Brook Daniel | Graphic Designer bdaniel@oklahomabaptists.org
Jacob King | Staff Writer jking@oklahomabaptists.org
Bob Nigh | Contributing Writer bnigh@oklahomabaptists.org
CONNECT WITH US
Online | baptistmessenger.com
Facebook | thebaptistmessenger Instagram
@baptistmessenger
The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 300 Johnny Bench Dr., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 36,038. 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, 300 Johnny Bench Dr., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Phone number is (405)-942-3000.
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.
Recently, I had the privilege to lead a group of about 70 Oklahoma Baptist pastors and wives on a trip to Israel. For almost every person in the group, it was their first time to visit the Holy Land. I am grateful to our friends at Imagine Travel who organized the trip and provided a discounted price as well as WatersEdge which provided a partial scholarship for each pastor. Though it was my third time to go to Israel, I so enjoyed seeing it all again through those who were seeing it for the first time. The fellowship with and among pastors was sweet and the conversations we had based on the things we got to see was rich.
Each time I have been to Israel, I am struck with the historical nature of our faith. The names and places we read about in the Bible are real, actual people, events and cities. Some want to mythologize or allegorize much of what we read in Scripture in effort to reduce its authority and supernatural nature. However, a tour of Israel reveals the historic reality and accuracy of the biblical text.
Looking at the Abraham Gate in Tel Dan that Abraham walked through to rescue his nephew Lot; standing in front of the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found which demonstrate the accuracy of copying the biblical texts over the centuries;
sailing across the Sea of Galilee with Mt. Hermon in the distance where so many things occurred in the gospels; standing in the spot where the Tel Dan Stele was discovered (and seeing it in the museum) providing the first extra-biblical proof of David’s reign in Israel; looking at the pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed a paralytic and the Pool of Siloam where He told the man born blind to wash; sitting on the Southern Steps where Jesus often taught—all of these demonstrate the historicity, authenticity and authority of Scripture.
How grateful we should be that we can completely trust what we read in the Bible. Our commitment to trust and obey what we are told and commanded in Scripture and our faith in God Who inspired and gave us His Word are well founded.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
“Everything rises and falls on leadership,” says one famous quote. I was recently reminded of the importance of leaders, while reading Mark Miller’s excellent book, Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals to Transform Your Leadership.
Miller does a great job contrasting leaders of common greatness—such as Napoleon—with those of uncommon greatness, who have a higher regard for others than they do their own selves.
As Christians, we recognize something that Miller points out in his book: every single person is a leader at some level.
It could be a group of people or organization you lead—or it could be a small group, or only yourself. But everyone, at every level, is in some way a leader.
Perhaps as big of a truth for us to ponder, as Christians, is that every single person is a follower. We are followers of Christ. No matter how high or low of a position we occupy in life, we each are followers.
We hear a lot about leadership these days, but let’s spend a moment on the concept of “followership.” What are the keys to being a good follower? Using the word F-O-L-L-O-W, I offer a few elements that I have been taught.
Good followers are:
Faithful—Jesus talks a great deal about faithful and unfaithful servants. First and foremost, Jesus wants all followers to be faithful people. Faithful to God and faithful to our calling.
Obedient—Like being faithful, Jesus wants followers to be obedient. That includes, but is not limited to, doing the right thing even when you don’t feel like it. Disobedience and good “followership” don’t go together.
Listening—A wise follower listens to the right voices. There are many distractions in our day and age, and learning to tune out the bad voices and tune into the good ones is vital.
Lamenting—Only Jesus is perfect. As fallen people, we will sin and stumble. God wants His followers to be lamenting and repenting of their sins, and return to Him. Without repentance, we cannot truly be following Him.
Obscure—Napoleon set out to make a great name for himself, and he did just that. But any positive effects he may have thought he had were not as long-lasting or far-reaching. God, meanwhile, chooses the humble and lowly to accomplish His eternal purposes (1 Cor. 1:27-28). Followers need to be content to work in obscurity.
Withstanding—As fallen people, we will be tempted to give up when temptation and trials come. Jesus wants followers who withstand to the end. “But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved. But God will save the person who remains strong until the end” (Matt. 24:13).
Wherever the Lord has you in life today, know this: you are a leader, and you are a follower. Each and every one of you. The only question then is: what kind of leader and follower will you be today?
Women's Retreat Falls Creek Conference Center, Davis, OK oklahomabaptists.org/ women/retreat
April 10-12, 2026
Falls Creek Spring Retreat Falls Creek Conference Centers, Davis, OK
oklahomabaptists.org/fallscreek/spring-retreat/
April 24-25, 2026
Men's Retreat Falls Creek Conference Center, Davis, OK oklahomabaptists.org/men/ retreat
Visit oklahomabaptists.org/events/ to view more events happening throughout the year!
Baptist Faith & Message Article II – GOD EPISODE 74
Todd and Andy provide an overview discussion of the Trinity as observed in the Baptist Faith & Message Article II.
LISTEN AT
oklahomabaptists.org/podcast or
Hear a star OU football player share about what the Lord is doing in his life both on and off the field! Listen today at baptistmessenger.com/podcast or find the Baptist Messenger Insight Podcast program on your preferred podcast platform.
Zipping Along
Last time, we left off with me and a couple of others from Marlow, First landing in Quito, Ecuador. Typically, we would have headed from Quito to Cayambe where we worked with Ecuadorian and members of the Quichua Indians.
But this trip was different. This time we were headed to Mindo, Ecuador. We were going to see if the Lord might want us to work with the folks in that area.
The first few days we were in Mindo, we stayed locked in on our work. We made new friends. We met pastors and church members. We found ministry opportunities. The longer we were there, the clearer it became that the Lord would have us there.
As with many mission trips, we set aside the last day to sightsee. When we asked our new friends in Mindo if there was anything exciting we might do, they took us to a zipline.
As soon as we pulled up, I was convinced this thing was more than a bit sketchy. But part of our group was determined to do the zipline. Somehow, some man pride splashed into the rest of us and before I knew it, I was strapping into a harness that looked like something you would put your poodle in to go outside for a potty-break.
They gave me gloves with leather straps attached. This, I was told was the brake. I was supposed to put my hands on the cable behind me and apply enough pressure to stop. They were kind enough to warn me not to put my hands in front of the wheels because, as they put it, it will cut your fingers off. There’s some motivation for you.
The next part of the gear I was supposed to wear was a Styrofoam bicycle helmet. I was disappointed they had one large enough to fit my Ligon noggin.
When I looked over the edge of the cliff where we were standing, I noticed that the jungle floor was at least a mile below me. After some fairly quick calculations, I came to the stark realization that the Styrofoam helmet was probably not going to save my life if I fell.
I realize by now, some of you are wanting to call me “big baby” or a variety of other derogative things. But I wanted out of this deal. The guys I was with were running off the platform like scalded road runners and zipping over this incredibly huge valley.
It was then I felt a polite push from behind. A young Ecuadorean man shoved me off the platform (how dare he!) and suddenly I was ziplining to beat the band.
I did notice that the longer I was on the zipline, the faster I was going. The faster I was going, the quicker I was coming to the other side. I was coming in hot. People were scattering. It was going to be a wreck of epic proportions until one of the young Ecuadorian men who worked there stepped out in front of me. The collision knocked him down and started me spinning like a top.
Once everything calmed down, I informed the two young Ecuadorian men that I was quite through and did not need to do any more ziplining. They informed me that I didn’t have a choice. The only way, they said, to get back to the other side where the vehicles were parked, was to complete all of the ziplines.
I said, “Great! How many would that be?” The answer? There were 15 more ziplines.
Here’s a couple of things to think about. One, don’t start something that you are not prepared to finish. Two, when you are in a predicament, don’t hesitate to ask Jesus for help. But don’t be surprised if even He may have got off somewhere behind you. Three, life is short and you can make it shorter. Finally, I am really glad Jesus lives in Ecuador. That meant I didn’t have to yell quite as much to get Him to hear me.
