2021/July/15

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • JULY 15, 2021

Missions Focus at Falls Creek: CAMPERS EXPERIENCE GOSPEL IMPACT AROUND THE WORLD /// SEE PAGE 6

CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends First Person: Embracing the brokenness of orphans in their affliction >> TIM HARE

Just Joe: We’re going to be OK >> JOE LIGON

Cordova preaches from the creek at CrossTimbers

F.A.I.T.H. Riders rally around the Gospel at Falls Creek

So, there I sat one day, basically minding my own business. My then boss, Dr. Hance Dilbeck, informed me that he was resigning his position as executive director– treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists.

He then had the audacity to tell me that our convention’s constitution stated that I would be interim executive director.

That revelation brought me to the verge of panic. You know, like the panic you feel when you simultaneously see a Highway Patrol Trooper and your speedometer shows 92 mph.

>> CHRIS DOYLE

>> CHRIS FORBES

DAVIS—Sharing the Gospel takes creativity sometimes when sharing with children. At CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp, campers who finished grades third through sixth will hear the Gospel throughout their time on the campgrounds.

Even though they may hear the Gospel often, it could take a unique presentation to finally hit home with some campers. That’s what Rick Cordova offered during Session 4 at CrossTimbers Davis.

/// SEE PAGE 3

/// SEE PAGE 7

DAVIS—Members of an Oklahoma motorcycle ministry are putting wheels to their faith by sharing their testimonies and the Gospel with campers at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center throughout the summer. The F.A.I.T.H Riders arrive on their motorcycles each Friday at the youth encampment with the purpose of modeling to students how to share their testimony in three minutes and rewarding students who share their testimonies with a F.A.I.T.H Riders collector’s pin. /// SEE PAGE 7

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Dropout danger zone >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Satan’s subtle substitutes >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry Indian Falls Creek returns in 2021, poised for ministry impact >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 8 | People & Church News Dilbeck farewell reception >> STAFF

Page 10 | Church Toolbox Why churches need to be multigenerational, and why it’s hard to do >> CHUCK LAWLESS

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First Person: Embracing the brokenness & of orphans in theirS affliction PORTS & MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

>> by Tim Hare

LEAD PASTOR, BLACKGUM, FIRST; MEMBER OF OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS ERLC COMMITTEE

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27).

This is quite the statement by James, the brother of Jesus. Do you want to know how your life should be characterized, if you are a follower of Christ? Do you want to know the things that you should be involved in if you claim to be a believer in the Gospel?

James tells us that we need to be visiting the orphans and widows. In James’ day, orphans and widows were considered some of the most socially helpless people in the world; they were the “least of these.”

And James is saying that if you believe in a Gospel that has saved you even when you were “dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked” even when you were spiritually among the “least of these,” then you need to be comforting and ministering to the least of these in this present world.

As Oklahoma Baptists, we have been given an incredible vision to “embrace brokenness” in our communities. This is a calling to live out James 1:27, a calling to be Great Commandment churches.

One of the great needs of brokenness in our state, as well as our nation as a whole, is in the area of foster care. In our state alone, there are more than I NofEhome 7,500 children who N areEconsidered W O N L“out ENTto E CONTneed care.” For whatever B USIVchildren -EXCLthese E reason, W find another home. Their lives have been uprooted.

As the church, we need to be engaged in how we might be able to come alongside these children and meet their needs, as well as the families who are attempting to bring them in and provide for them.

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>> PHOTO: BIGSTOCK.COM To find out how to lead your

For the last few years, the church I pastor has had the amazing opportunity to partner with a ministry that seeks to bring comfort and meet the needs of foster care children and families. This ministry is called the Care Portal.

I C E Sthe Care Portal, our V OThrough church has been able to come alongside children and families in our community who have desperate physical needs.

A few months back, a mother of three children suddenly passed away. The kids went to live with their grandparents. This couple loved these kids dearly, but they needed help. They needed some basic necessities for the kids, that they did not have on hand. Through the Care Portal, our church heard about the situation, and was able to provide what they needed. Not only that, but we were able to connect them to a local Baptist church that was two minutes away.

And this is what makes the Care Portal so great. Not only are churches able to minister to the physical needs, but there is a wide-open door to minister to spiritual

church to partner with the Care Portal, visit oklahoma.111project.org or careportal.org.

needs as well. The Care Portal connects you directly with the families in need; and every time that you go out to meet those needs, you have an opportunity to have an intentional Gospel conversation. The Care Portal is such an incredible tool that enables churches to meet these needs.

If your church is seeking to find ways in which they can exist in the community as both a Great Commandment church as well as a Great Commission church, then the Care Portal is a tremendous opportunity. This ministry exists throughout our state and is very affordable to join.

My prayer is that you might consider praying about and possibly leading your church to partner with the Care Portal and help embrace the brokenness in your community. If interested, please visit the following web addresses: oklahoma.111project.org careportal.org

N INFO PUBLICATIO

CrossTimbers Grand Lake Session 4 Info: Speaker: Doug Melton crosstimbers. org

JULY 19-23

Falls Creek Week 7

Info: Speaker: Shane Pruitt Worship Band: Cody Dunbar fallscreek.org

JULY 19-22

CrossTimbers Davis Session 10

Info: Speaker: Blake Gideon crosstimbers.org

JULY 21-24

CrossTimbers Grand Lake Session 5 Info: Speaker: Mark Dance crosstimbers.org

SIV WEB-EXCLU JULY 23-26

CrossTimbers Davis Session 11

Info: Speaker: Barry Williams crosstimbers.org

JULY 26-30

Falls Creek Week 8

Info: Speaker: Ed Newton Worship Band: Phil Vega fallscreek.org

JULY 30

Church Weekday Education Conference

Info: Del City, First Southern; oklahomabaptists.org/childhood/ church-weekday-education

AUG 1-5

Indian Falls Creek

Info: Speaker: Vern Charette indianfallscreek.org

IMB to host MedAdvance Conference in Texas, Aug. 5-7 CATHERINE FINCH | JULY 2

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Registration is still open for the 2021 MedAdvance conference, hosted by the International Mission Board (IMB). The conference will be at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 5-7. At the event, participants will discover how God is at work, organizers said, as healthcare missionaries share from around the world. Those working in or interested in the medical field will learn how they can serve on mission at home and overseas using their God-given talent, skills and experience.

PUBLICATIO

EVENTS

ERLC Presidential Search Committee Named TOM STRODE | JULY 6

A search committee has been named to find a successor to Russell Moore as president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS FIND ALL THESE STORIES AND MORE ONLINE AT WWW.BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM

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EVENTS JULY 16-19

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July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

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PUBLICATIO

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The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published semi-monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 731126506. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 41,811.

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. July 15, 2021 • Volume 110, Number 13.

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

Just Joe: We’re going to be OK Joe Ligon Oklahoma Baptists’ Interim Executive Director-Treasurer @marlowpreacher

So, there I sat one day, basically minding my own business. My then boss, Dr. Hance Dilbeck, informed me that he was resigning his position as executive director–treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists. He then had the audacity to tell me that our convention’s constitution stated that I would be interim executive director.

That revelation brought me to the verge of panic.

You know, like the panic you feel when you simultaneously see a Highway Patrol Trooper and your speedometer shows 92 mph. You know, like the panic you feel when you realize you just ate the last strip of bacon.

You know, like the panic you feel when you realize the Texas Longhorns could somehow beat the Oklahoma Sooners on the gridiron. You know, like the panic you feel when you realize you are about to get a new responsibility that you weren’t expecting and certainly didn’t ask for. You know, like the panic that causes you

to breathe into a paper sack while you are trying not to hyperventilate.

By the way, Walmart sacks are poor substitutes for that little exercise—you can easily inhale one of those flimsy little things, which will not only stop you from hyperventilating, it will stop you from any kind of ventilating. So, I learned you should keep a paper bag handy just in case you get some surprise announcement that causes you to breathe funny.

One of my very first thoughts after Dr. Dilbeck delivered his news was that once folks realized that I had this position, this interim was going to be shortest interim in the history of interims. For the sake of all that is good, they surely wouldn’t leave someone like me in a position like this.

So, I drank an ice cold Mountain Dew and ate a BLT without the L or the T—or the bread for that matter.

You don’t ever want to ruin a mess of bacon by adding vegetables or berries or whatever tomatoes are supposed to be. That Mountain Dew and bacon calmed me right down. In fact, it calmed me down enough to realize Oklahoma Baptists are going to be OK. One reason we are going to be OK is Dr. Dilbeck left us with an incredible vision to focus our efforts around the state. That vision is “We Encourage One Another to

Advance the Gospel.” Here is part of what I know. If we focus on encouraging one another, we will be all right.

