2022/December

MESSENGER STAFF

Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com

Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@baptistmessenger.com

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Chris Forbes | Staff Writer cforbes@oklahomabaptists.org

Tori Hamilton | Art Director thamilton@baptistmessenger.com

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The

‘paradox’ of Christmas

I love Christmas! Time with family, decorating the house, food, music, traditions, gift giving—did I mention food? One of the things about Christmas that I particularly enjoy is reflecting on the theological significance connected with the birth of Jesus—the virgin birth, fulfillment of prophecy and especially the “paradoxes” His birth presents as we think about its significance for us.

In general, paradoxes deal with something that appears to be contradictory and calls for deeper thought and investigation. Some examples of a paradox are: “Nobody goes to that restaurant; it’s too crowded,” and “If I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing.” James Boice, in his book, “The Christ of Christmas,” quotes Donald Barnhouse who explored a number of “paradoxes” of Christ’s birth and the importance the incarnation has for followers of Christ.

1. Jesus underwent a human birth, so that we might have a spiritual birth. Because of the incarnation of Jesus, we can have new birth in Christ. John 1:12, “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

2. Jesus took His place in a manger, so that we might have heavenly homes. Luke 2:7 states that Mary laid the newborn Jesus “in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.” Consider the paradox of Jesus, who created the vast expanse of the universe, having no proper place to be born. In contrast to where He was born, Jesus gives us an eternal home in glory. John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”

3. Jesus made himself subject to others so that we, through the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us, might be made free. Luke 2:51 states, “And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them .” By contrast, Gal. 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free;

stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

4. Jesus laid His glory aside that we might receive glory. Phil. 2:6-7 states that Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Contrast that to 1 Peter 5:4, “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

5. At His birth, Jesus was pursued by an evil leader. In His death, Jesus defeated the ultimate evil leader—Satan. Jesus was pursued by the evil ruler Herod only to one day destroy the far more dangerous and evil ruler who pursues us. Heb. 2:14-15, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Boice writes, “Put all of these texts together and we see a great pattern. We see that Jesus endured a human birth to give us a new spiritual birth. He occupied a stable that we might occupy a mansion. He had an earthly mother so that we might have a heavenly Father. He became subject that we might be free. He left His glory to give us glory. He was poor that we might be rich. He was hunted by Herod that we might be delivered from the grasp of Satan. This is the paradox of Christmas. It is the reversal of roles at God’s cost for our benefit.”

How very thankful we should be for the many things we receive through the incarnation of Jesus. I pray you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

Todd Fisher Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer

Sword & Trowel Banner year for the unborn

Looking back on 2022, it is easy to recall some newsworthy moments. From war in Ukraine, to natural disasters, to big elections, there was no shortage of attention-grabbing happenings this year.

One moment that rightly gained worldwide recognition when it occurred was the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs vs. Jackson, which effectively reversed Roe v. Wade.

For so many Southern Baptists who have labored in this epic struggle to protect unborn life, this truly was an answer to prayer. Thankfully, Oklahoma was well positioned upon this court ruling, with laws already on the books, banning the performance of abortion.

However, there is now a dangerous movement afoot in Oklahoma to bring abortion back to Oklahoma— and to greatly expand it. Proponents of a state ballot question (SQ 828) are reportedly collecting signatures now to put a vote that would enshrine liberal abortion laws in our state constitution.

If the vote were approved, this ballot measure would make Oklahoma laws on abortion as liberal as California and New York, allowing abortion up to 24 weeks gestation and even beyond. From what we have seen in other state votes, the pro-abortion forces will spend millions in deceptive advertisements to get voters to approve their measure.

This cannot stand. We must reject this state ballot proposal that would allow virtually unlimited abortion access, and we must keep building a culture of life. While the year 2022 was a banner year for the unborn, we cannot allow 2023 to become the worst year for the unborn since Roe v. Wade in 1973, due to this state question.

