ONE YEAR SINCE NEAR-FATAL CAR ACCIDENT, TODD FISHER CONTINUES TO FIND FAITH & HOPE
MESSENGER
Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@oklahomabaptists.org
Katie Brown | Ministry Assistant kbrown@oklahomabaptists.org
Brook Daniel | Graphic Designer bdaniel@oklahomabaptists.org
Jacob King | Staff Writer jking@oklahomabaptists.org
Bob Nigh | Contributing Writer bnigh@oklahomabaptists.org
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Highlights of the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting
Last month, the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting was held in Dallas with about 10,600 registered messengers in attendance. I was pleased to see so many Oklahoma Baptists at the meeting. In fact, there were almost 700 Oklahoma Baptists churches who pre-registered messengers. That is a fantastic number! I am encouraged that our pastors and churches care about what is going on in the convention and want to be involved in the process of how the SBC is operated.
Some highlights of the meeting included a celebration of 100 years of the Cooperative Program (CP). We were reminded of all that God has done and continues to do for the Kingdom through the CP. SBC churches over the last century have given $20 billion through the CP to advance the gospel throughout the world. We also celebrated 100 years of the Baptist Faith and Message. This confession has kept our convention rooted and grounded in the Word of God and has served as the theological guardrails that safeguard our cooperation among like-minded churches.
Perhaps the greatest highlight of the meeting was the International Mission Board (IMB) sending celebration. We commissioned 58 men and women to serve as international missionaries, some from Oklahoma, to join the almost 4,000 IMB missionaries already on the field. IMB President Paul Chitwood also announced that over 1,600 people are currently in the IMB application pipeline—the largest number in many years.
This is a primary reason why Southern Baptist and Oklahoma Baptists churches cooperate together—to
send fully funded missionaries to take the Gospel of Jesus to some of the most spiritually dark places in the world. The greatest problem in the world is lostness and we do more together than apart in taking the only solution to that problem, the Gospel of Jesus, to the nations.
As always, messengers did not agree on every issue that was raised in the meeting. Some issues were passionately debated and the outcome of the vote on these issues have left some discouraged and concerned. However, I am confident that Southern Baptists continue to have a unified commitment to the authority of Scripture and the Great Commission. We never do anything perfectly as a convention and sometimes in our history we have gotten things very wrong, but we tend to eventually get things right and honor the Lord’s Word and stay focused on our mission. I am praying that for our convention.
SBC President Clint Pressley reminded us in the annual meeting what has often been said, “If the SBC were a train, it would run on two rails: The Cooperative Program and the Baptist Faith and Message.” May God continue to give our churches a unified passion to stand on the Word of God and reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus!
One of the best parts of summer is Vacation Bible School (VBS).
One of the impactful ways the Gospel is presented through VBS is the “ABC’s of Salvation.”
The “A” stands for Admit (“A person must admit to God that he or she is a sinner.”); “B” stands for Believe (“A person must believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that God sent Jesus to pay the penalty for sin.’); and “C” stands for Confess (“A person must confess his or her faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord”).
That simple explanation has helped countless children understand the Gospel and cross from death to life. Christians can utilize this A-B-C ministry teaching tool to help people find new life in Christ. This is, of course, the beginning point, not the stopping point.
The next logical step after a child (or grown up) makes a profession of faith could be called “D” (A person must be “dunked”); or to put it more appropriately, the next step for a new believer is to follow Christ in believer’s baptism.
Recent statistics have shown a positive movement in the Southern Baptist Convention in the number of baptisms annually. A recent Lifeway article states, “For the first time since the late 1980s into the early 1990s, the Southern Baptist Convention saw four consecutive years of growth in baptisms. Not only have baptisms climbed out of pandemic levels,
but the 2024 numbers also topped the last pre-pandemic year—2019.”
While “the Southern Baptist Convention baptized more new members than in any of the previous seven years,” we saw “an 18th consecutive year of overall membership decline.”