And if we use all of our resources to advance the Gospel, we will be fulfilling the Great Commission.

Another reason we are going to be OK is we have the right people in the right places doing the right things.

I am speaking specifically about the folks who serve Oklahoma Baptists through the work of the convention. We have a strong team of talented, passionate people who love the local church, who love pastors, who love our associations, and who are committed to getting Gospel work done at a very high level.

A third reason we are going to be OK is we have a great search team comprised of quality men who care deeply about Oklahoma Baptists. Although I do not and should not have any inside information about how they are doing their work, I am convinced they will do a good work.

Finally, we are going to be OK because you won’t find any people anywhere who are better than Oklahoma Baptists.

So, I think the best thing for me to do is to drink another Mountain Dew, eat some more bacon, and take a deep breath. We are going to be OK. I am sure of it.

Sword & trowel: Dropout danger zone Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

At the recent meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), one of the focal points was the goal to “turn around the ongoing decline in the SBC in reaching, baptizing and discipling 12- to 17-yearolds in the prime of their teenage years.”

In Oklahoma, we are blessed to have many ministries that specifically work toward that end. The most well-known is Falls Creek. As tens of thousands of young people, ages 12 to 17, walk on these hallowed campgrounds, Oklahoma Baptists can know that these students are hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being encouraged toward the path of discipleship.

Falls Creek remains one of the best, most encouraging efforts anywhere in North America. In fact, its importance is only growing, when you stop to look at current trends among teens.

According to a recent article by Aaron Earls of Lifeway Research, today “most pastors and church leaders recognize the teenage dropout issue. Twothirds of churchgoing teens leave their local congregations as young adults, according to Lifeway Research. Many of these never come back.”

The study found out there is a specific age range that is most vulnerable, the time “in which students begin to fade away from church.” Can you guess when that is?

According to surveys of those who have dropped out of church life, the age is 16. That is when students enter a “church dropout danger zone.”

Earls said, “After their sweet 16 birthday, 73 percent of eventual church dropouts attend regularly, compared to 79 percent of those who stayed in church.

By 17, the divide grows (64 percent of dropouts are attending versus 78 percent of non-dropouts).

“At 18,” Earls continued, “less than half of those who drop out are regularly attending (48 percent), while the percentage of non-dropouts attending remains stable (77 percent). The next year, at 19, only 26 percent of those who drop out are still regularly attending.”

Statistics can sound confusing, but the bottom line is that the “percentage (after 16) continues to decline

until bottoming out… when young adults reach 21.”

This all means, if we want to disciple a new generation of Christians, we have to take seriously our call to reach and retain young people for Christ.

It also means we have to pay better attention to students in these danger zones. Earls does not offer mere diagnosis of the problem. He and LifeWay offer solutions, including the following: Get the students in God’s Word; plug in with the parents of students attending your church; and have other godly adults pouring into their lives.

“Parents and student ministers are important to the spiritual development of teenagers,” Earls said, “but having multiple adults make positive investments in the lives of students has a tremendous impact.”

So the statistics are clear. The church has to be as intentional as ever on reaching students, of reaching the lost. More than that, though, we have to be even more intentional not to lose the reached.

Let’s not let a whole generation of students now in church slip away into the dark waters of the modern world. Together, through Falls Creek, the local church, personal efforts and more, let’s keep them from this dropout danger zone, by God’s grace.

Voices | July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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S & passage: Satan’s Rite of substitutes S P O R T S & subtle MISSION T N I S T RY AINME MIN

Walker Moore

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

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My wife and I once attended a well-known charismatic church. We had friends who attended there, and at their invitation, we went to a small group meeting. There were quite a large number of people there, and when I say “large,” I mean most of them were bigger D Sthan my wife and me.

IinEgirth I Fwere L A S Swe CI assumed going to have dessert later, as this class was bringing in some of the most decadent and decorated desserts I have ever seen. They even arranged their chairs around the table full of desserts.

I was already beginning to like this class. If this was a typical small group, sign me up. Our church fights over whether we should serve coffee.

But then I C E S changed. The teacher got up V Osomething and told us that when Jesus resurrected, He told us He had been given “all authority,” and with this authority, we could go out and proclaim Christ to the lost.

So far, I really liked this guy. Then he began teaching on the word “all,” saying “all” means “all.” We have authority over governments; we have authority over the enemy, and he went into a long list.

Then he stopped for that dramatic pause and continued in a lower voice, “And Jesus has given us all authority over calories.”

ENTERT

Have you ever been somewhere and you let out an uncontrollable laugh, but you were the only one laughing? His words hit me so hard I let out one of those loud cackles. Everyone turned to look at me strangely.

I thought the teacher was joking, but he went on.

E & over the caloP Lauthority “Yes,” he said,P“we have EO Swe can call ries in each one of theseH desserts, and EW C H U R CpowerNof Jesus to cast them upon the resurrection out and lose weight.”

The class nodded in agreement, amen-ing his words. Then it dawned on me: This wasn’t a Bible class but a class for overweight people. They would not learn to control their diets but to ask Jesus to remove calories, so they could R Eeating and T Uon Lkeep U C & S W E still lose weight.

N “This can’t be true,” I thought. But then a rather large man got up and gave a personal testimony of how he had lost 10 pounds since he learned how to have all authority over calories. Before I could object, the group stood up and began crying out to Jesus to rid the desserts of the calories. When they believed they had every calorie chased out of the room, out came plates and forks, and the gorging began.

I walked away from that small/large group meeting feeling sorry for these people. They had been blinded

by Satan. What God defines, Satan redefines. I don’t think Jesus died a cruel death, taking on the sins of the world, so we could gorge on decadent desserts.

Ever since I’ve been in the ministry, I’ve dealt with this type of misguided theology on a regular basis.

Just recently, I have seen a sharp uptick on this kind of unbiblical teaching rising in our churches today.

They use phrases for it such as “power evangelism,” where you sit in a room and listen to God. You close your eyes, and you call out a word based on the first thing that comes to your mind. The leader compiles a list of these words. Someone might yell out “blue shoes,” another, “penguin” and another “iron monkey.” You then spend the rest of the day trying to find an iron monkey who is wearing blue shoes with a penguin on his shirt.

To be clear, all true evangelism is power evangelism. Unless the Holy Spirit shows up to convince and convict a person of their sins and the need for a Savior, they cannot receive the new birth.

If you want to hear from God, get into His Word: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17, ESV). It might sound good and even sound like God, but Eve thought the same thing in the Garden of Eden. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we have been given all authority; each time we hear this, it is Jesus who tells us that His Father has given Him all authority.

If you are interested in more of this false theology and want an answer to it. I would suggest you go to youtube.com and type in “Dog Backward” to find a new podcast that tackles issues of the Gospel being polluted. This is an hour-long expose’ on the new movement that is coming across our country. If you enjoy podcasts, go to “Dog Backwards” and listen to it there. This podcast is produced by my son, Caleb Moore, who is the pastor of Catoosa First.

Also, if you want to lose weight, meet me at The Cheesecake Factory.

Sharing and showing the Gospel Heath Tucker Pastor, Edmond, Waterloo Road

Eight years ago, after a long road trip to New Mexico, we stopped at a park to allow our kids to stretch their legs. My son, who was four at the time, immediately hit it off with another boy about his age. I watched them chase each other, squealing with delight, up and down the playground. The kids stopped abruptly and engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion.

As we left the park, I asked my son what they talked about. He shared how his new friend spoke of fighting with his sister. My son, who was not yet a believer, said, “if you would ask Jesus into your heart, He would help you be nice to your sister.” For the duration of the trip, I couldn’t shake this simple question: is sharing the Gospel so simple that even a 4-year-old can do it?

The answer to that question profoundly impacted the way God has led me to do ministry. I have had the honor to pastor three churches that have grown significantly, and that growth is tied to the Lord working in the following strategy: Share the Gospel You may have heard the popular phrase, “preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words.” While that might look good on a t-shirt or bumper sticker, the reality is that is far from the truth. It is always necessary to use words when sharing the Gospel.

Paul was never ashamed to speak the Gospel, for he believed that in it was the power of salvation (Rom. 1:16). Later, he would question how anyone could call on the Name of the Lord for salvation if the Gospel had not been shared with them (Rom. 10:13-15).

Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches have seen a sharp decline in baptisms for many years

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(one report showed 80 percent of SBC churches saw 0-1 people, ages 18-29, baptized in a single year). My conviction is not that God is no longer in the business of salvation but that churches are no longer in the business of sharing the Gospel.

How many baptisms have you seen this week?

This month? This year? If you are unhappy with that number, the answer is simple: share the Gospel.

