2023/February

MESSENGER STAFF

>> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com

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The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published 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: 39,158. 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.

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4 | Sword & Trowel: Pivotal moments by Brian Hobbs

5 |

by Brian Hobbs

by Walker Moore

Connect: Imitating Christ

I had a most unusual conversation with someone who said they doubted we should trust anything the Apostle Paul wrote because of the “arrogance” he exhibits in 1 Cor. 4:16 and 11:1 when he tells the Corinthians they should imitate himself.

I explained that context is a critical part of understanding a biblical passage. For example, shortly before his statement in 4:16 he notes that “no one should boast in men” (3:21), and in 10:31, the verse immediately preceding 11:1, Paul says he is “not seeking my own advantage.”

Additionally, the context of the Corinthian letters reveals that the members of the church had attached themselves to false teachers, thus warranting Paul’s command to imitate him, who was teaching/following the truth and was himself imitating Christ, rather than imitating false teachers. Of course, Paul’s desire was for the Corinthians to be like Christ above all.

Not long after that conversation came Christmas Day, and Jamy gave me an incredible gift—the Lego version of the 1969 Camaro. I’ve always loved the look of this car from the year of my birth. I had fun putting it together and, while doing so, I kept thinking of the conversation I had with the person about imitating Christ. It dawned on me this Lego Camaro was an illustration of that imitation.

First, the advanced Lego set had incredible, tiny details. The engine, the dashboard, the classic car mag in the back seat, even dice hanging from the rear-view mirror! If we’re going to imitate Christ, we must be holy and obedient in the little things. Many times we think those things do not matter, but they do. Failure to be faithful in the “little” things will lead to failure in the “big” things.

Second, many of the details were actually hidden from view. In building the car, there would be tiny, colorful pieces put together only to be completely hidden by a larger piece that covered them all. Imitating Christ means being holy and obedient in the hidden things. What I do when no one else is looking or no one else would know still needs to conform to the image of Christ.

Third, after building the car, I realized sometime later it was missing a piece on the hood. Imitating Christ means being mindful of the missing things. We usually equate following Jesus with sins of commission, but it also includes sins of omission. We must remove sinful things that are present in our lives, but also begin those things that are absent.

Fourth, imitating Christ includes relational things. The Corinthian church members had deeply connected themselves to others who were leading them astray. Yes, Christians should spend time with those who do not know Christ to reach them for Christ, but we must be careful about the people and things that influence us. If we are to imitate Christ, our relationship with Him must be healthy and vibrant. In addition, relationships with others who encourage and edify us in our walk with Christ help us to imitate Him.

May Paul’s command to the Ephesians be our aim— “Be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Eph. 5:1).

Todd Fisher Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer

Sword & Trowel Pivotal moments

It has been said that history is made by great individuals and great moments. When Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully flew for the first time, history was made. When the Germans elected Adolf Hitler as Chancellor 90 years ago exactly—in 1933—history was tragically changed for the worse. Behind each of these pivotal moments were smaller, less notable moments that led up to them.

Scripture shows the Lord works through individuals at key moments—big and small—to accomplish His will and purposes. What may seem like insignificant moments turn into God’s unfolding story of redemption.

Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers; God uses this moment to save Egypt and surrounding peoples and later to give us Moses and the Ten Commandments.

Ruth walks into a field to harvest grain. Through her walk, God sets up an important marriage which will lead to King David and ultimately Christ.

Jesus calls a group of simple men to follow Him, and the Gospel is later spread around the world.

It can be easy for us underestimate small moments in life, believing that our daily lives don’t matter. Scripture shows that every person (Gen. 1:26) and every moment matters (Eph. 5:16). As the Body of Christ, each of us has

a role to play (Eph. 4). All Christians must learn how to be found faithful and focused in the here and now.

In “The Screwtape Letters,” C.S. Lewis depicts two demons planning to bring down a Christian man. From a demon named Screwtape, we hear the following about God (whom Screwtape calls the ‘Enemy’).

“The humans live in time, but our Enemy destines them to eternity. He therefore, I believe, wants them to attend chiefly to two things, to eternity itself, and to that point of time which they call the Present… It is far better to make them live in the Future… so that thought about the Future inflames hope and fear.”

Many are paralyzed by thoughts about our past or the future. As we continue into 2023, I would encourage each of us to be daily faithful to the Lord, for we don’t know what is ahead. Let’s read our Bibles, pray, share the Gospel, be active in our communities, show up to church every Sunday, love our neighbors and more.

God has given you today, and today can become a pivotal part of your life’s story—and the Lord’s unfolding story as well.

Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger

Upcoming Events

FEB 27

FEB 24-26

MVP Pastors and Wives Retreat 2023

Falls Creek Conference Center

Priority of Preaching Conference at Edmond, Henderson Hills

MAR 5 - MAR 12

Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer

MAR 9

APR 21-22

Women’s Retreat

April 21 6 p.m. -

April 22 3 p.m.

Falls Creek Conference Center

APR 28-29

Men’s Retreat

April 28 5 p.m. -

April 29 12 p.m.

Falls Creek Conference Center

Oklahoma Hymn Sing at Del City, First Southern

MAR 26

Singing and Praising at OKC, Southern Hills

APR 14

Falls Creek Spring Retreat at Falls Creek Conference Center

FEATURED RESOURCES:

FEEDING

Working With the Minister of Music to Create Powerful Worship

Worship is a vital part of any effective ministry. The relationship...

oklahomabaptists.com/category/feeding-and-leading/

LEADING

Moving to a New Ministry: Leaving and Arriving Well

Moving from one ministry assignment to another is an extremely important time...

oklahomabaptists.com/category/feeding-and-leading/

SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO

Rite of Passage Don’t say ‘dead’

Two-thirds of the Yada Hoodies are in school, leaving 3-year-old River the Peacemaker the only one left to hang out with Poppy.

River is a talker, an excessive talker. Poor kid, he can’t help it; he has a hereditary problem. In Mark 5, when Jesus cast out a legion of demons out of a man, He told the man to go tell everyone what happened. The Bible says the man went to 10 cities and kept talking about “what great things God had done for him” (Mark 5:20, KJV). This has been about as far back as we have been able to trace our excessive talking gene.

The poor kid also got saddled with the middle name of Walker, and in school, he will probably be known as “Walker the Talker.” If someone in your family has the excessive talking gene, I can almost guarantee that we are related.

I went to pick River up one day, and as soon as I pulled in, he ran out the front door, already wagging his tongue and waving his hands. As I buckled him in his seat, he announced, “We can’t say the word ‘dead.’ It’s a bad word.” He’s told me the other bad words he can’t say, and the list is long, but this one confused me.

We keep a children’s CD in our car, and he loves to sing along with it. One of his favorite songs is “Little Cabin in the Wood.” That day, River and I were singing loudly,

“Little cabin in the wood/ Little man by the window stood

“Saw a rabbit hopping by/ Knocking at the door.

“‘Help me, help me, help me,’ he said/ ‘Or the hunter will shoot me dead.’”

Right away, I had a 3-year-old scolding me, telling me I had “a bad song in my car.”

“We can’t say the word ‘dead,’” he reminded me. And since he is River the Talker, he started telling others that Poppy listens to songs with bad words.

But even Jesus said the word “dead” was bad: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (John 11:11b). He wanted the people to know that He had the power to bring Lazarus’ body back to life.

He went on to explain, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25,26).

Yes, my friend, we can never say a believer dies. Death means the end, but with Jesus, it’s just the beginning.

I did find out why “dead” was a bad word in River’s family. Whenever his parents called him to do something, he would lie motionless on the floor. They called him repeatedly, and he wouldn’t move a muscle. When they asked what he was doing, he told them he was “dead.”

River, find Jesus, and you will never die.

Walker Moore

Author & Messenger Columnist Email | walker@back40.org

NEWL

Y ANNOUNCE D DISASTE R RELIEF DIREC TOR, ASSOCI ATE DIREC TOR EAC H FEE L CAL L TO M INISTR Y

The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of one of Oklahoma Baptists’ most wellknown, widely respected ministries.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR), founded in 1973, has a storied history of serving in some of the most devastating crises in the state and nation.

As the 50th anniversary year of ministry begins, two new leaders have stepped into leading roles with Oklahoma Baptist DR, with hopes to build upon the strong legacy and foundation of ministry founder Laddie Adams, longtime director Sam Porter and others who established and built the ministry.

Jason Yarbrough accepted the role of Oklahoma Baptist DR director, and he will give leadership to the DR ministry, succeeding interim state director Sam Porter.

Meanwhile, Ryan Deatherage has accepted the role of part-time DR associate director for the ministry, with a focus on readiness and deployments. Both of these men have been uniquely prepared by the Lord for their respective roles.

Yarbrough has pastored in churches in Oklahoma and Texas and is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University. He most recently served as pastor of Glenpool, First, where he served for more than 11 years.

JASON YARBROUGH STATE DIRECTOR OF DISASTER RELIEF OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

He has served in a DR volunteer capacity for several years and vividly recalls serving in the wake of fires in Mannford in the summer of 2012.

“In that (Mannford) response, I was part of the feeding responses,” Yarbrough noted. “In that capacity, you don’t always get to connect with victims or those directly affected.

“But the Lord gave me an opportunity to be on site and see the devastation—to see how these homes were reduced to pile of ashes on a slab. When I saw our DR volunteers out there helping these homeowners for free, all to share the Gospel, that is so impactful.”

Yarbrough feels called to his new role and said he appreciates the fellowship built among the DR team members. “When these volunteers from across Oklahoma come together, working side by side, these are powerful moments of ministry.”

It has been estimated that Oklahoma Baptist DR has more than 5,000 trained volunteers, and it is considered to be one of the largest DR ministries across the Southern Baptist Convention.

Oklahoma Baptist DR has served in nearly every kind of disaster—from hurricanes to tornadoes to floods to fires—from the OKC Murrah Building Bombing to 9/11 to other tragedies—the DR volunteers in yellow have been bringing help and hope amid disaster for 50 years.

Yarbrough hopes the Lord will continue to bring forward Oklahoma Baptists willing to be trained to serve in DR and people to support the ministry with prayer and financial support.

“When people give their volunteer time and their dollars, it goes far to advance the Gospel in a crisis situation,” Yarbrough said.

Deatherage is a member of Kingfisher, First and has volunteered with Oklahoma Baptist DR for more than five years.

One of his first deployments came in the aftermath of the Vici fires. Deatherage, who has operated a large landscaping business with contacts in multiple states, has direct experience in heavy equipment and overseeing large numbers of workers.

“When people lose their house, they believe they lost who they are as a family,” he said. “A disaster has a major impact on people. When crisis comes, to

“When these volunteers from across Oklahoma come together, working side by side, these are powerful moments of ministry.”

be able to serve them and listen to them and pray with them, that makes a huge impact.”

Deatherage says the big “payoff” moment for DR is when the Gospel is shared.

“We do not accept financial payment when we help homeowners,” said Deatherage, who played a leading role in the recent deployment of Hurricane Ian relief in Daytona, Fla.

“We serve for the opportunity to share about Jesus,” he said.

It’s been said that the Lord is always preparing people now for how they will serve in the future. In the case of Yarbrough and Deatherage, the Lord has been preparing these men to serve and lead a ministry that impacted countless Oklahomans and others for 50 years.

With God’s help, this next phase of DR ministry will continue to make a difference for Christ, offering hope in the face of heartbreaking disasters.

Oklahoma Baptists can learn more about opportunities to serve with DR at the okdisasterhelp.org; for more information on volunteer training, email Pat Jones at pjones@oklahomabaptists.org.

March 28, 2023

7 p.m.

Oklahoma City, OK

okbu.edu/gala

Don’t miss the fourth annual

okbu.edu/genwhy

Youth Apologetics Conference

March 4, 2023

OBU Campus

2023 THEME: “Creation”

Students, youth groups and others are invited. The conference is a one-day event, featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions and worship, designed to equip students to know their faith more deeply and to be prepared to effectively defend the faith.

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

PURCHASE TICKETS

TIM TEBOW Best-Selling Author, Speaker Football Analyst, Executive Producer

The Word did everything

Martin Luther hammered his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germa ny. Luther’s disputes were primarily two-fold: Scriptura (Scripture Alone), the belief that the Bible alone is our authority for truth, and Alone), the belief that personal regeneration is by faith alone in Christ alone as opposed to good works.

Unbeknownst to Luther at the time, he and many other faithful believers began the Protestant Reformation. Years afterward, as the Word of God spread like wildfire, Luther was asked, “What did you do to cause the Protestant Reformation?”

Luther humbly replied, “I simply taught, preached, wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept…the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.”

Now, some 500 years later, we must ask, “Is this still true? Is the Bible really enough? Or do we need something more?”

Throughout church history, theologians have highlighted four essential characteristics of Scripture. Author and theologian Wayne Grudem uses the acronym, SCAN, to describe these:

Sufficiency of Scripture: The Scriptures contain everything we need for the knowledge of salvation and godly living. Thus, God’s Word is enough.

Clarity of Scripture: The Scriptures contain a clear, saving message of Jesus Christ that can be easily understood by everyone who has eyes to see. Thus, God’s Word is understandable.

Authority of Scripture: The Scriptures are authoritative, and we stand under the Word of God as our final authority. Thus, God’s Word is final.

Necessity of Scripture: The Scriptures are perfect and complete, giving us all we need to know about Christ, salvation, and godliness. Thus, God’s Word is needed and necessary.

After all, pastors faithfully preach the Word every week, and if we’re honest, months (and even years!) can pass without seeing the results we so desperately seek.

We are constantly bombarded with letters, magazines and emails describing the latest church-growth strategy, but almost always noticeably absent from these resources is the primacy of preaching God’s Word. Strangely enough, church leaders get caught up in the power of entertainment, the power of good organizational principles, the power of rhetoric and humor, and so much more.

But does any power in the universe match God’s power to breathe out words or to dismiss death simply with words? “Let there be light!” and “Lazarus, come forth!”? No; there’s nothing like it. And yet, this same power is available to the preacher through God’s Word. Relying on anything else indicates a dramatic failure to recognize God’s Word is sufficient. God’s Word is enough.

Martin Luther certainly understood the Sufficiency of Scripture, as noted in his famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress”:

“Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever!”

Justin Sampler

Senior pastor of Inola, First

ACROSS

1 Son of promise

6 “They have laid Jerusalem on ___” (Ps. 79:1)

28 “Asked what these things ___” (Luke 15:26)

11 Compass point

14 Opp. of macro

32 Adam lost this to Eve

15 Aggressive

33 Rehoboam’s father ___ Ecclesiastes

16 End of an ___

17 Clean feathers

Ecclesiastes Sarah Lagerquist

20 Disease ghting group

22 “Yet the ___ is not full” (Eccl. 1:7)

30 “Wise man’s eyes are in ___ head” (Eccl. 2:14)

Simmons

with darkness” (Eccl. 6:4)

44 Time zone

45 Expression

46 “Thou shalt nd it ___ many days” (Eccl. 11:1)

47 Telegraphic signal

48 Endowing

50 Proverbs 31 discusses ___ virtues

54 Satan is ___

55 Miriam sang an ___ (Ex. 15:21)

56 Joseph’s coat was many ___ garment

57 “As a ___ from the hand of the hunter” (Prov. 6:5)

59 Drug

61 “Which groweth of ___ own accord” (Lev. 25:5)

62 Poorly

64 Adds avoring

68 Discs

69 Eglon was ___ (Judg. 3:17)

70 Bye

71 Heavy freight barge

7 Aegis (var.)

8 “So did their witness ___” (Mark 14:59)

9 “I the ___ was king over Israel” (Eccl. 1:12)

10 “When thy king is the ___ of nobles” (Eccl. 10:17)

11 Forms ower calyx

12 Well done

13 “I have ___ my honeycomb” (Song 5:1)

21 Hindu title of respect

23 Pearl of great price

24 Stu

25 Squashed circles

26 Resign

28 “Asked what these things ___” (Luke 15:26)

30 “Wise man’s eyes are in ___ head” (Eccl. 2:14)

32 Adam lost this to Eve

33 Rehoboam’s father ___

Ecclesiastes

37 “Fill his skin with barbed ___” (Job 41:7)

49 “___ things are full of labour” (Eccl. 1:8)

50 “Seeing that ___ now is” (Eccl. 2:16)

51 David did ___ Saul (1 Sam. 18:7)

52 Littered

53 Warble

58 “Who ___ can hasten hereunto” (Eccl. 2:25)

60 Nineteenth century art philosophy

62 “Men shall ___ themselves” (Eccl. 12:3)

63 “___, of the Gentiles also” (Rom. 3:29)

65 “In the ___ of it” (2 Kings 12:9)

66 Ball holder

67 “I saw under the ___” (Eccl. 3:16)

Old Testament faith (Heb. 11)

49 “___ things are full of labour” (Eccl. 1:8)

23 “I ___ my heart to know wisdom” (Eccl. 1:17)

50 “Seeing that ___ now is” (Eccl. 2:16)

24 “He that feareth __ shall come forth” (Eccl. 7:18)

37 “Fill his skin with barbed ___” (Job 41:7)

18 Cop car topper

38 Relationship

19 Tap

39 Correct

40 Bound

42 Cabbage-like veggie

43 Football group

45 “Misery

34 “What shall be after ___?” (Eccl. 3:22)

35 Synthetic fabric

72 “They vex you with their ___” (Num. 25:18)

73 “A people ___

DOWN

1 Rascal

38 Relationship

39 Correct

40 Bound

42 Cabbage-like veggie

43 Football group

51 David did ___ Saul (1 Sam. 18:7)

52 Littered

53 Warble

27 “Be thou their ___ every morning” (Isa. 33:2)

36 Sign of the zodiac

38 God’s name is ___ (Ps. 111:9) (abbr.)

2 “I go, ___” (Matt. 21:30)

3 David was a slingshot ___

45 “Misery of ___ is great upon him” (Eccl. 8:6)

58 “Who ___ can hasten hereunto” (Eccl. 2:25)

29 The upper ___

31 Hebrews gives an ___ of

Word Search

4 Promised land is a small ___

41 Fluent

42 Seasoner makers

60 Nineteenth century art philosophy

43 “His ___ shall be covered

62 “Men shall ___ themselves” (Eccl. 12:3)

63 “___, of the Gentiles also” (Rom. 3:29)

65 “In the ___ of it” (2 Kings 12:9)

66 Ball holder

67 “I saw under the ___” (Eccl. 3:16)

5 Sunken

6 God ___ forgiven our sin

46 Gulf-like

47 Jesse was David’s

Puzzle 39: Ecclesiastes Puzzle 40: Song of Solomon

N A L O P H O A F

I D N U L T R A L U L Z D C X U X F R R T G I R I

A Y E R H A R O P B F J E S U S D B G L I U F E V

Q Y M C S G H A F E I S Q U H S K O M I S O L H Z

F L P Y S W W O I N R L T J O N S I A A T R E T I

K C I O R Y H W M N N P V N P P N

Puzzle 41: Song of Solomon Puzzle 42: Isaiah

Note: The word clues for the Word Search are chosen by the Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.

Waldron celebrates 25 years serving BCM

Kimily Waldron was recently honored by Okahoma Baptists, having served in Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) for 25 years.

Waldron is currently the BCM director at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami. She also has served BCMs at Tulsa Community College, Oklahoma City University, University of Central Oklahoma and University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha. She is pictured with Todd Fisher, executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists, who presented Waldron a certificate of apprecition in January.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES

CODY BRUMLEY is lead pastor of Jenks, First.

PHILIP FORD is pastor of Lone Grove, Cheek.

EDWARD WISE resigned as pastor of Wilson, Rexroat.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

NEW CONGREGATION. Lawton, First West en Español is now meeting. Bruno Rojas is pastor.

Andy Taylor East Central Regional Ministry Partner Oklahoma Baptists

I serve as the east central regional ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists. Consisting of eight associations and 420 churches, the region reaches from Stillwater, Bartlesville, Claremore, Tulsa, Okmulgee, Henryetta, Holdenville, Ada, Seminole, Shawnee and a multitude of communities where Southern Baptists live and worship together.

I began this journey after pastoring 11 years in Broken Arrow and Ponca City. I love this ministry because I love pastors. In my travels this past year I have seen the need to encourage, equip and engage pastors. The old saying generally holds true: “As the pastor goes, so goes the church.” It is my desire to assist pastors in being personally and ministerially healthy.

I have spoken to pastors at associational meetings, group lunches and one-on-one. The Lord has blessed me greatly while speaking at men’s events, Bible-reading workshops, pulpit supply and even in conflict mediation. By far, my greatest joy has come in speaking to and hearing from pastors about discipleship. We desperately need pastors who will train their people how to read the Bible, how to pray and how to share their faith. Many pastors have never been discipled themselves. This ministry has provided many opportunities to encourage and challenge our pastors to make disciples!

TRIBUTES

Bob Banks

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.

Missionaries:

In Focus:Heath Tucker

Heath Tucker began serving in full-time ministry in 2007. He and his wife Randi served in youth ministry at Nicoma Park, First until 2011, when the Lord led him to become senior pastor at Altus, Friendship.

Currently, Tucker is senior pastor at Edmond, Waterloo Road, and he and Randi have five kids. Evan is the oldest and only boy, along with Ali, Kate, Emerson and Addilyn. Kate and Emerson are biological sisters Heath and Randi adopted.

“As best we can, we live transparent lives for our church to see,” Tucker said. “It’s a great opportunity to show the Gospel.”

Tucker is a leader in Oklahoma Baptists’ ministry pipeline, which he said he models after his early years in ministry when he would meet with pastoral mentors.

Oklahoma Baptists Serving in Europe

“I bet I asked them each 100 questions those first few year of pastoral ministry,” he said. “It was such a valuable time for me.”

Now he meets with a small group of first-time pastors nearly every month. Tucker also sets up occasional meetings for the group to meet with other experienced pastors.

“I usually come prepared to share, but really it’s about being a sounding board as they navigate through some of the ‘firsts’ in pastoral ministry,” he said. “The ministry pipeline really accelerates the process of developing into a mature leader.”

Tucker and Waterloo Road are strong supporters of the Cooperative Program (CP). He said CP “is the best vehicle to advance the Gospel locally and around the world.

“Through our cooperation,” he continued, “we send missionaries, plant churches, train pastors, share the Gospel on collegiate campuses, disciple new believers and so much more.”

Mike Ridgeway

He serves as the director of missions for the Banner Baptist Association in Ada.

Pray for Oklahoma Baptists who are serving the IMB in European Countries.

Buddy Hunt

He is a regional ministry partner in eastern Oklahoma.

Julie Brittain

She serves in Kenya as a culture and language specialist, equipping IMB missionaries throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

Pray for Oklahoma

Why Oklahomans Should Say ‘No’ to SQ 820

On March 7, 2023, Oklahoma voters will go to the polls to consider State Question 820, a proposal that would legalize recreational marijuana use in Oklahoma. Consider the following reasons to vote ‘no’ on SQ 820:

x SQ 820 is unwise and unnecessary.

x Recreational marijuana creates easy access to a mind-altering, addictive substance that has proven adverse effects on the user, their families, and entire communities.

x This state measure comes with empty promises and disguised consequences.

x Oklahoma is being overrun by marijuana, and SQ 820 would only accelerate the advance of marijuana.

x Today’s marijuana is dangerously enhanced.

x To approve recreational marijuana means removing important legal barriers between the people of this state and the trafficking of these addictive, mindaltering drugs.

On March 7, Oklahomans should vote no on SQ 820!

Did You Know?

x According to news sources, Oklahoma currently has more than 2,300 marijuana dispensaries.

x In Oklahoma, there are more marijuana dispensaries than the number of gas stations or more than the number of Baptist churches in the state.

= 1,000 marijuana dispensaries

= 1,000 gas stations

= 1,000 Baptist churches

x Despite being one of the least populated states that allows medical marijuana, Oklahoma has the most dispensaries of any state in the United States.

x State Question 820 would expand marijuana’s already huge presence in this state.

Good News Whole