2022/January/27

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • JANUARY 27, 2022

Mannford Multi-vocational pastor embodies what it means to minister, serve /// SEE PAGE 6

CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Lifeway embraces future of work with upcoming move to new ‘teaming space’ >> CAROL PIPES

Connect: Facing discouragement

First person: Live the mission life

>> TODD FISHER

>> CHRIS WALL

The discouragement that pastors can experience is very real.

Fact is, just about every pastor in every size of church and context faces discouragement at some point.

This is especially true these days as pastors are still navigating the ramifications of the impact of COVID. Many pastors wake up on Monday morning disheartened, demoralized or even ready to quit.

Four years ago, the Lord opened a door for me to serve as a trustee from Oklahoma for the International Mission Board (IMB).

Right now, our cooperative efforts are deploying more than 3,600 full-time, fully-supported, fully-prepared, Gospel-focused leaders all over the world. I am proud of our continued support of the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon giving.

/// SEE PAGE 3

/// SEE PAGE 4

At 30 years, Rose Day still making impact for the unborn >> STAFF

The annual Rose Day Pro-Life Indoor Rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol has become the most longstanding faith-based, pro-life event in Oklahoma.

Established in the 1980s by a small group of Catholics, Rose Day participants offered red roses and a note to elected state officials, encouraging them to make policies that protect the unborn from abortion. During the 1990s, Oklahoma Baptists, based on their biblical convictions to protect unborn life, became involved. /// SEE PAGE 7

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Secularism in hyperdrive >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Full circle >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry Heart of the Child comes to OKC, Southern Hills, April 1-2 >> NICOLE WELCH

Page 7 | Features Mossman makes a move from athletics to being a pastor >> CHRIS DOYLE

Page 10 | Church Toolbox 5 crucial worship questions for pastors >> STEPHEN RUMMAGE

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To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

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Lifeway embraces future of work with & SPORTS & T MISSIONS I S T RY AINMEN T N I R E M T N E upcoming move to new ‘teaming space’ >> by Carol Pipes

LIFEWAY DIREC TOR OF CORPORATE COMMUNIC ATIONS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Lifeway Christian Resources recently announced plans to take up residence at Maryland Farms in Brentwood by the end of 2022. In the wake of strong performance in 2021, Lifeway will relocate to a mixed-use, state-of-theart facility with a layout that promotes creativity and collaboration.

“We look forward to being a part of the Maryland Farms community,” said Lifeway CEO Ben Mandrell.

“This will be an exciting area and a great space for our team to create and collaborate. Our new space will be a haven for fresh ideas and creative thinking.”

Lifeway will move from their current location in Nashville’s Capitol View neighborhood to 46,000 square feet of leased office space about 11 miles south of its current facility. Located at 200 Powell Place, the building is part of the Maryland Farms mixed-use community with access to restaurants, shopping, a greenway and park, and home to a variety of businesses.

“Selling our large building downtown and moving to a smaller, more open footprint is part of a larger, strategic vision for the organization,” Mandrell said. “The new location allows us to be better stewards of our resources and is a better fit for the E culture we’ve createdNatELifeway.”

W O N L ION T T E C N toEN Mandrell said employees continue work USIV EB-EXCLwill W remotely the majority of the time and will come to the building for collaborative work. With Lifeway’s work-from-anywhere culture, he said they decided to forgo a traditional office-space model and instead create a space designed for strategic meetings and creative brainstorming.

OreINFto “Lifeway has been a leader when TIOitNcomes A IC L B U P mote-based work and redefining the corporate of-

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Singing ChurchWomen East Concert 7-8:30 p.m.

Midwest City, First oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

JAN 30

Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Chorus Concert 6-7:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City, Village oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

FEB 3

Singing Churchmen Concert 7-8:30 p.m.

Tulsa, South Tulsa oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

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fice. We’ve moved from a corporate-headquarters S mindset to a teaming-space Imagine an O I C Emindset.

V environment that feels more like a college student union than a corporate headquarters,” he said.

“Lifeway had already embraced a remote work culture, before Zoom was a household word,” Mandrell said. “We learned during the pandemic that our team was just as efficient working from home as they were from the office—maybe more. We want to continue to offer that flexibility and maximize those efficiencies while providing opportunities for face-to-face interaction.”

Connia Nelson, Lifeway’s chief human resources officer, acknowledged that work styles have changed among the staff since moving to a fully remote, flexible work environment.

“The layout of the new building will provide all types of creative spaces where employees will be motivated and inspired to work together in community. Teams will have collaborative spaces to meet in groups, while individual employees will have a va-

A N N UA L O I N Fon G based E T I Nfrom riety of quiet workspaces MtoE choose their work style,” Nelson said. “We want to support a culture of hybrid work where flexibility leads the way with an emphasis on connectivity, giving employees the power to work from anywhere, anytime.”

The new space will be a mix of meeting rooms, drop-in workstations, a social hub, private spaces for phone and video calls, as well as spaces for individualized work that requires concentration. The plans also call for state-of-the-art podcast, video and photography studios, as well as post-production suites. Technology throughout the building will allow for connectivity and interaction with employees working around the country.

Lifeway has occupied its current home in Nashville’s Capitol View neighborhood since 2017.

While Lifeway sold the Capitol L in E I Nbuilding N View NEW 2021, they are leasing backO space until the move T N E T SIVE CON can be completed.

WEB-EXCLU

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

SIV WEB-EXCLU FEB 5

Hispanic Pastors’ Ministry Conference

Baptist Building gobregon@oklahomabaptists.org

FEB 5

Disaster Relief Orientation and Credentialing $20, 8:30 a.m.-Noon Altus, Martha Road okdisasterhelp.org

FEB 6

Oklahoma Baptist Symphony Concert 6-7:30 p.m.

Mustang, Chisholm Heights oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

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

SBC Executive Committee meets at Falls Creek to focus on God’s will, nothing else BP STAFF | JAN 18

PUBLICATIO

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Approximately a quarter of Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee (SBC EC) members gathered at Falls Creek Conference Center, Jan. 18 through noon Thursday, Jan. 20, with God’s business being the only kind receiving their attention, SBC EC Chairman Rolland Slade said.

EVENTS

God at work through trials of persecuted refugees, brings hope for resettlement CAROLINE ANDERSON | JAN 18

Tears streamed down Kara’s* face as she shared with her sewing class that her family declared her dead— disowning her because of her choice to follow Jesus. Her family told her she is “lucky to be so far away.” Kara and her husband are refugees from Burundi and live in South Africa. They work with IMB missionaries David and Julie Yngsdal, who serve among refugee communities in Durban, South Africa. *Name changed for security FIND ALL THESE STORIES AND MORE ONLINE AT WWW.BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM

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By the end of 2022, Lifeway Christian Resources will relocate to a new “teaming space” in the Maryland Farms community in Brentwood, Tenn. >> PHOTO: BAPTISTPRESS.COM

EVENTS JAN 27

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January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

PUBLICATIO

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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: 40,010. 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. January 27, 2022 • Volume 111, Number 2.

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

EVENTS

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

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Connect: Facing discouragement /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Todd Fisher Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @eToddFisher

The discouragement that pastors can experience is very real. Fact is, just about every pastor in every size of church and context faces discouragement at some point.

This is especially true these days as pastors are still navigating the ramifications of the impact of COVID. Many pastors wake up on Monday morning disheartened, demoralized or even ready to quit.

A pastor once told me that he had lost count of the number of times his wife had talked him out of resigning on a Monday morning. He said that tongue-in-cheek, but I could clearly perceive the discouragement behind his statement.

The reality of pastoring a church means that not every Sunday is going to be a pinnacle experience.

Sometimes church can just feel flat.

People seemed to mumble through the songs

and appear disengaged. No one came forward in the invitation. Attendance was down. The offering was down. There were no baptisms. Someone gave a sharp, ugly criticism just minutes before the start of the worship service.

