2021/June/24

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • JUNE 24, 2021

SBC in Momentous 2021 meeting in ‘Music City’ /// SEE PAGE 6

CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Staton gives update from search committee >> MICHAEL STATON

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Always go forward

Encourage: Keep on asking >> HANCE DILBECK

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

Those should be familiar words to you. I have often preached and written from this text. In fact, about one year into my service as executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists, November 2018, I set this great benediction before our messengers and guests during our Annual Meeting.

Southern Baptists appoint 64 missionaries in Sending Celebration

Falls Creek adds Monday night invitations to youth weeks

>> SCOT T BARKLEY

>> CHRIS DOYLE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—International Mission Board (IMB) President Paul Chitwood made a confession to the thousands gathered in the Music City Center on Monday, June 14. As 2020 dragged on, he said, challenge after challenge made the IMB’s goals seem further and further beyond reach.

DAVIS—The summer youth weeks have returned to Falls Creek Conference Center, as well as the excitement and encouragement among Oklahoma Baptists who know how special this place in the Arbuckle Mountains can be. /// SEE PAGE 7

/// SEE PAGE 5

>> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Kingdom ninja >> WALKER MOORE

Page 7 | Features Send Conference emphasizes unity, mission and Gospel focus >> BY IMB, NAMB & MESSENGER STAFF

Page 8 | People & Church News CrossTimbers staff working hard, as camp sees many decisions >> CHRIS DOYLE

/// SEE PAGE 3

Page 10 | Church Toolbox How your church can reach young adults >> CHAD COLEMAN

Follow the Baptist Messenger on social media!

To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

ENDS NEWS & TR

Staton gives updateM I Sfrom S I O N S & search committee SPORTS & T INMEN S T RY I all across our state.

I NBaptists pastors, ministersM and With his departure, our state is now in need of finding God’s man to be our next executive director-treasurer. On May 25, the Board of Directors voted on a search committee to begin this work. It is my honor to serve as chairman, and I am grateful for a strong group of men who were selected to be a partB thisXteam.

L oftheO O Owith T H I would like to acquaint you members C R U H C of this committee. The seven men elected by the Board of Directors were Michael Butler, Russell Duck, Jeremy Freeman, Rusty McMullen, Heath Tucker, LeRon West and myself.

I believe this committee represents a good cross-section of our state, not only geographically but also in age and experience.

S two memDhave F I EWe S SinItheir LA bers in theirC 30s, three 40s, one in his 50s, and two in their 60s. Among the eight of us, there is an average of 28 years of vocational ministry. I am grateful for the wisdom of the men I will serve with on this search committee.

We have met together twice already and have our next meeting scheduled for June 24. Please

Michael Staton

Chairman, Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Search Committee

Dear Oklahoma Baptists, I hope this letter finds you doing well and preparing for an exciting summer. As you likely know, Hance Dilbeck has resigned as executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists and has accepted the job as president of GuideStone Financial Resources.

While his departure is a significant loss for our state, he has been given a tremendous opportunity for expanded leadership and influence, and he goes with our love and support. Ultimately, this opportunity for Dr. Dilbeck is the result of his strong leadership, ability to carry out a clear vision, as well as evidence of the tremendous work being done by

A task. We are pray for us as we work together T E RonTthis N E fully reliant upon the Holy Spirit to direct our steps.

In addition to your prayers, I also want to invite all Oklahoma Baptists to share your insights and thoughts as we walk this journey together. Please know that we welcome your input and would love PLE & to hear from you if you have or sugE Oquestions Pany S gestions you would like to share. YouHcanNemail Wour E C R U H C search committee at execsearch@oklahomabaptists. org, and we will look forward to hearing from you.

I will do my best to lead this fine committee in a way that is prayerful, thoughtful, careful, diligent and honoring to Christ. I am humbled by the privilege to serve in this way and look forward to seeing the provision of the Lord for Oklahoma TURE U LBaptists.

VOICES

In Christ,

NE WS & C

Michael Staton Chairman, Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Search Committee Pastor, Mustang, First

Oklahoma DR serves Okmulgee “It is a blessing to see Oklahoma Baptists come together to help homeowners and advance the Gospel,” Williams said.

Look for future updates or more information about DR at okdisasterhelp.org.

>> by Staff OKMULGEE—Don Williams, state director of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR), reported DR O N L I N EENT work occurring in eastern Oklahoma.

NEW E CONT seWilliams said Okmulgee LUSIVexperienced EB-EXCrecently W vere storms that resulted in significant rain, causing flash flooding and damage to nearly 50 homes.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is helping with many of these cases.

Assessors and chaplains worked through the weekend, June 12-13, and crews arrived on MonINFO day, June 14, to do mud-out for N homeowners.

ATIO ICwork

Along with doing mud-out services for nearly 50 homes in the Okmulgee area, DR workers are serving a church in the community that was also affected by recent storms. >> PHOTO: PROVIDED

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

PU B L

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

EVENTS JUNE 26-29

CrossTimbers Davis Session 6

WEB-EXCLU

SIV WEB-EXCLU JULY 5-9

Falls Creek Week 5

Info: Speaker: Nick Atyia crosstimbers.org

Info: Speaker: Wade Morris Worship Band: Bailey Byers fallscreek.org

JUNE 28-JULY 1

JULY 7-10

CrossTimbers Grand Lake Session 1

CrossTimbers Grand Lake Session 2

Dixon, new national WMU president, has heart for ‘God’s great mission’ TRENNIS HENDERSON | JUNE 14

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

Info: Speaker: Clint Morgan crosstimbers.org

Info: Speaker: Andy Taylor crosstimbers.org

JUNE 28-JULY 2

JULY 9-12

When friends and colleagues describe Connie Dixon, one observation that repeatedly pops up is her deep love for missions.

As the newly-elected president of national Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), Dixon will draw on her years of missions commitment and service to help lead WMU’s focus on “making disciples of Jesus who live on mission.”

Falls Creek Week 4

CrossTimbers Davis Session 8

IMB dinner includes celebration and challenge

Info: Speaker: Jeff Wallace; Worship Band: Common Worship fallscreek.org

Info: Speaker: David Skinner crosstimbers.org

JULY 5-8

JULY 12-16

CrossTimbers Davis Session 7

Falls Creek Week 6

Info: Speaker: Joe Ligon crosstimbers.org

Info: Speaker: Heath Tucker Worship Band: Bailey Byers fallscreek.org

EVENTS

CATHERINE FINCH | JUNE 15

At the International Mission Board (IMB) dinner during the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting, Southern Baptists heard stories from IMB missionaries of God’s faithfulness to reach the nations and encouragement to focus on the Great Commission found in Scripture.

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

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EVENTS

MESSENGER STAFF

>> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@baptistmessenger.com >> Lori Coats | Subscriptions/Assistant lcoats@baptistmessenger.com

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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June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

>> Chris Forbes | Staff Writer cforbes@oklahomabaptists.org >> Tori Hamilton | Art Director thamilton@baptistmessenger.com

VOICES

Encourage: Keep on asking Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

Those should be familiar words to you. I have often preached and written from this text. In fact, about one year into my service as executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists, November 2018, I set this great benediction before our messengers and guests during our Annual Meeting. Toward the end of my address I said: “Where do we begin? We are going to do what Paul assumes we will do—think and ask. We will think about our work, our mission, our field. We will

dream about the future and imagine our most essential tasks and most productive strategies. We will thoughtfully order our priorities. We will think and we will ask.

“We will ask because we know that the horse might be prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. We will ask because we confess that unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. We will ask because we believe that our Father knows how to give good gifts to those who ask.”

I consider it a great honor to have served you.

Thank you for entrusting this work to me. As I leave the office of executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists to prepare for my new Kingdom assignment as president of GuideStone, I want to encourage you one more time: Keep on asking!

Asking provides perspective.

Our cooperative mission is not merely our work for the Lord, but His work for us and in us and through us. Asking reminds us to focus on what the Lord is able to do according to His power that works within us.

John Newton wrote, “Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring; for His grace and power are such, one can never ask too much!”

He is able to glorify His Name in the church in all generations. “All” includes this present generation.

We should always be asking the Lord to work with power to glorify His Name in our churches in this generation. We are not able, but He is.

I concluded that 2018 convention address with these words: “One day, years from now, our grandchildren might learn about a great season of Gospel advance that began in our generation in Oklahoma and spread to impact the world for Christ. If they inquire of us, ‘How did this great Gospel advance come to pass?’ Wouldn’t it put a smile on your face to give them a simple answer? ‘We asked Him, and He is able.’”

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21).

Sword & trowel: Always go forward Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

We are now on the heels of the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which was one of the largest meetings in decades. After all is said and done, it leads to the question, “What happens next?”

Much has been written and spoken about what the SBC must do: maintain theological faithfulness and personal integrity; pursue even better care for the abused and the vulnerable, and prevent such tragedies from ever happening; work together to end abortion; maintain biblical unity among churches; and, of course, take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

I would encourage all Southern Baptists to pray and to consider their part in all these urgent matters. Gen-

eral George Patton, famous for his bold action and audacious actions, was quoted as saying “Always go forward.” That idea has implications for churches today.

Think about Christ’s words about the church, that “the gates of Hell will not prevail it” (Matt. 16:17-19).

As many biblical commentators have pointed out, this suggests the church is a force on the offense, not defense. It is a picture of Christ’s followers coming up against the gates of Hell.

The church today, however, seems to have adopted a defensive, instead of an offensive mindset. We see it in other various denominations, as in our own. We see it in the decline in evangelism and baptisms. We see it when we consider even the fearful tone of our rhetoric. Perhaps what is behind this is that we have taken our eyes off of Jesus, that we have let our love grow cold.

Now, I do not expect that merely one annual meeting, one officer election, or one speech—or certainly one article—alone will change our mindset or posture for every single person. But each of us can take this moment to consider the outcomes of our lives.

What about you? Have you spent more time

worrying and less time praying? Have you spent too much time on social media and too little time sharing Jesus with people around you? Have you stopped moving forward in your walk with Christ?

If I am honest, I can say I have failed so often to do the right thing in these scenarios. Jesus warned us about being critical of the speck in our neighbor’s eye and missing the plank in our own (Matt. 7:4). If we are not careful, we will spend all our time finding flaws in other people and other things that we will not see clearly our role in advancing the Gospel.

C.S. Lewis said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”

On the heels of a great SBC meeting—one that was historic in so many ways— let’s ask God to give us humility in place of pride. Let’s ask God to cleanse us of sin and to better protect the weak. And above all, let’s ask Him to renew our passion for sharing the Gospel with our neighbors and the nations.

Only then will we live lives that are going forward; always going forward.

Voices | June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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ENDS NEWS & TR

I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

Rite of passage: Kingdom ninjas & S T R SPO

& MISSIONS Y M I N I S T RWalker Moore

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

O O L B OX T H C R U H C I recently got a call asking if I would join Daniel Gil

at an event in San Antonio, Texas. I am a huge fan of Gil. If you’re not familiar with him, he is the reigning champion of the televised contest called “American Ninja Warrior.” He was on the show for six seasons before he overtook the other contestants and became the current EDS I F Ichampion.

L A S SNinja C“American Warrior” tests competitors’ talents and abilities via an obstacle course. I have watched as these men and women climb, fly and run through the obstacles placed before them. One of my favorites is called the Warp Wall, and there are two of them. If you look at them from the side, they look like the letter C. The smaller wall is 14 1/2 feet high, and theEMega S Wall is 18 feet high. The obIC VO ject is to run up the curved wall and, part of the way up, jump to catch the top of the wall. If you can conquer the Mega Wall, you receive a $10,000 bonus.

Only two people have conquered the walls back to back, and Gil is one of them.

Many of these contestants have stage names they perform under. There’s the Cowboy Ninja, Island Ninja and Real-Life Ninja, but Gil goes by the moniker of “Kingdom Ninja.”

When they called me to be part of this event in San Antonio with Gil, I had to let them know I had doc-

MENT

IN R TApartictor’s orders end of the day, we saw 97 peoNthatT IEcouldn’t E ipate in anything with the word ple put their faith and trust in “up” included. I am not allowed Christ. I could share a lot more to do pullups, situps, stepups about my time with Gil and how or any other physical challengGod has used his skills to travel es that contain the word “up.” If I the world sharing Christ. & E L P did, I might throw up.

I looked up the word “ninja” in PEO S I informed the coordinators the dictionary, and there were NEW R C H that CH that I could doUanything lots of definitions, but the in>> PHOTO: PROVIDED Daniel Gil flexes contains the word “down”: sit formal one was “a person who with Walker. down, lie down, roll down, step excels in a particular skill or acdown and even boogie down as tivity.” When I asked Gil about needed. But all they wanted me choosing the word “kingdom” to to do was to speak at the event. go with “ninja,” he quoted Matt. 6:33: “But seek first When I arrived, the hostsU took me U RtoEthe Green His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things LTAbigail. &hisC wife, E WGilSand Room toN meet We talked will be given to you as well.” about his winning season and his name, Kingdom Gil saw his skill sets as not only being the fasted and Ninja. Gill is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ; he strongest on the course but that he would be equally wants to share His name and message as far as he equipped in sharing the love of Christ with the other can. He is the worship leader at his church and loves ninjas, producers, employees of the show and people to minister through music. Everything he talked in the cities where he is invited to perform. about began and ended with Jesus. We hit it off— But shouldn’t we all be “kingdom ninjas”? Isn’t the older warrior and the younger one sharing our that what we are supposed to do: Equip our chilstories of Jesus ministry. dren to excel in sharing the message of Christ and Gil discovered at a young age that he could then release them upon the world? Didn’t Jesus climb and jump with the best of them. Because of commission us to go and make disciples of all nathis ability, he started working at a gym where the tions? God has given everyone a platform to repowner was training for “American Ninja Warrior.” Gil resent Him. It might be in your school, your worktried out for several years and didn’t make it, but he place or your neighborhood. continued to discipline his body and train for hours Now you know why I am a big fan of Daniel Gil. each day, pushing himself to be stronger and faster. He excels in his sport and in his ability to capture He did all of this for one reason: so he could have a the moment to share Christ. Daniel is the Kingdom bigger platform to share Christ. Daniel, Abigail and I Ninja, I am a kingdom ninja, and I hope you are raisprayed together and encouraged each other. By the ing up a generation of kingdom ninjas!

Strengthen: 3 disciplines that provide spiritual energy James Swain Oklahoma Baptists’ Associate Executive Director, Church Relations Group @fcjames

Recently, we shared a resource called ReGather that was the curation of conversations our regional ministry partners had with groups of pastors across the state. These conversations were focused on plans for the fall and the preparation for this opportune season in life of our churches.

In the midst of the conversations, pastors shared their personal stories and struggles through the pandemic. Mark Dance has written a great article (baptistmessenger.com/4-COVID-takeaways-for-pastors) that not only summarizes what was shared but provides some practical guidance for a pastor related to his personal well-being.

As leaders, an important part of our personal wellbeing is our spiritual health and growth. I want to encourage the pastors and church leaders of Oklahoma Baptists churches to take care of yourselves spiritually.

Here are few important disciplines—nothing new— that will help sustain and strengthen you through the hectic summer and the hard work the fall will bring.

First, make your personal time with the Lord a priority in your day. For me, that means the first thing in the morning. I want to start my day with the Lord in the Word of God, sitting before Him. I am reading through the Bible this year with a group of folks from Muskogee, First, where I am serving as their transitional pastor.

Every morning the Lord shows me something I need for the day. I spend time in prayer while trying to practice the discipline of sitting in silence before the Lord. Those who know me well know that is a challenge, but the Lord is using that time to focus me at the start of the day.

I have heard some wonderful stories of personal spiritual renewal during the pandemic, but I have also hear

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numerous pastors and church leaders talk about getting out of the rhythm of spending that daily time with the Lord. If you do not practice this discipline, it is time to get started. If you have drifted away from the practice, it is time to come back. If you have this daily discipline, stay strong. We need this time for the spiritual strength to serve our Lord and shepherd His people.

Second, make sure you are connected to people God can use to strengthen and challenge you. This may be a small group that you meet with regularly or a person or two whom you have spiritual conversations with regularly.

For many ministry leaders, the pressures of the pandemic caused them to become isolated from their support system. Isolation is one of the evil one’s great tools he uses to keep us from Lord’s purpose in our lives.

Let me encourage you to reconnect if you have become disconnected. Those whom you meet with and share with need you as much as you need them. If you do not have someone that you regularly share with, study with and pray with, be intentional about making that connection. We need the strength we draw from each other to serve our Lord and shepherd His people.

Third, make your time of corporate worship with your church family significant. Sadly, pastors are often distracted during the worship service on Sunday mornings. Thinking about the sermon they are about to preach or the conversation they had in the hall often causes them to simply go through the motions in their worship.

The Lord convicted me many years ago about the need in my life to worship

June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

with my church family. I was reminded of the value of this during the first Sunday of in-person worship following the shutdown at the start of the pandemic last year.

When I stood with the church to sing from my front row seat, and I heard the people behind me lifting their voices to the Lord, my heart was moved to a depth of emotion. I did not realize how much I missed gathering with the church and hearing the congregation sing.

Worshipping with the body of Christ renews my soul. We need the strength that comes through corporate worship of the church to serve our Lord and shepherd His people.

As we race through this summer of returning to camps and Vacation Bible School, take care of yourself spiritually. As you put in the hard work of getting ready for this very important fall, do not forget your time with the Lord. We need the spiritual energy for the task at hand, as we serve our Lord and shepherd His people.

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

Southern Baptists appoint 64 missionaries in Sending Celebration E& /// PREVIEWED ONO COVER L B OX TO

CHURCH

>> by Scott Barkley

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BAPTIST PRESS NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—International Mission Board (IMB) President Paul Chitwood made a confession to the thousands gathered in the Music City Center on Monday, June 14. As 2020 dragged on, he said, challenge after challenge made the IMB’s goals seem further and further beyond reach.

“I questioned at times if we would be able to do everything that is necessary to appoint, train and deploy new missionaries in the midst of a global pandemic,” he said at the IMB Sending Celebration. “But

by God’s grace and with His help, your sending of missionaries through the IMB has not even slowed.

“We’ve had plenty of hurdles and more than enough disruptions, but more than 500 new missionaries have been appointed since the pandemic began… Our work has not been thwarted.”

Sixty-four missionaries were presented in preparation for joining 3,631 appointed by the IMB and sent throughout the world. The vast majority of the new missionaries stood behind a screen, as they could not be identified due to security concerns in their location of service.

Several could be identified and told their stories to attendees. Brandon and Lisa Gregory will travel to Estonia this fall, where they will assist in church planting efforts. That hunger to take the Gospel to the nations began on their honeymoon eight years ago in Ireland.

“We went around on St. Patrick’s Day and could only find one person who had heard of St. Patrick, and that was a missionary,” Brandon said. “We

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CLASSIFIE

PEOPL EWS CHURCH N

LT U R E U C & S W E N

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1) Chris and Casey Willis, missionaries to Uganda, were among 64 missionaries participating in the IMB Sending Celebration; 2) Paul Chitwood urges being missional every single day. >> PHOTOS: KAREN MCCUTCHEON

couldn’t find a church, either. That sparked within us a desire to move to the field.”

The Gregorys also noted E how God had V O I C asS well as collectiveworked on them individually ly to reach this point. Lisa’s father grew up in Israel and Palestine, working as a contact with Christian missionaries. She heard those stories and felt a sense of wanting to go and serve as well.

God directed their path in numerous other ways as well through conversations with their family and friends. Brandon’s grandmother was a very influential Christian who took him to church and would read stories about the missionary David Livingstone.

Lisa Gregory pointed to a powerful example of the realization that others need the Gospel as given through the couple’s 4-year-old daughter, Amira. On the way to church one day, the drive took them by a mosque celebrating the last day of Ramadan with balloons and decorations. Amira asked about it and, upon hearing about a different religion, made a direct observation.

“But mom,” she said. “There’s only one God. Who’s going to tell them?”

Chitwood urged all those in attendance to see their mission as one that literally doesn’t end and to be the one who answers Ameri’s challenge.

“We must be for the mission every single day— 365 days of the year,” he said. “How often are the nations on your heart? How often are you praying for the people groups around the world to hear the Good News of the Gospel?

While not everyone who hears the Word of God will be saved, he admitted, the role of the missionaries and those supporting them remains unchanged—deliver the Gospel.

“Someone will be saved,” Chitwood declared.

“Someone from every nation. Someone from every tribe. Someone from every people. Someone from every language will stand before His throne.

“That’s why we’re here (together). Our work is not done.”

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

OPPORTUN

I

OKLAHOMA

On-going opportunities for volunteers: Tulakogee Conference Center, Wagoner— 918/462-3212 or info@tulakogee.com Hospitality House of Tulsa provides family centered lodging, emotional and spiritual support for family members of patients traveling to Tulsa for medical care. 918/794-0088 or visit hhtulsa.org Hospitality House of Oklahoma provides for the physical, spiritual needs of families with loved ones incarcerated in McAlester. Lodging available.

918/429-0142

DISASTER RELIEF

Chaplaincy:

Sept. 9-12 Chaplain Manual and OSFA-Instructor: Naomi Paget 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: Baptist Building,3800 N. May Ave. $50. These classes are for those interested in becoming chaplains. To register email mvanzandt@ oklahomabaptists.org Registration deadline is Aug. 26.

OK Jail & Prison Ministry needs volunteers to go into the jails and share the Gospel each week. For more information call 405/917-2242 or email: ojpm@ojpm.org

Pray for Oklahoma & International Missionaries:

Central Asia Pray for IMB missionaries serving throughout Central Asia. Names are withheld for security.

Sarah Wooten

Todd Sanders

Pray for Todd Sanders, Falls Pray for Sarah Wooten, Creek program director, Falls Creek program associas he oversees summer ate, as she helps lead during youth weeks. summer youth weeks.

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

Missions & ministry | June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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SBC in Nashville: Momentous 2021 meeting in ‘Music City’ /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

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>> PHOTO: 1) KAREN MCCUTCHEON; 2) SAM EVANS; 3) ADAM COVINGTON 1) SBC President J.D. Greear delivers his presidential address; 2) Messengers raise ballots during a vote; 3) New SBC officers are, from

left, First Vice President Lee Brand Jr., Recording Secretary John Yeats, President Ed Litton and Registration Secretary Don Currence. Not pictured is Second Vice President Ramón Medina

>> by Staff and BP Reports NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Thousands of Southern Baptists from across America and around the world gathered for the 163rd Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), June 15-16, at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Nearly 16,000 registered messengers, including more than 500 from Oklahoma, as well as many guests, took part in the SBC annual meeting, which saw key business conducted, 64 missionaries appointed, new officers elected and more.

Prior to the SBC Meeting, a two-day Send Conference took place at the same venue and featured times of preaching, prayer and worship through music. The Send Conference concluded with a missionary sending event hosted by the International Mission Board (IMB).

64 IMB missionaries appointed IMB President Paul Chitwood led the special sending celebration and acknowledged challenge after challenge that made the IMB’s sending goals seem further and further beyond reach.

“I questioned at times if we would be able to do everything that is necessary to appoint, train and deploy new missionaries in the midst of a global pandemic,” Chitwood said. “But by God’s grace and with His help, your sending of missionaries through the IMB has not even slowed.

“We’ve had plenty of hurdles and more than enough disruptions, but more than 500 new missionaries have been appointed since the pandemic began… Our work has not been thwarted.”

Sixty-four missionaries were presented in preparation for joining 3,631 appointed by the IMB and sent throughout the world, including two sent from Oklahoma. The vast majority of the new missionaries stood behind a screen, as they could not be identified due to security concerns in their location of service.

Litton elected SBC President in runoff Ed Litton, pastor of Saraland, Ala., Redemption, defeated Georgia pastor Mike Stone in a runoff, receiving 6,834 votes (52.04 percent) to Stone’s 6,278 (47.81 percent). He succeeds North Carolina pastor J.D. Greear, who served an extra year due to the cancellation of the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. “We are a family, and at times we may seem dysfunctional,” said Litton, a reference to tensions that roiled the SBC in the months leading up to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting. “But we love each other… This is a family, and sometimes families argue in a way that the neighbors get to see it, and that’s kind of what you (the media) have been witnessing.

But the reality is we’re going to leave this place focused. We’ll leave this place with a direction—and I believe a better direction—for the future.”

Stone, pastor of Blackshear, Ga., Emmanuel and a member of the Conservative Baptist Network’s steering council, received the most votes—5,216 votes, or 37.48 percent—in the initial round of ballots, a four-way contest that included Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler and Northwest Baptist Convention Executive Director Randy Adams. Litton received 4,630 votes, or 32.38 percent, while 3,764 ballots (26.32 percent) were cast for Mohler and 673 votes (4.71 percent) for Adams.

Louisiana pastor and former SBC President Fred Luter, in nominating Ed Litton for SBC President, called Litton a leader who could stop Southern Baptists from fighting each other “in the barracks.”

In other election results, Lee Brand was elected first vice president. Ramón Medina was elected second vice president in a runoff, and John Yeats was

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re-elected as recording secretary. Don Currence was elected registration secretary by acclamation.

Oklahoma Baptists view SBC meeting to be ‘historic’ Oklahoma was well-represented at the SBC Annual Meeting. More than 500 messengers, from more than 180 churches, made the trip to Nashville.

Many attending pastors viewed the meeting to be historic and important.

Oklahoma Baptists President Todd Fisher, who serves as pastor of Shawnee, Immanuel, said, “This has been an historic annual meeting for the SBC in terms of the importance of business being considered and number of messengers in attendance.

Despite the controversies embroiling our convention, messengers showed once again in this meeting that what matters most to Southern Baptists is reaching people with the Gospel and loving them in Christ’s name.

“I am grateful for the promise new president Ed Litton has made to endeavor to lead and unite the SBC in the hard work of building bridges and tearing down walls while staying anchored to the Baptist Faith and Message as we live out the Great Commission and Great Commandment.”

Messengers to the SBC meeting appointed committee members to various SBC entities and auxiliary ministries, including 25 people from Oklahoma who will serve.

Dilbeck introduced during report as next GuideStone president GuideStone Financial Resources President O.S. Hawkins, speaking June 15 at the Annual Meeting, thanked Southern Baptists for their support, prayers and the opportunity to serve the 103-yearold ministry, as he gave his final report to messengers meeting.

Hawkins last year asked trustees to appoint a presidential search committee, chaired by retired Kansas pastor and trustee Steve Dighton. Last month, trustees unanimously elected Hance Dilbeck to become GuideStone president-elect.

“Several nominations came in, and it wasn’t too long before the name of Hance Dilbeck began to rise to the top,” Hawkins reported.

After a period of transition, Dilbeck will become president and CEO on March 1, 2022, and Hawkins will assume the honorary, voluntary position of president emeritus. Dilbeck provided a brief greeting during the report.

“My wife Julie and I have a deep love and great respect for Dr. Hawkins and for Susie, and for their quarter-century of service to the Lord and Southern Baptists,” Dilbeck told messengers.

At the conclusion of the report, Hawkins and other GuideStone leaders prayer over Dilbeck. Dilbeck’s tenure as Oklahoma Baptists executive director-treasurer concludes June 25, and a search committee for his replacement was recently put in place by the Oklahoma Baptists board of directors.

Hance Dilbeck, center, is prayed over during the Guidestone report by O.S. Hawkins, right center. >> PHOTO: BRIAN HOBBS

June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

Floyd casts ‘Vision 2025’; amendment added to address sexual abuse and racism crises On June 15, SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Ronnie Floyd presented “Vision 2025,” a call for “Southern Baptists to reach every person for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state and every nation.”

The Vision 2025 strategic actions include to: “Increase full-time, fully-funded missionaries;” “Add 5,000 new SBC congregations to our Southern Baptist family;” “Increase total number of workers in the field;” “Turn around our ongoing decline in reaching, baptizing, and discipling” people under 18; “Increase our annual giving.”

Vision 2025 was amended by messengers from the floor, to include a sixth point on preventing sex abuse and racism, each of which was a frequent topic of emphasis throughout the 2021 meeting.

Greear delivers challenge in president’s address Pastor J.D. Greear, pastor of Raleigh-Durham, N.C., The Summit, who is concluding his term as SBC president, delivered his president’s address on June 15.

Saying they faced a defining moment, Greear challenged Southern Baptists to hear the concerns of the entire body while unifying around the one true Gospel and the Great Commission.

“If we believe in the sufficiency of Scripture as the rule for the church, let’s not rush into making the rules for the church we wish God had made had He understood the situation in 21st century America,” Greear said. “I am committed to letting the Scripture, and the Scripture alone, be our rule for faith and practice. Anything else is unnecessarily divisive.”

Greear said the moment required courage like he said was shown during the Conservative Resurgence of 40 years ago.

“Our defining moment,” he said, “is about whether we will let the Gospel that our forefathers preserved for us define the identity and determine the mission of our Convention.”

Willy Rice, senior pastor of Clearwater, Fla., Calvary, delivered the convention sermon on June 16.

Messengers conduct other business Messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting approved numerous resolutions, including: “A denunciation of any attempt to rescind the Hyde Amendment,” which prohibits federal funding of abortion; “Opposition to the Equality Act;” a resolution that addresses the “sufficiency of Scripture for race and racial reconciliation;” also resolutions “On abuse and pastoral qualifications;” a resolution about abolishing abortion; and “On the Uyghur genocide.”

Messengers also approved a motion calling for a task force to oversee a third-party investigation into allegations of mishandling abuse claims at the SBC Executive Committee.

Numerous motions were put forth and debated

by SBC messengers. For complete coverage of motions, resolutions, reports visit baptistpress.com.

Throughout the two-day annual meeting of the SBC, reports were delivered from SBC entities and auxiliary groups.

Looking up, looking ahead Through the 2021 SBC Meeting, numerous dedicated times of prayer were observed. In addition, dozens of fellowship events took place, including among SBC Entities, Seminaries, Affinity Groups and an Oklahoma Baptists fellowship event.

The 2022 SBC Meeting is scheduled to take place June 14-15 in Anaheim, California. For more SBC Annual Meeting reports visit baptistmessenger.com.

Falls Creek adds Monday night invitations to youth weeks /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

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DAVIS—The summer youth weeks have returned to Falls Creek Conference Center, as well as the excitement and encouragement among Oklahoma Baptists who know how special this place in the Arbuckle Mountains can be.

Many can share spiritual decisions they made as a Falls Creek camper, whether that came in the form of making a profession of faith in Christ, a recommitment to Christ or answering the call of the Holy Spirit to serve in full-time ministry.

After the first week of youth camp at Falls Creek, June 7-11, more than 600 spiritual decisions were reported, including 246 professions of faith in Christ. Much rejoicing occurs after each week of camp over every spiritual decision made, for this is why Falls Creek exists.

To encourage campers to heed the call of the Spirit in their lives, an element of the evening services has been enhanced this summer. Along with the traditional invitation times that happen Tuesday through Friday, this year’s camp is also observing Monday night invitations, where campers can publicly respond to the evening message.

Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director, said having an invitation time on Monday nights allows students who come to camp ready to make spiritual decisions to meet with counselors that first night.

“I was convicted of increasing the prayer efforts, especially among adult sponsors and youth leaders, to pray for their students,” Sanders said. “The more you’re praying for people’s salvation, the more opportunities you are looking for to share the Gospel and for them to respond.

“From there, I considered how we could expand on what we do during the services (at Falls Creek),

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>> PHOTOS: CHRIS DOYLE 1) Todd Sanders speaks to students who publicly responded during the first Monday night invitation at Falls Creek this summer; 2) Zack Randles planned all along to offer a Monday night invitation, unaware they did not previously occur.

so I thought, ‘Why can’t we have an invitation on Monday night?’”

Sanders admitted it can be an adjustment, especially with making sure enough counselors are available to meet with students making decisions. As the weeks continue, Sanders said, more Falls Creek summer staff members could be available to help counsel students. Angela Sanders, Todd’s wife, said she had the opportunity to counsel a student on that first Monday night.

“It’s a testament that we handle those decisions carefully,” Todd said. “We are not trying to manipulate. Really, there is nothing you can manipulate on a Monday night—the first night. It’s ‘right out of the box.’ We are just providing another opportunity for students to respond, and really, for many weeks, most of our decision numbers are usually early in the week—Tuesday and Wednesday.”

For the first Monday night invitation at Falls Creek this summer, 86 students made spiritual decisions including 53 professions of faith in Christ.

Zack Randles was the speaker for Week One of Falls Creek. The pastor of Washington, D.C., Waterfront has made multiple visits to Falls Creek youth camp

over the years, either as a camper or a church leader, but this was his first time to speak at Falls Creek.

“It’s a very special experience,” Randles said. “It’s always special no matter what seat you sit in. There was this feeling of excitement just being here. The Spirit was moving, as always.”

When asked about starting the first Falls Creek week giving an invitation after his Monday night message, Randles said he planned all along for students to publicly respond after his sermon. He was not aware that Monday night invitations did not previously occur.

“A month and half ago, I was putting together what I believe what God wanted me to say,” Randles said. “This message was planned before I knew you weren’t supposed to present the Gospel on the first night. That was extra cool.”

And it shows how God is working through all the elements that are happening at Falls Creek.

All evening services at Falls Creek are streamed live this summer at live.oklahomabaptists.org.

Send Conference emphasizes unity, mission and Gospel focus >> by IMB, NAMB & Messenger staff NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The Send Conference featured several prominent pastors and speakers from across the nation, June 13-14. Jointly hosted by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the International Mission Board (IMB), the conference’s theme “Together on Mission” was designed to unite Southern Baptists around the Gospel.

Speakers, from Tony Evans on Sunday night, June 13, to David Jeremiah Monday afternoon, emphasized the importance of Christian unity in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Evans, author and senior pastor of Dallas, Texas, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, spoke about how the Great Commission in Matthew 28 frames the way Christians are to operate as “Kingdom people” who both proclaim the Gospel and live out the transforming power of the Gospel in their everyday lives.

“Our true calling is not to be part-time saints but fulltime Christians pulling heaven down to earth as true reflections of the imago Dei,” Evans said. “We have watched our nation decline because there aren’t enough accurate reflections of Christ invading the culture.”

Kevin Smith, executive director for the Baptist Convention of Maryland-Delaware, delivered a sermon from Ephesians 4, focusing on the need for maturity and unity in Christ’s body, the Church.

“The unity of God’s people in the Scripture is essential for the anointing and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit,” Smith said after observing how some Christian leaders seem to trivialize unity to the point of even mocking those who pursue it.

“Jesus said the unbelieving world will know that we are Christ’s disciples by the love we have for one another,” Smith said. “Being disunified, being schismatic, like the Corinthians, undercuts our witness.”

Vance Pitman, pastor of Las Vegas, Nev., Hope, spoke next, and he pointed out the purpose of a local church: “When God births a church, He does so for his glory.”

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has

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>> PHOTOS: 1)ERIC BROWN; 2) BRIAN HOBBS1) Tony

Evans preached the opening session of the Send Conference; 2) Caleb Freeman, left, shares his testimony alongside his dad Jeremy Freeman, pastor of Newcastle, First, to room filled with more than 400 students.

played a role in the expansion of God’s Kingdom as churches have come together to support missionaries and plant churches. The SBC has been about so much more than any earthly, political ideology, but Pitman shared a humbling reminder.

“God does not need the Southern Baptist Convention,” Pitman said. “The Southern Baptist Convention needs God, and if we don’t seek first the Kingdom for His glory and continue to be the best Kingdom investment for the dollar, He will use somebody else.”

Jeremiah, pastor of El Cajon, Calif. Shadow Mountain Community Church, concluded the pastor’s track of the Send Conference with a sermon that focused on the transforming power of the Gospel.

“The Gospel gets into a person’s life, and it begins to change everything,” Jeremiah said. “And not only is the message of the Gospel transforming, but the work of the Gospel is also expanding.”

Jeremiah reminded pastors about the ministry of Billy Graham. Through wars, civil unrest and spanning the lives of 12 presidents, Jeremiah said, Graham preached the Gospel as if it was the only hope humanity had.

In concluding his message, Jeremiah encouraged Southern Baptists not to let side issues distract them from proclaiming the Gospel.

Students challenged to live missional lives The Send Conference also included separate tracks for women and students who met at Nashville, First.

During the student track, which was attended by more than 400 students, Caleb Freeman shared his testimony. Caleb, whose father Pastor Jeremy Freeman of Newcastle, First, joined him in a presentation, sharing about Caleb surviving an automobile accident and a traumatic brain injury. The Freemans credit God with Caleb’s miraculous healing, as they travel the country sharing the Gospel with students.

Robby Gallaty, who pastors Hendersonville, Tenn., Long Hollow, and opened the conference with a special time of prayer, told students about the greatest insight that changed his life: the Holy Spirit.

Gallaty urged students to recognize the significance of having the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Because of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, it’s as if Jesus Christ were here with us in person today,” he said.

Sharing how Christians can come together despite cultural differences, Scott Long, discipleship pastor at Louisville, Ky., Highview, preached from John 17.

“Every one of us come from different backgrounds, different colors, different cultures, different languages,” Long said. “Apart from the grace of God we are a broken mess. Jesus, as a skillful designer, has a vision for the broken mess…He bleeds over us and out comes a beautiful, unified mosaic.”

Shane Pruitt, NAMB’s national next gen evangelism director, gave an invitation during one of the student sessions, and 20 students received Christ.

The nearly 1,000 students who attended also participated in a service project.

Features | June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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CrossTimbers staff working hard, DS C U LT U R E decisions as camp sees CLASSIFIE N E W S &many 1

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>> by Chris Doyle MANAGING EDITOR

DAVIS—CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp started strong this summer. After three sessions at the Davis encampment, with 964 campers attending, CrossTimbers reported 233 total spiritual decisions made with 123 professions of faith in Christ.

CrossTimbers program director Charlie Gatton is excited about these results, especially since camp did not occur last year.

“Everything is going wonderfully,” Gatton said.

“Camp has been sitting for two years, and when you turn on everything, and there’s been a freeze, and everything needs to be repaired, you can expect some things to go wrong, but we rejoice because kids are getting saved.

“The devil doesn’t like what we do, and he may pick on us, but God will still make Himself known. And it’s

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CrossTimbers summer staff members connect with campers while sharing the Gospel, whether that is done at the ropes course (1), target sports (2) or through leading music in worship times (3).

apparent with how receptive and responsive kids have been this summer.”

Gatton said more than 20 percent of the kids attending in the first session made professions of faith.

“Several kids understand that God must increase and they must decrease,” he said. “That goes along with our theme this summer which is ‘I MUST’ based on John 3:30, which says, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’”

Like every summer at CrossTimbers, the summer staff makes it possible for camp to go smoothly. It has been said they are the “secret sauce.” Gatton concurred this summer’s staff is making an impact despite being a smaller group.

“Staff is small but strong,” he said. “We joke that we call them Gideon’s army. We would like to have 75 people, and we have 37. But they make the difference, and God is using them to speak to kids just as He

June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

uses our camp pastors. We continue to see campers make decisions at target sports and with staff members connecting with them on the ropes course. The Gospel is advancing all throughout camp.”

Gatton also appreciates the work of Bear Toninka who serves as CrossTimbers operations supervisor.

“Bear is doing a great job recovering from not having camp last year,” Gatton said. “If something needs fixed, he takes care of it right away. We would not have been able to start camp without him, and he’s got several people who worked hard to get camp ready.”

CrossTimbers Davis will have six sessions completed by the end of June, but CrossTimbers Grand Lake will begin its first session June 28. Now in its second summer, Grand Lake will feature five CrossTimbers session.

For more information visit crosstimbers.org.

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OBUI E Dpresents awards to S LT U R E CLASSIF NE WS & CU Dilbeck & Manner

EWS CHURCH N PEOPLE IN THE NEWS SPRIGGS DEATH. Delbert Spriggs, 72, died June 4. Funeral service was A M. Temple OatMEarl H Monday, June 14 A L K O E H T Memorial Chapel.HHeI Vwas E the pastor C R A T S I T B A Pof Oklahoma City, Faithworks. He is survived by his wife Phillis, his daughter Ajeenah and his son D.D. WELTON DEATH. Agnes Welton, 87, died June 12. Funeral service was Thursday, June 17 at Greenwood, Ark., First. She retired in 1998 as the ministry assistant for the director of state missions for Oklahoma Baptists. She is preceded in death by her first husband Samuel Ellenwood. She survived by her husband Boyd Welton, a retired prison chaplain; her son, Drew Ellenwood; her daughter, Jill Ellenwood; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

VICARS RETIRES. Russell Vicars will retire July 11 after serving 57 years in ministry. He is currently pastor of Seminole, Harvey Road. “We thank God for His faithfulness and salute Bro. Russell for almost six decades of serving the Kingdom of God in Oklahoma Baptist churches,” said Tim Green, director of missions in South Canadian Association.

Vicars and his wife Bettye will be moving to St. Louis, Mo., to be closer to their children.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES CHAD THOMPSON is pastor of Skiatook, First.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS REVIVAL REPORT. Muldrow, Short, May 2-6; two professions of faith in Christ. Evangelist Kim Schmidt; Eugene Mooney provided music; Vance Mooney is pastor.

COMING EVENT JULY 31. Christian Ministers Alliance (CMA) is hosting the 13th annual Saving Our Kids-Legends Banquet, 6 p.m., at Downtown Doubletree Hotel, 616 W. Seventh Street in Tulsa. Bob Green, retired pastor of Broken Arrow, Arrow Heights, will be honored at the event, as CMA will be naming its Education Facility after Green and other honorees. For more information, contact W.R. Casey, Jr. at 918/951-7407 or 918/902-1374.

>> PHOTOS: COY CYPERT

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1) Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) President Heath A. Thomas, right, presented the J.M. Carroll Award to Hance Dilbeck during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn. June 15. The J.M. Carroll Award is given in recognition of outstanding denominational service in the state of Oklahoma.

It is named for J.M. Carroll, who served as OBU’s first president, helping establish the foundation upon which OBU’s tradition of excellence has been built. Dilbeck has been serving as the executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists. In July, he will become the president-elect of Guidestone Financial Resources.

VOICES

2) Thomas also presented the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service to David Manner during the SBC Annual Meeting June 14. The award is named to honor the noteworthy Southern Baptist denominational service of Herschel H. Hobbs, a prolific author, Oklahoma Baptist preacher and radio program host. He is also the namesake of OBU’s Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry. Manner is an OBU alumnus and serves as the executive director for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He recently released “Better Sundays Begin on Monday: 52 Exercises for Evaluating Weekly Worship.”

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

FoNAC meets in Nashville

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About 70 Fellowship of Native American Christians (FoNAC) members and guests met for the group’s annual meeting at Music City Center, a day prior to the start of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in the same location.

Pictured above, Warren “Jr.” Pratt’s son takes a break from dancing at FoNAC’s annual gathering. Pratt leads the Tribe of Judah dance ministry.

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People & Church News | June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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How your church can reach young adults C L A S S I F I E D S provide wisdom and council for them. They need friends their own age to walk through life together. They also need to be investing in people younger than them, and this genFor many churches, reaching young eration is looking for meaningful places to adults can be a challenging and daunting invest their time and energy.

VOICES task. However, it is possible for any church Develop a clear front (digital) door to reach young adults if they invest time to your ministry into building meaningful relationships The front door of your church is the first with them. place people go when they connect with In his book “Unlabeled 2,” Oklahoma Bap- your church. Studies have found that seven tists Collegiate Ministries Director Cris Low- out of 10 people will visit your church’s webery wrote, “Those churches who see young site before they visit your church in person. adults as people uniquely created by God James Emery White of Mecklenburg Comand worthy of their time and effort will find munity Church in Charlotte, N.C. said, “Tothemselves being attractive to this segment day, the typical first-time guest to your of our population.” church is coming at the end of a long proThis requires intentional effort. As your cess. It may be their first time through the church seeks to reach young adults, you physical front door, but the actual front might consider thinking through the two door of the church—the first one they enfollowing areas. tered—was digital.”

Develop a culture Young adults will explore your church on of healthy community social media and online before they step People need people. No matter the stage foot in your church’s physical building. The in life, people are looking to build friend- need for personal invitations is still as imships. When young adults look back on their portant as it has ever been, but once the incollege, military or work experience, they vitation is made, the online process will beare not likely to remember a certain lesson gin for that person. in a Bible study or sermon. They will rememSome questions to consider: Who is the ber the people they met, the community target audience of your church’s website? they formed and the memories they made Is your website aimed at church members together. or as a welcome mat for newcomers? What Lowery said, “Beginning a relationship is about social media? This generation lives on the first step and can happen in any area of social media. What does your social media your life where at least one young person is communicate about your church? Is what present. From these relationships, ministry you post on social media going to make begins to happen. You simply need to look them want to keep exploring and untimely around in the world God has placed you. show up in person?

Look for those young adults He has already Reaching young adults might take reT H E a few strategies for your church, O Mthinking F Rbeplaced in your circle of influence and LO Gthe effort. See them as peoE RitSisBworth gin to build the kind of relationshipRthat will I N Gbut DSL O W make a difference for eternity.” Fostering a ple as worthy of your time, investment community where young adults can devel- and prayers. op meaningful friendships is vital to minisFor further resources please contact the try with them.

Baptist Collegiate Ministries/Emerging GenerOne of the greatest things a church can ations office at 405/942-3800 Ext. 4519. To oboffer young adults is multi-generational re- tain a free copy of Cris Lowery’s books, “UnlaS “Unlabeled 2,” email Carissa Jones lationships. Do not silo them off in theirAown S AYand V E beled” little bubble. They need friends D who are at cjones@oklahomabaptists.org. older and more experienced in life who can >> by Chad Coleman

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS COLLEGIATE MINISTRIES PARTNER

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

I N D I AN FALL S C R E E K This long tradition will be meeting Aug. 1-5 as the largest gathering of Native American Christians in the world. Visit the website for more information. indianfallscreek.org

TO HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR FINANCES Check out this new study to help steward the resources that God entrusted to us.

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NOT A TOTAL LOSS >> LORI COATS

I’ve noticed that some of the A peach Y S growers in OklaS E V A D homa have been making online announcements (and apologies) to their customers about this year’s upcoming peach season or the lack thereof. They are reporting this year’s peach crop will be either very small or nonexistent due to our devastating, late spring freeze.

One site said, “Due to the late freeze, thisSyear’s crop is IST a total loss.”O K L A H O M A B A P T H T do well, H L I Gtypically In central Oklahoma,RZone peaches H7,IG E C U O S E R we do get hit with a late freeze, and, like but occasionally this year, we end up with no peaches. If you like peaches and hope to grow them, there are some things you can do to give yourself a better chance of succeeding. One is choosing the site carefully in which your peach trees will be planted, and another is selecting the best varieties for our area. Unfortunately, hindrances such as weather-related incidents are simply out of your control.

Before you invest in planting peach trees, be sure to do your research. Take a little extra time to educate yourself.

It can make the difference between success and failure.

To read the rest of Lori’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/blog-not-a-total-loss

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

D AV E S AY S A CALLING OR A JOB? Dear Dave, PT ISTS B AprofesA M When it comes to your career and O H A L OK HT L I Gyour sion, how can you tell if you’ve found IG H E Htruly C R U O S E R calling in life?

—Tony Dear Tony, I don’t think it’s common for most folks to feel like they’ve experienced some kind of grand revelation, and suddenly they know what they’re supposed to do with their lives. Personally, I believe this kind of thing usually starts out as an activity or idea connected to something they enjoy and want others to experience. Often, that can grow into a job, and then maybe into a career—or even a business.

I think it takes a lot of time, reflection, insight, and self-evaluation before anything can be termed a calling. I know this is true in some cases, because that’s how it happened with me. I can’t honestly tell you that when I first started on radio, or began formally teaching and writing I knew it was God’s plan for my life. I knew early on I was drawn to it, and felt there was a need for it, but it took a while for me to understand and accept that it was what I was really meant to do.

I hope this helps a little bit, Tony. Just be honest with yourself, think about it, and pray about it a lot, too. God wants what’s best for you, so make sure you include Him in everything. It worked for me. I’ve been doing what I do for nearly three decades now, and I still love it. I’m convinced that it is God’s calling on my life.

—Dave

sbc.net/newday

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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 &

June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

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

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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 ship video links to: pastor@ebcweatherford.com.

CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

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

>> 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.

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.

>> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church, Saginaw, TX is accepting applications to fill the position of Senior Pastor. Go to: www.fbcsaginaw.org & look under the “About Us” tab. Please email resumes to: fbcsaginaw.pastorsearch@gmail.com.

EP/TSor BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: FBC TishomV O I C>> ingo, OK is seeking a P/T or BI/VO Youth Pastor

>>WEEKDAY CHILDCARE DIRECTOR: FBC Enid, OK is prayerfully seeking a Director for the church’s weekday childcare ministry (6 weeks - 4 yrs. old). Email: fbcenid1@gmail.com to apply.

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

>> 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.

EMPLOYM ENT >>WORSHIP PASTOR: FBC Josephine is seeking a Worship Pastor that will lead worship services that help lead our congregation toward fruitful relationships with Jesus Christ. This opportunity is in Josephine, TX. Reach out to: worshippastor@fbcjosephine.org for details.

>> 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.

>>SENIOR PASTOR: Marietta FBC is accepting resumes for Senior Pastor. Mail to: Pastor Search Team, c/o Shane Wolfe, P.O. Box 302, Marietta, OK 73448.

>> 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.

>> F/T PASTOR: Morris Memorial Baptist Church Ada, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Mail or email cover letter, resume & a current sermon video to: 16121 CR 3540 Ada, OK 74820 or email: sreeves@nationallivestock.com ATTN: Pastor Search Committee.

>> 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.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church, Pawhuska, OK is accepting resumes for BI/VO Pastor. Please submit resumes to: ATTN: Pastor Search Team, Calvary Baptist Church, 620 E. 15th Street, Pawhuska, OK 74056 or email: pawhuskacalvary@sbcglobal.net.

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

>>BI/VO OR P/T YOUTH PASTOR: Clebit FBC, Clebit OK is looking for a BI/VO or P/TYouth Pastor with a heart for 6th grade to 12th grade students. Please send resume or inquiries to: CLEBITFBC@gmail.com.

>> 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.

>> P/T STUDENT PASTOR: Grace Place Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK is prayerfully seeking a P/T Student Pastor who loves students & their families & is passionate about reaching & discipling them.

Send resume to: robbyroberson24@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.

>> F/T WORSHIP/STUDENT PASTOR: Pleasant View Baptist Church is seeking a F/T Worship & Student Pastor who is passionate about reaching the community, discipling students & leading in worship. Please send resumes to: pastorandy@pvbcpryor.com or mail to: P.O. Box 111 Pryor, OK 74362.

>> P/T YOUTH PASTOR/DIRECTOR: Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church is accepting resumes for P/T Youth Pastor/Director. Resumes can be sent to: blackburnchapel@aol.com or call Pastor Mark Compton at (918) 693-4856.

>> BI/VO ASSOCIATE PASTOR/YOUTH MINISTER: Rural Norman Church seeking called candidates for BI-VO Associate Pastor/Minister to Youth.

May send resume to: brandonsburris@gmail.com.

>> F/T EXECUTIVE PASTOR: HPBC of Bartlesville, OK seeks an Executive Pastor. He will coordinate various ministries & oversee administrative operations of the church. Visit highlandparkbaptist.net“Connect”for more details & to apply.

>> F/T PASTOR: FBC Washington, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates may send their resumes to: P.O. Box 86 Washington, OK 73093 or email us at: office@fbcwashington.com.

>> 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.

>> F/T MINISTER OF WORSHIP/COLLEGE: at Emmanuel BC Weatherford, OK. Find job description at: www.ebcweatherford.com. Send resumes & wor-

>> 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. >> 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.

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Continent where Paul ministered ACROSS 23 Airport abbr.

49 18Killed in action (abbr.)

26 What fast ___ ___”upon” (Matt. 9:14) “Your foot shall 1 Wild beastIsraelites (Ps. 80:13)were commanded 53 19“Pharisees to obey Long1:3) scolding 5 Judah’s border “went up to ___” (Josh. 15:3) 54 (Josh.

28 “God rope in heaven above, and in 56 20Non-nuclear Japanese city energy (abbr.)

9 Cowboy ___ beneath” (Josh.

2:11) 58 22Zippor’s son (Josh.

24:9) proudly” (1 “Talk no ___ ___ exceeding 14 “___, Father” (Mark 14:36) 29 Agricultural 60 Sam. Man2:3) who bought Shechem for (2 wds.)

15 Burnt offering (1student Sam. 6:14) 30 Small amount pieces 24100 Concord e.g. of silver (Josh. 24:32) 16 Painting prop 31 Hurried by from enemies 61 25Jephunneh’s (Josh. 14:13) Heavenly bodyson idolatrous 17 Northeast north (abbr.)

(Judg. 5:30) 62 What Joshua wrote a copy of the 33 Football assoc. law on (Josh. 8:32) 35 Cramp 63 “Get you unto your ___” 36 Banned (Josh. 22:4) 37 Musical based on life of Eva 65 Manasseh’s children who inherited Perón land of Gilead (Josh. 17:6) 39 “Meditate therein ___ and night” 67 “A ___ of blue” (Ex. 39:21) (Josh. 1:8) 68 Center 41 Grain 69 Time period

>> 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.

>> PASTOR: FBC Ryan, OK is prayerfully seeking a Pastor. Parsonage is available. Please send resumes to: FBC Ryan, Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 159, Ryan, OK 73565 or fbcryan1@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.

>> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church of Ringling, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail their resume to: Pulpit Committee, FBC Ringling, P.O. Box 530, Ringling, OK 73456 or email: FBCRingling@ATT.Net.

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

>> F/T ASSOCIATE MINISTER: F/T Associate Minister of University & Discipleship. FBC in Weatherford, OK is seeking to fill the position of Associate Minister of University & Discipleship. Please send resumes to: justearl@fbcweatherford.com.

>> 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.

>>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.

>> 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.

>> YOUTH/MEDIA MINISTER: FBC, Aztec, NM is accepting resumes for a Minister to 6-12 grade Students & Media. Please email resumes to: mnapier@firstaztec.org. >>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.

MIS CEL L A NEO US >>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.

>> 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.

>>CABIN FOR SALE: Falls Creek cabin for sale. Great location close to the tabernacle, sleeps 85+, commercial kitchen, pastors & cooks quarters both with full baths, large outside deck. $325,000. If interested contact Wallace Ave Baptist Church info@wallaceave.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.

CROSSWO 1

>> P/T OR INTERIM WORSHIP LEADER: Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Muskogee, is prayerfully seeking a P/T or Interim Worship Leader. A heart for God, skills in leading a choir & comfort in creating a blended-style worship are a great fit here. Call: (918) 682-5556 for info.

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priests burned incense to (2 Kings 23:5) 27 Orderly 31 “___ ye not, but pursue after your enemies” (Josh. 10:19) 32 Tribe with seventh lot (Josh. 19:40) 34 At 110, Joshua said, “I am. . . stricken in ___” (Josh. 23:2) 35 God counts each ___ we take (Job 31:4) 38 After couple ___, Jesus turned water into wine 40 David said the proud ___ lies against him (Ps. 119:69) 42 “A ___ work of a sapphire stone” (Ex. 24:10) 44 Pat lightly 46 One language on Jesus’ cross (Luke 23:38) 47 “Judah shall ___ in their coast” (Josh. 18:5) 48 Chatter 50 “And ___ took up the ark” (Josh. 3:6) 51 Drunkard 52 “The sixth ___” (Josh. 19:32) 55 Forsaking the Lord and serving strange gods (Josh. 24:19–20) 57 Balak, king of ___ (Josh. 24:9) 59 Fiji denizen 61 GMT-0600 64 Stellar 66 Excite 68 Form of greeting 71 Vinegary 73 Hebrew name meaning oak 74 Metropolitan 75 Wharf 76 Penny

41 Grain 43 Eastern state (abbr.)

45 Royal palace 49 Killed in action (abbr.)

53 “Pharisees fast ___” (Matt. 9:14) 54 Long scolding DOWN 1 Jordan’s river edges that overflow (Josh. 3:15) 56 Non-nuclear energy (abbr.)

58 Zippor’s son (Josh. 24:9) 2 Heeds Lord’s commands 60 Man who bought Shechem for 100 pieces of 3 Monastery superior silver (Josh. 24:32) 4 Scold 61 Jephunneh’s son (Josh. 14:13) 5 PrecedesSanMalias O G (abbr.)

ABL E S T U B RAGS ONCE RAS T A 62EWhat wrote law on G L A N W A V E O B G H A L T a copy T U Joshua I VO T AofPthe I R 6 “Neither be thou ___” (Josh. 1:9) E CON L U T E R I GOR H A 8:32) I R E VE N ARE L I (Josh.

7 Negatively charged particle AH I E Z ER RY AN L D B R O G A N OW E D 63O “Get you unto your ___” R I D was E A T up” O P E N E D BE E VE S URN 8 “The tabernacle ___ I BM CAKE AV E (Josh.

22:4) AT E RE NO F DA (Ex. 40:17)P A L L U L O V E S H I N G A T H E R E D DA R E D land of 65SManasseh’s children who inherited 9 Allows A B E L Z E R O S A B C S US I AGO DE AD Gilead (Josh.

17:6) U E (Josh.

AAN DW WR I T E E L EC T GAMAL I E L 10 Eleazar’sRA father 24:33) T of L blue” A E L(Ex. 39:21) L I T SK BROS B I D 67A“AP___ 11 Compass ACS MOS A I C N point E S S I E HON T ED 68 Center S CAB HEBRON U T E E through D D Y Red E R___ E MonI dry T E 12 Israelites passed R N period ON DE AN F R ED 69ATime AH I RA ARAD I GAL land (Josh.S4:23) M I D Airlines L AMA O N code D O forAAlbanian I R E N WO V E C E L L 70SPICAO W E E T MANS US SR L S P E D E E R A R E S 13 “Destroyed. . .young and ___” (Josh. 6:21) 72 Dekaliter (abbr.)

Puzzle 7: Numbers Puzzle 8: Numbers 21 Choose 23 Airport abbr.

G A L were A commanded DMAH CE T EN S PAN DOS E 26 What Israelites to Iobey OR E O BR A K E PRE Y WA R P A L L OW I D E A 28 “God inDheaven E V I above, H Eand N CinE___Rbeneath” ODE I T O S ALM I Z OAR S A I L BOAT DRONE S NS KE P T A L T ARS (Josh. 2:11) EAS E L ARM S I X DAH 29 Agricultural student SC AD SAD EY RAR S HRUG SEC DACCA 30 Small amount S CARE D V I I E L I HOOP L A A PT BEOR O C enemies K I C I ER E V I L ANY E PHRA I M A L I 31 HurriedRfrom A UT D I M S L E E V E F E AR RAN COAS T S (Judg. 5:30) S T I F F AS K E L L E T Y L ER DEW OBE S E AHA J EW DR I ER 33 Football assoc.E O S S T OL ON A F RA I D 35 Cramp DE ED PA AS R TR A AV DE UN L OT EL RE OY V I I I MO T I F HOOF 36 BannedE D I T A R E S T E S A U O P E C B O O T Y AWO L A K H W D E P M ARY R A N W I S H E R R 37 Musical based on life of Eva Perón Puzzle 9: Deuteronomy Puzzle Deuteronomy 39 “Meditate therein ___ and night” (Josh.

JUNE 1010: ANSWERS 1:8) 77 What Israel turned before their enemies (Josh. 7:8) 78 Mount where Joshua built altar (Josh. 8:30) 79 Village in eastern Hungary

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Scene at the SBC VOICES

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>> PHOTO: 1, 3) BRIAN HOBBS; 2, 4) CHRIS FORBES; 5) BAPTIST PRESS; 7) PROVIDED; 8) COY CYPERT

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1) Reid Jackson of Edmond, Waterloo Road, and Ryan Bauer of Ada, First, connect at the OBU booth; 2) Ray Griffin of Oklahoma City, Quail Springs checks in as a messenger; 3) Adam Mask of Coweta, Community attends the Send Conference with his daughter Jaydn; 4) Send Oklahoma Network catalyst Rusty Gunn speaks to pastors and ministry leaders about church planting through NAMB in a Wednesday breakfast; 5) Messengers enjoyed visiting the exhibits during the Annual Meeting; 6) Oklahoma Baptists African American ministry specialist and pastor of Lawton, Friendship Walter Wilson, standing center, and members of the Oklahoma African American Fellowship connect in Nashville.

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Photos cont. 7) Vern Charette, pastor of Coweta, First, left, and Emmitt McKenzie, Oklahoma Baptist evangelist, connect during messenger registration; 8) Mike Schueler, WatersEdge vice president of marketing and communications, right, visits with a family during Oklahoma Baptists’ fellowship.

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INDIAN FALLS CREEK, THEN & NOW

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.

In this Messenger archive photograph from 1995, the late Bill Barnett

is pictured with campers at IFC, which that year reported an attendance of more than 2,500. As IFC prepares to meet (Aug. 1-5), Oklahoma Baptists pray the Lord would move in powerful ways, changing lives. For more information about Indian Falls Creek, visit indianfallscreek.org.

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

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Good News Campus

June 24, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture

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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.