2021/February/25

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

N EW O PTI O N S F O R A PR I L R E T R E AT AT FALLS C R EEK O F F ER V I RT UA L , LO CA L C H U R C H OPT IONS /// SEE PAGE 6

CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends IMB offers new online tool: Knowing the IMB >> MARY JANE WELCH

Encourage: Silly questions >> HANCE DILBECK

Salome woke up that morning with a problem. She was prepared to get to the tomb at sunrise to care for the body of Jesus. She had gathered spices, coordinated with Mary (both of them), and made all the necessary preparations.

However, one detail troubled her sleep. She kept wondering, worrying, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” /// SEE PAGE 3

Amazing life & legacy: Bill Barnett remembered as pastor, Native American ministry leader, faithful mentor >> BRIAN HOBBS

Prominent Oklahoma Baptist pastor and Native American ministry leader Bill Barnett died on Feb. 5. Barnett, who was founding pastor of Seminole, Indian Nations and a nationally recognized leader with Indian Falls Creek and other ministries, led a wide-ranging and fruitful life of ministry.

Anadarko, Bethel, community offer hope and help amid snowstorm >> BRIAN HOBBS

As Oklahoma weather forecasts in mid-February began to show sub-freezing temperatures and predictions of massive snow, Pastor Duncan Blackwell of Anadarko, Bethel began to pray about how he and his congregation could help vulnerable people in the community. /// SEE PAGE 9

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Christians, culture & conversations >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Open doors >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry Gallaty and Smith to speak at Priority of Preaching March 1 >> CHRIS DOYLE

Page 7 | Features The Deaf ‘way of missions’— an Oklahoma Baptists family matter >> CHRIS FORBES

/// SEE PAGE 6

Page 10 | Church Toolbox The privilege of preaching >> BRET T SELBY

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IMB offers new online tool:& Knowing the IMBE N SPORTS & T MISSIONS

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The International Mission Board (IMB) has introduced a new interactive tool, “Knowing the IMB,” that enables Southern Baptists, in less than an hour, to discover what’s unique about the IMB and what churches can accomplish together.

“We’re grateful to be in partnership with you as we seek to come alongside you and serve local churches in fulfilling the mission that God has given to the church of seeing that vast multitude from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages gathered around the throne,” IMB President Paul Chitwood said. “We hope that this course will be a great benefit to you as together we serve the local church in fulfilling the Great Commission.”

According to Terry Sharp, who manages IMB’s convention and network relations, all Southern Baptists are welcome to use the free resource at imb.org/training. But Southern Baptist Convention associational mission strategists, state convention staff, pastors, church planters and mission leaders may find it especially helpful.

Users will look at the organizational structure

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O O L B OX T H C R U H C 1) IMB President Paul Chitwood, left, and IMB missionary Brian Massey, far right, who works among indigenous people deep in the mountains of Colombia; 2) ‘Knowing the IMB’ training course is available for free at imb. org/training. >> PHOTOS: IMB.ORG

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that can assist church leaders in the mission and find ways the IMB and churches can engage in the missionary task in a multitude of ways all over the world.

The resource uses interactive tools, videos and infographics and can easily be broken into smaller modules.

VOICES One especially appealing feature for leaders, Sharp said, is the ability to set up a group that can

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interact and work through the material together.

An associational missions strategist, for instance, might use a module in meetings with church leaders who wish to learn ways to work with IMB. The tool enables the user to start a discussion, ask questions and get technical help at any point. It also links users who wish to dig deeper to additional resources.

IMB launches new and improved photo library >> by IMB Staff

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The International Mission Board (IMB) is proud to announce the release of the new, redesigned photo library on imb.org.

The photo library is filled with more than 4,000 stunning images, each with its own caption. Images within the photo library feature history, landscape, O portraits, missionaries, food and N INFPhotos TIOculture.

A IC L B U P were curated with churches, digital publications,

prints, sermons, small groups and children’s programs in mind—photos to fit your unique needs.

The photo library redesign features simpler navigation with a new smart search tool that improves the more it is used and allows for faster loading.

Additionally, each image features two download options: low resolution, meant for screen usage, and high resolution, best for print publications.

Explore the world with the new photo library today. Visit imb.org/photos.

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Select events in were cancelled due to the continued effect of COVID-19. Cancelled events are listed at oklahomabaptists. org/events. The following events are scheduled to occur.

MARCH 1

Priority of Preaching Conference

Info: $40, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., OKC, Southern Hills; contact knix@oklahomabaptists.org

MARCH 7-14

Week of Prayer: Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Info: Contact acordova@ oklahomabaptists.org

MARCH 7

Oklahoma Student Worship Choir Concert Info: 6-7:30 p.m., Inola, First; oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

MARCH 7-8

Who’s Your One Evangelism Event

Info: 6 p.m., March 7; 8 a.m., March 8; OKC, Quail Springs oklahomabaptists.org/ whosyouroneevent

MARCH 9

Oklahoma Baptists’ Board of Directors Meeting Info: Baptist Building

MARCH 14

Singing and Praising Info: 5-6:30 p.m., OKC, Southern Hills; oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS

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Oklahoma Baptist churches offer hope, helping hand amid devastating winter storms BRIAN HOBBS | FEB 17

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From feeding efforts to offering overnight shelter to serving as warming stations, Oklahoma Baptist churches across the state have responded to their neighbors in need after February’s devastating snow and sub-freezing temperatures took their toll on families and communities.

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E causing E Vdivision Pandemic pastors to leave ministry, pastoral mentor says DIANA CHANDLER | FEB 17

Brian Croft jokes that masks are the new “color of the carpet argument” in churches, with similarly poor outcomes.

Pastors are resigning from the stress “kind of in a way I’ve never really seen.”

The founder of Practical Shepherding went from full-time pastoring to lead the shepherding outreach fulltime in January, pulled by a need for coaching and counseling that has steadily increased among pastors over the past decade. Then came COVID-19.

FIND ALL THESE STORIES AND MORE ONLINE AT WWW.BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM

February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

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The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 07449518) is published semi-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: 41,777. 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.

While the Baptist Messenger attempts to provide advertisers of integrity who furnish quality products, it is recommended that buyers be cautious, do research and get references to any advertiser with which they are not familiar. Publication of an advertisement in the Baptist Messenger does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or businesses. February 25, 2021 • Volume 110, Number 4.

Member, Baptist Press News, Christian Newspaper Association, Evangelical Press Association, Oklahoma Press Association.

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MESSENGER STAFF

>> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@baptistmessenger.com >> Lori Coats | Subscriptions/Assistant lcoats@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Forbes | Staff Writer cforbes@oklahomabaptists.org >> Tori Hamilton | Art Director thamilton@baptistmessenger.com

VOICES

Encourage: Silly questions /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

Salome woke up that morning with a problem.

She was prepared to get to the tomb at sunrise to care for the body of Jesus. She had gathered spices, coordinated with Mary (both of them), and made all the necessary preparations.

However, one detail troubled her sleep. She kept wondering, worrying, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”

She expressed this concern to her friends on the way to the tomb. They knew the stone that covered the entrance was big and too heavy for them to budge. They feared all their preparations and good intentions would be wasted if they could not access the tomb.

This problem loomed larger and larger as the three women made their way into the garden.

“Who will roll away the stone?”

What a silly question!

If these women had known that Jesus had risen, if they had believed that He would keep His promise to rise again on the third day, they would have never worried about that old heavy stone. Such wasted worry and unnecessary anxiety. In the light of the resurrection, and the glory of the Risen Lord Jesus, the stone on the entrance to His grave is totally inconsequential.

I imagine that these godly women chuckled when they told Mark about their trip to the tomb and their silly question.

I hear a lot of silly questions these days. Oftentimes, they are worrisome questions rattling around my own mind—questions concerning our capacity to adjust to the new realities of 2021.

Can our pastors stand firm? Will our people stand together? Will political and cultural fault lines destroy our churches? How should we respond to the challenges of this new day? Can we discover new opportunities in the midst of these new challenges?

These questions are real. They are pressing.

But like Salome’s question, they must be asked in light of the Resurrection. The first answer to all our questions, the filter for all our anxieties, the context for all concerns, is the reality of our Risen Lord Jesus.

We serve a Risen Savior.

As the Apostles led the church into uncharted waters, they quoted, claimed, prayed and preached one great Old Testament promise over and over again. This promise puts all our fears and questions in proper perspective.

“The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet!”

(Psalm 110:1). His reign is secure.

Any questions?

Sword & trowel: Christians, culture & conversations Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

The late William F. Buckley, Jr., once said, “A nation that is arguing about whether to privatize lighthouses will not socialize medicine.”

Buckley’s point is simple. The topic of conversation can ultimately determine the course of action.

This is true for a nation, a church, an individual— even for an entire denomination.

In a recent column, Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) leader Ronnie Floyd took on this issue.