Social media is replete with pictures and comments of the great things happening at other churches. In addition, there are seasons of pastoring that are difficult—seasons of numerous funerals, crises in the church or with families in the church, conflict with members or between members, and times when the pastor’s vision and passion for the church seems to be falling on deaf, unresponsive ears. All of this can and does lead to discouragement.

Pastor, when you are in a season of discouragement, remember that you are in this for the long game. Your preaching and leadership have cumulative effects only realized once you have experienced the varying seasons of a pastorate.

There will be good days and bad days; times of harvest and times of waiting and struggle. Be patient. Look beyond one tough Sunday or several of them in a row. Trust every Sunday and every season, the good ones and the difficult ones, to the Lord and His purposes and providence.

Remember the positive impact your ministry is having on many that you do not see and do not hear about. And remember your calling—to selflessly shepherd the flock God has entrusted to you.

You are not living for temporal reward or for the ones who give you praise or criticism. You are living for what is eternal and the One who will one day say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Pastor, please persevere. You are so needed!

When discouraged, spend time with the Lord.

Spend time with fellow pastors who know what it’s like to be in the trenches. Double down on what you have been called to do.

Start studying even harder for next Sunday’s message. Go visit or call a church member. “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord” (Col. 4:17).

Church member, encourage your pastor. Pastors carry the burden of things I have mentioned in this article more than you know. Pray for them.

Write them a note. Say a kind, affirming word. Little things such as these can be difference makers in hard weeks and seasons.

Thank you pastor for your committed and tireless service to Christ’s church and His kingdom. We need you! Press on!

Sword & trowel: Secularism in hyperdrive Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

In October of last year, there was a news report of a car that reached the fastest recorded speed for a production-car. The vehicle, the SSC Tuatara, was recorded at a stunning speed of 316.11 MPH. According to new poll results from the Pew Research Center, there is a similarly fast-paced development also recently recorded: the sharp rise in secularism in the United States.

The Pew report said “nearly 30 percent of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated, 10 percentage points higher than a decade ago.”

The “secularizing shifts evident in American society so far in the 21st century show no signs of slowing,” Pew said in releasing the findings. “The recent declines within Christianity are concentrated among Protestants.”

Albert Mohler and other prominent Southern Baptist leaders have discussed the significance of the “rise of the ‘nones’”—people who claim no religious affiliation (whether atheist, agnostic or just “nothing in particular”).

Whenever you stop to consider survey results, it’s important to remember that these are said beliefs among the respondents.

This means the number of people who admit to being a “none” could be low; that those who truly are “none” could be even higher.

Moreover, these survey numbers may be a lagging, not a leading, indicator. What I mean is they could suggest a trend that has already been entrenched.

One Bible teacher has observed that in societies where secularism gets entrenched, such as in parts of Europe, what often follows is a movement toward hyper spirituality. Where secularism once ruled, you then start to see society get interested in the occult, astrology and ghost hunting, for example.

We are seeing such development in America, too.

These are indicators that, while secularization will continue upward, what follows afterward may be even more disturbing and problematic.

What are Christians to do about all this? First, let this be a wake-up call and a reminder to live faithful Christian lives and to share the Gospel.

While it is bad for a person to be a “none,” it would be even worse to confess to be a Christian but act nothing like it. It would be worse to say you’re a Christian yet never pray, seldom or never attend church and never crack open a Bible, let alone serve others or share the Gospel.

Even this new survey noted a decline in spiritual disciplines. “Fewer than half of U.S. adults, 45 percent, said they pray daily, compared to 58 percent who said they prayed daily in 2007,” with “nearly a third of U.S. adults, 32 percent, (saying) they seldom or never pray, up from 18 percent in 2007.”

Let’s use a survey like this to live all-in for Jesus.

Let’s pray for revival, and to let it begin in our own hearts and homes; for revival to happen in our churches and communities.

With God’s help, we can see this secularization trend reversed, one person at a time. Whether that trend is changed slowly or quickly, let’s pray and work toward that aim, to the glory and praise of His Name and His Kingdom. Lord help…

Voices | January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Rite of passage: circle S P O R T S & Full T N TA I N M E

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY Walker Moore

Author & Messenger Columnist Email | walker@back40.org @WalkerDeanMoore

O O L B OX CHURCH T For years, people have asked me if they can download my sermons, teachings or lessons. To be honest with you, I don’t like to hear myself talk.

I am dyslexic in my writing, and my speaking reflects it even more. I cringe when I hear myself butchering the English D Slanguage; I come away CLASSIFIE embarrassed.

If it weren’t for the Holy Spirit taking over when I get up to speak with a message God has laid on my heart, no church would ever invite me back. But that is the definition of God’s grace and love combined. For all these reasons, few of my teachings have ever been recorded.

E S and God retreaded me with a SinceVI have O I Cretired, new ministry, Back 40 Ministries, I have been asked to do a vlog series. But first, I had to learn what a vlog is: a video podcast of my teachings. I have been asked to do an eight-week series to go along with the teachings in my upcoming book. This way you can listen to me as you drive down the road or watch me on your phone or computer. Now you will have even more ways to hear my broken English.

There is a group of people surrounding me who have encouraged me to produce this series.

ENTER

Since I wasn’t sure I would be very good at this, I decided to do an experiment to see how it might work. I needed to find a studio to rent with cameras, microphone, computers, switchers, lights and so on. & multimedia, so L Echurch O P of I don’t live in P theEworld I did two things: I prayed andSI posted my EW C HtoNGod, C H U RFacebook need on Facebook. answered first with a couple of friends suggesting some avenues, and then God answered through a telephone call.

A young man named Kyle received a call from my good friend Mike Lehew, who saw my Facebook post. Mike called Kyle and asked him to call me and see if there was anythingCheUcould LT UdoRtoEhelp. & NEW Kyle called, andSwe talked for a minute as I told him what I needed. He shared with me that he had come out of the corporate world and started a ministry service. He also said he has a burden for the large number of pastors who have left the ministry, not because they were tired of preaching but because they were overwhelmed N N U A L with all the othA er duties.

INFO NG E T Ithat Eneed For almostM any is out there, Kyle is working on a solution to help relieve pastors so they can concentrate on the joy of preaching. He has a fully equipped studio with cameras, lights, computers and more, which ministries like mine can use at no cost.

Here, the story takes a twist. Kyle’s last name is Willis. Thirty-seven years ago, I became the Bible study leader for two different groups of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU). I taught these groups of WMU ladies for 24 years.

Among these WMUers was a woman with the same last name as Kyle, Grace Willis. Grace was famous for her coffee-can bread, which she baked in coffee cans and gave away as gifts. I have eaten many of these round breads.

Grace had a son named Avery, a well-known author and missionary who wrote a discipleship series called MasterLife. When Avery came off the mission field to travel and train churches, pastors and leaders in MasterLife, he asked me to be one of his partners.

Grace Willis asked me if I would disciple her in MasterLife, so I ended up discipling the mother of the author of the series. After each week’s lesson, she would call her son and ask him if I was doing it right. I have traveled as far as China teaching MasterLife with Avery.

Avery had a grandson named Matt Willis who served with our organization as a missionary in the Middle East. Matt has a brother named Kyle. So it was Kyle Willis, the great-grandson of Grace Willis, who called me that day.

We had never met, but God is going to use his gifts, skills and equipment to help record the very teachings that I shared with his great-grandmother and taught alongside his grandfather and to his brother. Now, 37 years later, I will teach again for Kyle to record.

Can you see the hand of God weaving through the years to bring this full circle? What are the odds of this happening? If you’ve heard my teaching, you know the answer. And my friend Caleb Freeman may say it best: “But God.”

First person: Live the mission life /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Chris Wall Pastor, Owasso, First President of Oklahoma Baptists @worthfollowing

Four years ago, the Lord opened a door for me to serve as a trustee from Oklahoma for the International Mission Board (IMB).

Right now, our cooperative efforts are deploying more than 3,600 full-time, fully-supported, fully-prepared, Gospel-focused leaders all over the world. I am proud of our continued support of the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon giving.

Oklahoma Baptists must remain faithful to generously give, helping our mission work thrive. At the same time, we must all consider the open doors around the world. Right now, we have mission jobs that remain unfilled. Would you stop reading this article and ask the Lord if you are called to fill one of the international spots currently open around the world?

Serving with our incredible leaders from the IMB has brought both conviction and direction to my heart. First, God has convicted me about the lack of prayer for missionaries in my life and our church.

I repented of this, and now our church has an hour of prayer every week centering on our call to missions “HERE, THERE, and EVERYWHERE.” As we have prayed, God has been faithful to open our eyes to “THE MISSION LIFE” right here in the great state of Oklahoma.

You realize that all of us have a call to the mission field. All of us have been given a “spiritual harvest field.” The question we need to ask the Lord is not IF we are called to the MISSION LIFE. The question is “WHERE are we called to MISSION LIFE?”

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In Matt. 9:35-38, Jesus very passionately helped His disciples open their eyes to “THE MISSION LIFE.” Jesus started by pointing to the crowds all around them. So often, we struggle to see what Jesus sees. So often, we struggle to notice the crowds. Notice the crowd that surrounds you.

Also, notice how Jesus moved His disciples to both see and act.

The Son of God articulately said in Matt. 9:3738, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.”

I can only imagine the prayer time that followed that request from Jesus. I would have loved to have heard what came out of the disciples’ heart and mouths as they voiced prayers for the workers that would one day get to work spreading the news about Christ.

Right now, pick up your phone. Don’t open it but take a moment to gaze into your unopened screen.

If you look closely at that screen, you will see the reflection of one of those “prayed for harvest field workers.”

That’s right, you are the answer to the prayer time we read about in Matthew 9. For more than 2,000 years, the Master of this entire place has strategically prepared a “harvest field” for His people to work.

If you sense a call to the nations, reach out to your pastor, reach out to me at Owasso, First, or call the office of Oklahoma Baptists.

A pathway is open right now for you to live “THE MISSION LIFE.” All of us have a mission field right here, right now. You have a “MISSION LIFE” to live in your family, your circle of friends, your job, your EVERYDAY. My friends, for more than 2,000 years, Jesus has been telling us that it is “HARVEST TIME.” Take a moment and read the Prov. 10:5, warning while you consider the calling God has placed on your life.

As I pray through the responsibility and opportunity to serve as the pastor of Owasso, First and as the president of Oklahoma Baptists, let’s join together embracing this #gospeladventure by living “THE MISSION LIFE.” Let’s get to work!

Good News Whole World

January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

FOR THE

The Cooperative Program allows churches everywhere to work together through generosity, so that every church can support local missions while also having a global reach. Through the Cooperative Program, your church funds and sends missionaries around the world, trains pastors and ministry leaders, plants churches, and changes lives for eternity.

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

Heart of the Child comes to OKC, Southern Hills, April 1-2 &

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VOICES >> by Nicole Welch

CHILDHOOD MINISTRY ASSISTANT FOR OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

Heart of the Child Leadership Conference is coming to Oklahoma City, Southern Hills, April 1-2. This training conference is for anyone involved in childhood ministry or church leadership.

Based on Mark 12:30-31, the purpose of this conference is to equip leaders within the church to minister to families in churches and communities all over the nation.

The conference will have pre-conference (pre-con) sessions on Friday morning, April 1. Pre-con speakers include Shelly Melia, Brian Housman, Mark Jones, and more. The main conference will officially begin at 1 p.m. and continue until Saturday at 3 p.m.

There will be a mix of general sessions and breakout opportunities throughout the two-day conference.

Breakouts will include topics such as connecting with parents, missions, camps, music, evangelism, and special needs ministry. These sessions will also have emphasis on preschool, children, and pre-teen age groups. Featured breakout speakers include Mary Bradberry, Bill Emeott, Jacqui Gingrich, Ashley Gross and other amazing ministry leaders.

Keynote speakers this year are Matt Morgan and Doug Melton. Morgan is passionate about children’s ministry and currently leads as the campus pastor for Maumelle Campus of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Ark. Melton is the lead pastor for Oklahoma City, Southern Hills and has served in many leadership roles within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

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On-going opportunities for volunteers: Baptist Village Communities: Ada—Tracy Scheer, 580/332-6004 Broken Arrow—Monty Baggett, 918/355-0099 Cleveland—Wade Wilson, 918/358-2575 Cordell—Alicia Holt, 580/832-5831 Elk City—Cathy Henderson, 580/225-5555 Grove (Honey Creek)—Gary Mishler, 918/786-2223 Hugo—Alandra Needham, 580/326-8383 Madill (Lake Texoma)—Matthew Wood, 580/564-3776 Miami—Shane McGhee, 918/542-7124 OKC—Chris Finley, 405/721-2466 Ext. 2115 Okmulgee—Sherri Powell, 918/756-5377 Owasso—Steven Walkingstick, 918/272-2281 Ext. 102 Entrusted Hearts by Baptist Village (home health care)—Shannon Ryan, 405/942-3000 Ext. 4685

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

Feb. 5—Disaster Relief Orientation & Credentialing—9 a.m.–Noon Altus, Martha Road Feb. 19—First Aid/CPR Class— 9 a.m.-3 p.m.—$20 DR Team Center, 7180 NW Expressway, Okarche To register, please email Darrell Knapp, dknapp711@gmail.com Feb. 28-March 4—Sphere Training—8:30a.m.-5 p.m.— $35 Baptist Building, To register, please email pjones@oklahomabaptists.org

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Scott Bryan Pray for Scott Bryan and his wife, Melissa, who recently launched a new church plant in southwest Tulsa. Pray for business connections and for protection from spiritual enemies.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Julio Crespo Julio Crespo is pastor of Oklahoma City, Iglesia Bautista Central, where he leads a church planter residency program.

He also works as the Hispanic SEND Oklahoma catalyst, helping churches to plant healthy multiplying churches.

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

including organizations such as Oklahoma Baptists, the International Mission Board and CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp.

As a part of the SBC, the common belief is “we can do more together than apart.” That is why this leadership conference is planned and carried out by a team comprised of associates from the Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas State Conventions along with Lifeway Kids.

Registration for this event is now open and will continue until the end of the event. To register for this event, please visit heartofthechild.net.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).

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Missions & ministry | January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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MVP pastors are ‘unsung heroes’: Mannford multi-vocational pastor embodies what it means to minister, serve /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

>> by Chris Forbes STAFF WRITER

MANNFORD—There is a lot of talk these days about sports heroes and what the “Most Valuable Players” are doing. There is a seemingly endless discussion going on about who is entering the transfer portal, or who’s going to the Super Bowl, etc.

But there is another kind of Most Valuable Player who, despite their immense importance, is not talked about as often, specifically the Multi-Vocational Pastor (MVP). An estimated 52 percent of Oklahoma Baptist pastors are multi-vocational. In addition to serving as pastors, they also maintain part-time and full-time jobs in other vocations.

“The unsung heroes of Oklahoma Baptists are multi-vocational pastors and pastors of our smallest in attendance churches,” said Todd Fisher, executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists. “These pastors faithfully shepherd their congregations with little pay, no accolades, and many do so while having a full-time job outside the church. They are incredible and tireless servants for the kingdom.”

One such pastor is Manny Parker, pastor of Mannford, New Hope.

“We planted the church in February of 1995, back when we didn’t know it was called church planting,” Parker said when explaining the origins of the church. “It was a Bible study we hosted in our living room that grew until we needed more room. We’ve met in a bingo hall, a ball room and other places in the past. Now we are so happy to be in our own building. It’s just beautiful!”

New Hope has changed locations a few times in the 27 years since Parker and his wife Kerry first planted the church. Now located in a recently constructed building the congregation built on Highway 48 in Mannford, the church has about 130 members and continues steadily in ministry, baptizing an average of 14 people per year.

Along with pastoring New Hope, Parker is north region sales manager for Rainmaker Sales Inc., a Shawnee-based provider polyethylene pipe, fittings, fusion equipment and accessories that serves the oil, gas and agriculture industries.

“I love my job, and the people I work with. Rainmaker management has been very supportive,” Parker said. “They have been understanding and flexible with me serving in the church, (especially) when I need to visit someone in the hospital or lead in a funeral. Also in my job, there is a lot of drive time that allows me to make phone calls when needed.

“I see myself as a simple country boy,” Parker continued. “I am so grateful to be serving in this role as pastor. I know I could not do what I do were it not

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Manny Parker is north region sales manager for Rainmaker Sales, Inc., while also pastor of Mannford, New Hope, where he has served for 27 years. >> PHOTO: RAINMAKERSALES.COM

for my wife Kerry. You could say, I am someone who never got over being saved. I’ve been in ministry for 40 years.”

The multi-vocational pastoral role is not an easy one. It requires someone with tremendous organizational skills who also has a lot of tenacity. As Parker describes it, someone with “too much grit to quit.”

“Though I have never been ‘full time,’ I have never stopped serving,” Parker said. “I don’t see a minister as someone who does it for the pay. It’s something you do because you are called. When we first started the Bible study in our home, I felt I would probably be a deacon or something. Now when people ask me how I became a bi-vocational pastor, I tell them, ‘God called me to do it.’”

There are many other multi-vocational pastors like Parker who work long hours in another job, but they also remain faithful to lead a local church.

“Often multi-vocational pastors put in 60 to 80 hours a week between church and their secular jobs,” said Philip Jones, MVP Ministry Consultant for Oklahoma Baptists. “These multi-vocational pastors, in my opinion, are some of the greatest men in the kingdom of God. It takes a special commitment and determination to remain faithful to God’s call on your life year after year. And don’t forget their wives. They are uniquely gifted by God for the role to which God has called them.”

Parker offers advice to pastors who serve in multi-vocational ministry.

“Keep it simple. As a pastor, you have to focus on the Great Commission and the Great Commandment; don’t overcomplicate it,” he said, referring to Matt. 22:36-40; 28:16-20. “Just love your people as you would your own family. Even if they get angry with you, or hurt you, love them. Like family, you would never turn your back on them because you truly love them.”

Parker also emphasized that multi-vocational pastors need to work to maintain relationships with other pastors, mentors and coaches. He said pastors need to be encouraged, resourced with practical tools and make time to network with one another in order to succeed in ministry.

“I have spoken to hundreds of pastors, and I know they can tend to isolate themselves and often find it difficult for them to build trust with others,” he said. ”Ministry is messy, if what you are doing isn’t messy, it’s probably not ministry.”

Parker also received encouragement and support when he attended the MVP Pastors and Wives retreat. The next retreat is scheduled for Feb. 18-20 at Falls Creek Conference Center in Davis.

“I like what Philip Jones is doing with the MVP Pastors retreats,” Parker said. “He’s not only giving them a break, he’s giving them more energy. Like we say out here in the country, he puts a little more ‘sic ‘em’ in them by encouraging them and giving them the value they deserve.”

Jones encourages all multi-vocational pastors to take advantage of this needed respite that is free for them and their wives to attend.

“With all that’s required of multi-vocational pastors—and let’s not forget their wives—there is little time left for these unsung heroes to recharge,” Jones said. “The MVP Pastors and Wives retreat provides an opportunity for these pastors to take a breath and reassess their value in the kingdom of God. If you know a pastor like this, send them a note of encouragement today! If you are one of these pastors, I hope you can attend the MVP retreat next month.”

For more information visit oklahomabaptists.org/ mvp.

1) Manny Parker, right, presents a church member a baptism certificate; 2) Baptisms are celebrated at Mannford, New Hope; 3) Parker said he sees himself as a ‘simple country boy’ who is grateful to serve as pastor of Mannford, New Hope. >> PHOTOS: FACEBOOK.COM

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January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

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At 30 years, Rose Day still making impact for the unborn /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Staff The annual Rose Day Pro-Life Indoor Rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol has become the most longstanding faith-based, pro-life event in Oklahoma.

Established in the 1980s by a small group of Catholics, Rose Day participants offered red roses and a note to elected state officials, encouraging them to make policies that protect the unborn from abortion. During the 1990s, Oklahoma Baptists, based on their biblical convictions to protect unborn life, became involved.

In 1990, Anthony Jordan, then pastor of Oklahoma City, Northwest, chaired the first-of-its-kind major pro-life rally on the steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol. Television reporter Connie Chung was quoted to say some 20,000 attended the rally.

Jordan, who retired as Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer in 2017, was thrilled with the success but recognized that the event, which happened on a Sunday, could have had more impact at a time when legislators were at the Capitol. Seeing an opportunity with the Rose Day event, Jordan and others reached out to the event organizers and became involved in the early 1990s.

“If you really want something to take off,” said Joan Naylor, co-founder of Rose Day, “get the Baptists involved.”

Now years later, Oklahoma Baptists help lead the Rose Day rally in coordination with other faith groups.

Rose Day attendees of all ages bring red roses to state legislators at the Oklahoma State Capitol. >> PHOTO: MESSENGER STAFF

The 2022 Rose Day indoor rally is set to take place inside the Oklahoma State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the onset of the legislative session. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and rose distribution begins at 9:30, with attendees encouraged to bring red roses for their legislators, the Oklahoma Governor and Lt. Governor.

At 11:30 a.m., in the Oklahoma House of Representatives Chamber, fourth floor, the pro-life rally will begin. Gov. Kevin Stitt is scheduled to address the gathering, along with leaders including Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer. Times of prayer and a testimony will be shared.

Other Oklahoma Baptists on the program include Pastor Walter Mullican, Gayla White of Hope Pregnancy Ministries and Brian Hobbs, editor of the Baptist Messenger.

Through the years, Rose Day has featured numerous leaders within the pro-life movement, including Abby Johnson, pro-life spokeswoman and former

Planned Parenthood center director; Alveda C. King, niece of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.; Lila Rose, pro-life activist and President of Live Action; and Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life.

“For more than 30 years, Oklahoma Baptists have made a real difference for the unborn through Rose Day, which brings together so many faith groups and pro-life organizations. I’m thankful that today in Oklahoma, there are other anti-abortion, pro-life events that are making an impact toward ending legalized abortion in this state and country,” said Hobbs, who serves on the Rose Day Committee.

“At the same time, Rose Day has had a unique impact through the years, in bringing people together to help enact meaningful policies and working together for the lives of the unborn. We pray the 2022 Rose Day will continue to have that kind of impact,” Hobbs added.

For more information, visit roseday.life.

Mossman makes a move from athletics to being a pastor >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

His retirement was reported in The Oklahoman earlier this month. After 20 years of serving in the athletic department at the University of Oklahoma (OU), Kenny Mossman was making a career change to go into pastoral ministry.

“I think there are people who probably think I’m nuts,” he said during a recording for the Messenger Insight podcast. “There are people who love college sports in this state on a high level, and they might look at this decision and wonder about my sanity.”

Mossman has cherished thoughts of his time with the Sooners. He started his stint at OU as director of athletic communications and ended as executive associate athletic director for strategic communications.

“It was a pretty rewarding experience because you get to do and experience things at OU in the athletics realm that are very unique compared to other places,” Mossman said about working at OU. Overall, he worked in college athletics for nearly 40 years. “It was amazing.

I had been to one bowl game before I arrived at Oklahoma. In my 20 years, we never missed a bowl game. If you can name a bowl game, there’s a good chance— at least of the higher profile games—I got to work it.”

He also mentioned being a part of four Heisman Trophy winners, men’s and women’s basketball teams reaching the Final Four and being the sports administrator for the OU softball team, which has won numerous national titles.

But now, Mossman is pursuing full-time vocational ministry. A faithful member of Oklahoma City, Emmaus, he has been a diligent adult Sunday School teacher. He also spent a lot of time with Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a state board member. However, for the last few years, he believes God was preparing him to be a pastor.

One day, Hance Dilbeck, former executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists, and Mossman were having lunch.

“Out of the blue, he asked me, ‘Have you ever thought that the Lord would call you into ministry?’”

Mossman recalled about that significant meeting with Dilbeck. “I told him ‘Yes, I have thought about that but on a surface level.’ Hance gave me a convicting look and said, ‘I think He is.’”

Dilbeck told Mossman to confirm this calling with his pastor, Owen Neese.

“I remember sitting down with Kenny,” Neese said. “He invited me to lunch, and I just had this strong sense that God was calling him into pastoral ministry. I think I almost beat him to the punch in telling him why we were there that day.”

From there, Neese set Mossman on a path of ordination, which consisted of taking seminary courses online and going through an ordination process at church. He then receive numerous opportunities to preach around the state. Serving in pulpit supply, Mossman said, definitely “fanned the flame. It was the confirmation that I needed from God that, yes, this was something I was called to do.”

Mossman was preaching on Sundays while also fulfilling his role on Saturdays at football games.

Neese said this was not a total change for Mossman.

“He’s not doing anything completely different because he has always been committed to the local church,” Neese said. “There were away games OU was playing, and I’d think there’s no way Kenny would be there (at church the next day). But he was there the next morning. He’s always valued being involved and serving in the local church.”

Mossman then came to a point when he wondered if maybe he was experiencing burnout with his work at OU. However, he concluded it was holy discontentment.

“I wasn’t getting fulfillment out of it anymore,” he said. “I found myself being in a full stadium and looking across the landscape of 80,000 people. My thoughts weren’t so much on how are we going to entertain these people, but honestly, I wondered to myself, ‘How many of these people are saved?’

When you start to look at things through an eternal lens, it will change your perspective in a hurry. It did for me. I just no longer felt that what I was doing there was as meaningful as I once thought it was.

Now, as I look back, I know God was changing my heart and giving me a new desire. That desire was to more overtly spread the Gospel.”

He did clarify that it is possible for a Christian to have a ministry no matter the occupation. “I did have a ministry,” Mossman said. “And that platform provided me many opportunities to go speak for Christ.

But it escalated beyond that to a point where I could feel the Lord was calling me to be a pastor.”

Kenny Mossman stands in front of Carnegie, First, where he has been serving as interim pastor. >> PHOTO: CHRIS DOYLE

Recently, Mossman has been serving as interim pastor at Carnegie, First. This church in southwest Oklahoma had been pastored by Arthur Blount for nearly 40 years, before his recent passing. Mossman said this church has energized him since he’s been their interim pastor.

“It’s a small town of less than 2,000 people, but they took 71 young people to Falls Creek last summer and have 40 youth regularly on Wednesday nights,” Mossman said about Carnegie, First.

“They truly are ministering to Caddo County. They are a fun group of people to be with because they are not interested in sitting around and ‘playing church.’ They want to impact their area for Christ.”

Along with the encouragement and inspiration Mossman receives from serving Carnegie, First, he also appreciates the support he gets from Oklahoma Baptists across the state.

“It’s a neat thing to go into the pastorate as an Oklahoma Baptist because of the support system that is in place, (and that includes) the whole network of pastors across the state,” he said. “If it’s ok to be proud of a denomination, I am really proud to be a Southern Baptist in Oklahoma.”

Features | January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Headricks receive 2021 DR S L A S S I F I E Dof the Year Award CVolunteer

GuestLcolumn: Edmond, First hosts E R U T NE WS & CU Abolition conference, Feb. 5-8 >> by Blake Gideon

A N N UA L F O the 2022 Aboliis hosting I N GFirstI N TNow EEdmond, M Etion Conference, Feb. 5-8. This fourPASTOR, EDMOND, FIRST

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>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

Don Williams, Oklahoma Disaster Relief state director presented the 2021 Annual Volunteers of the Year Award to Brent and Barb Headrick. The Headricks are members of Mannford, First where Clayton Paslay is pastor. Pictured, from left, are Don Williams, Brent Headrick, Clayton Paslay and Barb Headrick

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day conference combines teaching, training and application.

Abolition is a grassroots movement among churches to abolish abortion in Oklahoma. The tenets of abolition are built upon the following five principles. First, abolition is biblical. Rather than leaving the Bible out of engagements, abolitionists ground God’s Word as the foundation for everything that they do. The concept of abolitionism (the removal of evils) is derived from the Word of God. It follows from the call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

Second, abolition is providential. Abolitionists rely on the providence of God, a not pragmatism in their efforts to abolish abortion.

Abolitionists trust in the ordained means and methods God has given in His Word.

Third, abolition is Gospel-centered. Abolitionists recognize that the chief weapon they possess in the fight against abortion is the Good News of Jesus Christ. Abortion is sin, and the only answer for sin is repentance and a saving faith in the finished work

January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

of Christ. The Gospel alone brings redemption from destruction; it is the wellspring of love, hope and joy, and the answer to abortion. The Gospel truly and permanently mobilizes human action, motivates moral behavior and mandates consistent, compassionate justice.

Fourth, abolition is body-driven. Abolitionists believe that abolition is an obligation of the Church. They seek to awaken the Church to fulfill its God-ordained purpose to be salt and light in this sin-spoiled and darkened world (Matt. 5:13-16). The primary means God has ordained to display His manifold wisdom to the world is through His people, His body and bride and His Word (1 Peter 2:9). The Church must take the Gospel to the ends of the earth; bringing it into conflict with every dark deed of man (Matt. 28:18-20).

Fifth, abolition is immediate and uncompromising (Isaiah 1:16). Abolitionists believe that abortion should not be allowed in any cases. Therefore, immediate total abolition is strategically sound and consistently biblical.

The evil of abortion will only be overcome by the people of God conquering the deeds of darkness. Join me and others Feb. 5-8 at Edmond, First for the Abolition Now Conference.

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OBU to host third annual ‘Generation Why?’ DS conference March 5LT U R E A S S I F I Eapologetics C Lstudent NE WS & CU

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>> by Kenny Day

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS NEW CONGREGATION. Broken Arrow, Emmanuel Zo is now meeting.

OBU MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

SHAWNEE—Students, youth groups, college ministry groups and others S region I C Eand O state aroundVthe are invited to attend the third annual “Generation Why?” youth apologetics conference March 5.

The event will take place at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). The conference centers around the theme of “Truth” and is a one-day-only conference. The conference is designed to equip students to know their faith more deeply and to be prepared and effective in defending the faith.

Registration is now open at okbu. edu/genwhy. Cost is $10 per person, $60 total for a group of 6 to 14 people, or $70 total for a group of 15 people or more attendees. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The conference will feature three general sessions and multiple breakout sessions, all led by OBU professors or outside guests brought in for the conference. Student bands will lead worship, and OBU President Heath A. Thomas will also share a word with guests.

Tawa Anderson, associate professor of philosophy at OBU, helps organize the Generation Why conference. He is excited for the impact the conference has made in its first two years and anticipates another outstanding event in March. He discussed why this conference is important and what attendees will learn and experience.

“Everyone has questions and doubts,” Anderson said. “Christians have questions and doubts about God, about the truthfulness of their faith. Non-Christians have doubts about and objections to Christianity. In an increasingly post-Christian world, it is more important than ever to pursue

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credible answers to questions and helpful >> PHOTO: CHRIS DOYLE responses to objections to our faith.

“1 Peter 3:15 commands us to ‘always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks Oklahoma Baptists host Transitional Pastor Training you the reason for the hope that you have.’

Monty Hall, director of missions in Washington-Osage AssociThe Generation Why youth apologetics ation, leads a session during the Transitional Pastor Training, Jan. conference aims to equip students from 17-19 at the Baptist Building. throughout Oklahoma and surrounding Seventeen pastors and church leaders participated in the trainstates to rationally and relationally undering, which equips pastors to lead a church during a time of transistand, present and defend their evangelition to prepare for the coming of the church’s next pastor. cal Christian faith. Our conference theme Oklahoma Baptists have been providing transitional pastor this year is ‘Truth’ and our top-flight linetraining since 2002. Over the past 20 years, nearly 450 pastors up of speakers will advocate for the beauhave participated in the training. ty and power of Christian truth in a skeptical world.”

