Oklahoma Baptists gather together for the 116th Annual Meeting

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, resourc-

es. 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.

The Growing Need for Christian Counseling

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

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.