Show the Gospel Lifeway’s newest study states that 66 percent of our young adults drop out of church for at least one year. The research lists top reasons for leaving include life changes, church or pastoral-related issues (judgmental and hypocritical statements), and political and ethical beliefs. Could it be that our younger people are leaving the church because they hear us talk a good game about being Bible-believing Christians but see in us the absence of being a Bible-practicing Christians?

Old Testament Israel questioned why God seemed to be absent from their assemblies even though they believed all the right things.

God revealed that He is out breaking the bonds of wickedness, setting the oppressed free, sharing bread with the hungry, bringing in the homeless and clothing the naked.

Luke 4 affirms that Jesus also did the same thing in the New Testament. The principle here is to take time to show the Gospel, so we can earn the right to speak the Gospel with a culture that is increasingly questioning whether or not we love them.

The Gospel in practice I love Falls Creek. I have been every summer since I was in seventh grade (with the exception of last year). Every year I visit the cement steps of Dougherty Cabin where I answered the call to ministry as a 14-year-old. I love witnessing God stir in the hearts of teenagers at Falls Creek.

What makes Falls Creek so effective is not the location but the logos of the camp. From sun up to sun down, students are confronted with the Gospel. They hear it in the teaching, preaching, worship and cabin devotionals.

In essence, they hear the Gospel and see the Gospel, and God shows up. I’m suggesting the God of Falls Creek is the God of your church, and He will show up in the same way when we speak the Gospel and show the Gospel.

Good News Neighborhoods

June 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

FOR OUR

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 PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

Indian Falls Creek returns in 2021, poised for ministry impact O O L B OX T H C R U H C

>> by Brian Hobbs

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DAVIS—In 2020, Indian Falls Creek (IFC), which has been called the largest Native Christian encampment in North America, took place as a virtual event.

In 2021, IFC returns to Falls Creek, where it has met since its founding in 1947. IFC Executive Director Victor Cope said he and leaders with IFC are enthused and expecting a great move of the Lord at this year’s IFC, which is set to meet Aug. 1-5.

IFC is unique in that it is a family camp that brings together many Native American tribes, with thousands attending each year. Campers enjoy times of worship, recreation, meals, fellowship and more, all with a Gospel focus.

This year, the IFC camp preacher will be Vern Charette, pastor of Coweta, First, who also has spoken at many events and conferences.

“Pray that God will gather His people together in His tabernacle, binding up our wounds, speaking words of encouragement, dusting us off, telling us that He loves us, and reminding us to feed His sheep. Pray for Dr. Charette as he challenges us from the Word,” Cope said.

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OI V IFC According to the IFC website, “campers … represent (more than) 50 tribal Nations from across North America and (more than) 250 churches each year. Indian Falls Creek is a time of encouragement and training.

“Beginning in 1947 with an attendance of 333, the camp’s average registration is now more than 3,000. … The constitution for Indian Falls Creek… states, in part, ‘The objective of this assembly in its annual meeting shall be to foster and promote Christian training, inspiration, fellowship, evangelism and missionary zeal among the Indians in their Baptist church life.’”

Cope said, “The Indian Falls Creek Board of Directors are busy putting the final touches on this year’s program.

The planning

MISSIONS R E E T N U L O V TIES

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OKLAHOMA

On-going opportunities for volunteers: Baptist Village Communities: Ada—Tracy Scheer, 580/332-6004 Broken Arrow—Monty Baggett, 918/355-0099 Cleveland—Gary Ligon, 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—Kristi Kelly-Bolner, 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:

Aug. 28—Ponca City, First, 218 S. 6th St., 74601 Sept. 25—Owasso, Central Baptist Church, 9001 N. 145 E. Ave., 74055 Oct. 30—DR Facility, 7180 NW Expressway, Okarche 73762 Visit okdisasterhelp.org for the most recent information and to register.

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>> PHOTOS: FACEBOOK.COM

1) The theme for IFC this year is ‘United in

with the Prayer;’ 2) IFC is a family camp that ministers to all stages of life. hopes that many people will attend and that the Lord er safety. “IFC has worked diligently to will move in our midst.” plan for camper safety and well-being.

He noted COVID-19 and econom- IFC is a family camp that ministers to ic challenges have presented barriers babies as well as senior adults. People for churches and potential attendees. of color were hit extremely hard by the “The IFC board is trying to remove COVID-19 virus, and our tribal nations barriers that would hinder our churches were not spared,” Cope said. “I lost 35 of attending IFC 2021, including helping my friends during the height of the panchurches maximize sharing expenses,” demic. Indian Falls Creek lost Bill BarCope said. “A unique area of assistance nett, Victor Bear, LeRoy Sealy, Ray Mealy, is coming from the Chickasaw Nation’s Maggie Nelson and Rhoda Anderson.”

Impa ‘ chi! (Let’s Eat!) Meals for Kids IFC activities include sunrise serProgram. The program is part of the vice, morning Bible studies, a skills National School Lunch Initiative that section, 11 a.m. worship, recreation, feeds public school children every day Vacation Bible School, nursery, a Vetin our nation. Our students 1-18 years erans Recognition Service, pastors’ of age will eat breakfast and lunch for wives ministry, evening worship and free Monday-Thursday thus cutting the children’s church. food budget for an attending church As preparation for IFC, Jennifer Barby two thirds.” nett is leading a 40 days of prayer emIFC will also assist campers with half phasis. In addition, there is a third annuscholarships as an incentive to attend al IFC Golf Tournament being planned, camp, Cope noted. the proceeds of which are being used “The Indian Falls Creek Board of Di- to bring campers to Falls Creek. rectors is working overtime this year “Our people are ready. We are excitto make sure no one is left behind,” ed. We pray the Lord moves in mighty he added. ways,” Cope added.

IFC also will have COVID-19 and health For more information about Indian protocols in place, to ensure camp- Falls Creek, visit indianfallscreek.org.

Campers on Mission: Oklahoma Fall Rally—Aug. 31Sept. 3. For more information email mvanzandt@ oklahomabaptists.org.

Pray for International Missionary Hector Candelaria Hector is church planting pastor of Iglesia Bautista Ciudad de Dios in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He requests prayer for wisdom in raising his daughter Abigail; and be a better father and husband to his wife Denisse.

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Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Charlie Gatton As children’s ministry partner and CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp program director, Charlie partners with churches to equip children’s ministers throughout Oklahoma, and he plans and implements CrossTimbers.

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

Missions & ministry | July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Missions focus at Falls Creek: Campers see Gospel impact around the world /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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1) Program staffer shares about missional opportunities in Oklahoma; 2) The Missions Village highlights serveral places around the world for students to serve; 3) Two students engage with the Belize booth in the Missions Center. >> PHOTO: 1-2)TORI HAMILTON; 3)LORI COATS;

>> by Lori Coats

MESSENGER ASSISTANT

DAVIS—Campers attending Falls Creek are doing more than attending great worship services, drinking icees, zip-lining and trading pins. They are learning to impact the world for the sake of the Gospel.

It’s full circle. Students have the opportunity to hear and accept the Good News of Jesus Christ, and then they are equipped to share that Good News.

Each year, during the regular weeks of youth camp, hundreds of students have the opportunity to visit the Missions Center and Missions Village.

These colorful locations are set up to show students the places where GoStudents will be offering future mission trips, as well as educating them about different cultures and equipping them to share their faith.

Areas decorated with interesting artifacts and fascinating statistics from other countries compel students to think outside of their own small world and see the bigger picture. Recently, a few students had the opportunity to share their thoughts about what the Missions Center and Missions Village meant to them.

Mustang, First Carly Merrick thinks that the Missions Center at Falls Creek “is a pretty cool place. It shows the culture of other areas, and until I walk in, I don’t always think about how I could impact the world. I am now thinking and praying about it. ” Pauls Valley, Trinity Beau Seabolt said that he is “motivated by visiting the Missions Center. Most kids come into the

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Missions Center just looking for the (trading) pins, but while they are in here, the staff talks with them about the mission trips, and it really opens up their eyes. It gets them interested in going places and making a difference.” Seabolt believes that the Missions Center has impacted his own thinking. “I will consider talking more with my leaders about taking a mission trip to see what I can do to help others,” he said.

Sulphur, Midway Hill Lexie Reeves said, “I went on an Oklahoma mission trip, and if the Missions Center wasn’t here, I don’t know that I would have done that. It gives direction to a lot of kids who don’t really know what to do but know that they want to do something.

The (Missions Village) shows kids the destinations for upcoming GoStudent trips, but the indoor Missions Center teaches you how to have conversations about Christ and how to get to know people, so that you can tell them about Christ. I’ve always been interested in missions, so to me, this (Missions Center) is a very special place.”

These are not seminary graduates or people involved in full-time ministry. These are Oklahoma students who are sharing their hearts about what it is like to visit the Missions Center and Missions Village during Falls Creek Youth Camp. They are honest, eager and listening to God. And they are the future. It may be hard to realize, but from Falls Creek Youth Camp in rural Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptists are reaching and impacting the world.

Falls Creek staff members understand the importance of their role as missions educators. They are

enthusiastic, passionate and contagious. They inspire campers.

Naaman Henager is one of the program staff members in the Missions Center and Missions Village. With a welcoming smile he shared, “Through the Missions Center and Village, we are helping students look at different places around the world and think, ‘Maybe God is calling me to these locations.

Maybe I have come in here for a reason.’ During my time of working here, I have had students come and tell me that because they visited this Missions Center they took a GoStudents mission trip. We are making an impact on students, and as Oklahoma Baptists, we are advancing the Gospel.”

Everyone understands their role, and they embrace it.

Brian Baldwin, youth missions and evangelism ministry partner, helps coordinate both Missions Center and Missions Village at Falls Creek. He challenges all Oklahoma Baptists to evaluate how they are involved in making a difference with the Gospel.

“What is your role?” Baldwin asked. “How will you participate in advancing the Gospel? Today, will you pray for Falls Creek Youth Camp, staff members and campers? Will you pray that the hearts of Oklahoma Baptists youth will remain pure and tender and will listen for the call? Will you pray that God calls out and brings forth many this summer who are willing to go and share the Gospel? Will you see where God is working and join Him?” “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

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1) A Falls Creek staffer mobilizes students at the hub of the Missions Village; 2) Naamen Henager gives a student a “passport” to take around the Missions booth; 3) Several students gather around the Africa hut in the Missions Village; 4) A NAMB representative shares about ways for students to get involved; 5) Each booth in the Missions Center has unique details from countries where mission work is happening. >> PHOTO: 1-2)TORI HAMILTON; 3-5)LORI COATS;

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July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

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Cordova preaches from the creek at CrossTimbers /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

DAVIS—Sharing the Gospel takes creativity sometimes when sharing with children. At CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp, campers who finished grades third through sixth will hear the Gospel throughout their time on the campgrounds.

Even though they may hear the Gospel often, it could take a unique presentation to finally hit home with some campers. That’s what Rick Cordova offered during Session 4 at CrossTimbers Davis. The pastor of Oklahoma City, Bright City brought the whole camp to the creek that runs through the middle of the encampment. With the help of a camp staffer sitting in a kayak in the creek, Cordova spoke how important it is for Christians not to drift, according the Heb. 2:1.

Earlier this year, Charlie Gatton, CrossTimbers program director, met with all the camp pastors in a precamp meeting to go over what the summer camp will be presenting, especially the passages of Scripture that will be emphasized.

“Charlie was talking about coming up with creative ways to communicate and how a lot of students learn by seeing,” Cordova said, recalling the prep meeting.

“He mentioned, ‘If you want to use a kayak, use a kayak,’ and I thought, ‘That might actually work.’”

At first, Cordova was planning to use mini-pools on stage with some plastic ducks in the water of the pools, having volunteers come up and make waves in the pool. But then, with Gatton’s suggestion, he thought the kayak would be an even better example.

On the last day of the camp session, Corbefore you know it, you’ll be in a completedova worked it out with camp staffers ly different spot from where you began. to have the whole camp meet him at In order not to drift, it takes work.” the creek. Everybody saw him walk Cordova said the experience into the water while a staff memmade him think of Jesus teachber was there, sitting in a kayak. ing the crowds by the water“I had him start upstream,” side, like in Luke 5. He noticed Cordova said about the kayakhow the water was used to er. “He would sit in the kayak as amplify his voice.

I spoke. I would emphasize with “I guarantee you, Jesus’ serthe kids that ‘when you go home, mon was a lot better than mine,” a lot of things will distract you, Cordova said with a laugh. make you drift away.’ They may say He appreciated the oppor>> PHOTO: AMY CORDOVA Rick Cordova stands they’re tired and don’t want to get in tunity he had to preach at in the creek at CrossTimbers with a kayaker the Word, or when eating dinner with to show campers why ‘not to drift.’

CrossTimbers. their family, they may argue with one of Gatton was pleased with their siblings. Little decisions like these how Cordova creatively concan cause us to drift in our spiritual lives. On the sur- nected with the campers. face, everything seems fine. Your faith seems fine, but “It was one of those things the kids will never forbeneath all of it, you are slowly drifting away.” get,” Gatton said. “Everybody was on edge because As Cordova was preaching, the kayaker would slow- it was different. It was a fantastic analogy of Hebrews ly drift down stream. “The timing was perfect in how 2:1 that we have to pay attention and not drift away.” he would move,” Cordova said. The kayaker wasn’t Gatton said he appreciates all the camp pastors going fast, but it was obvious to the campers that he who spend time at CrossTimbers to share the Goswas further away from where he was when Cordova pel with campers. started his sermon. “The Lord worked it out so well,” “We have the best camp pastors in the state,” he Cordova said. said. “They are different every year, and they all will The sermon continued with campers giving full at- bring a fresh view of the verses we are focusing on tention to what Cordova was saying. “It’s easy to get at camp. Everyone is different, but they all have the back to the old routine,” he preached. “It’s these tiny same message. It’s like fishing. You have different excuses like ‘I’ll share my faith next time’ or ‘I’ll go to bait for who you are trying to catch, but the hook is church next week.’ These little decisions add up, and always the same.”

F.A.I.T.H. Riders rally around the Gospel at Falls Creek /// PREVIEWED ON COVER Students who share their stories are rewarded with a collectable F.A.I.T.H. Riders pin. Pin trading is a popular pastime at Falls Creek.

DAVIS—Members of an Oklahoma motorcycle “We’ve been going to Falls Creek for about 10 ministry are putting wheels to their faith by years, and we have talked to a lot of sharing their testimonies and the Gosstudents about the Gospel over pel with campers at Falls Creek Bapthe years,” Shatto explained. tist Conference Center throughout “We trade pins for testimothe summer. The F.A.I.T.H Riders arnies. We give away about rive on their motorcycles each Fri400 pins every Friday. One day at the youth encampment week I remember we had with the purpose of modeling between 16-19 (profesto students how to share their sions of faith in Christ).” testimony in three minutes and Vicki Phillips is the direwarding students who share rector of the Sunnylane their testimonies with a F.A.I.T.H F.A.I.T.H. Riders chapter at Riders collector’s pin.

Del City, Sunnylane SouthBobby Shatto, State F.A.I.T.H. ern. She shared anothRiders Chaplain and pastor of er recent experience at >> PHOTO: PROVIDED A F.A.I.T.H. Rider connects Maud, First, explained that the evanFalls Creek connecting with Falls Creek campers. This happens every Friday during the youth weeks. gelistic strategy of the Oklahoma chapwith campers. ters of F.A.I.T.H. Riders is sharing Jesus in “We had 16 F.A.I.T.H three-minute testimonies.

Riders (go to Falls “When I first learned about the riders, I thought, Creek), and we had 13 kids (make professions of faith ‘Oh, I see evangelism all over this!’ Shatto explained. in Christ),” Phillips said. “I also talked to a parent, and “We didn’t want our chapter to be a ‘supper run as I was sharing a particularly dark part of my past, club,’ just meeting together then going to supper. the mother said, ‘My daughter is going through that My goal was to be evangelistic, so we practice our same thing right now.’ I was amazed how God put three-minute testimonies and share them wher- us together. It was just a God thing because nobody ever we go. I always tell people, ‘You don’t have to there knew about my past, and God put me with have a motorcycle to be a F.A.I.T.H. Rider, but you the right parent, the right person to pray with, to enhave to have Jesus as your Lord and Savior.’ That’s courage not to give up on her kid. I can’t wait to go our passion, bragging on Jesus, how He’s changed again. I am gassed up and ready to go back to Falls lives—and we use motorcycles as ‘bait.’”

Creek to share the Gospel with more people.”

James Wilder, Pottawatomie-Lincoln director of misWilder said, as an associational missionary, he besions, is a member of F.A.I.T.H Riders. He believes the lieves the motorcycle ministry benefits the churchministry can be a direct line of connection between es of his association. “(F.A.I.T.H Riders) has been an Falls Creek and the local church in Oklahoma. asset in a number of ways,” Wilder said. “It’s brought “If I can bring people with me (as a F.A.I.T.H Rid- people to the table that normally wouldn’t come. I er) from the churches I know,” Wilder said, “they get think there are a lot of people in every one of our to see what happens at Falls Creek on campus with churches who ride. They own a bike, but they don’t the students and take it back to their communities.” get to ride enough. This provides an outlet for them Each Friday at Falls Creek, the riders pitch a cano- to do that but also to do it as an act of evangelism. I py tent, park their motorcycles in the plaza near the don’t think that’s an area that we can have too much 1917 Café and talk to the students who come by to of. We seem to be lacking in most of our congregalook at the bikes. The riders share their three-min- tions—direct personal evangelism.” ute testimonies and encourage the students also to According to the F.A.I.T.H Riders website, the share their testimonies of how they came to know group is a national group of dedicated believers Christ as their Lord. who are “committed to the cause of Christ and to >> by Chris Forbes STAFF WRITER

sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on and with their motorcycles to any who will listen.” There are chapters across the country, and any Southern Baptist church can start a chapter.

There are 77 chapters of F.A.I.T.H. Riders in Oklahoma who participate in a variety of mission trips, programs and organized excursions offered by the group, including mission trips to annual biker gatherings such as the Daytona Bike Week in Daytona, Fla., the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, S.D., and the Bikers, Blues and Barbeque Festival at Bricktown in Oklahoma City.

For more information about F.A.I.T.H Riders contact Bobby Shatto at ShattoBG@gmail.com.

The letters ‘F.A.I.T.H.’ in the F.A.I.T.H. Riders name form an acrostic that can be used for sharing the Gospel.

‘F’ is for Forgiveness.

We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness.

‘A’ is for Available.

Forgiveness is available for all, but it is not automatic.

‘I’ is for Impossible.

It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. It is also impossible to please God through our own actions.

‘T’ is for Turn.

Turn means to repent from sin and self to Christ only.

‘H’ is for Heaven.

Heaven is eternal life, here and now and in the hereafter but only through Christ.

Forsaking all, I trust Him!

Features | July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

O O L B OX CHURCH T

Dilbeck farewell reception S D CLASSIFIE

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GPBA hosts second annual rodeo

The second annual Great Plains Association Rodeo Round Up for Jesus happened May 1-2 at the Beutler Brother’s Rodeo Arena in Elk City.

Pictured is Evangelist Marty Brock who preached during the rodeo. Danny Ringer, director of missions in Great Plains Association, reported 38 professions of faith were made during the two-day event. Ringer also said there were “great volunteers from all over the association.”

VOICES >> PHOTO: DANNY RINGER

>> PHOTO: BRIAN HOBBS

On June 22, leaders with Oklahoma Baptists met at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City for a farewell reception for Hance Dilbeck, who stepped down as state executive director to accept the role of GuideStone president. The reception, which was attended by Oklahoma Baptists staff, board members, affiliate presidents, directors of mission and other guests, including a special program. Retired pastor Nick Garland was among those who spoke. “We have gathered today to honor Dr. Dilbeck, as the Lord has called him to a new level of leadership and influence,” said Garland, who served as chairman of the committee that called Dilbeck to the role of executive director-treasurer. “We have come to say congratulations and to commit you to God’s grace.” Garland expressed gratitude to Dilbeck on behalf of Oklahoma Baptists for all the ways he served and led. Others who spoke included Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists president, and Joe Ligon, Okahoma Baptists interim executive director-treasurer. An Oklahoma Baptists plaque and a shepherd’s staff were presented to Dilbeck as tokens of appreciation. Pictured above, Alan Quigley, Oklahoma Baptists Associate Executive Director for the Church Resources Group, presents Dilbeck the shepherd’s staff.

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July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

GPBA junior camp reports 55 professions of faith

Danny Ringer, director of missions in Great Plains Association, reported 55 campers made professions of faith in Christ during the two weeks of the association’s junior camp at Southwest Baptist Assembly. Tyler McDowell and Barry Williams were the pastors for the two weeks of camp. Sadie Smith and the Crevier family led worship through music during camp. Pictured left are counselors meeting with campers who made spiritual decisions. >> PHOTO: DANNY RINGER

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

O O L B OX CHURCH T

Oklahoma Baptists trained R E DS LT U CLASSIFIE NE WS & CU to serve in Literacy Missions 1

VOICES

>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED

On June18-19, the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City hosted a Literacy Missions workshop.

Churches represented were Altus, First; Cole, First; Moore, First; Mustang, First; Oklahoma City, Quail Springs; Oklahoma City, Southern Hills; and Sand Springs, Olivet.

“Congratulations to all who came and completed the 11 hours of training!” said Cheryl Wilkinson who leads Literacy Missions for Oklahoma Baptists.

1) Participants in the English as a Second Language workshop were, from left, front, Linda Bloomstadt, Ellen James, Stacy Neuschaefer (leader), and Cindy Luckens (leader); from left, back, William Beeler, Charles Jeffries, Ramona Jeffries, Sandy Sims, Ray Sims, Kimra Bernhardt.

2) Participants in the Tutoring Children and Youth workshop were, from left, Barbara Marlett (leader), Nancy Beeler, Mattie Davis, Karen Woodard, Cheryl Wilkinson (leader).

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>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

BLESSINGS ABOUND AT COMANCHE, FIRST VBS. Pastor Mark Hall of Comanche, First reported the church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) averaged 50 children each night and experienced one young man making a profession of faith in Christ. The children’s offering exceeded $700, Hall said, and was used to purchase items for Charis Pregnancy Center. Backpacks provided by the SEND Network were filled with items to be used as welcome bags at the pregenancy center. “The children learned about local missions by bringing items for the Blessing Box,” Hall said. “The box allows people to get non-perishable food, toiletries, and cleaning products as they have need.” Pictured, from left, are Pastor Mark Hall, his wife, LeAnna, and Kimberla Treat, director of Charis Pregnancy Center.

EWS CHURCH N PEOPLE IN THE NEWS AMOS DEATH. Charles Amos, 95, died June 16. Funeral service was OMA H June 26L atA Oklahoma City, Southern K O E H T Hills. During his more E 60 years I Vthan H C R A T S I T B A Pas a minister, he was pastor of four churches—Lindsay, Banner; Oklahoma City, Meridian Avenue; Colton, Calif., First Southern; and Oklahoma City, Rancho Village, where he served 21 years before his retirement in 1990. He preached revivals throughout the world, twice in Spain, once in the Phillippines and twice in the Turks & Caicos Islands. He served as chaplain for the Oklahoma City Fire Department and taught nine years in the Baptist Bible Institute. He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Juanita. He is survived by his daughter Shirley Tyson, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

BRISTOW DEATH. Robbie Bristow, 84, died June 21. Funeral service was July 1 in Edmond. She was a partner in ministry with her husband Wayne, as he was engaged in global ministry of evangelism and missions, traveling throughout the world. Wayne also served as director of evangelism for Oklahoma Baptists. She is survived by her husband; her son, Robert; and two grandchildren.

KENDRICK DEATH. Robert Kendrick, 86, died June 23. Funeral service was June 28 at McAlester, Frink. He served as director of missions in Pittsburg Association from 1992-2000. He pastored churches in Blue Jacket, Savanna, Madill, Chouteau, Adamson and Caney. He served Oklahoma Baptists as a volunteer builder and disaster relief coordinator.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lois; and his son, Don. He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Bonham; son, Robert, Jr.; daughter, Diana Carol Kendrick; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES KENNY MOSSMAN is interim pastor at Carnegie, First.

DAVID hasUresigned as pastor of Stilwell, Rock DOK S UPOPLIN Springs.

TO SHARE NEWS, PLEASE EMAIL ALL INFO TO BAPTISTMESSENGER@OKBAPTIST.NET

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

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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OKC, Portland Avenue VBS raises money for SEND Relief West Africa

The Oklahoma City, Portland Avenue Vacation Bible School Missions Offering challenge was to “Buy the Farm” through SEND Relief West Africa. The boys and girls each gave more than $600, enough to buy two sets of farm animals. Gina McKean, pictured above, is the children’s minister, and Walter Mullican is the senior pastor.

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People & Church News | July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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O O L B OX T H C R U H C

Why churches need to be multigenerational, and why it’s hard to doC L A S S I F I E D S SOUTHEASTERN SEMINARY DEAN OF DOCTORAL STUDIES, CHUCKLAWLESS.COM

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C U LT U R E

>> BRIAN HOBBS

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was previously featured on chucklawless.com

VOICES

Many churches consist of one primary generation, and that’s not the healthiest church. At the same time, though, growing Why it’s hard to do: an intentionally multi-generational church 1. Generational differences are honest is not easy. Take a look at these reasons to and real. The differences in worship style, for be a multi-generational congregation, and example, aren’t superficial. They’re real, and then be aware of why it’s hard to get there. generations hold them deeply. Making any Why we need to do it: change, even for the sake of others, isn’t easy.

1. Older adults, who should be teach2. Congregations gravitate toward ing the younger generation, need op- people most like them. That’s just natural. portunities. Paul was clear that older be- We tend to hang out with, and reach out to, lievers are to invest in younger believers (2 people who are at the same stage of life as Tim. 2:2, Titus 2:1-8), thus strengthening the we are. Moving beyond our own generation church for the future. That’s difficult to do if requires work. the entire church is older adults.

3. Intentionality requires action that 2. Your community is most likely can make everybody uncomfortable. multi-generational. Few communities con- Becoming multi-generational sometimes sist of only one generation. If you want your means that we joyfully worship through muchurch to reach your community, you’re sic we don’t like, listen to stories that seem more likely to do that if your church reflects irrelevant and welcome input from people that community. who just don’t seem to “get it.” Everybody 3. Generations need to learn from each chooses to give up a little to gain much. other. We have much to teach each other, 4. Many older believers want their from the older folks teaching lessons about church to be multi-generational, but long marriages to the younger folks helping without changing anything. Seldom does the rest of us think about a rapidly changing the process work that way, though. It’s genculture. New Testament mentoring requires uinely hard for some older believers to acolder and younger believers. cept changes needed to reach the next 4. Some members need Christian “par- generations, even when they try. This is ents” and “grandparents.” I’m thinking of especially hard when the older folks have those younger members who don’t have a themselves never been truly discipled.

Christian heritage, or whose family lives far 5. Some younger leaders want their T H E to be multi-generational, but O Mchurch F Rfill away. They need “close-by” folks to help O G to be in charge. That is, B Lwant E R Salso these roles as they strive to follow R Jesus.

D S L I N Gthey O W 5. A strong church learns from the past they want older folks to contribute to their while preparing for the future. A church church, but not necessarily to suggest any with only a young generation sometimes changes. They appreciate the dollars of the pushes unwisely in wrong directions. A older generation, but they don’t readily welchurch with only older folks, on the other come their input. hand, will ultimately die. Strong churches It’s hard, but worth the effort. connect both generations.

AV E S AY S

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

R E G AT H E R

ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM

Based on input from pastors across Oklahoma, this new web resource offers keys for churches to emerge even stronger after the pandemic.

ADF has resources for Oklahoma Baptist pastors and churches who are concerned about the growing threats to religious liberty in America today.

oklahomabaptists.org/regather

adfchurchalliance.org/partners/ oklahoma-baptists

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

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

STAYING ALIVE!

>> by Chuck Lawless

A NEW OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS RESOURCE

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

January 14, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

Here we are, about 13 weeks after Y SEaster Sunday. And A S E V A D the assigned Sunday School lesson for my class related to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As I prepared my lesson, it occurred to me that for Christians, the topic of our Risen Lord should be a topic that is GERS always timely and always exciting.

N I L S D R O Looking atW the Scriptures and history, theSevidence for T TIS B A Pthe A from the Resurrection first moments afH O MYet O K LisAstrong.

H Tto today, we L I G24) ter Christ rose from the dead IG HLuke H(e.g.

E C R U O S E see skepticsRstill do not accept that the Son of God rose from the dead.

I vividly recall a time in my philosophy class at the large secular university whereVI attended, E S AYatSwhich the profesA D sor boasted that “Jesus and Elvis are really just the same.”

He said both drew large followings in life, and, after each died, people claimed to see them alive. Yet one quick-thinking student said, “But professor, I have seen Elvis’ grave at Graceland and it was occupied. Meanwhile, Jesus’ tomb is empty!”

PT ISTS B Askeptic O M Aother The professor—like O K L A Hevery T or after GHbefore L I“(Jesus) H IG H E C him—had no answer.

The Bible says, presented R RESOU Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3).

To read the rest of Brian’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/blog-staying-alive

ING SMART GIV

To read more blogs with Jesus in mind, visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog

CHARITABLE GIVING THAT GIVES BACK If you grew up attending Sunday School, there’s a good chance you learned that it’s better to give than to receive. But what if you could do both?

Charitable gift annuities are a unique giv- HOLLY BLAKEY, WATERSEDGE ing solution that help smart givers to do just DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS that. Known as a CGA for short, a charitable gift annuity allows you to make a tax-deductible gift to ministry while simultaneously receiving a guaranteed lifetime income.

Here’s how it works. During your lifetime, your gift is invested and provides a fixed income stream that won’t fluctuate with the ups and downs of the stock market. Because these payments are guaranteed

by WatersEdge, they’ll continue even if you outlive the original value of your gift. After your death, the remainder of your gift is placed into endowment to benefit the ministry or ministries you wish to support.

For couples, the income stream from a CGA can continue for the surviving spouse after the death of the first.

CGAs provide many of the same features of Certificates of Deposit (CDs) but have the added benefits of providing payouts at significantly higher percentages, plus the tax advantages associated with charitable gifts. Depending on your age, these payments can be more than four times higher than CDs. Your interest rate is determined by your age; the older you are, the more income your gift can generate.

Most charitable organizations, including WatersEdge, base CGA rates on those set by the American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA).

A charitable gift annuity may be a good fit if you: • Are age 65 or older • Need an immediate tax deduction • Desire a guaranteed income stream that won’t fluctuate with the market • Seek interest yields above traditional savings and CD accounts • Wish to give appreciated assets and avoid capital gains taxes

The views expressed by Dave Ramsey do not necessarily reflect those of the Baptist and do notmore constitute legal financial advice.

Make your Messenger giving smarter!

Learn at WatersEdgeServices.org/endowment.

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Rate: $1.00 per word, $25.00 per issue, minimum • Deadline: Two weeks prior to publication. Submit a classified ad at www.baptistmessenger.com/advertise on the Classifieds Form can be sent to: blackburnchapel@aol.com or call Pastor Mark Compton at (918) 693-4856.

CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

>> LEAD PASTOR: FBC of Cleveland is seeking a Lead Pastor. Previous Senior Pastorship experience preferred. Send resumes to: fbcclevelandpastorsearch@gmail.com.

is searching for an Associate Pastor to join our team, primarily disciple students & assist with worship or media depending on giftedness. Send resumes to: church@pawhuskafbc.org to apply.

>> F/T PASTOR: Park Place Baptist Church in Cushing, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Parsonage available. Please send resumes to: parkplacebaptist@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 1070, Cushing, OK 74023 or Contact Tim Kanady at (918) 285-1032.

>>BI/VO OR F/T PASTOR: FBC Soper, OK is seeking a BI/VO or F/T Southern Baptist Pastor. Parsonage is available. Health insurance benefit provided.

Send resume to: Soper Baptist Church, ATT: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 68, Soper, OK 74759.

>> F/T STUDENT PASTOR: Boyd Baptist Church, Bonham, TX is seeking a F/T Student Pastor. Competitive salary & a 4 bed/3 bath parsonage is provided. Send resume along with cover letter & at least one link to a video message preached to students to: mike.allred23@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: Soldier Creek Baptist in Midwest City is prayerfully seeking God’s man to be their next Senior Pastor. Please submit resumes to: soldiercreek@soldiercreek.org.

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>> F/T STUDENT/COLLEGE MINISTER: Parkway Baptist Church, Creve Coeur, MO, is seeking a F/T Student/College Minister with a competitive compensation package including benefit options.

Send a letter of interest, resume & statement of faith to: studentsearch@parkwaybaptist.net.

EMPLOYM ENT

>> P/T or BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: FBC Tishomingo, OK is seeking a P/T or BI/VO Youth Pastor to shepherd students, involve families & reach out to the community. Strong group needs passionate leader willing to grow & learn. For more info or to apply contact: luke@fbctish.org.

>> 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.

>> BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: We are prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Music Minister to lead blended services & seasonal choirs. Send resumes to: Sharon Baptist Church, 2414 State Highway, Chickasha, OK 73018 or office.sharonbaptist@gmail.com.

>> F/T MINISTER OF WORSHIP/COLLEGE: at Emmanuel BC Weatherford, OK. Find job description at: www.ebcweatherford.com. Send resumes & worship video links to: pastor@ebcweatherford.com. >> P/T or BI/VO STUDENT PASTOR: Faith Baptist Church, Harrah is prayerfully seeking someone to lead & direct our youth ministry. Send resume & references to: fbcbrodan@gmail.com. >> BI/VO or F/T PASTOR: FBC 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 YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY LEADER: Seeking a leader with the courage for the challenges & maturity to reach NE Oklahoma County for Christ. Send Resume to: First Southern Baptist Church, P.O. Box 237, Arcadia, OK 73007 or fsbcarcadia@yahoo.com.

>> P/T or BI/VO STUDENT MINISTER: Soldier Creek Baptist in Midwest City is seeking God’s person to be their next Student Minister. Please submit your resume to: soldiercreek@soldiercreek.org.

>>STUDENTS/RECREATION PASTOR: Students & Recreation Pastor at FBC McAlester, OK. For the full job description & to submit your resume, please visit: https://firstbaptist.info/jobopening.

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Idabel, OK is seeking a F/T Southern Baptist Pastor. Parsonage is available & other benefits provided. Send resumes to: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 357, Idabel, OK 74745 or email to: fbcidabel@sbcglobal.net.

>> DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP ARTS: NEW! Seeking a Director of Worship Arts, First Southern Baptist Church Lawrence, KS. Job description at: www.fsbcfamily.com. Resumes should be submitted to: search@fsbcfamily.com.

>>P/T MUSIC ASSOCIATE: Country Estates Baptist Church in Midwest City is looking for P/T Music Associate to lead a Contemporary Worship service & to lead Youth Worship on Wednesday nights. If interested, please call: (405) 732-2201.

>> F/T COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT PASTOR: FBC Edmond is prayerfully seeking a F/T College/Young Adult Pastor who is passionate about reaching & discipling young adults in a community with two college campuses.

Email resume to: bgideon@fbcedmond.org.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Stidham Baptist Church is seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Please submit resumes to: Attn: Pulpit Committee, c/o Cherry Scott, Stidham Baptist Church, 113478 NS 411 RD, Eufaula, OK 74432.

>> BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: Erin Springs Baptist Church is seeking a BI/VO Minister of Music. We are a multi-aged church looking for someone to lead in blended music services.

Please send your resume’ or contact information to: pastorclay@erinspringsbaptist.com.

>> F/T YOUTH MINISTER: Emmanuel Baptist Church of Altus, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Youth Minister. Resumes may be sent to: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Attention: Pastor, 921 East “A” Street, Altus, OK 73521 or by email to: ebcaltus@sbcglobal.net.

>>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: Calvary Baptist Church of Sand Springs, OK is accepting resumes for F/T Pastor. Mail resumes to: Calvary Baptist Church, C/O Pulpit Committee, 18807 W. Wekiwa Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063.

>> SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Beaver, in the Oklahoma Panhandle, is accepting resumes for Senior Pastor. Position will become available with the retirement of their current Pastor at the end of July. Please send resumes to the church office at: P.O Box 6, Beaver, OK 73932.

>> PASTOR: FBC Billings, OK is prayerfully seeking a Pastor for our small congregation. We are a small rural community located in north central Oklahoma. Please submit resumes to: FBC Box 297, Billings, OK or billingsfirstbaptist@gmail.com Billings First Baptist @ Gmail.com.

>> F/T PASTOR: FBC, Cheyenne, OK, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail a cover letter & resume to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Search Committee, P.O. Box 56, Cheyenne, OK 73628 or email: fbcchey@gmail.com.

>> SONG LEADER: Owen Park Baptist Church is a small congregation in Tulsa, seeking a Song Leader to lead music one hour per week on Sunday mornings. Small stipend paid. If interested, contact Rev. Herrington at (918) 519-5864.

>> P/T YOUTH PASTOR/DIRECTOR: Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church is accepting resumes for P/T Youth Pastor/Director. Resumes

>>P/T STUDENT PASTOR: FBC Hydro, OK is prayerfully seeking someone to lead & direct our youth ministry. Please send resumes or inquiries to: jbsanders59@hotmail.com.

>> P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Rock Creek Baptist, Shawnee, OK is searching for a P/T Youth Minister to shepherd students, involve families & reach out to the community. Potential to grow into a F/T position. Housing available. Send your resume to: rockcreekbaptist@hotmail.com. >> P/T OR INTERIM WORSHIP LEADER: Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Muskogee, is prayerfully seeking a P/T or Interim Worship Leader with heart for God, skills in leading a choir & comfort in creating a blended-style worship. Send resumes to: 2401 Haskell Blvd., Muskogee, OK 74403. >>WORSHIP LEADER: First Baptist Church Antlers, OK, is seeking a Worship Leader to lead our blended worship service as well as our choir. Email resume to: Search Committee, fbcantlers@hotmail.com or mail resume to: 208 NE B Street, Antlers, OK 74523. >>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. >>F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: F/T Associate Pastor of Youth & Worship or Media. Pawhuska’s FBC

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“The place whereon ___ standest is holy” ACROSS 12 Cooking tool Tamar used 40 16Assist 5:15) 1 David did weep and ___ for his child (2 Sam.42 (Josh.

(2 Sam. 13:9) Silently 15 “___ her in whatsoever business” 43 17Israelites’ inheritance Part of sword used to kill(Josh. 1:6) 12:21) (Rom. 16:2) 46 (Josh.

Large10:28) people occupying land 5 Footwear 20 Sailor’s (Josh.marched 12:4) around 18Israelites Number ofwanted days Israelites 9 “Pluck away“hey” his ___” (Lev. 1:16) 22 Resource 48 Jericho Foreign nations were snares and 13 Reverberate 26 Deluxecommanded Israelites to keep this for Israel 19___ “Be strong and of(Josh. a good23:13) _____” (Josh.

14 Joshua 27 ___with and49 see” (Ps.(Josh.

34:8)22:8) 49 1:9) Another spoil of war (Josh. 22:8) spoil“O (along Down) 28 Under fiaeld beard (2 wds.)

50 21Raccoon-like Bezer and Golananimal were cities of refuge to the 15 Playing 29 “Give ___, O ye” (Deut. 32:1) 51 Cycle 30 Steam bath 52 Saying 31 Great man among Anakims 54 Towering, as the Anakims (Josh. 14:15) (Deut. 2:21) 33 Belt 56 Organization (abbr.)

34 Ocean jewel of great price 57 “___ had brought them up to the (Matt. 13:46) roof ” (Josh. 2:6) 35 Sri __ 58 Sticky black substance

>>PASTOR: We’re seeking a God called Pastor to lead & disciple our congregation. We’re a small church in a rural town with opportunities to minister to members & the community. Send resume to: richardking6735@gmail. com or FBC, P.O. Box 67, Mannsville, OK 73447. >>BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Boyd (SBTC) is receiving resumes for a BI/VO Southern Baptist Pastor. Send resumes to: PST2021@FBCBOYD.org before August 31. >>P/T DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS: Banner Association in Ada, OK is seeking a P/T Director of Missions.

Interested candidates should submit a resume to: P.O. Box 1441, Ada, OK 74821 or email: bbaada@gmail. com. Resumes must be received by July 31, 2021. >>F/T PASTOR: Glorieta Baptist Church, a Native American congregation, is accepting resumes to fill the position of Pastor (F/T). Send resumes to: Glorieta Baptist Church, ATTN: Pulpit Committee, 7308 S. Western, OKC, OK 73139 or email: glorietapastorsearch@outlook.com. >>F/T VILLAGE MANAGER: Cleveland, OK. Baptist Village of Hugo is seeking a Village Manager for a small staff of 3-4 & a 54-apartment independent living community of active senior adults. Must live on-site in a house provided by Baptist Village. >>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Do you love the Lord, His Church, His Word & His Work? Join us in the great work of reaching young people & their families. First Southern Baptist, Arcadia OK. P.O. Box 237, Arcadia, OK 73007; fsbcarcadia@yahoo.com.

MIS CEL L A NEO US >> VEHICLE FOR SALE: 2000 Ford F 550 Krystal Coach. 30 Passenger limo style seating people mover. 7.3 Power Stroke diesel engine. New tires & newly rebuilt transmission. For more information contact Nate Capps (918) 681-0208. >>CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP BAND FOR HIRE: Williams band looking to do late night worship in Falls Creek Cabins or any church events.

Please contact Justin Williams at (580) 340-2806.

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___ (Josh 20:8) 23 “This our bread we took ___ for our provision” (Josh 9:12) 24 Rahab and ___ family were spared 25 Afternoon nap 29 Aurora 30 Talk back 32 Football conference (abbr.)

33 Spread out 36 Insertion mark 37 Tree (Isa. 44:14) 38 “Lest he ___ my soul like a lion” (Ps. 7:2) 39 “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou ___?” (Matt. 14:31) 40 Opposed 41 “Joshua sent messengers, and they ___ unto the tent” (Josh. 7:22) 42 This ceased after Israelites found food in Canaan (Josh. 5:12) 43 “To whom then will ye ___ God?” (Isa. 40:18) 44 Accompanied Israelites around wall of Jericho (Josh. 6:8) 45 __ Major (Big Dipper) 46 One of the armed tribes (Josh. 4:12) 47 North American river 49 Container 50 Accountant (abbr.)