Joe Ligon
Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director
Four Decades of Celebrating 40 Years of Service to Mothers and Babies
Hope Pregnancy Ministry is a network of seven pregnancy resource centers and a mobile unit that offers pregnancy support services to women across the state who may be facing an unexpected pregnancy. Since its founding 40 years ago, Hope has ministered to tens of thousands of women, and God has used the ministry to save the lives of thousands of unborn children from abortion.
The story of how Hope’s two first clinics began—the first of which was opened in Tulsa around January of 1986 and the second of which opened a few months later in Oklahoma City—goes back decades. And goes back, in large part, to one family’s journey.
A BURDEN BECOMES A BLESSING
In 1978 Anthony Jordan and his wife, Polla, heard news that “rocked our world.” After 10 years of trying to conceive, they were told they could not have a biological child.
“Shock and heartache struck us deeply,” Jordan recalls. “In God’s timing, I was a young pastor in Jackson, Mo., and had just been elected to serve on the Board of Managers of the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. I learned about ministry to young women who were in crisis pregnancies. So, it was short step for us to consider adoption, and in 1979 we welcomed our son, Adrian, into our home.”
On Sept. 11, 1985, the Jordans welcomed their daughter, Alisha, lovingly called “Sissy” by her dad, to their home.
God often uses heartache to move believers to action. Logically, the issue of abortion weighed heavily on Jordan’s heart. After becoming pastor of Oklahoma City, Northwest, the Lord put a fire in his heart with a passion to confront the evil of abortion through positive action for life.
In those days, pro-life supporters gathered outside abortion clinics, peacefully protesting the horror of abortion, praying and confronting those entering the clinic with the hope of changing their minds.
“While I supported that movement, I felt the need to have long-term impact and especially to minister to the people involved in tangible ways,” Jordan said. “In my research, I discovered the ministry of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC) where clear information was given to women, support was offered to help them carry their child to birth, and connection to adoption services was provided if they could not care for a child beyond birth.”
OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS STEP UP
After much research on the CPC approach, Jordan met with Lowell Milburn, special care ministries director for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO), and some of his staff to discuss Oklahoma Baptists becoming involved in this ministry.
“I found a responsive friend in Lowell Milburn,” Jordan said. “He walked by my side as we reached others who saw the CPC as a viable opportunity to have a positive impact for life and a major deterrent to abortion.”
Soon, they took a trip to see a CPC founded by Euless, First under the leadership of Jimmy Draper.
“They were such a great help in giving us information and encouragement to begin this ministry in Oklahoma,” Jordan said. “I reached out to other pastors like Alan Day, Bill Merrill, Charlie Graves, Rod Masteller, Jerry Fielder and others. They were supportive and led their churches to give monthly support to the development of a CPC in Oklahoma City. At the same time, I engaged some pastors and lay leaders in Tulsa who had interest in starting a CPC there.”
Jordan and Milburn met with Joe Ingram, the BGCO executive directortreasurer, who applauded their efforts and committed $25,000 to the work in OKC and Tulsa, where the convention’s first CPC was opened in January 1986.
On April 27, 1986, the Oklahoma City CPC was formally dedicated at 10806 N. May Ave.
“Many people got involved in the remodeling and preparation of the facility,” Jordan said. “Danna Humphreys led the effort to provide a beautiful, welcoming and comfortable environment for women coming to the clinic.”
Volunteer counselors were recruited and trained. Sylvia Boothe, a former IMB missionary, became the first director of the CPC.
The CPC movement and Oklahoma Baptists involvement in the prolife cause was accelerated in November 1985. God in his providence prompted Rod Masteller, president of the Oklahoma Pastors Conference to ask Jordan to speak at the conference.
“The ending of my sermon touched people beyond the words and left the crowd in tears. I had my wife bring our 5-month-old daughter to the stage and stand beside me. I spoke of Oklahoma Baptists’ ministry to unwed mothers. How the mother had chosen life for her baby rather than death through abortion.”
“‘Abortion for me is not just a sermon,’ I said. ‘I oppose abortion for a very personal reason. You see, this little girl before you was saved from being torn from her mother’s womb and destroyed through abortion because of the ministry of Oklahoma Baptists. Oklahoma Baptists loved the Catholic girl who reached out to them on an abortion hotline. She chose life for her little girl. This little baby you see is my baby girl! She joins her adopted brother in our family. My closing word is simple; as long as I have a voice and breath in my lungs, I will stand against abortion and stand for life.’”
A NETWORK OF HOPE
Today, there are HPCs across the state of Oklahoma in Alva, Ardmore, Edmond, Oklahoma City (2), Shawnee and Tulsa. In 2020, the 27foot RV Patty Ann Mobile Ministry Unit began serving women in the Oklahoma City metro area who are unable or unlikely to come to a brick-and-mortar center.
“In more recent decades, the name Crisis Pregnancy Center was changed to Hope Pregnancy Center,” said Gayla White, Hope Pregnancy Ministries Executive Director. “Hope is what makes the difference between a choice for abortion and a choice for life. Staff and volunteers offer hope by sharing truth in love with people in hard circumstances–the truth of fetal development, the truth about abortion, the truth of a heartbeat on ultrasound and the truth of a God who sees and loves them and has a plan for their future and their child’s future.”
Since 1986, Oklahoma Baptists’ HPCs have served 54,820 clients; provided 21,928 ultrasounds; and seen 3,832 people accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Perhaps most amazingly, 13,468 babies have been born to mothers who visited one of Oklahoma’s CPCs, according to White.
“The number is surely higher, but it only represents the babies we know were born because their parents responded when we called after their due date and those who participated in parenting classes until or after their babies were born,” White said. “If we knew the outcome for each client, it would likely be three times this number.”
“This did not happen because of one man,” Jordan emphasized. “God may have given me the vision to act, but many important individuals played a significant role in seeing it to where it is today.”
Hope Pregnancy Ministries is a ministry of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. To find out how you can become a volunteer, or support the ministry, visit obhc.org/hope.
Bob Nigh
Oklahoma Baptists Historical Secretary
Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) Departments of Child Care and Adult Care combine to form Special Care Ministries.
Special Care Ministries name changed to Family Care Ministries.
April 27— First Crisis Pregnancy Center is dedicated.
November—$25,000 is designated in the Mother’s Day Offering goal of $555,555.55 toward the Pregnancy Crisis Center.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers receive 5,313 calls for help; 2,885 clients are served.
Sept. 27 Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) incorporates with the State of Oklahoma.
New building dedicated for Oklahoma City Crisis Pregnancy Center.
Tulsa Crisis Pregnancy Center opens medical clinic.
March Crisis Pregnancy Centers name changed to Hope Pregnancy Centers.
BGCO Board passes a resolution recognizing OBHC for 20 years of ministry through Hope Pregnancy Centers (HPC) and designates a $20,000 gift to be used for an ultrasound machine for a future Hope Pregnancy Center.
Development authorized for Hope Pregnancy Center-South to be located at 8320 S. Penn. Ave. in Oklahoma City. Center opens in November 2006.
The three Hope Pregnancy Centers minister to 3,366 teens and young women; 88 percent of those who receive sonograms choose life for their babies.
2006 2011
Hope Pregnancy Center opens in Ardmore, serving Southern Oklahoma.
The three HPCs report 5,190 client visits, 1,737 new clients and 594 ultrasounds provided, with 94 percent choosing life for their babies. The centers receive 11,423 calls for help.
Hope Pregnancy Center opens in Edmond.
A portion of the offerings from Falls Creek campers is designated toward the purchase of new ultrasound machines for Hope Pregnancy Ministries. In the first four weeks of camp alone, more than $50,000 was given by students.
The Shawnee and NW OK (Alva) centers opened.
2013 2016 2017 2022 2021
BGCO Annual Meeting messengers recognize the 30th anniversary of the HPC ministry, which has grown into a network of five pregnancy resource centers across the state, serving more than 130,000 clients and reporting more than 2,000 professions of faith.
OBHC introduces a new Hope Mobile Unit, which will offer pregnancy resource ministries in communities not near a center. The “Patty Ann” Mobile Unit is equipped with first class medical equipment.
CROSSWORD
Note: Bible translations may vary for clues
ACROSS
1 He was blinded on 5 Across
5 See 1 Across 9 Bottle 13 Forgive and God will __ forgive you
Hand lotion ingredient
Make into a god
Spirit cleanses yours
With 48 Down, Cana miracle element
Elect
Many miracles were this
What Ananias sold
Hand communication (Abbr.)
Commandment number
WORDSEARCH
25 Chemical salt
29 Miraculously, 1 Across could __ again
30 Soldier did this at Jesus
32 “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; __” (Matt. 5:37)
33 Desktop need 36 European river 37 Fragrant biblical resin
40 Manhattan station 41 What Ananias told concerning 21 Across
42 “I set my face like a __” (Isa. 50:7)
43 Miraculously freed from prison with 1 Across
44 Nursery school pupil
45 Peter healed a __ man
46 “I cannot __; to beg I am ashamed” (Luke 16:3)
47 God will __ your prayers
49 Not “one __ or one tittle shall... pass from the law” (Matt. 5:18)
50 __-Lent, liturgical period
53 “He had lifted up __ upon the thick trees” (Psa. 74:5)
DOWN
1 Former Turkish title
2 Nicodemus “brought a mixture of myrrh and __” (John 19:39)
3 What a miracle isn’t
4 Lounge
5 Native American tribe
6 Arrange
7 2,000 pounds
8 “Thou shalt bruise his __” (Gen. 3:15)
9 World (Ger.) 10 Caesar’s three
Behind
Caustic substance
Mean 20 Object 22 Imitative
26 One freed Peter from prison
27 Scandinavian hot place
28 Church songs
29 Jesus walked on it
30 Paris river
31 Greens swing
33 Where 1 Across survived a snake bite
34 Constellation
35 Special menus
36 Apostles healed some who were this
39 Panache
40 Demon was sent into one
42 Bendable joint
43 Holy Land, e.g.
Note: The word clues are chosen by Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.
55 “Love your __” (Matt. 5:44)
57 Former full planet
60 “With the Lord Begin Thy __,” church hymn
62 Where 54 Down shone
63 Sermons should __ to scripture
64 Malaria fever
65 Wager
66 Martha’s fear at Lazarus’s tomb
67 Optimistic
68 Two aspirin, e.g.
46 Jesus rode one into Jerusalem
48 See 17 Across
49 Miracle worker
50 Accompaniment for children’s choir
51 “ Spirit of glory...__ on you” (1 Peter 4:14 niv)
52 Cosmetic counter name
54 Miraculous light over Bethlehem
56 Brew
57 For
58 Jesus __ His disciples to truth
59 ET’s craft
61 Prophets told long __ Messiah would come
WORDS
Church NEWS
STILWELL, ROCK SPRINGS BURNS DOWN, TOTAL LOSS
On Sunday, Feb. 15, a fire started at Stilwell, Rock Springs. The church building was burnt to the ground, resulting in a total loss. There were no people in the building when it burned down. “I can’t say how very much I appreciate our local firefighters for doing what they do best for us at Stilwell, Rock Springs,” said Jeff Brown, pastor. “The building is a total loss, but, praise God, the Church consists of every born-again believer in Jesus Christ! This is true no matter what your obstacle may be. God is good, ALL THE TIME!” Stilwell, Rock Springs celebrated its 100-year anniversary last year on Sept. 27.
TEAM FROM SKIATOOK, FIRST BUILDS HOUSES IN SURINAME
Earlier this year, Skiatook, First, took a mission team to Suriname, a coastal country in South America north of Brazil and directly west of French Guiana. While there, the team built a church deep in the rainforest for the Saramaccan (Saamaka) people and shared the Gospel with them. They also visited a school in a village where witchcraft is still practiced. The children at the school welcomed the team with worship songs, showing the growing Gospel presence in the region.
TRIBUTES
Dan Cusher, pastor of Ada, Homer, died Feb. 10. Cusher served in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years before retiring in 1976. He served as pastor of Ahloso, First before serving at Ada, Homer.
Marry Ellen Warren died Feb. 14 in Taos, New Mexico. Warren was appointed in 1956 as a missionary to the American Indians in Oklahoma by the Home Mission Board, now called the North American Mission Board, and the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, now called Oklahoma Baptists. In 1974, she was called to also serve the Spanish speaking congregations in the state.
Doug Moore, Youth Minister & Children’s Coordinator at Lexington, First, died on Feb. 15. Doug served in a variety of ministries to students. He first worked as Youth Pastor at OKC, Kelham Ave. Many became aware of the Moore family after their son, Xander, passed in 2013 from cancer.
PASTOR In Focus
Can you tell us about your background and how God called you to ministry?
ROBBIE BERNHARDT
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church Perkins, Oklahoma
I grew up in church. As a student, my family went to Sperry, First. That church and those people were foundational in leading me to the Lord. I accepted Jesus as my Savior during a Spring Break retreat at Falls Creek when I was 13. I spent the next several years helping my youth group however I could. It wasn’t until the summer after I graduated high school, at Falls Creek, that I surrendered to the ministry. That led me to Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), where I began the pursuit of vocational ministry.
Please tell us about your family.
I have a wonderful wife, Jinger. We met our freshman year at OBU. We just recently celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. She has her PhD and is an assistant professor of professional practice at Oklahoma State University where she is doing great things for the university—but more importantly having a major impact for the Gospel with those around her! We have three amazing children Kolt, Krew and Lakely. They are all involved in several programs and sports at the school. They each have unique personalities, and I love watching each of them grow into the life and role that the Lord has given them. I am blessed with the family the Lord has graciously given me.
Perkins, Immanuel is seeing the Lord really move. Can you talk about some of the ways the Lord has been working through your church and community?
God is doing some really big things in Perkins. Over the last couple of years, Perkins continues to grow and more people are moving here almost every day it seems. As such, the Lord really began to lay on our hearts that the mission is not what we do in the building its equipping people to go out and live a Matthew 28:16-20 lifestyle.
We have begun to really focus on teaching and discipling our people to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community in everyday life—how to talk to people at ball practice, sitting with someone at the diner, sending the text of encouragement, inviting someone to church, etc. While at the same time making sure our Sunday and Wednesday programming is helping people in this mission. We have tried to teach people how to grow deep so they can grow out.
We are seeing the fruits of this come to pass. We are in the middle of a building campaign right now, as we have maxed out our classroom and sanctuary space. We have seen more than 30 baptisms in the last 12 months, and our church has over doubled in size. This is certainly not because of any person, program, or anything that we as people can do. But I do believe God is using his people for a great work. Our people are everyday people, who are passionate about Jesus, and want those around them to know their Savior. We are excited for 2026 as we train up more people to “Go and Make.”
Who has influenced or mentored you in ministry?
I have been blessed with several great people in my life who have influenced me and mentored me. First and foremost, my parents have had the greatest impact on my life. From the time I was very young they taught me not just with their words but with their actions what it looks like to love and follow Jesus. They are to this day very involved in their church and continue to set a great example on loving and serving Jesus. I have also been fortunate to have some great mentors. Men like Scott Pace, Alan Bandy, Todd Fisher, Joe Ligon, Andy Taylor and the late Walker Moore, have been men I have leaned on for wisdom and advice both personally and professionally.
What are some of the aspects of Oklahoma Baptists’ shared ministry and community that have blessed your ministry?
We have several people who have been able to serve all over the country through the Disaster Relief teams. I have personally benefited from free commentaries, training, resources and more all of which have helped me in the ministry. Our women’s ministry team runs the registration for the Women’s Retreat every year and have such a good time doing it. Oklahoma Baptists is a special organization, and the people there really care for the local church.
Your church is a leader in missions and giving. Why is it important for churches to give through the Cooperative Program?
Immanuel, First is passionate about missions. We currently give 11.5% through the Cooperative Program
(CP) as well as an additional 4% to associational and special offerings. I know many churches give similarly or probably even more! I say that to say, we give because we know the impact the CP makes. By ourselves our giving impact would be smaller in scope, but when our giving is paired with 50,000+ Southern Baptist Convention churches, the impact is truly on a global scale. We want to be a part of that movement. We desire to be a church that lives out Acts 1:8 and giving through the CP is one way that we do that. We are much better together then we would be on our own and the CP, in many ways, is the driving force behind it all. I would encourage every church to see the impact the Cooperative Program (CP) makes and to prayerfully consider how the Lord is leading them to get involved.
OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS HOLD GOSPELFOCUSED EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOCUS ON GOSPEL IMPACT DURING MEETING AT THE VINE
On Feb. 3, members of the Board of Directors for Oklahoma Baptists met for their regularly scheduled board meeting. The meeting took place at The Vine in Oklahoma City, which is a ministry of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) “that provides a safe, nurturing residential environment for single mothers and their children.” The meeting included times of business, fellowship and prayer. There were numerous presentations made, including one from Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher. To learn more, visit baptistmessenger.com/digital.
PASTORS ENCOURAGED WITH ‘PREACHING THAT GIVES LIFE’ AT PRIORITY OF PREACHING CONFERENCE 2026
Pastors and church leaders from across Oklahoma attended the 2026 Priority of Preaching Conference hosted on Feb. 2 by Moore, First. This annual event is hosted by Oklahoma Baptists and is focused on helping pastors make progress in their preaching ministries. The theme for this year’s conference was “Preaching That Gives Life,” focusing on the type of preaching that renews and revitalizes the spiritual life of a church. Read more at baptistmessenger.com/ pastors-encouraged-with-preaching-that-gives-lifeat-priority-of-preaching-conference-2026/
ANNUAL ‘MVP’ RETREAT ENCOURAGES PASTORS, WIVES IN MINISTRY
On Feb. 6-8, multi-vocational pastors (MVP) and their wives from across Oklahoma attend the annual MVP Pastors and Wives Retreat at the Falls Creek Conference Center. For numerous pastors and wives, the retreat has grown into an annual rite of passage—a time set aside for renewal, encouragement and fellowship with others who understand the unique calling and challenges of multi-vocational ministry. Read more at baptistmessenger.com/digital
2026 ROSE DAY ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF PRO-LIFE OKLAHOMANS
Since it began in the early 1990s, Rose Day has been an impactful way for Oklahomans to stand for life and protect the unborn from legalized abortion. The tradition continued this year on Wed., Feb. 4, when hundreds of pro-life Oklahomans gathered to celebrate the lives of the unborn and urge their legislators to protect life. The keynote speakers were mother and daughter Cara and Mia Armstrong. Being born with Down syndrome has not prevented Mia in any way from living a full life and spreading joy wherever she goes. To view video from the event, go to RoseDay.life
Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!
2026 MISSIONARY Prayer Guide
Who & Where Why How to Pray
Ana and Nicholas serve among the Tapatios of Guadalajara, Mexico. Through coordinating and executing short term mission trips, Ana and Nicholas are helping create a partnership between Southern Baptist churches in the United States and the local churches of Guadalajara. These efforts help support local churches with planting and discipleship, and spur a passion among SBC churches to in fulfill the Great Commission.
Dr. Bruce Perkins directs and teaches the prison divinity program for Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in Shawnee. Incarcerated individuals in the Oklahoma prison system are offered a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies. The mission is to see lives changed by the Gospel and then to change the prison culture. More than 1,200 men have trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord through the program.
Albert and Kirstin have served the people of Krakow, Poland for over 16 years. Albert is active in sports ministry, and also serves as an elder at their church plant in Krakow. Kirstin ministers to university students and is a discipler of young women. Together, they support various local ministries alongside the International Mission Board (IMB) team in Krakow.
Pray that God will send more people into the field to share the Good News with the millions of lost throughout the city.
Pray that we will grow in partnership and connections with both local and U.S. Southern Baptist Convenction churches.
Pray that the Lord would continue to move in the city of Guadalajara.
Pray God will continue to open doors for our students to share their faith so many more will come to Christ.
Pray God will continue to grant His favor through the officials that interface with OBU’s program.
Pray God will continue to supply our needs.
Pray that God would provide a new location for the church plant where the Hesskews are members.
Pray for God’s favor over the university ministry and their efforts to get registered on several local university campuses.
Pray for the athletic ministry as they aim to build a new baseball field that would open doors to share the Gospel.
Greg and Sarah serve as Affinity Group Leaders with the IMB in Thailand. Their primary responsibilities are to lead the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies for the engagement of Asia-Pacific people groups anywhere they are found in the world. The most rewarding part of their job is seeing the Gospel advance among people groups who have had little or no access to the Gospel.
Pray that God would open wide the doors for Gospel access among the unreached people groups across the Asia-Pacific region.
Pray that the Gospel would flourish through reproducible disciples and leadership development.
Pray for our missionary teams to be spiritually renewed daily in the Word and in prayer.
Ana & Nicholas Buford
Greg & Sarah Mann
Dr. Bruce Perkins
Albert & Kirsten Hesskew
5 ‘I WILL’ STATEMENTS TO COMBAT FEAR
by Todd Gray
Fear is an enormous challenge for many of God’s people. Milly Jones discovered 145 Bible verses encouraging God’s people who battle fear.
She wrote: “I have searched the Bible using an online tool for verses that tell us not to fear, not to be afraid, etc. I have added in verses that encourage us to have peace in God, not to worry and not to be anxious (both general types of fear). And I have come up with a list of 145 verses!” From such a list we can conclude that God wants to help His people win the battle against fear.
Many Christians fear failing health, insufficient finances, personal failure, loss of job, the well-being of family members and more. A 2023 Lifeway Research report states, “Seven in 10 U.S. Protestant pastors (69%) believe there is a growing sense of fear within their congregations about the future of the nation and world.”
Fear, if left unaddressed, robs us of joy and has a negative impact on our lives and ministry. How can pastors, elders and ministry leaders successfully battle fear in our own lives and lead others to do the same?
Here are five “I will” statements to help us win the battle against fear.
1. I WILL READ GOD’S WORD DAILY: By spending time in daily Bible intake, we come across verses like Psalm 56:3 which says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Regular Bible reading can mine the riches of God’s Word and help us discover verses like Isaiah 41:10 which reads, “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” There is no way to effectively battle and win against fear apart from regular and consistent access to God’s Word.
2. I WILL PRAY AND ASK GOD TO HELP ME: James 4:6 reminds us, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” Proud people do not receive God’s help. Humble people do. To be humble means that we confess our needs to God and depend on Him to help us. If fear, worry and anxiety are part of your struggle, then confess that to the Lord and ask Him to help you. He will.
3. I WILL OPEN UP TO GOD’S PEOPLE: James 5:16 encourages believers to lean into Christian community for help. James wrote, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” When we confess our battle with fear, worry and anxiety we lessen the strength of these struggles and gain the prayer support of others.
4. I WILL RECOUNT GOD’S PROVISION: In Psalm 37:25, King David writes, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” The shepherd king is looking back over his life and remembering the faithfulness of God to His people. One great truth to remember is that when God adopted you into His family, He was fully aware of His responsibilities to you as a Father. He is able to care for His children. Don’t mistake that fact as a blanket promise for an easy life. It should be understood, however, that we need not worry because we have a Father in heaven who has promised to care for us (Matthew 6:25-34).
5. I WILL TRUST IN GOD’S CARE: Psalm 34:6 is a reminder for us all to not let fear, worry and anxiety rule over us. King David was in one of the greatest battles of his life as he was fleeing from King Saul. David wrote, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” David’s testimony was that God can be trusted to help His people. That can be our testimony as well.
Ministry leaders are not exempt from fear, worry and anxiety. We must face those fears, but we need not face them alone. God has given us all we need to navigate this, and all, spiritual battles.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared at ToddGray.org. Gray serves as executive directortreasurer of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Remember attending church as a family — the growth, the friendships, the time together. Support growing churches and give families these opportunities by investing in Kingdom Investments. Your funds provide loans for churches looking to build, renovate, or refinance, creating spaces for families to thrive.
