Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912
BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • NOVEMBER 12, 2020
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CO N T E N T S : Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: Acky Breaky Hearts Urgent Prayer for Desperate Times:
Oklahoma Baptist DR respond to major ice storm
Encourage: The basics of Christian citizenship
>> CHRIS DOYLE
You are likely reading this article a few days after the 2020 election. For reasons related to the Messenger printing schedule—my too busy schedule—I am writing this a few days before that election. This provides an opportunity for me to write a non-partisan article. I am writing this without any idea of who will be our nation’s president in 2021. No matter who is in office, what are the basics of Christian citizenship?
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR), under the direction of Don Williams, state DR director, is covering the state after a major ice storm late October caused damage in numerous areas. As of Nov. 4, DR has received more than 600 requests for assistance in areas including Anadarko, Cushing, Enid, Oklahoma City and Ponca City. Four staging areas have been established in Enid, Lawton, Oklahoma City and northeast Oklahoma. /// SEE PAGE 2
>> HANCE DILBECK
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Oklahoma Baptists launch statewide united November prayer effort >> BRIAN HOBBS
BROKEN ARROW—Beginning on Nov. 10, at the 114th Annual Meeting, Oklahoma Baptists began a multi-week united prayer effort. The effort is called “Urgent Prayer for Desperate Times” and focuses on several key areas, including praying for pastors, churches, unity, healing, gratitude and missions. “God’s Word tells us to make everything a matter of prayer, to pray without ceasing,” said Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists. /// SEE PAGE 7
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>> BRIAN HOBBS
Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Christmas Pie >> WALKER MOORE
Page 5 | Missions & Ministry Falls Creek hosts 10th annual Fall Back event with COVID protocols >> CHRIS DOYLE
Page 7 | Feature Churches link arms in response to California fires >> CHRIS FORBES
Page 10 | Church Toolbox 9 things to do when God’s people frustrate you >> CHUCK LAWLESS