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In a recent conversation with someone who works for the International Mission Board (IMB), the person said, “I want to know what you all are doing in Oklahoma. There are Oklahomans everywhere I turn serving with the IMB!” How grateful I am that God has called so many from among us to fulfill the Great Commission all over the globe! Every IMB commissioning service seems to have multiple Oklahomans being sent internationally to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The sun never sets on Oklahoma Baptists!
I want you to notice the two pictures in my article this month. In one picture, you see the hands of five more Oklahomans who are about to leave the International Learning Center at the IMB to go to the nations (with one from our Oklahoma Baptists’ team to see them off). We can’t show their faces because some are going to places where sharing the Gospel and living it out are illegal. This picture encapsulates the primary reason we exist as a convention of churches—to take the Gospel to every part of the world both by going and giving.
In the other picture, you see a logo that was used by groups in the nineteenth century such as the Old Baptist Union in England and the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. The logo pictures an ox standing in between an altar and a plow. The inscription reads, “READY FOR EITHER.” We are called every day to consistent denying of ourselves and obedience to Christ as we follow Him in faith. This is the plow.
However, there are times when the Lord calls us to a higher level of sacrifice to glorify Him– suffering, hardships, or leaving everything to go to the mission field. This is the altar. I cannot explain why God calls some of us to the altar and others to the plow, but I know we must be ready for whichever one He calls. I am grateful for the Oklahomans that God has called to the altar of taking the Good News to some of the most spiritually dark places on earth.
Thank you, Oklahoma Baptists churches. If not for your faithful giving through the Cooperative Program, these servants could not go to the world to be the hands and feet of Jesus and a voice for the Gospel. In our annual meeting this November 10-11, we will focus on and celebrate the 100th anniversaries of both the Cooperative Program and the Baptist Faith and Message. Cooperating together through serving and giving to advance the Gospel is the heartbeat of who we are and why we exist. I am grateful to be part of that enterprise with you!
Serving Jesus with You,
Todd Fisher
Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer
THank you, Pastors!
My grandmother had a sign on her refrigerator that said, “No one seems to notice all I do, until I stop doing it.”
That sign is funny but also makes a serious point. Mothers and Grandmothers do so much good that it often goes unnoticed. The same could be said, I think, about pastors.
That is partly why a special occasion has emerged to recognize and appreciate pastors. October has become known as “Pastor and Minister Appreciation Month.”
Our pastors and ministers deserve even more recognition than they may ordinarily get, and October is a great time for churches to show that.
If there ever were a time in church life that these ministers of the Gospel could use some extra appreciation, it is now. Pastors always have faced difficulties in carrying out their call and ministry assignments. Not only does the enemy of our souls present continual temptation and opposition, but the tasks that every pastor is called on to carry out are multi-faceted and not easy.
To name a few: preaching the Word, caring for the flock, leading the church, serving those in need, being a Christlike example, leading during a crisis, pastoral counseling, performing weddings and funerals, doing the work of evangelism and discipleship. Yes, the job description of a pastor is wide-ranging.
Someone once said that one of the chief tools the Devil uses against God’s people is discouragement. Research has shown that oftentimes pastors face difficulty and discouragement.
That is why it would be timely for us to show appreciation to pastors and ministers. Here are some ideas for you to consider:
• A Sunday School class or small group could take up a collection and buy some gift cards or send notes of encouragement or offer to help with childcare or family needs.
• Children can make art or a thank-you notes for the pastor.
• Youth could help do yard work for the pastor.
• Any church member who likes to cook could prepare and deliver baked goods.
Some time ago, pastors were surveyed about what would mean the most. Listen to some of these responses. “I am always given a card with a financial gift on pastor appreciation. I am thankful for both forms of recognition, but most important to me is that they remember me and thank me for my service to the church.”
Another said, “A ‘younger me’ would need monetary affirmation, but the present ‘battle-worn me’ would just like sincere notes of encouragement.” One other said, “Speaking practically, receiving a getaway to a place of beautiful solitude with my family for a time of rest and reflection.”
These are just a few ideas. Oklahoma Baptists, this October (and beyond), together let’s each find ways to be a blessing and source of encouragement to our pastors.
Finally, allow me to say a heartfelt thank you to my pastor, Connor Bales, for the great ways you lead and serve. Also to say thank you to every Oklahoma Baptist pastor out there! We love you and appreciate you more than words can express (Phil. 1:3).
Brian Hobbs Oklahoma Baptists Editor
A ll New To Me
Some of you know that I did not grow up going to church. I am not proud of that but it is just a fact of my life. The main reason I didn’t go to church is I didn’t like what I thought the church was. The fact that I didn’t actually know who the church really was didn’t slow me down. Besides, I was convinced that the fish actually did bite the best on Sunday mornings.
When I was 22 years old, God saved me. That next Sunday I went forward during the invitation (because the pastor said I had to). He introduced me to the congregation and they voted on me. To this day, I am not sure what I would have done if they hadn’t voted for me. But I was in.
It was that first Sunday in church, that I quickly figured out that I was way out of my league. When I walked into church that day to look for a place to sit, it quickly appeared to me that most of the folks looked locked in on their pew position. I also noticed that further back you went, the more people there were. Those first few pews, however, were wide open.
Once I located a place to sit as far back as I could, I settled in quite unsure what was going to happen next. Soon some lady started playing the organ, but she didn’t seem too happy about it. When she finished no one clapped, and I felt a bit sorry for her.
Then a man stepped up to the pulpit, told everyone to get a hymnal. It was the red one (a 1975 model). Then he told us to turn to page 475. That was the grand old hymn, “Victory in Jesus.”
He started waving his arms around like there was a Yellow Jacket buzzing him. And then everyone started singing. Here is the amazing thing. I was able to join right in on that first line. But it was after we got that first line sung that things got a little sideways on me.
In every other book I had ever read, once you read the first line your next line is the second line. Oddly enough, the second line in that hymnal was actually
numbered with a 2 (I guess for those who are hymnally challenged.) Anyway, I fell right in there and started singing that second line.
It only took about three words, when I realized no one else was singing the words that I was singing. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out where they were getting the words that everyone but me was singing. Not one to give up too easily, I moved to the third line which thankfully was marked with a 3 and started singing a little more quietly. Lo and behold, no one was singing those words either.
Before the song was over, the congregation finally caught up to me and for a brief but satisfying moment, we were all singing the same words. But then the congregation was off singing some words that, again, I couldn’t find.
That went on for about three more songs. Then a lady with a nervous chin got up and sang one by herself. I appreciated that.
There was more that happened on those first few Sundays that I went to church, but we don’t have time or space this time. Maybe if I don’t get fired for making fun of a church service, I can talk about some of those other things next time.
For those of you who may be questioning whether this actually happened or not, let me assure you that it most certainly did. It is a vivid memory to this day. That is one reason I am glad we put the words on the wall these days. As long as the computer guy stays focused, everybody knows what to sing next.
There is a lesson in it. Not everyone is as comfortable as we probably are with what happens in our church when it happens, and how it happens. We should be purposeful in helping them out.
Joe Ligon Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director
Carissa Jones
STILLWATER—Back in 1928, a group of college students at what was then known as Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) began by
For the last decade, however, the OSU BCM has been without a facilities “home.” In spite of this challenge, the ministry continues to thrive and has served as a launching pad for students to reach the campus and the nations
Over the last three years alone, the OSU BCM has seen 85 salvations, had nearly 1,000 students participate in missions opportunities, and had hundreds of students involved in leadership development.
The ministry, which is a ministry of Oklahoma Baptists and is supported through the Cooperative Program, has the vision statement to “seek the welfare of the campus through evangelism, discipleship, missions and leadership development.” The vision derives from God’s call to his people in Jeremiah to seek the welfare of
huge shift in interest this year,” he said. “More students are coming than ever before, and more are getting engaged with the Gospel and our ministry.”
Nearly 200 incoming freshmen are plugged into BCM community groups, and the ministry’s weekly worship gathering has seen 600 or more students attend each week this semester. “What we thought was first-week excitement that would soon fizzle out, just keeps growing,” said Lewis.
The future is bright for the OSU BCM and only getting brighter. Major efforts are underway through Oklahoma Baptists to provide a new building for this growing ministry – a new “home away from home” where students can learn, grow, invest in others and be sent out to reach the world.
Cris Lowery, BCM Project Manager for Oklahoma Baptists, recognizes that a building is not just a building when it comes to ministry. “As we’ve seen at other campuses across the state, a building can provide so many opportunities to meet students who would not normally step foot in a church or attend a worship service,” he said. “It’s exciting to think about all the different ways God can and will use this facility.”
The planned building offers a large auditorium for worship gatherings and other events, a full kitchen, office space for the staff, on-site living quarters for ministry interns, rooms for Bible study or discipleship and space for students to study, gather and build community. Located adjacent to student housing, the facilities will be ideally situated for maximum Kingdom impact.
“Many college students are being confronted with ideas and belief systems vastly different from what they grew up with, and the nations are coming to us in masses, making the college campus an incredibly strategic mission field,” said Chad Coleman, BCM State Director for Oklahoma Baptists. “This building campaign offers a great way for all Oklahoma Baptists to come together to invest in the next generation.”
To learn more about the ministry at the OSU BCM or to donate to the ministry or building fund, please visit osubcm.org or contact Cris at (405)-942-3000 or clowery@oklahomabaptists.org.
Note: Bible translations may vary for clues
ACROSS
1 Carpet choice
5 Former Russian ruler
9 Psalm, e.g.
13 “Moses made a serpent...put it upon a __” (Num. 21:9)
14 Bruin’s home
15 God’s will: not your weakness, but His __
16 Knows about (2 words)
17 Campus mil. unit (Abbr.)
18 What steeple bell does
19 God’s will: be __ with what you have
Style 23 Work unit 24 Former military, for short
WORDSEARCH
25 Not two masters, “for __ he will hate the one...” (Matt. 6:24)
29 God’s will: bring this to those who need help
30 Cloaks and togas, e.g.
32 KJV’s art
33 “__ to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31) (2 words)
36 Mealtime no-no
37 Israelite tribe
38 God’s will: be a __ steward
39 Mention certain authorities
40 Foolish remark, sometimes
41 __ Baba
42 God’s will: be harmless as __
43 Gardeners’ needs
44 Bible land sea
45 Detail
46 God’s will: be courageous, not __
47 One most liberated from sin, e.g.
49 Angel’s halo, for one
50 Jesus ascended and __ at God’s right hand 53 Campus locale, for short
DOWN
1 Myrrh
2 God’s will: __ parents
3 God’s will: get __ with others
4 Fellow, for short
5 “Ye __ to God from idols” (1 Thess. 1:9)
6 Composer Francis __ Key 7 Keyboard key 8 God’s will: run the __ set before you 9 God’s will: __ others toward Him 10 God’s will: cast the beam out of your __ eye
Note: The word clues are chosen by Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.
55 Portliness 57 God’s Son 60 Humorist Bombeck
62 “Rejoice...__ for joy” (Luke 6:23)
63 Eagle’s nest
64 Crucifixion need
65 Gawk
66 Stumble, as into sin
67 Community org. (Abbr.)
68 Wickedness, in parables
40 God’s will: let Him fill your heart with __
42 Neglect
43 God’s will: have __ for the future
46 Secret rabbinical doctrines
48 God’s Spirit will __ you to do His will
49 Very funny
50 “Set thy face toward the __ of Jerusalem” (Ezek. 4:7)
51 Dickens’s “__ of Two Cities” (2 words)
52 Used a keyboard
54 God’s will: __ yourself
56 God’s will: be __ to speak
57 James (Abbr.)
58 Conger 59 __ Lanka
61 Uncooked
LAST
WORDS
BCM
BUILDING CAMPAIGN
CAMPUS
COLLEGE
COWBOYS
DISCIPLESHIP
EVANGELISM
FELLOWSHIP
GATHER
KINGDOM IMPACT
MINISTRY
MISSIONS
OKLAHOMA
Church NEWS
ELDORADO, FIRST’S 135TH ANNIVERSARY
On June 8, Great Plains Baptist Association Associational Missionary Danny Ringer presents Diana and Buddy Thompson a certificate from Oklahoma Baptists for the longest continuous membership at Eldorado, First—50 years. Certificates were given to Jimmie Goodin as the eldest member and a 135th Anniversary Certificate to Interim Pastor Jimmie Williams for the Church. Great Plains Baptist Association presented certificates, as well.
TRIBUTES
Kerry Powell died Aug. 10, and his wife, Carolyn Powell, died Aug. 20. They were the parents of Jamie Powell, DOM/AMS for ComancheCotton Association.
Merlene Clark died Aug. 24. She was the wife of longtime Oklahoma Pastor and former DOM, Don Clark.
Ben White died Aug. 29 and his wife, Susan, died Aug. 31. Ben served on the BVC Board many years and then as an advisor to the Board.
Matt Bradley Neal died Sept. 2. He was pastor of Sulphur, Love for almost nine years and most recently as pastor of Fort Cobb, First.
Ronnie Baugh died Sept. 3. He was known to the conference center’s staff as Hollywood, serving as laundryman at Falls Creek for the past 10 years.
Kerry Parker died Sept. 7. She was the wife of Manny Parker, pastor of Mannford, New Hope.
BILL BLACK
PASTOR In Focus
Lone Grove, First
Lead Pastor
Community outreach has always been a core part of Oklahoma Baptist churches. Whether it be food drives, after-school ministries or prayer walks, Oklahoma Baptists will always find a way to love their neighbor. In the past few years, God has enabled Lone Grove, First to increase their community outreach in ways pastor Bill Black never expected.
“We are humbled by where we are at,” he said.
Black had a humble upbringing as the son of an Oklahoma peanut farmer. He was called to ministry while attending East Central University in Ada, where he received a degree in business. After leaving there, he attended Southwestern Seminary to get his master’s degree in divinity. This is also where he met his wife of 30 years, Sandy. Their family now consists of two daughters and a son-in-law.
Black’s first position as a pastor was at a small church in Carson, Okla. Following this he served as pastor for a Southern Baptist church in Denton, Texas for 18 years. In 2012, Black returned to Oklahoma and began serving as pastor at Lone Grove, First.
In 2023, Lone Grove, First began construction on a new church building to provide more space for their growing congregation. Through generous donations and God’s grace, they were able to move into their new building debt free. “We took a step of faith,” said Black. “And right now we are debt free.”
Even with the new space, the church was running out of room for their Sunday morning congregation. Over Labor Day weekend, Black said that there were about 324 people in attendance in Sunday morning worship, not counting those in children’s ministry. “We know two services is in our near future,” Black said.
On Wednesday nights, Lone Grove, First’s focus is on their community, specifically the children’s ministry. Even before Black started as pastor, the church would provide meals for children in need and eventually they would provide meals to the parents as well. During the COVID years, they would send home meal boxes, a practice they had to resume while building the new church building since they had no room for people to sit and eat.
“Our church was our fellowship hall, and we were elbow to elbow there,” said Black. “We went back to that COVID protocol from 2023 until recently with the meals because we didn’t have a place to feed them.”
With all their children’s ministries combined, Lone Grove has the same number of attendees on Wednesday night as they do on Sunday morning.
Additionally, the congregation sets aside a day in the fall to feed the school faculty members, sometimes driving all the way to Moore to get chicken to show that the church members care about them. During this time, the church also asks for the faculty members to write down prayer requests so their congregation can pray for them during the whole school year. At every turn, Black asks what he can do to build connections in his community.
Black believes that this is his calling, to be a pastor at a small-town church where he can interact with the community and build relationships that are difficult to foster in the big city. In addition to serving as pastor at Lone Grove, First, Black also serves as an announcer for Lone Grove High School baseball games and as a chaplain for the fire department.
“I just love being a pastor to the community,” Black said. “Lone Grove was it. It’s growing. The church is growing. Since we’ve opened the doors, we’ve added seven new families to the member’s board.”
In all these things, Black has remained faithful, attributing all the growth and success to the Lord. He acknowledges though that the journey isn’t easy, saying that everyone at Lone Grove, First has made sacrifices and worked very hard to build the church. For all that has been done though to build the church, Black is grateful.
“This is what God has done,” he said. “We are in awe of the goodness of God.”
OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ 2025 ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR NOV. 10-11
The 119th Annual Meeting of Oklahoma Baptists is set for Nov. 10-11 at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills, 8601 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
The Annual Meeting brings together messengers from Oklahoma Baptist churches across the state and features times for key business, worship through music, prayer, fellowship events and more.
The theme for the Annual Meeting is “Prevail” based on Matt. 16:13-19.
Annual Meeting speakers include David Wallace, pastor of Roosevelt, First; Oklahoma Baptists’ President Michael Butler, pastor of Chickasha, First; and Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher.
The event, which features ministry reports, will also offer extensive ministry exhibits for all those in attendance. Numerous auxiliary events will take place during the meeting.
Prior to the Annual Meeting, the annual Oklahoma Baptists Pastors’ Conference (OKBPC) is scheduled to take place on Nov. 10 at the same venue. Pastors’ Conference President Jeremy Freeman and others are planning the conference, which has the theme of “Dig Deep and Reach Wide,” and the focus verse of Matthew 28:18-20.
While only elected messengers have the privilege of voting, guests are always welcome to join any of the sessions during the Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting.
This year, guests will also be required to register. Officer elections are scheduled to take place on Nov. 11.
Fisher encouraged Oklahoma Baptists to participate in the Annual Meeting, and he highlighted some unique features to the program.
“In our annual meeting this year, we will focus on and celebrate the 100th anniversaries of both the Cooperative Program and the Baptist Faith and Message. Cooperating together through serving and giving to advance the Gospel is the heartbeat of who we are and why we exist. I am grateful for Oklahoma Baptists and look forward to this important Annual Meeting.”
Churches are encouraged to pre-register their messengers and guests online. Childcare is available, but registration is required. For a full schedule of events, including messenger pre-registration, local lodging and food options, as well as other information, visit oklahomabaptists.org/annualmeeting
Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!
2025 MISSIONARY Prayer Guide
Who & Where Why How to Pray
Daren and Shawna Davis work in Nairobi, Kenya, with the International Mission Board. As the Global Engagement Leaders, they seek to get the Gospel to the remaining 440 unreached and unengaged people groups and highlight strategic needs and opportunities for Gospel advance throughout this region. Shawna enjoys training and discipling women to be faithful women, mothers, wives and church members. Daren trains men to faithfully preach and teach the Bible, as well as faithfully lead their family and the church.
Pray for Oklahoma Baptists serving with the International Mission Board as they work to bring the Gospel to people of the Asian-Pacific Rim. The Asian-Pacific Rim includes China, Mongolia, the Koreas, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan. Of the population of 2.3 billion people, 95% are living in spiritual darkness. But because of the hard work of missionaries, thousands are hearing the gospel and accepting Christ and new churches are being planted.
Faye Mueller works lives intentionally in her Central Asian small town. She spends most of her time building relationships with young adults, which often leads to opportunities to share God’s truth. She often hosts meals, gives locals rides, visits lone believers in their villages, and leads a talking club for universities. Her passion is to see the least, the last, and the lost and to invite them into a loving friendship because that changed her life as well.
Jim and Charlotte Whitley work with the International Mission Board in the north zone of the capital city of São Paulo, Brazil. This area has a population of 4 million people and only 75 small Baptist churches, most of which are in low-income areas. Their focus is to assist those pastors in developing discipleship groups that will strengthen the church members, as well as training these members to be effective in sharing the Gospel message and discipling others.
Pray more laborers will join the Davises in Sub-Saharan Africa to proclaim the Gospel and disciple believers, among the exploding population.
Pray the Lord will make His Name known to hard-to-reach peoples in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ask the Lord to guide and bless the plans for a Senders Summit for African churches and conventions, that they will grow to be Great Commission churches.
Pray the advancement of the kingdom of God would continue in the Asian-Pacific Rim.
Pray the Lord will send more laborers into the harvest.
Pray lives will be radically transformed by the Gospel.
Pray Faye’s language learning will increase in fluency.
Pray Faye’s local church will continue to grow and serve.
Pray Faye’s friend, Molly, will remain in the faith as she tries to lead her family to the truth.
Pray God will call out strong believers to share the Gospel and disciple the Romany/CalonGypsy people throughout Brazil.
Pray for the Whitleys to adjust to this part of the city and develop relationships with the pastors and the churches.
Pray as they seek ways to assist the pastors to implement various methods of evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training.
Daren & Shawna Davis
Oklahoma Baptists Serving in the Asian-Pacific Rim
Faye Mueller
Jim & Charlotte Whitley
BRINGING
The Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) Bringing Hope Gift Guide addresses diverse needs across the ministry through tangible gifts. Through your gift, you are supporting specific needs close to your heart.
Together, we can bring the Hope of the gospel to the children and their families OBHC serves.
HOMES FOR CHILDREN
You can provide a safe and loving environment for a child in need, help a child heal from past trauma and provide experiences for a child to expand their skills and hobbies.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
You can provide trauma training for OBHC staff as they help the children in need find healing, as well as counseling for OBHC staff and the children and families OBHC serves.
COLLEGE AND CAREER
You can provide stability for a child as they graduate high school and attend college or begin their careers. You can provide a safe place while they navigate early adulthood.
RENOVATE MINISTRY SITES
You can equip ministry sites with renovations or updates to better serve those in OBHC’s care and provide the opportunity to expand impact throughout the state by supporting new ministry sites as they open.
BABIES
AND THEIR PARENTS
You can provide parents with life-affirming resources and encouragement they need to choose life. You can also partner with OBHC in providing support through their baby’s first birthday.
EDUCATION
You can provide educational opportunities for children who are behind in school so they can graduate on time, in addition to parent education classes for single moms as they care for their children.
MAINTENANCE
You can provide needed maintenance to our facilities, building upkeep, utilities and tools needed for day-to-day ministry work.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” PSALM 127:3 (ESV)
SINGLE MOM AND HER CHILDREN
You can provide the means for a mom to create a brighter future for her family by providing life skills development, spiritual mentorship and community.
FOSTER CARE MINISTRIES
You can provide care for a foster family as they welcome children into their home and foster care training to ensure families feel supported.
ALL MINISTRIES
When you give to “all ministries” your gift will immediately impact an area of the ministry that needs it most.
Helping Students (and Adults) Overcome Phone Addiction
By Brian Mills, Lead Pastor, Yukon, Together We
The phone isn’t the problem. The addiction is. With so many distractions and endless voices pulling at our attention, those who learn to focus — truly focus — will rise above. Discipline is what we need to win this battle in the world world today.
If you want to lead well, love deeply, think clearly and live freely… you must fight the pull of phone addiction.
You don’t have to live constantly distracted, mentally scattered, or emotionally drained. Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks selfcontrol. — Proverbs 25:28
In the new book, The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt outlines some sobering truths we all need to hear — especially parents and teens. These are real, researched and convicting:
Here are the “10 Wake-Up Calls from The Anxious Generation”:
1. Our attention spans are shrinking. Screens are training our brains to crave constant stimulation.
2. Social media is forming our identities. We are becoming who the algorithm rewards, not who God made us to be.
3. More screen time = more anxiety and depression. This isn’t a guess—it’s the clearest trend in mental health research today.
4. We are avoiding real life. Boredom, awkward moments, hard conversations — they build us. We are skipping them.
5. Friendships are getting thinner. Deep connection is being replaced by shallow contact.
6. We are stuck in constant comparison. Everyone loses in a game of filters and fake highlights. Our sleep is suffering. Our minds are paying.
7. Devices in our bedrooms are robbing us of rest and resilience.
8. Big Tech is hacking our dopamine. The goal is not to help us — it’s to keep us scrolling.
9. Emotional resilience is fading. Without challenge, we grow fragile. And we are escaping every challenge. This is an untested experiment.
10. No generation has ever lived like this, and we are only beginning to see the fallout.
What can we do?
We don’t need to live in fear, but we must live with intentionality. Here are a few simple, powerful steps that can reset your focus:
• Set app time limits (and honor them).
• Turn off non-essential notifications — only keep calendar, task reminders, and texts.
• Never have your phone out at a meal — turn it face down or leave it in the car.
• Keep your phone out of the bedroom — give your brain space to rest.
• Practice being fully present — at dinner, in conversation, in worship.
• Schedule screen-free hours — especially mornings and evenings.
• Model what you want your kids to become — they are watching more than listening.
Scripture tells us in Romans 12 not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. In Hebrews 12:11 we find this sage advice: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Let’s reclaim focus. Let’s raise kids who are emotionally strong, relationally present, and spiritually grounded. Let’s live lives that aren’t ruled by screens.