He said, “Dear brothers and sisters, we have been in way too many conversations that will only divide us. It is past time for the Great Commission to always be the lead topic of conversation in our Southern Baptist family.”

Floyd echoed words from International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood, who said, “When

the Great Commission is not the lead topic of conversation in the SBC, the other topics divide us.”

Unfortunately, a good number of Baptists across the spectrum can be seen daily on social media conversing about the wrong topics. While some of the issues are important, many are not.

In too many cases, we have lost sight of the main thing. As one preacher said, “When the fishermen aren’t fishing, they tend to be fussing.”

So how can we better guard our conversations and maintain focus? In a recent Baptist Messenger column, Hance Dilbeck encouraged us to focus on the mission in the same way the first followers of Christ in the Book of Acts did.

“Focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live with bold confidence in His power to heal, save and forgive,” Dilbeck said.

In addition to boldly sharing the Gospel and living out our faith, we must guard our conversations even more wisely.

In his classic book “Christ and Culture,” Richard Niebuhr describes five general ways Christians throughout history have interacted with the world around them.

One of the viewpoints described is “Christ against culture.” This kind of person tends to be known for what they are against. In a zeal for holiness, people of this posture often unwittingly shed more heat than light in conversations and get easily drawn to the arguments of the day.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are some who just blend into the world. They are described as “Christ of culture” people. This person tends to look, act and sound just like the culture around us, and this approach leads only to compromise in which the salt loses its saltiness.

Meanwhile, a better approach is described as “Christ transforming culture.” To be “in the world, but not of the world” (John 17:14-15), this view holds that Christians are to evangelize and speak into the culture in a way that changes and uplifts it, rather than simply condemns or capitulates to it.

If we can increase how much we are talking about the Gospel and the saving power of Jesus; and if we wisely avoid getting needlessly drawn into debates (James 1:19), we can have the most impact.

Together, let’s change the world, starting by changing our conversations.

Voices | February 25 , 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Rite of passage: Open doors SPORTS & T N AINME

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY Walker Moore

President Emeritus of Awe Star Ministries Email | walker@awestar.org @WalkerDeanMoore

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My youngest son Caleb has had a dream ever since he was a child that, one day, he and I would go skydiving together. He had this dream because I told him stories of my adventures as a young skydiver.

After I got out I moved to HanniS Dservice, F ofI Ethe A StoS Iattend C LMo., bal, Hannibal LaGrange College.

Just down the road from Hannibal is Keokuk, Iowa, home of the Keokuk Falling Stars. I joined that group and jumped with them.

My last jump was to be in the Huck Finn shopping center in Hannibal. It was a sizzling hot July day, and the heat was radiating off the freshly-laid asphalt, causing I C EanSupdraft. As I got closer to the O V drop zone, I knew I wasn’t going to hit the mark. I had to find an alternate landing site.

As I looked around, all I could see were fields of ripened corn, so I decided I would head for the corn. As I descended into the field, I crossed my arms, tucking them in tightly with my hands covering my face. Soon I felt the ears of corn banging against my body as the chute dragged me through the field. That day, I only had a few bruises, a broken watch and damaged pride.

When I got married, and we were expecting our first child, my wife asked me not to jump anymore. So I took up scuba diving, a more dangerous sport, in my opinion. When Caleb was 13 years old, he and I got our scuba licenses, but he still had a desire to skydive.

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From left, Bill Meek, Caleb Moore and Walker after skydiving >> PHOTO: PROVIDED

When he turned 16, I took him to an airport, where he made his first tandem jump. He has jumped several times since then, but he still had a dream of jumping with his dad one day. For my 69th birthday, I wanted to fulfill that dream.

It had been 47 years since my last jump, and we met on a Friday afternoon in Skiatook, at Skydive Airtight with my adventurous friend Bill Meek.

Bill was part of the team that scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, carrying the cross with me to the top of Africa.

As the plane took off, I was as giddy as junior high girl who had been asked to her first dance.

Memories flooded my mind as I was strapped to an instructor. The engine cut, and we jumped together, father and son falling at max velocity.

It was a day neither of us will forget. It probably won’t be our last.

Throughout the years, I have been asked, “Why do you jump out of a perfectly good plane?” Those of us who love the sport of skydiving have a joking way to answer that question. With a twinkle in our eyes, we will tell you, “Because the door was open.”

I believe one of the keys to living the Christian life is learning to recognize that God opens doors for us to jump through. The Scriptures tell us “a great door for effective work has opened to me” (1 Cor. 16:9a).

I have learned to recognize these doors as God’s Spirit nudges mine. It might take me a few minutes to recognize what He wants me to do, but when I find it, I must step through it. When we step through an open door, we reveal the nature and character of God to a lost world.

Why did I stop and help the lady who was struggling to load her groceries into the back of her car?

Because a door was opened to me.

Why did my friend Woody Fletcher and I witness to that lady working behind a booth at the state fair and led her to a living relationship with Him? Because a door was opened to us.

Why did I call a friend today to encourage him?

Because a door was opened to me.

Why did I spend my life going to other countries to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ? Because a door was opened to me.

Why did I pay for a struggling young couple’s dinner at a restaurant? Because a door was opened to me.

Why did I visit my Muslim friend’s restaurant and take other people to eat there? Because a door was opened to me.

When you follow Jesus, He is always opening doors for you to step through to make His name known. You might ask, “Is it scary?”

I am not going to lie. It’s not scary to jump out of a plane. Gravity does all the work.

It’s much scarier to follow God. Your heart pounds as you take a step of faith through a door He has opened.

In both cases, He is with you. And that makes all the difference.

First person: Fighting back against ministry fatigue Mark Dance Director of Pastoral Ministry for Oklahoma Baptists @markdance

Although we all are hopeful that COVID’s grip will soon loosen, our next season of ministry will be full of new challenges and opportunities. Will you have enough gas left in your tank when God answers your prayers for people to return on campus and on mission?

If you are still running in a ministry sprint mode that started last spring, NOW is a great time to change your pace before you hit the wall.

It is tempting to think ministry fatigue is the inevitable cost of our call to ministry, but I can assure you that it is neither normal, admirable nor sustainable. I want to suggest four ways you can fight fatigue.

1. Put your ‘no’ on the table Over the years I have heard preachers implore people to put their “yes” on the table, which sounds very spiritual. I am outright begging you to also put your “no” on the table. Pastors often have trouble saying “no” to people because we enjoy serving the Lord, and truth be told, we enjoy the approval of our people.

While pastors are servants who are not too good to do anything, we should also be equippers who are not too stupid to do everything.

You are barreling down the dangerous road of ministry fatigue if you are embracing everyone’s emergencies as your own. By giving minis-

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try away, we affirm the giftedness of the body of Christ while simultaneously stewarding our own limited time and gifts better (Eph. 4:22).

Pastors and ministry leaders would do well to remember that self-care is not selfish; it is strategic.

2. Don’t blow off boundaries Make sure your calendar reflects your convictions. Then communicate your work-life flow to your family, leaders and members.

When history’s first pastors neglected the priorities of prayer and the ministry of the Word, they stopped growing, as did their church (Acts 6). This experience helped them become the equippers they were called to be.

Healthy churches are led by healthy pastors who have learned how to live with clear boundaries and at a sustainable pace.

3. Make margin; don’t wait for it When pastors tell me how overwhelmed they are, it does not take long to diagnose their dilemma: they stopped stopping.

God modeled and commanded Sabbath for us, which simply means “to stop.” We need to create

February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

margin every single day so we can sleep well and create margin every week so we can recharge well.

Don’t brag about working hard or apologize for resting hard because God called us to do both every week. Exactly how and when you stop is up to you and your season of life and ministry context.

While all pastors believe in the idea of Sabbath, the practice often eludes us because we think we don’t need it or have time. We must be consistent and intentional about it because Sabbath is a command to obey as well as a gift to receive.

The cold, hard truth is that nobody in your church will make you stop. There will never be a long line of people wanting to police their pastors about their “churchaholic” tendencies, so choose carefully who speaks into your life the most.

4. Take a vacation with your family We recharge with our families as we are willing to create boundaries that protect our time with them. Some of you may be waiting for a more convenient time to connect with your family and disconnect with your ministry, but waiting for perfect conditions will only lead to imperfect excuses.

It is our choice whether to steward our time or allow it to be stolen. No pastor sets out to be a superhero, but if the cape fits, take it off anyway and go be a hero at home.

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up” (Gal. 6:9).

EDITOR’S NOTE: Falls Creek is available for onetwo complimentary nights for senior pastors for personal or study retreats. Family members are welcome. To make a reservation: 580/369-2101 or office@fallscreek.org.

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

SPORTS & T MEN E N T E R TA I N

Gallaty and Smith to speak at Priority of Preaching PMarch 1 EOPLE & OX OOLB CHURCH T

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VOICES >> PHOTOS: PROVIDED1) Robby Gallaty is pastor of Hendersonville, Tenn., Long Hollow and

founder of Replicate Ministries; 2) Steven Smith is pastor of Little Rock, Ark., Immanuel

is for the rest of us. Some of and son of former longtime pastor of Del City, First Southern Bailey Smith.

MANAGING EDITOR us didn’t even have seminary training, so we’ve learn to preach through ‘on the setting. A lot of guys know him for that, but many may A favorite annual event among Oklahoma Baptist job’ training. Some of us did have seminary train- not know he has co-written a book on preaching.” pastors will happen again at Oklahoma City, South- ing and still feel like we could get better, feel we Smith is pastor of Little Rock, Ark., Immanuel. He ern Hills, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., March 1. could do a better job.” served many years at Southwestern Seminary, most The Priority of Preaching Conference has as According to the overview of “Preaching for the recently as vice president for students services and its theme “Preaching for the Rest of Us,” which is Rest of Us,” the book was written “for those who communications. based on the book by Robby Gallaty and Steven W. don’t feel trained for text-driven preaching, whose “This will be the third time Steven Smith has been Smith, who will be the conference speakers. preaching template is tired and predictable, or with us,” Selby said. “He’s become a favorite. His Brett Selby, regional ministry partner for Oklahoma need a preaching restart.” dad was Bailey Smith who was pastor at Del City, Baptists, is an overseer of Priority of Preaching and ex“That is what is meant by ‘preaching for the rest First Southern for many years. He taught at Southplained the significance of the conference theme. of us,’” Selby said. “The conference is designed for western Seminary. Many Oklahoma Baptist pastors “There’s a guy who has everything come easy where most of us are at—which is we do it; we love have had him for classes.” to him,” Selby said. “He breezes through all the it; we would like to get better at it.”

Priority of Preaching will have a different arrangeseminary classes. The conference is really not for Gallaty is pastor of Hendersonville, Tenn., Long Hol- ment than how it was featured in previous years. that guy. The low, where he has served since 2015. He also is Instead of a two-day format, the conference will be conference founder of Replicate Ministries, which special- for one day. Selby said the conference will be in a S N O I izes in helping churches with different setting as well.

S IS M VOLUNTEER discipleship ministry.

“We will be in the sanctuary (at Southern Hills) S ITIE N U T R “(Gallaty) is more known for and will spread out,” he said. “It will have a different O P P O the work he has done in the feel. We will be capturing the sessions on video and OKLAHOMA DISASTER RELIEF area of discipleship, one-to- on the website after the event.” one and small group,” Selby Those who attend will receive a copy of the On-going opportunities for volunteers: Training: said. “He has a lot of material book, “Preaching for the Rest of Us.” The cost to The Spring, a faith-based shelter for women who Upcoming DR Orientation & particularly on how to engage attend is $40. For more information and to regisare victims of domestic violence or human sexual Credentialing sessions: a passage in the Bible in that ter visit oklahomabaptists.org/pastors/events. >> by Chris Doyle

trafficking and their children, Sand Springs—Susan Cox—918/245-4075

Hospitality House of Tulsa provides family centered lodging, emotional and spiritual support for family members of patients traveling to Tulsa for medical care—918/794-0088, hhtulsa.org Hospitality House of Oklahoma in McAlester—918/429-0142 OK Jail & Prison Ministry needs volunteers to go into the jails and share the Gospel each week—405/9172242 or ojpm@ojpm.org

• March 6-Elk City, First • April 10-Duncan, First Upcoming Equipment-CPR/ First Aid Training Dates: • March 13, April 17, May 20 Visit okdisasterhelp.org for the most recent information.

For forklift/skidsteer training: rdeatherageaaa@gmail.com For CPR/First Aid ($20): dknapp711@gmail.com

Campers on Mission:

Spring Rally, April 6-9, Shawnee

HAVE HAVE YOU YOU VISITED VISITED BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM LATELY? LATELY? Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Bentley Hill Bentley is now serving as director of missions in LeFlore Association since January. He previously served as BCM director at Carl Albert State College. Pray for wisdom as he assimilates into his new ministry role.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Victor Cope Victor has been pastoring Moore, First Indian for 30 years and has been serving as executive director of Indian Falls Creek for more than 30 years. Pray for Oklahoma’s American Indian churches, that they reach people, develop leaders and grow.

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

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Missions & Ministry | February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Oklahoma Baptists’ Women’s Retreat 2021: New options for April retreat at Falls Creek offers virtual, local church options /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Staff DAVIS—After a year of canceled or online events, Oklahoma Baptist Women are excited to gather in multiple formats for the annual Oklahoma Baptists’ Women’s Retreat. A condensed schedule for the oneday event on April 17 offers multiple options to attend.

With safety protocols in place, women have the opportunity to gather in person at the Falls Creek Conference Centers or online. Many churches across the state have opted to host the event by gathering in their community.

The theme of the 2021 Oklahoma Baptists Women’s Retreat will be “Gifts,” and is based on 2 Cor. 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Those attending may consider the experience a gift, as Amy Cordova describes why the annual event at Falls Creek Conference Centers is something women cherish.

“One of the best parts of attending Women’s Retreat is the fellowship women experience with the ladies from their church,” said Cordova who serves as missions and women’s ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists. “With hundreds of women choosing to gather online or remotely, we have provided a platform for women to still connect with others from across the state. No matter how women choose to attend, there will be great opportunities for women to make memories but also learn from the Word and worship together.”

The lineup of keynote speakers includes a couple of favorites from previous retreats.

Katherine Wolf is an impactful communicator and author who last spoke at the 2018 Women’s Retreat. After suffering from a catastrophic stroke that nearly ended her life, Wolf miraculously survived and continues her recovery to this day.

“Katherine’s newest book is called ‘Suffer Strong: How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything,’” Cordova said. “It’s a fantastic book; it’s an invitation to trust a known God with an unknown future. Katherine’s life is an inspiration and testimony to our hope found in Jesus.”

Another Women’s Retreat favorite speaker is Lina Abujamra who is a pediatric ER doctor and author.

This will be Abujamra’s fourth appearance at Women’s Retreat.

“Oklahoma loves Lina, and she loves Falls Creek,” Cordova said. “For those who have been to women’s retreat before, they know Lina loves her fried pies and driving around in a golf cart. She gets a lot of laughs. Her passion for women to know Christ is evident on and off the stage.”

Chrystal Evans Hurst will be making her first appearance as a keynote speaker at Women’s Retreat. Being the eldest child of Tony and Lois Evans, Chrystal has been surrounded by the Word of God her entire life. Chrystal is a gifted writer, speaker and worship leader. Her passion is to encourage other women in fulfilling their full potential in Christ.

Laura Perry will be making her first appearance at Women’s Retreat, but she is well-known among Oklahoma Baptists. Her story was first told through the Baptist Messenger with an article titled “Transgendered to Transformed,” which is the same title as her autobiography.

Perry lived as a transgender male for nine years before making a profession of faith in Christ. She has been redeemed back to her God-given female identity and now ministers to those struggling with their sexual identity.

“As Oklahoma Baptists, we talk about embracing brokenness as an opportunity to advance the Gospel,” Cordova said. “When we see our family members and friends broken, we know that only the Gospel can heal their broken hearts. Laura is a testimony of that.”

Leading worship through music at the Women’s Retreat will be Eden Trentham who serves at Jenks, First with her husband Brandon who is the student pastor.

In addition to the main stage, women attending through the Deluxe Digital Pass will have access until the end of the year to more than 25 sessions on topics including missions, spiritual gifts, mental health and more. Gifted speakers across Oklahoma and beyond will provide valuable content to Oklahoma women.

The offering taken at Women’s Retreat will be for 111Project, an organization that exists to mobilize the local church so that no child is without a family. In every community, there are children and families at a point of crisis who need help. In those same communities, there are churches and people who care that want to take action, but they need a connection point. 111Project provides an amazing tool through CarePortal that helps churches connect with those in their community.

The deadline to register for Women’s Retreat is Thursday, April 1. Registration to attend at Falls Creek for adults is $65, and for students ages 14-17, the cost is $50. Digital Pass registration include $25 and $50 options. To register or to learn about your church hosting this event, visit oklahomabaptists. org/women/retreat.

“In 2019, we had more than 400 churches involved,” Cordova said. “We get to gather with churches from all over the state and come together to worship Jesus. It’s the most beautiful thing to experience.”

Amazing life & legacy: Bill Barnett remembered as pastor, Native American ministry leader, faithful mentor /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Brian Hobbs EDITOR

Prominent Oklahoma Baptist pastor and Native American ministry leader Bill Barnett, 87, died on Feb. 5. Barnett, who was founding pastor of Seminole, Indian Nations and a nationally recognized leader with Indian Falls Creek and other ministries, led a wide-ranging and fruitful life of ministry.

Oklahoma Baptists remember Barnett as leader, friend, mentor Upon news of his death, Oklahoma Baptists across the state poured out words of support, love and respect for Barnett.

Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists state convention, said, “Bill Barnett’s passing is a great loss for Oklahoma Baptists.

He is one of the most beloved and respected leaders I know, and he faithfully served the Lord in so many meaningful ways. As a pastor, leader with Indian Falls Creek, missionary, mentor, educator and more, God used Bill Barnett to advance the Gospel in Oklahoma and beyond. On a personal level, Bill was a blessing to me and a consistent source of encouragement and direction. We are praying for his wife Mary Jo and the rest of his family.”

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Emerson Falls, who serves as Oklahoma Baptists’ Native American ministry partner, said, “Many people know Bill Barnett as a leader. As chairman of the board of Indian Falls Creek, he helped make IFC the outstanding event it has become. Some of us knew him as a friend and mentor. I personally knew that if I needed advice or encouragement, Bill would be there for me. I will miss him, as will all Oklahoma Baptists.”

February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

Pastor Mike Keahbone of Lawton, First, said on Facebook, “… one of my heroes has gone home.

My heart aches. I’m going to miss his encouragement and his burning passion for our Native people to know Jesus. For the revival he knows is coming in our people, you’ll have the best seating in the house when it comes, Bill. We will keep preaching, keep reaching, and stay faithful. Much love.”

Anthony Jordan, retired executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists, said on Twitter, “(Bill Barnett was) one of the great leaders in Oklahoma Baptists history. He was a respected and godly leader of our Native Americans, but just as loved and respected among all Oklahoma Baptists.

Loved him and his family. A great loss to us all but heaven’s gain.”

Barnett’s wide-ranging ministry career Bill Barnett, who is full-blooded Muscogee (Creek) Native American, was founding pastor and church planter of Seminole, Indian Nations in 1975, where he served as pastor until his death.

In his career, Barnett also worked in higher education and in various ministry roles.

Barnett made history for Oklahoma Baptists when, in 1992, messengers to the annual meeting elected him to serve as first vice president of

The Deaf ‘way of missions’—an Oklahoma Baptists family matter

>> by Chris Forbes STAFF WRITER

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Missionaries with Oklahoma connections are coordinating with leaders of the International Mission Board (IMB) and leaders in the global Deaf Community to advance the Gospel to 72 million Deaf people worldwide.

Born to deaf parents, though hearing, Oklahomans Danny Bice and his sister Vesta Sauter grew up immersed in the Deaf culture and language.

They, along with Vesta’s husband Mark, are fluent in the language of the Deaf and are adept at navigating the bridges and barriers between the cultures of the Deaf and the Gospel with the outcome of better missionary engagement.

One monumental change that was spearheaded by the Deaf-focused Oklahoma missionary family was to work to move one of the largest mission boards in the world, the IMB, to adopt a new approach to Deaf missions. In 2009, under the leadership of then-president Jerry Rankin, IMB organized eight people groups who share a similar language, history or culture and called them “Affinity Groups,” which became the center of IMB’s mission focus. Through the efforts of the missionaries, the IMB also included the global Deaf as the ninth Affinity Group.

Mark Sauter, who now is the leader of the IMB Deaf Affinity Group, explained in a recently recorded Messenger Insight podcast how the Deaf came to be considered one of these affinity groups.

“In 1996, we were appointed with the IMB as church planners among the Deaf of Eastern Eu-

the state convention, making him the first Native American to hold an officer position in the state.

He was re-elected to serve a term as first vice president the following year by Oklahoma Baptists.

Years later, Barnett served on Oklahoma Baptists board of directors, including from 2014-2020.

He and his wife Mary Jo were a ministry team, having been appointed by the North American Mission Board (formerly the “Home Mission Board”) in 1995 as home missionary associates, a catalytic missionary developing training programs for various ethnic groups.

Barnett held bachelor’s and master’s degrees of educational administration from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. He later earned a second bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU).

According to his obituary, “(Barnett) was an educator and bi-vocational pastor. He served on the faculty at Bacone College (dean of students), Oklahoma Baptist University, Seminole State, and Langston University; at these last institutions, he served as an administrator for the TRIO programs and president of Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs. He enjoyed sports and coached basketball, track & field, cross country, and was the first women’s basketball coach for OBU.” Barnett was a recognized athlete and later competed in the Senior Olympics.

Faith journey and ministry impact His obituary states, “While completing his master’s degree, he accepted Christ as his Savior. When (Barnett) was a child, he and his brother Jackson almost died of a fever; two elderly African American women prayed over them and nursed them to health. They

rope,” Sauter said. “The IMB allowed us to pioneer a strategy within Central East Europe where we worked among the Deaf as a people group. Reports of deaf people coming to faith, Deaf churches planted and Scripture translated into Sign Language by IMB Deaf workers, the board was moved to recognize the Deaf as a people group in 2001.”

So far the strategy has been effective. According to an IMB report, between 2009-2019, there have been 3,059 professions of faith within the global Deaf people group; 2,140, were baptized, and 171 churches were planted.

Bice, who is pastor of Oklahoma City, Deaf Church, used Sign Language in the video podcast interview and explained how important the change in approach was to the Deaf community.

“When the IMB began to look at the community as an actual cultural group, that was an amazing thing,” Bice signed. “That was landmark for us because no one else had ever recognized them like that. That helped the deaf community. Before the IMB recognized them as a people group, mission boards considered deafness as a disability handicap. But deaf people themselves don’t view their group as having a disability, or as having a handicap. The Deaf community has their own identity, because of the language that they share. They are involved with people who are similar to them in their own community. It’s a paradigm shift for a lot of hearing people because they’re not used to thinking of Deaf as a culture.”

The IMB’s approach to the Deaf as a culture group has led to the development of new mission strategies and resources as well. Vesta Sauter

asked God to make one of them a preacher. Bill accepted the call to preach when he was 27 years old, but knew since childhood that God was calling him.

Bill completed his doctoral coursework at the University of New Mexico-Albuquerque. “(Barnett) was ordained and then served as assistant pastor at Los Angeles, Calif., First Indian. While in California, Barnett published a news magazine “Indians Illustrated,” as well as ran Indian basketball leagues, where he met the avid player (his future wife) Mary Jo. He then pastored Muskogee, First Indian; Albuquerque, N.M., Baptist Indian Mission; and afterward founded Seminole, Indian Nations.

“He facilitated Ministry Training Institute classes through OBU, where he taught numerous classes, and he taught Muscogee (Creek) language classes.

In 2019, he began monthly mentoring classes for ministers, deacons and young leaders.”

Barnett was widely known for his leadership and involvement in Indian Falls Creek (IFC), an annual family camp that is hosted each summer at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center. IFC, which has existed for more than 70 years, is reported to be the largest annual gathering of Native American Christians in North America.

recently launched a new initiative in partnership with IMB called DeafWay Global. This ministry, she said, will help mission boards who wish to engage Deaf communities of the world in culturally-relevant ways. She explained that Deaf missionaries have access to places hearing missionaries do not. ”As we look at the number of 72 million Deaf peoples,” Vesta said, “we realize it’s one of the largest unreached people groups, but their network extends far beyond just the Deaf community. We think that Deaf people live in isolation. They actually live in rich community with other deaf people, but they also have networks of family that are hearing.

“For example, you reach their hearing children—most deaf people have hearing children, hearing parents and hearing siblings,” she continued. “Their teachers are often hearing; the people that they work alongside are hearing. I’ve heard statistics say that for every Deaf person you reach, you’re going to reach nine hearing people.”

Vesta explained that, through DeafWay Global, she hopes to help expand awareness for the need for each Deaf nation to have access to God’s Word in their heart language. DeafWay Global, in partnership with the IMB and the global Deaf community, currently has translation efforts underway in 13 sign languages.

To learn more about praying for IMB Affinity Deaf missions, visit imb.org/Deaf to download the DeafWay app, search for DeafWay Bible wherever you download smartphone apps.

To hear and see the Messenger Insight podcast interview, visit baptistmessenger.com/podcast.

Barnett served as “director of IFC for six years and continued serving in other roles (chairman and Bible conference director) for 40 years.”

In recent years, Barnett and a team of Creek speakers had been working closely with the Southern Baptists and the producers of “The Savior” film (thesavior.net) in translating the script of this Gospel film into the Creek language.

A spokesperson for the film said, “We were honored that Bill Barnett saw in ‘The Savior’ film something special and unique that would bring the Gospel story to the Creek people as it has to multiple millions worldwide for God’s glory and praise.”

Family and legacy Barnett is survived by his wife Mary Jo; his children Lincoln Barnett, Stephanie Barnett, Jennifer Barnett and Angela Couture; and two grandchildren.

His funeral services were at Seminole, First on Friday, Feb. 12, and the services were also streamed online and were widely viewed.

Because of the work God accomplished through his life, Barnett’s life and legacy are experienced by many and will be felt for generations to come.

Features | February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Anadarko, Bethel, community offer hope and help amid snowstorm /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

IFIEDS Brian S SHobbs A C>>Lby EDITOR ANADARKO—As Oklahoma weather forecasts in mid-February began to show sub-freezing temperatures and predictions of massive snow, Pastor Duncan Blackwell of Anadarko, Bethel began to pray about how he and his congregation could E S in the community.

V O I C people help vulnerable “We want to share the light of Jesus in our community in this challenging time,” Blackwell said.

“We knew this bitterly cold weather would be hard on the homeless in the community, as well as other people who are vulnerable in a situation like this.”

What started as an idea for a soup kitchen quickly grew. When Blackwell shared the idea on Facebook, Baptists and other Christians across Anadarko heard about the plans and responded enthusiastically.

“We wanted to plan a feeding effort, kind of a soup kitchen,” he said. “That expanded into a shelter scenario at our church building for the upcoming weekend (of Feb. 13-15).

“When others heard about it, community response was immediate,” Blackwell continued. “Other local churches have jumped in. Everyone—all of the churches—were quick to offer help. (Anadarko, First) provided to buy blankets and has helped in many other ways. We have had other new items donated, including coats, pillows, fitted sheets, air mattresses, as well as food.”

Blackwell and volunteers with Anadarko, Bethel, organized volunteers to serve—day and night—for the soup kitchen and shelter. Van drivers would go out among the community and give rides to people who requested assistance.

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>> PHOTOS: DUNCAN BLACKWELL

1) What started as a soup kitchen turned into an overnight shelter at Anadarko, Bethel; 2) Volunteers served day and night through the weekend of Feb. 13 at the soup kitchen and shelter.

As quickly as plans came together, the winter weather hit hard in Anadarko and other parts of the state, with record amounts of snow and freezing temperatures.

“The soup kitchen officially began Thursday, Feb. 11, as did the overnight shelter, and efforts have continued past the weekend,” Blackwell explained.

“We have served dozens of meals and ministered to people. We have shared Gospel literature with people,” he said.

As weather conditions deteriorated, Blackwell was unsure if it would be asking too much for volunteers to continue to serve amid the snow and ice.

However, people insisted on the effort to proceed.

“The church and community are so engaged in this effort, you cannot even stop them,” he said.

In addition to feeding and sheltering people, the spiritual fruit has been evident, including one profession of faith.

“We decided on Sunday, Feb. 14, to livestream services,” Blackwell said. “While the congregation participated in worship through online, the church

February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

service was happening at the church building, and at least three guests who had been staying at the shelter attended the worship service in person.

“One person who was staying with us had no power. She showed up the first three nights of the kitchen and then stayed (at the church shelter) Saturday night. We planned to livestream our service and invited all there to attend. She and others came to the service. God moved in her heart, and she repented of her sin and professed faith in Jesus Christ,” he said.

Blackwell said the church plans to continue until it warms up. He thanks the Lord for Christians and people across the community rallying to help.

“I’m amazed and thankful for everyone who has helped. There was no way we could have planned for this. God has provided at every turn,” Blackwell added.

When the storm hit, God’s people in Anadarko rallying to offer hope and help amid the bad weather. As it turns out, the light of the Savior Jesus Christ has shined even more brightly amid the snowstorm.

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Chelsea, First receives blessing while serving

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IFIEDS Chris S SDoyle A C>>Lby MANAGING EDITOR

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS GOODMAN DEATH. Rick Goodman, 73, died Feb. 1. Graveside serM A Memory OResthaven H vice was Feb. 5 at A L K O E H T Gardens in Oklahoma E He served I VCity.

H C R A T S I T B A Pmany churches as pastor in Kentucky and Oklahoma. At the time of his death, he was pastor of Oklahoma City, Knob Hill. He is survived by his wife, Rita; his daughter, Rena Walker; his son, Rusty; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

GUFFEY DEATH. Bill Guffey, 87, died Jan. 31. A private family memorial service was observed in Fort Worth, Texas. He served 33 years in full-time ministry, most recently at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs, as minister of education, retiring in 1998. He also served churches in Texas and Louisiana. He and his wife Jerry served as IMB missionaries to the Turks and Caicos Islands. He had an outstanding love for the Lord and for the Kingdom. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jerry; his daughter, Patti Drabek; his son, Jim; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

JORGENSON DEATH. Gene Jorgenson, 90, died Feb. 1. A private family service occurred Feb. 5 in Marlow.

He served six years as pastor of Marlow, First, from 1987-93. He also pastored churches in Texas, covering a span of 27 years in pastoral ministry.

He also served with the Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board) as a consultant for planning evangelistic events. He was an active interim pastor, serving 24 interim pastorates in the south central region of Oklahoma. He loved to tell people the Good News that Jesus loves them. He shared that message all over America and the uttermost parts of the earth.

Jorgenson is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Blanche. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Smith, three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGE NICK JOHNSON is pastor of Lindsay, First after serving at Synder, First.

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CHELSEA—Expectations were exceeded at Chelsea, First, Feb. 13. The church provided food and milk to the commuS a O I CmetE with Vwere nity and long line of cars.

“We had two lines of cars for two blocks at 9 a.m., trying not to impede traffic on Highway 28,” said Pastor Ron Forrest who reported Chelsea, First has been distributing food since early summer.

Distribution slowed down from September through early November, Forrest said, so the Saturday morning turnout caught the 23 church member volunteers off guard, especially with the freezing cold temperatures.

“It was a blessing and a surprise,” Forrest said. “Our folks at Chelsea, First truly have servants hearts.”

Forrest also reported the local police department picked up food for needy families in the community. Chelsea, First also planned to serve food and milk the following Saturday, Feb. 20, despite continued freezing weather.

Heavener, First helps after storm

Pastor Brock Hardin, left, of Heavener, First, and others from the church delivered food to more than 100 families in need on Feb. 17, after the harsh winter storm affected people in the community. Oklahoma Baptist churches across the state have offered a helping hand, all in the Name of Jesus, in their communities after February’s record snow and freezing temperatures led to vast needs.

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RCH WORD SEA 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.

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People & Church News | February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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The privilege of preaching IFIEDS CLASS

all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

It was by grace, not his own merit, that Paul was given the opportunity to preach Preaching isn’t easy. the message of the greatness of Christ.

S That last sentence might identify me as As you read those words, O I C E what Vpreacher, Captain Obvious in the eyes of some. While it resonates in your heart? Do you say to may be lacking in sophistication and nuance, yourself, “How fortunate I am to be able to it is nevertheless an extremely true statement. preach the Gospel every Sunday!”? Is your If for no other reason, we know preach- attitude characterized by “I get to do this!” ing is difficult because of regularity associ- or is it more like “I got to do this”? ated with it. I heard one preacher recently Here’s some possible action steps to recomment on this aspect by saying, mind myself of the privilege of “Preaching is difficult because preaching: you know Sunday comes • Maybe I need to post Eph. around every three days.”

3:8 over my desk in my regSure, it only seems that ular place of study or on way, but anyone who top of the monitor I use preaches on a regular to prepare my messages. basis understands what • Maybe I need somehe was trying to say. A one to text me that verse preacher by the name of during those weeks in Ernest T. Campbell said, which I conduct a funeral “Sundays come toward as well as prepare three bibthe preacher like telephone lical sermons and, as a result, poles by the window of a movbegin to feel sorry for myself. ing train.”

• Maybe I need my church to inRecent days of quarantine and panclude those words on the paycheck I cash demic have made a challenging task even each week when I’m tempted to complain that more so. Preachers are used to getting im- I’m underpaid for the labor of my ministry. mediate feedback from the delivery of their Yes, it’s true that many preachers are unmessages, but that’s not possible when derpaid as they labor in their preaching and you’re videoing your message for playback teaching but only receive a half portion of at a later time. Even when the congregation honor (1 Tim. 5:17). Not every single perregathered in person and on-ground, the son appreciates the work that you invest in preacher might have sensed a little distrac- your messages. But let’s stop for a minute tion among his people that diverted their and think about this. God uses the content focus from what he was trying to say. And of your sermons to bring salvation to those also the people who did gather seemed to who place faith in Christ (1 Cor. 1:21).

H E an their F R O M TWhat be a different group every week. incredible thought! Heaven will Gpart because of sermons like R S B LOin Yes, preaching is difficult, but thereRisD also I N GbeEpopulated S Lan O W accompanying danger associated with it. How yours. And you will share that glorious space so? There is a danger for those who preach with some only because God anointed and that we stop seeing it for what it truly is. empowered you to preach His great Gospel.

Because, more than anything else, preachTake heart, pastor, and be encouraged that ing is a privilege. An amazing privilege. even during the COVID-19 pandemic God Paul could hardly believe that he was al- has given to you the privilege of preaching S can advance the Gospel together lowed the privilege of preaching. In Eph. AYyou S that VofE so A3:8, Dleast he writes, “To me, though I am the very with all of Oklahoma Baptists. >> by Brett Selby

REGIONAL MINISTRY PARTNER FOR OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

BA PT ISTS OKLAHOMA H IG H L I GH T E C R U O S E R

ADVAN C E CO N FE R E N C E SERMONS

Though Advance Conference did not meet this year, Oklahoma Baptists have the opportunity to hear two national Southern Baptist leaders Ronnie Floyd and Johnny Hunt deliver their Advance Conference sermons. oklahomabaptists.org

C H U R C H PL AN T I N G Our process is composed of discovering planters with high competency and equipping them in the strongest planting model for their context. Learn more by visiting oklahomabaptists.org/ church-multiplication

Check back with the highlight every issue to learn more about the resources available to every SBC church!

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February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N F RO M T H E G E R S B LO G WO R D S L I N WS &

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GOD & OVERCOMING BLIND SPOTS >> JEREMY SMITH

On October 20, 2019, a topAY Internet S search term S E V A D emerged that concerned the Tulsa Race Massacre. The interest was sparked by a streaming TV episode, which depicted the 1921 massacre that occurred in the area of Tulsa known as Black Wall Street.

Because this particular TV series is based on a comic book, many of the searches on Google asked T S whethI Sreports, P Tto A B A M er or not this was historic.

According the anO H OKLA T H G I L H alytics from Google also reveal that a great number of RC E H IG U O S E R those searches happened in the state of Oklahoma. These searches suggest the existence of an historical blind spot.

Six years ago, my wife and I became foster parents. This decision led to us being blessed by our two incredible sons that we adopted four years ago. I remember the day I had an experiential blind spot revealed to me.

As I was walking through a store with my two boys in the shopping cart, I noticed a variety of glances that we would receive. Some people would smile at me while giving me a little nod. Others would look and their eyebrows would rise and their heads would shake side to side ever so slightly. They saw that my skin color and the skin color of my boys did not match, and this led to a reaction from people around me. My experience in a multiracial family turned on a light, and it, at least partially, removed the blind spot I had possessed for most of my life.

To read the rest of Jeremy’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/blindspots E

F RO M T H E R S B LO G G N I L S D R O To read W more blogs with Jesus in mind, visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog

D AV E S AY S RETIREMENT FUNDING COMES BEFORE COLLEGE SAVINGS Dear Dave, T ISTS A PproBSteps A M A friend told me about your Baby O H A L OK HT gram. I have one question, though.

H L I Gthat E H IGI noticed C R U O S E R according to your plan, saving for retirement should come before saving up a college fund for your kids. Why is this? —Natalie Dear Natalie, In short, college funding is not a necessity. Being able to set aside money for college is a great thing to do if parents can afford that sort of thing. But you can fund your education in other ways. There are loads of scholarships out there just for getting good grades. You can also work while you’re taking classes. And one of the biggest things when it comes to getting an education is choosing a school or training program you can afford. Trust me, I believe in education. But there are lots of ways to get a college degree, or other career training, without your parents having to foot the bill or taking out student loans.

Another reason I advise this approach is because everyone is going to retire someday—unless, unfortunately, they happen to die before reaching retirement age. Retiring and eating are necessities. College is a luxury. Lots of people succeed in life without going to college, and thousands have worked their way through college. I worked 40-plus hours a week in college, and still graduated in four years. The only good way to retire is by planning for it years ahead of time, and that means saving and investing.

Sure, you should try to help your kids with their educations if you can. Even a little bit each month over the course of several years can help a lot. But some parents might not be able to put a dime toward their kids’ educations after high school. That doesn’t make them bad people or bad parents. And it doesn’t mean their kids can’t still go to college, and avoid debt doing it! —Dave The views expressed by Dave Ramsey do not necessarily reflect those of the Baptist Messenger and do not constitute legal financial advice.

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CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

JO B L ISTIN G V EH IC L E M ISC.

>> F/T STUDENT PASTOR: One Church Elk City is prayerfully seeking someone with prior experience to lead & direct an established youth ministry. Send resume & references to: onechurchelkcity@gmail. com

Church, 9700 S. Hwy 377, Tishomingo, OK 73460.

>> P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Silo Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a P/T Youth Minister. Interested applicants can send a resume to: silopastor@yahoo. com or Silo Baptist Church, 1379 Church Rd., Durant, OK 74701.

>> PASTOR: Olivet Baptist Church, Lawton, is currently seeking a Pastor. All serious inquiries please call our office at: (580) 536-2529 or email us at: olivet2529@sbcglobal.net.

VOICES

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Denton Baptist Church, Marlow, OK Is searching for a Pastor to lead a rural church. Please send resume to: Denton Baptist Church, 272910 W. Ballpark Rd, Marlow, OK 73055.

Sunday Aug 45-70+.

EMPLOYM ENT

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Wyandotte First Baptist, Wyandotte, OK is accepting resumes for BI/VO Pastor.

Parsonage is available. Please submit resumes to: wyandottefbc@gmail.com.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church, Pawhuska, OK is accepting resumes for BI/VO Pastor. Please submit resumes to: ATTN: Pastor Search Team, Calvary Baptist Church, 620 E 15th Street, Pawhuska, OK 74056 or email: pawhuskacalvary@sbcglobal.net. >> F/T PASTOR: FBC Forgan, OK is prayerfully seeking God’s man. Send resume to: P.O. Box 9 Forgan, OK 73938. More info see: forganfbc.com or call (580) 4610857. >> P/T WORSHIP LEADER: First Baptist Church of Verden, OK is prayerfully seeking P/T Worship Leader.

If you are interested, please send resume or questions to: fbcverden@tds.net >> PASTOR: FBC Medford, OK prayerfully searching for Pastor. Newly remodeled parsonage furnished.

Please mail to: FBC Medford, Search Committee, 124 W. Comanche Medford OK 73759 or email to: fbcmedfordok@gmail.com.

>> F/T STUDENT MINISTER: Emmaus Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, is seeking a F/T Student Minister. Please submit resume using the information at: www.emmausokc.org/search.

>> F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Temple Baptist Church in Shawnee, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Associate Pastor of Family Ministries with a focus on Children’s Ministry. The full job description along with how to apply is on our website: www.tbcshawnee.org.

>> F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: First Baptist Church Gower is searching for an Associate Pastor of Youth, Children & Family Ministries. This is a F/T position.

For full description, email: fbgowerpastorsearch@ gmail.com.

>> F/T PASTOR: Paradise Valley Baptist Church, North of Lawton, OK, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor.

Send resume & cover letter to: Paradise Valley Baptist Church, ATTN: Pastor Search Committee, 4974 NW Meers Porter Hill Rd, Lawton, OK 73507.

>> BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church, Lindsay, OK is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Youth Pastor. Please send a resume to: cbclindsay@gmail. com.

>> F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Associate Pastor of Youth & Worship or Media. Pawhuska’s FBC is looking for someone to join our pastor’s ministry team & help advance Kingdom work in our town. Submit resumes to: associatepastorsearch@pawhuskafbc. org.

>> PASTOR: Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Bartlesville, OK is seeking a Pastor who teaches God’s word, loves people & agrees with BFM. Send resume to: pastorsearchehbc@gmail.com or by mail: Pastor Search, 1331 Swan Dr., Bartlesville, OK 74006.

>> BI/VO OR P/T WORSHIP MINISTER: Seeking God’s candidate for our next blended service Worship Minister. Please submit resume & cover letter to: cbcbamusic@gmail.com or Clearview Baptist Church, P.O. Box 140892, Broken Arrow, OK 74014.

>> F/T PASTOR: New Hope Baptist Church, Tecumseh, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Please email resume along w/current sermon video or link to sermons to: newhopesecretary@gmail.com or mail to: 37497 New Hope Road, Tecumseh, OK 74873.

>> P/T WORSHIP LEADER: Hilltop Baptist, Shawnee is seeking P/T Worship Leader for blended service.

Send resumes to: hilltopshawnee@gmail.com. >> PASTOR: Beaver Street Baptist Church is desiring .God to lead His Pastor & the Search Committee together & follow the Holy Spirit’s leadership to love all people into His Kingdom. Send resume to: Search Committee, BSBC, P.O. Box 929, Jenks, OK 74037.

>> F/T YOUTH MINISTER: Morris Memorial Baptist Church in Ada is seeking a F/T Youth Minister who is passionate about reaching youth & families with the Gospel. Send resumes to: 16121 County Road 3540, Ada, OK 74820 or email to: david@mmbcada. org.

>> PASTOR: Lakeview Baptist, a loving church in Salina, OK prayerfully seeking & ready to follow loving, Godly Pastor providing spiritual instruction & strategic leadership. Send resume to: pastor@sstelco.com or P.O. Box 308, Salina, OK 74365.

>> F/T CAMPUS PASTOR: Connection Church in Duncan, OK is seeking a F/T Campus Pastor. Connection Church Duncan is a campus of First Baptist Marlow, a multi-campus church (www.fbcmarlow. org). Resumes should be emailed to: ccduncanpastor@gmail.com.

>> SENIOR PASTOR: Union Hill Baptist Church (www.ubhcpurcell.com) west of Purcell, is accepting applications for Senior Pastor. Please email application materials to: unionhillpurcell@aol.com.

>> F/T YOUTH PASTOR: FBC Lone Grove is prayerfully seeking a spiritually mature, F/T Youth Pastor.

Must have a heart for community & connecting with others. Please send resume to: fbclonegrove@ yahoo.com.

>> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church Davis, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail a cover letter & resume to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 297, Davis, OK 73030.

>> BI/VO OR F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church of Ochelata, OK is seeking a BI/VO or F/T Pastor. Please submit resumes to: Pulpit Committee, FBC of Ochelata, 290 North Ochelata St., Ochelata, OK 74051 or email to: fbcochelata@gmail.com.

>> P/T FACILITY MANAGER: The Facility Manager is responsible for the oversight of the NWBC campus, bulding, grounds, & parking. The focus is on welcoming the community & all who come to

>> MUSICIAN: Bible Baptist Ada, is looking for keyboard/piano/organ musician. Starting new music program. So, come get in on the ground floor of what God is doing here. Email Pastor Newport at: BiblebaptistAda@gmail.com.

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ACROSS Bear constellation 126“Pharaoh commanded the ___ day” (Ex. 5:6) Siestas 527Second gem in breastplate (Ex. 28:17) 28CarLook quickly 10 speedover (abbr.)

29Pack Persia 13 animal of Andes 30The The children Israel ______ 15 pillar of cloud of helped thewere Hebrews afraid (Ex. 14:10) the Egyptians 31Time Jewel in fourth row of breastplate 16 period (Ex. 28:20) 34 Jaunty 35 Isaiah said to do this to the law (Isa. 8:16) 36 Pharaoh accused the workers of being this (Ex. 5:8) 38 Sound from Mount Sinai (Ex.

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17 Narcotic 43 Firstborn of (Ex. Israel (Ex. 6:14) 18 Aaron’s first son 6:23) 44 It turned serpent (Ex. 7:10) 19 Aholiab’s tribeinto (Ex.a31:6) 45 Moses neither ate __ drank for 20 Husk 40 days 21 Truant (abbr.)(Ex. 34:28) 46 Cowboy’s rope would “perish with the 23 Paul said, commands 47 Aaron’s second son (Ex. 6:23) ___” (Col. 2:22) 48 “How much ___ punishment” 25 Winged (Heb. 10:29) 49 Every man and ___ suffered plagues 51 Eliezer was named for God’s ___ (Ex. 18:4) 52 An unclean animal (Lev. 11:6) 53 Organization for a common interest (abbr.)

>> MUSIC LEADER: Trinity Baptist Church, Vinita is seeking someone that wants to serve God in leading the Sunday morning music. Send resume to: jesseltdteam@Ymail.com or phone (918) 418-9562. >> PASTOR: Mount Hermon Church in Jay, OK, located in the Northeast corner of the state, is prayerfully searching for a Pastor. Please send resume or any questions you may have to: Cole Wheeler at colewheeler36@gmail.com. >> F/T PRESCHOOL/CHILDREN’S MINISTER: First Baptist Church Tahlequah, OK is seeking a F/T Preschool & Children’s Minister. Please submit resumé to: mike@fbctah.org. >> PASTOR: Criner Baptist Church Lindsay, OK, is seeking a Pastor who teaches God’s Word. The church is located in the Lindsay, Criner, Dibble area.

Please send resumes to: Criner Baptist Church, C/O Debra Beam, 12654 170th Street, Lindsay, OK 73052. >>PIANO PLAYER: FBC Wheatland is searching for a Piano Player for our traditional Sunday morning service. Contact Pastor Richard Boyanton at: (405) 3155387 or email: rlboyanton@gmail.com.

>> F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Sobol Baptist Church in beautiful Pushmataha County, OK is seeking God’s next servant (F/T or BI/VO). Small rural church with a heart for God. Parsonage included. Accepting resumes until filled. Contact: jjerryspeck15@gmail. com.

>> FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR: Parkview Tulsa, is seeking a Finance Administrator. Bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required. Seeking candidates with general accounting background. Church finance administration experience preferred. Send resume to: crolen@parkviewbaptist.org.

>> P/T OR F/T WORSHIP LEADER - YOUTH PASTOR:: P/T or F/T Worship Leader/Youth Pastor Combined Ministry; Calvary Baptist Church, Okmulgee Oklahoma 74447. Please send resume to: Search Committee of Calvary Baptist Church rgm7677@ yahoo.com.

>> FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR: Village Baptist Church in OKC is seeking a F/T Administrative Assistant to work M-TH. This service oriented individual will have excellent computer skills & experience in a variety of office & graphics software. Superior communication & organizational skills with the ability to serve our members & staff.

>> F/T OR P/T STUDENT PASTOR: Velma Baptist Church is prayerfully accepting resumes for the position of F/T or P/T Student Pastor. Please submit resumes to: Velma Baptist Church, P.O. Box 249, Velma, OK 73491 or email: velmabaptist@outlook.com. >> F/T OR BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR:Emmanuel Baptist Church of Altus, is prayerfully seeking a F/T or BI/VO Youth Pastor. Resumes may be sent to: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Attention: Pastor, 921 East “A” Street, Altus, OK 73521 >> F/T PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Tishomingo, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested applicants should email a cover letter & resume to: cbctishomingo@gmail.com or mail to: Calvary Baptist

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>> F/T PASTOR: Immanuel Baptist Church, Perkins, OK. Please send resume to: PO Box 10, Perkins, OK, 74059 or email: sec.ibcperkins@sbcglobal.net.

>> BI/VO CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR: First Baptist West of Lawton is seeking an individual to serve as our BI/VO Children’s Ministry Director.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested send resumes to: harold.gaches@sbcglobal.net or call the church office at: (580) 536-4227. >> P/T OR BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: NewPoint Church Ponca City, looking for a P/T or BI/VO Youth Pastor with a heart to reach & disciple 6th - 12th grade students. For full description or to apply, send resume to: kyle@newpoint.church.

RD

26 Use a key 28 Miriam to Moses 31 Hitler girlfriend Eva 32 Curve 33 Sports channel 34 Pressure unit (abbr.)

37 Retirees’ organization (abbr.)

38 Italian money 40 “In very ___ for this cause” God raised up Pharaoh (Ex. 9:16) 41 Direction Israelites headed from Egypt 42 “As it were the ___ of heaven in his clearness” (Ex. 24:10) 43 Rustic 44 Priest of Midian (Ex. 2:18) 45 Nuzzle 46 Dodger Tommy ___ 49 Fight, like Israel had with 14 Down 50 “The glory of the Lord ___ upon Mount Sinai” (Ex. 24:16) 51 “Hail smote every ___ of the field” (Ex. 9:25) 52 Canaanites descended from him 55 Title of respect used by Joseph’s brothers (Gen. 43:20) 56 Sleep disorder 59 God used the Red Sea to do this to Pharaoh’s men 61 Amram married Jochebed and ___ bore two sons (Ex. 6:20) 62 Saints’ prayers are in golden ones (Rev. 5:8) 63 Miriam fetched her mother as one for Moses (Ex. 2:7) 64 Pronoun Moses used to refer to God 65 Nation Hebrew slaves fled 66 The tabernacle was one of these (Ex. 26)

DOWN 1 Mess 2 Brand of dog food 3 Pharaoh’s daughter sent hers to get the basket-boat 4 Flightless Australian bird 5 God’s covenant was “after the ___ of these words” (Ex. 34:27) 6 Egg-shaped 7 Cushion 8 Professional association for dentists (abbr.)

9 Tribe of Israel (Ex. 1:3) 10 Physician 11 Trick 12 The vail was to ___ on four pillars (Ex. 26:31–32) 14 They fought Israel in Rephidim (Ex. 17:8) 22 Joshua thought this caused the noise (Ex. 32:17) 24 Every Hebrew one was to be drowned (Ex. 1:22) 25 Upon 26 Bear constellation 27 Siestas 28 Look over quickly 29 Persia 30 The children of Israel were ___ afraid (Ex. 14:10) 31 Jewel in fourth row of breastplate (Ex. 28:20) 34 Jaunty 35 Isaiah said to do this to the law (Isa. 8:16) 36 Pharaoh accused the workers of being this (Ex. 5:8) 38 Sound from Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:16) 39 Concept

40 Where the lice came from (Ex. 8:17) 42 “I will ___ them of children” (Jer. 15:7) 43 Firstborn of Israel (Ex. 6:14) 44 It turned into a serpent (Ex. 7:10) 45 Moses neither ate __ drank for 40 days (Ex. 34:28) 46 Cowboy’s rope 47 Aaron’s second son (Ex. 6:23) 48 “How much ___ punishment” (Heb. 10:29) 49 Every man and ___ suffered plagues D A was M named I M Afor GGod’s E ___ M A (Ex. R K18:4) 51 AEliezer BE G I NN I NG F ORAY 52 EAnVunclean animal (Lev. 11:6) E N I NG E AR T H 53 Organization (abbr.)

I A G forHa Ecommon A V E interest N L A H O T D 54 “I will ___ with thee” E T I A N F BOT H AA ON I ON (Ex.E25:22) DE N MAT H GOD A Lanimal E N P A L S 57MDirty A T N O A H U R I RE 58 LNegative answer (Gen. 42:10) E T I MMOR T A L I A 60 EFurrow R AM I N RA I NS S P E AT T H

U P REME H AM G S T O S L AT E D A T DAY E L CA I N Y HAV I L AH BY

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Puzzle 1: Genesis S L O P

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OD I N E C I T Y T E E E R L E Classifieds | February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | Iwww.baptistmessenger.com DG O H U OR L

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Puzzle 2: Gene

Puzzle 3: Exodus LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

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FirstO Iperson: The importance of church in our world today CES V

Our unchanging purpose (Col. 2:6) As the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are the administrators and After evaluating the effects of stewards of hope.

COVID in church life today, we are all While the government deemed the wondering what the church will be church “non-essential” my response like in the aftermath of this pandemic. to that was, “Is there any commodiThe National Research Council re- ty in the world as needful as hope?” ported, months into the pandemic, While man can live 40 days without that 32 percent of “practicing” Chris- food, 3 days without water, 8 mintians had not been to church or had utes without air, he can’t live at all even watched their church online. without hope.

So, it seems the problem is not simWhile we watched church change— ply with our secularized culture or the the music, the methods and the mingrowing threats to religious liberty, but istry—one thing that cannot change the problem very well could be apathy or be compromised is the message. and indifference within our churches.

We see the simple and saving mesWinston Churchill said, “When there sage highlighted here in our text. are no enemies within, the enemies withIt’s about receiving Christ Jesus as out can’t hurt us.” Maybe this pandemic Lord. Our salvation is not unlike my will prove to be a providential pruning, a ministry; it’s nothing I achieved; it divine separation of the wheat from the was simply received from the Lord. It chaff, but even with all these concerns, wasn’t because I was worthy or winchallenges and criticisms, this could be some or some kind of diamond in the the greatest hour for us as born-again rough. No, I was broken, alienated believers in Jesus Christ. from God, helpless and hopeless unCharles Spurgeon said, “Our trou- til I received the only provision for my bles have always brought us bless- sin and shame. ings. They always will, for they are the See the significance of this gloridark chariots of God’s brilliant grace.” ous name.

Col. 2:6-8—“So then, just as you have 1) Christ—(christos) the anointed received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue one from God, the Messiah, as Peter to live in Him, being rooted and built declared in his great confession at up in Him and established in the faith, Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16) just as you were taught, and overflow2) Jesus—(Matt. 1:21) His name is His ing with gratitude. Be careful that no mission. The Godman born in Bethleone takes you captive through philoso- hem, raised in the city of Nazareth, we phy and empty deceit based on human call Him Jesus of Nazareth, but as His tradition, based on the elements of the name relates His mission, this title reS world, rather than Christ.” fersN toE HisW majesty.

H C R U H C Here are three truths that command 3) Lord — He has authority; He is us to champion the church as we navi- the sovereign of this universe; He has gate these uncertain times. dominion, power, honor and glory >> by Steve Dighton

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ CHURCH RELATIONS GROUP CONSULTANT

OMA T H E O K L A H HIVE C BAPTIST AR

BARNE T T: ‘A FINE CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN AND LEADER’ On Feb. 5, Oklahoma Baptists’ loss was heaven’s gain, when prominent pastor and Native American ministry leader Bill Barnett went home to be with the Lord.

Barnett served throughout his ministry career in a number of different capacities, including as pastor, home missionary, in higher education, as an Indian Falls Creek leader and more (see page 6 for story).

In November 1992, at the annual meeting, Oklahoma Baptists elected Barnett, who was pastor of Seminole, Indian Nations, as first vice president of the state convention. He was nominated by Native American church planter Jimmy Anderson (pictured with Barnett).

With his election, Barnett became the first Native American to be elected to a statewide office for Oklahoma Baptists. At the election of Barnett, Bill Tanner, then-BGCO executive director-treasurer, remarked, “Bill Barnett is not just a good representative of our Native American population in Oklahoma, he is just a fine Christian gentleman. Period. And a fine leader.”

These years later, with many more ministry accomplishments that God brought about to show for it, we can heartily amen those words!

Do you have Oklahoma Baptist history such as Falls Creek testimonies, historical church stories, or photos of a past Baptist event? Send them to baptistmessenger@okbaptist.net!

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and thus we are called to surrender our lives to Him. That’s our message, and we must not be deterred from it. Some are calling for the church to address social justice or embrace critical race theory and get involved in political issues, but here’s the problem. It’s not our message!

Our message is about deliverance from sin, the forgiveness of hardened hearts, the grace and mercy available to everyone who will believe. It’s the Gospel that changes people’s attitudes, behavior, their biases and their hatred. In Christ Jesus we are one, regardless of race, social standing, wealth or past prejudices.

In November 1975, Jesus changed my heart (my testimony). Today He can change yours.

Our unifying practice (Col. 2:6-7) We are called to walk in Him. In other words, we are to be continually progressing in the truth of the Gospel, so that our lives would be a testimony of God’s redeeming grace. Col. 1:10 calls us to walk worthy in the manner of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and being fruitful in every good work.

The building blocks of our life are coming together to make us more like Jesus. That is our life mission (Rom. 8:29). The word picture is of how the roots of a tree keep it stable when adverse winds blow, and storms are demolishing everything around. We are like a tree planted by rivers of water (Psalm 1). We remain stable and secure.

This is the time when Christians must be found faithful, not compromising or compartmentalizing our lives, but steadfast in our faith (Rom. 12:2).

The Scriptures give three indicators that our walk with God is authentic: 1. Faithfulness (I Cor. 4:1-2). We are living in the days of apostacy, of people abandoning the church, and those who seemingly at one time walked with God have now gone the way of Cain (Jude declared).

We have put more emphasis on how a person starts in their faith than in how they finish; however, the Bible emphasizes both.

Joshua Harris, prominent pastor and author in 2018, divorced his wife declaring, “My life has taken a massive shift,” as he denied his faith in Jesus Christ. What do we say about these matters? While it’s not ours to judge, the Bible declares this (I John 2:19).

2. Fruitfulness (Col. 1:10). This is the tangible evidence that we are living our lives rooted and built up in Christ our Lord (John 15:5).

February 25, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture

We must live in such a way that people are attracted to us by our love, our kindness, our grace, our integrity and that our lives are full of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

3. Gratefulness. Six times in four chapters Paul brings up gratitude. Here in our text we are to be abounding with thanksgiving, overflowing with gratitude. Thankfulness is the barometer of your spiritual health. More than 100 times in Scripture we are commanded to be grateful (I Thess. 5:18).

There are a lot of ways for you to get out of the will of God but the easy access to get back where you need to be spiritually is through confession (I John 1:9).

Our underlying problem (Col. 2:8) There has never been a more applicable verse in 21st century America.

It begins with “Beware,” see that you are not taken captive; no one carries you off and deceives you (as a pirate commandeers a ship on the high seas).

The phrase “philosophy of the world” is essentially a secular worldview, viewing life as if there were no God. The word “philosophy”—(phileo=love) (Sophia = wisdom)—the inference is worldly wisdom, academic pursuit, the ideologies of secular and aesthetic teachings. It’s what has turned the tide of this once great nation, secular teachers at universities, liberal beliefs that have become pervasive in public schools, and it has resulted in a growing disdainment for moral absolutes and reverence for God. If you walk into a university classroom with a Christian worldview, you will be harassed, attacked and laughed at. The only religion being taught is secular humanism, and all of this is called here “empty deceit.” In other words, it is false, fraudulent, and it is toxic.

Friedrich Nietzsche mocked Christianity in his day, deemed it religion of weaklings. He was the first to propagate the idea that “God is dead,” but Nietzsche himself found no resolve in his aesthetic philosophy and tragically spent the last 11 years of his life insane. If you live without God, it will make you crazy as well.

The philosophy of this world has plunged mankind into the abyss of darkness, and we’ve all witnessed what Isaiah the prophet declared “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness” (Isa. 5:20).

Conclusion The Church will not fail because Jesus and the Church are inseparable.

What Jesus once was, we have become, the body of Christ.