Speakers include Mary Jo Sharp, apologetics professor at Houston Baptist University; Paul Copan, philosophy and ethics Store Closing chair at Palm Beach Atlantic UniFamily and Workers Prices versity; and Jamie Dew, president Winter Clothes & Gear for workers of New Orleans Seminary.

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Accessories Church Equipment Commitment Jones Pastor Determination Retreat Country Equipment Church Faithful Mannford Planting Shawnee Faithful Fusion Heroes Industries Jones Mannford Commitment Fusion Mentors Players Unsung Mentors Minister Parker Pastor Planting Players Country Heroes Minister Rainmaker Valuable Rainmaker Unsung Determination Relationships Industries RetreatParker ShawneeRelationships Wives Valuable Accessories

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People & Church News | January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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5 crucial worship questions DS CLASSIFIE for pastors

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CLICKBAIT CURES >> CARISSA JONES

>> by Stephen Rummage

SENIOR PASTOR, OKLAHOMA CITY, QUAIL SPRINGS

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A close friend in ministry told me about a time that he was—he thought—righteously scolding a group of his lay leaders for their lack of engagement in worship.

After he had finished delivering his harangue, one of the men took him aside, privately and quietly. “Pastor,” he said, “we’re ready to go where you lead us. But you have to go there before we can.” My friend became convicted that he was not actually engaging in worship himself, and his church could tell.

The pastor of the church is a worship leader. Even more than that, the pastor should be a worshipping leader. As the hearing of the Word of God, every opportushepherd of my congregation, I am only nity for worship should result in a strengthleading in worship to the extent that I my- ened understanding of some aspect of bibself am worshipping. Here are five ques- lical truth and ways that truth can transform tions pastors and other leaders might con- our lives. sider as we reflect on our own worship and How is worship increasing our love for the worship of the church: one another? When I listen to music on my How is worship deepening our devo- iPhone through my earbuds, I deliberately tion to God? The deepest goal of worship cater to my own tastes. I never have to hear should be to know God’s heart as we enter anything I don’t enjoy. But in corporate worHis presence. Every act of worship, wheth- ship, we surrender our preferences to one er a song, a prayer, the preached Word, the another in love. When we allow worship celebration of baptism or the Lord’s Supper, styles to create division, we reveal a lack of or any other element, should be geared to- love in the body. When we willingly worship ward hearing and seeing God reveal Him- together, irrespective of our stylistic prefself to us. erences, we both display and increase our How is worship clarifying our dis- love for each other. cernment of ourselves? When Isaiah enHow is worship burdening us for the countered the Lord high and lifted up in lost? Jesus said the Father is seeking peoHis temple, his response was: “Woe is me! ple toEworship Him in spirit and truth (John T H An essential part of worship is sharing O M4:23).

F Runfor I am undone; because I am a man of LO Gto bring all people to Himself R S Bdesire clean lips, and I dwell in the midst ofRaDpeople S L I N GinEGod’s O W of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the and then inviting them to know and worKing, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5). Worship, ship the living God. which ascribes ultimate worth to God, also reveals our own unworthiness and calls These reflections from Stephen Rummage us to repentance and renewed obedience on worship leadership are excerpted from and holiness.

Daniel Dickard’s forthcoming book, Church How is worship enhancing our underTogether: S AY S The “Church of We” in the “Age E V A D standing of God’s truth? Because the of Me,” to be released in 2022 by Wipf and church’s corporate worship is shaped by the Stock Publishers.

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

O K L AH O M A BAP T I S T S WO M E N ’S R E T R E AT

R E W I R E D M E N ’S CO N FE R E N C E

Registration opens Feb. 1 for the Oklahoma Baptists Women’s Retreat, April 2223, at Falls Creek Conference Center. Visit the website below for more information.

Registration opens Feb. 8 for Rewired Men’s Conference, April 29-30, at Falls Creek Conference Center. Visit the website below for more information.

oklahomabaptists.org/women/retreat

oklahomabaptists.org/rewired

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

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January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

I am a self-proclaimed sucker for clickbait, articles AL Y SA Nthose U A N S E V A D or stories with 57 ads included and a captivating cover O NF G IThey photo that rarely has anything toM doE with E TtheI Nstory. are the tabloids and product pushers of social media.

One recent article was titled something along the lines of “Useful Products Everyone Obviously Needs.” As I consider myself part of “everyone,” I was hooked. Several S T S myhelpful P T Icaught A B A M items were listed, but one in particular attenO H OKLA T H G I L H tion. It was something R called motion sickness glasses.

H IG ESOU CE You mustRunderstand, I have struggled with motion sickness for several years now. I blame Macedonian taxis—at least in part. Lanes and speed limits are purely optional, and the constant gear-shifting would unsettle anyone accustomed to automatic transmissions. Then again, the flight over was less than pleasant, so maybe the issue lies more with me. But I digress.

Regardless of the cause, my love of travel has been hampered somewhat by this malady. I got very excited at the prospect of a pair of glasses curing my motion sickness. I imagined myself riding in the backseat of a car wearing these adorable sunglasses and somehow not feeling the need to ask the driver to pull over.

To read the rest of Carissa’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/blog-clickbait-cures

F RO M T H E 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 WHERE SHOULD HE PARK THE MONEY? Dear Dave, T ISTS B A Psome A M Our son is 13, K and heH has been doing O A L O GHT L Imakes part-time work for a friend of E theHfamily.

IG HHe C R U O S E R $40 to $60 a week, and he would like to begin investing the majority of what he earns. Do you have a suggestion for a good place he could put his money?— Lindsay Dear Lindsay, Well, here’s the thing. At this point in his life, the goal of this investment isn’t wealth. Number one, it’s not a lot of money. Number two, well, it’s not a lot of money. The goal is to create knowledge, reward his interest in the subject and teach him how to handle his finances when he’s an adult.

I’ve got no problem with you helping him open checking or savings accounts at a local bank or credit union. There are lots of good lessons to be learned in reconciling a bank statement, and the value of spending, saving and giving. Then, you could get with a good financial pro, one with the heart of a teacher, and let him open a mutual fund for $50 a month with you as the custodian. He could learn about compound interest, how to calculate the value of his shares and other things, and all that would be a good learning exercise, too.

We did these things with our kids. But keep in mind that over the course of a year—and when you’re 13, that’s an eternity— there’s not going to be a lot of action on the investing side of things. It could be kind of boring for him at times. But he’s better off to learn now that good things don’t always come with flashing lights and whistles.

When it comes to wealth building, things aren’t instantly appealing. Slow and steady wins the race!

—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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VOICES

water, OK 73666. Send resume to: fbcsw2312@ gmail.com. Phone: (580) 729-6583 for inquiries.

CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

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

>>F/T MINISTER OF STUDENTS/ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church in Durant, OK is seeking a F/T hard-working & energetic Minister of Students/Associate Pastor. Resumes can be sent to: P.O. Box 1028, Durant, OK 74702 or can be emailed to: search@calvarydurant.org.

>>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.

>>P/T PASTORAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS: Chisholm Heights Baptist Church in Mustang, OK, has two openings for P/T Pastoral Administrative Assistants. 28 hours a week. Microsoft Office & general computer skills a plus. If interested submit resume to: office@chbcmustang.org.

>>F/T YOUTH MINISTER: College Heights Baptist of Chickasha, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Youth Minister. Resumes may be sent to: College Heights Baptist Church, P.O. Box 357, Chickasha, OK 73023 or by email to: chbcsearchcmte@gmail.com

>>BI/VO or P/T CHILDREN’S MINISTER: FBC Elmore City is prayerfully seeking God’s candidate to be our P/T or BI/VO Children’s Minister. Please submit resume to: fbceckids@gmail.com or mail to: FBC Elmore City, P.O. Box 247, Elmore City, OK 73433.

>>F/T STUDENT PASTOR: FBC Heavener is seeking a F/T Student Pastor. Please send a resume to: hardinbrock@yahoo.com.

>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Looking for P/T Youth Minister to disciple & lead our youth.

Please send resume with letter of recommendation to: Main Street Baptist Church, C/O Youth Search Committee, P.O. Box 668, Stigler, OK 74462. Or email to: jeffkberger@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Porum is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Housing is available. Please submit resumes with a cover letter to: porumfirstbaptist@gmail.com or P.O. Box 396, Porum, OK 74455. >>F/T PASTOR: Denton Baptist of Marlow, OK is in search of a F/T Pastor. Initium Pastors are welcome. Please send resumes to: dentonbaptistchurch21@gmail.com or mail to: 272910 W. Ballpark Rd., Marlow, OK. 73055.

>>F/T STUDENT PASTOR: Pawhuska’s FBC is a growing & enthusiastic church seeking a F/T Student Pastor to join our ministry team & lead our growing & diverse student ministry. Send inquiries and/or resumes to: church@pawhuskafbc.org.

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Fitzhugh is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Please send resumes to: fitzhughpastorsearch@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Rosedale, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Resumes can be sent to: 37740 Arkansas Ave., Byars, OK 74831.

Email: tracy100@windstream.net.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Enterprise Baptist Church, in rural Norman, is prayerfully seeking a Bible believing BI/VO Pastor. Please send resume to: randkvance217@sbcglobal.net or call (405) 397-7884.

>> F/T PASTOR: FBC 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.

>>F/T PASTOR: Big Creek Baptist in Heavener, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested applicants should mail a cover letter & resume to: 13186 Black Fork Rd., Heavener, OK 74937 or bigcreekbaptistok@gmail.com.

Contact (918) 658-5384 & leave message.

>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Please submit resume to: Calvary Baptist Church, 715 SW H Avenue, Lawton, OK 73501 or email to: personnel@calvarybaptistlawton.org.

>>F/T OR P/T YOUTH MINISTER/ASSOCIATE PASTOR: FBC Calvin in Calvin, OK is seeking a called Minister of Youth/Associate Pastor. Please send resumes to: calvinbaptist1st@yahoo.com. ATTN: Search Committee.

>>SENIOR PASTOR: Senior Pastor needed, retiring pastor of 30 years. Experience required, adherence to BFM 2000. Send resumes, recommendations to Pastor Search Committee, First Baptist Church, 125 S Delos, Haysville, KS 67060 or pastorsearch@fbchaysville.org.

>>BI/VO WORSHIP LEADER: The Church at Norman is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Worship Leader for our Sunday morning services. Send resume to: P.O. Box 818, Norman, OK 73070 or email to: thechurchatnorman@yahoo.com.

>>F/T ASSOCIATE & YOUTH MINISTER: Calvary Baptist Church Inola, OK is seeking a F/T Associate Pastor & Youth Minister. Interested candidates may submit resumes with references to: calvaryinola@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Rural church looking for Pastor. Great opportunity & recently updated 3 bed, 2 bath parsonage provided. 11012 N. Hwy 30, Sweet-

>>BI/VO WORSHIP MINISTER: FBC of Elmore City is prayerfully seeking God’s candidate for a BI/VO

Worship Minister to lead us in a blended service.

Please submit your resume to: fbc@fbcelmorecity. com or mail to: P.O.Box 247, Elmore City, OK 73433. >>CHILDREN’S PASTOR: Marlow FBC is looking for a Children’s Pastor to shepherd our kids nursery through 5th grade. Submit resumes to: office@marlowfirst.org. >>F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Sobol, OK. Sobol Baptist Church is a small rural church seeking a Pastor with a heart for God & families as we seek to grow our church for the next generation.

Contact: debbanwhite@gmail.com. >>BI/VO PASTOR: New Bethel Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a Pastor. Mail resume to: New Bethel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 945, Ada, OK 74821. >>F/T or P/T YOUTH PASTOR: FSBC Guthrie is prayerfully searching for our next Youth Pastor. Position is F/T or P/T for the right candidate. Resumes can be mail to: 202 E Noble, Guthrie, OK 73044 or email to: fsbc.youthpastorsearch@gmail.com. >>BI/VO YOUTH MINISTER: Highland Park Baptist Church seeks an enthusiastic & hard-working leader to grow our youth ministry. We are a friendly & culturally diverse congregation near UCO. Resume: Search Team, 400 N. Blackwelder, Edmond, 73034. (405) 341-1119. >> P/T WORSHIP LEADER: Ridge Crest Baptist Tulsa, OK, seeking P/T Worship Leader to lead Praise Team in blended worship. Small Weekly Stipend. www.ridgecresttulsa.org. Email resume: RCBCtulsa@gmail.com or mail resume: 304 S 161st E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74108. >>P/T or BI/VO PASTOR: Union Valley Baptist Church, Randlett, OK (at Cookietown, OK) is prayerfully seeking a P/T or BI/VO Pastor. Please email resumes with references to: phillip@hartwyatt.com. >>F/T YOUTH PASTOR: FBC Buffalo, OK. FBC is prayerfully seeking a Youth Minister. Housing provided. Please send resume to: FBC Buffalo, P.O. Box 415, Buffalo, OK 73834 or email to: Fbcbuffalo@pldi.net. Phone: (806) 930-8374. >>BI/VO or F/T PASTOR: Asher FBC seeking a BI/VO or F/T Pastor. Parsonage is available. Interested candidates should email or mail their resume to: FBCAsher@windstream. net or FBC Asher, P.O. Box 166, Asher, OK 74826. >>F/T PASTOR: Beaty Baptist Church is searching for God’s man to fulfill our F/T Pastor position. Send resume with references to: Pastor Search Committee, 503 N. Santa Fe, Pauls Valley, OK 73075 or tboney875@gmail.com.

Accepting until 1/31/2022 or when filled. >>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: First Southern Baptist Church, Arcadia OK is seeking a mature & committed servant of the Lord.

Send resume to: fsbcarcadia@yahoo.com.

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1 “Abner ___ himself strong” 26:30) 22 Painter Richard (2 Sam. 3:6) 26 Banana oil e.g.

5 Load 27 Cut the lawn 9 “Reward ___”is tidings in 28 “If hethe be doer ___,ofthere (2 Sam. his3:39) mouth” (2 Sam. 18:25) 13 Winged 29 “Lest he ___ him fenced cities” 14 God’s words20:6) are ___ (2 Sam. 7:28) (2 Sam. 15 Food group 30 Shiny metal (2 Sam. 8:10) 31 Am not 33 City in Nebraska 34 Roman marketplace (Acts 28:15) 35 Emblem 36 Duck 39 Southern girl 40 Archer’s weapon Israelites were

16 Singer

4317Absalom’s covering “Neither letgreat therehead be ___” (2 Sam. 14:26) (2 Sam. 1:21) 46 Delayed 18 “Let the young men now ___” 48 Frosting Sam.seed 2:14) 49(2Oak Zeruiah’s son (2 Sam. 5019Seven closures (Rev.2:18) 5:1) God’s dwelling (2 Sam. 7:6) 5121Throat infection Center 5223Writing Half David’s of Chineseenemies principlewere of harmony 5424City coming from (2 Sam. 15:18) 56 Uh-uh 57 “Chasten him with the ___” (2 Sam. 7:14) 58 Spring month (abbr.)

59 Pod vegetable 61 Travel term

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25 Plan 29 Time zone (abbr.)

30 Reduce 32 Sun’s name 33 “How ___ would I have gathered” (Matt.

23:37) 36 “The word of the LORD is ___” (2 Sam. 22:31) 37 Number of days David was in Ziklag (2 Sam. 1:1) 38 Deliberate 39 Legumes brought to David (2 Sam. 17:28) 40 “As though he had not ___ anointed” (2 Sam. 1:21) 41 “___ thou Asahel?” (2 Sam. 2:20) 42 Meal David made for Abner (2 Sam. 3:20) 43 Legion 44 Color 45 Evils 46 Michal “___ king David leaping” (2 Sam. 6:16) 47 Machir’s father (2 Sam. 9:4) 49 Boxer Muhammad 50 Vane direction (abbr.)

