May 2026

MAY 2026 • VOL. 115 | NO. 5

2026 SUMMER CAMPS PREVIEW

Oklahoma Baptists Hold Gospel-Focused Retreats in April Staff

How to Renew Your Marriage This Spring Steve Megli

May 2026 · Vol. 115 I No. 5

MESSENGER STAFF Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@oklahomabaptists.org Megan Meador | Communications Coordinator mmeador@oklahomabaptists.org 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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 03 | Camp Season Means Time to Pray!

CONNECT Todd Fisher

04 | Small Disciplines for A Significant Life SWORD & TROWEL Brian Hobbs

05 | Upcoming Events 07 | My Wife’s New Dog JUST JOE Joe Ligon

08 | 2026 Summer Camps to Focus on Who Christ Is FEATURE

Staff

12 | Puzzles 13 | Church News 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: 35,332.

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.

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

14 | Pastor in Focus: Blake Martin 16 | Oklahoma Baptists Hold Gospel-Focused Retreats in April 17 | Missionary Prayer Guide 19 | How to Renew Your Marriage This Spring TOOLBOX Steve Megli

CONNECT

CAMP SEASON MEANS TIME TO PRAY!

We are quickly approaching summer, which means it’s for speakers, worship leaders, camp leaders and staff, time for camps at our Oklahoma Baptists’ Conference sponsors/cooks and especially for the hearts of young Centers! We’ve been busy hiring summer staff and getting people to be open to the Gospel and be transformed everything ready at Falls Creek and CrossTimbers for by its power. tens of thousands of campers over the next few months.

Those coming to Falls Creek will get to experience the I recently read an article about the Very Large Array new ropes course adventure park located near the located in New Mexico. This is the largest radio receiver sand volleyball courts. This is an amazing new feature array in the world. The “VLA” is a series of 27 radio that all campers will enjoy. We are very grateful for the telescopes that are each 82 feet in diameter that roll generosity of a donor who completely funded this new along 38 miles of railway. Together, the dishes essentially function as a single antenna, or telescope, the size of and fun element at Falls Creek.

Manhattan to gather data about natural phenomena deep in space. The reason the array is so large is to detect radio waves from sources many light years away that are incredibly faint. These radio waves are often compared to having the same amount of force as a single snowflake hitting the ground!

Most important of all, the camps at Falls Creek and CrossTimbers over the summer are unprecedented opportunities for young people to hear and respond to the Gospel—over 3,500 students and children committed their lives to follow Christ last year! I am always amazed at the spiritual warfare that ramps up just before and during camp season. Satan absolutely hates a place where the Lord is being worshiped, His Word is being taught and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being boldly and clearly proclaimed.

In light of that, I cannot express how important it is that we pray for our Conference Centers this summer.

Oklahoma Baptists all across our state should make a commitment to earnestly pray for our camps. Pray

What strikes me about the VLA is the immense preparation, effort, and cost that goes into an attempt to study things incredibly far away when many times we give almost no effort to pray and talk to our Lord who is readily available and present. We have such amazing things like Falls Creek and CrossTimbers—will we make praying for camps a matter of priority and intentionality?

Will we go to the effort to ask God to move and work in the lives of students and children? Will we ask God to protect our camps from the desires of the enemy?

Something so special as our camps deserve our best efforts in asking God to bless and move among them.

I can remember homes built in the 70s and 80s that had intercoms in all the main rooms so you could have the convenience of not having to walk to the front door to answer it. May we never see our prayer lives in terms of how to make it convenient. Let’s plan and make a commitment to pray for our camps this summer!

Todd Fisher Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer

The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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SWORD AND TROWEL

SMALL DISCIPLINES FOR A SIGNIFICANT LIFE

Graduation ceremonies will be happening this month Yet every day we have things that compete for attention across the state. From high school to college to and energy to do these. vocational tech to post-graduate students—the “Class of 2026” will be rightly honored and recognized for • Instead of reading our Bible at the beginning or end of the day, we “doomscroll” on our smartphones. their achievements.

A time-honored part of this rite of passage includes • commencement addresses, which are words to be • inspired by and live by.

Instead of praying, we sit around worrying.

Instead of telling people about Jesus, we only tell them our opinion on the latest news headlines or celebrity entertainment news.

The greatest commencement speech ever has to be the words of Sir Winston Churchill. He was expected to give What if, instead of these small acts that do not a long-winded speech, and instead he got up—looked particularly work to move us closer to the Lord, we over those graduates and said simply, “Never give up. did small acts that led us toward Him? Never. Never.”

Each day, the Lord gives us an opportunity to act or not Several years ago, in another noteworthy commencement act in these simple ways. Taken together, they become address, United States Navy Admiral William H. McRaven the summation of the strength or weakness of our walk spoke at a collegiate ceremony and offered the simple with Christ. advice, “Make your bed.”

Jesus said, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be McRaven’s speech was meant to emphasize the faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little importance of doing the seemingly little things on the things, you won’t be honest with greater.” (Luke 16:10). way to success. His advice also has spiritual application This May, as we seek to encourage the Class of 2026, for us. let’s all encourage each other in our walk with Christ.

Whether or not you believe making your bed each Let’s stay committed to Him and to the local church. morning is important, the idea that small habits lead to In the end, that would be the best kind of graduation larger ones rings true. “Habits lead to character, and advice we could all receive. character leads to destiny,” as the saying goes.

The daily walk with Christ includes seemingly small and simple acts.

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•

Read your Bible and pray.

•

Go to church and be active in church.

•

Tell others about Jesus often. Show Christ’s love with action and deeds.

May 2026

Brian Hobbs Oklahoma Baptists Editor

events

UPCOMING

EVENTS

See what events are happening around the state!

May 26-29, 2026 CrossTimbers Session 1 CrossTimbers Conference Center, Davis, OK oklahomabaptists.org/ childhood/crosstimbers/

June 1-5, 2026 Falls Creek Youth Camp Week 1 Falls Creek Conference Center, Davis, OK oklahomabaptists.org/ youth/falls-creek/

June 7-8, 2026 2026 SBC Pastors' Conference Orlando, FL sbcpc.net/

June 9-10, 2026 2026 SBC Annual Meeting Orlando, FL sbcannualmeeting.net/

Visit oklahomabaptists.org/events/ to view more events happening throughout the year!

YOU’RE INVITED! OBU and Oklahoma Baptists at SBC in Orlando!

TUESDAY

June 9, 2026 7 pm SeaWorld Park

Join us for a special gathering in conjunction with the SBC annual meeting!

THIS EVENT WELCOMES

Oklahoma Baptists Messengers OBU Alumni and Friends Guests of WatersEdge

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

SPONSORS

My Wife’s New Dog

My wife Gayla just got a dog. She asked me before she weapons he has on him, but I am convinced he carries did. I said, “yes.” I have found over the years that our a switchblade. For the life of me, I haven’t been able marriage just seems to work better when I say “yes.” to locate it. I just know if there is a minor ruckus that starts, it won’t be long before I am going to be Unless, of course, she asks one of those trick bleeding from multiple cuts and stab wounds before questions with a negative in it. For example, “You I ever see the knife. I’ve seen cats that couldn’t slice don’t mind if I get a dog, do you?” A “yes” answer and dice like this dog. Worcestershires are notorious just doesn’t work well here. This requires a negative for unfair fighting. response like “no” or if you are feeling verbose: “No, The first time this dog attacked me, I asked Gayla for I don’t mind if you get a dog.” help. I swallowed quite a bit of man pride before I did So, we got a dog. that, but I asked. After all, it was going to be difficult Some folks who know Gayla got a dog have asked to explain how a two-month-old dog chewed my arm me what kind of dog Gayla got. I have told them smooth off. I’m pretty sure that Gayla was convinced that I thought it was a Worcestershire or maybe a I was responsible for the knife fight, the cuts, and the Worcestershirelabradoodle. (It seems to me that blood spillage which, by the way, was damage done almost every dog these days has some labrador and only to me. some poodle in it. That seems to me to be a waste of labrador, but no one has asked my opinion about such things).

I guess by now you have figured out I don’t know what kind of dog it is. Not a clue. I would come more near knowing the Pythagorean theory or quantum physics or the like.

I know the solution to this is to simply ask Gayla what kind of dog she has. But that makes me more than somewhat nervous. I know she could tell me. She has already told me at least once.

The dog seemed more than happy about the damage he had done and appeared more than ready to continue. The rascal didn’t have a mark on him that I could see. Gayla seemed more concerned about her dog than she did with making a decision about whether I needed to get medical attention. I wasn’t much help in making that decision, either. I’m pretty sure I was getting a little light-headed probably because of the blood loss I incurred from the knife fight.

Here are a couple of things you should consider.

One, be careful about hanging out with mobsters, regardless of what form they come in. The Bible says And I am quite sure if I asked her again what kind of something about fleeing evil company. Two, keep the dog she has, she would probably take the conversation phone nearby to dial 911 when needed. You never in one of two directions. One, “You never listen to me.” know when an emergency could happen or what To which I would reply, “Darlin’, I always listen to you.” form it could come in. Three, dogs are cute until they You might think my calling her darlin’ would endear are not. her to me, but I think she is on to that one. The other direction she might take the conversation would start Come to think of it, that’s basically what Gayla said with something like: “You have got to get some hearing about me. aids.” By the way, saying “Huh?” in response to the Joe Ligon hearing aid thing is seldom received well. So, I could Oklahoma Baptists possibly be wrong in thinking Gayla’s new dog is Sr. Associate Executive Director a Worcestershire.

But here’s something I am not wrong about. This dog is part “mobster.” I am not sure what all the

2026 SUMMER CAMPS TO FOCUS ON WHO CHRIST IS DAVIS—Each year, thousands of students from Falls Creek has a three-year rotation for themes. This across the United States attend the Falls Creek and year’s rotation is focusing on evangelism and discipleCrossTimbers summer camps. Each camp has a rotating making. Many individuals struggle with the question of theme, and this year both camps are focusing on who “what’s next” after trusting Christ as their Lord and Savior.

In the Great Commission, Christ instructed believers to Christ is. go and make more disciples. This summer, Falls Creek 2026 FALLS CREEK TO POINT speakers will highlight evangelism and disciple-making CAMPERS TOWARD ‘THE GREATEST’ in the life of a believer.

For church student ministries, summer is a time of fun, discipleship and meaningful connection to God and others. Camps are one of the many places where students can maximize meaningful moments to accelerate those connections and see the Lord do eternal work in a person’s life.

This year’s speakers include Greg Davis, Garret Wagoner, Shane Pruitt, Owen Nease, Daryl Jones, Daniel Ritchie and Julius Tennal, II. Worship will be led by So We May, Jared Wood, Oklahoma Baptist University Worship, Crescent City, Common Worship and Cody Dunbar and the Worship Collective.

Each week of Falls Creek Youth Camp offers those moments for churches—moments to gather for large group study, worship and celebration. Campers have many opportunities to connect with God and other believers through various activities around the camp, small group Bible studies and worship services.

Besides the impactful sermons and discipleship, Falls Creek offers various activities campers can participate in like zip-lining, basketball, skating, baseball and more.

New for 2026, Falls Creek is offering a large-scale ropes course called “The Matrix.” The camp’s rich history also adds to its uniqueness.

“My favorite part of Falls Creek is the community,” said “The nature of the legacy makes Falls Creek unique,” said Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director. “We get to Sanders. “It’s uniquely Oklahoma Baptist. It has so many connect with the students and be a part of their lives cultures and sub-cultures that have been established and spiritual growth.” over the years.”

The theme for this year is “The Greatest,” based on Matt. 28:16-20.

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

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For more information on Falls Creek, or to view the Falls Creek prayer emphasis, visit oklahomabaptists.org/youth.

THE GREATEST June 1-5

June 8-12

June 15-19

Greg Davis & So We May

Garrett Wagoner & Jared Wood

June 22-26

June 29-July 3

Garrett Wagoner & Cody Dunbar and the Worship collective July 6-10

Shane Pruitt & OBU WOrship

Owen Nease & Crescent City Worship

Daryl Jones & OBU Worship

July 13-17

July 20-24

Daniel Ritchie & Crescent City Worship

Julius tennal II & Common Worship

We can’t wait to see you this summer!

We are honored to serve you and your students at Falls Creek Youth Camp.

The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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i Am

john 14:6

2026 CROSSTIMBERS TO HIGHLIGHT WHO CHRIST IS

crafts and teaching times into the camp routine. The “mission stops” to be featured at CrossTimbers this year are Oklahoma Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Montana Between May 26 to July 24, thousands of children— Indian Ministry and International Mission Board missions grades three through sixth—will attend CrossTimbers in South Asia.

Mission Adventure Camp in Davis.

Camp speakers for this year include Josiah Presley, Each of the children will learn about the Gospel, the Jay Willoughby, Clayton Chisum, David Skinner, Joey importance of missions and who Christ is according Dean, Corry Duncan, Kevin Slough, Colby Sorenson, to Scripture.

Mike Keahbone, Josh McKee and more. Over the years, numerous students have responded to the Gospel The theme for this year’s CrossTimbers camp is “I AM,” message and participated in spiritual conversations based on John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, while at CrossTimbers. and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” CrossTimbers campers also experience meaningful moments with others from their church through large CrossTimbers works on a four-year rotation for themes. group games, target sports and waterfront activities. This This year’s theme focuses on who Christ is. summer, they will have the opportunity to experience “When we were coming up with the theme we wanted a new ropes course. the clearest way to tell kids who Christ is,” said Sarah “The secret sauce of CrossTimbers is our staff and Hagar, CrossTimbers program director. “What better their willingness to invest in students,” said Hagar. and easier way to explain who Christ is than John 14:6. “Every activity is designed to intentionally point kids He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.” toward Christ.

CrossTimbers is a longstanding camp program offered by Oklahoma Baptists and supported by the Cooperative Program. CrossTimbers continues to have a strong emphasis on missions work.

CrossTimbers exists to support local church efforts to reach lost children by placing a high priority on Scripture, worship, relationships with staff and church sponsors and opportunities for campers, and sponsors, to sharpen Speakers and staffers work hard to educate campers on their skills and prepare to consistently serve the Lord the evangelistic work that is going on around Oklahoma, after camp. the United States and the world. They accomplish this For more information on CrossTimbers, visit by incorporating cultural practices, games, activities, oklahomabaptists.org/crosstimbers.

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The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Note: Bible translations may vary for clues

45 When it’s hard to pray, Spirit __ for us 46 Funnel-shaped fish 49 Angel’s topper 50 Island greeting 51 Central points 52 Legume 55 “Grieve not the holy Spirit of __” (Eph. 4:30) 56 Whining voice type

59 Shy, cheerful or friendly, e.g.

61 Gaza to Bethlehem (dir.)

62 “Who has insulted the Spirit of __?” (Heb. 10:29 niv) 63 Holy person 64 Devil’s color, popularly 65 “Rich he hath sent __ away” (Luke 1:53) 66 “Lions roar after their __” (Ps. 104:21)

DOWN

ACROSS 1 “While we __ yet sinners, Christ died” (Rom. 5:8) 5 Pseudo chocolate 10 Toast go-with 13 Japanese poem 15 Sporty car brand 16 Prideful person has a big one 17 Birch-like tree 18 Spirit never does this 19 Mary __ at Jesus’ feet 20 Greens need 21 Sky color (Fr.) 23 When “the Spirit of __, is come, he will guide you” (John 16:13) 25 Spirit __ inside the heart

26 Forger might have many 28 God-given gift 31 KJV Spirit 32 Where Spirit lives in you 33 What the sower of parable sowed in 34 Phone greeting, slangily 37 Great Lake 38 Architect Frank __ Wright 40 Sermon delivery, usually 41 Land east of Eden 42 Sullen 43 Pie serving 44 Spirit’s compassion

1 “__ saith the scripture?”

(Rom. 4:3) 2 Spiritual comfort, e.g.

3 Do not “delay to offer the first of thy __ fruits” (Ex. 22:29) 4 Make do (with “out”) 5 54 Down projects 6 Freedom org. (Abbr.)

7 Herb tithed by Pharisees 8 Lode yield 9 Spirit’s water 10 Like a dove, Spirit descended on Him 11 Multicolored rock 12 “Treasures in heaven, where __...do not destroy” (Matt. 6:20 niv) 14 Straight 22 “__ your light so shine” (Matt. 5:16) 24 OT unclean rodent 25 Like Sinai Desert 26 Sailor’s call 27 “Each one should carry their own __” (Gal. 6:5 niv) 28 “Art thou __ the Son of God?” (Luke 22:70) 29 Aircraft (prefix) 30 “There is __ up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8) 31 “Happy are ye; for the spirit of __...resteth upon you” (1 Peter 4:14) 34 Church solo, maybe 35 “Walk honestly...that ye may have __ of nothing” (1 Thess.

4:12) 36 Madrid stadium sounds

WORDSEARCH P M S N B I B L E S T U D Y Y P G O S P E L C P E Q M T D C Z Z K C Y M L H L F H B D E E N Y X M I K C A I R J G K H S H M U P G R B F L Y B K E B M S A F S O G F J U W J J W O K Q C M D A Z H M S G E C F C S O I F R F S S K A T E P A R K T A I A M V M Z I S Y F D C Q D F A L L S C R E E K L Z E G O D K P T Y M Z H S P O R T S O X H G T E E S S M L E H L I R O P E S C O U R S E J R L G T A P U E L I M E M C K V B L G M U D B D L N N A P K O M U E C C S B Y O U T H S K Y J L H C A D V K A N M G Y T A H E F E L L O W S H I P P V F M F L E S E R B I M I R J C W A E Q G X X J E P O O U D G O R E A M P P S L E G A C Y WW A T E R F R O N T R W A L A E H G P J G W O R S H I P I E L F O D B S U T L Y R B L P R A Y E R F Z I P L I N E D K J U N E X X S N X M G B G C O M I S S I O N F O H L A P S O G T A F A D V E N T U R E Z K Y N G C P A B R T Note: The word clues are chosen by Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.

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38 Apocryphal story, e.g.

39 Ricky’s partner on classic TV 40 Sandwich spread 42 Unsettle 43 Leaves, informally 44 Dashboard reading (Abbr.)

45 Joey’s home 46 Brew 47 “Neither pray I for these __” (John 17:20) 48 Out-__, old fashioned 49 Perforated 51 Bible truth, e.g.

52 Animal combo for Noah’s ark 53 “__ Kleine Nachtmusik” (Ger.) 54 Court figure (Abbr.)

57 “To whom hath the __ of the Lord been revealed?”

(John 12:38) 58 Maple provider 60 Music genre

LAST MONTH ANSWERS

WORDS ADVENTURE

JULY

WATERFRONT

BIBLE STUDY

LAKE

WORSHIP

CAMPERS

LEGACY

YOUTH

CHURCH

MAY

ZIPLINE

CROSSTIMBERS MISSION DISCIPLESHIP

PRAYER

EVANGELISM

ROPES COURSE

FALLS CREEK

SKATE PARK

FELLOWSHIP

SPONSORS

FOOD

SPORTS

GOSPEL

STAFF

GREATEST

SUMMER

I AM

THEME

JUNE

VOLLEYBALL

CHURCH NEWS

Church NEWS NEW CONGREGATIONS

Cushing, First North (established congregation, new affiliate) Pastor: Clifford Tucker Mailing: 1518 E. Maple St. Cushing, OK 74023

OKC, Stone Fellowship (new congregation) Pastor: Eric Williams Mailing: 11300 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Apt. 128 OKC, OK 73120

PASTORAL CHANGES

Checotah, Sycamores Community (established congregation, new affiliate) Pastor: Joshua Williams Mailing: 420103 E 1147 Rd. Checotah, OK 74426

Marlow, Hope Community (established congregation, new affiliate) Pastor: Martin Knox (interim) Mailing: 5915 Hope Rd. Marlow, OK 73055

Jarrett Mitchell has begun his first pastorate at Elam Church in North Canadian Association.

Andy Jobe resigned from Bixby, Riverview, and accepted the call to become Associational Mission Strategist for Cimarron Association.

Del City, Iglesia Casa de Oración (established congregation, new affiliate) Pastor: Jose Amaya Mailing: 4001 S. Bryant Ave. Del City, OK 73115

TRIBUTES Elizabeth Argo died March 17. She was the wife of Ron Argo, who pastored churches in Grantham, Canton, Leedey, and Alva, and served as the first president of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.

Alyce Floyd died March 25. She was the wife of Charlie Floyd, pastor of Texola Church.

Richard Magby died April 11. He was pastor of Lehigh Church for 13 years and was Director of Missions for AtokaCoal Association.

Alvin Funkhouser died on April 13.

During his faithful ministry, Funkhouser served as pastor of Mountain Park, First; Burns Flat, First; and Butler, First. He also served as interim pastor at Cooperton, First; Mountain Heights, Buena Vista, CO.; and Lake Creek, Granite. In addition, he pastored at Mountain Heights, Buena Vista, CO and Willow, First.

Phil Templin died April 15. He was the father of Sara Pruegert, executive assistant to the OBHC vice president of ministries. He and his wife, Peggy, served with the IMB for 27 years before retiring to Oklahoma.

Jeff Bruton died April 24. He was the husband of Tanya Bruton, administrative assistant at Pott-Lincoln Association.

The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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PASTOR

BIBLE BELT TO BIG APPLE: BLAKE AND BRYSE MARTIN JOINING CHURCH PLANT IN NEW YORK CITY SHAWNEE—What if God asked you to drop everything and move from Oklahoma, a place you have known all your life, to New York City for missions and church ministry?

New York City is a place that needs the Gospel. Out of the nearly 8.8 million people living in NYC, only 6% profess their faith and regularly attend church. NYC is a melting pot of different cultures and religions, and the challenges of church work and church planting are numerous.

s u c o F In

BLAKE MARTIN Church Planting Pastor Shawnee, Oklahoma

A major move from Oklahoma to New York like that would require a leap of faith. That is exactly what church planting pastor Blake Martin believes the Lord has compelled him to do. He and his wife Bryse are pursuing the calling they feel God has placed on them and are moving to NYC to help plant a church.

“The idea of moving away from home is certainly daunting and scary,” said Martin. “It was something we had to surrender over to the Lord and trust that He was going to provide.”

Both were born and raised in Shawnee. Neither grew up in church, but made professions of faith while attending Shawnee, Immanuel (IMB). Blake felt called into ministry and began his journey as an intern at IMB. While attending college at Oklahoma Baptist University, Martin worked as a student minister at Shawnee, New Hope. Ten years ago, he began his pastorate at Shawnee, Wallace Ave. Though, the Lord was working to lead the Martins to NYC before that.

“God started the work in church planting in my life almost 11 years ago,” said Martin. “We have planted churches and sent church planters out of our church for the last 10 years. I’ve been involved with SEND Network church planting training for the past four years as well.”

About four years ago, Martin began going on mission trips to NYC with his church. Each trip they would help church plants in the city and assist in mission work. On every trip, Martin would feel connected to the people there and knew that eventually he’d plant a church in NYC himself.

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“8.8 million people live a three-and-a-half-hour plane ride away from Oklahoma, where I live, and of those 8.8 million people only 6% profess faith in Jesus and are connected to a church,” Martin said. “That’s what started it. I didn’t realize the magnitude of the lostness there.”

Last year, Martin received a call from a pastor in NYC asking him to just consider moving his family there and pastoring a church. Usually, Blake would be very open and willing to agree. However, the thought of leaving his comfort zone and Shawnee, Wallace was unnerving.

Usually the one to be cautious, Bryse encouraged Blake to consider the offer.

“I knew that this was the time that the Lord had paved a way for our family to move to NYC,” she said.

This endeavor will be a massive change for the family, but they believe that they have been given an obvious path

by God and intend to pursue it whole-heartedly.

Blake will be moving his wife and two children to Hope Community, Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn is the most populous burrow in New York. Neighborhoods have anywhere between 40,000 to 50,000 residents. This change in environment brings its own set of opportunities and challenges.

A church that has 50 members or more is considered large in NYC. This is because the dense population and limited space make finding rooms to host more than 50 people difficult. As a result, the time it takes for a church to become self-sustaining takes longer. The Martins will be relying on the generosity of others to help support the church for the first few years.

Once the church is up and running though, it will have incredible opportunities to spread the Gospel not just to the city, but also to other countries. Since New York is a “melting pot,” churches there can disciple and minster to people from all over the world who can then, in turn, start to proclaim the Gospel to their own family and friends, or even take it back on mission trips to their home country.

The Martins are in the process of relocating to New York this year, ready and willing to serve the Lord. They ask that Oklahoma Baptists pray for them.

“It is among Oklahoma Baptists that I was equipped to serve and understood the call to missions and ministry, so I’m asking my Oklahoma Baptists ‘family’ to pray for us,” Blake added. “I’m grateful for all the support and prayers we have received and will continue to receive.”

The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS HOLD GOSPEL-FOCUSED RETREATS IN APRIL FALLS CREEK SPRING RETREAT ‘RECHARGES’ STUDENTS

On April 10-12, nearly 700 young people attended the annual Falls Creek Spring Retreat. This event brings together collegiate and young adult groups from church and campus-based ministries across the state for a weekend of worship and fellowship. The main sessions and smaller breakout sessions allowed students to “recharge their spiritual battery while enjoying all Falls Creek has to offer on the campgrounds.” Read more at: baptistmessenger. com/falls-creek-spring-retreat-provides-weekend-of-restdiscipleship/

WOMEN’S RETREAT HELPS PARTICIPANTS ‘DRAW NEAR’ TO GOD On April 17-18, more than 2,000 women gathered at Falls Creek and more than 40 host churches participated in the annual Women’s Retreat. The retreat encouraged women to ‘Draw Near’ to God with confidence, hold fast to hope and encourage one another. Many responded with professions of faith and other spiritual decisions. Each year, the retreat hopes for women to be grounded in God’s Word, strengthen their faith and be encouraged to live out their calling.

Read more at: baptistmessenger.com/womens-retreathelps-participants-draw-near-to-god/

‘MAN UP’ GOD’S WAY: A WEEKEND OF BIBLICAL CHALLENGE On April 24-25, hundreds attended the annual Men’s Retreat at Falls Creek Conference Center. This provided a weekend of discipleship and brotherhood for Oklahoma Baptist men. The theme for this year’s retreat was “Man Up,” reflecting on 1 Cor. 16:13. Breakout sessions focused on evangelism, apologetics, men’s ministry, grandparenting and more. Keynote speakers included Todd Fisher and others. Men also participated in numerous activities such as fishing, pickleball, shooting sports, archery and more.

Read more at: baptistmessenger.com/mens-retreatinspires-attendees-to-be-image-bearers-of-christ/

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2 0 2 6 M I S S I O N A RY

Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!

Why OK L A HOMA

Who & Where

Prayer Guide

Tyler serves as a Church Planting Catalyst with SEND Network. He and his wife, Chotsie, and their two children are currently in Oklahoma City at Thrive Community Church. Tyler helps churches plant churches, by identifying potential church planters and coaching them through the church planting process.

How to Pray

Pray for more workers in the harvest.

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Pray for the Barnes family, that family would be a priority above ministry.

Pray for new church plants, and for all the people they are reaching with the Gospel.

EUR O PE

Tyler Barnes

O KLAHO MA

Nathan & Kari Shank

OKL AHO MA

Camp Perfect Wings

Summer Camps at Falls Creek and CrossTimbers

After serving with IMB in South Asia for over Pray for Nathan, Kari, and their children 25 years, Nathan and Kari have relocated to as they transition from South Asia Europe to work in a global role with IMB’s to Europe.

Global Engagement Team. In this role, Nathan Pray for the Shank family as they learn and Kari will consult and train missionaries, the language and culture in their new and work with national partners and other home country. groups to advance the Gospel.

Pray that as Nathan, Kari, and their family serve across the globe, they will be diligent to keep their hands on lostness around them.

Camp Perfect Wings is a weekend camp for children and adults, ages 8 and up, with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The camp includes tailored games, activities, worship, and Bible teachings. Each camper is paired with a buddy to help them fully participate. Camp Perfect Wings creates an environment where campers experience the love of Christ. Camp Perfect Wings is a place where joy abounds, and everyone is welcome to be themself.

Pray for Oklahoma youth as they experience community-building opportunities and unique experiences at Falls Creek Youth Camp and CrossTimbers Mission Adventure Camp. Individual campers participate in team-building activities and personal spiritual disciplines, such as small-group Bible studies, in-cabin Bible studies, breakouts and community building. These interactions carry over as groups return home and can impact the church.

Pray for the Camp Perfect Wings director and volunteers as they plan, prepare, and recruit buddies for camp.

Pray for the health and safety of all campers, buddies, volunteers, and staff.

Pray the love of God will be shown and experienced by all campers and that they would grow in their understanding of who God is.

Please pray youth will gain a new understanding of Jesus this summer.

Pray their relationship with Him will be strengthened.

Please pray for unity, purpose and action in the church through Falls Creek Youth Camp and CrossTimbers Mission Adventure Camp.

To receive weekly missionary prayer requests, text the word PRAY to 833-942-3800.

The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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How to Renew Your Marriage This Spring

By Steve Megli

Spring is here and serves as a reminder that There have even been moments in my what once looked dormant can come alive own marriage when negativity started to again. In many ways, marriage is no different. creep in, and I’ve had to gently say, “Let’s find something positive to say for each Some marriages are thriving and full of life, negative.” It’s amazing how that simple while others are simply surviving. When a shift can help both of us refocus. It reminds marriage begins to drift, it’s easy to focus on us not to focus on the speck in the other what your spouse is not doing. But real change person’s eye while ignoring the beam in our begins when you ask a different question: own (Matthew 7:3–5).

“What am I putting into this relationship?”

Too often, especially in the busy years of raising Marriage is a choice. It’s a choice to give children, we give our spouse the “leftovers” or to wait to receive. Scripture reminds instead of the “best of” ourselves. I’ve also us, “It is more blessed to give than to found that when I intentionally help my wife—it receive” (Acts 20:35). That principle applies not only eases the load—but it also strengthens powerfully in marriage. When we focus on our connection. giving our best—our time, our effort, our attention—we begin to change the direction The Bible gives us a clear picture of how of the relationship. relationships are meant to function: • “Love one another” (John 13:34) Marriage is like a garden. If it’s neglected, • “Be kind to one another” (Eph. 4:32) it begins to dry up. But when it’s watered, • “Serve one another” (Gal. 5:13) nourished, and cared for, it can flourish again. • “Put on a heart of compassion” (Col. 3:12) But there’s something else every healthy garden requires: You must stop focusing on Start today by asking: “What can I do to invest the weeds. In marriage, it’s easy to fixate on in my marriage?” what’s wrong; instead, focus on the positive.

Serve without complaining.

Make it a daily habit to: Give with a joyful heart.

• Compliment your spouse Choose gratitude over criticism.

• Notice what they are doing right And look for reasons to smile together again.

• Express appreciation, even for small things When you do, you may find that what once felt like it was withering begins to flourish Find ways to laugh together again. Sometimes once again. life gets so serious that we forget how much joy strengthens a relationship. The Megli, a licensed marriage and family Bible tells us, “A merry heart does good, therapist, offers “Agape Marriage Intensive” like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). That is counseling sessions. For more information just as true in marriage. Learning to smile, call 580-242-5683. laugh at the little things and not take every moment so seriously can bring healing and connection.

The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com

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