies agreed it would be a terrible thing.

“Mr. Blue Zsebek, we thought you were mean, stealing all these pockets,” Tito said. “We now understand that you have a good heart and want to help others in need. But you have been doing a good thing the wrong way.”

“How can I get the pockets the kangaroos need if I don’t steal them?” the Blue Zsebek asked.

“The Yada Hoodies Detective Agency, at your service!” said the boys in unison.

They teamed up with Mr. Blue Zsebek and made posters announcing a Pocket Drive. Then they went around town, hanging the posters in stores, schools, and churches, attaching a picture of the pocketless kangaroo, along with boxes where people could donate their pockets.

Donations poured in with pockets and money to help with the cost of packing. A boat captain even offered to deliver the pockets to Australia, free of charge. Just in time for Christmas, Mr. Blue Zsebek was able to give all the pocketless kangaroos pockets for their babies. Seeing all these momma kangaroos carrying their happy babies in their brand new pockets, brought a smile to the Blue Zsebek’s face.

The Yada Hoodies again reminded Mr. Blue Zsebek that his heart was in the right place.

“You see, you always have a choice, Mr. Blue Zsebek,” Tito said. “You can do good things the wrong way or do good things the right way. And the right way is always… good!” The Blue Zsebek put his hand over his heart and said, “And good makes your heart happy!”

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17, ESV). “And let us not grow weary of doing good” (Gal. 6:9a ESV).

From the Moore family to yours we wish you all a Merry Christmas and encourage you to do good!

Copyrighted by Back Forty Ministries Inc., Tulsa OK. www.back40.org.

Bible Q&A: The Baby that fulfills every promise Bobby Kelly Ruth Dickinson Professor of Religion at OBU

Luke 24 relates the account of Jesus, immediately after the resurrection, on the way to Emmaus with two travelers who have not yet recognized they are walking with the resurrected Jesus. They were discussing the events that had transpired the past couple of days, including Jesus’ crucifixion. Luke comments that Jesus, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, interpreted to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). “All the Scriptures” is a reference to the Old Testament. Jesus taught them that day that He is the key that unlocks all of Scripture; the unifying thread that binds it all together. There is no Old Testament book or passage that is not finally about Christ. Nowhere is this truth more evident than in the Christmas story in Matthew’s Gospel.

A virgin will conceive (Matt. 1:22-2/Isa. 7:14) Joseph had received the bewildering report that Mary, the young Jewish woman to whom he was engaged, was pregnant. He knew he was not the father. As he considered how to handle the situation, and angel appeared to him and announced that the child that Mary was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:20-21). Matthew then added: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, ‘God with us’” (Matt 1:22-23). While criticisms have been

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raised about the historicity of the virginal conception for 2000 years, the truth is that the early Christians repeatedly affirmed and proclaimed that Mary conceived apart from sexual contact with Joseph or any man. That Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit establishes His deity; that He was “born of a woman” establishes Jesus’ true humanity.

Born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:5-6/Micah 5:2) Those looking for the coming of the Messiah might have expected a birth in a more celebrated location. Bethlehem was a tiny village about five miles from Jerusalem, but it was the ancestral hometown of David, Israel’s greatest king. Jesus’ birth here affirmed that he was “son of David.”

This fulfills what the Prophet Micah had written: “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel” (Matt 2:6). Born in the city of David, whose name means “house of bread,” the bread of life was born.

Exile in Egypt (Matt. 2:13-15/Hosea 11:1) Herod the Great responded with murderous hostility to the report of the wise men that the “king of the Jews” had been born in Bethlehem. To protect the child, an “angel of the Lord” commanded Joseph to seek refuge for the family in Egypt. The echoes of the Exodus story, with the threat to infant Moses because of Pharoah’s decree, are unmistakable (Exod 1:15-2:10). Jesus and the family seeking refuge in Egypt is the ultimate fulfillment of Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.” Moses led the Exodus out of Egypt, but a new Exodus was coming led by a new Moses. Jesus is not only son of David; He is also the new Moses who will liberate His people from their sins.

December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

Jewish mothers weeping for their children (Matt. 2:16-18/Jer. 31:15) The family’s escape to Egypt only adds to Herod’s rage. When Herod can’t find his potential rival, he decrees to kill all the male babies in Bethlehem two years and under. Matthew saw in the grieving of those Jewish mothers a reenactment of the grieving Jewish mothers during the Babylonian invasion & exile in 586 BC: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children” (Jer 31:15).

The fulfillment, however, is more than the shared grief between Jewish mothers across six centuries. Both scenes point to the promise of the end of exile. Rachel wept for her children, but God offered comfort.

The next verse, Jer 31:16 promised, “There is hope for your future . . . your children will return to their own country.” And so, just as their exile would be followed by return to Israel, so the present mourning would be swallowed up by joy through God’s Beloved Son. He shall be called a Nazarene (Matt. 2:23) The final fulfillment passage in Matthew’s birth story is the most difficult to interpret. Matthew does not point to a specific Old Testament passage, rather he sees Jesus being taken to Nazareth as a toddler as an indirect fulfillment of the “prophets.” Matthew saw in the prophets a pattern. The Messiah would come from an obscure, tiny, hick village. Isa. 52-53 affirms the Messiah would be obscure and despised. Only a Messiah of such humble origins could identify with and liberate people otherwise forgotten and despised.

At Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment God’s promises in a baby, born of a virgin, raised in an obscure hick village, of the lineage of David, a liberator like Moses. Thanks be to God that all of God’s promises find their “yes” in Him. Merry Christmas!

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

Advance Conference to encourage Oklahoma Baptists to ‘Gather,’ Jan. 24-25 O O L B OX T H C R U H C

>> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

It is common among church members to know how important the biblical instruction is regarding “not neglecting to gather together” (Heb. 10:25).

After experiencing an extended period of churches unable to gather physically due to the COVID pandemic, Oklahoma Baptists will be encouraged to gather again during the Advance Conference, Jan. 24-25, at Moore, First.

Previously known as the State Evangelism Conference, the Advance Conference will emphasize the theme “Gather,” featuring three preaching sessions on Monday, Jan. 24. Programming on Tuesday, Jan. 25 includes two morning breakout sessions and a closing preaching session in the afternoon.

“Our hope is that we will challenge the church to gather people together to advance the Gospel,” Alan Quigley wrote in an invitation letter sent to many pastors and church leaders across the state. As associate executive director of church resources group, Quigley wants the Advance Conference to be both a rallying and equipping event for Oklahoma Baptists.

The Advance Conference will introduce the ONE emphasis, which Quigley said will encourage churches to focus on being unified in Christ and making disciples.

“The ONE emphasis will be previewed during the breakouts on Tuesday,” Quigley said. “Churches were surviving through COVID, and now we are trying to help them refocus on our mission and purpose, bringing everybody together on one page.

The ONE emphasis is an undated opportunity for pastors to take their church through five weeks of refocusing to accomplish that purpose.”

CLASSIFIE

The preaching sessions during S the Advance ConEfrom OIC Vpastors ference will feature around the state as well as Oklahoma Baptists ministry partners. The only speaker not from Oklahoma who will appear at the Advance Conference is Bill Britt, an evangelist with Compel Outreach International.

Pastors speaking at the Advance Conference include Matt Brooks, senior pastor of Broken Arrow, First; Jeremy Freeman, lead pastor of Newcastle, First; Rusty Gunn, senior pastor of Sand Springs, Church That Matters; Brock Hardin, senior pastor of Heavener, First; Rusty McMullen, lead pastor of McAlester, First; and Brian Mills, senior pastor of Yukon, Trinity.

Todd Fisher, executive director-treasurer-elect of Oklahoma Baptists, will be speaking at the Advance Conference, as well as Oklahoma Baptists ministry partners Prophet Bailey, young adult discipleship; Todd Sanders, Falls Creek programming and youth ministry; and Rickey Thomas, community ministry evangelism.

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

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On-going opportunities for volunteers: Tulakogee Conference Center, Wagoner - 918/4623212 – info@tulakogee.com The Spring, a faith-based shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence or human sexual trafficking and their children, Sand Springs—Susan Cox—918/245-4075 Hospitality House of Tulsa provides family centered lodging, emotional and spiritual support for family members of patients traveling to Tulsa for medical care—918/794-0088; www.hhtulsa.org’ Hospitality House of Oklahoma provides for the physical, spiritual needs of families with loved ones incarcerated in McAlester. Lodging available—918/429-0142

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

Feb. 5—Disaster Relief Orientation, Altus, Martha Road March 10-12—Chaplain Manual & OSFA Training, Baptist Building Visit okdisasterhelp.org for the most recent information and to register.

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Pray for National & International Missionaries:

Jon Willhite Pray for Jon Willhite, church-planting pastor of Wellington, Colo., StoneBridge.

the Advance Conference will be an introduction of them to Oklahoma Baptist churches.

“Both of these men are very capable in their calling,” Quigley said about Bailey and Thomas. “Prophet has spent his life ministering to young adults. For him to be the young adult discipleship guy is a no-brainer.

U LT U RAE & Cevangelism.

“Rickey is doing community E W Sministry N lot of churches are doing community ministry, and a lot of churches are doing evangelism, but where community ministry evangelism takes place, we are seeing great fruit. While areas around the state have pockets of this happening, we want to help spread the idea around our state because we saw all through N U AtheLCOVID AN period this was the area where we saw the most fruit.

NFO G ItestimoThe Advance Conference also willI N feature ET E M nies from Adam Mask, pastor of Coweta, Community, who will share how he went from being in prison to now preaching in the pulpit, and Laura Perry, a former transgender person whose testimony is helping LGBTQ people to be transformed in Christ.

Most importantly, the Advance Conference will display how the theme “Gather” and the ONE emphasis correspond with each other. “’Gather’ and the ONE emphasis are the same thing,” Quigley said. “We’re coming back together and encouraging churches to spend five weeks on what it means to be back together. It means more than all of us being in the same room on a Sunday morning. It means we are all back together in our mission and our vision. This gives the church an opportunity to become likeminded.”

For more information visit oklahomabaptists.org/ advance.

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OPLE & E P Bailey and Thomas are new to serving as OklaS NEW homa Baptists ministryCpartners, said H U R CandHQuigley

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Pray for Oklahoma Baptists serving interntionally to share Christ with the global Deaf people group.

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Missions & ministry | December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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WatersEdge celebrates 75 years of Kingdom impact /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Anna Dellinger

WATERSEDGE CONTENT CREATOR

What started three-quarters of a century ago with the generosity of one man has today blossomed into the generosity of thousands. WatersEdge exists to financially empower donors and ministries to transform lives with the Gospel, and this fall the organization celebrated its 75th anniversary.

On November 6, 1946, messengers to the Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (today Oklahoma Baptists) voted to establish The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma (today WatersEdge) as the sole incorporated trust agency for Baptist work in the state. The action arose from the desire of Baptist leadership to ensure financial stability for Baptist institutions across Oklahoma and was prompted, in part, by a gift of land from an Enid businessman named R.A. Lemen.

Lemen donated 651 acres in the Texas panhandle to the convention in 1944 with the desire that the property be sold and used to pay the salary of a missionary to China. The $32,000 proceeds from Lemen’s gift were placed into a permanent endowment with WatersEdge. Lemen died 14 years later, in 1958, but his gift continues giving. Today, the R.A. Lemen Trust is valued at more than $204,000 and distributes nearly $8,000 to the International Mission Board (IMB) each year. Since 1946, Lemen’s gift has distributed more than $430,000 to international missions and will continue supporting IMB’s work to spread the Gospel across East Asia in perpetuity.

The generosity of Southern Baptists like Lemen, combined with the visionary leadership of six presidents and a host of dedicated staff, has grown WatersEdge into one of the largest and most influential foundations in the Southern Baptist Convention.

While active in more than 20 states, the impact of WatersEdge is felt most deeply in Oklahoma. This year, messengers attending Oklahoma Baptists’ 115th Annual Meeting approved a resolution to recognize the milestone of 75 years of service. “…This vital ministry has made a lasting impact on countless churches in Oklahoma by investing millions of dollars back into Kingdom ministries. We are thankful WatersEdge continues to grow and serve churches around the state and across the country,” the resolution stated.

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Andrew Potter, center right; Robert Kerr, center left; and T.B. Lackey, far left; helped spearhead the creation of The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. >> PHOTO: MESSENGER ARCHIVES

From its founding 75 years ago to the present, the history of WatersEdge can be divided into three eras: creating awareness, growth amid hardship and meeting the needs of today and tomorrow.

Auguie Henry served as the first full-time president of WatersEdge from 1949 to 1967. The former pastor worked tirelessly to champion the fledgling organization. He spoke at churches and associations across the state, as well as in secular arenas like civic clubs and schools. Henry also commissioned brochures and other informational literature promoting the work of WatersEdge, which, by the end of his tenure, had expanded to included estate planning, charitable gift annuities and church building loans.

“During its first 20 years, the Foundation (WatersEdge) had become a household name in many Oklahoma Baptist homes and had gained the respect of professional and business people over the state,” Henry wrote in his book, “A Pillar of Strength.”

During Henry’s administration, WatersEdge made 331 church loans totaling $7.1 million, helped create more than 3,000 charitable wills and trusts and grew assets under management to $7.89 million.

Bob Ross served as the fifth president of WatersEdge from 1986 to 2002 and brought about significant growth despite social and economic hard-

December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

ships. When Oklahoma’s energy bubble burst in the late 1980s, businesses and nonprofits alike struggled to find firm financial footing. In 1995, the bombing of Oklahoma City’s Murrah Federal Building sent shockwaves throughout the United States and especially impacted Oklahomans. Five short years later, the 9/11 terrorist attacks rocked the country again, causing continued economic turmoil.

In the face of such trials, Ross led WatersEdge to grow assets under management to a high of more than $226 million. Along the way he built a staff of financial and legal professionals and introduced donor advised funds as a new giving avenue for Oklahoma Baptists.

Today, at age 85, Ross said he finds great satisfaction in knowing that WatersEdge has been an essential partner to Baptist institutions like Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. “I think WatersEdge is probably the best kept secret in Baptist life,” he said.

Robert Kellogg is the sixth and current president of WatersEdge, the longest serving of any of the organization’s previous leaders. During his nearly 20 years as CEO, Kellogg has overseen significant changes including the expansion of services to Southern Baptist ministries outside Oklahoma, changing the name of The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma to WatersEdge, and the growth of assets under management to more than $600 million.

“I’d like to think that those Baptists who had the forethought to birth us years ago would be very pleased with the direction we’ve taken and what we’ve accomplished,” he said.

Kellogg holds WatersEdge to a high standard of excellence and professionalism but said that isn’t what sets the organization’s work apart. There’s a difference between WatersEdge and banks, community foundations and other financial institutions, he explained, because the purpose of WatersEdge is built around the advance of God’s Kingdom.

“We care deeply about facilitating giving and growing financial assets, but we do it because we are compelled by Jesus’ command to make disciples,” Kellogg said. “WatersEdge was created to financially support Kingdom-impacting ministries. In 75 years, we haven’t strayed from that purpose, and it’s what will guide WatersEdge for the next 75 years.”

2022 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, Rose Day near >> by Brian Hobbs EDITOR

Two major annual pro-life emphases in Oklahoma Baptists life are drawing near. The 2022 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (Jan. 16) and Rose Day Indoor Pro-Life Rally (Feb. 16) will place an urgent focus on promoting the sanctity of human life, protecting unborn children with the goal to bring legalized abortion to an end.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Oklahoma Baptists have partnered with Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) to create resources for churches to observe the annual Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS). The groups have offered multiple church resources including a 202122 Pastor’s Preaching Guide/Information Resource, printable bulletin inserts, videos that can be shown during a worship service, testimonies, prayer points, action points, promotional resources and more.

Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer-Elect Todd Fisher and OBHC President Greg McNeece, in a joint letter to Oklahoma Baptists, urged pastors and churches to make defending life a priority.

The letter said, “As the 2022 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday nears, we find ourselves in as crucial of a time as ever in the fight against abortion and for the protection of unborn children. “(We) know you share our biblical conviction that every person is created in the image of God—born and unborn (Gen. 1:27; Psalm 139). As we seek to stand for life in a culture that increasingly devalues life and promotes abortion-on-demand, churches must do all we can to oppose abortion and care for abortion-vulnerable people.

“We ask you to set aside Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, January 16, 2022, as a time to lead your church in standing for life by becoming informed, participating in opportunities to share their life-affirming views with others and in joining the work Oklahoma Baptists are engaged with in pregnancy resource centers and foster care ministry across our state.”

/// PREVIEWED ON COVER The free SOHLS resources are now online at oklahomabaptists.org/life and obhc.org/sanctity. 1 Kay James to headline Rose Day 2022 Fisher and McNeece also encouraged churches to participate in the annual Rose Day event, which is set for Feb. 16 inside the Oklahoma State Capitol.

The event each year draws more than a thousand pro-life Oklahomans to the Capitol. Rose Day happens at the beginning of the new legislative session, in order to promote and support the lives of unborn babies. Participants will meet with their state senators and representatives and present them red roses, which represent the sanctity of the unborn. Attendees are encouraged to present roses to their representative, senator, Lieutenant Governor and Governor.

The 2022 Rose Day keynote speaker will be Kay C. James, who has served as the president of The Heritage Foundation, America’s premier conservative think tank, since 2018.

James, who has a distinguished career in government service, has served in a number of leadership capacities. A devout Christian, her experience growing up in poverty with a mother on welfare and an alcoholic father played a profound role in fundamentally shaping her views on the importance of family and religion.

An ardent pro-lifer, James was drawn to the life issue out of a desire to protect society’s most vulnerable. She worked for several pro-life organizations and served as the chief spokesperson for the National Right to Life Committee in the 1980s.

James opened her own crisis pregnancy center and counseled young women against abortion.

She was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and then reappointed by President George H.W. Bush to the National Commission on Children, an advisory body on children’s issues.

She also served under President Bush as associate director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and as assistant secretary for

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1) Oklahoma Baptists will observe Sanctity of Human Life Sunday on Jan. 16; 2) Kay James will be the Rose Day keynote speaker, Feb. 16. >> PHOTOS: PROVIDED

public affairs at the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Following her time in the George H.W. Bush administration, James was appointed by Virginia Gov. George Allen to serve as Virginia’s secretary of health and human resources. In 2001, she was appointed director of the U. S. Office of Personnel Management by President George W. Bush and led a department of 3,600 employees.

In 2016, a fourth U.S. president turned to her for assistance. President-elect Donald Trump asked her to serve as a senior advisor on his presidential transition team.

She has served on a wide array of boards and commissions. As a commentator, lecturer and policy leader, she appears on numerous national news and talk programs, and her opinion pieces appear in newspapers across the country. James is the author of three books. She is the wife of Charles James, Sr. and the proud mother of three grown children and five grandchildren.

For more than 30 years, Oklahoma Baptists have had a leading role in the planning of Rose Day, which brings together various faith groups and pro-life organizations. For more information, visit roseday.life.

Shared vision opens doors for Enid churches to combine /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Chris Forbes STAFF WRITER

ENID—When two Oklahoma Baptists pastors met for coffee, each shared their vision for reaching their city. They both came to the conclusion that the Lord was leading their two congregations to merge, becoming one church.

It all began when Enid, Calvary pastor Steve Williams reached out to Enid, Open Door church planter Kevin Hisey, inviting him for coffee. Williams said Calvary’s attendance was hit hard 1

by COVID, and they lost a good number of members. Though the church attendance had begun to stabilize, still the growth was very slow.

“I remember being in my study on a Monday morning,” Williams recalled. “I had a strong, unsettling feeling like, ‘It doesn’t have stay this way.’”

Williams began to pray more about what this feeling might mean.

“While praying, I had the sense that the Holy Spirit put in my mind that I should contact Pastor Kevin and talk with him about some kind of a merger,” he said.

“The idea blew my mind, and I was uncertain about it.

I felt that if what I was thinking was wrong, we didn’t need to ‘muddy the waters’ for Calvary, because (talk of a merger) might send us over the edge (of decline).”

Hisey said his church was considering buying land for their church plant, but they did not have peace about the decision. The church had tabled the discussion about purchasing land as they continued to pray about it.

“A couple of months after that,” Hisey remembered, “I get this call from Steve (Williams) that I never would have dreamed would have happened. We knew each other, but we didn’t know each other well. It all kind of started with this cup of coffee.”

Williams describe the meeting about the merger during a recent Messenger Insight podcast interview.

“That coffee meeting was a big deal,” he said.

2 “I went into that meeting saying, ‘We don’t need to do this if God is not in this. We don’t need to mess up what is happening at Open Door or Calvary.’”

The two pastors exchanged their views on ministry and their shared burden for advancing the Gospel in Enid.

“That was a long conversation,” Hisey said during the podcast. “We wanted to see if we were >> PHOTOS: PROVIDED 1) Enid churches Calvary and Open like-minded. We talked about theology.

Door are now one church; 2) Enid, Open Door has seen more than 400 people attending services.

We talked about our past ministry experiences. We talked about missions. We talked about our community. We talked about a lot of stuff, just “God knew Open Door church needed to be right to make sure we were on the same here in this location merged with Calvary in order page. We realized really quickly that for us to grow and to be able to reach all people in we had a lot in common.” this city,” he said. “I didn’t realize that having a sevenRecognizing their shared vision, days-a-week facility would help us. I think the peothe pair began meeting on a weekly ple who weren’t taking us seriously as a church bebasis to keep the conversation going. cause we didn’t have a building, started showing up.

Eventually the pastors both agreed it was “We had a lot of relationships we had been buildtime to start working with their congrega- ing for three years, and people never showed up untions and begin casting the vision for combining into til we opened up here. Calvary had relationships in one church. the neighborhood where the church is located with After months of conversations, praying, meetings people who had a background with the church, who and votes to merge, the churches began meeting hadn’t come in 15 years who started coming again.” in June 2020, working together in remodeling CalWilliams said the explosive growth of the church vary’s building on east Broadway in Enid. caught him by surprised, in a great way.

On Sept. 19, which was Open Door’s third anniver“We doubled in size in a matter of a few weeks,” he sary, the church officially launched publically as one said. “For years, we have been praying for kids; we’ve church. Hisey and Williams said they were unpre- been praying for workers; we have been praying pared for the explosive growth the church experi- for life in our church; we’ve been praying for more enced. Since September, the church has grown from people. And it didn’t happen the way we thought it a combined attendance average of 250, when the would. But this is exactly fulfilling all of our dreams two congregations were meeting separately, to more and answering all of those prayers. That’s how it than 400 attending since the merger. The church also works. We pray, and God answers in His way.” has baptized 14 people since they combined.

To hear more about the Enid, Open Door church Hisey explained how God worked through the merger, listen to the Messenger Insight podcast on growth as the fruit of community relationships that baptistmessenger.com or wherever you download was formed by the congregations. podcasts.

Features | December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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O L B OX O T H C R U CH

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

First person: Ada, First experiences a ‘window of revival’ IFIEDS by S S Graves A Brad C>>L SENIOR PASTOR, ADA, FIRST At Ada First, the revival was like a window. It opened us to fresh air, a breeze or a mighty wind.

And, like all windows, it can shut as quickly as it opens. But for the eight weeks it was open, it changed our church.

E Sa sabbatical from my church. AfI Cgifted VO In June, I was ter asking other pastors how they spent their sabbatical, I booked a cabin in the mountains of north Georgia. Alone for a week, I spent a lot of my time in silence, trying to hear in my heart from the Lord. It was one of the most powerful times of prayer that I have had.

I spent time with my late friend, Chris Swain, and his pastor, Robby Gallaty. Robby spoke about sitting alone with the Lord in prayer time, not talking or reading but just listening. After that, his church, Hendersonville, Tenn., Longhollow had experienced a fresh touch of revival.

As a result of that week, two things happened in our church family.

Elijah Series. That week I wrote out a vision sermon for the next five years and a six sermon series on the life of Elijah. The Elijah series would take us verse by verse through all the passages that mention Elijah. It would come to pass that I stretched the Elijah series to nine weeks, and that was how long it felt our church was in revival.

Bold Prayers. Also, that week I made a bold prayer to God that I thought would be personal.

But on my first Sunday back at Ada, First, I publicly prayed, “Lord, would you work in my church or move me to a church where you are working.” That prayer became prophetic.

I was discouraged from COVID and the quarantines. I was desperate for revival. And I was willing to go hard after the Lord with my church.

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U C U LTwhen I felt the revival After those seven weeks, 21 people S & started W E N preaching through the Elijah series were baptized, and only about sevand came to the James 5 passage en were planned. about healing and prayer. I had Then, as we felt the revival slow just attended the SBC Prayer Task down, we called for a church-wide Force meeting in Nashville. There prayer meeting. It was one of the I spoke with Steve Gaines, former most powerful prayer meetings A Lof N Uidea A Nthe SBC president, about I have ever attended. There were INFO preaching that passage and only about 100 people there, GofferIN T E E M ing prayer for healing with anointso it was small compared to the >> PHOTO: PROVIDED Pastor Brad Graves, left, ing oil, as the Scripture states.

Sunday morning services. Still, it looks on as Ryan Bauer, discipleship pastor, It was outside my comfort zone, was a larger-than-normal prayer baptizes a new believer in Christ. but I invited people to come for meeting. prayer for any healings with beThat night, I gave a brief deing anointed with oil. votion and asked if anyone When I opened my eyes from the prayer, people needed to share, confess or testify. For the next were everywhere, lined up in the aisles. Quickly, we 90 minutes, the microphone kept getting passed. took the oil and gave one to every associate pastor. People would come and admit a struggle or simiFor the next several minutes, all we did was pray for lar, and I would call people who can relate to that people one at a time and anoint them with oil. It struggle to come to pray with them. was a powerful day and started what I believe was In the eight weeks of our revival, we saw a massive a new freedom to the altar call. response to a call for healing, almost two dozen peoThe following Sunday was Fill The Tank Sunday, and ple baptized, big altar call responses each week and we had four baptisms scheduled. We brought a por- a unique prayer service that moved our church. table baptistery and placed it in front of the pulpit on At the beginning of the Elijah series, we showed a a stage extension. I told our church, “Our tradition has short video of a basketball coach who was baptized the pulpit in the center to highlight the importance of at Falls Creek. Cody had been saved a few years ago preaching God’s word. Today, we are highlighting the but never followed the Lord in baptism until we importance of life change through baptisms.” baptized him. In his video, he said something that After we baptized the four planned candidates, I became our theme during this revival season. He felt led to appeal to anyone to follow the Lord with said that God told him it was time to be obedient spontaneous baptisms. Four other people came for and be baptized and “when God speaks, we obey.” immediate baptisms. All were college-age students.

I believe our church will not soon forget the short That moment repeated itself for the next six weeks. season of revival when several people heard God Each week, along with a few planned baptisms, we speak to their hearts, and they obeyed. also had spontaneous baptisms. Our church was exA favorite quote on revival is from Leonard Ravencited and heard testimonies from moms, students, hill, “If you can live without revival, you will.” I think young adults about immediately obeying God. our church was tired of living without revival.

December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

Cordova speaks at Red Oak, First

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RED OAK—Amy Cordova, Oklahoma Baptists missions and women’s ministry partner, recently shared her testimony with women and girls at Red Oak, First.

According to Linda Morgan, A N N UA L member of Red Oak, First, CordoS E C I V Ohow she was challenged va shared ING INFO T E E M as a fifth-grader when she heard the words, “There are people around the world who do not know about Jesus.”

From that day forward, Cordova said she was committed to make Je>> PHOTO: LINDA MORGAN sus’ name known. She shared at Red Amy Cordova, Missions and Women’s Ministry Partner Oak, First about Lottie Moon, servfor Oklahoma Baptists, shares her testimony with ing 39 years as a missionary and taught in a women and girls at Red Oak, First. girls’ school. Cordova said Lottie Moon was passionate about people knowing Christ.

“You don’t have to travel to China star is above the nativity. The shepherds to share God’s love with others,” Cordova and wise men followed that light—the said. “In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus star—to see Jesus. When everything seems taught, ‘You are the light of the world.’ He to be falling apart, follow the light to Jesus. has called us all to shine before others so Let Jesus help you be the light for others.” they may come to know God.” “Amy was amazing,” said Red Oak, First’s Morgan said Cordova “mesmerized the Masterpiece Ministry Director Jill Mabry. group as she emphasized the importance “She blessed us so much with her testimoof God being the Light as she led them ny. She is serving on her mission field and through Scripture after Scripture.” providing light and hope to so many. She “During Christmas time, we are drawn to challenged us to be a light for others. We the nativity scene,” Cordova said. “A bright were blessed!”

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS ARCHER DEATH. Wana Archer, 85, died Nov. 22. He was pastor of CollinsA in 2003.

O Mretiring H ville, First for 23 years, A L K O E H T He served in pastoral E for 47 I Vministry H C R A T S I T B A Pyears, beginning with Gore Mission of Webbers Falls, First in 1957. He has also served as pastor of Liberty Mission of Duncan, First; Duncan, Parkview; Seminole, First; and Woodward, First. While pastor of Seminole, First, he served as honorary chaplain of the Oklahoma State Senate. He is survived by his wife, Sammie Lee of 66 years; his son, Mark Archer; his daughters, Lee Ann Kron and Julie Stephens; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

BOND DEATH. Donnie Bond, 86, died Sept. 13. Funeral services were at Tecumseh, Sharon on Sept. 18.

He pastored churches in Mississippi, Montana and Oklahoma. He and his wife also served as missionaries with the International Mission Board in Antigua and Vienna, Austria. He loved serving as a pastor and preaching the Word. He took great joy in seeing people place their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dimple; his four children Michael Bond, James Bond, Ryan Bond and Carol Bond; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

HAWKINS DEATH. Roy Hawkins, 78, died Nov. 10. Funeral services were Nov. 13 at Shawnee, University.

He was a career IMB missionary, serving from 1973-2008. After retiring from the IMB, he served as a church planter for Oklahoma Baptists from 2010-15. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judith; their children, Charles Hawkins and Carl Hawkins; and four grandchildren.

LYKINS DEATH. Eugene Lykins, 91, died Nov. 13. Funeral services were Nov. 18 in Broken Arrow. He was a deacon at Eram in North Canadian Association. He is preceded in death by his wife Goldie and his son, Ronnie. He is D O K U survived by his daughter, Debora SlaSU gle and three grandchildren.

OBU hosts 83rd annual Hanging of the Green SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) held its 83rd annual Hanging of the Green Christmas celebration Dec. 4 in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. The program featured a combined choir and orchestra performing Handel’s “Messiah.”

The first OBU Hanging of the Green ceremony was held in WMU Memorial Hall in 1937.

After the singing of carols, representatives from all dormitories lit candles of goodwill and carried the light to their own houses. The custom of Hanging of the Green has continued, though it moved in 1945 to the newly completed Brittain Hall Library, in 1957 to the University Auditorium and in 1961 to Raley Chapel.

OBU faculty selected 10 male and 10 female students to be given the honor of hanging the green during the ceremony. The 2021 Hanging of the Green honorees included Nathan Henager, Samuel Anquoe, Landon Johnson, Emily Lawrence, Kyle Daughabaugh, Justin Koonce, Daniel Campbell, Sarah Dean, Laramie Snow, Morgan Krispense, Micah Hinson, Sanaa Boykins, Madelyn Willison, Lauren Jones, Tyler McPheeters, Zachary Young, Madison Stone, Andreja Peciuraite, Christopher Drew Trent and William Kohman.

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ette Women’s Glee Club and the University Chorale, along with other members of the OBU campus community combined to make one mass choir to perform Handel’s Messiah; 2) Nicholas Stark was a soloist.

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People & Church News | December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

O O L B OX CHURCH T

The Bible as your evangelism tool EDS F Isome the listener to accept Jesus.

Some SsayI yes; S A L C LIFEWAY WRITER say no. But in each, the evangelist has faithfully accomplished his role. We don’t measure sucEDITOR’S NOTE: The following article origi- cess based on the completion of a prescripnally appeared on lifewayvoices.com. tion outline. Rather, we are successful when we meet a person where they are and show how One temptation we face is always chasing the their life fits into the story of the Bible. newest thing. Commercials seek to convince us How this works C E Swho OaIfriend that the newest car or phone is so much better Imagine you are talking V with than the one we already have. We are plagued is concerned about the political situation by what C. S. Lewis called “Chronological Snob- in our country. She believes things are out bery.” This is the belief (and it happens in the of control. You want to share the hope you academy and in everyday life) that when some- have found in Jesus as the source of your thing new comes on the scene, the old thing is peace in this moment. The good news is no longer helpful or it no longer works. that her fear fits nicely into the Gospel. You We face a similar temptation when it comes could use Psalm 2 as a guide: to evangelism, particularly when we are look1. God created a good world. ing for the “best” method for sharing the Gos2. But Psalm 2 describes a world in which “the pel. It is true that there are a whole host of nations rage… (v.1) and the “kings of the earth new, more modern methods of evangelism. … conspire against the Lord” (v.2). Human disCreative people develop new images, designs obedience causes great pain and is a sign that and outlines. We write new training material this world has fallen from God’s original plan. and books. We are a fan of any helpful tech3. Verses 7-8 remind us God sent His Son nique and teaching about evangelism. to bring peace to this broken world.

However, we make a mistake when we 4. There is a call to “kiss the Son” (v.12)— allow the new to cast shade on the old. In anyone who places their faith in Him can our search for the newest methods, we can have peace, even in a world that seems to be tempted to ignore the Bible itself as an be falling apart. evangelism tool. Tracts, pictures, outlines How about this scenario? A friend is ashamed and alliterated presentations are good, but of their past sins or they are suffering the conlet’s consider going back to the source and sequences of poor choices. Or a parent is afraid using the Bible to share the Gospel. for their child who is making bad choices.

The overarching storyline of the Bible Again, these concerns fit perfectly into Jesus’ Following the storyline of Scripture is one Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. of the more helpful ways of using the Bi1. There is a father who created a perfect ble in evangelism. This is something we see home and safe place for his kids. throughout the Bible. Take a few minutes 2. The pain and brokenness took place beand look at these passages: Acts 2:14-41; cause the son rebelled and left his father.

Acts 3:11-26; Acts 7:2-52; Acts 17:22-31 3. The father knows the shameful behavEach of these passages shows early Chris- ior but doesn’t turn his back. Because of his tians sharing the Gospel in different set- great love, the father is always ready for the tings, but all of the presentations are simply son toEcome back home. The father made a T Hto come back home.

F R O Mway following the basic storyline of the Bible.

G LO SB There is a God who created the can be forgiven, and shame covered S L I N G E4.RSin Dworld.

R O W God is good and has good plans for His cre- when we respond and repent. ation. Humans disobeyed God and have This story follows the storyline of the Bible, fallen away from His original plan. showing that God receives repentant sinners God, because of His great love, made with joy and welcomes them into His family. a way for this broken relationship to be Can you see how this works? More impormended; He sent His Son, Jesus. The prop- tantly, can you imagine yourself in a simiYS er response is to repent and believe.AThis conversation?

The Bible is indeed a big SA E lar V D makes us right with God. book, but each of us already knows enough Each encounter ends with an opportunity for to use it as an important evangelism tool. >> by D. Scott Hildreth

BA PT ISTS OKLAHOMA H IG H L I GH T E C R U O S E R

2022 ADVANCE CONFERENCE

E V E N T S C ALE N DAR

The 2022 Advance Conference meets Jan. 24-25 at Moore, First. Vist the following website for more information

It’s important to stay informed and to get the latest updates. Visit the site below for an events calendar:

oklahomabaptists.org/advance

oklahomabaptists.org/calendar

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

December 16, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

F RO M T H E G E R S B LO G URE WO R D S L I N E W S & C U LT

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NAUGHT Y AND NICAEA >> CARISSA JONES

December means Christmas music house.

L AThe Y SinAmy U A N S N E V A D endless variety lends itself well to my eclectic tastes, and O INF I N GassociT most of them stir up all the warm fuzzy feelings E E M S R G E just might put L I Nhowever, ated with the holiday.

ThisSpost, ORD W a new spin on one holiday classic—Jolly Old St. Nicholas.

Most of us know the song, but many don’t know the true story behind Santa Claus. You might want toS buckle up for PTIST A B A M this one, it’sO a doozy!

O H KLA H TSt. Nicholas For starters, Santa Claus isHreal—at least, IG H L I G E C R U O S E R who inspired the Santa Claus we know was a real person Y S about him exist, S Astories today. A lot of information D AV Eand but it can be tricky discerning between the truth and embellishments. We do know that he lived approximately 1,700 years ago in modern-day Turkey.

Orphaned at a young age, Nicholas decided to donate his entire inheritance to the poor. He maintained this giving nature throughout his life.

This T I S T Smany stories A Pinspired MA B O H A L K O about him, including one that tells ofLhow Nicholas would T H IG H I Gand Hfortunate C Eless UR pass by the R homes the secretly slip E S Oof gifts into their socks left hanging to dry above the fire. Remind you of anything?

To read the rest of Carissa’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/blog-naughty-and-nicaea GIVING

SMART

To read more blogs with Jesus in mind, visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog

YEAR-END GIVING: MAKE YOUR GIFT GO FURTHER Many of us savor the joy of giving as we celebrate the Christmas season. Acts 20:35 reminds us that there is more happiness in givROGERS WATERSEDGE VICE ing than there is in receiving. In addition CHRISTA PRESIDENT OF CLIENT ENGAGEMENT to those ribbon-wrapped gifts nestled under our trees, as Christians we look for giving opportunities that advance God’s Kingdom. As you consider year-end gifts to ministries in the final weeks of 2021, here are two reminders to guide your generosity and help you give smarter.

2021 Charitable Giving Tax Incentives There is no time like the present to make a meaningful gift. A silver lining arising from a cloudy year of COVID was the continuation of special tax incentives meant to encourage charitable giving. But these incentives are set to expire December 31! For the remainder of 2021, you may deduct cash gifts to ministry (excluding donor advised funds) up to 100 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI). This is up from a maximum of 60 percent of AGI in previous years.

If you plan to take the standard deduction in 2021 and do not itemize your deductions, you may qualify for an additional deduction for charitable gifts made in cash of up to $300, or $600 for couples filing jointly.

While these benefits apply to cash gifts, don’t forget that donating appreciated non-cash assets like securities (stocks) are also a great avenue to maximize your giving power and reap tax advantages.

Gift Bundling Consider accelerating your giving in 2021 by making a larger gift this year than you might otherwise make in the next calendar year.

This strategy, known as gift bundling, makes use of the increased available tax deduction for cash gifts (excluding donor advised funds), up to 100 percent of an individual’s AGI. Under current law, the limit returns to 60 percent in 2022.

Make your giving smarter! Learn more at WatersEdgeServices.org/smartgiving.

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CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

>>P/T STUDENT MINISTER INTERN: Woodland Acres Baptist Church, Tulsa is seeking a Student Minister Intern to assist Pastors in leading youth & college age student ministries. Submit resumes to: office@wabc.org.

er, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested applicants should mail a cover letter & resume to: 13186 Black Fork Rd., Heavener, OK 74937 or bigcreekbaptistok@gmail.com.

Contact (918) 658-5384 & leave message.

>>F/T STUDENT PASTOR: FBC Minco, OK is seeking a F/T Student Pastor with a heart for small town ministry in an actively growing church. Please send your resume to our Pastor at: mike@mincofbc.com.

>>F/T OR P/T YOUTH MINISTER/ASSOCIATE PASTOR: FBC Calvin in Calvin, OK is seeking a called Minister of Youth/Associate Pastor. Please send resumes to: calvinbaptist1st@yahoo.com. ATTN: Search Committee.

VOICES

JO B L ISTIN G V EH IC L E M ISC.

>>BI/VO OR P/T WORSHIP MINISTER: Seeking God’s candidate for our next blended service Worship Minister. Please submit resume & cover letter to: cbcbamusic@gmail.com or Clearview Baptist Church, P.O. Box 140892, Broken Arrow, OK 74014.

>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Duke FBC is prayerfully seeking a P/T Youth Minister who is passionate about God & serving youth. Please send resume or inquiries to: fbcduke@swoi.net.

>>F/T YOUTH MINISTER: College Heights Baptist of Chickasha, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Youth Minister. Resumes may be sent to: College Heights Baptist Church, P.O. Box 357, Chickasha, OK 73023 or by email to: chbcsearchcmte@gmail.com

>>WORSHIP LEADER: FBC Antlers, OK, is seeking a Worship Leader to lead our blended worship service as well as our choir. Email resume to: Search Committee, fbcantlers@hotmail.com or mail resume to: 208 NE B Street, Antlers, OK 74523.

>>F/T WORSHIP PASTOR: FBC Duncan is prayerfully seeking a F/T Worship Pastor. Please send resumes to: music@fbcduncan.com.

>>F/T STUDENT PASTOR: FBC Heavener is seeking a F/T Student Pastor. Please send a resume to: hardinbrock@yahoo.com.

>>F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Sobol, OK. Sobol Baptist Church is a small rural church seeking a Pastor with a heart for God & families as we seek to grow our church for the next generation.

Contact: debbanwhite@gmail.com.

>>P/T MUSIC MINISTER: FBC Cole seeking P/T Music Minister. Send resumes to: Search Committee, FBC Cole, P.O. Box 829, Blanchard, OK 73010. Or email to: jlwfbcole@pldi.net.

>>F/T YOUTH/WORSHIP MINISTER: FBC Carrizo Springs, TX is searching for a F/T Minister of Youth & Worship. Package is salary + house & utilities. We hope our candidates have a completed college degree & some ministry experience.

Email: jonathan@firstbaptistcarrizo.org.

>>P/T YOUTH PASTOR: FBC Hydro is prayerfully searching for a P/T Youth Pastor. Please send resumes to: jbsanders59@hotmail.com. >>F/T SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Elk City is seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates submit resumes with references to: FBCEC Pastor Search Committee, 1600 W. Country Club, Elk City, OK 73644 or fbcecpastorsearch@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: Ringling FBC is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail or email their resume to: RFBC, P.O. BOX 530, Ringling, OK 73456 or fbcringling@att.net.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Rural church looking for Pastor. Galey Baptist Church, 6025 St Hwy 3W, Galey OK 74820. Please send resume to: Pastor Search Committee or email to: dmount.quiver@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: FBC St. Louis, OK is seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Solid financial standing established in 1928. Send request for application packet toFirst Baptist Church, Attn: Search Committee, P.O. Box 147, St. Louis, OK 74866.

>>BI/VO OR P/T MUSIC LEADER: Western Heights Baptist Church Duncan, OK. Services are Sunday mornings & evenings, Wednesday evenings.

Please send resume to: whbcduncan@gmail.com.

>> MIDDLE SCHOOL/MEDIA PASTOR: FBC Madill is in search of a God-called & gifted person who enjoys MS students & understands the significance of media in the 21st Century Church. Great place to serve/ learn! Great team! Resume: staff@fbcmadill.org.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Porum is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Housing is available. Please submit resumes with a cover letter to: porumfirstbaptist@gmail.com or P.O. Box 396, Porum, OK 74455.

>>CHILDREN/RECREATION PASTOR: FBC Madill is looking for someone who is gifted by God & has a heart for children & their families & would enjoy incorporating sports/recreation into the ministry as a tool to impact children & their eternity. Resume: staff@fbcmadill.org.

>>F/T PASTOR: Denton Baptist of Marlow, OK is in search of a F/T Pastor. Initium Pastors are welcome. Please send resumes to: dentonbaptistchurch21@gmail.com or mail to: 272910 W. Ballpark Rd., Marlow, OK. 73055.

>>P/T MUSIC MINISTER: Bethel Baptist Church, Anadarko is seeking a P/T Music Minister to lead our Sunday worship band. See the full job description on our website https://www.anadarkobethel.com/.

Email resume to: duncan@anadarkobethel.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Fitzhugh is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Please send resumes to: fitzhughpastorsearch@gmail.com. >>BI/VO PASTOR: Enterprise Baptist Church, in rural Norman, is prayerfully seeking a Bible believing BI/VO Pastor. Please send resume to: randkvance217@sbcglobal.net or call (405) 397-7884.

>>F/T SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Idabel is seeking a F/T Senior Pastor. Parsonage & benefit package available. Send resume including personal testimony, education, experience, references & video link of sermons to: fbcidabel@sbcglobal.net.

>>F/T PASTOR: Big Creek Baptist in Heaven-

>>F/T WORSHIP LEADER/CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR: FBC Hobart is seeking a F/T combination Worship Leader & Children’s Director. Send resumes to: fbchobart@att.net. >>BI/VO WORSHIP LEADER: The Church at Norman is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Worship Leader for our Sunday morning services. Send resume to: P.O. Box 818, Norman, OK 73070 or email to: thechurchatnorman@yahoo.com. >>BI/VO PASTOR: Rural church looking for Pastor. Great opportunity & recently updated 3 bed, 2 bath parsonage provided. 11012 N. Hwy 30, Sweetwater, OK 73666. Send resume to: fbcsw2312@ gmail.com. Phone: (580) 729-6583 for inquiries.

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ACROSS 31 Move 1 Fancy boatthrough water, as the iron 6 Hook(2 Kings 6:6) 33 Had four 10 Second monthbrasen (abbr.)wheels (1 Kings 7:30) 13 Beehive 34 “___ no more so exceeding 15 Band instrument proudly” (1 Sam. 2:3) 16 Road (abbr.)

36 Natural rooms where people hid 17 Unkind person (1 Sam. 13:6)

37 Public disorders 38 Heroic 39 Hannah “called his ___ Samuel” (1 Sam. 1:20) 40 Cooking measurement (abbr.)

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4519David By waytook of ten of these to his (1 Sam. 17:17) 20 brothers Space administration 4622Earwig Doings weighed by God 47(1Flask David took to brothers Sam. 2:3) (1 Sam. 24 Part Dagon16:20) lost (1 Sam. 5:4) 48 Cookie nut 26 Consumes offerings (1 Sam. 2:28) 50 “LORD came, and ___, and 28 called” Canal (1 Sam. 3:10) 51 Combustibles 53 ___ mater 55 Commercials 58 Bird that “gathereth her chickens under her wings” (Matt. 23:37) 60 Fasten, as kine (1 Sam. 6:7) 61 Winter hazard cast forth like

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>>F/T LEAD PASTOR: Beech Street FBC, located in Texarkana, AR, is prayerfully seeking a man called by God to serve as our F/T Lead Pastor. If you feel called, please send us your resume to: rposey89@yahoo.com. >>F/T STUDENT PASTOR: Pawhuska’s FBC is a growing & enthusiastic church seeking a F/T Student Pastor to join our ministry team & lead our growing & diverse student ministry. Send inquiries and/or resumes to: church@pawhuskafbc.org. >>F/T PASTOR: FBC Rosedale, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Resumes can be sent to: 37740 Arkansas Ave., Byars, OK 74831.

Email: tracy100@windstream.net. >> F/T PASTOR: FBC Davis, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail a cover letter & resume to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 297, Davis, OK 73030.

>>F/T MINISTER OF STUDENTS/ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church in Durant, OK is seeking a F/T hard-working & energetic Minister of Students/Associate Pastor. Resumes can be sent to: P.O. Box 1028, Durant, OK 74702 or can be emailed to: search@calvarydurant.org.

>>F/T or P/T STUDENT PASTOR: FBC Tuttle is prayerfully searching for our next student pastor. Position is F/T or P/T for right candidate. Resumes may be mailed to: FBC Tuttle, P.O. Box 300, Tuttle, OK 73089 or email to: fbctuttlestudentpastorsearch@gmail.com.

>> PASTOR: Small country church seeking a largein-the-Lord Pastor/Partner. Must be willing to seek with purpose, push with love & be brave like David.

Salary is not grand but we will work beside you & give you our best. FBC, P.O. Box 160, Custer City, OK 73639.

>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Please submit resume to: Calvary Baptist Church, 715 SW H Avenue, Lawton, OK 73501 or email to: personnel@calvarybaptistlawton.org.

>> F/T or BI/VO PASTOR: Highland Park Baptist Duncan, is seeking a Pastor to lead our church & inspire our youth. Please come grow our church with a loving spirit. Please send resumes to: hpbc73533@ gmail.com or 1002 S. 10th St, Duncan, OK 73533.

>>SENIOR PASTOR: Senior Pastor needed, retiring pastor of 30 years. Experience required, adherence to BFM 2000. Send resumes, recommendations to Pastor Search Committee, First Baptist Church, 125 S Delos, Haysville, KS 67060 or pastorsearch@fbchaysville.org.

>>BI/VO CHILDREN’S MINISTER: FBC of Anadarko is seeking a Godly man or woman to lead & coordinate children’s programs & activities.

Email resumes to: fbcanadarko@sbcglobal.net.

MIS CEL L A NEO US

>>P/T PASTORAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS: Chisholm Heights Baptist Church in Mustang, OK, has two openings for P/T Pastoral Administrative Assistants. 28 hours a week. Microsoft Office & general computer skills a plus. If interested submit resume to: office@chbcmustang.org. >>BI/VO or P/T CHILDREN’S MINISTER: FBC Elmore City is prayerfully seeking God’s candidate to be our P/T or BI/VO Children’s Minister. Please submit resume to: fbceckids@gmail.com or mail to: FBC Elmore City, P.O. Box 247, Elmore City, OK 73433. >>F/T PASTOR: Our Pastor is retiring. New Life BC in eastern Oklahoma County is searching for the man God is calling to be our next leader. If prompted by the Holy Spirit, please send resume’ & cover letter to: newlifebaptist@mcloudteleco.com.

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>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Looking for P/T Youth Minister to disciple & lead our youth.

Please send resume with letter of recommendation to: Main Street Baptist Church, C/O Youth Search Committee, P.O. Box 668, Stigler, OK 74462. Or email to: jeffkberger@gmail.com.

>>BOOK & BIBLE REPAIR & BINDING: Custom, quality craftsmanship since 1936. Hand sewn, fine stamped leather. McSpadden Book Bindery, 911 West Benedict, Shawnee, OK 74801. www. mcspaddenbookbindery.com (405) 275-7788. >>CABIN TO SHARE: Friendly church looking to share cabin at Falls Creek. We have FBC Perry under contract for week one (June 6 - 10).

The cabin is larger, newer & close to tabernacle. Please call (918) 825-3232 if interested. >>DO YOU NEED A CHURCH PIANIST? Try piano accompaniment CDs from Worship Service Resources. Hymns, Gospel, Praise, Seasonal, DVDs, Flash Drive - Hundreds of Songs.

Get a FREE DEMO & try before you buy! Call 1-877-977-6800 or visit www.wsrpianocds.com.

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29 Place where ark was carried (1 Sam. 5:8) 30 What Rahab did with scarlet thread (Josh.

2:18) 31 Fathers 32 Yang’s partner 33 “Fear not; for thou hast ___ a son” (1 Sam. 4:20) 34 Number of Elkanah’s wives (1 Sam. 1:2) 35 Pacify 37 Clothing Saul used to change appearance (1 Sam. 28:8) 41 Fire remains Tamar put on her head (2 Sam. 13:19) 42 Movie 43 Old-fashioned fathers 44 “The LORD killeth, and maketh ___” (1 Sam. 2:6) 47 Record where Samuel wrote (1 Sam. 10:25) 48 Weakling 49 Pointed cylinder 50 “The poorest ___ of the people” (2 Kings 24:14) 51 What Dagon fell on (1 Sam. 5:4) 52 Mary ___ (artist) 54 Israel’s first king 56 First woman 57 Grudging (var.)

59 Under tooth’s enamel 63 Part of a minute (abbr.)

64 Type of unclean animal (Lev. 11:30) 65 Channel for water (Isa. 19:10) 66 Fast plane (abbr.)

67 City in Yemen 68 Bovine DOWN 1 Sweet potato 2 Animal brought by Tarshish navy (1 Kings 10:22) 3 Government security agency (abbr.)

4 Samuel’s mother 5 Trinity 6 “They ___ not the land. . .by their own sword” (Ps. 44:3) A G A P E A B L E N L O T 7 “We went 21:2) B Eset T forth” E L (Acts C R O N___, E and OW D S E A B R E A D 8 Coerce, as priests threatened T O W E R S I S E R A E A S T (1 Sam. 2:16) E D E N M A R X H O H O 9 “He willS keep hisSsaints” (1 DSam. A L the T ___ R of I N E E W I T A L Y A D O R E 2:9) S H R I N K C E D A R S 10 “Samuel.

S H. .was E E in P ___”S(1 ISam. H O2:26) N S H E A F C A V E 11 ShowT O B A U T O M E E T V I L 12 Goliath threatened to feed David toEthese (1 A D D S G I D E O N Sam. 17:44) G R E B E T R I A D N L A A A R O N L E N T O G E T 14 Affirmative 21 AlightS T A R S E X C E L E T H 23 Expression Puzzle 13: Judges 24 One plague in Egypt (Ex. 9:25) A G O S A K E S S E V E N 25 Volcano A D B L E A T 27 Hotel LTwith no room (Luke 2:7) CO RA SI MI ES W O E M P T Y 29 Swindle O K R A I T S E L F A R T B IofG 30 Dagon lost ___ his hands A F C M A R T H A D W E L L S (1 Sam. 5:4) P E Z S T R A W D E A L T 31 MoveOthrough as the N T Owater, K Eiron U E L Y O S (2 FKings I D E A L D E C S A L T S 6:6) S C H E M E U E S T T R 33 Had four brasen (1 Kings U Swheels T A A P7:30) P so O exceeding R P H A proudly” N C A 34 “___TnoOmore (1M E Sam. 2:3)A L L O T T O N G S B O N L E A C H S H E E P B A D 36 Natural people L rooms O T Twhere O D O W hid A B S R Y(1 Sam. 13:6) Puzzle 15: Ruth Y A C H A P I A M E A N N H E A G A T H Y I N

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42 “___ this child I prayed” (1 Sam. 1:27) 44 “Have ___ by one Spirit unto the Father” (Eph. 2:18) 45 David took ten of these to his brothers (1 Sam. 17:17) 46 Earwig 47A Flask David took to brothers A F T N T I A D L I B (1BSam. E R 16:20) R A M A Y O R L I E A R E N A R A Snut S T O N 48B Cookie A D M K N I T M E A N T 50 “LORD Lcame, and ___, and called” (1 Sam. I O N D E B O R A H 3:10) B U L L S E R R A N D U I N G R O S E B O V 51S Combustibles L E V I L O D H O U S E 53PY ___ mater E T C O R N C O N A N 55 Commercials M A N E T B O T T L E S Cthat A P E S Pher U chickens A H 58E Bird “gathereth under her S H U N T wings” (Matt.

23:37)A R M ST A OK BE NI T A R A M B L E 60E Fasten, O T(1ASam. S 6:7) V E asI kine S O R E S N forth S E D hazard N O Ucast A S T (Ps. 61R Winter likeF morsels 147:17) Puzzle 14: Judges 62 Saul’s uncle (1 Sam. 14:50) M E S A

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Lifeway Research: Christmas celebrates a historical event, Americans say >> by Aaron Earls

VOICES

LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN RESOURCES WRITER

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Christmas is a celebration of a real event, according to most Americans. Just don’t expect them to know exactly why Jesus was born and came to earth.

A new study from Lifeway Research finds close to 3 in 4 Americans believe Jesus was born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. Even more say Jesus is the Son of God the Father, but less than half believe Jesus existed prior to being born on that first Christmas.

“Most Americans consider Jesus’ birth a historical fact,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “It can be easy to only evaluate Jesus like you would any other historical figure—thinking about when He lived and what He did. However, the Bible also describes Jesus in a way that one must evaluate who you believe He was. Most Americans believe His origin was from God the Father, but half as many believe He existed before His birth.”

More than 9 in 10 Americans (91 percent) celebrate Christmas, according to a previous Lifeway Research study released this year. For most of those celebrating, Christmas is about a historical occurrence. More than 7 in 10 (72 percent) say the Jesus Christians believe in was born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, including 49 percent who strongly agree. Few (9 percent) disagree, while 18 percent aren’t sure.

Most Americans (80 percent) agree Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father, while 10 percent disagree and 10 percent aren’t sure.

The average person isn’t quite as sure about the Son of God’s existence prior to Jesus’ birth. Around 2 in 5 (41 percent) say God’s Son existed before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Close to 1 in 3 Americans (32 percent) disagree, and 28 percent say they’re not sure.

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A L showed “The 2020 State of N N U Study ATheology O is that 72 percent of AmericansGbelieve I N Fthere N I T E E M one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,” McConnell said. “Prophecies such as those in Isaiah 9 reflect that the Messiah would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. While these titles reflect the Trinity, some Americans do not connect the Jesus born in Bethlehem with the Messiah who already existed as God now coming in the flesh.”

The religiously unaffiliated are least likely to agree with any of the statements surrounding Jesus’ birth and identity, but some still believe despite their stated disconnect from organized religion. Almost half (48 percent) believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father. A third (33 percent) say Jesus was really born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. Fewer (15 percent) believe the Son of God existed before Jesus was born.

Among Christians, those who attend church four times a month or more, are most likely to believe each of the statements about Jesus and His birth: 98 percent believe He is the Son of God the Father; 95 percent say He was born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, and 63 percent agree the Son of God existed before Jesus was born.

Americans aren’t always sure what motivations Jesus ascribed to Himself and His coming to earth. When given seven options—four correct and three incorrect— for reasons the Bible records Jesus as saying why He came, only one choice garnered a small majority.

Americans are more likely to choose a correct answer than the false ones. Half (51 percent) say the Bible records Jesus as saying He came to give His life for many, which Jesus does say in the Gospel of Mark: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and

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to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, CSB).

Around 3 in 10 Americans (31 percent) rightly say Jesus came to give life in abundance (John 10:10) and testify to truth (John 18:37).

Far fewer (9 percent) believe the Bible records Jesus saying He came to bring division rather than peace, despite Him making that claim in Luke 12:51. Altogether, only 3 percent of Americans recognized all four options in the list that match biblical quotes from Jesus.

Fewer than 1 in 10 Americans falsely identified other reasons for Jesus’ coming to earth: 9 percent believe Jesus said He came to be served (contradicted

by Mark 10:45); 8 percent think He said He wanted to abolish the Old Testament law and prophets (contradicted by Matthew 5:17); and 8 percent say Jesus came to condemn sinners (contradicted by John 3:17).

“Despite widespread belief that Jesus really came to earth as a baby, there is far less familiarity with why Jesus said He came,” McConnell said. “However, the majority of Americans believe Jesus came to give his life for many, which is reflected in the angel’s words to Joseph in Matthew 1, ‘She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.’”