& Set Free:
Annual Meeting: Oklahoma Baptists ‘Invested’ in Gospel Advance Staff
Mandi’s Story
MESSENGER STAFF
Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@oklahomabaptists.org
Katie Brown | Ministry Assistant kbrown@oklahomabaptists.org
Brook Daniel | Graphic Designer bdaniel@oklahomabaptists.org
Jacob King | Staff Writer jking@oklahomabaptists.org
Bob Nigh | Contributing Writer bnigh@oklahomabaptists.org
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GOD’S INTERRUPTIONS
As Jamy and I reflect on our journey these last four months, we often talk about how my automobile accident is not anything we would have planned for us. And yet, in the midst of it all, God has shown us His goodness and provision time and again in this “interruption” He allowed to happen in our lives. As we read through the pages of Scripture, God many times interrupted the lives of people to work His plan for His glory.
In this Christmas season, one of those interruptions in the Bible that comes to mind is Joseph and Mary. As an engaged couple, they must have been looking forward to their new lives together. Mary becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit was certainly not anything they could have planned or imagined, but this divine “interruption” in their lives was used by God for His marvelous purposes. Here are a few things we can learn from Joseph and Mary when God interrupts our lives in unexpected ways:
First, God’s interruptions demonstrate His providence and authority over everything. Notice in the Christmas narratives in the Gospels that God never asks Joseph and Mary if they would be willing to be the earthly parents of Jesus—He informs them. The interruptions that God allows in our lives are often not easy. For Joseph and Mary, the census, no room in the inn, the flight to Egypt—all of these were difficult hardships. If God asked our permission to interrupt our lives, we would probably say no. However, God doesn’t ask permission because He is Almighty God. He is working His sovereign plan in our lives even if it means hardship for us. The good news is that God is faithful to give His presence and provision in every interruption.
from his sleep after God told him in a dream to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife and immediately obeyed what God commanded. In the next verse, Matthew gives us the important detail that Joseph kept Mary a virgin until Jesus was born. This shows the full measure of Joseph’s obedience. When we experience God’s interruptions in our lives, our response should not be anger at God or bitterness at our circumstances, but full obedience to God and His Word as He works His plan in our lives.
Third, when we faithfully walk with God through interruptions, we will experience His blessing even in the midst of difficulty. Joseph and Mary had the blessing of watching Jesus “grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40). Also, can you imagine the blessing Mary must have experienced when she witnessed her son risen from the dead for the salvation of all who would believe? The interruption God sent to her life through the incarnation of Jesus would have farreaching impact beyond just herself.
“If you are experiencing one of God’s interruptions, embrace it with obedience and trust that God is working ultimately for your good and His purposes.”
If you are experiencing one of God’s interruptions, embrace it with obedience and trust that God is working ultimately for your good and His purposes. Through interruptions, God may take us down a path we never thought we would walk to bring Him glory in ways we never could have imagined. God is good! I hope you and your family have a most joyous Christmas!
Serving Jesus with You,
Second, when God interrupts our lives, our response should be to obey Him and embrace the interruption as part of God’s divine plan. In Matt. 1:24, Joseph arose
Todd Fisher Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director- Treasurer
Celebrating Birth
This month at Christmas time, Christians worldwide celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is the most joyous time of year and most joyous of occasions, as we worship “Immanuel, God with us” (Matt. 1:23)!
Next month, churches across this country will recognize birth in another way—through the annual Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.
In 1984—years after the Roe v. Wade decision had unleashed the life-taking toll of human abortion in America—President Ronald Reagan instituted Sanctity of Human Life Day. Around that time, pro-life Christians banded together to set apart one Sunday a year in which we would honor and recognize the sanctity of all human life—from womb to tomb.
In 2025, Sanctity of Human Life (SOHL) Sunday will be observed on Sun., Jan. 19. To help churches highlight the day, Oklahoma Baptists and Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children have teamed up to produce resources for pastors and churches. These resources help teach and reinforce a Biblical respect for life. When you go to oklahomabaptists.org/erlc/life, you will find life-affirming sermon outlines, prayer points, a Sunday School lesson for teens/students, powerful videos and more.
In the newest SOHL Sunday video, you will hear the story of Mandi Parkhurst (whose story is also featured in this edition of the magazine). Mandi’s personal testimony demonstrates God’s grace, amid a culture that is pushing women toward abortion.
Thanks to ministries like Hope Pregnancy Centers, Christians are promoting life and offering help and hope to women. Mandi’s story is also proof that the Lord offers forgiveness and freedom to women who have made the tragic choice of abortion.
As one minister pointed out, the devil is “pro-choice” when women are contemplating abortion. Then, after they choose abortion, he comes along and makes them live in guilt and condemnation. Meanwhile, Jesus came to bring us “life and life abundantly.”
While abortion is now unlawful in Oklahoma, the rise in access to chemical abortion has created a scenario in which abortion is happening in our state at an alarming rate. Christians, therefore, must redouble our efforts to pray, to contend for the unborn and to provide help to abortion vulnerable women.
This is literally a life and death issue. Will you take time this upcoming Sanctity of Human Life Sunday to respect life? Will you speak up for the most vulnerable among us, the unborn?
As you celebrate Christmas this year, take time to reflect that at the heart of our faith is the realization that an “unexpected pregnancy” (from a human point of view) brought salvation into the world. That Jesus came in the womb for sinners like us. Praise His Holy Name!
Brian Hobbs
Oklahoma Baptists Editor
January 19
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday oklahomabaptists.org/ erlc/life/
Rebecca Kiessling
January 23
KidMin Summit
Edmond, Waterloo Road oklahomabaptists.org/ event/oklahoma-baptistschildrens-ministryassociation-kidmin-summit/
February 5
Rose Day Indoor Pro-Life Rally Oklahoma State Capitol www.roseday.life
Ordination
EPISODE 56
Ordination can now be achieved by a 5-minute visit to a website. What should ordination be, and how do we get there? Todd and Andy share some insights about ordination.
oklahomabaptists.org/podcast
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Hear Oklahoma BCM leaders talk about the Gospel impact of BSU/BCM ministry through the years to today at baptistmessenger.com/podcast or find the Baptist Messenger
Podcast program on your preferred podcast platform.
It Happened At Starbucks
I have always had a fascination with foreign languages. That’s one of the reasons that I took Spanish in high school. By the way, Spanish with a Wewoka accent is basically another language to itself.
But I took Spanish in high school. I bet you are wondering how that went. Well, I learned to ask where the bathroom was. Even at that young age, knowing such stuff was pretty important. I learned to say “hello.” I learned to tell people what my name was. And I learned to ask someone what his or her name was. That doesn’t necessarily mean I could say their name, at least how they said it.
The only language other than English that I ever had much success with when I was growing up was Pig Latin. I suspect many of you are very much aware of Pig Latin. You may, indeed, be fluent in it. Ifa ouya owkna, ouya owkna. As I was typing that sentence in Pig Latin, I discovered Microsoft Word is way out of date. In fact, Word thought every word in that short sentence was misspelled.
I also suspect that a bunch of you have no knowledge of Pig Latin. For those of you who are curious about this Pig Latin, I don’t think Google Translator can help you out. As a result, I will choose to write the remainder of this in English.
I have told you all this as background. What I wanted to tell you happened a long time ago in a land not so far away… It happened at Starbucks.
Now Starbucks had been around for a while especially in our larger cities. But this story is about a Starbucks that was located in the hinterlands of Lawton. It was the very first Starbucks that I had ever been to.
I had taken Gayla “to town” to buy some important stuff. Important stuff always has “points” associated with it. I was suffering a bit in the points department. OK… maybe I was in the negative on points.
We had wheeled around town going into different places. I thought I was almost at the break-even point on points. So, I asked my darling bride if there was anything else she would like to do before we made our way back to Marlow.
She said she would like to go to Starbucks. She started giving me directions to get there and told me as we got closer, we could just go through the drive though. I pulled up to the outdoor menu and Gayla started rattling off a
bunch of words that I was most unfamiliar with. I stared at her for a moment wondering what language she was speaking. She hit me in the arm and told me to order her drink just the way she said it. I did my best. There were words like cappuccino and latte and grande and a shot of this and two shots of that. Ignorant me… I thought you got coffee at Starbucks. Little did I know that the reason people go to Starbucks is they don’t like coffee at all. So, they just put a bunch of other stuff in the cup to mask the coffee taste.
I was still staring at Gayla. She hit me again – same arm, same place. And she said, “just order what I told you.”
I tried. I really did try to say what she said the way she said it. I failed. The reason I know I failed is the young man who took my order had the audacity to correct me and tell me how I should have ordered Gayla’s coffee. After he finished his enunciation, I told him I thought that was right. He informed me that I should pull forward.
When I got to the window, there he stood with a coffee cup in his hand. He had the audacity to tell me that would be $5.42. I looked at Gayal again. She said, “Just give him the money.” That was a difficult thing to do. I was used to paying fifty cents for a cup of coffee at the convenience store in Marlow. The only thing you could put in that coffee was three different colors of sweetener. You could have bought 2.5 gallons of coffee there for $5.42.
But I have digressed. Gayla got her Starbucks for my $5.42. She asked me if wanted a drink. I declared that I did not. A grown man can only take so much especially when it comes to the coffee he drinks.
Here’s a couple of lessons. One, we are all either a Starbucks Coffee kind of person or a convenience store coffee kind of person. (I think Jesus was more of a convenience store kind of coffee drinker.) Make room for this in your life. Two, when you are trying to get some points with your wife, remember that some points just cost more than others. But you should never point that out. Third, if your wife is making a habit of slugging you on the arm, take it like a man and pour some Starbucks coffee on it.
Joe Ligon
Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director
Forgiven and Set Free
Since 1973, millions of men and women have believed the lies of abortion. “It’s not really a baby”; “it’s just a clump of cells”; or “I can just pretend like this never happened. Their lives bear the scars of a decision they can never take back. As many as one in every four women in the United States will have had an abortion by the age of 45. That statistic reportedly remains the same among the church, as well.
Thousands of men and women sit in church every Sunday believing God may offer forgiveness, but not for them, “not for this.”
That is why Hope Pregnancy Centers (HPC/Hope) offer a class for women and men who have experienced a past abortion. In addition to the ministry work Hope has done to save unborn lives for nearly 40 years, Hope offers “Forgiven and Set Free,” a Bible study that teaches men and women of God’s unending love and gracious forgiveness, through Jesus.
Mandi Parkhurst is one such woman who took the class and learned to walk boldly in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
“I first became involved in Hope Pregnancy Center back in 1999 as a client,” Mandi said. “What I did not tell the volunteers at Hope at the time was that it was my second pregnancy, and my first pregnancy had ended in abortion.”
by Jacob King & Hope Pregnancy Staff
Walking into Hope during her second pregnancy, Parkhurst did not know what she wanted, but she knew that she did not want to have another abortion. Hope’s staff explained adoption, talked about parenting and offered her non-judgmental support and encouragement.
“They were a safe place with no judgment,” said Parkhurst. “It wasn’t, ‘You need to have this baby, you need to do these things.’ It was, ‘We love you and we are concerned about you and the decision you are making because it’s going to impact your future, so how can we help you?’”
After having her abortion, Parkhurst felt devastated and completely broken. “Like all color had drained from the sky,” she said. “I had believed the lie that abortion would be like a ‘reset button’ in my life. It was anything but that.”
Ultimately, Mandi chose to be a parent. “I saw having this baby as an opportunity to right the biggest mistake of my life.” But having her daughter did not remove the guilt and pain of her abortion. It was during her pregnancy, when God stripped away everything she was leaning on, that Mandi gave her life to Christ and fully surrendered to God.
“God just orchestrated circumstances so perfectly that my only hope was in Him,” said Parkhurst. “It was the most gracious thing He could have ever done.”
Parkhurst went to parenting classes at Hope where she gained the confidence she needed to embrace life as a single mother. Mandi remained a single mom for four years before she met her future husband. They were married in 2004 and moved to Oklahoma City.
Mandi’s connection to Hope was re-established when she and her husband had the opportunity to give financially to a non-profit of their choice through her husband’s work. They knew instantly where they would give the donation.
“God just orchestrated circumstances so perfectly that my only hope was in Him,” said Parkhurst. “It was the most gracious thing He could have ever done.”
“We contacted Gayla White who was the director at the North center at the time and said, ‘Hey we’d like to bring this money by,’” said Parkhurst.
As always, God’s timing was perfect since at the time of the donation it was the 10-year anniversary of Parkhurst’s abortion. And for the first time, Parkhurst shared her story with someone outside of her family.
“It was the first time I had ever shared with somebody outside of my family what I had done and Gayla asked me, ‘Have you heard of our Forgiven and Set Free program?’ And I said, ‘No, what’s that?’” said Parkhurst.
Forgiven and Set Free is a class that goes through Scripture detailing who God is and what the Bible says about abortion. It unpacks the truth that although the sin of abortion is great, God’s grace is greater still. Parkhurst participated in the class as soon as she was able.
“At the end of the class, the countenance on the faces of the women were totally different,” said White. “They walked in carrying this backpack full of burdens, and they walked out free.”
After going through and completing the Forgiven and Set Free class, the hurt and pain that Parkhurst had been stuffing down was relieved.
“For the first time, I really understood that God’s grace not only covered my sin, but it also enables me to share freely,” said Parkhurst. “I love in Revelation where it says ‘And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…’ (Rev. 12:11). He calls us to share what He’s done in our lives because with that comfort we can comfort others.”
Parkhurst knew God had called her to share this offer of forgiveness with others who were hurting from their past abortion decision. She began volunteering with Hope and became a Forgiven and Set Free facilitator where she helped lead others to God’s mercy.
“To know that there is a place these women can go and be led to where that healing is found, which is at the foot of the Cross, it’s very important,” said Parkhurst.
In 2023, Parkhurst came full circle in her journey with Hope when she accepted a full-time staff position as Director of Hope Pregnancy Center in Edmond. In this role, Mandi works to give women the same support she was given all those years ago.
Mandi Parkhurst was forgiven and set free in Jesus. Today she is helping other women find that same forgiveness in Jesus.
For more information about the Forgiven and Set Free Class and Hope Pregnancy Centers, visit thinkimpregnant.org.
Hope Pregnancy Centers is a ministry of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.
“To know that there is a place these women can go and be led to where that healing is found, which is at the foot of the Cross, it’s very important.”
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 Miracles, e.g.
6 Declare
10 Outlaw
13 “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not __ sin” (Rom. 4:8)
15 Key __ pie 16 Chemical suffix 17 Treasurer
18 Jesus, __ of Bethlehem
19 Elizabeth bore a son in her old __
20 Jesus saves His people from their __
22 Jesus, God’s __ Son 24 Shape
WORDSEARCH
26 John the Baptizer’s “meat was locusts and __ honey” (Matt. 3:4)
28 Vale
29 “The tongue can no man __” (James 3:8)
30 “__ unto me...I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)
31 “Last error shall be __ than the first” (Matt. 27:64)
32 Spanish Mrs. (Abbr.)
33 Over 50 group (Abbr.)
34 Mary brought forth __ first born Son
35 Egypt tourist destination
37 Main mast
41 “I will not with ink and __ write unto thee” (3 John 1:13)
42 Jesus washed His disciples’
43 Undergarment
44 Not one mile, but “go with him __” (Matt. 5:41)
47 New Testament book
48 “When ye see the south wind __” (Luke 12:55)
49 Sins
50 Former Russian ruler
51 Small bird
52 Archangel name
54 Paul’s missionary destination
month, often (Abbr.)
Pull in a fish
Dam-building animal 11 Attendants at Jesus’ birth 12 Can a camel go through its eye?
14 Gray sea eagle
21 Peter’s weapon at Jesus’ arrest
23 Smells
24 Jesus’ mom
25 Delaware town
27 Rascal
29 Recipe measure (Abbr.)
30 Eve’s son
31 Jesus did this at Lazarus’s tomb
33 Last word in prayer
Garden tools
Imitative
Neon fish
38 “Are ye __ to drink of the cup?” (Matt. 20:22) 39 Press
40 “Which is the great commandment in the __?” (Matt. 22:36)
56 School group (Abbr.)
57 “They __ nigh unto Jerusalem” (Matt. 21:1)
59 Like Herod’s palace, e.g.
63 “Then was Jesus __ up of the Spirit” (Matt. 4:1)
64 “News about him spread throughout the surrounding __” (Luke 4:37 niv)
65 Bee’s interest
66 “Come down __ my child die” (John 4:49)
67 Bible appendix, often
68 Queen of __, Solomon’s visitor
42 Gov. lending agency (Abbr.)
44 Jesus’ place of worship
45 Matthew or Luke, e.g.
46 44 Down had one
47 Jesus’ disciples in Garden of Gethsemane
48 He is the vine, you are the __
50 __ cotta
51 Electrical connections
53 Eden male
55 Jesus, God’s __
58 Mary __ espoused to Joseph
60 What they did at the Last Supper
61 Check
62 New Testament __
Note: The word clues are chosen by Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding
WORDS ADOPTION BABY BROKEN DECISION ENCOURAGEMENT FORGIVEN FREE FUTURE HEALING HOPE HURTING IMPACT JESUS
JUDGEMENT PARENTING PARKHURST PREGNANCY SCARS
SCRIPTURE STATISTIC TESTIMONY
TRUTH UNPACK WOMEN
Church NEWS
50 YEARS OF SERVICE: NORMAN BEHYMER
Executive pastor of worship arts and ministry strategy at Bethany, Council Road, was recently recognized for 50 consecutive years of service at the church. On Sunday, Nov. 17, two worship services celebrated his service, including a forthcoming honorary doctorate presentation by Oklahoma Baptist University President Heath Thomas.
50 YEARS OF SERVICE: MIKE MITCHELL
On Nov. 3, Davenport, First celebrated Pastor Mike Mitchell’s 50 years of service as senior pastor. Numerous guests showed up to celebrate Mitchell’s service and congratulate him. Mitchell gave his life to Christ at the age of nine and in 1969, at the age of 16, he committed his life to ministry while attending Falls Creek. Five years later, Mitchell preached his first sermon at the original Davenport, First location.
DIRECTOR OF BAPTIST COLLEGIATE MINISTRY RETIREMENT PARTY
A celebration for Cris Lowery’s retirement took place at the Baptist Building on Nov. 20. Lowery has given 25 years of excellent service to Oklahoma Baptists in youth and BCM ministries. Lowery has impacted countless lives for Christ through his faithfulness to the Lord and his Word, integrity, hard work and vision.
OBU’S GREEN AND GOLD GALA
April 1, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
In the Recreation and Wellness Center on the OBU campus, featuring John C. Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned speaker. Individual tickets, $150, including dinner. Of that, $75 will go to the university’s Shape the Future Campaign. Sponsorship and corporate tables are available. For additional information, visit okbu.edu/gala.
TRIBUTES
Sue Ellen Albright Ferguson died on Sept. 21. She served as Youth Director and Minister to Women at Bethany, Council Road. Known as The Glad Hatter, she collected men’s and women’s fashion hats and became inspired to write historical fashion programs for ladies’ church and civic clubs using her hats from different decades, always ending with an inspirational message. She also started the Celebrate Recovery program at Council Rd.
Ben Morlan, 19, died on Oct. 25 following a motorcycle accident. He was the son of Lori and Tim Morlan, pastor of Oklahoma City, Classen Blvd.
Linda Miller died Nov. 15. She was the Oklahoma Baptists’ mailroom supervisor, and mother of Kdie Nix, Oklahoma Baptists’ ministry assistant.
Glenda Sebastian died recently. She was the wife of Don Sebastian, longtime pastor at several churches in Oklahoma.
Teressa Karch died Nov. 20. She was the wife of Charles Karch, pastor of Arkoma, First.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING: OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS ‘INVESTED’ IN GOSPEL ADVANCE
By Staff
MOORE—On Nov. 11-12, 885 Oklahoma Baptist registered messengers, plus guests, from 400 churches, attended the 118th Annual Meeting of Oklahoma Baptists, hosted at Moore, First.
The two-day event included times for key business, worship through song, preaching, prayer, ministry exhibits, special meal fellowship events, times to honor Oklahoma Baptist missionaries and more.
2024 ANNUAL MEETING INSPIRES ATTENDEES
On Mon., Nov. 11, the 118th meeting of Oklahoma Baptists began with a time of worship led by the renowned singing group, Native Praise Choir, which is celebrating its 25th year of ministry and has performed around the world.
During his annual Oklahoma Baptists’ ExecutiveDirector Treasurer Todd Fisher shared key ministry updates for Oklahoma Baptists strategic ministry priorities serving pastors and churches. Fisher also unveiled plans to add one more regional ministry partner in 2025, a sixth ministry partner.
He also shared an update on the move of WatersEdge, Oklahoma Baptists, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children and Baptist Village Communities to the newly acquired Sonic Building in Bricktown.
Fisher then shared a powerful and emotional testimony of how God saved his life during a serious automobile accident last July and how the prayers of others have carried him on his journey to recovery.
He detailed how, in providential timing, two men came along and provided life-saving care for him immediately following the crash until medics could be on the scene.
Fisher encouraged those in attendance who are going through any kind of struggle with what the Lord has taught him throughout the crash and recovery process.
“God sees you. God fights for you. And He is always ultimately at work for our good even when we may not realize or understand it,” Fisher said.
To conclude the Monday evening session, pastor and Indian Falls Creek Executive Director Victor
Cope closed in prayer for Fisher and for the work of reaching the state, including Native Peoples, with the Gospel.
The following morning, Tue. Nov. 12, The Singing ChurchWomen of Oklahoma led the worship session to begin the second day of the Annual Meeting.
WatersEdge CEO Robert Kellogg then delivered a ministry report, emphasizing the Kingdom impact of WatersEdge and speaking about the move to its new office ministry headquarters.
Bill Pierce, President of Baptist Village Communities (BVC) shared how the ministry is revitalizing senior adult ministry and thriving at its ministry locations.
During the morning business session, Michael Butler was elected to a second one-year term as president. Butler shared the president’s address and connected his message to the theme of “Invested.”
In the afternoon, OBU President Heath Thomas shared a ministry report which included the Gospel impact of OBU and about the “Shape the Future” campaign that aims to propel the mission of OBU.
James Swain, president of Oklahoma Baptists Homes for Children, spoke about OBHC’s foster care ministry, Hope Pregnancy Centers, residential campus ministries and more.
BCM State Director Cris Lowery then led a time of recognition for BCM’s 100th anniversary and how the Gospel has impacted 39 campuses across the state.
Brent Prentice, lead pastor of Stillwater, Eagle Heights, delivered the annual sermon on Tuesday afternoon. He preached from Psalm 43, sharing about finding encouragement in the Lord when facing discouragement.
Messengers at the Annual Meeting also elected Owen Nease, pastor of Oklahoma City, Emmaus, as 1st Vice President; and Randy Hurt, director of missions for Atoka-Coal Association, as 2nd Vice President. Jacob Bice concluded the Annual Meeting with a closing prayer.
In other business, members of various committees were approved, as was the Cooperative Program (CP) giving objective for 2025 of $24.5 million, as messengers looked forward to celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the CP next year.
Fisher expressed thanks to all who attended the Annual Meeting. He said, “What an amazing Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting we had! Incredible attendance and so thankful for the unity, love for one another, and focus on advancing the Gospel our churches and pastors have. What a joy to be part of these dear people and serve them. Grateful!”
The 2025 Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting is set for Nov. 10-11 and will be hosted by Oklahoma City, Southern Hills.
2024 PASTORS’ CONFERENCE
Leading into the 2024 Annual Meeting, the Oklahoma Baptists Pastors’ Conference (OKBPC) provided a time of fellowship, worship and encouragement to Oklahoma Pastors.
The theme of this year’s Pastors’ Conference was “Well Done,” based on the words of Jesus from Matt. 25:23: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Speakers included pastors Keith Wigington, Mark Clifton, Michael Gabbert, Jared C. Wilson and Rob Lindley, who each offered insight from personal experiences and the Scriptures.
As a new feature to this year, 2024 Pastors’ Conference President Luke Holmes, who serves at Duncan, Immanuel, presented the inaugural J.B. Rounds Bi-Vocational Pastor of the Year Award. This award went to David Boggs of Butcher Pen Baptist Mission. Holmes hopes the award continues in future years.
During the event, officer elections for future Pastors’ Conference took place. The 2025 Pastors’ Conference will be led by Jeremy Freeman, President; Jeff DeGiacomo, first vice president and Jase Hargrove, second vice president.
Fisher closed the event in prayer. For more on the Oklahoma Baptist Annual Meeting visit oklahomabaptists.org.
PASTOR In Focus
What are some ways the Lord is blessing right now?
BRAD HILL Monroe, First Senior Pastor
How did God call you to ministry?
I surrendered to God’s call to ministry when I was 17 at Kiamichi Baptist Assembly in Talihina.
Can you talk about your church and how long you’ve served?
God has brought me full circle. I pastor Monroe, First, and it is the church I attended when I surrendered to the ministry. There are about six people there that were in attendance when I preached my first sermon 45 years ago. Two of those six people are my parents. I feel blessed to have been my parents’ pastor for the last three and a half years. God has continued to bring some of the most loving and giving people into the church at Monroe.
We continue with the Lord’s help to enlarge our ministry footprint in our community. The church started a recovery ministry this year to help those struggling with addictions. Our children’s ministry continues to grow and breathe new life into an older congregation.
What has kept you going in ministry, kept you persevering in the Lord?
This is a question that really made me think. I have never had to look for a place to serve. God has always opened the door. There have been times that it has been difficult, but the Lord has always been faithful to me and my family.
You have other family serving in ministry. Can you talk about that dynamic?
My younger brother Bentley is the Director of Missions in our Association. We have always been close, which helps as we work together in the Association. I think I know his heart which is to encourage the churches to work together for the glory of God, and the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.
Why is it important for Southern Baptists to cooperative in missions and missions giving?
It is important that we cooperate in missions and giving to missions. We can do so much more when we work together. Being involved in a smaller church we would not be able to have as large an impact by ourselves, as we can when we work together with other churches through the Cooperative Program.
Brad Hill, left, pictured with his family.
Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!
MISSIONARYPrayer Guide
Who & Where Why
Pray for Miles Harris as he serves as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at Northwestern State University. He currently ministers to young adults and faculty at the college. He serves in a beautiful small town where the need for the Gospel is immense. He delights in seeing this generation get it. Miles says, “To see all of these young people go and make disciples is the best reward one could ask for.”
Statistics show that in Oklahoma, 12% of adults function below the basic literacy level. Through literacy missions, English-speaking, low-level adult readers can improve their reading and writing skills and children can be tutored in the academic skills needed for school success. Literacy missions makes an impact in the lives of others by meeting the very practical need of improving literacy skills all while sharing the lifechanging truth and love of Jesus Christ.
Paul Lewis serves as the director of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at Oklahoma State University (OSU). He finds abolute joy in helping students grow in their faith and in reaching the OSU campus with the Gospel, which is his alma mater. He spends his time discipling students and training leaders to get the Gospel to every corner of the campus. He teaches students to love and obey the Lord and what He teaches in the Bible.
Peter and Wendy Dockett have served in South Asia since 2014. They assist and support project directors throughout South Asia who are using humanitarian or disaster relief projects to accomplish ministry work. Because Islam has such a stronghold in South Asia, one doesn’t hear stories of conversion very often. Peter says, “When these new believers are persecuted and walk through trials, hearing them trust in the Lord and praising Him is very rewarding.”
How to Pray
Pray God would send more laborers.
Pray God would continue to move the hearts of students and faculty to submit to Him.
Pray God would sustain the ministry and those involved in it.
Pray more churches would participate in literacy missions.
Pray the teachers of literacy missions would be in close relationship to God.
Pray students would be receptive to the truth of God’s Word and be excited to read it.
Please pray that God would continue to draw college students to himself and keep using the BCM to help students come to know Jesus and grow in their faith.
Pray God would raise up student leaders to reach as many of the 25,000 students as possible.
Pray God would help the staff team grow to meet the needs of the students who are part of the OSU BCM.
Pray more laborers will join the Docketts in South Asia, which holds the greatest concentration of lostness in the world.
Pray persecuted believers will stand strong in their faith.
Pray for the Dockett family as they transition to a family of five.
Miles Harris
Paul Lewis
Literacy Missions
Peter & Wendy Dockett
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Mission Event for Kids Grades 1-6
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Explaining the Lottie Moon
Christmas
By Amy Whitfield
Offering to Kids
The first time I heard the name Lottie Moon I was sitting at the Sunday dinner table talking with my aunt, who worked at Lifeway. One of her jobs was to produce and distribute envelopes for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, a yearly opportunity for churches to give to missionaries. At the time I had never heard of an offering named after a person, but this conversation stayed with me.
Years later, as I sat in the pew of New Hope Baptist Church in Greenville, Ind., the time came for me to participate in the offering for the first time. I watched for weeks as the entire church, including the children, came together to send resources to the mission field. Over time, I learned the story of this incredible woman whose name was on those envelopes. Knowing her passion for the people opened my eyes to the role I could play in getting the Gospel to the nations.
THE LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING
It is important to know the stories of those who have gone before us. Moon was a regular girl, just like me, who one day was changed by the Gospel. Everything she did was about sharing the Good News. We have the same gift of salvation that she did and can live a life on mission just like she did. For children, participating in the offering she started might be the first step they take on that mission.
Moon’s dream for the Christmas offering was to provide a way for the churches back home to directly impact the work of missionaries on the field. She had a great idea, and over a century later it has raised more than $5 billion. She wrote in one of her letters: “The needs of this people press upon my soul, and I cannot be silent.” The power of her words moved the people in the pews, and they can still make a difference today.
DISCIPLING CHILDREN’S HEARTS FOR MISSIONS
Teaching children about history takes as much deliberateness as teaching them the value of a dollar and the difference it can make when it is given for the Kingdom. In a day of YouTube stars, the story of a young woman in the 19th Century can easily be forgotten. In a day that is increasingly marked by an absence of physical cash and change, there are fewer opportunities for children to have the tangible experience of giving. Envelopes allowed children to touch and see generosity in a way that can’t be easily found in a QR code. We can use this offering to teach children about the past, present, and future.
THE PAST
Teaching children about the past points them to those who have gone on before us. Learning the stories of missionaries like Moon shows them what it means to follow God’s call. Moon gave of herself to share the Good News of Jesus around the world. She used the power of words to share the mission with the people back home. She used the power of an idea to make an investment that would last for generations upon generations.
THE PRESENT
Teaching children about the present shines a light on the people who are serving today, just like Moon. It also tells them about the reality of the vast mission field that exists around the world. With today’s technology, we can see in an instant the work we support. What used to take weeks to learn by letter can now be seen in real time over Zoom. Short-term trips or visits from missionaries on furlough allow families to make personal connections. When it’s time to talk about the Christmas offering, the tangible view comes from being able to know about who they are supporting.
THE FUTURE
Teaching children about the future shows them the Kingdom that is to come. We don’t give our resources for the comforts of this world. Rather, we give to support the work that spreads the Good News that Jesus has overcome the world. We see the vision in Revelation 21, the new heaven and new earth at the finish line of the Great Commission. When we talk about unreached people groups and those who have gone to share the Gospel, we are thinking of those we long to see in eternity.
Even in her day, Moon harnessed the power of words to inspire. And we can do the same. We can tell her story. And we can tell the grand story that she is a part of along with us. The envelopes my aunt told me about at the dinner table started with one woman’s idea and her ability to inspire others to come together.
This article was originally published at Lifeway.com and reprinted with permission research.lifeway.com/2023/12/07/ explaining-the-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-to-kids/