53 “Your God hath given you ___” (Josh. 1:13) 55 Signaled by audio 57 What thief came to do (John 10:10) 60 Actor Alda 62 Nothing 63 “___ is that people, whose God is the LORD” (Ps. 144:15)

64 “Save that which was ___” (Matt. 18:11) 65 Buck 66 Epochs 67 “Shall suffer ___” (2 Cor. 3:15) 68 Floor covering DOWN 1 “Elders of Gilead went to ___ Jephthah” (Judg. 11:5) 2 Sound of a sneeze 3 Joshua’s command to people on last day circling Jericho’s walls (Josh. 6:16) 4 Travel around 5 Attacks 6 Flax was “laid in ___ upon the roof” (Josh.

2:6) 7 Tooth 8 “Every ___ shall bow” (Isa. 45:23) 9 Greek island (Acts 27:7) 10 Pastor (abbr.)

11 “Not ___ thing hath failed thereof” (Josh.

23:14) 12 Cooking tool Tamar used (2 Sam. 13:9) 15 “___ her in whatsoever business” (Rom. 16:2) 20 Sailor’s “hey” 22 Resource 26 Deluxe 27 “O ___ and see” (Ps. 34:8) 28 Under a beard (2 wds.)

29 “Give ___, O ye” (Deut. 32:1) 30 Steam bath 31 Great man among Anakims (Josh. 14:15) 33 Belt 34 Ocean jewel of great price

SMOG A B L E S T U B WA V E G L OB GH A N A E CON L U T E R I GOR A H I 13:46) E Z ER RY AN (Matt.

R I D E AT 35 Sri __I B M C A OK PE E NA EV DE P Pros A L opposites L U L OV E S H I N 36 A Challenges BE L Z EROS ABC S 39 R U E A A N DW WR I T E 40 Assist ASK BROS B I D N Silently E S S I E HON T ED 42 EDDY E REM I T E 43 A Israelites’ H I R A inheritance A R A D (Josh.

I G1:6) AL 46 C E Israelites S Large I R Epeople N Woccupying O V E land L L L E E R ARE S S P ED wanted (Josh. 12:4)

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7: Numbers Puzzle 8: Nu 48 ForeignPuzzle nations were snares and ___ for Israel (Josh. 23:13) GA L ADMAH I CE T EN S PAN 49 Another spoil of war (Josh.

22:8) OR E O BR A K E PRE Y WAR P A L L O 50 Raccoon-like DE V I H Eanimal NCE RODE I T O S ALM S A I L BOAT DRONE S NS KE P T A 51 Cycle EAS E L ARM S I X 52 SSaying C AD SAD EY RAR S HRUG SEC A R E Das the S C V Anakims I I E L I HOOP L A A P 54 Towering, ROCK I C I ER E V I L ANY E PHRA (Deut.

2:21) A UT D I M S L E E V E F E AR RAN 56 S TOrganization I F F A(abbr.)

S K E L L E T Y L ER DEW E O S A H A J EW DR 57 “___ had brought them up to the roof” DE P ART ADUL T E RY S T OL ON A (Josh.

E D A2:6) S RAV E N OL EO V I I I MO T I E D I T black AR E S T E S AU OP EC BOOT 58 Sticky substance K PH RAN W I S H WA D E 59 Government agency (abbr.)E R R Puzzle 9:refrain Deuteronomy Puzzle 10: Deu 61 Meaningless B A N K S

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Classifieds | July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Recommendations sought for Oklahoma Baptists’ boards, committees

>> by Staff The Nominating Committee of the convention of Oklahoma Baptists invites Oklahoma Baptists from across the state to recommend persons to serve on the various boards and committees. The committee’s nominations will be presented to messengers at the Annual Meeting of Oklahoma Baptists to be held Nov. 15-16, at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills.

It is important that consistent information be available for all recommendations. The recommendation form printed with this article may be copied. Accurate completion of the form is requested for each name submitted. Those sending names for consideration may contact any member of the committee; however, recommendation forms must be received by the Nominating Committee no later than August 2. The electronic form can be completed online at www.oklahomabaptists.org, or the printed form may be mailed to the Nominating Committee, Baptist Building, 3800 North May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506, or faxed to 405-942-1339.

Committee members are Ray Griffin, chairman; Yanet Arauz, Priscilla Arneecher, Jacob Bice, Curtis Erwin, Manita Forney, Bryan Gilbert, Misael Gonzalez, Chris Hagar, Nathan Howard, Courtney Ingram, Lauren McAfee, Leah Peters, Nathan Presley and Craig Towery.

Potential directors and trustees should have a personal history of effort and experience in Christian causes and an interest in promoting the objectives of the organizations to which they are recommended. Knowledge and ability in business are beneficial characteristics for nominees for each board. All board positions are for 3-year terms ex-

cept as otherwise noted. Following are the vacancies to be filled: Board of Directors of Oklahoma Baptists will have 20 positions on the 60-member board to be filled from 13 associations; all three-year terms. Seven three-year At-large positions will be filled. Three new directors must be laypeople; two must be men and one must be a woman. One position is open in each of the following associational areas: Banner, Capital, Cherokee, Frisco, Great Plains, Johnston-Marshall, North Canadian, Northeastern, Panhandle, Pittsburg, Pottawatomie-Lincoln, Salt Fork, and Washington-Osage. To comply with convention bylaws, the number of directors elected from specific associational areas will vary as the resident membership fluctuates, and the number of At-large members will change accordingly from year to year.

The constitution specifies that there are to be no fewer than 16 persons who are not ordained ministers of the Gospel serving on the board, including at least eight women and at least eight men.

Board of Directors for Baptist Village Communities of Oklahoma will have seven positions open for recommendation on the 21-member board; all 3-year terms. BVC bylaws stipulate that the board shall be geographically representative of the state.

Board of Trustees for Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children will have openings for eight members on the 24-member board; all 3-year terms. To conform to OBHC bylaws, six new directors must be laypersons and two must be an ordained minister or minister’s spouse. There are no geographical requirements, but a geographical balance is desirable.

Board of Trustees for Oklahoma Baptist University will have 10 vacancies on the 30 member board; all three-year terms. Five of the ten new trustees must be laypersons and five must be selected from among the professional clergy (pastors, church staff, directors of missions, etc.) or their spouses. The committee seeks to maintain a balance of members from all areas of the state; however, there are no requirements regarding geographical locations.

Board of Directors for WatersEdge (formerly The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma) will have six vacancies on the 18-member board; all 3-year terms. To fulfill bylaw specifications, six of the new directors must be laypersons, of which one shall be a woman. There are no geographical requirements, but a geographical balance is desirable.

Convention Committees: Nominees from all areas of the state are eligible to serve on Convention committees. The Audit Committee will have three vacancies; all three-year terms. Two new members must have senior corporate management experience. To comply with the committee’s charter, members must meet the following criteria: 1) member of the clergy who is a recent past officer of the Convention; or 2) certified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, who are experienced in finance, accounting, and/or knowledgeable of tax and regulatory requirements; or 3) must have senior corporate management experience including finance or accounting, or other comparable experience or background. The following positions will also be open: three three-year terms on the Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee; and three 3-year terms on the Historical Commission.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS Any member of an Oklahoma Baptist church is invited to use this form to submit recommendations. The electronic form can be filled out online at www.oklahomabaptists.org, or the printed form may be mailed to the Nominating Committee, Baptist Building, 3800 North May, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506, or faxed to 405/942-1339.

Recommendations must be received by Aug. 2 Believing this person to be personally committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to the missionary endeavors of Oklahoma Baptists, I recommend:

1. Title: Dr. Rev. Mr. Mrs. Miss

2. Name:

3. Address:

City: Zip:

4. Home/Cell Phone:

Work Phone:

5. Approximate age: Male: Female:

6. Occupation:

7. Ordained Minister: Yes No

8. Church membership:

9. City/town where church is located:

10. Association:

11. Involvement in local church:

(1) Frequency of attendance

(2) Major activity in church

(3) Supportive of Cooperative Program

In church:

In convention:

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12. Involvement and work within association:

13. Prior service on state boards and committees:

Check the board, commission, committee or office on which you believe this person could best serve: Board of Directors, Oklahoma Baptists

Board of Directors, Baptist Village Communities

Board of Directors, The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma

Board of Trustees, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children

Board of Trustees, Oklahoma Baptist University

Audit Committee

Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee

Historical Commission Please understand that your recommendation does not assure the person you are suggesting will be presented by the Nominating Committee to the state convention. However, your recommendation will be given serious consideration.

Name:

(Person making recommendation)

Mailing address:

Daytime telephone: Date:

July 15, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture