In Focus:Trevor Bulls

Trevor Bulls has served in full-time ministry for 22 years. He served as the youth pastor and then family pastor at Guymon, First for 13 years, and he has been the lead pastor at Boise City, First for the past nine years.

In 2018, the Baptist Messenger featured an article on Bulls and how Boise City, First confronted “brokenness” of drug use in their community with an enhanced vision for evangelism.

“With drug abuse comes a whole new level of brokenness— issues from marriage breakdowns, to young kids getting in trouble, to all kinds of problems,” Bulls said in the previous article. “I have tried to make it a point to speak to the reality of what we see going on in our community.”

Boise City, First continues to embrace brokenness in trying to find other ways to connect with people.

“We keep our eyes open for opportunities to love, serve and help in broken situations,” Bulls said. “As a church, we have adopted a mindset that we are not afraid to try a new ministry. We are presently placing an increased emphasis on personal evangelism and discipleship, seeking to encourage and equip church members to engage their neighbors with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Bulls and Boise City, First also knows how important it is that they remain faithful supporters of the Cooperative Program (CP). Located in the panhandle, this committed church understands the impact they are making in many facets of ministry through CP giving.

“We are in a very isolated part of Oklahoma,” Bulls said. “It makes connecting with others ministering challenging. The Cooperative Program enables our church to be a part of training pastors in seminaries, sending missionaries around the world and planting new churches. We are grateful to be a part of Oklahoma Baptists and to advance the Gospel in our state and around the world.”

FLIPPING THE SCRIPT: A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Imagine you’ve been asked to close your eyes and explain to someone how to run. You think for a minute, then close your eyes and call out, “First, take a deep breath. Then, lift your left knee. OK, now propel your left foot forward and put it on the ground.”

When it comes to reaching a new generation with the Gospel, a new resource from LifeWay helps churches develop a fresh perspective. Infographics to the right show how challenging times are in reaching a new generation.

You’re frustrated when your confused trainee argues with you. “Take a deep breath? Lift my what? What are you talking about? Why would I need this?” You open your eyes to discover you’ve been explaining how to run ... to a fish. You’ve assumed you and the fish have shared life experiences related to things you never even think about—oxygen, gravity, and knees! Because of that, your explanation has fallen on deaf ears. (Do fish even have ears?)

“Kids and students today are swimming in a worldview of secular influence—where belief in God is understood to be one possibility among several options. Many kids today do not approach the Bible with the same beliefs as previous generations on issues such as an absolute right or wrong, the existence of heaven and hell, or that there is an outside authority that supersedes personal truth.

FLIPPING THE SCRIPT: A FRESH

Imagine you’ve been asked to close your someone how to run. You think for a minute, and call out, “First, take a deep breath. Then, OK, now propel your left foot forward and You’re frustrated when your confused trainee “Take a deep breath? Lift my what? What are Why would I need this?” You open your eyes been explaining how to run ... to a fish. You’ve the fish have shared life experiences related even think about—oxygen, gravity, and knees! explanation has fallen on deaf ears. (Do fish

In this rapidly changing world, talking to kids and students about spiritual things can feel a little bit like explaining the mechanics of running to a fish. We assume a shared understanding of how the world works, and they stare back at us with gills sucking water, swish their fins, and swim on. We need to change our viewpoint—to climb into the fishbowl alongside kids and students and look out at the world from their perspective. The view may feel warped to us, but it can help us learn how to reach this generation in a way they understand.

“How do we reach this generation of kids and students?

“The Flip the Script book will ‘help you understand the cultural worldview kids and students are facing today and the challenges of ministering to this generation with traditional strategies.’” For more information or infographics, go to https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/ flip-the-script-digital-book-P005842462

It’s time to admit that we are reading from an old script. We are communicating the timeless truth of the gospel with old strategies that aren’t connecting with younger generations anymore. We need to flip the script!

In this rapidly changing world, talking to spiritual things can feel a little bit like explaining of running to a fish. We assume a shared the world works, and they stare back at water, swish their fins, and swim on. We viewpoint—to climb into the fishbowl alongside students and look out at the world from view may feel warped to us, but it can help this generation in a way they understand.

12% 14% 15% 22%

It’s time to admit that we are reading from are communicating the timeless truth of strategies that aren’t connecting with younger anymore. We need to flip the script!

While the church attendance each generation the numbers Only 22% That number of Millennials Furthermore, services attendance reporting once per Since most generations, NextGen FEWER

The number of people who NEVER attend church increases in each generation.

When it and fewer According attendance

Church Attendance Is Falling

In 2021, The American National Family Life how often people attended religious services While Gen X, Baby Boomers, and the Silent weekly church attendance at more than Millennials and Gen Z did not grow up attending