On the ministry side, we recognize the continued need to minister to abortion vulnerable mothers. That is why Oklahoma Baptists and Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children are once again emphasizing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (Jan. 22, 2023) and have new resources online at oklahomabaptists.org/life, including sermon outlines, videos, prayer points and more. Also, the 2023 Oklahoma Rose Day Pro-Life Indoor Rally is set to take place Feb. 8, 2023 (see RoseDay.life for more).

Now is the time we can keep making a positive difference for life—unborn and born—by praying, giving, volunteering and speaking up for life.

The Bible says that Satan seeks to kill, steal and destroy, but that Jesus comes to give “life and life abundantly” (John 10:10). Let’s follow our Lord in that; let’s each do our part in upholding the value and dignity of all human life.

Brian Hobbs

Editor of the Baptist Messenger

Rite of Passage Odd Couple

Some people think I run a sweatshop. They have that idea because every Wednesday morning, a group of ladies gathers to sew, knit and crochet items for me.

I am not sure how old they are because it’s not polite to ask a lady her age, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some of them had voted for Abraham Lincoln as president. They come with aged bodies, arthritic hands, limited eyesight and more doctor’s appointments than Carter has little pills (Younger generations, just Google “Carter’s Little Pills.”).

Despite their ailments, you will never meet a more resilient group, determined to do one thing: Reach others for Christ. They accomplish this by making stuffed toys, hats, blankets, scarves, dresses, pants, children’s clothing and more. Then I gather these items and deliver them across the world.

My journeys through customs can be quite comical. I pack these stuffed toys around my PA system. The customs agents open a speaker box and find hundreds of stuffed animals surrounding the electronics.

“What is the purpose of these toys?” they ask me.

“To protect our equipment,” I answer, smiling.

Once I reach my destination, I deliver some toys to orphanages and share others with parents who need Christmas gifts for their children. On the way home, I pack my dirty clothes around the speaker boxes. Never once has an agent moved pairs of underwear or socks to discover what lies below.

Not long ago, these ladies sent a container of winter clothing and stuffed toys to Ukraine, where our office will distribute them to refugees for Christmas. And a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of delivering more items to Mexico. A Gospel presentation accompanies each toy.

Last month, Choctaw, Choctaw Road; Tulsa, Parkview; and I hosted a children’s outreach event in

Mexico with clowns, a mechanical bull, face-painting, a fishing tank, arts and crafts and food trucks. Hundreds came, and we gave out toys and hats while sharing the Gospel. By the evening, entire families had come to Christ!

I have now depleted the ladies’ stockpile, and they will be back again to start replenishing the needed items for my next trip overseas. We are such an odd couple, the Sewing Ministry of Tulsa, Parkview and me. But I couldn’t be more grateful or love a group more deeply than these ladies. Because of them, families around the world will have clothes and Christmas presents this year.

“She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger” (Luke 2:7b, MSG).

It wouldn’t surprise me at all to learn that the Messiah’s blanket was made by one of these ladies. In fact, I know it was: “whatever blanket you made for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, it is just like you made it for Me” (Matt. 25:40b, WDM version).

From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Walker Moore

Author & Messenger Columnist

Email | walker@back40.org

THROUGH THE

OBU FRESHMAN FINDS HOPE IN CHRIST AMID CANCER JOURNEY

Claire Hall Claire Hall grew up overseas, spending more than 10 years of her life living abroad with her family.

From her earliest childhood memories to the time she turned 12 when her family moved back to Oklahoma, Claire vividly recalls her time overseas.

She then spent her middle school and high school years in Edmond, was active in her church student group, school and a busy life with seven siblings.

Claire, 18, is now a freshman at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), studying nursing and seeking to following Jesus with all of her life.

Over the past year, however, life has handed her more challenges than she could have ever imagined. In the fall of 2021, Claire began to experience significant health problems.

“The summer before my senior year was very good, and I was very excited for my senior year of high school,” she said. “I remember going to school the first day and attending cross country practice. We were running, but I was really struggling on the run. My coach told me to stop, but I only had half a mile left, so I said, ‘I’ve got this.’”

During that run, Claire’s entire right side of her body went numb. “I immediately stopped and fell on the ground and thought, ‘What’s happening? I had never felt anything like this.’”

Claire ended up in the ER. Early medical advice suggested she was simply under stress, but problems continued to persist. An MRI revealed the shocking news that Claire had a large mass on her brain.

“When we met with the surgeon to determine what the mass was, they sent me to the oncology floor at OU Children’s Hospital,” she said. “I was really struggling and was upset because I thought that this was just a mass that could be removed, that I surely didn’t have cancer. I was wondering why God would put me through something like this. The biopsy came back, and it was cancer. That was a kick in the gut.”

Claire was scheduled for surgery, which came with risks, as surgeons would be working on key areas of the brain that affected her whole right side and motor functions.

“I remember being scared,” she said. “I had never had any health problems. I remember that my prayers were very selfish, and I was bargaining with the Lord. I was fighting the suffering. I was trying to make a deal with God instead of just accepting His sovereignty and accepting the end goal of what He had for me.”

Claire had a six-hour surgery and a month of recovery. She then had to undergo radiation and chemotherapy because the form of cancer was so aggressive.

“The doctor asked me if I wanted to know the chances of me surviving, and I said that I didn’t want to know. I wanted to leave that in God’s hands. Ultimately, I believe that only He knows,” she said.

In the meantime, family, friends and acquaintances were rallying in prayer and support for the Hall family. Claire’s family also created a Caring Bridge page, at which they would give health updates, share inspiration they received from God’s Word and also hear from families who were praying.

“As we walk through this season, Claire and our family ask that you would join us in praying that we would do so with grace and faith,” her mother said. “Please ask that He would give strength, comfort, wisdom, patience and perseverance! Pray that she will use all this to declare His glory.”

The Halls received an outpouring of help and support, even as Claire struggled. But through it all, God gave her peace through His Word.

“This was the first time in my life that I had truly been in a very low valley,” she said. “I knew that I needed to go to God’s Word. I wondered, whose life resembled mine. I thought about Job. I had never really understood the Book of Job, but this time when I read it, some of his cries to God were the same of what mine were. I read the whole book, and toward the end of it when God speaks, that was really a turning point for me. God reminded me that His ways are best, and who was I to question Him. At the end of Job, you see that God ultimately restored him.

“Restoration is a big thing for me,” Claire continued. “I wasn’t thinking that one day my life is going to get better. It was one day, in Christ, I will be restored. One day all of the brokenness, the cancer—the fact that my right side doesn’t function the same—one day in heaven, I will be restored. There is hope!”

Claire underwent the radiation and chemotherapy, even as she continued with life, school and pursuing her path. She managed to finish her high school senior year.

“I was struggling, but by January I decided I wanted to come to OBU to become a nurse,” she said, “but I didn’t have enough money. My counselor called and had found a scholarship for me! I was so excited about that! It was an answer to prayer.”

The summer of 2022 came, and it was time for Claire to begin her journey at OBU.

“I finished chemo three or four weeks before school started,” she said. “Throughout the process, I had MRI every three months just to check on progress. You could see it receding. I kept having to give God all my plans, my excitement and my future.”

Then came the great news. Claire was declared can cer free. Her college roommate threw a celebration party for Claire and her friends at the WMU Dormitory at OBU.

“Over the last year, there have been so many hard moments and struggling, but I can look back on it and truly thank the Lord,” Claire said. “I would not be where I’m at with my relationship with Him if I hadn’t gone through that.”

While Claire does not know what her future holds, she rejoices that God has carried her through and holds her future in His hands.

“My life is not what it was, but it is so much better,” she said. “God is so faithful when we give everything to Him. Suffering is never for noth ing. We shouldn’t run from hard things but embrace them and take them to God. He makes beautiful things out of them every time!”

Bible Q&A: Does the Virginal Conception really matter?

An attempt to list every important Christian doc trine is doomed to failure. There’s always room for a few more on the list and more to say about those doctrines already identified.

This is not to say that all doctrines are of equal weight. Two doctrines, in fact, tower over all others as the foundation for Christianity: the incarnation and the resurrection. If either of these crumble, Christianity cannot stand. Baptists recognize this in the two days that dominate our religious calendar: Christmas and Easter.

Likewise, in their unrelenting attacks on the virginal conception and the resurrection, opponents of Christianity validate the centrality of these two doctrines. This Christmas season, let us not forget that the incarnation is THE thing, and the way God chose to embody the Son in human flesh was through a virginal conception.

Matt. 1:18-25 leaves no doubt that Mary was a virgin prior to and following conception. In Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph discovered the devastating truth that the woman to whom he was engaged, Mary, was pregnant. This revelation was life shattering since he knew they had not engaged in sexual relations.

As Joseph planned his exit strategy from this presumed unfaithful woman, the Angel of the Lord assured Joseph that the baby conceived in Mary “is of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew then made the direct connection between these events and the prophet Isaiah’s announcement that “the virgin will conceive, have a son and name Him Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14).

The first hearers of Isaiah’s prophecy likely found an immediate fulfillment of Isaiah’s words in the birth of Hezekiah, the son and successor to King Ahaz. But after the events related to the birth of Jesus, it was clear the true and ultimate fulfillment was Jesus.

In Luke 1:26-38, we hear the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would conceive, bear a son and call him Jesus, for He would be the

in Israel’s history, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Samson’s mother, Hannah and, more recently, Elizabeth. In each case, the child would play a significant role in God’s redemptive purposes, but the miracle was far less spectacular, and the child conceived far less significant than the Child Mary was carrying. This child would sit on the throne of His father David, and of His kingdom there would be no end.

While criticisms have been raised about the historicity of the virginal conception for 2,000 years, the early Christians repeatedly affirmed that Mary conceived apart from sexual contact with Joseph or any man. They continued to tell the story despite the ridicule it would provoke from opponents of Christianity. They declared that Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit established His deity; that He was “born of a woman” established Jesus’ true humanity. It was in this way that the entire fullness of God’s nature came to dwell bodily in Christ (Col 2:9).

This is the sort of Good News that stirred Charles Wesley to write those joyous words in a poem that George Whitefield later adapted into the song we know today as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Stanza two declares:

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb: veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity, pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel: Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King.

Bobby Kelly

Ruth Dickinson Professor of Religion at Oklahoma Baptist University

Oklahoma Baptists Gather for 116th Annual Meeting

MUSTANG—Oklahoma Baptists gathered for the 116th Annual Meeting on Nov. 14-15 at Mustang, First. The 2022 Annual Meeting theme was “Anchored,” with 700 registered messengers from 318 churches. The following are highlights:

Disaster Relief celebrates 50 years. Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief’s (DR) 50th anniversary was recognized, with a special recognition banquet for volunteers led by interim state DR director Sam Porter. Jason Yarbrough was introduced as the next state DR director. Ryan Deatherage will serve as Oklahoma Baptist DR associate director.

Fisher, other sermons urge Oklahoma Baptists to be ‘Anchored’ in Scripture. Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists executive director-treasurer, focused his sermon on Heb. 6:13-20 and the theme “Anchored.” He shared his vision for Oklahoma Baptists to “serve and support churches.” President Chris Wall, pastor of Owasso, First, delivered the president’s address, focusing on 1 Peter 5. Duncan Blackwell, pastor of Elk City, First, delivered the annual sermon, preaching on being anchored in God’s presence.

Abuse Prevention & Response Task Force offers report, resources. On Tuesday, Pastor Eric Costanzo of Tulsa, South Tulsa presented a report from the Oklahoma Baptists’ Abuse Prevention and Response Task Force. He introduced new resources for churches, which are now online at oklahomabaptists.org.

Key reports & other business. Reports were given from Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, WatersEdge and Baptist Village Communities. Fisher presented the Board of Directors report. The CP 2023 Budget Objective is set at $24.5 million.

Messengers elected the following officers: Featured in above photo, Wall, second from left, will serve a second one-year term as president. Others elected include Pastor Jon Johnston of Oklahoma City, Exchange Avenue, left, as first vice president and Pastor Mark Hall of Comanche, First, second from right, as second vice president. They are featured with Fisher.

Sermon videos will be posted at oklahomabaptists.org.

by

The challenges of recent years have raised awareness of a longstanding need for counseling for pastors, church staff members and their families. Because of the generosity of Oklahoma Baptists through our State Missions Offering and the willingness of providers to partner with us, we can help address this growing need. In 2023, we are making a change in this ministry that we want share.

We know that participants work harder when they are invested in their treatment. Because of this reality, we are asking all our partner counseling providers to charge a

$10 copay per session for all clients. We are also raising the amount we are reimbursing to our counseling partners to help with their rising costs. Again, this change will take effect on Jan, 1, 2023.

We are thankful that God has provided the financial and professional resources that are needed to meet this ever-growing need. Our prayer is that the Lord will continue to use this ministry partnership to strengthen ministry leaders and their families for service to His church and kingdom. For questions, email knix@oklahomabaptists.org.

The Growing Need for Christian Counseling

James Swain, Oklahoma Baptists’ associate executive director of church relations

ACROSS

1 “He that speaketh lies shall not ___” (Prov. 19:5) (abbr.)

4 “She is like the merchants’ ___” (Prov. 31:14)

9 Lemuel’s ___ taught him (Prov. 31:1) 12 Baby powder 14 Asian capital 15 “Lest I ___ you in pieces” (Ps. 50:22)

24 Tortilla rollups 25 “___ decree justice” (Prov. 8:15) 26 Fish tank growth 27 “___ thyself to be a mourner” (2 Sam. 14:2) 28 Wooden projection 30 Something frightening 32 Proverbs has more than one ___ 33 Combined 34 Rim of spoked wheel 37 Gibeon to Jerusalem dir. 38 Time zone 44 Naaman had to ___ seven times (pl.)

16 Seaweed substance 17 Host 18 “Not good to ___ much honey” (Prov. 25:27) (pl.) 19 One-celled water animal (var.) 21 “Her candle ___ not out” (Prov. 31:18) 23 Wrangle 25 Enclosed 26 “I have longed ___ thy

Haman did ___ law against Mordecai 53 “King had __ ___ a navy” (1 Kings 10:22) (2 wds.) 55 Swimming mammal 56 Isaac had to ___ wood 57 “Tongue cleaved to the ___ of their mouth” (Job 29:10)

Opposite of yeses 60 Leaves

Average work performance 63 Pampering 64 “___ of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23)

precepts” (Ps. 119:40) 29 Cut short (abbr.) 31 “What is the ___ to the wheat?” (Jer. 23:28) 35 Downwind 36 “She shall ___ in time to come” (Prov. 31:25) 39 “From them to whom it is ___” (Prov. 3:27) 40 “Where no ___ is for him” (Amos 3:5)

41 “They shewed his ___ among them” (Ps. 105:27) 42 Communication 43 “Had a great while ___ repented” (Luke 10:13) 44 Perceives by sight 46 Harden 47 Listlessness 49 “He saith, ___” (Matt. 17:25) (var.) 50 “She reacheth forth her hands to the ___” (Prov. 31:20) 52 Baths 54 “He that is ___ angry” (Prov. 14:17) 56 “Whoso putteth his ___ in the Lord” (Prov. 29:25) 58 Accent 61 “Stretcheth out her hand to the ___” (Prov. 31:20) 62 Ermine 66 Masked animal 68 Toy (2 wds.) 69 Avoid 70 Adolescent 71 Umpire 72 Ham 73 Samaria to Shiloh dir. DOWN 1 Arrival 2 Adventure story 3 Shell sh 4 “He shall wave the ___” (Lev. 23:11) 5 Noah’s son

6 Business title ending 7 Poet Edgar Allan 8 “Thou shalt lay ___ against it” (Ezek. 4:3) 9 “She. . .giveth ___ to her household” (Prov. 31:15) 10 “That I may perform the ___” (Jer. 11:5) 11 Proverbs 31 woman was a ___ (abbr.) 13 “They sailed close by ___” (Acts 27:13) 15 “Whose ___ are as swords” (Prov. 30:14) 20 Vigor 22 “Shall fall at ___” (Prov. 28:18)

24 Tortilla rollups 25 “___ decree justice” (Prov. 8:15)

seven times (pl.)