In other words, baptisms are up, but church membership is down. What we have here, then, is a failure to accumulate; an apparent failure to make disciples connected with the local church.
This can and should be remedied. The Lord is still saving, and people are being baptized. But we must help them with all aspects of discipleship, including church attendance.
Let’s all recommit to helping new followers of Jesus plant their lives in the local church. Let’s help them be rooted, built up in the faith and connected to the Body of Christ.
As the Bible puts it, “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
Let’s keep proclaiming the ABCs of salvation, even while we show people that Jesus wants all of our lives. That life in Jesus is from A to Z!
Brian Hobbs
Oklahoma Baptists Editor
July 27-31
Indian Falls Creek Falls Creek Conference Center, Davis, OK
Collegiate Week Falls Creek Conference Center, Davis, OK
oklahomabaptists.org/ collegiate-week/resources/
Where Lost Things Go
If you remember from last time… I won’t hold it against you if you don’t remember last time. I’m sure you have a lot of things to remember, and my articles are way down your list of things to remember.
So, regardless of whether you remember or not, I made the executive decision last time to step away from personal stories and spend a while looking at what I think are some of the funniest, even most hilarious, stories in the Bible. Please know, I am not trying to be sacrilegious. So, if at any point you are offended by any of this, feel free to apologize to me, and I will gladly accept your apology.
I want to call your attention to a story that is found in Luke 2:41-46. Here’s a short recap. Joseph and Mary and Jesus and part of the family had been to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. When the feast was over, Joseph, Mary and part of the family started back home. They had travelled for a day when they discovered Jesus was not with them.
The Scripture does not say which parent made this discovery. But I’m betting on Mary. Here’s why. Joseph was probably busy looking at his phone to get the latest scores from ESPN. Ok… Joseph was probably not doing that. But like most men, I suspect he was distracted. So, I still think Mary noticed first.
If you play out that scenario for a bit, think about that initial conversation between Mary and Joseph. Undoubtedly Mary must have said to Joseph, “Do you know where Jesus is?” Joseph, probably caught off guard just a bit may have said, “In my heart?” And Mary would have just stared at her husband.
If you think about it Mary and Joseph lost the Son of God. That’s a pretty big deal. I suspect she must have had plenty to say to Joseph on the trip back to Jerusalem. It may have sounded a lot like what I have often heard from my wife: “I gave you one thing to do… just one thing.” (I hear that often when I get back from a Wal Mart run to pick up a couple of things and bring back five sacks full of stuff but not the two things I was supposed to get).
But I have digressed. I suspect it was a long trip back to Jerusalem to find Jesus. But we shouldn’t be too hard on those young parents. God is the only perfect parent. The rest of us have different degrees of struggles with parenting which means we aren’t perfect. Maybe the best thing to do is work not on being a perfect parent but on being a better parent.
I don’t know if you have ever lost or misplaced one of your kids before. If you did and it was an accident, don’t be too hard on yourself. I don’t think I ever actually did that but there was more than once I may have considered giving both of ours boys away to anybody willing to take them. Oddly enough, no one would ever take them. I guess the word was out about the Ligon boys.
Joe Ligon
Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director
STEPS OF FAITH
ONE YEAR SINCE NEAR-FATAL CAR ACCIDENT, TODD FISHER CONTINUES TO FIND FAITH & HOPE
By Messenger Staff with Baptist Press reports
Life can change dramatically in mere moments. For Todd Fisher, who serves as Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer, his life was forever changed in one moment.
On Sunday, July 28, 2024, Fisher was traveling from one preaching event to the next. He was scheduled to be camp pastor for a week at Indian Falls Creek in Davis.
On the way to the event, Fisher was involved in a severe, head-on collision traveling southbound on State Highway 7. During the accident, Fisher’s F-150 truck was struck at highway speed by another vehicle that, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol Reports, had crossed the center line.
The collision delivered instant compound fractures to both of his ankles and a crushed tibia and fibula in his right foot, which would later have to be amputated. He suffered compound fracture to his pelvis and upper left arm, as well as nine broken ribs, a cracked L5 vertebrae and a collapsed lung. Sadly, the other driver perished at the scene of the accident.
Fisher was medi-flighted to the trauma floor of OU’s Medical Center then to the Oklahoma City
Rehabilitation Hospital, where he remained for more than a month.
As news of the automobile accident became known, the response of prayer and support from thousands of Oklahoma Baptists and others was immediate.
Todd Fisher and his family requested “ongoing prayer for the family of the other driver who lost her life in the accident. She was a strong believer and is in the presence of Jesus. We are grateful for your continued prayer for them and acts of kindness/grace to her wonderful family.”
Fisher himself does not recall the accident itself. The day prior, he and his wife Jamy had celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a dinner with their whole family.
“All I remember is Saturday evening… having dinner with my family celebrating, and the very next thing I remember is waking up in that ICU with my family around me and saying, ‘Did something bad happen?’” said Fisher.
The health journey following accident for Fisher has proven to be long and hard. Yet God’s goodness and
faithfulness has been abundant and evident along the way. Throughout it all, the Lord has provided strength, faith and hope to Fisher.
HELP AND HOPE COME ALONG THE WAY
Ever since the accident, Fisher has had to receive significant medical attention, which has included professional help from trauma care doctors, physical and occupational therapists, orthopedic surgeons and others.
He has been blessed by the steadfast help of his devoted wife Jamy, his family, church family at Choctaw, First, as well as the entire “Oklahoma Baptists family.”
Help came from unexpected sources too. As Fisher was driving to Falls Creek in July, two men he didn’t yet know were also getting on the road. Both are believers. A few minutes after leaving, one of them felt God telling him to go back and spend a few more minutes with his family and praying with them. The two left about 15 minutes later than originally intended.
COVER
The men ended up not far behind Fisher and were the first on the scene of the wreck.
“They cut my seat belt and got me out because they thought my truck was going to catch fire,” Fisher said. One told Fisher later he didn’t think Fisher was going to live, so the men knelt there and prayed.
The same man who felt God telling him to return and pray with his family heard the Lord again. The man on the ground in front of him had been used to tell many people about grace. God wanted this man – Fisher – to live and for the man kneeling to apply hard pressure with both hands to a spot on Fisher’s hip.
“Multiple medical professionals have told me that this act saved my life,” said Fisher.
‘GAINS OUTWEIGH LOSSES’ ON JOURNEY
Fisher has continually posted updates and expressed gratitude to all those who have supported him on this journey. He and his wife Jamy have shared their testimony at multiple events, including churches.
The journey has included many medical setbacks. When it became clear that his right foot would not be able to be saved, Fisher made the difficult decision earlier in 2025 to follow the medical advice and have his leg amputated.
The surgery and recovery have been successful. Reflecting on this amputation, Fisher shared how he “has gained more than he has lost” on the journey.
“(With the amputation surgery) I lost a physical part of my body. I lost the ability to walk and move in a way that I’ve been used to my whole life. I lost some conveniences and perhaps my ability to do certain things. But I thank God for helping me focus on what I’ve gained in this journey.”
He added, “my physical body has been diminished, but my spiritual life has been enriched. I’ve gained a greater perspective on not taking for granted the blessings God gives us everyday- faith, health, marriage, family, so many other blessings. I have a greater appreciation of how God can use our suffering, and how even in the
valley he is working for his glory and our good. I will soon gain a new way to physically walk with a new chapter in my testimony that I pray can be used to encourage others in their spiritual walk.”
FISHER EXPERIENCES NEW ‘FIRSTS’ DURING RECOVERY
Along the road to recovery, Fisher has stayed connected to his work and mission with Oklahoma Baptists. His rehabilitation has gone even more quickly than expected.
On May 23, as he concluded one aspect of his physical therapy, Fisher said, “When I first arrived (here for therapy), I didn’t know if I would walk again. Today I ran a quarter mile in the parking lot and treadmill. Glory to God for his great provision and care and for putting incredible people in our lives to help us on the road to recovery.”
Fisher has recently experienced some new “firsts” on this side of the car accident.
In early April, he preached a series of revival events at Ardmore, First. In April, he was able to walk into his office for the first time, walking using his prosthetic leg. Also in April, he preached in a Sunday worship service for the first time. In May, he was cleared to drive for the first time. He also was able to jog on a treadmill for the first time.
Fisher recently attended Oklahoma City Thunder games, where his “lucky (prosthetic) leg” displayed the team logo on it.
In June, Fisher was able to travel out of state for the first time, going to Dallas to represent Oklahoma Baptists at the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting.
Fisher has kept his sense of humor throughout the entire episode and has taken to sharing multiple “amputee humor” jokes in person and online.
Moreover, he’s maintained an eternal perspective amid the suffering, loss and recovery. “I have gained a richer understanding that our lives today and our hardships are temporal, our mortal bodies are jars of clay, our focus today must be centered on eternity where one day God will make all things new and give to us glorified, whole bodies to live for eternity in his perfect presence.”
As the one-year mark since his car accident nears, Fisher is coming full circle and is scheduled to be camp pastor at Indian Falls Creek.
While no person would wish for trials to come, Fisher has learned that God can get glory out of the journey.
The Lord has used “my journey to teach me in ways I could never have imagined on the importance of what is eternal, about the things of faith, and how that impacts the way I live today,” he said.
He’s learned there are unique blessings as he takes steps of faith along this road to recovery.
CROSSWORD
Note: Bible translations may vary for clues
ACROSS
1 Bug spray brand
5 Opposed to (dial.)
9 “Be __ with sandals” (Mark 6:9)
13 Teen woe
14 Christmas carol has one
15 Jesus’ tomb closure
16 Make calm, as Mary might her Baby
17 Prong
18 “He that reapeth receiveth __” (John 4:36)
19 What heavenly host sang
21 Pull along
23 Manger mattress, according to song 24 Bethlehem to Jericho (dir.)
WORDSEARCH
25 First Christmas singers
29 Joseph to Jesus, humanly speaking
30 Good fortune
32 Pie __ mode (2 words)
33 Ride for 36 Down
36 Saunter
37 Auto fuel
38 Not many (2 words)
39 What Jesus does
40 Temple priest’s robe adornments
41 Store treasures that will not do this
42 __ of Scripture, where His Word is found
43 Tropical eel
44 36 Down gold, e.g.
45 Same cite as previous (Latin)
46 At Christmas, be glad, not __!
47 Tax collector Matthew may have kept one
49 Easter mo., often (Abbr.)
50 Kansas City hour at Christmas (Abbr.)
53 Summer tea choice
55 King of kings, e.g.
DOWN
1 Honeymooner’s fellow
2 Sporty car brand
3 Decorative design, sometimes
4 Cafe’
5 Christians __ church on Christmas
6 Christ came in the __ of a little child
7 There was no room for them there
8 God knows your every one
9 Canned chili brand
10 One fed by Prodigal Son
11 “Voice of __ crying in the wilderness” (Matt. 3:3)
12 __ Moines
15 Deluxe
20 Make airtight
22 Speed contests
26 Kids are this on Christmas morning
27 33 Across relative
28 Mouthy
29 When this settled, manna appeared
30 “God so __ the world”
31 Wields
33 Christmas song
34 Christ was “promised __ by his prophets” (Rom. 1:2)
35 God “__ out heaven with the span” (Isa. 40:12)
36 Travelers to Bethlehem
39 Blade
Note: The word clues are chosen by Messenger staff, while the
57 Blooper
60 Asian ruler
62 Fisherman’s need
63 Revises
64 36 Down origin, with “the”
65 Holy Child, e.g.
66 Jesus and playmates, once
67 “Lions roar after their __” (Ps. 104.21)
68 What 36 Down saw
40 Jesus, fully human and fully __
42 Parts
43 Jesus’ mom
46 Fancy
48 36 Down brought some
49 “__, and take the young child and his mother” (Matt. 2:13)
50 Sports shoe feature
51 Stone
52 Mary __ Moore
54 “Who shall descend into the __?” (Rom. 10:7)
56 Swords of the Spirit, e.g.
57 “__ thee hence, Satan” (Matt. 4:10)
58 Hubbub, as on Christmas morning
59 Jesus makes us __ to serve others
61 Scratch
WORDS
ADVICE BLESSINGS ENCOURAGE ETERNAL FAITH FAMILY FIRSTS GAINS GLORIFIED GOD GRATITUDE
Harold Gaches died June 19. He was pastor of Lawton, First West and the brother of Robert Gaches (pastor, Kellyville, Sunrise). He also served as Youth Minister at Ada, Oak Avenue; part time youth minister at then senior pastor at Milfay, and as pastor at Tipton, First.
Jim Bob Kirk died April 28. He was MVP pastor at Stigler, Antioch, and former pastor of Whitfield, Journey.
Benjamin Lacy, 91, died May 6. A 1958 graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, he was ordained to the gospel ministry at Shawnee, First. He was an educator, teaching in Kayenta, Ariz. and Drumright and finishing his teaching career of almost
(Continued on next column...)
RECOMMENDATIONS SOUGHT FOR
40 years as Principal of Drumright Elementary school. He also served as bivocational pastor at Cushing, Oak Street and served as interim pastor at many churches in Oklahoma.
Robert “Bob” L. Ross Sr., one of the pillars of Oklahoma Baptist history who helped lead efforts to advance the Gospel and grow Southern Baptist churches across the state for decades, passed away May 31 at the age of 88. Ross served the Lord in various capacities and ministries throughout his lifetime, including 25 years at The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma (now known as WatersEdge), where he served as the Foundation’s president from 1986 until his retirement in 2002. He also served on various boards with several organizations such as the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO), Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), Southern Baptist Convention Foundation, and Association of Baptist Foundation Executives.
Boards and Committees
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. 10-11.
RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE SENT USING THE QR CODE OR LINK BELOW
oklahomabaptists.org/ recommendations
PASTOR In Focus
HARVEY SPARKS
Oklahoma City, Portland Avenue
Lead Pastor
There are many ways to serve in ministry—whether as a missionary, a pastor, or even a spiritual advisor to elected officials. Few, however, can say they’ve done all three. One of those few is Harvey Sparks, lead pastor at Oklahoma City, Portland Avenue.
Sparks began his ministry during his final two years of college at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), serving part-time as a student pastor at a church in Oklahoma City. After graduating, he and his wife, Jenifer, moved to Norman, where he served as student pastor for six years. During that time, Sparks sensed a deeper calling. “I just started to feel this sense that God was calling me into the pastorate,” Sparks said. “That’s what led me to go to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.” Through a partnership between OBU and Southwestern, Sparks was able to pursue his seminary degree while continuing to serve at his church. Initially, he planned to transition into a lead pastor role after completing his studies. However, a short-term mission trip would change those plans.
While in Norman, a retired pastor who organized international mission trips persistently encouraged Sparks to consider going to Southeast Asia. At first, Sparks dismissed the idea. But the pastor continued asking week after week until Sparks finally agreed to go to Myanmar.
“I committed to go on this trip,” Sparks recalled. “The closer it got, the more anxious I became. There are a lot of challenges in Myanmar today, but it was even worse back in 2001–2002.”
That trip proved transformational.
“God just used that trip to really open my eyes to the ways in which He was working around the world to draw all peoples and nations to Himself,” he said.
A year and a half later, Sparks graduated from Southwestern, and he and Jenifer felt a clear calling to serve overseas. They connected with the International Mission Board (IMB) and were appointed to serve as short-term missionaries in northern Mozambique for two years.
“We just had a great experience. I was so impressed with the way the IMB took care of us,” Sparks said. “We really wrestled with, ‘OK, Lord, are You calling us to stay here?’”
Ultimately, they sensed God leading them back to pastoral ministry in the U.S. They returned and began serving at a church in Tulsa. Still, Mozambique
remained on their hearts. Every year, they asked themselves whether it was time to go back—but life took a different turn.
“While in Tulsa, our family started growing rapidly. We had a daughter, adopted a brother and sister, then had another daughter,” Sparks said. “We just never felt like we were at a place where we could go back overseas.” During this season, Sparks also stepped into an unexpected mission field: politics. A friend in Tulsa ran for office, won, and invited Sparks to join him in Washington, D.C., to help “keep his head on straight.” Sparks accepted, viewing it as another opportunity for Gospel influence.
After several years on Capitol Hill, the Sparks family once again felt the pull toward international missions. “We got to the point in D.C. where we said, ‘Now’s the time. With the ages of our kids, if we don’t go now, we’re just not going to be able to go,’” Sparks said.
In 2017, they reconnected with the IMB and eventually returned to Mozambique—this time with long-term plans. But in 2021, family health issues with aging parents back home required their return to the U.S.
That transition brought Sparks back to Oklahoma City, Portland Avenue—the very church he had attended as a child. Today, he serves as its lead pastor.
“Portland has a legacy of being involved in ministry and missions,” Sparks said.
Under his leadership, the church has maintained a strong ministry and missions focus. They continue to partner with missionaries in Mozambique and have sent teams to northern Thailand to minister among Burmese communities. This summer, they plan to send a team to Toronto.
“I feel like our church is punching above its weight in terms of mission engagement,” Sparks said. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve also been involved in two church plants—one in Kansas City and one here in Oklahoma City with Northeast Fellowship—and we’re currently preparing to plant another within the next 12 months with a church planter who is working through our residency program.”
A key tool that enables this level of engagement is the Cooperative Program (CP)—the unified giving plan through which Southern Baptist churches support missionaries and ministries around the globe.
“I’ve heard the figure for what it costs to plant a church or keep a missionary family unit on the field, and we
couldn’t afford that as a smaller church,” Sparks said. “But through the CP, we can be involved in church planting and help fund missionaries all over the world.” Today, Sparks leads a church focused on kingdom growth—committed to expanding God’s Kingdom through both local and global missions.
“For me, that’s the heart of ministry,” he said. “And the CP enables us to do more together with other churches than we could ever do on our own.”
Come Before the Lord. . . Do Justice
By Jennifer Barnett, IFC Board Chairperson
Indian Falls Creek (IFC) is a gathering of family that comes together for encouragement, fellowship, Gospel sharing, and calling. Churches and families come from across North America, representing more than 50 culturally unique tribal nations, with many campers attending since childhood, some first attending as babies.
Most Native Baptist churches are small, so coming to IFC provides a time for fellowship and networking between churches and their leaders. Friends look forward to time together, as this gathering may the only time many see each other throughout the year. Most Native pastors and leaders are multi-vocational, so IFC provides the opportunity to enjoy being with and ministering to their church families and to also be encouraged.
This summer, IFC will take place July 27-31. Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer Todd Fisher will serve as Camp Pastor. Last year, on his way to IFC, Fisher was involved in a serious car accident. Pastors were called upon to preach in his stead. The IFC family has prayed for his on-going recovery and look forward to seeing him walk on stage to bring the message each evening.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 ESV.
Fisher will inaugurate the three-year theme, “Come Before the Lord” focusing on Do Justice, with Love Kindness and Walk Humbly to come. His example of deep Bible study is an encouragement to value and love God’s Word.
During each IFC evening worship service, two or three Nations sing a hymn in their Tribal language, many wearing traditional clothing. On Tuesday evening, Veterans are recognized so campers are encouraged to wear traditional dress in their honor.
IFC cultivates family through worship, learning and fellowship. A day at IFC begins with morning classes for preschool, children, youth, young adults and adults. Then, everyone gathers for a late morning worship service directed toward our youth and young adults. Following lunch, afternoon sports and activities provide time for fellowship and fun. After dinner, evening service brings everyone together for more worship and then post-service opportunities for fun and fellowship.
In addition to regular programming, special activities include an Annual Health Fair, Blood & Bone Marrow Drive, Children’s Olympics, receptions for pastors and pastor’s wives, morning Prayer Walk, 5K run and more. Core highlights of the Underground Activities are the well-contested Golden Frybread and Meat Pie Contests.
The Baptism service on Thursday afternoon is a high point in the week as it brings church families together to celebrate new brothers and sisters in Christ.
The importance of IFC cannot be understated. With less than 10 percent of North American Indigenous peoples being Christian, there is an immense need to support and encourage Native Baptist churches and share the Gospel to the more than 90 percent of Native people who need Christ. All of IFC leadership and support staff serve voluntarily in its planning and implementation.
Indian Falls Creek is a time for family. If you cannot attend the full week, come enjoy a day or evening service. Please come enjoy the fullness of IFC and learn how you can support this on-going ministry through volunteer service or scholarship donations. Scan the QR code below for more information or to contact the IFC board.
Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!
2025 MISSIONARY Prayer Guide
Who & Where Why How to Pray
Pray for Oklahoma Baptists who are serving in Central Asia through the International Mission Board. Central Asia is comprised of Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Fewer than .01% of Central Asians are followers of Jesus. Islam is the predominant religion in Central Asia and many who choose to follow Jesus are persecuted for “betraying” their former faith, traditions and family. This area needs our prayers.
In May 2023, Jared and Rachel Jackson and their three children planted Church Inside Out in Verdigris, Oklahoma. Their mission is to be a family of missionary servants sent to their neighbors, communities, and city to make disciples who make disciples. They do this by partnering with the local schools, providing community dinners, block parties, prayerwalks, Backyard Bible Clubs, discipleship and servant evangelism opportunities. They serve in housing additions, apartments, and mobile home communities.
Jayden and Taylor King serve in Bangkok, Thailand, where 1% of the population are Christians. They partner with a local Thai church to see healthy Baptist churches planted in each of the 50 districts of Bangkok. Evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development are huge aspects of their ministry, as they work to equip the local church to reach Thai Buddhists. Watching local believers take ownership of the Great Commission task is one of the most rewarding things about their work.
Oklahoma Baptists have a heart for evangelism both at home and abroad. The Oklahoma Baptists convention offers missions consultation for Oklahoma Baptist churches. Through a global missions focus and International Mission Board connections, enthusiastic people and churches are connected to ministry opportunities to advance the Gospel worldwide. The intent is to fully train, prepare, and equip churches for an overseas missions’ experience so they will be ready to send and go wherever the Lord leads them.
Pray the sacrificial love of Christ will shine brightly above false teaching.
Pray God would make bold the new believers in Central Asia as they try to live out their faith in adverse and many times dangerous circumstances.
Pray God would protect and provide for missionaries serving there.
Pray families will grow in discipleship within their homes, cultivating deeper faith and stronger bonds.
Pray new pastors and churches will partner with Church Inside Out in planting new house churches.
Pray God will provide financial support for the Jackson family and church for the advancement of the Gospel.
Pray God will place persons of peace in the Kings’s path, who are ready and willing to follow God.
Pray they would continue to press forward in learning the language with perseverance and patience.
Pray for the health of their first baby.
Pray many Oklahoma churches and missions leaders will participate in global missions training.
Pray what is learned during trainings will help to make overseas evangelism efforts successful.
Pray members of the missions teams will return home with a new fervor that impacts churches and their surrounding communities.
Oklahoma Baptists Serving in Central Asia
Jared & Rachel Jackson
Jayden & Taylor King
2025 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION MEETS IN DALLAS
DALLAS, Tex.—Southern Baptist messengers from across the nation and world gathered June 8-11 in Dallas for the annual Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). As a prelude to the convention, the 2025 Pastors’ Conference was held June 8-9. Eight pastors from across the nation spoke during the event during a panel discussion.
Tuesday, June 10, marked the first day of the 2025 SBC meeting. It began with worship, an opening prayer and then a call to order. After various reports and introductions of 13 new motions, the IMB held its sending celebration. During this event, 58 missionaries from across the nation were recognized and sent to the mission field, one of these included an Oklahoman.
A total of 15 motions were made during the afternoon session and two motions were scheduled to be voted on the following day, Wed., June 11. These were a motion to abolish the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and a motion to adapt the Sanchez Motion which is similar to the Law Amendment from last year’s annual meeting.
Wednesday’s session, June 11, began with a time of worship and an opening prayer. Tony Wolfe, executive
director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, delivered the convention sermon. The sermon, based on Ecc. 11:1-6, urged messengers not to retreat from their calling, which is The Great Commission. Following this was a time dedicated to handling previously scheduled business. After tallying the votes, the motion to abolish the ERLC failed with a total of 6,581 ballots cast.
The second item scheduled for voting was on whether the SBC should adopt the Sanchez Motion. This was also cast to a ballot vote but failed to obtain the two thirds majority required to pass. Next year’s annual meeting will be held in Orlando, Fla., June 9-10, 2026.
While in Dallas, Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) and Oklahoma Baptists hosted an event for all Oklahoma Baptists attending the SBC Annual Meeting at the AT&T stadium in Dallas. This event provided fellowship for OBU alumni and friends and allowed prospective students to speak with OBU faculty from the various departments.
More details about this 2025 Annual Meeting can be read online at BaptistMessenger.com in the article “2025 SBC Annual Meeting Highlights.”
Join the “10-Acre Challenge”
TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED
Oklahoma farmers have long been known for their generosity, faith and hard work. Now, they have an opportunity to combine all three in a simple yet powerful way. By joining the 10-Acre Challenge, producers are encouraged to donate the crop proceeds from ten acres of land to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC). The funds raised will directly support children and their families across OBHC’s ministries.
It is simple to join the challenge:
• Harvest your crop as you normally would.
• Deliver to the elevator, and designate the proceeds from 10 acres (or more) to OBHC.
• Contact Michael Williams to notify him of your donation. He will call the elevator to coordinate the sale.
• The elevator sends a check to OBHC, and 100% of the proceeds are used to care for children and share the love of Christ.
Tax Benefits for Donors - By giving grain instead of cash, farmers can potentially reduce their taxable income and avoid self-employment tax on the value of the grain. OBHC encourages you to consult your tax advisor to determine what is best for your individual situation.
A single gift can provide:
• Groceries for a young mom raising her child with the help of OBHC staff.
• Counseling for a child healing from trauma.
• Life skills training for teens preparing to age out of foster care.
• Most importantly, opportunities to hear the gospel and experience the love of Christ.
“For those who work the land, giving from the harvest is one of the most personal ways to be a blessing, The 10-Acre Challenge is about doing something ordinary—planting and harvesting crops—and allowing God to use it in an extraordinary way.”
Michael Williams EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF OBHC
To learn more or to join the challenge, contact: Michael Williams, Executive Vice President, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children at 405.818.8833 or michael.williams@obhc.org
