2022/3/24

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • MARCH 24, 2022

STUDENTS ‘ARISE’ FROM YOUTH EVANGELISM CONFERENCE READY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL BACK HOME /// SEE PAGE 6

CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends SBC EC president search team issues call to prayer >> BRANDON PORTER

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Mad (lib) Christians

Connect: The importance of small churches >> TODD FISHER

Oklahoma Baptists board members inspired by meeting, designate funding for Ukraine relief

Growing Christian faith demonstrated in Tushka taking Class A boys basketball title

>> BRIAN HOBBS

ATOKA—March Madness started early in Oklahoma. On Saturday, March 5, Tushka High School defeated Garber, 48-43, to claim the Class A boys basketball title at State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City.

Tushka is the first unranked team in state history to claim the state title.

A few weeks ago, I had the great privilege of traveling to one of our smaller in attendance churches to preach. The church was at the end of many miles of dirt road, far removed from any cell phone coverage.

Upon my arrival, I was warmly greeted by a leader in the church who ushered me into the small worship center where the one Sunday School class for adults was being held.

Members of Oklahoma Baptists’ board of directors held their first meeting of 2022 and the first meeting since Todd Fisher stepped into his role as executive director-treasurer for the state convention.

On March 8, members met at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City for times of business, prayer and encouragement.

/// SEE PAGE 3

/// SEE PAGE 6

>> CHRIS DOYLE

/// SEE PAGE 7

>> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Nooks, crannies and making the message clear >> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry Oklahoma Baptist DR ready to serve overseas with Sphere Training >> CHRIS DOYLE

Page 8 | People & Church News First Person: The impact of life >> CHRIS WALL

Page 10 | Church Toolbox Words of life >> VERN CHARET TE

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I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

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& issues call toS Pprayer SBC EC president search team ORTS & MISSIONS ENT

M I N I S T RY

>> by Brandon Porter

SBC ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONVENTION NEWS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The team tasked with searching for a new president & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee (SBC EC) is asking for prayer. The group launched a 21day prayer initiative and created a day-by-day guide to encourage specific prayers for each day the rest of the month.

“As Christians we understand that prayer is essential in our walk with Christ, and as a committee we felt it was essential to start our process with a season of prayer,” said search team chairman Adron Robinson. “In John 15:5 Jesus says without Him we can do nothing, so to begin this assignment without seeking God’s direction would be a huge mistake.”

In addition to Robinson, the seven-member search team, appointed by the EC at its Feb. 22 meeting, includes Mollie Duddleston (Springdale, Ark.), Mike Keahbone (pastor of Lawton, First), Jeremy Morton (Woodstock, Ga.), Philip Robertson (Pineville, La.) and David Sons (Lexington, S.C.). Current EC Chairman Rolland Slade will serve in an ex officio capacity until June, when he will be replaced by a newly elected EC chair.

The prayer guide is broken into three sections—personnel, priorities and president. Keahbone stressed the importance of prayer to the team’s mission.

E preNthe O N L I of “I was looking through the timelines NEW ENT T CON vious hiring processes notE see a specific USIV XCLdid EB-Eand W and strategic plan to call our convention to pray,” he said. “I brought it up in our first meeting and the entire team was excited to let prayer be the cornerstone of our search process. God knows the shepherd He is calling to lead us. Prayer tunes our hearts to His.”

N INFO PUBLICATIO

Morton agreed that the team was united in the idea.

“We all agreed an intentional season of prayer was essential,” he said “We do not assume we can get this search ‘correct’ without God’s gracious touch.

In X O O L Band H T Ohumbly fact, weCenter R Cprocess H Uthis with a sober sense of desperation. Without God’s grace, we know we won’t get it right.

“Prayer isn’t something extra we are doing. It’s the driving force of the entire process. I actually believe the more we pray, the simpler and things willI be.”

IEDS F S S A L C The group is asking for people to people to pray for the EC trustees, staff, interim President/CEO Willie McLaurin, Vice President for Communication Jonathan Howe, the Sexual Abuse Task Force and SBC President Ed Litton.

“Every believer in our convention is impacted by this hire; therefore, all of us must join together E Sprayer is that God in prayer,” Keahbone I C“My Osaid.

V would unify us as a convention. There is no better unifying agent than God’s people seeking their Father’s heart.”

The group is asking Southern Baptists for help in seeking God’s provision of unity, wisdom, patience, discernment, integrity, faithfulness and accountability for the team.

“We hope that God would sanctify our hearts as a committee and as a convention,” Robinson said.

“There are many things trying to divide us as a convention, but seeking God will sanctify and unify us.

We want to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and work together to fulfill God’s will.

“The entire Southern Baptist Convention should join in this prayer initiative, and we hope our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world will also join this effort.”

GoStudents Training

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oklahoma City, Eagle Heights oklahomabaptists.org/ gostudents/training

MARCH 27 Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Chorus Concert 6-7:30 p.m.

Oklahoma Baptist University oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

MARCH 28

Priority of Preaching Conference

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oklahoma City, Southern Hills oklahomabaptists.org/pop

MARCH 28

Falls Creek Pre Camp Worship Night

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Owasso, First oklahomabaptists.org/youth

APRIL 1-2

Heart of the Child Conference

Oklahoma City, Southern Hills heartofthe child.net

APRIL 2

Disaster Relief Orientation and Credentialing 8:30 a.m.-noon Purcell, First okdisasterhelp.org/ volunteer-training

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

Texas high court ruling on heartbeat ban applauded TOM STRODE | MARCH 15

Southern Baptist and other pro-life advocates commended the latest ruling on a legal challenge to Texas’ prohibition on the abortion of an unborn child whose heartbeat can be detected. The Texas Supreme Court ruled unanimously March 11 that only private citizens, not the state’s medical licensing officials, may enforce the Texas Heartbeat Act. The opinion effectively halts a legal challenge to the ban by abortion rights advocates and clinics.

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

EVENTS

Scholarship established to honor Southwestern alumnus and evangelist Wade Morris.

SCOTT BARKLEY | MARCH 9

Southwestern Seminary (SWBTS) and the widow of Wade Morris are partnering to establish a scholarship in honor of the SWBTS alum and evangelist. The $25,000 scholarship will serve as a reminder of how her husband was able to attend Southwestern, said Deborah Morris.

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

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LT U R E U C & S W E N While the team has not begun to receive appli-

cations for the position, they are asking Southern Baptists to pray the candidate is: • Prepared to the lead the EC • Humble • A strong, relational and unifying leader • Someone with Christ-like character N N UA L A • A leader with compassion for the hurtingI and lost O ETING NF • Deeply rooted in biblical M Econviction • A leader committed to the Cooperative Program, the Baptist Faith and Message, SBC entities, the Great Commission and the Great Commandment “We hope that prayer will help us walk together in unity and clarity,” Morton said. “We hope our season of prayer will encourage all Southern Baptists to join us and participate.

“We are excited and believe by faith that God has a bright future for our search process, that He has the right leader on the horizon for Southern Baptists, and that our convention will move forward and make more disciples for Jesus until He comes again. I’m praying Luke 11:13 that the Holy Spirit will fill us and help us.”

The team welcomes prayers at any time. The prayer initiative started March 11.

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

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March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

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The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 07449518) is published semi-monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112-6506. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 39,782. Individual subscriptions are available upon request. When writing for a change of address or a subscription renewal, please include a copy of your mailing label. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Baptist Messenger, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506.

While the Baptist Messenger attempts to provide advertisers of integrity who furnish quality products, it is recommended that buyers be cautious, do research and get references to any advertiser with which they are not familiar. Publication of an advertisement in the Baptist Messenger does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or businesses. March 24, 2022 • Volume 111, Number 6.

Member, Baptist Press News, Christian Newspaper Association, Evangelical Press Association, Oklahoma Press Association.

EVENTS

MESSENGER STAFF >> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@baptistmessenger.com >> Lori Coats | Subscriptions/Assistant lcoats@baptistmessenger.com >> Chris Forbes | Staff Writer cforbes@oklahomabaptists.org >> Tori Hamilton | Art Director thamilton@baptistmessenger.com

VOICES

A N N UA L NFO MEETING I

Connect: The importance of small churches /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

Todd Fisher Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @eToddFisher

A few weeks ago, I had the great privilege of traveling to one of our smaller in attendance churches to preach. The church was at the end of many miles of dirt road, far removed from any cell phone coverage.

Upon my arrival, I was warmly greeted by a leader in the church who ushered me into the small worship center where the one Sunday School class for adults was being held. The teacher walked through that Sunday’s lesson in the Lifeway quarterly skillfully, teaching the Word and applying its meaning to the class. At the close of Sunday School, a gentleman rose in the back and pulled on a rope ringing the bell in the steeple signaling it was time for the children’s Sunday School class to come for worship.

The attendance board hanging on the wall near the piano registered about 20 people in attendance who all sang in a heartfelt way from hymnals. There was no sound system, projectors or stage lights.

At one point in worship, the song leader announced they would now have the “penny march” whereby one of the children walked throughout the congregation gathering coins that she then meticulously placed in the metal house sitting on the Lord’s Supper table used for offerings to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.

The congregation consisting of Native Americans and Anglos sang “Amazing Grace” in Choctaw, Cherokee, Creek and English. As I preached, I could see to my right the large church covenant placard outlining what it means to be a member of the church, and to my left were framed prints containing a list of all the books of the Bible.

At the close of the service, we sang “Happy Birthday” to a church member who was presented with a gift. Next, we had a potluck lunch in the fellowship hall that included homemade fried chicken, mac and cheese, casseroles and meringue pies.

The whole morning just felt like being with a caring family—amazing, loving, down-to-earth folks with faith as deep as a canyon. They are a picture of the family of God. I loved every moment of being at this church and look forward to preaching in many more. It reminded me of my days starting out as pastor of Bethel Acres, Hopewell.

I want to tell you about this church because it is like the majority of churches in our state convention. Of more than 1,700 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches in Oklahoma, about 1,400 have an average worship attendance of less than 100.

Nationwide, of more than 47,000 SBC churches, the median church has fewer than 70 in attendance.

We are a convention of small churches. Though small, each of these churches play an important role in Gospel ministry in their communities. Countless pastors and missionaries have been brought up and sent out by smaller in attendance churches.

A small church may not be able to give large dollar amounts to the Cooperative Program (CP), but all of those churches partnering together through the CP and mission offerings make a significant impact in Kingdom work all over the globe.

Many of you reading this article either attend or have fond memories of a small church and are thankful for the impact it has on you and your family’s life.

In many ways, small churches are the backbone of the SBC and have a significant role in our past and present.

I am grateful for ALL of our Oklahoma Baptist churches, both big and small, and how we partner together to change our state and the world for Christ!

Sword & trowel: Mad (lib) Christians Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

Have you noticed? There are a lot of angry people these days. Whether you’re on social media or at a local restaurant, it’s a common sight to find an irritated person, given over to an angry outburst.

A recent poll found that “some 84 percent of people surveyed said Americans are angrier today compared with a generation ago.” Unfortunately, sometimes the anger is even coming from professing Christians, who join in the rage.

What exactly is triggering all this anger? The poll found that “29 percent of people said they were often angry when checking the news… There was a similar difference in reactions (of anger) to social media.” Pollsters cannot exactly pinpoint the precise problem.

If it’s not news or social media, could it also be the effects of politics or the pandemic that are the problem? What if the anger issue was not about a specific issue at all? Could it be that our own hearts are filled with an anger that is being revealed?

Using the old mad lib technique that other writers like Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck have effectively used, listen to this fictional rant, fill in the blanks and see if it sounds familiar: Attention everyone, I’m not the type of person to do this normally, but today I just need to vent! The other day, I heard someone in my (select one: Social Media Feed, Sunday School, Favorite Store) say the most ridiculous thing, and it made me (adjective) angry.

Get this! That person claims that (pick an issue you think is unimportant) is the biggest problem in this country today. (He/she) even claimed that (choose a number) percent of people agree with (him/her). I mean, can you believe that?!

It’s plain as day to me and also an expert I heard on (choose one: Cable News, Facebook, an Internet News Site) that (name the issue you think is unimportant) is not the real problem; the real problem today is (pick your personal pet cause or issue).

Why can’t (he/she) see that it’s the (name a group of people you distrust or dislike) are causing all these problems?? (Insert exclamation phrase)!

I hate to say it, but some people are so (adjective) stupid. Why can’t they see that (your favorite expert) has proven what I have been saying for years? If these (name a group of people but one that does not include yourself) don’t change, this country is going to

(name a bad place) in just a matter of (name an exaggerated amount of time)!

If people don’t wake up by (name a random time deadline) and see how these (pick a group of people you don’t like or trust) are ruining us, I’m just done!

I will just pack up and (adverb) move to (pick one: The jungle / The middle of nowhere / A tropical place) and leave to you people deal with (first name of the person that you disagree with) and to solve these problems.

There, I’ve said it!

Sincerely, (Your screenname not real name) P.S. Thank you for letting me vent. I feel better. And I’m just saying, y’all!

P.P.S. See you all at church on Sunday! Remember: Jesus saves!

Now that conversation was exaggerated to make a point. Yet many of us have seen or heard such rants. Perhaps we even have been the one ranting.

The Bible, meanwhile, says we are to act otherwise.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19).

If believers were to watch our words and completely avoid this kind of complaining and anger venting—which doesn’t really solve problems or persuade people—then we would all be better off.

If and when that happens, I believe God will… well, I’ll let you fill in that blank.

Voices | March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

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Rite Iof passage: Nooks, cranniesR Tand making the message clear S& ONS & MISS Y Moore M I N I S T RWalker

Author & Messenger Columnist Email | walker@back40.org @WalkerDeanMoore

B OX R C H TO O L CHU Throughout my childhood, my

parents said things I didn’t understand. Whenever we had guests, my mother wanted to make sure the house was presentable. About an hour before their arrival, she’d hand me a rag and a bottle of Lemon Pledge, admonishing me to make sure I got into every nook and cranny.

IEDS S S II Fwas CI LdidAwhat told, but I wasn’t sure what nooks were, so I never really knew if I got them clean. You’d think after all the time I spent oiling and polishing them, someone would have said, “Oh, what sparkling nooks you have.” But this never happened, and no one ever commented on the fine job I did with the crannies, either.

E Smy work wasn’t done until our MomValways O I Csaid house was spick-and-span. But if I didn’t know what nooks and crannies were, how would I know spick from span?

No wonder I grew up confused! But my family used all kinds of unclear language. I don’t even know how many times I heard someone say, “Lo and behold, look what the cat dragged in.” I knew what “behold” meant, but who was Lo? Why did I need to behold him, and where did the cat go, anyway?

SPO NT A I N M Emy If I saidEsomething inappropriate, parents reNTERT

minded me to watch my Ps and Qs. What in the world did that mean? I never could figure out how to watch two letters at once. Are you beginning to see my problem? Life in our family was like growing up in a foreign country.

E &strange, my parP Lacting Sometime when P EIOwas ents asked me if I wasC getting E W S How does Nwilly-nilly.

H R U H C a young child respond to that? “I think I’m a little more nilly than willy, thank you.” And our pastor only added to the confusion. One Sunday, he announced that we were about to get into the “meat and potatoes” of the text. I waited through the whole service, but all we got was a tiny cracker and R Epotatoes! some grape juice. So much forLmeat T Uand U C & S W E N Communication is tough. We often speak in concepts and generalities. Sure, I understood what my mom wanted when she told me to get into “every nook and cranny” or that she wanted the house to be “spick-and-span.” But if you had given me a piece of paper and asked me to write out the A L have handed it definition of those words, N N UI would A back—blank.

INFO I N Gcommunication E E Tmake Spiritual M matters even more difficult. We often talk about things like “walking the aisle” or “believer’s baptism.” I grew up in the era of R.A.s and G.A.s, WMU, BSU and a host of others. These wonderful ministries shaped the person I am today, but the terms don’t always communicate well to a lost and dying world. The concept that God loves you can seem as unclear as telling a child to get into every nook and cranny.

The God who created us knew we needed more than words and concepts. That’s why He made the intangible tangible. For God so loved the world that… He sent his only begotten Son. He became flesh and dwelt among us. At 12 years of age, He was found in the temple listening and asking questions. He made the blind see and the lame walk. He raised the dead. He was publicly humiliated and crucified high on a cross. Three days later, He rose from the dead. And first Peter, then the 12 and then the 500 saw the resurrected Jesus.

More than two thousand years ago, the invisible love of God became visible, tangible, touchable and real. That’s why we read in Luke 2: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:8-14).

The Good News is that Jesus wants to get into every nook and cranny of your life and make it spick-and-span! And there is nothing willy-nilly about that.

Rewired: Men, will you step up?

Bubba Burcham Oklahoma Baptists’ Men’s Ministries Consultant @BubbaBurcham

I am so very excited for the Oklahoma Baptists Rewired Men’s Conference! This year, we are returning to a two-day retreat with activities, breakouts and keynote speakers. Our theme this year is from Luke 6:46-49, “Dig Deep.” Men who listen to the Lord and do what He says are men who Dig Deep and lay the foundation of their house on the rock.

On what is your foundation laid?

I’ve been a part of Rewired since 2008. I have been an attendee, a volunteer, a speaker and now I am the director. My marriage and my family are better because of this event. I have seen many lives changed.

The heart of the men’s conference is the men’s lives being transformed by the Gospel lived out in the local church. This year there are two ways to experience Rewired. Attend in person, where you get the added benefit of the activities of Falls Creek, or attend at a host church where you get the added benefit of being with the men of your church.

I know the pastor of a small church who decided he was going to invest in his men by taking them to Rewired. In the past, he had encouraged his men to go, but he never attended. He asked the men to go with him that year. Men got excited and began to sign up. Before they knew it, they had more men than the last 5 years combined. They all sat together during the main sessions, making a joyful noise.

One man came that year who was on the edge of divorce, and now their marriage is strong by simply being in the company of faithful men. Other men answered the call to step up and lead or volunteer at their church.

Pastors, your example matters, and the men of your church will follow your example. Bring them with you.

“The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man

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who fathers a wise son rejoices in him” (Prov. 23:24).

This is a perfect event to bring your son with you.

Manhood does not happen by accident; it is intentional and must be bestowed. I have had my oldest son with me in past years. The experience of being with other men, seeing them worship, pray, simply be men together left a lasting impact on him.

I am really excited this year because I get to bring my 14-year-old son, number two. Rewired has become a rite of passage in our family—one of the first steps on the journey of manhood. He will see men rally together for a cause that truly matters, the hearts of men. Culture is coming for the hearts of our sons, and we must combat culture with the truth of Christ.

This year I have asked men to come and share their family’s story. I have asked them to tell how their faith in Jesus impacts their role as a husband and a father, their job, how Jesus impacts everything they do. Each man has a unique story of how the Gospel of Jesus has impacted their family.

I am excited to hear their stories and see how God is going to use them. The one thing about Rewired that is hard for me to describe is the worship time. When all of the men get behind a song and cut loose—it’s just different. It’s special to see the men praise the most high God. Another thing that makes the conference different is the setting. Falls Creek is truly a remarkable place.

The men love to walk around the grounds, fish in the entry pool, hang out in

the amphitheater and play games. It’s a space that gives the men room to roam and, for some, to get reacquainted with God. For many men, the best message they will hear will be on a picnic table with a trusted friend. They will share about past adventures, hopes and dreams.

Again, the heart of Rewired is the men’s lives transformed by the Gospel lived out in the local church. The Oklahoma Baptists Men’s Conference is an event that changes the hearts of men. Fathers bring you sons. Men of the church, bring your friends, coworkers and most of all your pastor. Pastor, bring your staff, your men. I am excited to see what God will do at this year’s men’s conference.

Will you be there?

To learn more about Rewired Men’s Conference, April 29-30, visit oklahomabaptists.org/rewired.

Good News Neighborhoods

March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

FOR OUR

The Cooperative Program is the everyday, everywhere, every-church plan for comprehensive missions support.

Learn more at OklahomaBaptists.org/CP

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

Oklahoma Baptist DR ready to serve overseas with Sphere Training X PEOPLE & >> by Chris Doyle

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MANAGING EDITOR

Sphere Training happened for 24 Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) team members, Feb. 28-March 4, at the Baptist Building.

What is Sphere Training? According to Don Williams, Oklahoma DR director, this training meets the requirements and standards established by the United Nations, as well as many nations, for humanitarian response to international needs.

“For a disaster response, only Sphere-trained organizations will be able to help (internationally),” Williams said. “They have standards on water, sanitation, hygiene, food, shelter and health. Those are all the things that were covered in the 40 hours of work throughout the week of Sphere Training.”

Most of the requirements, Williams said, involve dietary restrictions, which are similar to what DR has experienced with working with the Red Cross.

He said there are Sphere-trained individuals currently working with Ukraine refugees.

Sphere Training equips DR team members to be able to help when international disasters occur, but there is more than training that is being planned.

Williams said DR will be partnering with Send International, specifically in Southeast Asia, to be the team assigned whenever disasters happen in this region of the world. Countries that Oklahoma Baptist DR have been assigned to help are the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Tanzania and Fiji.

“With Sphere Training and going overseas, we have a standard and will adhere a little bit easier

OOLBO T H C R U H C

CLASSIFIE

CES V O I said. to help serve,” Williams

April 9—Disaster Relief Orientation—Altus, Martha Road April 9—First Aid/CPR Class—9 a.m.-3 p.m.—$20 DR Team Center, Okarche—to register, email dknapp711@gmail.com April 9—Skid Steer Training—DR Team Center, Okarche—to register, email ryandeatherage@me.com

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Chris Hagar As director of missions in Central Association, Chris works with 33 churches to accomplish the purpose of uniting and equipping churches to go on mission as directed by Christ in the Great Commission.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Bethany Pruett Serving as women’s outreach and development leader at the University of Oklahoma’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Bethany focuses on discipling ladies and leading them to disciple others.

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

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>> PHOTOS: 1)CHRIS DOYLE; 2)SUSAN HATFIELD 1) Don Williams gives instructions during the week of Sphere Training at the Baptist Building; 2) DR team members who are certified through Sphere Training to serve overseas when international disasters occur.

“But what will make it better is building relationships with these countries.”

There are 42 state Southern Baptist DR ministries that are assigned to 19 international areas. Williams said he asked to partner with the Send International area director in Southeast Asia.

“There are more Oklahoma Baptist missionaries in Southeast Asia than in any other area of the world,” he said. “We will possibly be working with somebody from Oklahoma when we go to these countries.”

With Sphere Training, DR team members will be available to work with Oklahoma Baptist churches in Southeast Asia, and this will involve more than disaster response. Williams plans to be involved with community development in countries like the Philippines, one of the countries more vulnerable to natural disasters due to the probability of typhoons and tsunamis.

S N O I S IS M “We have a good core VOLUNTEER S of people who are Sphere ITIE trained now,” Williams said.

OPPORTUN “We want to open this up OKLAHOMA DISASTER RELIEF to Oklahoma Baptists and to our churches and allow On-going opportunities for volunteers: Training: them to come alongside us Baptist Village Communities: April 2—Disaster Relief as we have the need to go.”

Orientation—Purcell, First Ada—Tracy Scheer, 580/332-6004 Broken Arrow—Monty Baggett, 918/355-0099 Cleveland—Wade Wilson, 918/358-2575 Cordell—Alicia Holt, 580/832-5831 Elk City—Cathy Henderson, 580/225-5555 Grove (Honey Creek)—Gary Mishler, 918/786-2223 Hugo—Alandra Needham, 580/326-8383 Madill (Lake Texoma)—Matthew Wood, 580/564-3776 Miami—Shane McGhee, 918/542-7124 OKC—Chris Finley, 405/721-2466 Ext. 2115 Okmulgee—Sherri Powell, 918/756-5377 Owasso—Steven Walkingstick, 918/272-2281 Ext. 102 Entrusted Hearts by Baptist Village (home health care)—Shannon Ryan, 405/942-3000 Ext. 4685

EWS CHURCH N

This is a long-term commitment that Williams said will involve planning overseas visits twice a year, helping people with disaster preparedness and building relationships before disasters occur.

He also said, with Sphere Training and working with Send International, Oklahoma Baptist DR is now equipped to help churches who want to go serve areas affected by disasters.

Currently, Ohio Baptist DR is working in Poland, helping churches serve people coming from Ukraine. Williams said he got a call from a pastor who wanted to help Ukrainians, and he put him in touch with the Ohio Baptist DR director.

“We need to be trained and equipped and make the connections beforehand,” Williams said, “because, in reality, Ukraine is a major issue right now, but something else is going to happen somewhere else in the world, and DR team members want to be ready to serve.”

Now with 24 DR team members who are Sphere trained, Oklahoma Baptist DR is ready.

“This is a gung-ho group,” Williams said about the newly-trained DR crew. “They are very excited, and they want to know ‘When are we going?’ They are ready to serve and advance the Gospel.”

For more information or to offer a donation, visit okdisasterhelp.org.

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Missions & ministry | March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Students ‘arise’ from YEC, ready to share the Gospel back home /// PREVIEWED ON COVER “We had a great group here this year,” said Brian Baldwin, YEC director. “We were down a bit from what we expected this year just from having to reschedule DAVIS—More than 1,600 students and sponsors to when people are doing things during Spring Break, gathered at Falls Creek Baptists Conference Center but there was a great crowd at this year’s YEC.” in Davis, March 13-14, to learn how to be more ‘fluBaldwin, who is also the youth missions and evanent’ in talking about the Gospel with their friends, gelism ministry partner for Oklahoma Baptists, exfamily and neighbors. plained that the event included speakers and mulThe Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC), an an- tiple breakouts with worship led by Craig Rigney, a nual event that is sponsored by Oklahoma Bap- worship leader, pastor and artist based in Chicago, tists, was originally scheduled at Falls Creek in Jan- Ill. Dillon Chase, a Texas-based rapper, gave a spouary but was rescheduled to March due to COVID ken word lyrical presentation, calling students to foprecautions. cus on the theme verse. Tommy Woodard and Eddie The theme for the 2022 YEC event was “Arise” and James, The Skit Guys, encouraged students with funwas based on Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine, for your light ny skits that helped illustrate both good ways and has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” bad ways to share the faith.

“D.A. Horton talked about Gospel urgency, fluency The goal of the conference was to give students practical teaching in how to share the Gospel, as and mobilization,” Baldwin explained. “Why we should well as to help students who were not yet believers have urgency with both sharing and receiving the Gospel. There were many people who indicated they put come to faith in Jesus Christ.

A conversation guide, which was distributed at their faith in Jesus. Many also committed to the urgency of sharing the Gospel with their family and friends.”

YEC, explained the reason for the gathering, “Why learn to share the Gospel?” The guideHorton, who was the keynote speaker at the conbook asked. “Because it’s literally the best news ference, and is associate pastor of Riverside, Caon the planet! Forgiveness of sin, Eternal life and lif., Grove Community, said he was surprised at the a relationship number of students at the conference. with God are “I did not realize that there would be as many stujust a few rea- dents as there were,” he said. “I mean, not just be1 sons why the cause it’s post COVID and everything is open, but Gospel mes- because these students came to the conference to sage is Good be ingrained with the truth of the Gospel.”

Horton serves as the program director for inNews.” tercultural studies and assistant professor at 2 California Baptist University. He said there are both opportunities and challenges encountered by today’s youth that YEC helped students be better prepared to face. >> PHOTOS: CHRIS FORBES 1) Students take notes in their YEC discussion guides. >> by Chris Forbes STAFF WRITER

“One of the advantages that students have these days is technology,” Horton noted. “When I was younger, I didn’t have proximity to the whole world in the palm of my hands, the way they do today.

But that can also be dangerous if it’s not properly stewarded. Leveraging technology, students are more able to influence others with the Gospel with a broader reach.”

Horton said that the advent of technology such as streaming media has created opportunities to start conversations about the Gospel.

“Sometimes, I tell students the Gospel is like a Netflix series, four seasons, with 66 episodes,” Horton said. “And as you walk them through the four major plot movements of scripture, then you can weave the Gospel through.”

Students were also introduced to a new piece of technology that was developed by Oklahoma Baptists—the GoodNews Coach App. The mobile phone application helps students learn more about sharing their faith, assists them as they track their own progress in starting Gospel conversations and allows them to select and interact with a coach who can encourage them as they advance the Gospel among their friends and family.

Baldwin encouraged students to download the app in order to continue with the training they received at YEC. “We hope you will continue to use what you have learned here, to go on having Gospel conversations” Baldwin said to students. “The GoodNews Coach app helps you be accountable. Just like at school, you are more likely to do the work that is inspected by your teachers. The GoodNews app allows you to connect with a coach. It can be a Sunday School teacher or your youth pastor to allow them to see how you are doing in sharing your faith and keep you accountable.”

Plans are underway for the 2023 YEC which is expected to take place next January at Falls Creek.

To learn more about the GoodNews Coach App. visit goodnewscoach.com.

2) Brian Baldwin, left, illustrates Gospel converations with Skit Guys, Eddie James and Tommy Woodard, right, as Todd Sanders, center, looks on.

Oklahoma Baptists board members inspired by meeting, designate funding for Ukraine relief /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

>> by Brian Hobbs EDITOR

Members of Oklahoma Baptists’ board of directors held their first meeting of 2022 and the first meeting since Todd Fisher stepped into his role as executive director-treasurer for the state convention.

On March 8, members met at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City for times of business, prayer and encouragement. Chris Wall, pastor of Owasso, First, serves as convention president and presided over the meeting, a time that resulted in the board designating $50,000 toward Ukraine relief efforts.

Fisher emphasizes ‘serving’ as he addresses board for first time as executive director-treasurer Addressing the Oklahoma Baptists’ board of directors for the first time in his role, Todd Fisher, executive director-treasurer for the state convention, emphasized his commitment to the work and to serve.

Quoting Matt. 20 (“the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”), Fisher said, “I want to serve and want our convention to serve.”

He thanked Oklahoma Baptist pastors and churches for being so encouraging to him.

“Life has been busy in this season, and I am on a big learning curve with a heavy travel schedule,” Fisher said. “In my travels, I have spoken with many pastors and church members, and here is what I have observed and heard: God is still amazingly at work. I’ve witnessed baptisms, heard testimonies of people coming to faith in Christ and lives transformed. Strong giving. I’ve seen resiliency and cre-

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ativity on the part of pastors and churches to carry out the work of the Great Commission in light of the pandemic. But at the same time, I recognize many of our churches are struggling.”

“I don’t know that I have all the answers,” Fisher continued, “but I do want to share my commitments to our board that I believe will keep us on track and focused on what we should be focused on. As a state convention, (we have a) commitment to Baptist polity and knowing what the purpose of the state convention is—to serve churches.

We must be in the background—not in the foreground steering churches—but in the background serving them. The local church is critical. The work of the Kingdom is done through the church. Conventions and seminaries don’t send pastors and missionaries, churches do.”

Fisher also emphasized commitment to the Baptist Faith & Message (BF&M).

“The BF&M ensures we stay faithful to Scripture while at the same time allowing a degree of differences among us,” he said. “I want to engender a culture in our state convention that is faithful to our doctrines and polity that does not add or take away from them and an attitude that urgently and lovingly engages our culture with the Gospel of Jesus.”

Fisher also emphasized a “commitment to pastors. We must encourage, equip, mentor these men.

Healthy convention, healthy churches, healthy pastors. This has never been easy, especially not now.”

2021 Cooperative Program overage benefits Ukraine relief, other key ministries Board members were enthusiastic to hear a report

March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

that Cooperative Program (CP) giving among Oklahoma Baptists exceeded the annual goal in 2021.

“With the 2021 CP objective of $23.1 million, Oklahoma Baptists generously gave $24,507,605 last year, for which we thank the Lord,” said Leslie Osborn, chief financial officer for Oklahoma Baptists, which was met by applause.

Members of the board gave direction to how the CP overage of $1,407,605 (or 6 percent) would be distributed.

Oklahoma Baptists have designated spending allotment of 43 percent of CP going to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), 15 percent to Oklahoma Baptists affiliates and 42 percent to Oklahoma Baptists.

With 42 percent designated to Oklahoma Baptists—which represents $591,194 of overage— the board members approved strategic plans for those funds: • Ukraine Relief: $50,000 in funds to assist in Ukraine with emergency food supplies, shelter and clothing for displaced families in Ukraine; $25,000 to be sent through the North American Mission Board’s Send Relief Ukraine efforts and $25,000 to be sent through the Michael Gott Evangelistic Association.

• Mission:Dignity 13th Check: $21,625 going to GuideStone Financial Resources’ Mission:Dignity, Oklahoma Baptists will help provide for approximately 75 Oklahoma Mission:Dignity recipient households. Mission:Dignity is a ministry of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Growing Christian faith demonstrated in Tushka taking Class A boys basketball title /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

ATOKA—March Madness started early in Oklahoma. On Saturday, March 5, Tushka High School defeated Garber, 48-43, to claim the Class A boys basketball title at State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City.

Tushka is the first unranked team in state history to claim the state title. As reported by The Oklahoman’s Cameron Jourdan, Tushka finished the season with an 11-game winning streak and pulled off victories over high-ranked opponents, including No. 5 Arapaho-Butler, No. 1 and defending state champion Hydro-Eakly and then No. 2 Garber.

The story resembles the movie Hoosiers, with Tushka being a squad that was not expected to make such a splash in the state tournament. Chris McDaniel, pastor of Atoka, Southside, explained there is even a greater story involving spiritual strides.

McDaniel said many of these players made a “complete 180 change” from how they used to be.

Some had reputations of not demonstrating Christlike examples, but progress started in 2020, even amid the COVID pandemic.

Though statewide summer youth camp did not happen at Falls Creek Conference Center that year, McDaniel said the church had its own camp experience at Falls Creek. He believes spiritual seeds were planted that year.

Last summer built on that 2020 camp time.

Southside brought 80 people to Falls Creek with 25 campers making spiritual decisions, including 21 being professions of faith in Christ or following in believers’ baptism. Many making these decisions were Tushka basketball players, and it has grown from there.

“It’s been incredible how they are taking their faith with them,” McDaniel said. “There has been genuine repentance, and they are regularly in-

volved in Bible study and at church every Sunday.”

This includes being at Southside for Sunday worship the next day after winning the state title.

“These boys could have stayed in OKC last night to celebrate,” Angel Hauff wrote on Facebook about the Tushka players, “or after getting home at 1:30 a.m. this morning, they could have slept in.

I know they are physically >> PHOTO: ANGEL HAUFF Tushka basketball team at Atoka, Southside. Front row, from left, Lex Simon, Hayden Griffin, Austin Self, Cole Simpson, Bryson Tuck, assistant exhausted! These boys said coach Tracey Griffin. Back row, from left, Pastor Chris McDaniel, student pastor nope, we are going home Matt McIninch, Fisher Hurt, Tagen Simon, Hunter Wolfe, Landon Griffin, statistibecause we are going to be at cian Timothy McIninch. Not pictured but were in attendance: Peyton Bailey, Ryan Church in the morning! They have Vessels, Walt Kerr. Team member Jeffrey Mackey attended Madill, Little City. a love for God that is a testimony in itself. Great leaders, role models, and State Champions all in one!!!”

McDaniel credited Matt McIninch, youth pastor at Four starters of the team attend Southside, includ- Southside, for discipling and encouraging the young ing Cole Simpson, Tagen Simon, Lex Simon and Bryson men, as well as the many students at Southside. McInTuck. The other starter, Jeffrey Mackey, attends Madill, inch also runs the scoreboard for Tushka home games, Little City, where his father Cecil Mackey is pastor. and his brother Timothy is the team statistician.

“This is their habit,” McDaniel said about the boys Assistant coach Tracey Griffin is a member at faithfully attending church, as well as other disci- Southside, and head coach Chris Zike is a member pleship programs. of Atoka, Harmony. Many Oklahoma Baptists have Randy Hurt, director of missions in Atoka-Coal been involved with this team, not only with success Association, agreed with McDaniel on the spiritu- on the basketball court but in the spiritual lives of al growth the Tushka players have demonstrated. the students.

His son, Fisher, is a member of the team, and Hurt is “It’s great to see them take (their Christian faith) involved with sharing devotions with the team be- from the church house to the school house and fore every home game. then to the gym floor,” McDaniel said.

“I agree with Chris (McDaniel). Since last summer, And Tushka also took it to the “Big House,” the they are ‘all-in’,” Hurt said about the team’s spiritual nickname of State Fair Arena, where their success growth. “They are involved in a Bible club at school on that court could see even more success toward known as Tigers for Christ, and all of them are lead- advancing the Gospel. ers in the club.”

The Board approved a motion “the Falls Creek Conference Center gate fee be increased in 2023 to $11 per day ($55 per week for summer camps) for Oklahoma Baptist churches and $18 per day ($90 per week for summer camps) for non-Oklahoma Baptist churches.” This is the first gate fee increase in 10 years, according to Andy Harrison, conference centers director. >> PHOTOS: BRIAN HOBBS 1) Todd Fisher, right, addresses members of the Oklahoma Baptists board of directors Board members voted unanithe first time as Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer. Chris Wall, left, moderated the meeting • Missionary Retreat: $50,000 for mously to fill various vacancies on as president of Oklahoma Baptists; 2) Andy Taylor, right, is introduced in his new role as regional ministry is set aside to provide a retreat partner for east central Oklahoma. He previously served as pastor of Broken Arrow, Arrow Heights. the board and related committees. setting for approximately 20 misMichael Butler, pastor of Chickasionaries from Oklahoma servsha, First, was elected to complete ing in the North Africa and Middle East, to gather Oklahoma Baptist University’s Heath Thomas, Wa- the one-year unexpired term of Doug Matlock; for a time for rest and encouragement. tersEdge (formerly known as the Baptist Founda- Brandon Adams, minister of education at Choc• Pastor Development & Wellness: $75,000 will tion of Oklahoma) Robert Kellogg, Baptist Village taw, First, was elected to complete the three-year provide opportunities and events to develop and en- Communities’ Bill Pierce; and Greg McNeece of unexpired term of Rob Hunt on the Oklahoma courage Oklahoma Baptist pastors and their wives.

Baptists’ Board of Directors; Chandra Foster, memOklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.

• Falls Creek 2nd Century Committee: $100,000 Board members approved the 2022 Edna Mc- ber of Owasso, First, will complete the one-year will provide seed money for maintenance and up- Millan Oklahoma State Missions Offering goal be unexpired term of Shannon Hester on the Oklagrades at Falls Creek Conference Center. established of $1.2 million. A motion also was ap- homa Baptists’ Audit Committee; Vicky Petete, The Board also designated $294,569 for reserves. proved that the 2023 Cooperative Program al- member of Ada, Trinity, be elected to complete Key moments include prayer, location be distributed at the existing levels: 43 the one-year unexpired term of Larry Rhodes, on reports, motions percent SBC/42 percent Oklahoma Baptists/15 the Audit Committee; Saundra Burchill, member Wall set aside additional time in the meeting for percent Oklahoma Baptist Affiliates. of Altus, First be elected to complete the one-year prayer, including prayer for Ukraine, for ministries Board members approved the establishment unexpired term of Mona Adkisson on the Oklahoin Oklahoma and across the SBC. of an Abuse Prevention & Response Task Force ma Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee.

“The Lord has put it on my heart today to take that will study best practices in preventing abuse.

The next meeting of the Oklahoma Baptists our prayer needs to Him, to join our hearts in The group will present a report at the September board is set for May 24 at the Baptist Building. prayer,” Wall said.

Near the conclusion of the meeting, Pastor J.P. meeting of the board, and the scope of the work Reports from the various Oklahoma Baptists’ is forward-looking. Eric Costanzo, pastor of Tulsa, Williams at Stonewall, First, expressed that he was board committees were heard, including the South Tulsa will chair the committee. “grateful and inspired” by the day and how “OklaChurch Resources Committee; the Finance Com“This task force is forward-looking, helping es- homa Baptists state convention is more visible mittee; the Cooperative Program and Communi- tablish best practices to prevent abuse from occur- and available than ever.” cations Committee; the Support Services Com- ring and establishing best practices to deal with it, Like Williams, all of Oklahoma Baptists can be mittee; and the Executive Committee. should it ever occur,” Wall said. Other members in- inspired at the great things the Lord is doing in Reports were given by presidents of each of clude: Jennifer Barnett, Leanne Deason, Ann Jen- Oklahoma and beyond. the four Oklahoma Baptists’ ministry affiliates— kins, Doug Melton, Troy Taylor and Lori Twomey.

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Features | March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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O L B OX O T H C R U CH

CLASS

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

First person: The impact of life U LT U R E IFIEDS Chris Wall Pastor, Owasso, First President of Oklahoma Baptists @worthfollowing

VOICES

Oklahoma Baptists continue to thrive on the frontlines of ministry across the state. So many are answering the call to this amazing #gospeladventure, taking a stand and boldly sharing the Gospel here, there and everywhere. Recently, I had a first-hand look at one of our most important Gospel pursuits: Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children and Hope Pregnancy Centers.

I challenge you to dig into these critical ministries of Oklahoma Baptists led by Greg McNeese. These leaders are standing strong in that Spiritual battle for some of the most vulnerable across our state.

These ministries are boldly sharing the Gospel, working to save the lives of the unborn and bringing a Rom. 15:13 kind of hope to families in crisis.

Right now, take a moment to read Rom. 15:13.

How is your life overflowing with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit?

I want to report to you that these two ministries are advancing the Gospel and working valiantly to rescue the precious lives of families in crisis. We have credible, competent and Spirit-filled leaders literally saving lives every day.

For example, on my tour of The Hope Pregnancy Center in Tulsa, I saw firsthand how our lead-

NE WS & C

ers are boldly and tenderly helping young women discover the blessing of life in their womb.

Even though a pregnancy may be unintended from our human viewpoint, God is sovereignly at work through EVERY LIFE inA EVERY WOMB. HonLbeautifully Uout NN estly, I have seenAthis play O in my F N I own family.

G N I T EE I am the M youngest of five children growing up in a Baptist deacon’s home in south Oklahoma City. When I was 5, my sister, as a high school senior, informed our family of an unintended pregnancy. My five-year-old eyes felt a sense of pride that I would be the only uncle in my kindergarten class. As I got older, I grew to understand the crisis presented for everyone connected to this situation.

Even though abortion was a legal option at the time in our country, God used His Word to shape the heart and mind of my sister. Of course, this pregnancy was unintended. Still, Angie trusted the Lord and leaned into the many resources God provided. Our family experienced how God’s people came alongside us to help every step of the way.

The truth is, God ALWAYS provides, even when our situations look bleak and impossible. God is ALWAYS faithful to redeem, restore and work in those unexpected circumstances.

My sister chose life, and the impact of that decision has blessed our family beyond description.

By the end of my kindergarten year, Skyler Lane Parker was born. He was a healthy, left-handed baby boy who grew up to be a godly man con-

tinuing to impact the Kingdom of God and bring real help to people in need in Oklahoma.

Skyler grew up next door to me graduating from Moore High School. He went to Oklahoma Baptist University, learning both Spanish and Portuguese.

He served as an International Mission Board missionary to Spain and served with a church plant in Phoenix and Las Vegas. He formerly ran the Regional Food Bank’s Food & Resource Center and now is serving as assistant vice president of the City Rescue Mission in downtown Oklahoma City.

While he is on the front lines of restoration ministry in Oklahoma City, he also is a faithful member of Moore, Elevate.

I am so very proud of my sister and nephew.

The thought of missing out on the life of Skyler Parker instantly brings tears to my eyes. With that thought in mind, I thank the Lord for the ministries of the Baptist Children’s Home and Hope Pregnancy Centers.

They are helping young women every day recognize the amazing future that awaits them.

Join me in praying for these leaders, and may we never forget our calling to keep these leaders on these frontlines of ministry.

Could I ask you to do two things right now?

• Will you take a moment to pray for these leaders as they work to end abortion and bring real hope to families in crisis?

• Will you take out your phone and set a reminder on your birthday to donate to this critical ministry?

First person: Celebrating 20 years of ‘Your Love is Deep’ >> by Jami Smith

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP MINISTRIES AND WORSHIP LEADER, EDMOND, OAKDALE

EDITOR’S NOTE: Jami Smith is a nationally-known Christian artist and worship leader. In commemorating the 20 years since recording her song, “Your Love Is Deep,” Smith gives commentary and a brief history of how the song originated and plans to celebrate this milestone with doing a concert tour this fall. She continues to travel and lead worship at churches, conferences and camps across the country. Jami Smith wants to help others know God’s love is real and available no matter the circumstances.

As a worship leader, I’ve always said that my success can be measured by one thing: “Did they worship Jesus?” Yes, it starts with singing, but what happens next is what I am especially watching and praying for. You can see it on their faces as they shift into worship. One of the most remarkable experiences in my life of ministry has been the honor of worshiping with you to a catchy tune that God decided to use called “Your Love is Deep.”

In 1998, I was introduced to the song based on Ephesians 3. Even today, when I walk out onto the stage and sing the simple chorus, “Your love is deep, your love is high, your love is long, your love is wide...” there’s a shift. A familiarity. I see faces soften. Eyes light up and some tear up. I feel the room.

It all started when I was asked to be the worship leader at a church camp in Texas. At a late night devotional, teenagers Susanna Bussey and Dan Collins sang the beginnings of a song they penned. I never forgot the song but felt like it needed a third section. A few years later, I reworked the song, re-

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corded it, and it became part of my repertoire. We took that song all over the world before small church groups of 20 to large worshiping arenas of tens of thousands.

I guess you could say that this song became a sensation. It took hold in ways I never would have expected. Just now, I googled the song, “Your Love is Deep” and there are more than 250 million results. People have always just loved this song, and I am thrilled. I am not really sure most people realize they are singing Scripture for most of the song. What a bonus!

Scripture and a catchy melody—and, the power of God. I realize that generations now have been singing this song!

Falls Creek comes to mind instantly...we led that song at the camp from 2003-2008 and again in 2019. Parents of kids that are Falls Creek age sang that song when they were in youth group!

We decided it’s time to look back and applaud what God has done. We’ll be on the road in the Fall 2022 with YOUR LOVE IS DEEP, 20 YEARS commemorating the 20 year anniversary of the recording of the song. My CDs “Home” (2001) contains a live recording of the song and “Wash Over Me” (2002) features the beloved studio version.

YOUR LOVE IS DEEP, 20 YEARS will explore the last 20 years of worship, not only how it has de-

March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

veloped and changed, but also how our Lord and Savior is the SAME! We will do current songs, older songs, obviously “Your Love is Deep,” and some of our beloved hymns.

Interested in Booking? We would be honored to serve you in Oklahoma. Contact us by email at jami@jamismith.com to discuss reserving this special time for your church.

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

O L B OX O T H C R U CH

BVC announces potential ownership E ofE W Hugo S I F I E D S of Baptist Village N S & C U LT U R C L A Stransfer >> by Tammy Janvrin

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS THOMPSON DEATH. J. Harold Thompson, 88, died Feb. 22. FunerO M3A H al service was March at Sunny Lane A L K O E H T Funeral Home. HisHministry E spanned V I A R Cwhich included T I S T years, servB A P60-plus ing 24 years as pastor of Del City, Carter Park. He pastored other Oklahoma churches, including Stroud, First; Choctaw, Midway; Oklahoma City, Draper Lake; Oklahoma City, Bryant Avenue; Colbert, First; Tulsa, Fellowship; and Oklahoma City, Thirty-third Street. He served on the Oklahoma Historical Commission and as moderator of Capital Association in 1968 and 1988. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mamie. He is survived by his five children, Jack Thompson, Cindy Collier, Johnny Thompson, Jeff Thompson and Jill McBride; 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

WITT DEATH. Kenneth Witt, 96, died March 4. Funeral service was March 12 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Oklahoma City. One of his biggest passions in life was doing literacy work, which he did for more than 50 years. In 1964-65, he was one of three literacy mission’s workshop leaders, training tutors through Oklahoma. In 1988, he wrote and published a book for new readers titled “God’s Plan-The Story of the Bible.” It is still being used in mission fields around the world. He served in several churches in the Oklahoma City area. He is preceded in death by his wife, Janiece; his second wife, Eloise and his son, Paul. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Kirby.

BVC DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Baptist Village Communities (BVC) announced March 10 the potential transfer of Baptist Village S of Hugo to VOICE Ardmore-based Elmbrook Management, Inc. BVC has operated Baptist Village of Hugo since 1958.

Baptist Village of Hugo is the only standalone nursing home operated by Baptist Village Communities. BVC’s future operation of nursing homes will only include nursing homes located on continuing care retirement community (CCRC) campuses. CCRC campuses offer multiple levels of services. Additional services usually include independent living, assisted living, memory support and home health care.

“We are confident Elmbrook is a great choice for Hugo and proactively reached out to them because of their outstanding and long proven record of successfully operating nursing homes across southern Oklahoma,” said Baptist Village Communities President Bill Pierce. “We are proud to have had the opportunity to serve the Hugo community for 63 years. I believe Baptist Village of Hugo will continue to thrive long into the future.”

Tom Coble, president of Elmbrook said, “We are honored to continue providing

A N N UA L ING INFO T E E M quality services and care to residents in

Hugo. This Village perfectly fits the Elmbrook service model, and we look forward to the future.”

Baptist Village Communities and Elmbrook are committed to transparency as this process begins. Both organizations want to ensure residents, their families, BVC employees and the community that the goal is a seamless transition of the nursing home from one organization to another. Residents currently living at The Village will not experience any disruption during this transition. BVC strongly believes both residents and staff will benefit from the potential transition.

Elmbrook will begin due diligence soon.

The transition is projected to be complete by the end of June. Contingent upon completion of this transaction, BVC plans to offer four adjacent apartments on .66 acres of land to Frisco Association as a gift. The apartments are located directly across from the associational office in Hugo.

Tulsa, South Tulsa celebrates 40 years

>> PHOTO: KIM HAYES

EWS CHURCH N

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES TOMMY MOSHER is pastor of Dover, First, where he served as interim.

On Feb. 27, Tulsa, South Tulsa celebrated its 40th anniversary with a church-wide gathering. Displays with memorabilia from over the years were prepared for members and guests to view throughout the morning and evening. The event concluded with a dinner, a “South Tulsa 80s Trivia” game and reviewing the journey the Lord has taken this church. Pastor Eric Costanzo, standing in photo, closed the evening with encouraging words focused on the future God has planned for South Tulsa.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS NEW AFFILIATE. Tulsa, Iglesia Bautista El Camino is a new affliate of Oklahoma Baptists. Angel Melendez is pastor.

SUDOKU

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

RCH WORD SEA Note: The word clues for the Word Search are chosen by the Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.

W O W L Y >> PHOTO: TIM SMITH

Purcell, First hosts Man Church, Feb. 28

More than 100 men filled the sanctuary at Purcell, First on Monday, Feb. 28 for the church’s inaugural Man Church. Todd Fisher, executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists, was the guest speaker, and the event featured a testimony of a new Christian.

Pastor Tim Smith said men were engaged in a fellowship time in the Gathering Hall at Purcell, First, discussing both mission and growth opportunities. Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief was there to recruit upcoming state training, and men also were able to register for the Rewired Men’s Conference, April 29-30, at Falls Creek Conference Center.

Smith said Man Church was a success and plans to have future events. “The ultimate desire is for the churches to feed into Man Church and Man Church to feed men into the churches,” he said. “It is another door of entry into the church for men.”

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People & Church News | March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

9

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

O O L B OX CHURCH T

Words of life >> by Vern Charette

SSIFIEDS A L C camp, see a pretty girl or eat pizza with the

youth. Jesse had begun to speak words of life to me, and I was drawn to those words.

The story might be apocryphal, but when Jesse preached that Sunday, and I was Thomas Edison was a child, his teacher sent mesmerized by the words of life. Then, him home with a note for his mother. during what we call “invitation time,” As his mother read it, she began Jesse stepped off the platform E S in I Cright VO to sob. Of course, little Tom and came and stood saw this and asked his mothfront of me. Then, the most er what the note said. She powerful question I had said, “It says ‘Your son is a ever been asked proceeded out of his mouth. genius. This school is too He said, “Do you want to small for him and does be saved?” not have enough teachers I am glad he did not to train him. Please teach ask me what gifts I might him yourself.’” contribute to the church or From this point on, Tom what I knew about was homeschooled by his the Bible because I mother. She allowed him >> PHOTO: PROVIDED had nothing to conto pursue whatever subVern Charette, left, and Jesse Joyner, the tribute, and I knew jects interested him. pastor who shared words of life with Vern. nothing about the Years later, the famous inBible. I thought the ventor’s mom passed away.

As Edison was rummaging through her Epistles were the Apostles’ wives!

Here is what I did know, however. I knew things, he came across the note from his teacher. When he read it, he began to weep. that I was a sinner, and Jesus was the SavIt said, “Your son is mentally ill. We will not ior. Broken and weeping profusely I reached allow him to attend school anymore. We do out and hugged Jesse. In this moment, as I not have the teachers to handle him. You write this, I am starting to tear up because I realize why I embraced Jesse with such will have to teach him yourself.”

Edison’s mother chose to speak words of force. I was not just embracing a man; I was life to her son, and he was transformed by embracing the words of life. I was embracing Jesus. Jesse led me to a little praying those words.

I remember when words of life were spo- bench and I prostrated myself and prayed ken to me. I was 18 years old. I was living a simple prayer that changed my life. I said, with my older sister in an old trailer house “God, I’m a sinner, save me.”

Later on I would attend Falls Creek, join in West Tulsa. My sister would later die at the age of 39 from drugs and alcohol. My a small Indian Church, get baptized in the father was also an alcoholic, and as a teen- Illinois river and start my formal theologiager I was following suite. Not only was I en- cal training at Oklahoma Baptist University. tangled in drugs in alcohol, I had dropped I nowEhave a PhD and have taught on the T H level in academia. I have also literalO Mhighest F Rlife. out of school and was living an immoral O Gglobe and preached and witR S B Lthe Then, through the providence R ofDGod, S L IIN GlyEtraveled O W met a Black, Pentecostal pastor by the name nessed to thousands of people. I currently of Jesse Joyner. Jesse not only witnessed to have the privilege of pastoring the greatest group of people on the planet. me but invited me to church.

What, might you ask, am I most thankful I remember showing up at a little storefront church on a regular Sunday in the for? At the end of the day, I am most thanksummer of 1990. It was perhaps the only ful for Jesus, and I am also pretty thankful Y S who took the time to share with a pastor time in my life I attended church without anE for SA V A D ulterior motive. I did not go that morning so me the words of life.

I could play on the basketball team, go to PASTOR OF COWETA, FIRST

F RO M T H E G E R S B LO G URE WO R D S L I N E W S & C U LT

N

SEEKING A ‘LIFE VERSE’ >> BRIAN HOBBS

You may have been there too.A You’re small group L A Y SAinNa N U S E V A D setting at church, and everyone is asked to share their O NF name and a little about themselves.

MEETING I “Let’s go around the room. Say your name and where you’re from. Also, share your life verse.”

“Life verse.” I don’t know exactly what age I was when I first encountered the suggestion to have a life verse.

P T I S T Sa ‘life verse’ A B A M AccordingOtoKan article on Crosswalk.com, O H LA T specifically H L I GtoHbe is “A Bible verse that a R Christian believes H IG E C U O S E R or predictive of his or her life.” representative If you are reading this and you already have and know and can recite your life verse, I want to applaud you.

Yet there may be others reading here who don’t have one yet. It’s possible if you’re anything like me, you were almost like that kid at the ice cream parlor. You have a ENDS R T hard time pickingEjust one favorite. & S W N It’s to that person I want to speak. First, it’s okay if you do not yet have a life verse. God did not directly command every Christian to “go get a life verse.” Next, it’s okay to have a few life verses.

&

O N Sblog visit, S IBrian’s To read the I S of Mrest baptistmessenger.com/blog-seeking-a-life-verse M I N I S T RY

X To read more blogs with Jesus in O mind, OLB O T H C R U CH visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog

CLASSIFIE

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EMP LOYMENT VOICES

>>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.

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

>>F/T STUDENT PASTOR: FBC dent Pastor. Please send a

Heavener is resume to:

seeking a F/T Stuhardinbrock@yahoo.com.

>>BI/VO or P/T CHILDREN’S MINISTER: FBC Elmore City is prayerfully seeking God’s candidate to be our P/T or BI/VO Children’s Minister. Please submit resume to: fbceckids@gmail.com or mail to: FBC Elmore City, P.O. Box 247, Elmore City, OK 73433. >>F/T or P/T YOUTH PASTOR: FSBC Guthrie is prayerfully searching for our next Youth Pastor. Position is F/T or P/T for the right candidate. Resumes can be mail to: 202 E Noble, Guthrie, OK 73044 or email to: fsbc.youthpastorsearch@gmail.com. >>F/T YOUTH PASTOR: FBC Buffalo, OK. FBC is prayerfully seeking a Youth Minister. Housing provided. Please send resume to: FBC Buffalo, P.O. Box 415, Buffalo, OK 73834 or email to: Fbcbuffalo@pldi.net. Phone: (806) 930-8374. >>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: First Southern Baptist Church, Arcadia OK is seeking a mature & committed servant of the Lord. Send resume to: fsbcarcadia@yahoo.com. >>F/T PASTOR OF STUDENT LIFE: Northside Baptist Church of Neosho, Missouri, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor of Student Life to lead our student ministries. If interested, please send resumes to: brad@northsideneosho.com.

U N S H AK E AB LE K I DS M I N I S T RY Children’s ministry isn’t only about engaging kids; it is also about partnering with families. Learn how to invest in children and families. oklahomabaptists.org/childhood

G OS T U D E N T S Learn about where GoStudents is planning to go this summer to do mission work and advance the Gospel throughout the world. oklahomabaptists.org/gostudents/ projects

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

10

March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

>>F/T WORSHIP/STUDENT PASTOR: South Seminole Baptist Seminole, TX is seeking F/T Worship/Student Pastor. Church is looking for a pastoral leader with heart of shepherding people to know & love Christ. Please submit cover letter, resume & references to: buck@southseminole.net. >>F/T FINANCIAL SECRETARY/CHURCH CLERK: New Hope Baptist Church Duncan, OK is searching for a F/T Financial Secretary/Church Clerk. Job description is available by contacting the church office at (580) 252-3899. Questions concerning this position contact Johnny Cooksey at (580) 483-4239. >>F/T Spiro,

YOUTH/STUDENT PASTOR: Needed at Spiro FBC in OK. Good salary + house. Contact: jamestsmith@live.com.

Visit https://www.baptistmessenger.com/classifieds-form/ to advertise with us!

CLASSIFIE

LT U R E NE WS & CU

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Rate: $25.00 flat rate per ad • Deadline: Two weeks prior to publication. Submit a classified ad at www.baptistmessenger.com/advertise on the Classifieds Form a shepherd with high character & strong leadership skills with a passion for growing the Kingdom of God. Send resumes to: crolen@parkviewbaptist.org.

CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

J OB L ISTIN G V EH IC L E M ISC.

>>F/T YOUTH MINISTER: Sharon Baptist Church Shawnee, OK is prayerfully seeking a Youth Minister with the heart to love/shepherd/serve the youth & community of the church. Visit sbctecumseh.com for info. Resumes can be sent: suzi.sharontecumseh@gmail.

>>F/T PASTOR: Overbrook OK, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail or email a cover letter & resume to: Eastman Baptist Church, ATTN: Search Committee, 5343 Eastman Rd, Overbrook, OK 73453 or eastmanchurch@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC of Bethany is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Salary package ranges from $70,000-$75,000. Candidates can email their resume to: fbcb@coxinet.net or mail it to: 3800 N. Mueller Ave., Bethany, OK 73008. >>P/T or F/T CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: FBC Piedmont is seeking a Church Administrator. Schedule of 28 hours+ during a M-F work week. Please submit resumes to: personnel@fbcpiedmont.org.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Cameron, OK is prayerfully seeking God’s candidate for a BI/VO Pastor. Housing is available. Please submit resumes to Danny Rogers at: RogersDanny1959@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR YOUTH/WORSHIP: Oak Grove Church of Cushing, OK is seeking a F/T Pastor of Youth & Worship. To discover more info & to submit a resume, please visit: og.church/careers. For any other questions contact the church office at: (918) 352-3174.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Beautiful rural church in Hastings, OK is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Please submit resume to: Hastings Baptist Church, P.O. Box 205, Hastings, OK 73548.

>>F/T YOUTH PASTOR: Southeast Baptist Church is prayerfully searching for a F/T Youth Pastor. Resumes can be mailed to: 2511 E. Hancock St., Muskogee, OK 74403 or emailed to: danielm.sebc@gmail.com.

>>F/T CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR: FBC Sapulpa, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Children’s Director. Resumes & request for job description accepted via email only: jamie@fbcsapulpa.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: Faith Baptist Church of Claremore is prayerfully considering a F/T Pastor. Parsonage is available. Please send resumes with a cover letter to: faith@claremorefaith.com.

>>P/T MUSIC MINISTER: FBC Cole is looking for a P/T Minister of Music. Please send resumes to: P.O. Box 829, Blanchard, OK 73010 or email resume to: jlwfbcole@pldi.net.

>>P/T or BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: Highland Baptist Church in Moore, OK is seeking a Youth Pastor to reach, disciple & pastor students 7th-12th gr. while ministering to family. If interested, submit resume to the search team at: highlandyouthpastor@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Squaretop Baptist of Anadarko, OK is a small, rural church that is prayerfully seeking a Bible believing BI/VO Pastor with a heart for God & Family. Please send resume to: squaretop.baptist@gmail.com or call: (405) 933-0698. >>F/T STUDENT FAMILY ASSOCIATE: FBC of Tulsa is seeking at F/T Student Family Associate. This pastoral position will assist the Student Family Minister in ministry with 6th-12th Grades.

Resumes can be sent to: students@tulsafbc.org. >>F/T MINISTER OF MUSIC/YOUTH: FBC Pauls Valley, OK is seeking a Minister of Music & Youth who loves students & can lead in a blended worship setting. Interested candidates should send their resume with references to: fbcpvpastor@gmail.com. >>F/T PASTOR: FBC Buffalo, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Housing provided.

Please send resume to: FBC Buffalo, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 415, Buffalo, OK 73834 or email to: fbcbuffalo21@gmail.com. >>F/T PASTOR: National Heights Baptist Church, Springfield, MO seeks a F/T Pastor. We are an SBC, MBC, BFM & CP & other missions supporting church.

Candidates, submit your resume & three references to: resumes@nationalheights.org no later than May 15. >>SENIOR PASTOR: Parkview Baptist Church in Tulsa. We are a multi-generational church seeking

>>P/T OR BI/VO WORSHIP MINISTER: Freedom Hill Baptist Church Mannford, OK is seeking an individual who can lead contemporary & traditional blended service. Housing provided. Please send resume to: jmiphotography@ymail.com. >>FT or BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Ryan is prayerfully seeking a F/T or BI/VO Pastor. Parsonage is available.

Please send resumes to: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 519, Ryan, OK 73565 or to: fbcryan1@gmail.com. >>F/T YOUTH MINISTER: FBC of Fitzhugh is prayerfully seeking a F/T Youth Minister. Resumes may be sent to: P.O. Box 177, Fitzhugh, OK 74843 or emailed to: secretary@fitzhughfbc.com. >>F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Trinity Baptist Church, Ardmore, OK is seeking God’s man for ministry in a conservative Southern Baptist Church. Please send resumes to: trinityAssocPastor@gmail.com. >>F/T STUDENT MINISTER: Chisholm Heights Baptist Church Mustang is looking for a F/T Student Minister. If interested, please send resumes to: Student Ministry Search Committee, 2243 W. State Highway 152, Mustang, OK. 73064 or email: dbryan@chbcmustang.org. >>F/T CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTER: First Baptist McAlester is seeking a F/T Children & Family Minister.

To view the full job description & submit an applica-

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ACROSS 1 ___ was 29Jesus’ Thebaby kindgifts of had mangreat Cornelius 6 “Many women were there beholding ___ (Acts 10:22) off ”Like (Matt.ash 27:55) 30 wood 31 Chirping sound 10 Sonata 35 Toilet 14 Incentive 36 Eber’s Chron.

1:19) 15 “The manson did (1 as Joseph ___” (Gen. 43:17) 38 39 40 42

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European monetary unit Joktan’s father (1 Chron. 1:19) District of ancient Attica “David went out to ___ them” (1 Chron.12:17) 46 Rebekah ___ Abraham’s servant’s camels

>>F/T MINISTER OF YOUTH: North Pointe BC, located in the heart of the Deer Creek School District, is actively interviewing candidates to lead our small group driven student ministry. Applicants can send resume & cover letter to: searchteam@northpointe.tv. >>F/T PASTOR: Immanuel Baptist Church in Skiatook, OK is seeking a F/T Pastor to follow our retiring pastor of 33 yrs. Applicants should mail resume with references to: IBC, 625 S. Broadway St, Skiatook, OK 74070 or email to: immanuelskiatook@yahoo.com. >>F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Capitol Hill Baptist Church, OKC, seeking a F/T Associate Pastor of Hispanic Ministries (bi-lingual Spanish/English) to oversee all areas of Hispanic Ministry. Send resumes to: Search Committee, CHBC, 304 SW 134th St., OKC 73170 or email: chbc@chbchurch.org. >>P/T WORSHIP LEADER: Lead blended worship service. Adaptable skill set & leadership ability to enable worship ministry growth. Job description at: www.twelvecornersbaptistchurch.org.

Send resume & interest letter to: talodes@ou.edu. >>BI/VO YOUTH MINISTER: Paradise Valley Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a BI/ VO Youth Minister. Parsonage is provided.

Please send resumes to: Paradise Valley Baptist Church, 4974 NW Meers Porter Hill Rd., Lawton, OK 73507 or email to: PVBCLawton@gmail.com. >>BI/VO SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Ft. Towson is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Senior Pastor. Parsonage available. Please submit resume & cover letter to: office@friscobaptist.com. >>F/T PASTOR: FBC Boswell, in southeastern Oklahoma, is looking for a F/T Pastor. Parsonage is available & benefits are provided. Please send resume to: pastorsearch@fbcboswell.com. >> F/T PASTOR: FBC Beaver, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Parsonage is provided. Please send resume to: FBC Attn: Pastoral Search Committee, P.O. Box 6, Beaver, OK 73932 or email to: fbcbeavr@gmail.com. >>F/T PASTOR: FBC Sayre, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail or email a cover letter & resume to: FBC, ATTN: Pastor Search Committee, 504 N. 4th St., Sayre, OK 73662 or pastor@fbcsayre.org. >>F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Associate Pastor of Worship & Discipleship. Highland Park Baptist Church, Bartlesville OK. F/T Staff Position. For full job description & to apply: http://highlandparkbaptist.net/connect/associate-pastor-application.

F/T CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR: FBC Lowell, AR is prayerfully seeking God’s candidate to be our F/T Children’s Director.

Please send resume to: fbclypsc@gmail.com. >>SUMMER INTERN POSTION: Student Ministry. Berryhill Baptist Church, Tulsa is looking for a

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>> BI/VO WORSHIP PASTOR: Portland Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Worship Pastor to help coordinate our worship ministry. Interested applicants can apply at: https:// www.portlandavenue.org/worship-ministry.html.

VOICES

>>P/T CHILDREN’S PASTOR: FBC Preston is currently looking for a P/T Children’s Pastor to lead our FBC Kids team. Please send resume to: firstbaptistchurchpreston@gmail.com. See full job description on our Facebook page: @fbcpreston.

1

tion, please visit: https://firstbaptist.info/were-hiring.

16 Valley “They made of pure___ gold”in(Ex. 5317“There were___ precious it”39:25) 18(1 Priest had to20:2) examine (Lev. 13:6) Chron.

Input city 5419Italian 5520Do very well Refuge 5622“They were ___ with bows” Flightless birds Chron.

24(1 “The ___ of12:2) Sodom and Gomorrah is great” 57 Asher had four (1 Chron. 7:30) 59 State 61 “I went out. . .to the dung ___” (Neh. 2:13) 62 “The host of Sisera fell upon the ___ of the sword” (Judg. 4:16) 63 A prophet, as Samuel (1 Chron.

young man who feels called to Student Ministry. If interested, call: (918) 445-0923 for interview or send a resume to: BBC, 6035 W. 40th, Tulsa, OK 74107.

A N N UA L >>P/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Pilgrim’sI Rest O N FBapI Nis G tist Church M in Reichert, OK prayerfully seekT E E ing a BI/VO Pastor. Please submit resume to: Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church, 28123 Reichert-Summerfield Rd., Heavener, OK 74937.

>>P/T - BI/VO PASTOR OR F/T MISSIONARY: Wanted to grow a dwindling east Tulsa church (70+, fin. stable). We prefer a traditional or gently blended style of worship & Bible-based teaching & preaching. Submit resume: SDBC, 8504 E., Skelly Dr., Tulsa, OK 74129. >>F/T OR P/T YOUTH PASTOR: Mount Hermon Church of Jay is prayerfully searching for our nextYouth Pastor. Position is F/T or P/T for the right candidate.

Resumes can be sent to: pastorjake@mhcjay.com. >>F/T STUDENT PASTOR: Blanchard FBC is seeking a F/T Student Pastor. We are a growing church in a thriving community. If interested in the position, please send your resume to: travis@ fbcblanchard.org or Blanchard FBC, P.O. Box 370, Blanchard, OK 73010 www.blanchardfirst.com.

MIS CEL L A NEO US >>P/T OR BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: Meeker FBC is in search of a P/T or BI/VO Music Minister.

Please submit resumes to: mfbcmusicsearch@ gmail.com or mail to: ATTN: Music Search Committee, FBC Meeker, P.O. Box 300, Meeker, OK 74855. >>MISSIONS INTERNSHIPS IN FORT WORTH: We have availability for 2-3 single adults (male or female) to minister to refugee families. Housing is provided. www.southcliff.com/mission12. >>FREE ITEMS AVAILABLE: (2) 13 1/2 ft. church pews with cushioned seat & back. A working standup freezer, 5 1/2 ft. tall. (2) Marble-look columns, used for VBS props. 8 ft. tall with 2 ft. square platforms, top & bottom. For more information (405) 685-7761. >>FREE ITEMS AVAILABLE: Covered Wagon, VBS Prop. 3 1/2 ft. wide X 6 1/2 ft. long X 3 1/2 ft. tall w/o removable covering raised.

Covering is 3 1/2 ft. tall. Rickshaw, VBS Prop. 3’ 3” x 8’. For more information (405) 685-7761. >>VAN FOR SALE: 1998 E350, 15 passenger van, 5.4L, front & rear heat/AC, 61,732 original miles. $5000.00.

If interested, please call Steven at (405) 339-4826. >>CABIN FOR SALE: Falls Creek cabin for sale. Drumright FBC. 58 beds. 3 blocks from tabernacle. $120,000 (OBO). For information email: philnix1@gmail.com. >>BIBLE REPAIR, RESTORATION & BINDING: Specializing in family heirloom & study Bibles. Hand sewn, fine stamped leather since 1936. McSpadden Book Bindery, 911 W. Benedict St., Shawnee, OK 74801. mcspaddenbookbindery.com. Phone (405) 275-7788. >>CHURCH BUILDING NEEDED: Gideon Baptist Church Family is looking for a Church building with the seating capacity of 100 - 200. Please contact Pastor Greg Rogers at (405) 613-2154. Thank you.

RD

(Gen. 18:20) 25 Accumulate 27 Divided nation 29 Noah’s son 32 “___ for eye” (Ex. 21:24) 33 “Pray for them which despitefully ___ you” (Matt. 5:44) 34 “After that miracles, then gifts of healings, ___” (1 Cor. 12:28) 37 “Have I ___ of mad men” (1 Sam. 21:15) 41 Japheth’s brother 43 Moses put blood on Aaron’s ___ (Lev. 8:23) 44 Hose 45 Kind 46 “Waters were on the face of the ___ earth” (Gen. 8:9) 48 Happens during sleep (abbr.)

49 Epoch 51 Babel in God’s eyes 54 Access (2 wds.)

56 Representative 57 Gender 58 River dam 60 Scientific instruments 64 “Let us go up at ___” (Num. 13:30) 66 Gambol 68 Positive electrode 69 Opposite of yeses 70 Pitcher 71 Twilled cloth 72 Lot’s wife became this 73 Pedestal part

E S T O W E V I L L E R S L T R U E D A I R Y A R A I N A R I S E D I S H A I T E N T Y I N S C H E M A P R S O L L A G M T B A T E O F T E N T R I E D T W O O V (1MChron.12:17) O O T D E B E A N S B E E N R T F___ E AAbraham’s S T Hservant’s O R D camels E 46A Rebekah U Ethis was I L aLsmall S thing S AW 47HA “Yet in thine ___” S(1 T A L I S S E M M I E L Chron. 17:17) C L E G C O R N E T S H A A Pnot I of O A R S D it ___” A V O E P 50R “Eat (Ex.W12:9) P E N S P L E A T I R E B E 52OD Enclose R A G E S P Y H A N D A D M A D A M

74 Organic compound DOWN 1 “___, Father”(Mark 14:36) 2 “Swift as the ___ upon the mountains” (1 Chron. 12:8) 3 “Noah ___ remained alive” (Gen. 7:23) 4 Muslim official 5 Take upon oneself 6 Stomach muscles (abbr.)

7 “Elders. . .fell upon their ___” (1 Chron. 21:16) 8 First man 9 “When thou with ___ dost correct man” (Ps. 39:11) 10 “Wherewith the ___ number of them is to be redeemed” (Num. 3:48) 11 “___ be unto thee” (1 Chron. 12:18) 12 Radical 13 “Every one that findeth me shall ___ me” (Gen. 4:14) 21 Noah’s best subject in school 23 Chinese sauce 26 “Adam, ___, Enosh” (1 Chron. 1:1) 28 Tore, as Reuben did to his clothes (Gen. 37:29) 29 The kind of man Cornelius was (Acts 10:22) 30 Like ash wood 31 Chirping sound 35 Toilet 36 Eber’s son (1 Chron. 1:19) 38 European monetary unit 39 Joktan’s father (1 Chron. 1:19) 40 District of ancient Attica 42 “David went out to ___ them”

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53 “There were precious ___ in it” (1 Chron.

Puzzle 20:2) Puzzle 19: 2 Samuel 54 Italian city M A T T W A S P S S C A R S T A F F 55 very U L H Do A well OM R I S H O R E T H R E E N O I R O N E L W I D O W 56 “They were ___ with bows” A R M E D P I T I T S E L F A S S N G O O D C (1S Chron.

12:2) A H A R A A S H G N U H I 57 AsherMhad A four N (1PChron.

A S O7:30)A C E G R E E T A B I N A D A B W A L L S L A Y 59 State W H Y S E N D L E A P D A V I D 61 “I went out. . .to the dung ___” (Neh. 2:13) B A T H S J E A L O U S Y A X I S E 62 N “The W L the ___ of the B E hostBofASisera A L fellAupon B E E H I V W L O B E A S T S A M I sword” (Judg. 4:16) H E E L H I T A W A K E D 63 A prophet, as Samuel (1 Chron.

9:22) GL ME TA V PE L A P R I L A B E L G O B I 65 S Ohio’s E R Vtime E zone F L(abbr.)

E E E V I L A N G E L T E N D H For E S E D M E A L D U S T 67 Puzzle 21: 1 Kings A B B A

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C A R V E I N T O

A B L S R I H O S S T S

S H O D C O D A R OW E D I L A C N D M I D G T O S T H O O T D OW N B U P E A U D I L E M M E N A P A B E L H E A G A O O L A H M A E N D

E T C H A B A N A R A G

A C H H A I S O R N E R Y D R Y L I F E D A E C A M E B Y L O N T L A D R O B S B OW A B A S E M E N T S B C A P I E R N

Puzzle 23: 2 Kings MAR. 10 ANSWERS

Classifieds | January 13, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

Puzzle A B B A

RO ON E L SY

J U S T

A S H Y

G S E ON NO S A

MA US L S L UM AMA PHE T E H EM P E W ERA E T A T X WE CE R E S EW L T D

Puzzle 24

11

12

March 24, 2022 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture