2021/May/27

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • MAY 27, 2021

ReGather: Oklahoma Baptists prepare churches to meet again /// SEE PAGE 6

ADVANC I N G T H E GOSPEL TOGETHER

CO N T E N T S : Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Summer G-O-A-L-S >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Good, better, best

Encourage: Remember or repeat >> HANCE DILBECK

The Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial commemoration will take place on May 31. Politics is threatening to derail and diminish this time of remembrance.

My remarks from six months ago might bring a helpful perspective. I prepared these remarks at the end of October 2020 and delivered them during our Annual Meeting on November 10, 2020, in Broken Arrow. /// SEE PAGE 3

Falls Creek speakers: A mixture of new and returning >> CHRIS DOYLE

DAVIS—The lineup of weekly speakers at Falls Creek Youth Camp this summer features both new speakers and regular favorites. Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director, is excited about all of this year’s Falls Creek speakers, knowing they will preach Gospel-focused messages.

“For our preachers, Falls Creek is unique in that we have a very specific mission to reach lost students,” Sanders said.

OBU celebrates graduates during Spring Commencement May 14-15 >> KENNY DAY

SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) celebrated 277 graduates during Spring Commencement ceremonies May 1415. The events took place in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium.

OBU’s celebration featured five separate ceremonies in order to facilitate physical distancing for graduates and their guests. /// SEE PAGE 12

/// SEE PAGE 7

>> WALKER MOORE

Page 5 | Missions & Ministry IMB introduces Church Connections >> CAROLINE ANDERSON

Page 6 | Features Amazing Grace at the Crossroads >> CARLA HINTON

Page 9 | People & Church News Literacy Missions offers workshop June 18-19 >> CHERYL WILKINSON

Page 10 | Church Toolbox 4 health hacks for ministry couples >> MARK DANCE

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To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

ENDS NEWS & TR

NS & Falls Creek preview:MMI SIA of S I Ocommunity ORTS & S P faith NT N I S T RY E R TA I N M E ENT

Todd Sanders

Falls Creek Program Director Oklahoma Baptists’ Youth Ministry Partner @toddasanders

“Home, Family, Community”—words many use to describe a week of camp. Falls Creek marks a place and moments where individuals have felt God move powerfully. The Holy Spirit moves. God changes earthly paths and eternal destinations as people trust Christ for salvation and grow in their faith.

For many, a week at Falls Creek Youth Camp means change, growth, encouragement and community.

Falls Creek represents a place where God strengthens believers and the church through relational connection and community-building moments.

Summer camp at Falls Creek provides these community-building opportunities for individuals, local churches and also the Church at large, as groups participate in a unique camp experience each week of the summer at Falls Creek.

From the smallest unit to the largest gathering, Falls Creek is a place of connection for all attending. Participants have many opportunities to connect with God and with other believers on a number of levels. Individual campers participate in personal spiritual disciplines and experiences, as well as in small group Bible studies, in-cabin BiNE L Icommunity ble studies with their, E W O Nand Nbreakouts, ENT CONTinteracbuilding within their own USIVEThese XCLgroup.

EB-E W tions strengthen the church at its core.

Afternoons at camp provide another great community-building moment. You can hear the hum of excitement and interaction around grounds as groups take advantage of the time to customize and personalize their group’s experience. Groups

N INFO PUBLICATIO

CLASSIFIE

Native American Leadership Team Meeting

Info: Baptist Building; contact 405-942-3800 Ext. 4517

MAY 30-JUNE 5

Associational Children’s Camp Info: Falls Creek Conference Center; accok.org

MAY 31

Memorial Day JUNE 1-4

CrossTimbers Davis Session 1

Info: Speaker: Eric Fletcher crosstimbers.org

Community building happens throughout a week at Falls Creek Youth Camp, whether through recreational activities during the day or supporting campers who make spiritual decisions during evening worship.

can select breakouts, missions, in-cabin and recreational activities in a way that heightens the interaction E S their own groups V O I Cwithin and serves to strengthen their local church.

The work the Lord does in groups at Falls Creek, through community building, carries over as groups return home as displays of unity and tightened community that can literally impact the church for the months, and maybe even years ahead. Through extended, focused time together, each day at camp offers a great opportunity to maximize intentional, relational interaction and connection in a way not possible in many other times throughout the year.

In addition to providing powerful and meaningful moments for individuals and local congregations, Falls Creek is also a great picture of the cooperation we share as Oklahoma Baptists and as Southern Baptists. Groups are able to develop community with other believers. Each day they

are able to connect with other groups coming together for larger camp activities, including tournaments and other recreational activities, missions experiences, spiritual growth breakouts, conversations, pin trading, prayer, worship, study and more. These interactions often create lasting connection and community through ongoing school, work and ministry friendships, certainly building the bond of Christian community in the Church across Oklahoma and around the nation.

Sharing a summer at Falls Creek Youth Camp provides a common connection more than 2.5 million people have experienced for more than 100 years.

Youth camp weeks at Falls Creek expand the Kingdom and strengthen the church in a unique way.

Please pray for the church to be strengthened this summer. Please pray for unity, purpose and action in the church through Falls Creek Youth Camp 2021.

SIV WEB-EXCLU JUNE 7-11

Falls Creek Week 1

Info: Speaker: Zack Randles; Worship Band: Robertson fallscreek.org

JUNE 12

Enhancing Resilience

Info: $15, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Baptist Building; Chaplaincy training, registration deadline is May 28 405/942-3800 Ext. 4537

JUNE 12

DR-Equipment and CPR Training

Info: $20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Okarche Training Facility okdisasterhelp.org

JUNE 15-16 Info: Nashville, Tenn. sbcannualmeeting.net

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

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

WEB-EXCLU

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

SBC Annual Meeting

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LT U R E U C & S W E N

DS >> PHOTOS: AUSTIN URTON

EVENTS MAY 29

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

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

‘It is OK to get help’ for mental illness, Oklahoma WMU president says TIMOTHY COCKES | MAY 17

When Julie Busler returned to America with her family after serving with the International Mission Board, everything seemed great from the outside. No one would have guessed she had returned due to a mental health crisis.

PUBLICATIO

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IMB trustees appoint 68 missionaries, announce new affinity

EVENTS

LESLIE PEACOCK CALDWELL | MAY 17

Trustees of the International Mission Board (IMB) approved 68 new fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 11-12 meeting in Richmond, Va. This is the first in-person meeting trustees have had since Jan. 2020, before restrictions from COVID-19 necessitated virtual meetings.

Missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration held June 14 in conjunction with the Send Conference in Nashville before the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting.

Each missionary is crucial to IMB’s goal of sending an additional 500 missionaries by 2025.

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

May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

SIV

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 07449518) is published semi-monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112-6506. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 41,714. Individual subscriptions are available upon request. When writing for a change of address or a subscription renewal, please include a copy of your mailing label. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Baptist Messenger, 3800 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-6506.

While the Baptist Messenger attempts to provide advertisers of integrity who furnish quality products, it is recommended that buyers be cautious, do research and get references to any advertiser with which they are not familiar. Publication of an advertisement in the Baptist Messenger does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or businesses. May 27, 2021 • Volume 110, Number 10.

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

EVENTS

MESSENGER STAFF

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

VOICES

Encourage: Remember or repeat Hance Dilbeck Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer @Hance_Dilbeck

The Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial commemoration will take place on May 31. Politics is threatening to derail and diminish this time of remembrance. My remarks from six months ago might bring a helpful perspective. I prepared these remarks at the end of October 2020 and delivered them during our Annual Meeting on November 10, 2020, in Broken Arrow. I still believe it is important for Oklahoma Baptists to honestly, humbly reflect on the tragic truth from the history of our State: “The year 2021 is an important time for Tulsans and for all Oklahomans. In 2021, Oklahoma will commemorate the Race Massacre that took place in the Greenwood District of Tulsa 100 years ago in 1921. Commemoration involves

ceremony and official gatherings, activities and expressions; however, the heart of commemoration is remembering.

“Now, we know that we live in a day in which people all across the political spectrum, right to left, will work to leverage this commemoration for their own purposes. However, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the call to remember is a major theme of the Word of God. The people of God ought to always be a people with a long, accurate, honest memory.

“Why? Why should we work to help one another remember the events of 1921?

“Let brother Stephen answer this question.

When Stephen, the preaching deacon, stood condemned before that angry mob, he challenged their collective memory. He started with Abraham and recalled from memory the family tree of his accusers—the patriarchs, Joseph, Moses, the tabernacle years in the wilderness and the glorious temple in Jerusalem. Then, in the midst of that walk down memory lane, Stephen made his point:

“’When you stone me, just as when you murdered Jesus, you are repeating the same stubborn sins of your fathers. Which of the prophets did you not kill?’

“Remember or repeat.

“There are many good reasons to remember the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. I believe that the most important reason why we remember is just this simple. We work to remember, to accurately, honestly remember—the hatred, the chaos, the violence, the injustices, the willful ignorance and passive complicity—because we know that if we are not careful, we are capable of repeating these same dark sins of hatred, racism, and violence.

“False pride depends on a selective memory.

Honest reflection feeds humility. Humility is the foundation of right relationship with God and man.

“We should remember so that we do not repeat” For more information on how Oklahoma Baptists are commemorating the Tulsa Race Massacre and other related resources visit oklahomabaptists. org/1921.

Sword & trowel: Summer G-O-A-L-S Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

It’s “summertime, and the living is easy,” says a song. Certainly this time of year affords new opportunities for individuals and families. A new poll showed that “half of U.S. adults (50 percent) are likely to take at least one vacation this summer.”

For Christians, in addition to leisure plans, summertime means more daylight and often more opportunities in life. To that end, I will offer a few summer ideas you could consider, using the acronym G-O-A-L-S. Go to church. As society emerges from the long-term effects of the pandemic, we need church attendance to pick back up. With summer vacations, ballgames and other plans, it’s easy to let church attendance slip in the summer. This

summer of all summers, make church attendance a priority for you and your family.

Open a book. The old joke says that the three best parts of school are “June, July and August.”

Yes, summer can be a time we let our learning slip.

Choose this year instead to dive into a book this summer. It could be classics like C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” or Corrie Ten Boom’s “The Hiding Place,” or something else. Above all, keep your daily Bible readings going.

Activate yourself. The Bible says “bodily exercise is of some profit” and godliness is profitable in every way (1 Tim. 4:8). Whether it be a daily exercise routine or just taking outings to the park, find ways to stay active this summer. When we grow slothful in our bodies, we risk growing slothful in our spiritual lives as well.

Lift up prayers. Falls Creek, CrossTimbers, VBS, mission trips. These are just a few vital activities that are coming back, after the summer 2020 hiatus. The Bible tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17) and to “make your petitions known to God” (Phil. 4:6).

Take time each day to intercede for others. Pray for

your pastor, your church, lost people, the sick and for those impacted by these unique seasonal ministries, believing God will hear and answer.

Share the Gospel. Paul gave these instructions to Timothy: “preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2). This summer, be ready for those “in season” opportunities to share the Gospel with someone, such as during VBS at your church. Also, pray and look for those “out of season” opportunities to share Jesus, such as front porch conversations with your neighbors.

These are just a few goals, a few ideas for summer 2021. In the Amplified Bible, it says this of Eph. 5:16, “making the very most of your time (on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence), because the days are (filled with) evil.”

When this summer concludes, we want to have great vacation photos and great memories to show for it. But even more, we want to look back and see the great things God has taught us, the great things He has done. That way, it truly will have been a summertime when the living is pleasing… to God.

Voices | May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

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Rite of passage:S P Good, better, best ORTS & T N AINME

& MISSIONS Y M I N I S T RWalker Moore

ENTERT

President Emeritus of Awe Star Ministries Email | walker@awestar.org @WalkerDeanMoore

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

Growing up, I didn’t need the Internet. Instead, I had a Montgomery Ward catalog. Not only could you use it to find and order just about anything made, but you could break one or two of the Ten Commandments within its pages.

Back in the day, three things saS E Dconsidered I F I we S Scountry CLA cred: God, and the Montgomery Ward catalog. Emblazoned on its cover was the proclamation “Largest Mail Order Business in the U.S.—Supplies for every Trade and Calling on the Earth.” It hawked the world’s goods, everything from fashions to farm implements to something called “crockery.”

You V could S a house from the catalog. In C Ebuy O Ieven rural America, we didn’t say “Montgomery Ward” but its nickname, “Monkey Ward.”

This catalogue was unique in that, on almost every page, the company divided its products into three categories: good, better and best. If you wanted a suit, you would see that they offered three different types: the good suit for $10, a better suit for $15 and their best suit for $20. If you wanted a bicycle, you could get a good one, which was a plain, ordinary bike, or a better one with three speeds or the best with 10 speeds and hand brakes.

I always wanted the best. No doubt, I was enticed by the words the catalog writers used. The description for the best bicycle would include: “our heaviest-gauge steel,” “the fastest bicycle ever made,” “welded, not

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

bolted,” “striking two-toned paint,” “secure handle grips” and “brilliant front andU rear TURE Lreflectors.”

C & S W E The more I read, the more I wanted.

The good biN cycle was just that. There was nothing wrong with it; it just wasn’t the best.

But wanting the best wasn’t the real problem. We all want the best for our families. I want the best for my children, my grandsons and the students I work with. I work hard to give them the best. But I couldn’t afford the Monkey Ward catalog’s best, so I faced a dilemma: Get what I wanted or what I could afford?

It doesn’t take long to see that today’s world has the same problem. The real question should not be, “Do I want good, better or best?” but “What do I need, and what can I afford?” Do I really need all the extras on my bicycle? Will streamers flying from the handle bars and hand brakes help me get from point A to point B any better? I don’t think so.

I think we have mixed up good, better and best with wants and needs. What I want and what I need are two different things. Do I really need to pay twice to three times as much for a clothing item because it has a designer label? And is such a label a need or a want?

We have become a nation that is best-poor.

We hock the future and put ourselves into bondage with overwhelming debt so we and our children can have the best. And guess what? The best doesn’t make us better. What is best for children is to learn how to have financial freedom and to live below their means, so they can have resources to bless others.

A young couple came into our office. They served as missionaries with our organization and were getting married soon. They didn’t have much of what this world offers, but they have learned to be satisfied with the good. She worked at three jobs in order to earn extra money for the wedding. As we visited, they asked about a certain missionary and how the fundraising for his mission trip was going.

We told them, and they pulled out $300 and ask that it be applied anonymously to his trip. This young couple understands what it is to buy the best. Because of their gift, salvation will come in another part of the world, churches will be planted, and their gift will bear everlasting fruit.

Mom and Dad, it is your job to provide your children with the best. And that is not found in a product or the things of the world. When we lead and teach our children to have wisdom, we give them the best, because it helps them understand the difference between wants and needs.

Wisdom also provides guidance to know what is good, better or best: “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

We may not be able to afford the best things of this world, but we can afford to give our children the best things of God. And no matter what catalog you use, He has already paid for the best.

The power of a name Emerson Falls Oklahoma Baptists’ Native American Ministry Partner

In Luke 19, we read about a man named Zacchaeus who was successful and wealthy. When Jesus came to Jericho, the crowd caused Zacchaeus to climb up a tree in order to see Him. While we don’t know everything about Zacchaeus, we can deduce much and also ponder about this man.

It is possible that Zacchaeus was acquainted with a fellow tax collector named Levi. Mathew 9:9 says that one day Jesus saw a man named Matthew (Levi) sitting in the tax collector’s office. It seems reasonable to assume that most Jews knew Matthew as “the tax collector.”

It is easier to label people than to love them.

However, labels tend to dehumanize a person. For example, at a time when African Americans were commonly called racial slurs, it tragically was common to live in a segregated society. At a time when Japanese were called racial slurs, it tragically was not a problem for that same society to put them internment camps. Thankfully, to use such labels today is widely known to be wrong.

Jesus did not see a label—a “tax collector.” He saw a “man named Matthew.” To know someone well enough to know his name indicates a personal relationship. No doubt, Matthew was a sinner. Because Jesus called Matthew by his name, he had influence with Matthew. Is it not true that the people who have influenced us the most in our lives are the people with whom we’ve had a personal rela-

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tionship? As a result of this influence, Matthew became a follower of Jesus.

The story gets better. Simon was a member of the Zealot party. They were prone to violence, so tax collectors saw them as enemies. We don’t know how Simon met Jesus, but he became a follower of Jesus also. Can you imagine the look on the face of Zacchaeus when he saw Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot eating and laughing together as followers of Jesus? Surely that did not make sense to Zacchaeus. He wanted to know more about this man Jesus, even if he had to climb up a tree in order to see Him. While other Jews avoided sinners like Zacchaeus, Jesus did the opposite. He chose to enter into the house of Zacchaeus. Some religious leaders criticized Jesus for this, but he came to “seek and to save” those who are lost. For Jesus, that meant getting beyond labels and getting to know sinners as people with names.

The tendency to label others has not gone away. In fact, it is common to see people refer to sinners with labels. Yet Christ did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world. Condemnation will get an “Amen” from the choir, but not from the crowd of sinners.

Today, somewhere there is a young girl who is preg-

nant and alone. She thinks her only option is to have an abortion. I wonder: what is her name?

Today, somewhere there is a man angered by racism in society. He doesn’t see any option except violence. I wonder: what is his name?

The church is the most powerful entity in the world. We can turn the world upside down, but the weapons of our warfare cannot be carnal. When we love sinners unconditionally, we will know them as people, and we will know them by name.

Then we will have influence in their lives so that we can lead them to Jesus. No barrier can withstand the power of love.

Good News Neighborhoods

May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

FOR OUR

The Cooperative Program allows churches everywhere to work together through generosity, so that every church can support local missions while also having a global reach. Through the Cooperative Program, your church funds and sends missionaries around the world, trains pastors and ministry leaders, plants churches, and changes lives for eternity.

OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/CP

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

IMB introduces Church XConnectionsP E O P L E &

>> by Caroline Anderson IMB WRITER

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)—What would happen if the more than 47,000 churches in the Southern Baptist Convention were directly connected to International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries and actively engaged in fulfilling the Great Commission?

IMB leadership estimates that almost 50 percent of Southern Baptist churches have no known connection to an IMB missionary. Church Connections was recently introduced to remedy this gap in relationships and directly connect IMB missionaries to Southern Baptist churches.

For decades, Southern Baptists have prayed for, served alongside and given financially to support the work of IMB missionaries. IMB President Paul Chitwood said there is both an opportunity and responsibility for missionaries to pray for, share with and serve these churches.

“To live out our mission statement that the IMB ‘exists to serve Southern Baptists in carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations,’ we must prioritize our relationships with SBC churches,” Chitwood said. “The Church Connections initiative allows us to do just that by building sustained, ongoing relationships so that every Southern Baptist church is connected with at least one IMB missionary.”

Church Connections began in 2020 with a pilot program involving 10 percent of IMB’s missionaries. April 5 was the official launch, and 22,000 churches were given to 900 missionaries to make a contact.

Andy Pettigrew, an IMB affinity stateside associate, estimates by the middle of 2022, every Southern Baptist church will receive a personal contact from a missionary.

LBO Pettigrew said the impetus forO Church Connections O T H C R U H C a desire to better serve Southern Baptists came from while partnering to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations. “(What) unites us is our shared conviction and our shared mission in proclaiming the Gospel among the nations, and I believe that God has ordained the local church to carry out His divine mission,”S Pettigrew said.

D E I F I S “As we serve C churches to that end, we as an organizaLAS tion have a responsibility and a great stewardship to connect back to those churches.”

Pettigrew and the eight couples serving as affinity stateside associates are equipping missionaries as they make connections with churches. Pettigrew serves personnel serving in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Missionaries are writing notes, phone calls E Smaking I C step and sending emailsVasO a first in connecting with churches. As missionaries connect with church leaders, their conversations center around the questions, “How can we serve you? How can we come alongside you? How can we encourage you?”

When Church Connections launched, many of the initial missionaries involved were on temporary assignment in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This allowed some missionaries even to visit churches.

Pettigrew said IMB missionaries have been faithful to communicate with churches with whom they have personal connections.

“Historically, we’ve done a good job, but where we have not done a good job is connecting with all churches and really feeling the weight, the stewardship of every single Southern Baptist church,” Pettigrew said.

IMB personnel have embraced the Church Connections effort and are eagerly connecting with pastors, church staff and members. Pettigrew has

heard many missionaries say, “We should W E haveS been doing this already.”

CHURCH N Many missionaries have shared they have spoken to churches that have never had a missionary visit or contact them directly.

Pettigrew said he hopes to see an injection of unity in Southern Baptist churches around fulfilling the Great Commission, adding that churches and IMB misRE LTtoUthe U C & sionaries are both called to proclaim the Gospel S W E N nations, and the focus of Church Connections is to serve, encourage and foster cooperation in the task of fulfilling the Great Commission.

“If there are 47,000 churches, we hope to see 47,000 churches engaged in the Great Commission—that’s both sharing the Gospel where they are locally and seeking ways to proactively be about making disciples of all nations and all parts of the world, so that God is glorified as He deserves,” Pettigrew said.

Pettigrew said he hopes Church Connections begins an ongoing dialogue about how IMB missionaries and churches can better collaborate.

“Church Connections is a part of who we are. This is not a program that’s going to have a stop and end date. It is who we are. It’s in our DNA,” he said.

Southern Baptist churches can expect to hear from an IMB missionary by early 2022. Interested in connecting with an IMB missionary now? Contact: info@imb.org.

Churches looking to increase their involvement with the IMB can do so in the following ways.

• Stay connected with the IMB through the Advance the Kingdom App (Apple and Android).

• Support the work of missionaries every day.

• Explore the hundreds of opportunities you and your church can GO.

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

OPPORTUN

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OKLAHOMA

These ministries have various on-going opportunities for volunteers: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OKC and Community Food Bank of Eastern OK, Tulsa—both locations, call 405/972-1111 (Not an Oklahoma Baptist ministry, but many churches receive food from them for local food pantries.)

Arms Around Broken Arrow—food pantry, clothes closet—918/258-7714 or bryan@armsaroundba.org Lake Texoma Baptist Resort Ministry, 2034 Max Rd, Mead 73449—Monty & Tammy Wood, directors, 580/916-2181 or thehelm2034@gmail.com Cherokee Baptist Assembly, Cherokee – 918/506-5482 email: cba_tahlequah@yahoo.com

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 Oklahoma Missionary Tyler Barnes Tyler is the founding pastor of Oklahoma City, Thrive Community.

His ministry focus is “preaching, coaching leaders and discipling Christians in the Way of Jesus.”

Pray for people in the urban core of OKC to be receptive to the Gospel.

Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Rusty Gunn Rusty is pastor of Sand Springs, Church that Matters, and a NAMB church planting catalyst. Pray that his children “continue to love and serve Jesus;” that he lives “worthy of (his) calling;” and for Church that Matters.

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

Missions & ministry | May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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ReGather: Oklahoma Baptists prepare churches to meet again /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

“Opportune” is a word that is consistently used lately by Oklahoma Baptist leaders. That is how James Swain describes the ReGather emphasis that was launched through a webpage in mid-May. “I think this may be the most opportune fall in the history of Oklahoma Baptists—at least in our modern history,” said Swain who serves as Oklahoma Baptists’ associate executive director for church relations. “A lot of our churches have the opportunity to do a ‘reset’ especially with their small groups.

Many churches have not gone back to doing in-person small groups, or maybe they are doing hybrid (a mix of in-person and online). We want to place some emphasis on that.”

In early spring, Oklahoma Baptists’ regional ministry partners met with pastors across the state in what Swain called roundtable discussions, involving how to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The questions the ministry partners asked focused on how pastors were doing, how their church was doing and how the churches and leadership will approach the summer and the fall.

“What we heard from pastors about themselves and about their church is they needed to grieve— everybody had some losses personally in this season—and they need to refocus on what happens next,” Swain said.

Not all that resulted from 2020 is negative, Swain said. He pointed to churches doing financially better than expected.

“Out of 2020, (finances) might be the only metric that really gauges a church’s health because so much of our gathering did not take place in person,” he said. “We’ve come through this stronger than anybody anticipated.”

Now, Swain said it is important for Oklahoma Baptist churches to prepare for people to return and to make a great emphasis about returning this fall.

“We’re 90 days away from the start of school in many places,” he said. “This summer is going to be busy with VBS and camps. We’re encouraging pastors and church leaders to not let this opportunity sneak up on them. Make sure there is some preparation.”

After gathering results from discussions with pastors and to help churches prepare for the upcoming fall, Oklahoma Baptists offer a new webpage

titled “ReGather,” which can be found at oklahomabaptists.org/ReGather.

What’s on the ReGather webpage?

Scrolling down the page, viewers will first find messages for Oklahoma Baptist pastors.

“Pastors need to guard their own emotional health,” the webpage stated. “They need to grieve their losses and share their struggles with safe people who will provide support for them.”

The messages for pastors emphasize the need to “Rejoice, Refocus and Rest” as focal points to recover from the 2020 pandemic.

Oklahoma Baptists offer a new webpage to help churches ‘ReGather’ this fall.

Visit oklahomabaptists.org/ReGather. >> PHOTO: OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG

The webpage’s focus then turns to people. “The people of our churches need many of the same things our pastors need,” the webpage stated.

“They need time to grieve their losses and be renewed emotionally and spiritually.”

Observations are offered about church members being strong and loyal, needing leadership and missing in-person gatherings.

From there, the ReGather webpage features suggested plans and resources to help Oklahoma Baptist churches. The resources include folders and files provided by Lifeway Christian Resources that help restart groups build an emphasis for Bible study groups.

Swain said the webpage is an excellent source of information, and he appreciates Lifeway helping with the ReGather emphasis.

“Lifeway has been very generous with us and provided some preparation resources for regathering,” he said. “We are going to populate the webpage with those tools that a church can use.”

ReGather and rebuild Some key points that Swain emphasized included the importance of equipping in ministry and outreach.

“One of the things that COVID exposed is the evangelism strategy at most of our churches,” Swain said. “The approach has been ‘come and see.’

We need to be equipping people to ‘go and tell.’”

He suggested equipping church members to reach people in the community through missional opportunities as well as contacting people on church rolls who have not attended for a while.

“We spent a year telling people to stay away from each other,” Swain said. “Now there will be some fellowship opportunities. Take some Sunday nights and make them fellowship times, whether that’s for groups or classes or even having a church-wide gathering. Honestly, I don’t know if there is a better way to fellowship than for people to serve together through ministry missional opportunities.”

No church has the same community setting, so ReGather is not emphasizing a “one-size-fits-all” approach to rebuilding fellowship this fall.

“Every context is different,” Swain said. “Our general encouragement is pick a day that is the most opportune day for your church to have a welcome back, welcome home, high attendance, let’s round everybody up event. That could be either at the end of August or right after Labor Day.” ReGather gives a clear emphasis to all Oklahoma Baptist churches to be a part of a fall promotion. Visit oklahomabaptists.org/ReGather for helpful resources or, for further guidance, contact one of the regional ministry partners whose contact information can be found at oklahomabaptists.org/relations.

“Don’t miss this window of opportunity,” Swain said. “A pastor friend of mine summed it up best when he said, by the holidays, people will have established their participation pattern (in church). We have a window of opportunity that I think can be significant to reengage some people as we are regathering them.”

Amazing Grace at the Crossroads >> by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman faith editor HOLDENVILLE—You don’t have to be a biker to be welcomed into Freedom Crossroads Biker Church. At the Holdenville house of worship, bikes are optional because the love of Christ keeps things rolling along.

The small, tight-knit congregation is just months away from gathering in a new sanctuary on their property in Holdenville. Pastor Allen “Speedy” Briggs said Freedom Crossroads Biker Church found itself at a literal crossroads at a crucial time in their building project.

In early 2020, Briggs met a man through what he considered a series of divinely orchestrated events, and the man connected the church with a group of volunteer Christian builders. The man and his volunteer group believed in Briggs and in his congregation’s mission to spread the Gospel, so they agreed to travel to Holdenville to help the biker church build a sanctuary.

It was then that Briggs and his congregation came to an important fork in the road. They had submitted two separate loan applications—one to a local bank and one to WatersEdge Ministry Services.

The COVID pandemic had slowed the loan application process to a snail’s pace. But when plans for the project fell quickly into place due to the vol-

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>> PHOTO: MARCUS WEHMULLER Billy “Wahoo” Lumpkin has

attended Freedom Crossroads from the beginning. He is also a proud member of the Faith Riders, a motorcycle ministry passionate about sharing Christ with the world.

unteer builders, the need for funding became urgent. The church had to decide between the two loans rather quickly because the volunteers were on a tight timeline.

“We had to have everything on the ground ready to work when they arrived,” Briggs said. “We applied right when COVID hit, and it was four or five months that we were all kind of sitting around waiting to see what was going to happen. Then I got a call back from both of them (the bank and WatersEdge).”

Briggs says the church’s leaders chose WatersEdge, in part, because they knew the interest on the $30,000 loan would be funneled right back

May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

into ministry. (WatersEdge returns loan interest to churches through ministry investments.) With the loan secured, the project began in earnest.

The volunteers assembled the majority of the new sanctuary in a few weeks’ time, leaving some interior trim and electrical work to be completed by Freedom Crossroads’ members. Now only a few projects remain before the structure is ready for services.

“Getting the loan through WatersEdge took care of a deficit that prevented us from moving along.

So, instead of taking an extra year or two to get things finished, construction was done in about two months,” Briggs said.

Chain of events The preacher led worship on a recent Sunday morning, strumming his guitar while he sang songs of his Savior. Later in the service, he became emotional as he shared the church’s testimony of faith.

Church members sat together at tables as their pastor explained that their congregation “family” had come a long way. He and his wife, Jody, both schoolteachers, planted the church in 2013 after being commissioned by Holdenville, First.

A motorcycle rider joined by several friends who also rode motorcycles, Briggs said he patterned Freedom Crossroads after a biker church in Texas,

Falls Creek speakers: A mixture of new and returning /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

DAVIS—The lineup of weekly speakers at Falls Creek Youth Camp this summer features both new speakers and regular favorites. Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director, is excited about all of this year’s Falls Creek speakers, knowing they will preach Gospel-focused messages.

“For our preachers, Falls Creek is unique in that we have a very specific mission to reach lost students,” Sanders said. “We aim the evening services to feed believers, but we are also calling to the Gospel. The preachers will give a clear Gospel presentation, a clear call to salvation and bring students to a point of making a decision.”

Seven speakers are on the list. Three will be speaking for the first time, while four will be returning to Falls Creek, but Sanders knows all of the speakers will be effective in connecting with campers.

“Worship times are a highlight of camp for students and adults alike,” he said. “Evening worship services are one of the things students rate as most impactful, and youth camp this summer should reflect what I call the hallmark ministry at Falls Creek Youth Camp— Gospel presentation, Gospel invitation, unapologetic spiritual focus, focusing on Christ.”

Week One—June 7-11 Zack Randles Pastor of Washington, D.C. Waterfront Zack Randles will be preaching for the first time at Falls Creek, but he has spoken at other Oklahoma Baptists events, including The Call Conference and the first Send Oklahoma Network gathering, which happened earlier this year.

The founding pastor of Washington, D.C. Waterfront, Randles has Oklahoma ties, as he attended Oklahoma State University and has a passion for church planters. “(Zack) preaches with passion and has heart for taking the Gospel to needed places,” Sanders said.

Week Two—June 14-18 Randy Kendrix Pastor of Madill, First Randy Kendrix has years of youth ministry ties. This will be his first time to preach at Falls Creek. He has been pastor of Madill, First since 2013.

called Broken Chains Freedom Church, where he had led worship. Briggs liked the congregation’s “relaxed environment, down-to-earth message and upbeat music.”

The hallmark of a biker church isn’t necessarily that everyone rides to services on a motorcycle, though Briggs and church members like Billy “Wahoo” Lumpkin and Roger “Crossbone” Pickett do just that. Rather, Briggs says biker churches are typically less formal than traditional congregations and often draw people who may not want to attend the latter, for whatever reason. Freedom Crossroads’ motto explains this premise in a different way: “Worshiping the same God of the same Bible, doing church a little differently.”

Briggs said Freedom Crossroads began with about 19 people meeting in the loft of a building at a used car dealership. They took the church outside for services in a park once a month. Freedom Crossroads moved to a local lodge building after outgrowing the car lot. Several members found it humorous that the lodge building included a pool table, which fit the church’s nontraditional nature.

The congregation eventually started a building fund while continuing to meet at the lodge. Briggs said they found an ideal property for a permanent church home, but the man who owned the property didn’t want to sell it to them. He agreed to allow the church to lease the property for a nominal fee, but later, instead of selling it to them, he felt the Lord wanted him to deed it to them free of charge after a year.

Briggs said, through this amazing chain of events, the congregation moved into a building on the property and used the building fund and

“Randy is an evangelistic speaker, and he knows how to relate to students with his background in youth ministry,” Sanders said.

Week Three—June 21-25 Week Seven—July 19-23 Shane Pruitt NAMB National Next Gen Evangelism Director Shane Pruitt first appeared at Falls Creek in 2019. After serving as director of evangelism for Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, he is currently serving with the North American Mission Board as the Next Gen evangelism director. Pruitt will be making two appearances at Falls Creek this summer for Week Three and Week Seven.

“Shane is another passionate speaker who knows how to connect with students,” Sanders said. “He has done a lot of speaking opportunities with us outside of Falls Creek, including the Advance Conference and YEC (Youth Evangelism Conference). He is one of the most genuine people you could ever meet. He is a good partner in ministry.”

Week Four—June 28-July 2 Jeff Wallace Executive Director of Lift Tour and Youth Pastor Summit Jeff Wallace has preached at Falls Creek previously, but it has been a few years since his return this summer. Currently, he serves as executive director of Lift Tour and Youth Pastor Summit, programs that are a part of Student Leadership University, a faithbased, leadership-training program for students.

“Jeff is a frequent youth camp speaker and a favorite communicator among students,” Sanders said. “He spent 23 years in church student ministry, and he is an energetic, exciting speaker.”

Week Five—July 5-9 Wade Morris Evangelist, Founder of Wade Morris Ministries Wade Moore makes regular appearances at Falls Creek. A full-time evangelist, he speaks all across the country sharing the Gospel.

“Wade really understands youth ministry and youth camp environments,” Sanders said. “He is an effective

>> PHOTO: MARCUS WEHMULLER Bikers

at Freedom Crossroads ride together every chance they get, sometimes as often as every weekend.

many volunteer hours to fix it up for use as its current temporary worship space.

“God came through. It’s amazing the way He works,” Briggs said.

Room to grow The church has drawn an average of about 40 people for Sunday services, even in the midst of the pandemic. Many other members watch services online, and Briggs expects to see more of them returning to in-person worship soon.

When they do, they’ll be welcomed back by members like Elaine Jones and her husband, John. They met the Briggses at a cafe one day and took the couple up on their invitation to visit the new church. Jones said they loved Freedom Crossroads immediately.

“We’ve been with them since the beginning when Speedy was just getting started. They make you feel welcome. They don’t make you feel like you don’t belong,” she said. “When people hear ‘biker church,’ a lot of things go through their mind, but it’s a good church, a really loving church.

Lumpkin said he became a member of Freedom

communicator when it comes to ‘casting the net and drawing students in’ with an evangelistic message.”

Week Six—July 12-16 Heath Tucker Pastor of Edmond, Waterloo Road This will be Heath Tucker’s first time to speak at Falls Creek Youth Camp.

He recently became the pastor of Edmond, Waterloo Road, after serving at Skiatook, First.

“Heath is one of the young Oklahoma pastors who understands the church dynamic,” Sanders said. “He is an effective leader and will bring a clear message every night.”

Week Eight—July 26-30 Ed Newton Pastor of San Antonio, Texas, Community Bible Ed Newton has spoken many years at Falls Creek and is considered an alltime favorite camp speaker. After serving in full-time evangelism, Newton has been serving the past couple of years as a pastor in San Antonio.

“When kids hear that Ed is preaching, they get excited,” Sanders said. “He makes a connection in a unique way with students. He also is a very evangelistic communicator and knows how to present the Gospel. He loves Falls Creek and has been a part of our camp family for a long time.”

Worship Bands at Falls Creek Six worship bands will be leading times of worship through music during the Falls Creek evening services. Robertson will lead off the first two weeks of camp, followed by Logan Walters Band in Week Three.

Common Worship will be leading worship in Week Four, with Bailey Byers serving Weeks Five and Six. Cody Dunbar, a regular worship leader at Falls Creek, will be at Week Seven, and Phil Vega, who leads worship at Ed Newton’s church, will be the final worship band at Week Eight.

“We want bands who have skilled musicians and worship leaders, but they understand the local church,” Sanders said. “All the bands this summer have a grasp of working in the church and are leading congregations in worship.”

For more information visit skopos.org/fallscreek.

Crossroads during the church’s second Sunday worship service. He marveled at the ways the Lord has proven His faithfulness to the congregation.

“It’s amazing the things that happened—it was just like dominoes,” he said. “Us getting the loan to be able to do this. And then it would have taken us two years to be able to do what the Volunteer Christian Builders Association did in two weeks.”

For His glory When the entire building project is complete, the church will have its new sanctuary and a nearby bike repair shop. The sanctuary will seat about 50 people with tables and chairs and about 100 people if rows of chairs are set up instead. The bike repair shop is intended to be a point of outreach where riders in the community can work on their bikes while being ministered to by members of the congregation.

“God took what appeared to be a small thing and turned it into something huge,” Briggs said.

“It’s not about a building. It’s about turning it into something huge for His glory.”

>> PHOTO: MARCUS WEHMULLER Pastor “Speedy”

Briggs has led Freedom Crossroads for seven years.

Features | May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Dilbeck among SWBTS 2021 LT U R E I F I E D S honorees C L A S Salumni NE WS & CU

Everardo Borunda was recently announced as the new dean of Robert Haskins School of Christian Ministry. Borunda also serves as Oklahoma Baptists Hispanic ministry partner. For 14 years, Borunda was the Hispanic minister at Oklahoma City, Rancho Village. He is currently serving as the church’s transitional pastor.

VOICES

Hance Dilbeck, Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer, was listed among three alumni who will be recognized as distinguished alumni of Southwestern Seminary, June 16.

Roy Fish, posthumously, and Tom Nettles also will receive honors at the seminary’s Alumni and Friends Luncheon, which will be in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

“I am thrilled that we will have the opportunity to honor three Southwesterners whose lives and ministry encapsulate so clearly the Southwestern Seminary tradition of scholarship on fire that has marked this institution from its founding,” said Adam W. Greenway, president of Southwestern Seminary.

“Drs. Roy Fish, Tom Nettles, and Hance Dilbeck are exemplars as evangelists, scholars and ministers of the Gospel, and are most deserving of being recognized as distinguished alumni this year.”

A news release on the event can be found at baptistmessenger. com/dilbeck-honored.

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Borunda named dean of Haskins School

Skiatook, First remembers Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial

On Sunday, May 2, Pastor LeRon West of Tulsa, Gilcrease Hills, pictured right, and Skiatook, First Executive Pastor Scott Neighbors lead an information session about the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial, at Skiatook, First, for members and guests. For more ministry resources connected to the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial, visit www. oklahomabaptists.org/1921. >> PHOTO: PROVIDED

May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

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Literacy Missions offers workshop June 18-19 >> by Cheryl Wilkinson

DS CLASSIFIE

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS LITERACY MISSIONS COORDINATOR

Recently, in his regular “Encourage” column, Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer Hance Dilbeck wrote about the value of children. He shared Jesus’ words in Matt. 19:14, where He said, “Let the E Sdo not hinder them from O I Cand Valone, children coming to Me; for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Dilbeck wrote, “To follow Jesus is to know the value of children…Summer camps, Vacation Bible School and other special ministries bring great opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with these tender hearts.”

One such special ministry among Southern Baptists is Tutoring Children and Youth, one of the three areas of Literacy Missions ministries. I have just finished tutoring a 13-year-old girl named “Melissa” whom I began working with in February.

We spent two and a half hours together each Thursday. I was able to share a new Bible verse every week, discussing it with her and guiding her to practice her reading and spelling. Every time, she copied the verse onto a colored index card.

In our sessions we also had one-on-one time to focus on some of the reading skills that are difficult for her. We used some games

as we practiced, and we read pages from a U LTinU R E chapter book that interested S &her.CMixed W E N with teaching, we took time to talk about life and to discuss some good questions Melissa had regarding concepts and people in the Bible. We also prayed together about her schoolwork, her family and anything else that was important in her young teen life.

Over the weeks, I saw some improvement in her reading, and I had a chance to encourage her to keep reading this summer since practice makes perfect, just as with other skills. After our last session, Melissa was able to take home her ring of Scripture cards, decorated just for her with colorful ribbons.

She often told me that the first two verse cards were her very favorites: Psalm 139:1316 and John 3:16. It is wonderful to think she will likely be reading these verses routinely at home and sharing them with her mother, too.

Oklahoma Baptists Literacy Missions is offering an 11-hour Tutoring Children and Youth Workshop on June 18-19 at the Baptist Building, 3800 N. May, in Oklahoma City.

Workshops for English as a Second Language as well as Adult Reading and Writing will be at the same time. Registration deadline for these workshops is June 10.

For more information or to register for any of these helpful training opportunities, visit oklahomabaptists.org/evangelism/literacy.

EWS CHURCH N PEOPLE IN THE NEWS ELLIS DEATH. Gary Ellis, 77, died Friday, May 7. He recently served as A First, reO H associate pastor at M Edmond, A L K O E H T tiring in 2015. HeHspent I V Ehis life servC R A T S I T B A Ping in religious education and church administration, serving in five different churches in four states. He was a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Seminary. He had a passion for teaching God’s Word and helping others understand the Bible. After retiring, Ellis continued to teach Sunday School. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda; his two sons, Mark and Stephen; and four grandchildren.

ORDINATION. Travis Battles, Herbert Tennyson and Cerik Martin were ordained to the deacon ministry on May 2 at Chelsea, First.

ORDINATION. Jeff DeGiacomo was ordained to the Gospel ministry on May 16 at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS REVIVAL REPORT. Okmulgee, Belvin, April 26-28, seven professions of faith. Clint Sinclair of Henryetta was the evangelist. Phil Lawrence led music. Jordan Kanuho is pastor.

DISBANDMENT. Waukomis, First has disbanded.

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

New book to be published

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

Shonn Keels, associate pastor at Oklahoma City, Putnam City, will have a new book that will be released in Jan. 2022.

Keels said the book is the result of three years of extensive research, addressing one of the pressing issues in Southern Baptist life today—the lack of attention to personal evangelism.

Other books by Keels are available on Amazon, including “Hold the Rope: Having a Heart for Jesus” and “Maximize Your Leadership.”

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U R E

>> PHOTO: MARK JONES

OKC, Quail Springs honors 10 state Bible Drill winners

Due to the COVID pandemic in 2020, many Oklahoma Baptist churches were unable to observe Bible Drill for children. Oklahoma City, Quail Springs “pushed forward” despite the challenges to teach children Bible skills and prepared them for drill competition. Mark Jones, children’s pastor at Quail Springs, said many children competed in the Church Bible Drill with 13 advancing to Capital Association Drill and 10 competing in the Oklahoma State Bible Drill. Featured are all 10 children were successful at state, including, back row from left, Katie Wolff, Chloe Anne Sarampote, Abigail Johnson, Katie Snead, Stacy Font, Layla Pybas, front row from left, Macie LaRue, Henry Whittle, Matthew McGuire and Isaiah Henisa.

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People & Church News | May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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4 health hacks for ministry couples

SIFIEDS S A L C found the MyFitnessPal

We have both app to be helpful, though there are countless alternatives.

Exercise consistently A pastor recently asked me for advice on This pastor also asked for advice on exerstaying physically healthy, which led to this cising, and if Janet and I had suggestions or article. These principles (hacks) are transfer- resources. Here’s what I offered: I C E Sbeable to any adult. I asked my wife Janet to Cardio. Janet recommends V Owalking help write this article, as she was a registered cause it is easy and sustainable. It’s like askdietitian (RDN) and college professor before ing the dentist what the best toothpaste is. giving that up to do marriage events with The typical answer is, “the one you use.” me. Here are four health hacks that we have The CDC recommends doing at least 75 found helpful over the last three decades. minutes of cardio per week if it’s vigorous Get focused (you can talk but too out of breath to sing), Let’s start with the WHY. The disciplines or 150 minutes per week if mild/moderate.

Janet and I practice are rooted in a desire to Janet and I run three miles, every other day, “glorify God with our body” and “to love the at a moderate pace.

LORD… with all of our strength” (1 Cor. 6:20; Strength Training. The pastor menMark 12:30). tioned about him and his wife working out I won’t pretend that we are not addition- with a personal trainer. “She nearly lamed ally motivated by a desire to look and feel as both of us,” he said. “I decided then to never good as possible, but these motives are in- workout with anyone five years or younger sufficient for the long haul. than I am.”

For those who still need further motivaWe concur that a younger trainer can be tion, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control hazardous to your health because empathy and Prevention) says regular physical activ- (or sympathy) from them is rare. Janet recity promises a lower risk of heart disease, ommends strength exercises at least two stroke, high blood pressure, high choles- days a week, starting with the plank because terol or triglycerides, Type 2 diabetes, met- it works almost every muscle in the body at abolic syndrome, colon cancer, breast can- the same time. You can do it anywhere withcer, depression and falls. out special equipment, and it takes less than Eat healthy 10 minutes to finish. Stretch and practice balThe pastor asked me, “In one of our last ance because we lose balance as we age. conversations you said, ‘You can’t exercise Commit together your way out of a bad diet.’ This is my chalAlthough it is sometimes more convelenge. Is it also true that you can’t eat your- nient to fly solo, your chances of achieving self into healthy muscles, joints, and fitness?” your exercise and eating goals are expoDespite all you might read in fad diets, nentially greater with a partner—preferably real science points to simply doing what your spouse. Who else will see and celebrate you learned in elementary school: eat the results of your fitness more than your whole foods from all of the food groups spouse? right answer is “nobody.”)

E (Thelifestyle R O M TAHhealthy and limit processed foods as much asFposrequires some type of G O L B S R E sible. Janet sometimes asks, “Can you name rhythm for consistency.

Start by committing ORDSLING its mama?” (e.g., apples comeW from an apple 20-30 minutes of exercise every other day. tree, eggs come from a chicken, Twinkies Intensity can increase gradually over time. come from....?).

Janet has been a constant source of enKnow how many calories are in the food couragement to me, and I try to reciprocate. you eat. We often read menus online before We only get one body, so let’s take care of it we go to restaurants and order accordingly. for the Lord’s sake, for our family’s sake and S sake.

Portion sizes are typically so large that weE for S AourYown AV usually split an entree and order D an extra EDITOR’S NOTE: Mark’s weekly encourageside salad or vegetable. ment is available at markdance.net. >> by Mark Dance

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL DEVELOPMENT

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

2021 S B C S E N D CO N FE R E N C E

INSIGHT PODCASTS

On June 13-14, leading into the SBC Annual Meeting, Southern Baptists will gather for the SEND Conference in Nashville.

Check out the latest episodes on the Messenger Insight podcasts while you are on the go this summer.

sendconference.com

baptistmessenger.com/podcast

BAPTIST MESSENGER

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

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May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

F RO M T H E G E R S B LO G WO R D S L I N WS &

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A DISTRACTED DISCIPLE >> MITZI WOODSON

Whew! What a day already! Got YtheS kids fed, dressed A S E V A D and arrived at the sitter on time for the first time this week. At least today, they all had their shoes on.

But when I got to work, everyone was talking about every issue under the sun. Gas shortages, racial unrest, border problems, cancel culture and more. I nodded silently as in agreement. But honestly, it was all verySdisturbing to IST A B A PITthought. me. “There goes good O Mmorning,” AH O K Lmy H T even feel L I GI didn’t At lunch, the waitress was IG Hand Hrude, E C R U O S E like leaving R a tip. After work, I met with some folks at church and everyone was opinionated about everything.

Christian Nationalism, LBGTQ and other topics—it seems my day was full of upset people and new phrases that I didn’t even know a few years ago.

After work, I ran to the store to pick up a few groceries for dinner and again, the cashier was so rude, as though she also was having a bad day. “My, my,” I thought.

Now, I’m so glad to be home. The family is all tucked in and I’m snuggled into my nice comfy, warm bed.

I prayed, “Thank You, Lord for this day. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Amen.”

As I began to doze off I heard a soft, yet stern, voice whisper, “Wait a minute. I have something to say to you...”

To read the rest of Mitzi’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/a-distracted-disciple

F RO M T H E E R S B LO G G N I L S D R O To read W more blogs with Jesus in mind, visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog

D AV E S AY S GETTING STARTED Dear Dave, ISTS PT BA A M Should I catchKup onH my past due bills beO A L O fore saving up $1,000 for BabyE Step 1? H L I G H T H IG C R U O S E R —Sharyn Dear Sharyn, That’s exactly what you should do. Get current or make payment arrangements with everyone who’s willing to work with you first. In the process, make sure you’re keeping your own living necessities in mind—food, shelter, clothing, utilities and transportation.

After you’ve done that, and saved a beginner emergency fund of $1,000, start your debt snowball and pay off all your debts from smallest largest, except for your home. That’s Baby Step 2. In Baby Step 3, you’ll save up and increase your emergency fund from $1,000 to a full three to six months of expenses. Once you reach this point, you can really start looking toward the future.

In Baby Step 4, start investing 15 percent of your income into Roth IRAs and other pre-tax retirement plans. College funding for the kids, if there are any, is next in Baby Step 5.

Baby Step 6 is a big one, because this is where you pay off your home early.

But Baby Step 7 is the real deal. This is when you’re completely debt-free, and you’re able to build wealth like crazy and give with outrageous generosity!

—Dave The views expressed by Dave Ramsey do not necessarily reflect those of the Baptist Messenger and do not constitute legal financial advice.

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Rate: $1.00 per word, $25.00 per issue, minimum • Deadline: Two weeks prior to publication. Submit a classified ad at www.baptistmessenger.com/advertise on the Classifieds Form sumes for Senior Pastor. Mail to: Pastor Search Team, c/o Shane Wolfe, P.O. Box 302, Marietta, OK 73448.

CLASSIFIEDS COLOR KEY: PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

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

ry Baptist Church, 620 E. 15th Street, Pawhuska, OK 74056 or email: pawhuskacalvary@sbcglobal.net.

Youth & Family Ministry. Youth focus Fbcapsearch2021@gmail.com or FBCLexMo.com.

>>F/T YOUTH/COLLEGE PASTOR: Spring E SChurch (Spring, TX) is looking for a F/T V O I CBaptist Minister to Youth & College-aged people at

>> BI/VO or F/T PASTOR: FBC Soper, OK is seeking a BI/VO or F/T Southern Baptist Pastor. Parsonage is available. Health insurance benefit provided.

Send resume to: Soper Baptist Church, ATT: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 68, Soper, OK 74759.

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Boswell in Southeastern Oklahoma is seeking a F/T Pastor. Parsonage is available & benefits are provided. Please send resumes to: fbcboswell@gmail.com.

EMPLOYM ENT

>>F/T YOUTH PASTOR: FBC Lone Grove is prayerfully seeking a spiritually mature, F/T Youth Pastor. Must have a heart for community & connecting with others. Please send resume to: fbclonegrove@yahoo.com.

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

>>BI/VO OR P/T WORSHIP MINISTER: Denton Baptist Church in Marlow, OK, 9 miles West of Marlow.

Seeking God’s candidate to teach God’s Word & loves people. Parsonage included. Accepting resumes at: dentonbaptistmarlow@g.mail.com. Sets on 5 acres.

>>F/T CHILDREN’S PASTOR: FBC of Marion, AR is seeking a F/T Pastor of birth through sixth grade children that is sent to welcome & disciple all people to faith in Christ. Send resume to: Kidspastorsearch@firstmarion.org.

>>F/T or BI/VO SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Barnsdall is prayerfully seeking a F/T or BI/VO Senior Pastor. Resumes may be sent to: First Baptist Church Barnsdall, Attn: Pastoral Search Committee, P.O. Box 939, Barnsdall, OK 74002 or via email at: fbcbarnsdall@windstream.net.

>>F/T FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Experience preferred; double-entry bookkeeping knowledge helpful. Duties include general accounting, payroll & other office tasks.

Apply in person at Bethel Baptist Church, 1717 W Lindsey, Norman (Mon-Thu 8:30-4:30).

>>PASTOR: Emmanuel Baptist Church in Purcell, OK is searching for a Pastor who will be in adherence to the Bible in overseeing the church. The Pastor shall lead the body of members in fulfilling the Great Commission through discipleship & evangelism.

>>P/T WORSHIP LEADER/MINISTER: P/T Contemporary Worship Leader & Youth/College Minister at FBC Poteau. We are looking for someone who can start & grow this new ministry area in a church with great facilities & a love for people. Send resumes to: PastorTroyFBCPoteau@gmail.com.

>> F/T WORSHIP PASTOR: F/T Worship Pastor needed. First Southern Baptist Church, Pratt, KS. A Christ-centered, Bible-based congregation of 300400 worshippers in south central KS. Worship style - energetic & contemporary, genuine & Biblical.

>>F/T WORSHIP/MINISTER: F/T Worship Music & Educational Discipleship Minister – FBC Purcell, OK. Accepting Resumes. Please include resume, job history & references. Submit your information to: FBCPurcellMinApp@gmail.com.

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

>> F/T PASTOR: Sharon FBC in Sharon, OK is prayerfully seeking God’s man for F/T Pastor. Please email resume to: fbc.sharon@yahoo.com or mail your resume to: Sharon FBC, 24008 State Hwy. 34, Sharon, OK 73857.

>> PASTOR: Bluejacket Baptist Church of Bluejacket, OK, a small town Church with a heart for God & community, is prayerfully seeking a Pastor. Parsonage is included. Interested applicants should send a cover letter & resume to: tharris6222@gmail.com.

>> F/T PASTOR: FBC of Wayne is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor who is Bible based with community commitment & enjoys fellowship of all ages. Please submit resumes to: FBCWaynePSC@gmail.com.

>> F/T PASTOR: Morris Memorial Baptist Church Ada, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Mail or email cover letter, resume & a current sermon video to: 16121 CR 3540 Ada, OK 74820 or email: sreeves@nationallivestock.com ATTN: Pastor Search Committee.

>>WORSHIP PASTOR: FBC Josephine is seeking a Worship Pastor that will lead worship services that help lead our congregation toward fruitful relationships with Jesus Christ. This opportunity is in Josephine, TX. Reach out to: worshippastor@fbcjosephine.org for details.

>> BI/VO WORSHIP LEADER: South Lindsay, OKC is seeking BI/VO Worship Leader for blended services. Some experience preferred. Send resumes to: SLBC, 3300 S. Lindsay, OKC 73129 or email@southlindsay.org.

>>PASTOR: Knob Hill Baptist Church in OKC, OK is prayerfully seeking a Pastor. Please email resume along with current sermon video or link to sermons to: knobhillbaptistchurch@gmail. com or mail to: 2700 SW 59th, OKC, OK 73119.

>> YOUTH/MUSIC: P/T Youth Minister & P/T Music Director or BI/VO Youth/Music combo: FBC Apache is prayerfully seeking to fill these positions in our church. For questions you can call (580) 5882369 or submit resume to: fbcapache@pldi.net.

>>F/T ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: FBC Piedmont, OK is seeking a F/T Administrative Assistant with strong communication skills & proficient in MS Office, working in a collaborative environment with our staff. Send resumes to: personnel@fbcpiedmont.org.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church, Pawhuska, OK is accepting resumes for BI/VO Pastor. Please submit resumes to: ATTN: Pastor Search Team, Calva-

>>SENIOR PASTOR: Marietta FBC is accepting re-

its Klein Campus. Prefer at least two years of prior experience working with students. See job posting at: https://springbaptist.org/jobs.

>>BI/VO OR P/T YOUTH PASTOR: Clebit FBC, Clebit OK is looking for a BI/VO or P/TYouth Pastor with a heart for 6th grade to 12th grade students. Please send resume or inquiries to: CLEBITFBC@gmail.com.

>> F/T FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR: Quail Springs Baptist Church, OKC. More than simply bookkeeping. Performs the finance & accounting functions. Administers payroll & employee benefits. Email resume to: mstephens@qsbc.org.

>> P/T STUDENT PASTOR: Grace Place Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK is prayerfully seeking a P/T Student Pastor who loves students & their families & is passionate about reaching & discipling them.

Send resume to: robbyroberson24@gmail.com.

>> BI/VO or F/T PASTOR: FBC of Ochelata, OK is seeking a BI/VO or F/T Pastor. Please submit resumes to: Pulpit Committee, FBC of Ochelata, 290 North Ochelata St, Ochelata, OK 74051 or email to: fbcochelata@gmail.com.

>> F/T WORSHIP/STUDENT PASTOR: Pleasant View Baptist Church is seeking a F/T Worship & Student Pastor who is passionate about reaching the community, discipling students & leading in worship. Please send resumes to: pastorandy@pvbcpryor.com or mail to: P.O. Box 111 Pryor, OK 74362.

>> P/T YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY LEADER: Seeking a leader with the courage for the challenges & maturity to reach NE Oklahoma County for Christ. Send Resume to: First Southern Baptist Church, P.O. Box 237, Arcadia, OK 73007 or fsbcarcadia@yahoo.com.

>> BI/VO ASSOCIATE PASTOR/YOUTH MINISTER: Rural Norman Church seeking called candidates for BI-VO Associate Pastor/Minister to Youth.

May send resume to: brandonsburris@gmail.com.

>> F/T PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church of Sand Springs is accepting resumes for F/T Pastor. Mail resume to: Calvary Baptist Church, C/O Pulpit Committee, 18807 Wekiwa Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063.

>> F/T PASTOR: FBC Washington, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates may send their resumes to: P.O. Box 86 Washington, OK 73093 or email us at: office@fbcwashington.com.

>> BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: Mammoth Baptist Church is seeking a BI/VO Music Minister. Please send resume to: Personnel Committee at mammothchurch@gmail.com or P.O. Box 642, Meeker, OK 74855.

>> F/T MINISTER OF WORSHIP/COLLEGE: at Emmanuel BC Weatherford, OK. Find job description at: www.ebcweatherford.com. Send resumes & worship video links to: pastor@ebcweatherford.com.

>> F/T PASTOR: Cardin Baptist Church, Miami, OK, is accepting resumes for F/T pastor.

Please send resumes to: 9525 S. HWY 137, Miami, OK 74354 or cbcsearch@hotmail.com.

>>WEEKDAY CHILDCARE DIRECTOR: FBC Enid, OK is prayerfully seeking a Director for the church’s weekday childcare ministry (6 weeks - 4 yrs. old). Email: fbcenid1@gmail.com to apply.

>> BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: Erin Springs Baptist Church is seeking a BI/VO Minister of Music. We are a multi-aged church looking for someone to lead in blended music services.

Please send your resume’ or contact information to: pastorclay@erinspringsbaptist.com.

>> WORSHIP LEADER: North Pointe Baptist Church in Edmond, OK, is seeking a Worship Leader who passionately seeks God & is eager to invite others into God’s presence in worship. We invite interested candidates to send resumes to: searchteam@northpointe.tv. >> BI/VO PASTOR: FBC of Spavinaw, OK is accepting applications for BI/VO Pastor. Send to: First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 235, Spavinaw, OK 74366. Phone (918) 782-8083. Email is fbcspavinaw@gmail.com. >> P/T or BI/VO STUDENT PASTOR: Faith Baptist Church, Harrah is prayerfully seeking someone to lead & direct our youth ministry. Send resume & references to: fbcbrodan@gmail.com. >> F/T WORSHIP MINISTER: Sandia Baptist Church, Albuquerque, NM. Blended worship with a praise band, vocal team, choir & terrific facilities.

Some experience required. Very competitive salary & great benefits. drobbins10@comcast.net. >> F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR / YOUTH & FAMILY: FBC Lexington, MO - F/T Associate Pastor/

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www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS 22 This crop withstood plague (Ex. 9:32) 1 It precedes Ephesians (abbr.)

25 Lookout who goes ahead of army 26 plants 4 CityDesert overthrown

by God 27 It 29:23) was made of shittim wood (Deut.

(Deut.

9 Made brooks10:3) blackish (Job 6:16) 29 They chocolate dwelt in cookie Hazerim (Deut.

12 Popular 2:23) 14 What Moses did to stone tables (Deut. 9:17) 30 Those committing 61 Across were to do this (Deut. 22:22) 32 Delight in 33 God says He kills and makes ___ (Deut. 32:39) 34 Irritate 35 Senior Airmen (abbr.)

36 “The Lord alone ___ lead him”

15 “The cattle wecelebration took for a ___” (Deut.16) 2:35) 49 A Hebrew (Deut.

16 India’s of the poor (Phoolan) 50 “___ champion the judgment is God’s” (Deut.

1:17)quickly from ___” (Deut.

17 “Get thee down 52 Place they abode (Deut. 1:46) 9:12) 55 Dry___ grass bedding (Isa. 11:7) 18 “He upon a cherub” 57 (Ps.Seek 18:10)prey (Gen. 27:5) 58 Hebrews eat the fallow one 19 Ship used bycould disciples (Deut. 14:5) 59 Old Norse poetry collection 60 “___ as of a woman in travail” (Jer. 22:23) 61 Bird classification 62 Part of foot anointed (Lev. 14:14) 63 “The Lord he is God; there is none ___” (Deut. 4:35)

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Davis, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail a cover letter & resume to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 297, Davis, OK 73030.

MIS CEL L A NEO US >>VAN WANTED: Seeking a used, 15 passenger Church Van. Stonebluff Baptist Church in Eastern Oklahoma, is in great need of a church van for our Youth Ministry. Please contact Tammy Flickinger at (918) 361-8190, if you know of any available. >>CABIN RENTAL: The FBC Lone Grove has a 120 bed cabin for rent for week 5. The cabin was new in 2016 & is completely modern. Go to Falls Creek website (SKPOPS.org) or our church website to see pictures & location. Rental is $6500.

RD

21 Worker bees 23 God saved by His stretched-out ___ (Deut.

4:34) 24 Number of workdays in week (Deut. 5:13) 25 Large amount 28 Unhappy (1 Sam. 1:18) 31 Nest of young birds 35 Fearful 37 Days Passover lasted (Deut. 16:3) (Rom. num.)

39 Samuel’s mentor (1 Sam. 3:6) 40 Honey and oil came from one (Deut. 32:13) 41 More frozen 43 This is to be put away (Deut. 24:7) 44 Austria (abbr.)

45 Moses’ eyes never became this (Deut. 34:7) 46 Arm covering 48 Rebellious one’s neck (Deut. 31:27) 51 “___ now of the days that are past” (Deut.

4:32) 53 Women’s fashion magazine 54 Mythical Greek goddess 56 Repeated exclamation in Psalms (Ps. 35:21) 58 “Thou didst ___ out of the land of Egypt” (Deut. 9:7) 61 Forbidden by 7th commandment (Deut.

5:18) 66 Enhanced Data Acquisition System (abbr.)

67 Unclean bird (Deut. 14:14) 69 Margarine 70 Revise 71 Spear support 72 Jacob’s brother (Deut. 2:4) 73 How Esau approached Jacob (Gen. 33:4)

74 “I ___ above all things” (3 John 1:2) 75 Disobey (James 1:16) DOWN 1 “Thou shalt have none other ___ before me” (Deut. 5:7) 2 Space 3 Priestly tribe (Deut. 31:9) 4 Israel was to ___ idols (Deut. 7:26) 5 Visions (Deut. 13:1) 6 N-Methylanthraniloyl (abbr.)

7 Official dog registry (abbr.)

8 A heart that does this will not be deceived (Deut. 11:16) 9 King Og’s bedstead (Deut. 3:11) 10 Assign property to another 11 “The ____ of the Lord thy God are always upon it” (Deut. 11:12) 13 Used to anoint (Deut. 28:40) 15 Substitute 20 “The man did as Joseph ___” (Gen. 43:17) 22 This crop withstood plague (Ex. 9:32) SMOG A B L E S T U B 25 Lookout ahead L O of W who A V goes E G B army GHAN A CON L U T E R I GOR 26 DesertEplants H I E Z ER RY AN 27 It was ARmade 10:3) I Dof shittim E A T woodO(Deut.

PE N ED I B M (Deut.

C A K2:23) E AV E 29 They dwelt in Hazerim P A L L U 61LAcross OV E S toHdoI this N 30 Those committing were ABE L Z EROS ABC S (Deut. 22:22) R U E A A N DW WR I T E 32 DelightAinS K B R O S B I D NE S S I E HON T ED 33 God says He kills makes (Deut.

I T E E Dand DY E ___ REM 32:39) A H I R A A R A D I G A L R C E S I E N W O V E L L 34 IrritateS P E D L E E R ARE S 35 Senior Airmen (abbr.)

Puzzle 7: Numbers 36 “The Lord alone ___ lead him” (Deut.

Classifieds | May 27, 2021 |

GA L ADMAH I C OR E O BR A K E PRE DE V I HENCE ROD A I Baptist SThe L B O A TMessenger DRONE ARM S I X SC AD SAD EY RA S CARE D V I I E L ROCK I C I ER E V I A UT D I M S L E E V

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32:12) 38 American tax agency (abbr.)

42 U.S. espionage bureau (abbr.)

43 Snake-like fish 47 Faithful 49 A Hebrew celebration (Deut. 16) 50 “___ the judgment is God’s” (Deut. 1:17) 52 Place they abode (Deut. 1:46) 55 Dry grass bedding (Isa. 11:7) 57 Seek prey (Gen. 27:5) 58 Hebrews could eat the fallow one (Deut.

14:5) 59 Old Norse poetry collection 60 “___ as of a woman in travail” (Jer. 22:23) 61 Bird classification 62 Part of foot anointed (Lev. 14:14) 63 “The Lord he is God; there is none ___” (Deut. 4:35) 64 “___ an altar unto the Lord “ (2 Sam. 24:18) 65 Pronoun used 3 times in Deut. 1:12 68 Papua New Guinean language R E H O B

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Puzzle 8: Numbers MAY 13 ANSWERS

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T EN S PAN DOS E WA R P A L L OW I D E A I T O S ALM I Z OAR NS KE P T A L T ARS www.baptistmessenger.com EAS E L DAH S HRUG SEC DACCA HOOP L A A PT BEOR ANY E PHRA I M A L I F E AR RAN COAS T S

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OBU celebrates graduates during Spring Commencement May 14-15 1

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>> PHOTOS: HEATHER HAMILTON

>> by Kenny Day

1) Graduating students embarked on a symbolic final walk across campus as OBU students before filing into Raley Chapel for each ceremony; 2) Doug Melton, pastor of OKC, Southern Hills, delivered the address during the four ceremonies on May 15; 3) Julianne Ford, secondary English education major from Heavener, is congratulated by OBU President Heath A. Thomas.

OBU MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) celebrated 277 graduates during Spring Commencement ceremonies May 14-15. The events took place in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. OBU’s celebration featured five separate ceremonies in order to facilitate physical distancing for graduates and their guests.

Doug Melton, pastor of Oklahoma City, Southern Hills, and Kim Swyden, executive director of Ministries of Jesus in Edmond, served as guest speakers during the ceremonies. Swyden spoke during the first commencement ceremony for the College of Nursing, May 14. Melton spoke during the remaining four ceremonies, all on May 15.

Graduating students embarked on a symbolic final walk across campus as OBU students before, filing into Raley Chapel for each ceremony. “The Walk” mirrors the one many of the graduating students took during Welcome Week as new students at OBU. The students, in academic regalia, passed through rows of OBU faculty members before reaching the chapel’s east steps.

Swyden challenged the nursing graduates to integrate their faith into their professional practice in everything they do in their nursing careers.

“May I say to graduates,” Swyden said, “because of everything you have experienced here at Oklahoma Baptist University College of Nursing, because of all the preparation and the equipping, your faith-work integration, all the engaging, you are ready. And I urge you to live a life worthy of the high calling of God in Christ.”

Melton spoke from John 21, discussing the personal nature of our relationships with Jesus and the personal calling He has placed on all of our lives.

“Among all of the world religions, all of the world’s faiths, Christianity is unique in believing in a personal God. A God Who knows you better than you know yourself,” he said. “He is a personal God.” He concluded with a direct call to the graduates to seek Jesus in all they do.

“Graduates, here is what I’m saying to you. Follow Jesus Christ. It is the true path in life. It will lead you to truth. It will set you free. It will bring you rest, and I can’t even begin to tell you the half of it. I pray God’s richest blessings on your life.”

OBU President Heath A. Thomas presided over the ceremonies and delivered the charge to graduates in each ceremony.

“Graduates of OBU, you are fundamentally agents of change in our world,” he said. “You are agents of transformation and agents for the good of our world.

As you reflect on your time on Bison Hill, remember how OBU has challenged you. Remember how OBU has changed you. We have equipped you to live worthy of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We have challenged you to discern, to serve, to love one another and to love our Lord God in our communities.

“I want to charge you today,” Thomas continued, “take the lessons, the learning, the skills, the virtues, the dispositions you have gained here and live them out loud in our world.

“Students, graduates, our world desperately needs your voice. We need your influence. So, from Bison Hill, I charge you. Go into our world. Make a difference. Go and live well. Serve your community. Go and serve the Lord Christ. He is King over all. You have been equipped. So, as one of my heroes Mother Teresa would say, ‘Go and do something beautiful for God.’” Videos of all five commencement ceremonies, as well as the nursing pinning ceremony, are available on the OBU YouTube channel at youtube.com/obunews.

For more information about OBU, visit okbu.edu.

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May 27, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Culture