45 “She is not afraid of the ___” (Prov. 31:21)

48 Absalom tried to ___ David’s throne

51 Haman did ___ law against Mordecai

53 “King had __ ___ a navy” (1 Kings 10:22) (2 wds.)

55 Swimming mammal

“She is not afraid of the ___” (Prov. 31:21)

“Make ye this ___” (Mark 5:39)

Jerusalem to Shiloh dir.

Absalom tried to ___ David’s throne

Word Search

26 Fish tank growth 27 “___ thyself to be a mourner” (2 Sam. 14:2) 28 Wooden projection 30 Something frightening 32 Proverbs has more than one ___ 33 Combined 34 Rim of spoked wheel 37 Gibeon to Jerusalem dir. 38 Time zone 44 Naaman had to ___

Proverbs

Psalms

56 Isaac had to ___ wood 57 “Tongue cleaved to the ___ of their mouth” (Job 29:10)

59 Opposite of yeses 60 Leaves

61 Average work performance 63 Pampering

64 “___ of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23)

65 “Make ye this ___” (Mark 5:39) 67 Jerusalem to Shiloh dir.

TMBN honors DeBorde

Tulsa Metro Baptist Network (TMBN) recognized Darryl DeBorde for more than 40 years of service as secretary of TMBN. The reconition happend at TMBN’s annual celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 1. DeBorde, left, was presented a plaque and a gift certificate for a trip for two to Branson, Mo., from Charlie Cruce, director of missions.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES

JOSH BROOKS is pastor at Anadarko, Bethel. GARRETT BRADLEY is pastor of Oney in Caddo Association.

JAVAN SHAW is interim pastor of Swan Lake in Caddo Association.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

NEW CONGREGATION. Enid, Iglesia Bautista Agua Viva is a new affiliate of Oklahoma Baptists. Javier Lopez is pastor.

ANNIVERSARY. Claremore, North Park Trinity celebrated its 60th anniversary on Oct. 23

Brett Selby

TRIBUTES

Charles Echols

Charles Echols, 76, died Sept. 6. Funeral service was Sept. 13 at Lawton, First East. He served 39 years pastoring Southern Baptist churches.

Ruth Green

Ruth Green, 89, died Oct. 25. Funeral service was in Missouri. She and her husband James served as international missionaries for 14 years. Jim also pastored several Oklahoma Baptist churches.

Randy Tompkins

Randy Tompkins, 76, died Oct. 17. Funeral service was Oct. 20 in Louisiana. He served Oklahoma Baptist churches in Henryetta, Ada, Bethany, Tulsa, Enid and Jenks.

Faye Westfall

Faye Westfall, 79, died Nov. 16. Funeral service was Dec. 3 at Carney, First. She was the wife of retired Oklahoma Baptist pastor, Floyd Westfall from Yukon.

Around the State

Southwest Regional Ministry Partner Oklahoma Baptists

It is my privilege to serve the 395 Oklahoma Baptist churches and 10 associations in the southwest region. Through their efforts, God continues to advance the Gospel in a variety of ways. First, Gospel advancement is occurring as Oklahoma Baptists in the southwest region respond to need, and secondly, as they seize ministry opportunity.

Responding to need: On Nov. 1, Weatherford, Trinity suffered catastrophic loss of their facility due to a fire started by an electrical short. Oklahoma Baptists responded both tangibly and spiritually. Pray for the church in the days ahead as they navigate difficult decisions in their rebuilding effort.

Seizing ministry opportunity: Two churches in Grady Association (Blanchard, Ridgecrest and Minco, First) are seeing significant community impact in their Wednesday night services. On a recent Wednesday night, the combined attendance of the two churches included more than 240 children and 185 students.

Pray for all these churches in their respective seasons of adversity and advance that God might be glorified through their faithful witness.

Walter Wilson African American Ministry Partner Oklahoma Baptists

The Oklahoma Baptists African American ministry has grown by leaps and bounds.

I was blessed to start and lead this ministry in 2017, and it has been a blessing to the churches and pastors it serves. Over the years it has grown from 16 active participating churches to more than 70.

We are here to be a partner with the other Oklahoma Baptists ministries in reaching all souls with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have hosted several conferences, including the National African American Fellowships board meeting last spring, featuring Willie McCLaurin, who serves Southern Baptists as Great Commission Relations/Mobilization leader, as well as interim president of the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. We also hosted Lifeway’s Big Results Sunday School Conferences in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, featuring Mark Croston.

We will continue to seek ways to serve, partner, encourage and equip African American churches to meet their full potential serving God’s people everywhere.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries:

Shawna Davis

She is leading and encouraging 315 missionaries with the IMB in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In Focus:LeRon West

Ryan & McMillanBrea

They serve in Berlin, Germany as church planters with the IMB.

He is the associational mission strategist for the Great Plains Association.

Vesta Sauter

She is the global strategy leader for Deaf peoples and is the executive director of the IMB initiative Deaf Pathway Global.

LeRon West delivered his first sermon at Tulsa, First North, the oldest African American church in Tulsa. It was Jan. 1, 1983, and he preached on Psalm 1 to 300 people on that New Year’s Day.

“I thought I did an outstanding job,” West said about his inaugural sermon delivery. “I found out later that it was a lousy sermon. But I learned how to prepare a sermon, and God has blessed me since. That’s how I got started in the ministry.”

West has been pastor of Tulsa, Gilcrease Hills for more than 20 years, and it is the only church he has pastored.

West is a multi-vocational pastor. He previously was a firefighter and a real estate broker and currently works as a licensed electrical contractor. He said his electrical work helps support mission work.

He appreciates his church supporting the Cooperative Program (CP), knowing they are doing more through CP giving than just on their own.

“Our church has been faithful in giving,” he said. “Even through COVID, they gave.”

West encourages other multi-vocational pastors to be faithful to their calling.

“God will make time for you to be able to do what you need to do,” West said. “There’s a lot of times when you feel like you haven’t studied a sermon enough. If you make the effort to do what you can, God will fill in the rest. I know He works through me when I preach. God is always faithful. Do what you can, and God will take care of the rest.”

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

Danny Ringer

It all starts with your tithes and offerings given through your church. Let’s say, for example, that a church designates 10 percent of the general offerings received toward the Cooperative Program (CP). That means when an individual in that congregation gives $10 in the offering, then $1 is sent through the CP to reach the world.

Here’s the amazing journey of that dollar bill: The first 42 cents of that dollar remain in Oklahoma for vital state ministries. No doubt you or someone you know has been to

Falls Creek or CrossTimbers. Your CP giving is at work through the programs offered at these camps. There are Baptist Collegiate Ministries on 42 campuses in our state that are supported by the CP. If you have seen Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief in action after a crisis, you can know your CP giving helped provided for the leadership and coordination of the response. And this is only a small sample of the ministries in our state that you support through the CP. There are many valuable ministries to children, youth, adults of all ages as well as church planting, pastor equipping and more!

Another 15 cents is distributed to our state affiliates. The important ministries of Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Baptist Village Communities, and WatersEdge are all undergirded through your CP giving.

And your CP dollar doesn’t stay in the state, Oklahoma Baptists send the remaining 43 cents to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Other SBC state conventions have similar allocations. Money from Oklahoma is combined with gifts from churches across the SBC.

The SBC sends 22 cents of that 43 cents to the International Mission Board, and about 10 cents to the North American Mission Board. About 9 cents are divided out to our six SBC seminaries and the remaining few cents are allocated to other SBC ministries, including the SBC Annual Meeting.

Because of your faithful obedience in giving through your church, the CP raises more than $192 million each year!

GIVING THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM IS THE ONE THING WE CAN ALL DO THAT IMPACTS EVERYTHING WE DO!