Gospel Ministry

Encourage: Pray for 3,000 professions of faith at Falls Creek

Hance Dilbeck

Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

Oklahoma Baptists, let’s ask God for 3,000 students to be saved at Falls Creek this summer.

The Bible consistently challenges us to ask. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7). Asking expresses our humility and our faith in God. Asking also clarifies the desires of our hearts. What do we want the Lord to do for us? Let’s ask Him.

Todd Sanders is the program director for the eight weeks of youth summer camp at Falls Creek. He recently wrote, “Nothing eternally good or worthwhile happens in life, and certainly not through the ministry of Falls Creek Youth Camp, without the moving of the Holy Spirit.” We need to hit our knees this spring and ask for an extraordinary move of the Holy Spirit at Falls Creek in the summer of 2021. Father, give us 3,000 professions of faith!

It was heartbreaking—gut wrenching— to see the summer of 2020 pass without Falls Creek Youth Camps. The Lord’s work in those eight weeks of camp impacts the lives of students in ways that bears fruit around the world and strengthens our churches for a generation. Would our Father give us now an extraordinarily fruitful summer to follow the “drought” of 2020?

Southern Baptists are striving to turn a corner when it comes to baptizing teenagers. Across our nation, we have seen a disappointing decline in the number of 12 to 17 year olds coming to faith in Jesus Christ. More than half of our churches go year after year without baptizing a single student. Would God begin a fresh new student revival this summer at Falls Creek? Our Falls Creek Summer Youth Camps could lead the way in the turnaround of this decline. Let’s ask God for 3,000 life-changing encounters with Christ at Falls Creek this summer!

On Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, in private devotions and public worship, in prayer rooms, at church altars and on the way to work—let’s ask Him. Let’s keep on asking. I believe our Heavenly Father will delight to give us this good gift.

Oklahoma Baptists, let’s ask God for 3,000 students to be saved at Falls Creek this summer.

Father, we ask you to exalt the Name of Jesus as Your Holy Spirit moves with power to draw 3,000 students to profess their faith in Jesus this summer at Falls Creek. Bless the preaching of Your Word, bring a clear strong Gospel invitation night after night, move with power in each cabin and conversation. Use the preachers, youth pastors, sponsors, cooks, staff and even students to bring lost teenagers to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Let the angels in heaven rejoice and Big Bertha, the bell at Falls Creek, ring 3,000 times this summer. O Father, give us 3,000 souls this summer at Falls Creek.

Sword & trowel: Equality Act & religious liberty

Brian Hobbs

Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

If you have followed national news of late, you may have heard about the “Equality Act.” What is it? And why are many Southern Baptists and others calling it a serious threat to religious liberty?

According to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), “the essence of the ‘Equality Act’ is its addition of ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ as protected classes to already existing federal nondiscrimination laws. This would prohibit employers, preschools, and even religious schools and organizations from making choices based on basic biology, bodily privacy, and their beliefs about the nature of marriage. It would apply to every single recipient of federal financial assistance (including every public school and almost all colleges and universities).”

ADF then said, “Though ‘nondiscrimination’ sounds good in the abstract, that is not what this bill is truly about. The bill actually poses a devastating and unprecedented threat to free speech, religious freedom and the progress that women have made toward true equal treatment in law and culture.”

The ADF went on to say that the “Equality Act” is “a deliberate attempt to force people of faith— good people who serve everyone—to promote messages and celebrate events that conflict with their sincere beliefs. The ‘Equality Act’ would also threaten the equal treatment of women and upend the bedrock understanding of male and female in our law and culture.”

Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, who is not prone to hyperbole, called the “Equality Act” the “greatest threat to religious liberty in American public life in decades.”

In a recent interview with the Baptist Messenger, U.S. Senator James Lankford explained his opposition to the Equality Act. While the act already has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, and while President Joe Biden has promised he would sign it into law, the bill has not been voted upon in the U.S. Senate. To hear the interview with Sen. Lankford, visit baptistmessenger.com/religious-liberty-watch.

What is perhaps most shocking about the “Equality Act” is there are no religious liberty protections offered for organizations. That means any institution or organization that will not get on board with the emerging and ever-changing definitions of gender and sexuality face a threat to their mission and even very existence.

What should we do? Whenever a proposed policy comes along that threatens religious liberty, Christians must do our part to speak against it. Moreover, churches must make sure we are prepared for challenges ahead, with help from groups like ADF. Finally, we must redouble our prayer efforts, asking God to give wisdom and favor to those in leadership seeking to do the right thing.

In the end, “the ‘Equality Act’ gives people of faith an ultimatum: Change your faith-based practices or face government punishment,” as the ADF has stated.

While Christians can and should be ready to take a stand for the Faith and face the consequences, we can and will oppose such efforts to wipe away religious liberty with one Congressional Act.

playing 1 John 3:17: “If anyone has material posses- “How can I tell when the yogurt is bad?” Rite of passage: Prepare your children for self-reliance SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENTMISSIONS & MINISTRY Walker Moore President Emeritus sions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on At this point you need to go ahead and answer of Awe Star Ministries them, how can the love of God be in that person?” about three more questions just to save the minEmail | walker@awestar.org Since we were good and hopefully godly par- utes on your phone. CHURCH TOOLBOX @WalkerDeanMoore ents who had the provider instinct, we always put together care packages, and they loaded up their cars, driving away with big smiles. I had mixed feelings. We liked the fact that the boys still needed PEOPLE & CHURCH NEWS “Milk is spoiled when it starts to look like yogurt. Yogurt is spoiled when it starts to look like cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is spoiled when it starts to look like regular cheese. OK?” I have enjoyed each season of our sons’ lives. I enjoyed us, but deep down inside, I also wanted them to “OK.” the early stages of them learning to walk, talk and be- be self-reliant. There is a sense of satisfaction that “There are some other important things I need to come miniature human beings. I enjoyed their elemen- comes when you can provide for yourself—and a tell you. Any canned item that has become the size tary school years, watching them do sports and put on greater one when you can provide for others. or shape of a softball should be disposed of—careschool programs. I enjoyed seeing them get married and then making us grandparents. But the least favorite season for me was when they went off to school. CLASSIFIEDS During those college days, the only time I got a call from the boys was when they needed something. Very seldom did they use their money to call and see NEWS & CULTURE fully. Fresh potatoes do not have roots; branches; or dense, leafy undergrowth. Flour is spoiled when it wiggles. Now you know everything I know about When both of our boys were in college and liv- if their dad was having a good day. When they first food. Good night, son!” Click. ing on their own, they thought they were self-reli- moved out, these calls always had to do with the need The sad news is that many of our children will not ant. Now you must understand that “living on their for some domestic information. Once, one of my sons become self-reliant and must move back home. own” and “self-reliant” are misnomers. My defini- called home wanting to know what to do with his car. There is a new term for this generation—the Bootion and my sons’ definition of “living on your own” I asked him what was wrong. He said, “It doesn’t run.” merang generation. A recent study showed that 60 and “self-reliant” don’t even come close to one another. I guess I have an older dictionary. Yes, they were living out of the house, but not VOICES “Why doesn’t it run?” I asked. “I don’t know. That is why I am calling you!” “How would I know why your car isn’t running? percent of all college graduates have plans to move back home under their parents’ support. Many of today’s children have lost the skills of inon their own, and yes, they did know how to find I live 450 miles from your car. Why don’t you have dependence and self-reliance. In fact, many adults food—even though that included frequent raids your car towed to a mechanic so they can tell you expect their parents to help them take care of their back home. Instead of going to the grocery store why it isn’t running?” children and pay their bills. When I finished high like every other self-reliant human being, they “That’s a good idea! Thanks, Dad.” Click. school, I knew my days of dependence were numthought our house had a blinking neon sign out in If you are the parent of children about to live “on bered. The problem is that this same expectation front that read “FREE FOOD.” their own,” be prepared to answer these questions: has not been cast into this generation. Somewhere they learned that if they came by the “How can you tell when an egg goes bad?” There was one thing that I really liked about my house with sad, pitiful looks on their faces, Cathy Suggested response: “When something starts sons coming home from college for the summer: I and I would feel sorry for them—and they were pecking its way out of the shell, the egg is probably got to see my food again! right. The only thing they lacked were T-shirts dis- past its prime.”

Finding rest in the middle of busyness

Amy Petersen

Ministry Wives Ministry Partner for Oklahoma Baptists @amyruthpetersen

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost here. The months of June, July and part of August offer time to rest and relax, to recuperate from the busy year, and to go on vacations with the family. So often, by the time that mid-August rolls around, I am exhausted from all my “resting” and ready for the school year to begin again.

Life is busy. We are wives, husbands, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, neighbors, leaders, Sunday school teachers and business people. We are stretched and pulled in so many directions with each season of life having its own recipe for busyness.

Many things vie for our time and can leave us feeling weary and worn out: kids, sports, school work, house, parenting, your marriage, doctors’ appointments, ministry events, cleaning and cooking, grocery store shopping, Bible studies, a hurting friend or neighbor and chronic illness— along with all the have-tos and want-tos of life.

We all probably know we need time for rest. But the difficulty comes when we are scooped up with the busyness of life and wonder, “How do I rest when life keeps going?”

When I think of being weary and needing rest, I am reminded of Jesus’ words and His life-giving truth in Matt. 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Rest is more than being physically still. One Here are a few suggestions: definition of rest is to “recover strength.” Slow- • Reading the truth of His Word ing down, taking a vacation, building times of • Praying and pouring out worries, concerns and rest into your week, getting seven hours of sleep all the tasks at hand at night are all healthy components of recover- • Worshipping with songs that glorify Jesus ing strength for physical rest. But physical rest • Confessing brokenness and admitting your doesn’t always translate to internal rest. I can be need for Him lying in bed at night, but my mind may be rac- • Surrendering and believing His plan is better ing through all the things I didn’t do that day and than your plan what I have to do tomorrow. I can be physical- • Obeying as you choose to do the things He ly still, but internally, I may be running a mental calls you to do marathon. Even in the busyness of life, as you come to Je-

Rest is found in Jesus. It is important to get sus, you will find rest for your soul. It’s a promise. physical rest. But nothing gives our soul rest like And God is faithful to all His promises. Jesus does. In Him, we are deeply loved, so there is no need to try harder or be better. Rest. In Him, we are completely known and valued, so there is no need to prove our worth by hiding our weaknesses. Rest. In Him, we are provided for, so there is no need to overthink or manipulate the circumstance. Rest. Deep soul rest is found in Him, simply because of Who He is. Coming to Him is easier than it seems. We make rest more difficult than it should be. Jesus’ rest isn’t The Cooperative Program allows churches everywhere to work together through generosity, so that every delivered in a to-do list or church can support local a three-step plan. His rest missions while also having a doesn’t come in gritting it global reach. Through the out or trying to get to the Cooperative Program, your other side of busy. Deep church funds and sends soul rest can be found in the middle of your weariness and burdens by coming to Jesus. Good News Neighborhoods FOR OUR missionaries around the world, trains pastors and ministry leaders, plants churches, and changes lives for eternity. OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/CP

CrossTimbers 2021 set for Gospel impact CHURCH TOOLBOX PEOPLE & CHURCH NEWS

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CLASSIFIEDS NEWS & CULTURE

>> by Staff

The 2021 CrossTimbers Children’s Missions Adventure Camp season is around the corner, with plans in place for the Davis and Grove (Grand Lake) camp locations.

CrossTimbers, a three-night, four-day encampment designed for boys and girls grades third through sixth, is the children’s mission camp owned and operated by Oklahoma Baptists.

The stated mission of CrossTimbers is “to support local church efforts to reach lost children in their communities and to raise up a generation of kids with an authentic walk with God who actively serve others with missional living.”

Charlie Gatton, who serves as CrossTimbers program director, has seen firsthand the opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children from across Oklahoma.

“Each session, a different camp pastor will teach campers and staff about what the Bible says and how it applies to our lives,” Gatton said. “Our theme this year is ‘I MUST’ from John 3:30, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ We will work through what it means to become a Christian and how, as we grow in Christ, we become more like Him and less like our old sinful self.”

Camp activities at the Davis location includes a ropes course, rock wall, zip line, target sports and more, with similar activities at the Grove campus. All children who attend CrossTimbers will have the opportunity to learn biblical principles for worship, missions, evangelism and life. They can create and strengthen relationships with God, family and others, as well as experience nature in a fun and safe environment.

Every day, students participate in chapel, which includes times of worship through music and a sermon from the camp pastor for that session. In addition, Gospel lessons are reinforced throughout the day.

“Our Missions Team will show campers how they can be missionaries, through hands-on mission experiences, crafts and tastes,” Gatton said.

Camp Staff facilitates camp-wide games and a block party, as well as the campers’ favorite, the “Sock Wars.”

“It always amazes me how God uses the experiences of our staff to minister to kids who are going through similar things,” he added. “We are praying that we see hundreds of kids trust in Jesus, and other kids adjust their lives to be more like Christ. Some will even recognize God’s calling on their life.”

To see more information or a full camp schedule, visit crosstimbers.org.

VOICES

>> PHOTOS: MESSENGER ARCHIVES 1) Children enjoy the daily worship services at CrossTimbers: 2) CrossTimbers’ theme this year; 3) The ropes course is one of the many fun activities at CrossTimbers.

VOLUNTEER MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES

OKLAHOMA

On-going opportunities for volunteers:

Baptist Village Communities:

Ada—Tracy Scheer, 580/332-6004

Broken Arrow—Monty Baggett, 918/355-0099

Cleveland—Gary Ligon, 918/358-2575

Cordell—Dennis Dawson, 580/832-5831

Elk City—Cathy Henderson, 580/225-5555

Grove (Honey Creek)—Gary Mishler, 918/786-2223

Hugo—Jerry Unruh, 580/326-8383

Madill (Lake Texoma)—Matthew Wood, 580/564-3776

Miami—Shane McGhee, 918/542-7124

OKC—Chris Finley, 405/721-2466 Ext. 2115

Okmulgee—Sherri Powell, 918/756-5377

Owasso—Nathan Purifoy, 918/272-2281 Ext. 102

Entrusted Hearts by Baptist Village (home health care)—Shannon Ryan, 405/942-3000 Ext. 4685

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

Aug. 28—Ponca City, First, 218

S. 6th St., 74601 Sept. 25—Owasso, Central, 9001 N. 145 E. Ave., 74055 Oct. 30—DR Facility, 7180 NW

Expressway, Okarche 73762 Visit okdisasterhelp.org for the most recent information and to register. Campers on Mission:

National COM Rally—June 9-11

DuQuoin, Ill. Okla. Fall Rally—Aug. 31-Sept. 3

Shawnee For more information email mvanzandt@oklahomabaptists.org

Pray for International Missionaries

Sub-Saharan Africa

Pray for Oklahoma Baptists serving with the IMB throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Their names and even the number of them are withheld for security reasons. Last year, 3,982 Sub-Saharan Africans were baptized and 111 churches were started. Pray for Oklahoma Missionary

Joe Ligon

Joe serves as senior associate executive director for Oklahoma Baptists, providing oversight for the day-to-day operations as well as the conference centers, overseeing the support services group, and much more.

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

2021 CROSSTIMBERS DAVIS SCHEDULE

CrossTimbers Session | Camp Pastor | Session dates Session 1—Eric Fletcher, pastor of Eufaula, North Fork—June 1-4 Session 2—Les Scheer, childrens pastor at Sulphur, Crossway—June 7-10 Session 3—Joe Ligon, Oklahoma Baptists senior assoc. exe. director—June 11-14 Session 4—Rick Cordova, pastor of OKC, Bright City—June 16-19 Session 5—Jacob Steward, childrens pastor at OKC, Southern Hills—June 21-24 Session 6—Nick Atyia, pastor of Seminole, First—June 26-29 Session 7—Randall Whittall, mission pastor at OKC, Southern Hills—July 5-8 Session 8—David Skinner, childrens pastor at OKC, Cherokee Hills—July 9-12 Session 9—Bobby Kelly, Oklahoma Baptist University prof. of religion—July 14-17 Session 10—Blake Gideon, pastor of Edmond, First—July 19-22 Session 11—Barry Williams, next generation pastor at Ada, First—July 23-26 2021 CROSSTIMBERS GRAND LAKE SCHEDULE

CrossTimbers Session | Camp Pastor | Session dates Session 1—Clint Morgan, childrens pastor at Broken Arrow, First—June 28-July 1 Session 2—Andy Taylor, pastor of Broken Arrow, Arrow Heights—July 7-10 Session 3—Colby Sorenson, childrens pastor at Chickasha, First—July 12-15 Session 4—Doug Melton, pastor of OKC, Southern Hills—July 16-19 Session 5—Mark Dance, Oklahoma Baptists regional ministry partner—July 21-24

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>> PHOTO: PROVIDED Those scheduled to speak during the 163rd Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, June 15-16, include, left column from top, Ronnie Floyd, J.D. Greear, Paul Chitwood, Kevin Ezell, O.S. Hawkins and Willy Rice. The 2021 Send Conference, June 13-14, will feature right column from top, Tony Evans, David Jeremiah, Michael W. Smith, Vance Pitman, Gregg Matte and Benjamin Watson.

>> by Staff with Baptist Press reports

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The 2021 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting, set for June 1516, is expected to draw thousands of registered messengers and guests from across the nation and globe.

The 163rd Annual Meeting of Southern Baptists will take place at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville and will feature times of preaching, music, convention business sessions, reports and more.

“The SBC Annual Meeting is a time for Southern Baptists to come together and celebrate how God is moving in and through our convention and churches,” said Ronnie Floyd, CEO and president of the SBC Executive Committee.

He added, “It will be a time for Southern Baptists to reconnect with one another after missing out on a gathering in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

With more than 100 ancillary meetings, events, and gatherings throughout the week, Southern Baptists will walk away encouraged, equipped and mobilized for Kingdom work. Hotel reservations must be made by May 17, in order

to be guaranteed convention rate. Visit sbcannualmeeting.net to make a reservation. Speakers for the 2021 Annual Meeting include current SBC President J.D. Greear, International Mission Board (IMB) President Paul Chitwood, Ronnie Floyd, Guidestone’s O.S. Hawkins, North American Mission Board (NAMB) President Kevin Ezell, among others. Messengers to the annual meeting will hear reports from each of the SBC seminaries, various SBC entities, and conduct officer elections. On Wednesday, Willy Rice, senior pastor of Clearwater, Fla., Calvary will deliver the convention sermon. Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists, urged pastors and others to pray for this year’s gathering of Southern Baptists. “Pray for the Southern Baptist Convention meeting. We encourage you to attend and participate. Pray, pray, pray that God would give us unity and direction, wisdom and godliness, as we gather together in Nashville,” Dilbeck said.

Visit sbcannualmeeting.net to view SBC Annual Meeting schedule and other details including lodging availability.

The Send Conference Schedule

SUNDAY, JUNE 13

5:30 p.m.—Kickoff prayer time with Robby Gallaty 7 p.m.—Main session (Kids track available 6-12 years old)

MONDAY, JUNE 14

8:30 a.m.—Women’s track 9 a.m.—Pastors track 9 a.m.—Students track (13-16 years old—Lunch included) 9 a.m.—Kids track (6-12 years old—Lunch included) 11:45 a.m.—NAMB Send Luncheon 1:45 p.m.—Afternoon tracks for pastors and kids 4:30 p.m.—IMB Sending Celebration Send Conference to bring

Southern Baptists ‘Together on Mission’

The 2021 Send Conference, which happens immediately prior to the SBC Annual Meeting, also will take place June 13-14 at the Music City Center in Nashville.

The Send Conference is a new aspect to the annual meeting of Southern Baptists, as it represents a reformatting of Sunday and Monday from the typical SBC Pastors’ Conference to a Send Conference event hosted by the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board.

The theme is “Together on Mission,” and along with a primary message from nationally-known Bible teacher, author and pastor Tony Evans, the event will include worship led by recording artist Michael W. Smith, a concert featuring Crowder, NAMB’s Send Luncheon and IMB’s Sending Celebration.

Other speakers during the Send Conference include David Jeremiah, pastor of El Cajon, Calif., Shadow Mountain Community; Vance Pitman, pastor of Las Vegas, Nev.,

Hope; and Gregg Matte, pastor of Houston, Texas, First who will speak during Pastors Track of the conference. The Send Luncheon will feature Mark Richt, former University of Georgia and University of Miami football coach; Benjamin Watson, NFL football player; and Matthew West, Christian music artist. The 2021 Send Conference is designed to help believers of all ages understand how to carry out the calling in their lives and equip pastors to help church members live out their calling wherever God has placed them. “We (NAMB) are looking forward to working with Paul Chitwood and the IMB to celebrate all God is doing through Southern Baptist mission efforts,” NAMB President Kevin Ezell told Baptist Press. “It will also be a time of personal challenge to all of us to recommit our efforts to sharing Christ with our friends, family and neighbors in everyday life.”

SBC Annual Meeting Schedule Highlights

TUESDAY, JUNE 15

Morning

• Celebrating Freedom Observance | J.D. Greear, SBC president, and

Gen. Douglas Carver, executive director of chaplaincy, NAMB • GuideStone Financial Resources Report | O.S. Hawkins, president and CEO, Guidestone • NAMB Report | Kevin Ezell, president, North American Mission Board • President’s Address | J.D. Greear

Afternoon

• Election of Officers • Resolutions Committee Report • IMB Report | Paul Chitwood, president, International Mission Board

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16

Morning

• Send Relief Report • Joint Seminary Presentation and Reports • Convention Sermon | Willy Rice, senior pastor, Clearwater, Fla., Calvary

Afternoon

• Election of 2022 Convention Preacher, Alternate Preacher and

Music Director

• ERLC Report | Russell Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty

Commission • WMU Report | Sandra Wisdom-Martin, executive director-treasurer,

Woman’s Missionary Union • Lifeway Report | Ben Mandrell, president and CEO, Lifeway Christian

Resources • Presentation of Officers

>> by Chris Forbes

STAFF WRITER

LEXINGTON—Forty men at the Lexington Correctional Center are enrolled in a study course that is bringing hope and a sense of mission. They began a new degree program aimed at equipping inmates for ministry inside the walls of Oklahoma prisons.

The Prison Divinity Program (PDP) offered through Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) is a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies. The 128 credit hour liberal arts degree will be accompanied with an internship with the prison chaplain.

“All the classes will be taught face-to-face,” said Bruce Perkins, director of the OBU Prison Divinity Program. “It’s a four-year program, and then we have an arrangement with the Department of Corrections, that when they’ve completed their degree, they will be sent out in teams of three and four into the other prison facilities across the state to serve as field ministers. So, in effect, we are raising up our own indigenous missionaries to the prison population.”

Perkins explained that after receiving 172 applications from inmates across the state and interviewing 65 applicants, 40 men were chosen for the program.

“The students in our Prison Divinity Program have been given a wonderful opportunity of hope,” Perkins said. “Some will discover renewed purpose. Others will find a new depth to their purpose. All will be impacted by this community of learning. So—although remaining in prison—for the moments we are in the classroom engaging with God’s Word and God’s world through a Christian liberal arts education, they can lay aside their prison clothes and feast at the table of our King. We also pray that OBU’s presence in the prison brings hope to other inmates— the hope of opportunity but, more importantly, the hope in Christ.”

“The past couple of months, I have prayed often, asking God to give me a way to serve,” said Brett, an inmate who is enrolled in the program. “I feel that this program is a door God has opened especially for me.”

Miguel, another student in the program, agreed. “My reason for applying to the program is because I know God has a calling on my life,” he said. “I believe this program will help me to be better prepared for my calling.”

One PDP enrollee expressed how he believes God will also use the program to prepare him for ministry in the prison system. “I’ve been in a gang most of my life,” he recounted. “These penitentiaries and my family are full of gang members, people that are hurting, confused and searching for Christ and don’t even know it. With the completion of this degree, I’ll be better equipped to speak to these people, to serve them, guide them to Christ and be a better leader.”

To be accepted in the program, the inmates must have at least 12 years of their sentences remaining. “About half of the 40 men in our program are serving life sentences,” Perkins said. “Despite their backgrounds, God can call them and use them. I try to encourage them that there are no footnotes in the Bible that says ‘this is true, except for inmates.’

“I have been pleasantly surprised at how the men have come together in unity, as a community, helping one another out,” Perkins continued. “I can tell they are trying to encourage one another. I hear them saying to each other, ’If God can do that for you, I can trust that He will do that for me.’”

Perkins emphasized PDP is externally funded, and the program is one of the recipients of the Edna McMillan Oklahoma State Mission Offering.

“Many of these inmates feel they now have something with purpose and in which they can exercise their minds,” he said. “It’s very challenging, refreshing and rewarding for them to be able to do that, to have something to focus their intellect on. One student said to me, ‘Thank you. I feel human again.’”

To learn more about the OBU Prison Divinity Program visit okbu.edu/theology/prison-divinity.

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED OBU Prison Divinity students are excited to begin the program and learn how to provide the hope of Christ to other inmates.

>> PHOTOS:CHRIS DOYLE 1) Football coach Mark Richt opened Rewired sharing his life story; 2) Bubba Burcham, top center, meets with men making decisions.

Rewired reappears at Falls Creek

/// PREVIEWED ON COVER

>> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

DAVIS—Falls Creek Conference Center hosted the Rewired Men’s Conference, April 24, after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing a cancellation in 2020. The usual two-day weekend event met just for a day, but the nearly 700 men in attendance exceeded expectations.

Rewired also reported 386 digital passes were purchased, which allowed men to gather in other locations to watch Re- 1 wired programming.

Bubba Burcham, who serves as Oklahoma Baptists’ men’s ministries consultant and Rewired program director, was pleased with the results of Rewired, especially with how well Falls Creek staff were involved in organizing facilities and logistics with the event. When Rewired’s first session began that Saturday morning, Burcham was already moved by what was taking place.

“God started working on my heart, personally,” he said, mentioning Seth Garrett and his worship band who led times of worship through music. “It brought me so much joy to finally be able to meet again like that. To see a lot of familiar faces and to experience worship—there’s something special about the worship at Rewired. I don’t know what it is, but it is powerful to me.”

The list of speakers for Rewired did not disappoint. College football coach Mark Richt set the stage by sharing his life story, beginning with his pursuit to be a top college quarterback and playing in the National Football League (NFL). Like many people, Richt believed his identity was in what he did or wanted to do.

“I was a quarterback,” he said. “That was it. That was my identity. When I introduced myself I would say, ‘I’m Mark Richt. I’m a quarterback.’ I would never say ‘I’m a born-again believer in Jesus Christ.’”

Richt shared how God put him on a path for him to realize he was more than just a quarterback. For one thing, whether he was in college or in the pros, there were always players who were better than he was. At the University of Miami, he played behind Jim Kelly who eventually quarterbacked the Buffalo Bills and was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. When Richt went to the NFL, he fell rank behind John Elway with the Denver Broncos and then Dan Marino with the Miami Dolphins, two more NFL legends.

Eventually, Richt became a graduate assistant for Bobby Bowden, legendary coach at Florida State University, and started his coaching career, which resulted in successful stints as head coach at the University of Georgia and then at his alma mater, the University of Miami. Richt told Rewired attendees about a time Bowden, who spoke at Rewired in 2019, shared the Gospel with the team. As a graduate assistant, Richt was convicted by Bowden’s message and made a profession of faith in Christ after that team meeting. “My life changed dramatically that day,” Richt said. “My life became simple. I didn’t say it became easy, but my life goal became to live a life pleasing to God. That was it.” Mike Keahbone, pastor of Lawton, First, preached a powerful message that resulted in many men responding with kneeling to pray or meeting with Burcham to report spiritual decisions.

“God is at work in every part of every man that is in this room,” Keahbone said. “Every single man watching online—you have to believe this is not an accident— but God is going to move in such a way so powerfully today and throughout this weekend to where there is going to be a switch that He hits in us that, if we will be obedient, it will change the day for all of us.”

Burcham described the moment that men gathered around him, making life commitments to God.

“I am one of them,” he said. “I’m right there with them. I need the healing of the Holy Spirit working in my life just like all these other guys. It’s humbling to think, ‘Hey, they’re coming to me’ when I’m just like them. We’re all living in that same life where Satan attacks you every day, and I am no different than they are, so it’s incredibly humbling for them to come to me and say, ‘Help me.’”

Burcham said they all prayed together and encouraged each other at that moment, praying for God to help them lead their families and be leaders in the church and in the community.

The afternoon session opened with a short film depicting Shamgar in Judges 3:31. The film was produced by Gibborim Studios, as Cody Bobay, the studio’s CEO, spoke after the film.

“God created you to be a hero,” Bobay said. “He’s given you the strength of the Holy Spirit inside of you, and it’s your choice to decide what you are going to do with it.”

Rewired regulars are familiar with Bobay and the ministry he founded, SoulCon. Burcham knew many would respond well to Bobay’s presentation.

“Cody challenged men,” Burcham said. “That’s his ‘M.O.’ He’s in your face, not in a disrespectful way, but he wants men to take action and do something to make a change, make a difference.”

Jonathan Evans, son of pastor Tony Evans, concluded Rewired by sharing an experience he had as a player for the San Diego Chargers, playing for coaching legend Marty Schottenheimer. Evans compared a motivational speech Schottenheimer gave about being equipped and prepared to play for the Chargers to a challenge God gives to Christians, referencing Rom. 8:29-31.

“God has set you up, as a man of God, for success,” Evans said. “Christ has already done the hard work.”

Rewired also featured time of fellowship on Falls Creek grounds. Men spread out for lunch across Centennial Plaza and Downing Way, areas at Falls Creek adjacent to the Mathena Family Event Center, where Rewired had its sessions.

“What’s great about Rewired is what happens afterwards,” Burcham said. “Men go back to their pastor and say, ‘I want to do more for the church.’ Or they decide to disciple their kids and be more involved with their families. It’s all of those pieces where God works in the lives of men.”

For more on Rewired Men’s Conference, visit oklahomabaptists.org/rewired.

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OBU commissions students and employees CLASSIFIEDS NEWS & CULTURE for worldwide summer service

>> by Kenny Day

OBU MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist UniVOICES versity (OBU) commissioned more than 100 students, faculty and staff during a special chapel service April 28. These students and employees will be serving this summer on Global Outreach trips (GO trips), in internships or at camps.

The commissioning service took place inside Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. The student body was able to worship together and then pray over these teams of people who will represent the University all around the world.

OBU-sponsored GO trip teams will travel to locations in seven international locations, including Colombia, Ecuador, North Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda and more. A group of 31 students and faculty will travel to Ecuador on a Study Abroad/GO trip, while

>> PHOTO: HEATHER HAMILTON

More than 100 students, faculty and staff at OBU were commissioned April 28 for their mission services this summer.

Global Marketplace Engagement (GME) majors will serve internships over the summer in Puerto Rico, Ecuador and Texas.

In the fall, more GME majors will serve internships in North Africa, Zambia, Mexico and the U.S. Numerous other students and employees will serve in camps, ministries and outreaches throughout the nation this summer, as well, including Falls Creek, New Life

Ranch, River of Life Camp, Camp Sonshine International, the North American Mission Board and more.

A group of students, faculty and GO trip alumni led a worshipful rendition of “Amazing Grace” in several languages, with verses in German, French,

Italian, Spanish and English, as well as “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery.”

Bruce Perkins, assistant professor of Christian education and director of OBU’s Prison Divinity Program, delivered the message. Following his message, students and faculty who will be participating in service this summer began to gather on the steps in front of the stage, as the song, “Let the Nations Be Glad” was sung.

The service concluded with a word of encouragement and commissioning prayer from OBU President Heath A. Thomas.

For more information about Global Outreach at OBU, visit okbu.edu/go.

>> PHOTO: RANDY LIND

OBS performs at Bixby, Evergreen

The Oklahoma Baptist Symphony (OBS) performed May 2 at Bixby, Evergreen. This was the first concert OBS has given since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year. OBS features 82 volunteer members from every walk of life, each desiring to praise God through the musical skills He has given them. For upcoming performances of OBS, visit oklahomabaptist.org/worship-music.