53 Fly 55 Musical instruments (2 Sam. 6:5) 57 Quick 60 “If the sacrifice of his offering be ___” (Lev. 7:16) (2 wds.)

62 Boat movers not allowed on God’s rivers (Isa. 33:21) 63 Swings wide, as Samuel does the doors of the house of the LORD (1 Sam. 3:15) 64 “Bind the ___ of thine head” (Ezek. 24:17)

A N N UA L >>F/T PASTOR OF STUDENT LIFE:I Northside FO G isNprayerIN Baptist Church ofENeosho, Missouri, T E M fully seeking a F/T Pastor of Student Life to lead our student ministries. If interested, please send resumes to: brad@northsideneosho.com. >>F/T WORSHIP/STUDENT PASTOR: South Seminole Baptist Seminole, TX is seeking F/T Worship/Student Pastor. Church is looking for a pastoral leader with heart of shepherding people to know & love Christ. Please submit cover letter, resume & references to: buck@southseminole.net. >>P/T MUSIC MINISTER: Seeking a vocalist & musician who understands a blend of contemporary & traditional worship music styles, capable of leading multiple generations. Please send letters of interest & resumes to: southparkokcmusic@gmail.com. >>P/T YOUTH PASTOR: FBC Hydro is prayerfully searching for a P/T Youth Pastor. Please send resumes to: jbsanders59@hotmail.com. >>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Duke FBC is prayerfully seeking a P/T Youth Minister who is passionate about God & serving youth. Please send resume or inquiries to: fbcduke@swoi.net. >>F/T MINISTER OF YOUTH: Lawton, First East is prayerfully seeking a Youth Minister with a heart for students Grades 6-12. Check www.firstbaptisteast.com for more information. Send resume electronically to: trey@firstbaptisteast.com. >>P/T STUDENT PASTOR: FBC Glenpool is seeking a P/T Student Pastor to lead & disciple our 7th -12th grade student ministry. Send resume & letter by February 18th to: FBC Glenpool, Attn. Admin Team, 52 E. 145th St, Glenpool, OK 74033 or email to: students@fbcglenpool.com. >>BI/VO or P/T PASTOR: Sunset Baptist Church of Ponca City, OK is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Please send resume with references to: Pastor Search Committee, 915 Greenwood Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.

MIS CEL L A NEO US >>DO YOU NEED A CHURCH PIANIST? Try piano accompaniment CDs from Worship Service Resources! Each song has an introduction & is easy to follow. Hymns, DVDs, Hundreds of Songs! Get your FREE DEMO & try before you buy! wsrpianocds.com or 1-877-977-6800. >>VAN FOR SALE: 2017 Ford Transit 350 XLT, 15 passenger van mid roof rwd lwb. Mileage is just under 7k asking price is 40k. Please contact FBC Newalla at (405) 391-6266, if interested.

A G A P E A B L E N L O T B E T E L C R OW D O N E S E A B R E A D T OW E R S I S E R A E A S T 65 TypeEof Dmatter judged E N to be M A R (Deut.

O H O X H17:8) S Atool L (Hab. T R I N S E D E W 66 Fishing 1:15) I T A L Y A D O R E 67 “Out of StheH___ R I ofNthe K Philistines” C E D A(2RSam. S 19:9) S H E E P S I H O N 68 See MT OE BE T SA HU ET OA F CE AV VI EL A D D S G I D E O N G R E B E T R I A D N L A DOWN 1 Lady AS AT RA OR NS EL EX NC TE OL GE ET HT

2 Defense Puzzle 13: Judges 3 Israel’s second king (2 Sam. 2:4) 4 Long time periods A G O S A K E S S E V E N 5 “I am inL aAgreat D ___” B L (2 C R I M E E Sam. A T 24:14) 6 QueenTofWSheba “came to Jerusalem O Awith S Ia S O E M P T Y O K R A(1 Kings I T 10:2) S E L F A R T very great ___” B I G A F C 7 French “yes” M A R T H A D W E L L S P E Z___SupT toRthe A W A L T 8 “Watchman roof ”D(2ESam. 18:24) O N T O Y O K E S F U E L I D E A L D E C S A L T S 9 What Hushai S C had H Eon Mhis E head T R U E S T A P T (2 Sam. 15:32) U S A T O P R P H A N C A M E 10 Number of yearsO David reigned in Hebron (2 A L L O T T O N G S B O N Sam. 5:5)L (Rom. E A Cnum.)

H S H E E P B A D L O T T O D OW R Y A B S 11 Government agency (abbr.)

Puzzle 15: Ruth 12 Used to make soap 15 “David ___ before the LORD” (2 Sam. 6:14) Y A C G A F F H T F E B 20 Religious song (Matt. 26:30) A P I A R Y O B O E A V E 22 Painter Richard M E A N I E T O R E V I A 26 Banana oil e.g.

N A S A A C T I O N S D U C T E A D F I R E 27 Cut theHlawn S I R E S T H B I N D 28 “If heGYbeAI ___, there is tidings in his N B O R N T W O mouth” (2 Sam.P18:25) L A C A T E R A I M E N T S Hfenced F cities” I L M(2 Sam. P A S 29 “Lest he ___Ahim W I M P A L I V E B O O K 20:6) C O N E S O R T F A C E A S (2 S A T T8:10)S A U L 30 ShinyC metal Sam. E V E L O T H D E N T I N 31 Am not S E C M O L E S L U I C E 33 City in Nebraska S S T A D E N S T E E R 34 Roman marketplace (Acts 28:15) Puzzle 17: 1 Samuel

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35 Emblem E Duck R 36 S U B O V 39 Southern girlO P L E V I 40 Archer’s weapon Israelites were taught to N A Y E R N E T L E use (2 Sam. 1:18) E S S 42 Large grassy areas where soldiers camped S H O B I (2T Sam. 11:11) B A K E N E Absalom’s T head covering R E S V 43 great R E A S T (2 Sam. 14:26) U 46 DelayedPuzzle 14: Judges 48 Frosting M S G W R I T E A D I S 49 Oak seedW E T A E A R E D A B O D E 50 S Seven A T closures S H E (Rev. E P 5:1)T Y I N G S T Y A Throat B E L infection O R A T E D 51 E R R A I D 52 Writing E L D E R S S T R O N G 54 (2 A City T coming S L E David’s F Eenemies T C H were O I L from C I 15:18) T Y D O E R S R E E L Sam. T H I E F C A Y C O U N T 56 Uh-uh U N L O C K B A R R E N 57 “Chasten R ___” Y E L Ohim W with the X R A Y O Sam. W N 7:14) T A R S A L (2 D E I S M A E R I E O R E 58 Spring month (abbr.)

D E N S E M A I N E S E A S Pod W N P A vegetable S T A G G E A R 59 61 TravelPuzzle term 16: 1 Samuel

G A T E T W O

Puzzle 18: 2 Samuel JAN. 13 ANSWERS

Classifieds | January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

11

March 22 - 24, 2O22

This spring, join us on the Southwestern Seminary campus in Fort Worth for a deep dive into what real, hands-on ministry looks like moving forward.

In a rapidly changing ministry context, the Ministry Now Conference is founded on an unyielding commitment to biblical truth, is built by expert practitioners, and is designed to encourage and equip pastors and church leaders for leadership in every area of ministry. Wherever God has led you to serve, you can be empowered to live your calling at the Ministry Now Conference.

Reserve your tickets now. s wbts.edu/ministrynow2022

SPEAKERS

Adam W. Greenway

Jack Graham

O.S. Hawkins

Noe Garcia

Matt Carter

Marcus Hayes

and other speakers

WORSHIP

Keith & Kristyn Getty, Special Musical Guests

12

Matt Boswell & the Cowden Hall Band

January 27, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture