Church News

Bob Banks, 91, died Jan. 19 in Alpharetta, Ga. He served as Brotherhood director for Oklahoma Baptists from 1968-1981. Overall, he served in ministry for 41 years, retiring in 1995 with the Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board).

Henry Chennault

Henry Chennault, 84, died Jan. 17 in Aiken, S.C. He served with Oklahoma Baptists first with Brotherhood office from 1967-1972 and with Planning and Promotion from 1987-2003. He served as pastor of several Oklahoma Baptist churches.

Ed McFall

Ed McFall, 89, died Oct. 27, 2022 in Joplin, Mo. He served 64 years in ministry, pastoring several churches and retiring as pastor of Quapaw, Spring River Indian.

Everardo Borunda Hispanic Ministry Partner Oklahoma Baptists

During the decades of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Oklahoma experienced what could arguably be called the most fruitful period in the history of Hispanic work in the state. Thanks to the work of state missionaries like Victor Orta, Daniel Caceres, Ramon Aleman and Angel Murillo, Oklahoma Baptists started many Spanish speaking churches all throughout the state. It was a very exciting time of sowing and reaping.

Oklahoma’s Hispanic population has grown tenfold since the 1980s. Approximately half a million Latinos now live in the state, and the harvest is ready to be gathered. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of servants who are willing to sacrifice and go out to new communities to plant the churches we so desperately need.

Oklahoma Baptist University, in partnership with Oklahoma Baptist Hispanic Ministries, is working to help alleviate this need of new planters, pastors and church leaders. A new scholarship fund for Hispanic students has been established to help young men and women who are called to ministry. Will you join us in praying for more workers to be sent out into the harvest field? And will you consider donating to the Rev. Angel and Nila Murillo Scholarship Fund? You can go to okbu.edu/giving/make-agift.html for more information and to donate.