2021/March/11

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • MARCH 11, 2021

PRAYING FOR TULSA: TULSA, TULSA, FIRST FIRST

PRAYER PRAYER ROOM ROOM AIMS AIMS FOR FOR HEALING HEALING AMID AMID TULSA TULSA RACE RACE MASSACRE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL CENTENNIAL /// SEE PAGE 6

CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Five years after ‘reset,’ IMB sees bigger missionary pipeline on the way >> SCOT T BARKLEY

Encourage: Prepare for Easter Sunday

Strengthen: Will the church be ready?

>> HANCE DILBECK

>> JAMES SWAIN

As you read this article, Easter Sunday 2021 is less than a month away. Hard to believe.

You don’t need to be reminded of all that has happened since Easter 2020. In light of the challenges and adversity we and our churches have faced this year, I am asking the Lord to pour out His blessings on our churches this Easter Sunday. Would you join me in that prayer? Let’s ask God to move with power as we gather for Easter worship. I have a sense that this will be a Sunday of new beginnings.

The stirring words of S.M. Lockridge’s great message titled, “It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!” have gone viral on social media in the past few years.

His words paint a vivid picture of the passion and the resurrection of Christ that serve as inspiration for many. To borrow the verbiage of Pastor Lockridge, “It’s March, but Easter is coming!” My question is will the church be ready?

Easter of 2020 was the first Easter in modern history that most churches were not able to gather in person to celebrate the resurrection.

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Send Oklahoma Network to inspire church planting at April 8 event >> CHRIS FORBES

Oklahoma Baptists who are interested in church planting will assemble on April 8, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills for the first-ever Send Oklahoma Gathering.

The gathering, which is organized by the Send Oklahoma Network, will be a time of inspiration and equipping for church-planting couples, sending churches, multiplying churches and those considering church planting. /// SEE PAGE 7

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Still alive! >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: A child’s wisdom >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry YEC Virtual sees 128 students make professions of faith >> BRIAN BALDWIN

Page 7 | Features Priority of Preaching sees record attendance of pastors >> CHRIS DOYLE

Page 10 | Church Toolbox Why it’s important to persevere in evangelism >> D. SCOT T HILDRETH

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I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

ENDS NEWS & TR

Five years after ‘reset,’ IMB sees bigger missionary & SPORTS & T MISSIONS Y MEN I S T Rthe pipeline on way MIN E N T E R TA I N >> by Scott Barkley

BAPTIST PRESS NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)—The five years after what was termed a historic financial and operational “reset” for the International Mission Board (IMB) have brought two of the highest Lottie Moon Christmas Offerings (LMCO) ever, but also room for growth in accordance with the goals of Vision 2025.

In August 2015 then-IMB President David Platt and senior leadership announced a plan to address revenue shortfalls within the organization. The decision to do so, Platt said in a town hall presentation, followed a combined six years when the IMB’s expenditures totaled $210 million more than its income.

Over the following months Platt outlined several steps, including a voluntary retirement incentive (VRI) and hand raising opportunity (HRO) to reduce staff and field personnel. After eliminating 30 positions through the closure of its Richmond Communications Center, the IMB reported Feb. 24, 2016, that 1,132 missionaries and staff had accepted the VRI and HRO. “While this news is disappointing to all of us,” said Ronnie Floyd, then-president of the Southern Baptist Convention, “we know we have prayed for God’s leadership; therefore, we will trust God in this season and with our future as Southern Baptists.”

“This reset is not regress or retreat,” said Floyd, who is now president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee (EC). “Southern Baptist churches must see this as a E is the L I NNow fresh calling to reaching worldO forN Christ.

EW Nthe ENT T ON E Can time to go forward with a clear aggressive USIVand XCLvision EB-E W strategy to make disciples of all the nations for Christ.”

The clear vision and aggressive strategy Floyd called for five years ago showed itself in a surge of support from Southern Baptists. When it was finalized that June, the 2015 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering brought a record $165.8 million even as the O INFRecesnation struggled to emerge from The NGreat TIO A IC L B U P sion. The 2019 LMCO campaign, which ran through Sept. 20, 2020, encountered its own once-in-a-life-

time hurdle—the coronavirus pandemic—and yet rendered the second-highest total in its history at $159.5 million.

O O L B OX T H Traditionally, the LMCO C R U H C campaign took place from June 1-May 31. However, that did not align with the IMB’s fiscal year, IMB spokesperson Julie McGowan explained. To alleviate confusion, the IMB’sF finance S and trustE Dleaders A S StoIOct.I1-Sept. ees proposedC theLchange 30. Messengers voted their approval at the 2017 SBC Annual Meeting.

Despite increases in Lottie Moon giving, however, there were 3,604 IMB field personnel on Jan. 31 of this year as opposed to the 4,695 recorded at the end of November 2015. A large reason for that, McGowan said, was a “diminished” pipeline of prospective missionaries that E Sto be refilled.

I Chad O V “Since his arrival as IMB president, Dr. (Paul) Chitwood has made a concerted effort to rebuild that pipeline, which includes assessment, training and deployment,” she said. “We’ve become more efficient with rebuilding the pipeline, and the number of our candidates has increased exponentially.

We’re expecting even more growth in the future.”

Floyd made increased support for missionaries the first strategic point for Vision 2025, an initiative he presented to EC members earlier this week.

“We can accomplish this vision together. We can see a net gain of 500 missionaries by the end of 2025—if we pray, if we work, if we go, if we call out the called, if we send, if we give and if we cooperate together for this greater cause,” he reiterated in a column posted on Baptist Press.

Chitwood joined him in that call.

“Today, we are confronted with the fact that 154,937 people die lost among the nations every single day,” Chitwood said. “Thankfully, for the sake of the lost, the

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

EVENTS MARCH 13

Disaster Relief Equipment & CPR Training

SIV WEB-EXCLU APRIL 5

New Pastor & Staff Orientation

Info: $20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Okarche Training Facility; okdisasterhelp.org

Info: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Baptist Building; email knix@oklahomabaptist.org

MARCH 14

APRIL 6 & 8

Singing and Praising Info: 5-6:30 p.m., OKC, Southern Hills; oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

MARCH 25

Worship Leadership Summit Info: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Moore, First; oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

Falls Creek Pre-Camp Worship Nights

Info: 6-8:30 p.m., Owasso, First (April 6) and Yukon, Trinity (April 8); oklahomabaptists.org/youth

APRIL 8

SEND Gathering Oklahoma

Info: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., OKC, Southern Hills; oklahomabaptist.org/event/ send-gathering-oklahoma

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

‘Poorly named’ Equality Act passes House TOM STRODE | FEB 26

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Thursday, Feb. 25, for the second time a far-reaching gay and transgender rights proposal that opponents warn would have calamitous effects on freedom of religion and conscience, as well as protections for women, girls and unborn children.

PUBLICATIO

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E N longed E Vmissionary Legally blind for 2020 JILL THOMPSON | FEB 26

I had dreamed of 2020 for as long as I can remember. The anticipation and expectations were high as I counted down to welcome 2020. Finally, it was here! My dream had come true. I felt confidence unlike ever before. I set amazing goals. I was sure of myself and the power of having 2020.

I was born with traits of albinism, and along with that comes low vision.

Since birth I have been legally blind.

Even with glasses, 20/20 vision is not a possibility for me.

FIND ALL THESE STORIES AND MORE ONLINE AT WWW.BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM

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IMB is growing again. And I believe Southern Baptists are ready to do more to see that more missionaries are able to & who L Ethose go and O Pwith P Eshare have no accessHto N theE Gospel.

WS R C not CH “AsU evidence, only did Southern Baptists give the second-highest Lottie offering in history in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, the IMB appointed 422 new missionaries even while COVID-19 grippedUthe URE Tworld. & C Lthe E W Sgenerosity, Because of SouthernNBaptists’ IMB is financially strong today. With increased generosity, our goal of adding 500 more missionaries to our overseas force can become a reality.”

With a goal of $175 million set jointly by the IMB and National Woman’s Missionary Union, the current LMCO campaign ends Sept. 30.

“In spite of the overwhelming challenges of a global pandemic and the influence of a self-absorbed culture, Southern Baptists demonstrated a steadfast commitment to steer their resources toward the Great Commission,” said Sandy Wisdom-Martin, WMU executive director-treasurer. “I am grateful for the resolve to focus on what’s most important, sharing hope found only in Christ with the peoples of the world.” The LMCO is a trademark of WMU. Wisdom-Martin joined Floyd’s and Chitwood’s call to increase the number of IMB field workers.

“Reaching that goal will require faithfulness to the task as exhibited by our earnest prayers and sacrificial financial gifts,” she said. “Because of those gifts, we as Southern Baptists will see God’s Word proclaimed. Seeds of the Gospel will be planted and nurtured. People will be brought to faith in Christ.

Churches will be started. ChristiansLwill N I NbeEdiscipled W Oplan.

NinEGod’s and take their place ONTENT EC SIV XCLU “And one glorious we will rejoice with our WEB-Eday, brothers and sisters in Christ in glory.”

March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published semi-monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 731126506. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 41,761.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Baptist Messenger, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506.

While the Baptist Messenger attempts to provide advertisers of integrity who furnish quality products, it is recommended that buyers be cautious, do research and get references to any advertiser with which they are not familiar. Publication of an advertisement in the Baptist Messenger does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or businesses. March 11, 2021 • Volume 110, Number 5.

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

VOICES

Encourage: Prepare for Easter Sunday /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

As you read this article, Easter Sunday 2021 is less than a month away. Hard to believe.

You don’t need to be reminded of all that has happened since Easter 2020. In light of the challenges and adversity we and our churches have faced this year, I am asking the Lord to pour out His blessings on our churches this Easter Sunday.

Would you join me in that prayer? Let’s ask God to move with power as we gather for Easter worship.

I have a sense that this will be a Sunday of new beginnings.

On Easter we worship our risen Lord, Jesus. Paul explains the importance of the resurrection in 1 Cor. 15:17-19. “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished.

If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.”

Your faith is not worthless, you are no longer in your sins, your loved ones who have passed have not perished. Hallelujah! He is risen!

April 4 is the day. Pray for your pastor. Prepare your heart. Respect what protocols your church has in place. Invite some family and friends, and if your

health allows, gather with your church on Easter 2021 to shout and sing, “Christ the Lord is Risen Indeed!”

Every Easter I think of the testimony Margaret Sangster Phippen shared about her preacher father.

In the mid-1950s, her father, British pastor, W.E. Sangster, began to notice some uneasiness in his throat and a dragging in his leg. When he went to the doctor, he found that he had an incurable disease that caused progressive muscular atrophy. His muscles would gradually waste away, his voice fail and his throat become unable to swallow.

Sangster threw himself into his work in British home missions, figuring he could still write and would have even more time for prayer. “Let me stay in the struggle, Lord,” he pleaded. He wrote articles and books, and helped organize prayer cells throughout England. Gradually Sangster’s legs became useless. His voice went completely. But he could still hold a pen, shakily.

On Easter morning, just a few weeks before he died, he wrote a letter to his daughter. In it, he said, “It is terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice to shout, ‘He is risen!’—but it would be still more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout.”

I pray that you will shout Hallelujah with your church on Easter Sunday 2021.

Sword & trowel: Still alive!

Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

I recently read a statement in an article that bothered me. When two people were debating a social issue, one said, “If Jesus Christ were alive today, undoubtedly he would” support us.

What was implied in the statement was, “Jesus would agree with me, not you.” Yet the phrase—“If Jesus Christ were alive today”—showed what that individual does not know.

Jesus is indeed alive today! He is risen from the dead and alive forevermore. With Easter 2021 upon us, this is a great time for us to tell people who may not know that we serve a Risen Savior; that He’s in the world today!

As I pondered this more, though, what should bother me as much as that statement is when I, and

other believers, go about our daily lives in a way that does not show we believe He’s alive.

Here’s what I mean. It’s easy to spot Christians on social media who are sad, mad or scared at every news headline that comes along. If find myself in this news trap too, where I am letting bad news overwhelm me. Corrie Ten Boom once said, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”

Christians today are feeding on too much bad news. With Resurrection Sunday now less than a month away, we need to remind ourselves that the Good News overwhelms all of the bad news, and we need to remember the Bible promises of Resurrection Life in Jesus.

The late, great preacher Adrian Rogers related a story to illustrate how Jesus, through His resurrection, overcame even death for us.

He said, “One day, a mother and her two children were in the park having a wonderful time. They were enjoying the outdoors until a bee landed on little Brother and then stung him. He began to cry

and scream like any child would as the wound on his arm became swollen.

“The bee was still buzzing around, and his little sister was petrified. The mother comforted her daughter by saying, ‘Darling, wait a minute.’ As she was wiping Brother’s tears away, she said, ‘Look down here on your brother’s arm.’ Right in the middle of that swelling was the bee’s stinger. ‘You see that, Sweetheart? That bee can buzz and fight you, but it can’t hurt you. You see, it can only sting once, and the bee has left its stinger in your brother.”

Easter means Jesus is alive, and He took the sting of death. Let’s take this Good News as truly good news that surpasses all other news.

Regardless of how well or poorly our favorite sports teams do. No matter if our favorite politician is winning or losing. Regardless of how prosperous our personal circumstances are, we can still have joy and take heart, because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33) and death itself.

After all, He’s still alive today! That’s the best possible Good News you can find.

Voices | March 11, 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: wisdom R T Schild’s S P OA T N AINME

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY Walker 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 have some good friends named John and Jennifer from Georgia. In their home, they have a closet under the stairs nicknamed “The Hideout.”

In this closet, they have made a play area for their daughters Anna, and S 4. The room has a rug DWilla, I F5,IaE S Swith C LtheAfloor on bookshelf and a Barbie house.

Their children spend a lot of time reading and playing in The Hideout.

Recently, they were sitting in this special place, reading with the lights off. Anna started screaming because it was so dark. Willa, the youngest, shushed her and said, “Anna! Anna! Stop screaming. Not’ing is wrong.

God is V in our and there’s not’ing to be ‘fraid of!”

CES Ibrains, O My dear little Willa, you are quite the theologian for someone so young. You are right; we do have God in our minds. Fear comes in all shapes and forms.

Some people are fearful of the dark, as your sister was that day; some are fearful of speaking in public.

Others are fearful of heights, flying, snakes, spiders, going to the dentist, enclosed spaces, mice, thunder and lightning or dogs.

Fear comes to us in so many ways that to count them would be like trying to count the stars scattered across the heavens. Fear always come to the mind first. That is why the Bible tell us we must take every thought that comes our way captive: “we take captive

ENTERT

every thought” (2 Cor 10:5b). That When that fear has taken me means you can’t have a fear running captive, God shushes that thought around your mind like a new puppy. and rescues me. “I sought the Lord, Unrestrained fear can chew up your and He answered me; He delivered & E L P peace, hope andP security. me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:5, EO S Yes, Willa, I am like your sister.

I NIV). And I am reminded there is NEW H everyU RsoCdoes C Hand too have fears, “not’ing to be ‘fraid of.” one else who walks this earth. I When I feel weak as the >> PHOTO: PROVIDED Willa and Anna. have a fear of writing. Each week fear attacks me, God shushas I sit down to write this article, I es that thought with ”The Lord am afraid I will have nothing to say. is my strength and my shield” If I am honest with myself, the fear is not a fear of (Ps. 28:7a). And I am reminded again that there is writing. It is a deeper fear: I U “not’ing to be ‘fraid of.”

TURE C fearLfailure.

E W Sat & As I sitN looking the computer, my mind says, When I can’t trust my thoughts and feelings, the “You can’t do it! You aren’t good enough; you are Scriptures shush me with “When I am afraid, I put my not a real writer.” I can’t count the number of times trust in you” (Ps. 56:3). And I am reminded there is I have these voices coming at me. “not’ing to be ‘fraid of.”

You would think that as many articles I have writAs I sit down to type this article, for the thouten and Bible studies I have produced, that fear sandth time, I started in fear, but I am ending in would go away. But it hasn’t. If you don’t believe trust. Every fear is a half-lie. me, ask my family.

It is true, I can’t do it—but God can.

Willa, you are right. God is in my mind, and His It is true, I am weak—but He is strong.

Word reminds me, “For God has not given us a spirit It is true I am shallow—but he is my depth. of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” It is true I don’t know what to say—but He will fill (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV). my mind and mouth.

When you shushed your sister, that got her to listen to It is true I have no direction—but He is the way what you had to say. That is exactly what the Bible does and the truth. for me. I have Bible verses that “shush” my fears, verses It is true I am not worthy—but He has made that take fear captive and remind it that it has no place me worthy. in my life. And these verses replace that fear with faith.

Every fear and half-truth must be confronted with When the fear tells me I can’t do it, God shushes the whole truth. Truth is what you put in your mind, that fear with, “I can do all things through Christ who and trust is how you respond to fear. strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). And I am reminded there And when you trust Him, Willa is right: “There’s is “not’ing to be ‘fraid of.” not’ing to be ‘fraid of.”

Strengthen: Will the church be ready?

James Swain Oklahoma Baptists’ Associate Executive Director, Church Relations Group @fcjames

The stirring words of S.M. Lockridge’s great message titled, “It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!” have gone viral on social media in the past few years. His words paint a vivid picture of the passion and the resurrection of Christ that serve as inspiration for many. To borrow the verbiage of Pastor Lockridge, “It’s March, but Easter is coming!” My question is will the church be ready?

Easter of 2020 was the first Easter in modern history that most churches were not able to gather in person to celebrate the resurrection. Currently, it appears that on Easter 2021 we are going to be able to have in-person gatherings for many people, as the COVID-19 cases are trending downward and more people are being vaccinated.

In fact, many churches are planning to resume more of their in-person gatherings in the next few weeks. As someone who is well-experienced preaching to a camera in an almost empty room, I can’t wait to gather with the church this year. Pastor, I want to encourage you to not let Easter “slip up” on you this year and maximize this great opportunity. Here are few things that could help you prepare for your Easter celebration.

First, pastors have a great opportunity to encourage their congregations to invite people to the Easter celebration. I know that the past year has been especially tiring for pastors and ministry leaders. The daily facing of the unknown, and the decision fatigue that has come with it, has taken a toll.

Our church family is facing the same challenges, and while everyone is anxious to resume some

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sense of normalcy, the weariness is still there. Pas- ter season. The glimmer of hope that the pandemic is tors, we have a great opportunity to encourage our coming to an end comes at an opportune time. We church families to invite others to join them this have the opportunity to engage our communities Easter. I think the challenges of the last year are that may be more open to that engagement than it creating a fresh opportunity to reach out with the has been in a long time. The past year has forced us to Good News. Challenge your people to be faithful to be more creative in making our connections. We had share the invitation. to change plans rapidly and rethink much of what we Second, pastors have a great opportunity to do and have done. equip their congregations to invite people to the Leverage that creativity and innovation in the next Easter celebrations. While we need to encourage few weeks. It’s not too late for your church to engage the church to invite others, we also need to provide your community in a fresh way this Easter season. a plan and the tools to do so.

My prayer is that we would not miss the opportuThese plans could vary from “old school” to uti- nity that Easter 2021 will provide. It’s always a blesslizing new approaches. Some churches have been ing to celebrate the resurrection! Let’s not forget very effective in ministering to their church families the privilege and responsibility we have to share by the simple phone call. A plan to call people who that Good News as we celebrate. It’s March, but have not attended since the onset of the pandem- Easter’s coming! ic, along with calling family members and friends, is an 3 WAYS TO effective, simple strategy.

ATTEND: Some churches are utiFALLS CREEK lizing social media to invite CONFERENCE people to their Easter celCENTER ebrations through sharing invitations and information DELUXE about the upcoming serDIGITAL PASS vices. Many churches are April 24, 2021 utilizing the “Who’s Your One” strategy from our DIGITAL PASS North American Mission Board in preparation for Easter or as a follow-up to Easter. A clear, simple plan that provides an opportunity to participate together provides a greater opportunity for involvement and impact.

Third, pastors have a great Mark mike cody jonathan opportunity to engage their Richt keahbone bobay evans communities during the Easoklahomabaptists.org/rewired

March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

YEC Virtual sees 128 studentsO Omake professions of faith LE & P O E X P O LB CHURCH T

>> by Brian Baldwin

EWS

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ YOUTH MISSIONS & EVANGELISM MINISTRY PARTNER

In December 2020, our leadership team had to make some really hard decisions. Many Oklahoma Baptists-sponsored events in January and February DS had to be canceled because of COVID-19. This was CLASSIFIE a difficult decision, as it meant the Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC) scheduled in January at >> PHOTO: JORDAN ANSON Andy Harrison, Falls Creek Conference CenFalls Creek was affected. ter director, rang the bell 128 times on March 1, which representIt was tough because we love the way God ed the number of professions of faith in Christ were reported from moves powerfully in the youth groups who attend churches that participated in YEC Virtual.

YEC each year. Incredible inspiration and equipping for evangelism happen in the lives of individuals and professions of faith in Christ so EfarSin 2021. These spirVOIC church youth groups during the event. But, as with itual decisions happened through our churches’ efmost large group gatherings this past year, meeting forts to advance the Gospel through YEC Virtual, Distogether in person was not going to be possible. ciple Now (DNow) events, youth meetings, etc.

The good news is that the closing of one door ofWe were thankful to ring the bell 128 times to ten leads to the opening of another, and YEC Vir- represent those churches that reported to us with tual (oklahomabaptists.org/yec) was born! The re- the number of youth professions of faith they’ve sult? From January 1 to February 1 there were 2,477 had this year! God is so good! web page views with 1,721 of those being unique YEC Virtual is a free and unique training event for users. If the majority of those users are youth lead- teens that delivered excellent training on evangeers downloading resources for their groups, the im- lism and helped students become disciples who pact is far greater than we could have imagined! can make disciples. We were thrilled to see what We’re extremely proud of how our churches have God did and is still doing through this virtual event. stepped up to the plate in faithfully and creatively Solid Biblical training and hands-on outreach opadvancing the Gospel despite not getting to be at portunities engaged students’ faith in genuine and many of our events like Falls Creek and YEC. Okla- powerful ways. YEC Virtual helped inspire teens to homa Baptists love hearing the Falls Creek salvation understand why it’s important to share the Gospel. bell ring. On March 1, the Conference Center rang It gave them the information they need to have clarthe bell in celebration of those students who made ity of what the Gospel actually is. Students learned

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

OPPORTUN

STORE CLOSING - RETIREMENT SALE

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OKLAHOMA

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

N Gospel C H the how to apply what they U Rabout C Hknow and skillfully engage in Gospel conversations.

Lastly, YEC Virtual helped students activate all they’ve learned about evangelism and actually do it. By the end of YEC Virtual, student ministries had the opportunity to put together a clear action plan with measurable goals to advance the Gospel R LT Uinina E U C & their communities. YEC Virtual could be used S W E N variety of ways such as DNow weekends, Wednesday night series or revivals.

Various elements were included with the resources such as: • General session sermons (4) worship (5) skits (4) • Breakout videos (22) • Bible study resources (3) • Promotional social media images, videos • General session and breakout note guides • Speaker bios • Strategic action plan document and instructions • Virtual outreach/service project ideas • Missions mobilization portal • Decision follow-up resources YEC Virtual taught us a lot. We saw firsthand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can’t be contained by distance, fear or even a pandemic. And now we know, more than ever, how powerful technology can be for training and unleashing the next generation.

Access YEC Virtual today at oklahomabaptists.org/ yec and consider joining us for YEC at Falls Creek next year on Jan. 16-17, 2022. Come see what God can do in and through your church’s youth group when they’re inspired and equipped to advance the Gospel!

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Chaplaincy: June 12-Refresher training for endorsed chaplains, $15, Baptist Building; May 28 deadline; to register, email mvanzandt@ oklahomabaptists.org.

HAVE HAVE YOU YOU VISITED VISITED BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM LATELY? LATELY? Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Brady Sharp Brady is church planting pastor of Lawton, Credence.

He requests prayer for people in the Lawton, Fort Sill area “to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus.” He also requests prayer for church leadership development.

Pray for International Missionaries Chris & Jamie Schlit As IMB missionaries, Chris teaches at Baptist Theological Seminary of Malawi and helps train local pastors. Jamie homeschools their five children, ministers with the women seminary students and and helps at the Baptist guest house in Lilongwe.

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

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Missions & ministry | March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Praying for Tulsa: Tulsa, First prayer room aims for healing amid Tulsa Race Massacre centennial /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Diana Chandler

BAPTIST PRESS SENIOR WRITER

TULSA (BP)—A hundred years after a horrific massacre, Deron Spoo (pictured on right of cover photo) hopes to set the foundation for a new narrative.

The senior pastor of Tulsa, First has studied the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, in which as many as 300 Blacks were killed and 35 blocks of Black-owned homes and businesses were reduced to ashes over a two-day period. Tulsa, First was among white congregations that helped house more than 10,000 displaced Black residents.

But in the Sundays following the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, comments from pastors of those same churches were not indicative of the aid extended.

“There were newspaper articles that share what those pastors said the following Sundays in their pulpits, and it was not good,” Spoo said. “It was offensive, it was racist, and those are a matter of public record.”

His answer: the informative and inspirational Tulsa Race Massacre Prayer Room for the church and community.

“First Baptist Tulsa, we were located on the same spot 100 years ago. We opened a room for the healing of the refugees, those who were wounded and needed a place to stay. The church offered refuge,” Spoo said.

“It just kind of dawned on me and some of our leadership 100 years later, ‘Why don’t we open another room for healing, and why don’t we have a prayer room and pray for the healing of the wounds of racism that still exists in our world today?’”

The room, open February through June 1, will offer a space for 121 days of intensive prayer as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission holds months of events in advance of the official June 1 centennial commemoration.

“I think it’s important for our church to be a part of this project to send a message into the future, but also for today,” Spoo said, “that racism doesn’t have a place in the heart of the church, nor in any follower of Jesus.”

Fellow Southern Baptist pastor LeRon West, who leads Tulsa, Gilcrease Hills, thinks the prayer room could foster reconciliation in Tulsa, which he describes as still divided.

“To have a place where different people can come in and pray, and pray together—that goes a long way, because relationships happen as we’re in the proximity of one another and begin to see each other that way,” West said. “And the church has to lead out in that. If the church is divided, the world has no chance.”

The Greenwood community holds special prominence for West. His late grandfather bought a restaurant in the community in 1928 as Blacks rebuilt after the riots, and West worked in the restaurant as a youth.

The 35-block area of north Tulsa known as Black Wall Street rebounded through the 1950s, later suffered decline and, according to historian Hannibal Johnson, is experiencing a renaissance as a business, educational and cultural hub.

“It was extremely segregated,” West said. “Tulsa is still divided.”

While Tulsa is actively discussing racial reconciliation as the centennial approaches, Spoo believes only God can change human hearts in a way that will unite the community.

“We can solve a lot of problems if we communicate together, but I think we can solve more problems if we communicate with God,” Spoo said. “So while we’re talking about this, why don’t we include God in the conversation?”

Tulsa, First worked with the Tulsa Historical Society in establishing the prayer room that Spoo humbly describes as museum quality. Sections include historical accounts and images, newspaper reports, written prayers and prayer points, four prayer stations with audio guidance, and a joint anti-racism statement signed

by Spoo and fellow pastors of downtown churches.

“I ask people to stop and pray against the spirit and sin of racism in our culture and against the spirit and sin of racism in the church, and in our particular church, and then the spirit and sin of racism in our lives,” Spoo said. “The only person who can change the human heart is God. I might not be able to change the culture of Tulsa, but I sure am responsible for changing my heart and making sure it is right before God and loving toward other people.”

Spoo has enlisted at least one church member a day to pray in the room, preferably at 12:21 p.m., following a narrated self-guided tour that takes 20-30 minutes.

Community members are also free to visit the room, and community groups are encouraged to tour.

At the end, participants are encouraged to learn about the massacre’s survivors, and to make a donation to the Greenwood Rising history center, with Tulsa, First committed to matching up to $5,000 in contributions for a potential $10,000 gift. Names of supporting organizations will be preserved on bricks or plaques at the center.

“I think it’s important for posterity to have First Baptist Tulsa’s name on that, to say we’re a part of this,” Spoo said. “We can’t change what happened in 1921, but we certainly do have a say in what happens in 2021.”

The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, Spoo said, although a small minority has decried the room and also disparaged the commemoration.

Spoo collaborated with Philip Armstrong, the centennial commission project manager and a minister at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Tulsa. Armstrong narrated the guided prayer stations at Tulsa, First.

“Especially for a largely white congregation and places and organizations… like that, it causes them to step back and say, ‘We can no longer continue to tell people let’s not talk about that, it happened in the past. Let’s just move on,’” Armstrong said of the prayer room. “It makes people stop and face the fact that maybe because we’ve done that for so many years is why we’re still dealing with racial division. It’s because all we want to do is sweep it under the rug.”

According to a historical marker to be dedicated in the Greenwood community, Black Tulsans went to the courthouse to protect a prisoner the white community planned to lynch on May 31, 1921. The prisoner, 19-yearold Dick Rowland, had been accused of assaulting a white woman on an elevator, although the charges were later dropped.

The marker cites reports of authorities providing firearms and ammunition to the mob of thousands of white men who fired upon Black men, forcing them to retreat toward Greenwood. The white mob followed, and joined by city-appointed deputies, began shooting Blacks and burning homes and businesses. The Oklahoma National Guard arrived and instead of stopping the violence, arrested hundreds of Black men. No one was ever held accountable for the destruction and death, the historical marker records.

Death counts are not certain, but they range from official accounts of 36 to eyewitness accounts of more than 300. All that remains of the original Greenwood, dubbed Black Wall Street, is under the foundation of Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was rebuilt after the massacre.

“You cannot move beyond the injury,” Armstrong said, “until that injury has been addressed… We need people of faith to stand up and say this was wrong, it was horrific… but here we are 100 years later. Let’s not make that same mistake. Let’s not sit on the sidelines.”

West has also collaborated with Armstrong and fellow Tulsa pastors in planning faith-based events to mark the centennial, although he regrets having to commemorate a tragedy.

“It would be my hope that after this commemoration, that there are more relationships built across racial lines, across religious lines, across political lines, that we genuinely care about each other in a way that we need to,” West said. “In the times that we need each other, what does race matter?”

Tulsa lunch for pastors March 29 focuses on ‘Unity’ amid Race Massacre Centennial >> by Brian Hobbs EDITOR

TULSA—A special Tulsa Unity Pastors’ Luncheon March 29 will serve as an opportunity to promote healing and remembrance in accordance to the centennial anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

The noontime luncheon on Monday, March 29 at Tulsa, First, 420 S. Detroit Ave., is organized by Mark Dance, east central regional ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists, along with Deron Spoo, pastor of Tulsa, First; Eric Costanzo, pastor of Tulsa, South Tulsa; and other leaders .

Many events will occur in the coming months that will serve as occasions to properly recall the tragic event in north Tulsa, May 31-June 1, 1921, which cost hundreds of lives and destroyed a once-thriv-

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ing Greenwood District. The March 29 luncheon is one of these opportunities.

Open to all senior pastors in the Tulsa metro area, the free luncheon is sponsored by Oklahoma Baptists. Programming featured during the luncheon will highlight ministry opportunities for pastors amid the centennial event.

Phil Armstrong, project director of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, will be guest speaker at the luncheon.

Dance said the luncheon will be “helpful for Tulsa pastors to hear how we can coalesce around the ‘Unity Faith Day’” on the Sunday of the centennial weekend, May 30.

“I live in Tulsa and believe that Jesus has only one Church here,” Dance said. “We are honored to gather our pastors to help Tulsans learn from this historic centennial, as well as model our unity in Christ.”

March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

Walter Wilson, who serves as African American ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists, encouraged pastors to take part in the event, calling it an “important ministry opportunity.”

The luncheon, which is designed for pastors, is a result from a community grassroots initiative in north Tulsa called “Faith Still Standing,” which highlights the churches that were impacted by the horrific events of 1921.

Pastor Dale Rolland of Tulsa, Concord Community, plans to attend the event. “As we go to commemorate this important centennial, it’s important to emphasize the faith component in all this,” he said.

Registration for the luncheon is limited to 150 pastors, in order to observe social distancing and protocols. To register, email Kdie Nix at knix@oklahomabaptists.org or visit oklahomabaptists.org/1921.

Send Oklahoma Network to inspire church planting at April 8 event /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Chris Forbes STAFF WRITER

Oklahoma Baptists who are interested in church planting will assemble on April 8, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills for the first-ever Send Oklahoma Gathering.

The gathering, which is organized by the Send Oklahoma Network, will be a time of inspiration and equipping for church-planting couples, sending churches, multiplying churches and those considering church planting.

“It excites me that here in Oklahoma and around the world, God works through His church,´ said Doug Melton, senior pastor of Southern Hills who directs the pastor-led Send Oklahoma Network. “People, especially in this time in our society right now, are looking for answers, and we’ve got to have churches that are ready to impact the lostness in our state and will be willing to engage people with the Gospel where they are living. I am thankful for this opportunity to gather with pastors and churches who have the burden to start new churches to reach them.”

Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists, said the one-day gathering will be valuable. “If you have questions,” he said, “if you want inspiration, if you want information about how you and your church can connect either as a mother church, a sending church, or if you are interested in planting, this is a meeting for you.”

Church that Matters, will speak about keeping momentum in church planting. Megan Gunn and Christina Strauss, who both are married to church planting pastors, will lead breakouts about the important role of spouses in church planting.

Please visit The gathering will include simultaneous transwww.oklahomabaptists.org/send-network/ to learn more or register today! lation into Spanish though the use of radio headsets. Julio Crespo, Send Network catalyst and pastor of Oklahoma City, Central HispanEvent Schedule: ic, will join Felix Cabrera, executive director of 9:00am – Check in/Fellowship the Convention of Southern Baptist Churches in 10:00am – Main Session #1 Puerto Rico, and his wife Denise Cabrera in lead11:30am – Lunch & Hangout ing the Spanish-language breakout sessions of (lunch is provided for free by WatersEdge Ministry) the gathering.

12:30pm – Breakout #1 “If you are a church who is wanting to plant, a 1:45pm – Breakout #2 3:00pm – Main Session #2 church who wants to support a church plant, or 4:30pm – Wrap Up maybe you are curious about church planting we want to invite you to the Gathering,” Crespo said.

“We want to help take the next step in the viZack Randles, who is lead pastor of Washing- sion of what God is doing in and through us. Thereton D.C., Waterfront, will be preaching, and Den- fore, a main objective is to lead people to a deciver Duncan, worship pastor at Waterfront, will lead sion point about their next steps in both leadership worship at the event. development and restorative action. This vision of Melton will be speaking to pastors about the call- this initiative is to see a multiplying church in every ing to church multiplication and leading a breakout community within our state. session about the residency programs that are avail“The objective of the Send Oklahoma Gathering able through the network. Ray Strauss, Send Okla- is to inspire and equip local churches to know what homa Network catalyst and pastor of Edmond, Ed- role Send Network Oklahoma has in the area of mond Community, will talk about getting started church planting in our great state,” he said. with church planting. Rusty Gunn, who is also a catVisit oklahomabaptists.org/send-network to learn alyst for the network and is pastor of Sand Springs, more or to register for the free event.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 24

Priority of Preaching sees record attendance of pastors 1

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>> PHOTOS: 1-2) CHRIS DOYLE; 3) BRIAN HOBBS; 4) KDIE NIX; 1)

Robby Gallaty spoke via livestream at Priority of Preaching; 2) Steven Smith made his fourth speaking appearance at Priority of Preaching; 3) The conference drew a record-high 205 attendance; 4) A spontaneous prayer time happened in the afternoon session.

>> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

The Priority of Preaching Conference met for the 10th consecutive year on March 1, with a record-setting attendance of 205 at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills. The previous attendance record was 177.

Robby Gallaty and Steven Smith were the conference speakers and offered instructions based on the book they co-wrote titled, “Preaching for the Rest of Us.” Gallaty, who is pastor of Hendersonville, Tenn., Long Hollow, was unable to attend in person due to flight cancellations and addressed conference attendees through livestream.

“Obviously, we can’t ‘send the fire.’ God sends the fire, but we can stack the wood,” Gallaty said in his introduction. “I want to show you some things that we can do to prepare our hearts for God to do a work in us before He ever does a work through us.”

Gallaty is known for founding Replicate Ministries, which specializes in helping churches with discipleship ministry. He spoke at Priority of Preaching about how to be a better communicator of God’s Word.

“God will honor your faithfulness to study, your faithfulness to pray and your faithfulness to preach,” Gallaty said. “We can study all these tips and strategies and practices and processes, but at the end of the day, it comes down to faithfulness. You be faithful to study; you be faithful to seek God; you be faithful to pray; and you be faithful to believe, and let God do the rest.”

Smith made his fourth appearance at Priority of Preaching. The pastor of Little Rock, Ark., Immanuel previously served as vice president for students services and communications and is the son of Bailey Smith, former longtime pastor of Del City, First Southern.

Smith addressed the purpose of delivering text-driven sermons. “God has not called us to preach; He’s called us to represent Scripture. We don’t preach sermons; we preach texts.”

Smith emphasized that text-driven sermons are not application-driven or theologically-driven. “Text-driven preaching,” he said, “is the interpretation and communica4 tion of a biblical text in a sermon that represents the structure, substance and spirit of the text.”

The Bible should be at the heart of what a preacher is delivering to a congregation, Smith said. He stressed the importance of preaching being a product of worship.

“Preaching in of itself is an act of worship,” he said. “All of the service is an act of worship. In singing, God hears from us; in preaching we hear from God.” Danny Ringer, director of missions in Great Plains Association, commended this year’s Priority of Preaching and shared why he believes it was the largest-attended meeting.

“I think there are two reasons,” Ringer said. “Number one, I think our pastors were ready for fellowship.

This pandemic has been difficult on pastors. They’ve had the burden and responsibility of making these incredible decisions week after week of having church, not having church or having church online. There has been a lot of stress placed on our pastors, so I’m not surprised at all that it is the highest attended.

“The other reason is it’s a great conference,” Ringer said. “I think the speakers, Steven and Robby, did a phenomenal job. One of the ‘jewels’ I walked away with came from Robby when he said, ‘A pastor

needs to have the heart of a child, the mind of a theologian and the skin of a rhinoceros.’ That was a very true statement because sometimes we forget that pastors are human, and we have all these expectations coming from congregations on a pastor who is fallible and human. But God has chosen these men, through the Holy Spirit, to lead our churches. They do need to set time to be the pastor and study and be prepared for the incredible responsibility that a pastor has to preach the Word.”

Ringer also described how Priority of Preaching stressed the importance to present the Bible. “(Preaching) isn’t an entertainment time for pastors to hear themselves,” Ringer said.

“It’s not a comedy hour. It’s an opportunity to convey God’s Word. The (conference speakers) honed in on that in a great way.”

The afternoon session of the conference allowed for a spontaneous prayer time. After Gallaty’s second time to speak, Brett Selby, regional ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists, led an “unscripted” prayer session that led to pastors in attendance to kneel before God throughout the sanctuary.

Selby also was pleased with the result of this year’s Priority of Preaching.

“The conference was an excellent blend of heart and hands of pastoral ministry,” he said. “‘Hands’ is represented by the skill training that the conference offered, but ‘heart’ is a reminder that preachers need to prepare themselves before preparing their message.”

Sessions of the Priority of Preaching Conference will be available for downloading in the coming weeks by visiting oklahomabaptists.org/priority.

Features | March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

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Oklahoma Baptist DR assists churches DS LT U R E CLASSIFIE NE WS & CU damaged by recent winter storm 1

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>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

>> by Chris Doyle MANAGING EDITOR

1) Charles Kimball, pastor of Shawnee, First, left, receives a financial assistance check from Don Williams, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief state director; 2) Williams meets with Pastor Marlon Coleman of Muskogee, Antioch and Clayton Griggs, director of missions in Muskogee Association, and offers Coleman a financial assistance check; 3) Williams offers Mark Walters, pastor of Nicoma Park, First a financial assistance check.

Don Williams did not know he would be busy in early March. The arctic weather that swept through Oklahoma in mid-February had unexpected results with many churches across the state.

Williams, who serves as state director of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR), spent the first few days of March providing financial assistance to seven churches that experienced flooding as a result of pipes freezing and busting. Thankfully, DR has an assistance fund that was created soon after the May 2013 tornadoes affected most of the central region of Oklahoma.

Along with the assistance fund, Tennessee Baptists made a contribution to help Oklahoma Baptist churches that were affected by the February winter storms.

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“Wes Jones is the state director of Baptist Disaster Relief in Tennessee,” Williams said. “And he called me asking if any churches needed assistance from the storms. We are very thankful and appreciative for Tennessee Baptists helping Oklahoma Baptists.”

Churches that received financial assistance from DR include Guymon, Grace Southern; Lawton, Northside; Muskogee, Antioch; Nicoma Park, First; Oklahoma City, Dixon; Sand Springs, Church That Matters; and Shawnee, First.

Williams said Shawnee, First had to pump 110,000 gallons of water out of their building. Muskogee, Antioch, Williams said, had their building declared totaled by the insurance company. The other churches

March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

also experience major damage. Fortunately, through DR, these churches are receiving support.

“This is another great opportunity for Oklahoma Baptists to serve,” Williams said. “Whether it’s due to a virus or busted water pipes, we have to see how we can help people in times of need, especially when it involves our churches. It is another way we can advance the Gospel together through serving.”

For Oklahoma Baptist churches needing financial assistance due to damage from winter storms, email Williams at dwilliams@oklahomabaptists.org, or church leaders may contact the director of missions in their respective association.

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

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WatersEdge names Hart S URE LASSIFIED W S & C U LT Cministry E N services vice president

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS BALLINGER DEATH. Bill Ballinger, 63, died Feb. 22. Funeral services A First Southwere Feb. 24H at O DelM City, A L K O E H T ern. He served H in Ivarious V E churchC R A T S I T B A Pes, most recently as the associate pastor for Del City, Sooner. He was a passionate singer and musician and was a member of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma. He also directed performances for the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Choir. He is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Ellen; his children, Autumn Paterson, Samuel Ballinger, Tucker Ballinger and Jameson Ballinger; and seven grandchildren.

>> by Anna Dellinger WATERSEDGE CONTENT CREATOR

Bobby Hart never expected to be in ministry, but God had other plans. AfE San engineering deV O I Cwith ter graduating gree and working for 13 years in telecommunications, Hart spent 12 years as chief operations officer at Tulsa, First.

This March, God had another surprise in store as He led Hart to join WatersEdge.

“The entire staff is dynamic, very bright and seems like they have a lot of fun,” Hart said. “I am excited to work with people who have a Kingdom mindset and desire to multiply ministry impact.”

As vice president of ministry services, Hart will serve Oklahoma Baptist churches through loans, investments and accounting. His time on a church staff combined with a six-year tenure on the WatersEdge Board of Directors prepared him for the leadership role.

“Bobby’s ministry background makes him a great fit for this job,” said Jerry Vaughan, president of ministry services. “He served on our board’s loan committee and was past chairman of the Ministry Services

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>> PHOTO: WATERSEDGE

Bobby Hart, center, now serves as ministry services vice president with WatersEdge. He is pictured with his wife Heather and their four children.

Committee. This experience is invaluable in his new role.”

Hart’s next step is to begin connecting with pastors and church leaders to share ways WatersEdge can help advance ministry.

“Understanding the needs of the local church equips me to share our services with churches throughout the state and across the country,” he said. “I can have intelligent conversations with pastors and step into their shoes to help them.”

Hart, his wife, Heather, and their four children are longtime members of Tulsa, First.

BROWN DEATH. Wayne Brown, 84, died Jan. 12. Graveside services were Jan. 19 in Stroud. He pastored numerous churches including Checotah, First; Purcell, First; and Purcell, Johnson Road. He enjoyed ministering to those in the oil fields and delivering candy as he ministered. He proudly served his country in the United States Army until his honorable discharge as a Lieutenant Colonel and Brigade Chaplain. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol; his children, Paul Brown, Nancy Liles, Charles Brown, Patrick Brown and Annette Westerman; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

ORDINATION. Keith Paxton and Michael Bryant were ordained to the deacon ministry at Lawton, First East on Feb. 21.

Oklahoma Baptist publishes ‘The Story of My Story’

Dekota Gregory is a member of Locust Grove, First.

He recently published his autobiography “The Story of My Story,” sharing about his experiences with his best friend, Brandon, who died when they both were juniors in college. Gregory also describes details that led him to his future wife. Overall, the book shares the importance of keeping faith in God’s plans.

Gregory believes God called him to use his writing talent as a sports journalist to share the story God gave him. The book is published by Austin Macauley Publishers and is available on austinmacauley.com/us, Amazon and through local booksellers.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES CARRIE CHEESEMAN resigned as children’s director at Lawton, First West.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS NEW AFFILIATE. Edmond, Redemption is now affiliated with Oklahoma Baptists. Jeff Lawrence is pastor.

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

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Wendell Lang celebrated his retirement as pastor of Yukon, Surrey Hills on Sunday, Feb. 28. After serving in fulltime ministry for 41 years, Lang received a state proclamation declaring Feb. 28, 2021 as “Wendell Lang Day.” Lang is pictured with his wife, Pam.

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People & Church News | March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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

Why it’s important to persevere ASSIFIEDS L C in evangelism Each person we share with is somewhere on an imaginary number line as it relates to their belief in Jesus. If the number “0” is the Jesus told His followers not to toss pearls moment a person trusts Christ, we know before swine. We also know that people that some people we share with might be E S in come to Christ when He draws them to at a place we’d call “-1,” ready believe V OtoI C Himself. Paul writes that faith itself is a gift Jesus. Others are much further down the from God. number line—far from trusting Christ. Here, So, with these admonitions, is it really im- our goal in evangelism would be to help portant to share Christ multiple times with the person move one step (or more) up the someone who rejects it? Is rejection of the graph and into a relationship with Jesus.

Gospel a sign that God isn’t working? Are Think of it this way. There are a number of we wasting time and resources when we reasons people don’t respond positively to persevere in evangelism? the Gospel when we share it.

The answer to all these questions is a re• Insufficient knowledge—Placing our sounding, “NO.” saving faith in Jesus requires basic knowlHas someone you love not become a edge about God, sin and salvation, to name Christian despite your best evangelistic ef- a few topics. It is possible a person simply forts? Are you feeling like a failure? Keep does not know enough to be saved. We can sharing Christ! Here are some reasons why share to fill in these knowledge gaps. perseverance in evangelism is right.

• Hurt or bitterness—Living in a broken The Bible tells us world makes us all vulnerable to hurt and Second Corinthians 5:20 says: “Therefore, disappointments. It is tempting to direct we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is these toward God or the people of God. making His appeal through us. We plead on Sometimes when we share Christ, the perChrist’s behalf, ‘be reconciled to God.’” The son cannot trust God because they believe imagery here is of one carrying a message, He hurt them or allowed them to be hurt. passionately telling the message, to anoth- Our witness and ministry shows His love. er person. When we see the ministry of the • Hostility—Some are hostile toward the Apostle Paul, we see a man who was contin- faith. Perhaps it is because they are adherually sharing Christ with those of whom he ents to another faith or have other reasons came in contact. to oppose the Gospel. A witness in these enThere may be seasons or times in a rela- counters can show that all Christians do not tionship when we choose to be silent for a fit their stereotype. while. However, the Bible shows us that per• Apathy—The number one reason peoseverance in evangelism is part of being ple don’t trust Christ is that they do not obedient to God’s command. feel the need. They are too busy with life or People need it other priorities to care. Our witness can be Canadian pastor and mission leader Os- God’sEvoice to pay attention to eternity.

H in each of these encounters, the goal O M TNote, F Rthe wald J. Smith once said, “No one has G S B La O right to hear the Gospel twice, while there person closer to trusting Christ.

L I N GisEtoRlead DS R O W remains someone who has not heard it This requires patience and persistence. once.” Now, I understand Smith’s passion, Those we love need Jesus. He has placed and I share his concern that far too many us in their lives as His ambassadors and withave never heard of Jesus (This is to our nesses. Effective evangelism demands pashame, but is a topic for another article). tience, persistence and faith. We plant and We cannot, however, take this admonition water, but God gives the growth. at face value and assume we only need AY S VtoE SPortions D Atime, share Christ with someone a single of this post are adapted from “Sharing and then we can move on.

Jesus Without Freaking Out,” 2nd Ed. >> by D. Scott Hildreth

LIFEWAYVOICES.COM WRITER

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

ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING

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

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OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ MEN’S MINISTRY

Prepare your church to give and pray for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.

Check out various promotional resources.

April 24 is the date for this year’s Rewired Men’s Conference at Falls Creek.

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DON’T FORGET TO HUG >> CALEB MOORE

“Greet all brothers with a holy kiss” Y(1SThess. 5:26).

A S E V A D When I first visited Budapest, Hungary for a mission trip, there was a part of their culture that was so odd to me. It took me a long time to get used to the way they greeted one another. Far more common than a handshake, as E R Sgreet one ana form of greeting, many people S L I NinGEurope D R O W other with a kiss on the cheek.

S A P T I S Tgreeting.

Needless to say, is M notAanBAmerican I can HO L Athis OK T H G I L H imagine the shock onRpeople’s faces if after church on C E H IG U O S E R Sunday I kissed people on both cheeks instead of shaking their hands. On Monday morning my email would be full of angry letters talking about my inappropriate behavior.

That’s simply not a part of our AY S Sculture.

E V A D So maybe greeting each other with a kiss isn’t the best idea in today’s church, but we should do the cultural equivalent. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, all social contact has been strongly discouraged, and I can see the effects it has had on our church.

I’m thankful to pastor a very loving T T S church.

I Sfriendly A P and Btogether, A M O H A We love to hug and spend time but it’s been so L K O T H G I L H IG H long since we have been allowed to do such things. I’m E ESOURC R curious as to how quickly we will return to greeting each other the way we used to.

To read the rest of Caleb’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/blog-dont-forget-to-hug NG

I SMART GIV

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

MULTIPLY YOUR GIVING WITH NEW 2021 TAX INCENTIVES Did you know COVID relief legislation has created one of the most favorable tax environments for charitable giving in recent HOLLY BLAKEY, WATERSEDGE DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS memory?

You’ll remember Congress passed the CARES Act in March 2020, providing coronavirus relief to millions of Americans struggling during the pandemic. The CARES Act allows taxpayers who itemize to deduct up to 100 percent of their adjusted gross income in charitable contributions. That’s up from a maximum of 60 percent before CARES. This benefit was set to expire at the end of 2020, but thanks to a CARES Act update passed in late December, this incentive has been extended into 2021. For example, this means that if your 2021 adjusted gross income is $75,000, you can deduct up to $75,000 in charitable contributions, leaving you with zero taxable income.

The good news continues for taxpayers who use the standard deduction. Prior to the CARES Act, charitable gifts generally weren’t tax deductible unless you itemized. But CARES established a provision for a new, universal deduction for cash gifts of up to $300. This universal deduction is available even if you choose to take the standard deduction. For the 2020 tax year, it’s capped at $300 whether you file your taxes singly or jointly. But December’s CARES Act update expands this incentive. Individuals who take the standard deduction can continue to deduct up to $300 for charitable contributions, but married couples filing jointly can now qualify for a deduction of up to $600 for charitable gifts, doubling the universal deduction’s 2020 cap.

CARES Act charitable giving incentives are set to expire at the end of this year. While it is possible lawmakers could choose to extend these giving tax incentives into 2022, there is no guarantee, which means 2021 is your best opportunity to maximize gifts to your church or favorite ministries.

oklahomabaptists.org/rewired

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March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

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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 link to sermons to: newhopesecretary@gmail.com or mail to: 37497 New Hope Road, Tecumseh, OK 74873.

CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

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

>> P/T OR F/T WORSHIP LEADER - YOUTH PASTOR: P/T or F/T Worship Leader/Youth Pastor Combined Ministry; Calvary Baptist Church, Okmulgee Oklahoma 74447. Please send resume to: Search Committee of Calvary Baptist Church rgm7677@ yahoo.com.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Parkview Baptist, Duncan, OK is seeking a BI/VO Pastor with vision, passion, enthusiasm & energy to boldly lead our congregation forward in spiritual & numerical growth in all ministries & age groups. Send resume to: mulsix@ hotmail.com.

>> F/T OR BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR:Emmanuel Baptist Church of Altus, is prayerfully seeking a F/T or BI/VO Youth Pastor. Resumes may be sent to: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Attention: Pastor, 921 East “A” Street, Altus, OK 73521

>> F/T STUDENT MINISTER: Warner First Baptist Church, Warner, OK is seeking a F/T Student Minister. Please email resume to: justin@warnerfbc.org.

VOICES

>> F/T YOUTH MINISTER: Morris Memorial Baptist Church in Ada is seeking a F/T Youth Minister who is passionate about reaching youth & families with the Gospel. Send resumes to: 16121 County Road 3540, Ada, OK 74820 or email to: david@mmbcada. org.

EMPLOYM ENT >> 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 CAMPUS PASTOR: Connection Church in Duncan, OK is seeking a F/T Campus Pastor. Connection Church Duncan is a campus of First Baptist Marlow, a multi-campus church (www.fbcmarlow. org). Resumes should be emailed to: ccduncanpastor@gmail.com.

>> F/T PASTOR: FBC Forgan, OK is prayerfully seeking God’s man. Send resume to: P.O. Box 9 Forgan, OK 73938. More info see: forganfbc.com or call (580) 4610857.

>> F/T YOUTH PASTOR: FBC Lone Grove is prayerfully seeking a spiritually mature, F/T Youth Pastor.

Must have a heart for community & connecting with others. Please send resume to: fbclonegrove@ yahoo.com.

>> P/T WORSHIP LEADER: First Baptist Church of Verden, OK is prayerfully seeking P/T Worship Leader.

If you are interested, please send resume or questions to: fbcverden@tds.net

>> BI/VO OR F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church 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.

>> BI/VO OR P/T WORSHIP MINISTER: Seeking God’s candidate for our next blended service Worship Minister. Please submit resume & cover letter to: cbcbamusic@gmail.com or Clearview Baptist Church, P.O. Box 140892, Broken Arrow, OK 74014.

>> F/T STUDENT PASTOR: One Church Elk City is prayerfully seeking someone with prior experience to lead & direct an established youth ministry. Send resume & references to: onechurchelkcity@gmail. com

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Denton Baptist Church, Marlow, OK Is searching for a Pastor to lead a rural church. Please send resume to: Denton Baptist Church, 272910 W. Ballpark Rd, Marlow, OK 73055.

Sunday Aug 45-70+.

>> P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Silo Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a P/T Youth Minister. Interested applicants can send a resume to: silopastor@yahoo. com or Silo Baptist Church, 1379 Church Rd., Durant, OK 74701.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Wyandotte First Baptist, Wyandotte, OK is accepting resumes for BI/VO Pastor.

Parsonage is available. Please submit resumes to: wyandottefbc@gmail.com.

>> F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Temple Baptist Church in Shawnee, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Associate Pastor of Family Ministries with a focus on Children’s Ministry. The full job description along with how to apply is on our website: www.tbcshawnee.org.

>> F/T STUDENT MINISTER: Emmaus Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, is seeking a F/T Student Minister. Please submit resume using the information at: www.emmausokc.org/search. >> F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: First Baptist Church Gower is searching for an Associate Pastor of Youth, Children & Family Ministries. This is a F/T position.

For full description, email: fbgowerpastorsearch@ gmail.com.

>> F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Associate Pastor of Youth & Worship or Media. Pawhuska’s FBC is looking for someone to join our pastor’s ministry team & help advance Kingdom work in our town. Submit resumes to: associatepastorsearch@pawhuskafbc. org.

>> BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church, Lindsay, OK is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Youth Pastor. Please send a resume to: cbclindsay@gmail. com.

>> MUSICIAN: Bible Baptist Ada, is looking for keyboard/piano/organ musician. Starting new music program. So, come get in on the ground floor of what God is doing here. Email Pastor Newport at: BiblebaptistAda@gmail.com.

>> PASTOR: Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Bartlesville, OK is seeking a Pastor who teaches God’s word, loves people & agrees with BFM. Send resume to: pastorsearchehbc@gmail.com or by mail: Pastor Search, 1331 Swan Dr., Bartlesville, OK 74006.

>> F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Sobol Baptist Church in beautiful Pushmataha County, OK is seeking God’s next servant (F/T or BI/VO). Small rural church with a heart for God. Parsonage included. Accepting resumes until filled. Contact: jjerryspeck15@gmail. com.

>> F/T PASTOR: New Hope Baptist Church, Tecumseh, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Please email resume along w/current sermon video or

>> F/T PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Tishomingo, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested applicants should email a cover letter & resume to: cbctishomingo@gmail.com or mail to: Calvary Baptist Church, 9700 S. Hwy 377, Tishomingo, OK 73460. >> F/T PASTOR: Immanuel Baptist Church, Perkins, OK. Please send resume to: PO Box 10, Perkins, OK, 74059 or email: sec.ibcperkins@sbcglobal.net.

>> F/T PASTOR: First Baptist Church, McLoud, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail a cover letter and resume to: First Baptist Church, 109 S. 8th Street, McLoud, OK. 74851, Attn: Pastor Search Committee.

>> PASTOR: Olivet Baptist Church, Lawton, is currently seeking a Pastor. All serious inquiries please call our office at: (580) 536-2529 or email us at: olivet2529@sbcglobal.net.

>> P/T MINISTER OF FAMILY LIFE: : A church wanting to try new things to reach students & families. First Southern Baptist, Arcadia, OK P.O. Box 237, Arcadia, OK 73007 fsbcarcadia@yahoo.com.

>> MUSIC LEADER: Trinity Baptist Church, Vinita is seeking someone that wants to serve God in leading the Sunday morning music. Send resume to: jesseltdteam@Ymail.com or phone (918) 418-9562.

>> P/T YOUTH & WORSHIP LEADER: : True Oak Fellowship of Tuttle, is seeking a P/T Youth Director & Worship Leader. Does not have to be combined; you may apply for either one or both. Send resume to: Pastor Adam Lamle at: adamlamle@att.net.

>> PASTOR: Mount Hermon Church in Jay, OK, located in the Northeast corner of the state, is prayerfully searching for a Pastor. Please send resume or any questions you may have to: Cole Wheeler at colewheeler36@gmail.com. >> F/T PRESCHOOL/CHILDREN’S MINISTER: First Baptist Church Tahlequah, OK is seeking a F/T Preschool & Children’s Minister. Please submit resumé to: mike@fbctah.org. >> PASTOR: Criner Baptist Church Lindsay, OK, is seeking a Pastor who teaches God’s Word. The church is located in the Lindsay, Criner, Dibble area.

Please send resumes to: Criner Baptist Church, C/O Debra Beam, 12654 170th Street, Lindsay, OK 73052. >>PIANO PLAYER: FBC Wheatland is searching for a Piano Player for our traditional Sunday morning service. Contact Pastor Richard Boyanton at: (405) 3155387 or email: rlboyanton@gmail.com. >> BI/VO CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR: First Baptist West of Lawton is seeking an individual to serve as our BI/VO Children’s Ministry Director.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested send resumes to: harold.gaches@sbcglobal.net or call the church office at: (580) 536-4227. >> P/T OR BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: NewPoint Church Ponca City, looking for a P/T or BI/VO Youth Pastor with a heart to reach & disciple 6th - 12th grade students. For full description or to apply, send resume to: kyle@newpoint.church.

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ACROSS “All men“Why are make ___”ye(Ps. 133Jesus asked, this116:11) __?” (Mark 34 A fool 5:39) Hur’s (Ex. 31:2) 435 Tenth part son (Num. 18:26) Tau(Sp.) Epsilon Phi (abbr.)

937Father 39Multitude Babies were “delivered ___(Ex. the 14 that left was a _____ 12:38)midwives (pres. tense)come” (Ex. 1:19) 41Last Four on listed, brass Ex. grate (Ex. 38:5) 15 sonwere of Jacob 1:1–4 43Related Ahead-of-Time (abbr.)

16 to upper pelvic bone 46 Moses’ son (Ex. 2:22) 48 God “made the sea ___ land” (Ex. 14:21) 51 Tap 53 Ye 56 Passover sacrifice

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17 “This is ___ of the Hebrews’ children” (Ex. 61 2:6)Esau’s descendants (Ex. 15:15) 62 Greeting 18 Moses wrote(It.) #90 63 Command 19 Shorter forearm(arch.) bone (pl.)

65 Sea’s noise (Ps.(Ex. 98:7) 20 Pharaoh to Egypt 6:11) 66 Pharaoh accused Hebrews of 22 Fleet being ____ 5:17) 24 Measure of light(Ex. output (abbr.)

67 Blendline 25 Curved 69 Air Traffic Operations 27 Inland Northwest (abbr.) (abbr.)

71 Letter to the Editor (abbr.)

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

>> P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Soldier Creek Baptist in MWC is looking for a dynamic Youth Minister with a discipleship mindset & a willingness to engage students. The position is open to both men & women.

Email your resume to: soldiercreek@soldiercreek. org. >> F/T YOUTH PASTOR: Dewar First Baptist is prayerfully seeking a F/T Youth Pastor. Please send resumes by email to: dewarfbc@yahoo.com. For more information or questions contact the church at: (918) 652-4282 or by email: dewarfbc@suddenlinkmail.com. >> F/T PASTOR: Cardin Baptist Church, Miami, OK is accepting resumes for a F/T Pastor. Please send resumes to: Cardin Baptist Church, 9525 S HWY 137, Miami, OK 74354 or CBCsearch@hotmail.com. >> F/T ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:: Village Baptist Church in OKC is seeking a F/T Administrative Assistant to work M-TH. This service oriented individual will have excellent computer skills & experience in a variety of office & graphics software.

Superior communication & organizational skills with the ability to serve our members & staff.

RD

29 Eastern deity 32 Son of Merari (Ex. 6:19) 35 Decorative vase 36 Manna’s ____ was like honey (Ex. 16:31) 38 Moses turned ___ to see (Ex. 3:4) 40 “Gather a certain ___ every day” (Ex. 16:4) 42 Son of Zorobabel (Luke 3:27) 44 Goats’ ____ was spun for tabernacle curtains (Ex. 26:7) 45 Cake glaze 47 Priest’s garment set with gems (Ex. 25:7) 49 Young hart (Song 2:9) 50 Leaders of Israel (Ex. 3:16) 52 Lovers’ meeting 54 Science Research Assoc.

55 Slang greeting 56 “The ___ cannot leave his father” (Gen. 44:22) 59 Moses said, “I am slow of ___” (Ex. 4:10) 64 Put in breastplate with Thummim (Ex. 28:30) 68 City in the plain of Siddim (Gen. 10:19) 70 Father of Maasiai (1 Chron. 9:12) 72 Lyric poem 73 Slogan 74 Cook with fire (Ex. 12:8) 75 Entire (Ex. 1:5) 76 “Put thine hand into thy ___” (Ex. 4:7) 77 The Lord ___ Egypt’s firstborn (Ex. 12:29) 78 Sea that God parted (Ex. 14) DOWN 1 One of chief priests (Neh. 12:7) 2 Islamic exams 3 Peace offering animals (Ex. 24:5)

>> P/T YOUTH PASTOR: Slaughterville Baptist Church is accepting resumes for the position of P/T Youth Pastor. If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to: Slaughterville Baptist Church, 10101 60th St., Lexington, OK 73051.

4 Rap 5 Tribe of Israel (Ex. 1:3) 6 Western Indian desert 7 Turns a ship (James 3:4) 8 Bulgarian river 9 Deadly fish 10 Wing 11 Accomplished 12 “He wrote also letters to ___ on the Lord” (2 Chron. 32:17) 13 Oasis with 12 wells (Ex. 15:27) 21 Israelite tribe (Ex. 1:4) AD AM I MAGE MARK E G in I N I NG F ORAY 23 DividesB circle halfN (abbr.)

E V E N I NG E AR T H 26 Remote Digital I A Terminal G H E (abbr.)

AV E N L water A HtoOdo T thisD E T I A N 28 Laver held F BOT H AA ON I ON (Ex. 40:30) E DE N MAT H GOD M A Lsupport E N P A L S 29 Orthopedic AT NOAH UR I RE 30 Passover from theO 1st L Elasted T I MM R T___ A L7th day I A E R AM I N RA I NS (Ex. 12:15) S U P REME H AM G 31 These Pbrought boils (Ex.S9:8–9) E S T O L AT E D A 32 Net A T T D A Y E L C A I N T HY HAV I L AH BY 33 “All men are ___” (Ps. 116:11) 34 A fool Puzzle 1: Genesis 35 Hur’s son (Ex. 31:2) 37 Tau Epsilon S A MPhi E (abbr.)

MP H T OP AZ L A“delivered MA E V E R A A Dthe E midwives 39 BabiesLwere ___ OP I UM NADAB DAN come” (Ex.P 1:19) OD AWO L US I NG R (Ex. U N38:5) L Agrate L OC K 41 Four were on Abrass S I S T E R BR A UN 43 Ahead-of-Time (abbr.)

CROOK P S I E S P N A R L I RA S DE E D 46 Moses’Ason (Ex.P 2:22) NN E B OD Y RUR A L 48 God “made theR sea N (Ex. T L E E U___ E L land” E S 14:21) 51 Tap L A S O R D A B O U T A BODE HE RB HAM 53 Ye S I R A P N E A E R A S E 56 Passover S Hsacrifi E ce V I A L S NURS E O U Rmovement E G Y PinTOman T E N T 57 70s guerilla 58 Dry metric tons Puzzle (abbr.) 3: Exodus S T OR K I OD I N C ODG E K O L S H U T P OOR A L L F

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60 Rings from these were used for the gold calf (Ex. 32) 61 Esau’s descendants (Ex. 15:15) 62 Greeting (It.) 63 Command (arch.)

65 Sea’s noise (Ps. 98:7) 66 Pharaoh accused Hebrews of being ____ (Ex. 5:17) 67 Blend 69 Air Traffic Operations (abbr.)

71 Letter to the Editor (abbr.)

A B J E O K S F H E A M N A L M E A M P R A E T

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AM B A B EI M L G N N II E TI E E N EI U NG R P E AG R H S A H O DD I MT BO A T H I R EN N I M L A L E R CN NO E P H A A I T E I M H HM O R A M I OP S U U PA RM EM BS S T O O L E A T DR AE Y T E Y EME HB A H

A N S H E EI B A A T H

GE GD E RA AM V D E OA AS H OC P WU H U T E S O R E D T N R E RP H A S L A H I E L RE V R I L E

M AR S A L K T F H ORB AE Y AE RS T HM T E N OM S A T I AM N T ON I O N H I N AR G DT S O E A AS A L C S RAR I A RM E AC L I A B H R A I N S AHA A AM H AX G AD T R E D RM A CM AB I N A A HCA BH Y I S

R E

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BABE L E T E I S D UR E UP HRA E R S EI M I DD I M BOA O A I RA S N N I L HOC R C WU RE P HA I T E S H E HOE D T OP S UR I BS AM ARP O L E AH I AT E RE RE S H EME BE R

Puzzle 1: Genesis Genesis Puzzle 2: FEB. 11 ANSWERS S P AM DP AA DM OE T I T T O HP EAZ RH E L LI A M XMA ASE HV EA R D EI L EI R AA L O P U I M N A D A B D A ONE P S A L M R A D I NI O O L I N P D A W U S G K I NG ARMA D A LM A OC K AL RA C R U NI L NW S B I S DR UT DE H ABR MA AU HN A L I C I RO UR NO K T ASE T S EP N A S PI S DE A I R L RA AR T P E RH EA SS A D HE A EI D R NI N E B D R A C I N GO E Y P H OR DU ROL E N T E E LR DE EU RE SL T E RS YT S L L AS O BOU SR RD AA YT O A L B AO DDE S P EH EE CR HB UH R AI M M S I R E AD MAA HP N AE D AI E E L RA OS DE S H L S T T V M OE O I A RO ASN T UR AS L E L O E GY P O T T ET E BU OR S OM SM RN ET D

Puzzle 2: Gen A M O K

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O T X A E P NG AR UDD N T T E I NG L DE S R D S MAH T T O S OM

Puzzle 3: Exodus Exodus FEB. 25 ANSWERS Puzzle 4: S T OR S OAK I O I E RD L E C LO ED SG T K F O OO T S H U L P O O R S CH E A L LA L O S OY B

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F E P I R HE E OO L NC D D E ME F E SA P E A N

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AC T T HAT T L E E E HA TM NA T E R M I A S S H AM O R E T S E E D R R R E V E N E E S OWN

Classifieds | March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com E R E O C D E E A

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VOICES ‘Forgotten Faithful’ remembers those who did God’s work ent. Even though these servants aren’t well known today, each of In the 1960s, the story of “Bill Wal- them has a story that every Chrislace of China” could be heard in al- tian can learn from. most every Southern Baptist Church.

Several of the stories in Holmes’ In 1963, the book by Jesse Fletcher new book have particular bearwas released, which chronicled the ing for Oklahoma Baptists, as he life and death of the Baptist mission- recounts the stories of Oklahoma ary to China.

Baptist leaders like A.G. Washburn, The life and martyrdom of Wallace Victor Kaneubbe and B. Frank Belwas studied in Training Unions and vin. Even for those well versed in later even turned into a movie. Wal- Oklahoma Baptist history, those lace served as a missionary to China names might be unknown. But during some of its most difficult years each of these men had a fruitful leading up to World War II. Many and faithful ministry that can serve know his name, but do you know as a guidestone for Oklahoma Bapthe name of the man who helped tists in the present. him learn to become a faithful misWashburn was present when the sionary? Robert Beddoe served on Oklahoma Baptists’ state convention the same field as the more famous formed in 1906, and then he travWallace and, in many ways, helped eled thousands of miles a year across mold him into the man who gave his the state to spread the Gospel. Kanlife for the people of China. Beddoe neubbe and Belvin were both Naspent his last years as a professor at tive Americans who were educated Oklahoma Baptist University, and has at Oklahoma Baptist schools before a story of his own worth telling. having ministries that took them to That’s part of the goal of a new many tribes across Oklahoma and book by Oklahoma Baptist pas- the United States. tor Luke A. Holmes. “The Forgotten Kaneubbe served as a founder of Faithful: Lessons from the Hidden Indian Falls Creek, and both he and Heroes of Church History” aims to tell Belvin served in Oklahoma under the stories of those men and women the Home Mission Board (currently who served God faithfully but aren’t the North American Mission Board). as well remembered today.

Many of the ministries still existing Many people are familiar with the today across Oklahoma owe their be“big names” of church history, like ginnings to men like these.

Luther, Spurgeon, Judson, Carey and The book also tells of longtime so many others. But this book isn’t Oklahoma City pastor E.W. Perry, the about those people. Chances are first African-American to preach beS many haven’t heard of a single per- H foreNthe Southern Baptist ConvenEW C R U H C son in this book. Holmes aims to tell tion, and Eric A. Mayes, the first Afthese stories from the past in order rican-American to graduate from to help guide Christians in the pres- Oklahoma Baptist University. Other >> by Staff

OMA T H E O K L A H HIVE C BAPTIST AR

Luke Holmes is pastor of Tishomingo, First. His book ‘The Forgotten Faithful: Lessons from the Hidden Heroes of Church History’ can be purchased through Amazon.com. >> PHOTO: AMAZON.COM

biographies include Sallie Holmes, a mentor to Lottie Moon, and T.O. Chappelle, a longtime pastor in Tulsa. In total, the 10 biographies serve as a powerful reminder of a life that is lived for God. “There are so many lessons we can learn from those who’ve gone before us,” said Holmes, pastor of Tishomingo, First. “I want to encourage those who feel forgotten in their ministry or labor in small and out-of-the-way places.”

Holmes begins each chapter with a brief biographical sketch of the “forgotten faithful” and then closes with some application “from their lives to ours today.” With just more than 80 pages, the book makes for a quick read and could be used in private devotions or as introduction into many

of the ways God has worked across Oklahoma and the world.

Holmes said “The Forgotten Faithful” serves as a reminder that the work of the Lord will never be forgotten. “No matter how much time passes, we can still learn today about the power of a life that is lived for God,” he said.

Through writing this book, Holmes intended to show that “it’s God’s plan to use the famous and the forgotten, the important and the insignificant, the noble and the normal, all for His glory and His kingdom.”

“The Forgotten Faithful” can be found on Amazon in Kindle and print. For more information search Amazon or visit lukeaholmes.com.

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NEX T STOP, NASHVILLE!

The 2021 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is set for June 13-16, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. This will be the first time since the summer of 2019 that Southern Baptists have gathered for annual meeting, because the 2020 annual meeting was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The last time the SBC meeting gathered in Nashville was 2005, at which there were 11,641 registered messen-

gers. In this Baptist Messenger photo, a baptism service is being observed connected to the annual meeting, a meeting which included times of business, preaching, worship and prayer.

With all of the opportunities for the Gospel in America and around the world, the 2021 annual meeting should be a momentous occasion for Southern Baptists and for the advance of the Great Commission.

Visit sbcannualmeeting.net for more information.

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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March 11, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture