2021/October/28

Informing and Inspiring Oklahoma Baptists Since 1912

BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM • OCTOBER 28, 2021

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CO N T E N T S : Page 2 | News & Trends Floyd resigns as leader of SBC Executive Committee >> BRANDON PORTER

Page 3 | Voices Just Joe: A cat tale

Pastors’ Conference to praise God ‘From Whom All Blessings Flow’

Oklahoma Baptists partner in ‘Serve Tour’ projects across Tulsa Metro

>> CHRIS DOYLE

>> CHRIS FORBES

A common practice at the end of a worship service is for the congregation to sing the Doxology, which praises God “from whom all blessings flow.” This will be the theme for the 2021 Pastors’ Conference, Nov. 15, which will precede Oklahoma Baptists’ Annual Meeting at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills.

TULSA—Churches from across the state converged on the Tulsa metro area with one thing in mind—community service. The North American Mission Board (NAMB), in partnership with the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association and Oklahoma Baptists kicked off its Send Relief Serve Tours on Oct. 15-16 with Serve Tour Tulsa.

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4 takeaways from Send Relief Serve Tour Tulsa >> RICKEY THOMAS

Send Relief is a collaboration between the North American Mission Board, state conventions and associations that helps churches and those who hope to make a difference in their community share the Gospel.

On Oct. 15-16, hundreds of volunteers tackled projects in the first-ever Send Relief Tour making a difference and sharing the Gospel in Tulsa. /// SEE PAGE 10

>> JOE LIGON

Page 3 | Voices Sword & Trowel: That new-time religion? >> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry Rite of Passage: Surprise, surprise, surprise >> WALKER MOORE

Page 9 | People & Church News Bailey, Thomas join Oklahoma Baptists staff >> STAFF

Page 12 | News & Culture Online services expanded reach of churches during pandemic >> AARON EARLS

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To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

I N I S T RY GOSPEL M

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Floyd resigns as leader of SBC Executive Committee S& S& ISSION

>> by Brandon Porter

SBC EC ASSOCIATE VP FOR CONVENTION NEWS

NASHVILLE (BP)­­ —Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee (SBC EC), announced his resignation Oct. 14 in a letter to Southern Baptists released by email.

Floyd pointed to the actions taken by trustees in a special called meeting on Oct. 5 as the basis for his decision.

“The decisions made on Tuesday afternoon, October 5, in response to the 2021 Convention now place our missionary enterprise as Southern Baptists into uncertain, unknown, unprecedented and uncharted waters,” Floyd said in the letter.

Citing his fiduciary responsibilities as president and CEO, Floyd said, “Due to my personal integrity and the leadership responsibility entrusted to me, I will not and cannot any longer fulfill the duties placed upon me as the leader of the executive, fiscal, and fiduciary entity of the SBC. “In the midst of deep disappointment and discouragement, we have to make this decision by our own choice and do so willingly, because there is no other decision for me to make.”

Rolland Slade, chairman of the SBC EC, reacted to Floyd’s resignation, saying, “I am saddened by his resignation. He’s had a tremendous ministry for years and years. I know he loves Southern Baptists. I know it was his intention to come to Nashville to serve Southern Baptists well, and I believe he’s fulfilled that to the best of his ability. However, I understand the vote of the committee put him in a very difficult position.”

N E cliN L Iattorney On Oct. 5, EC trustees W toOwaive N Evoted TENT ent privilege relatedBto-Ethe third-parLUSIVE CON XCindependent E W ty investigation of the possible mishandling of sex abuse cases. Messengers at the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting mandated the investigation be carried out under the terms and scope recommended by the third-party investigative firm.

On Sept. 21, trustees allocated up to $1.6 million in CoFO to operative Program funds toIC payAGuidepost Solutions TION IN PUBLTrustees perform the investigation. also voted to engage

M Guidepost, a New York based invesin the contract with S T R Y investigation.

N Iindependent tigative firm, to handle M Ithe Messengers tasked SBC President Ed Litton with forming a Sexual Abuse Task Force to oversee the investigation.

The SBC EC’s longtime legal counsel, Guenther, Jordan and Price, withdrew from representing the board on Oct. 11.

OX L Bwrote, OtheOfirm T H In a letter sent to Floyd, “Until C R U H C now, a decision by the Board to waive attorney-client privilege was not reasonably foreseeable. However, going forward we can no longer assure Executive Committee and Convention personnel with whom we work that the privacy of their communications with their lawyers will be secure.”

SBC President Ed Litton F said, D Sissues before I E“The A S S I were C LCommittee the Executive indeed complex, and it remains true that good people came to different conclusions about the various issues set before them. While I was grateful for the outcome of last week’s Executive Committee meeting, I regret that Dr. Floyd and other trustees feel that this has placed them in a position where they can no longer continue to serve V in their current E S capacities.”

OIC Floyd began his tenure as president in May 2019, just months after a report was published by the Houston Chronicle on sexual abuse in the SBC. He worked with EC chairman Mike Stone and SBC President J.D. Greear on the creation and implementation of a repurposed Credentials Committee for the Convention to provide an avenue for the Convention to disfellowship churches who poorly handle sex abuse, exhibit racism and hold to doctrine that does not align with the Convention’s confession of faith, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, or violate its governing documents.

During his tenure as EC president, Floyd navigated several crises including the cancellation of the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a time of racial unrest in America following the murder of George Floyd. Now his departure after less than 30 months at the helm means the Executive Committee will look to fill its presidency for the second time in three years—something foreign to an organization which has

NE N E W O NELCIONTENT

EVENTS OCT 30

Disaster Relief Training

$15, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

DR Training Facility, Okarche; to register: pjones@oklahomabaptists.org

NOV 4

VBS Jumpstart

$15, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Del City, First Southern; for more information: nwelch@oklahomabaptists.org

NOV 4 Singing Churchmen & ChurchWomen Joint Concert 7-8:30 p.m.

Moore, First oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

SIV WEB-EXCLU NOV 7

Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Chorus Concert

6-7:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City, Southpark oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

NOV 14

Oklahoma Student Worship Choir Concert

6-7:30 p.m.

Broken Arrow, Florence Street oklahomabaptists.org/ worship-music

NOV 15-16

Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting

Oklahoma City, Southern Hills oklahomabaptists.org/ annual-meeting

Missions in Haiti more precarious after kidnapping of Americans DIANA CHANDLER | OCT 18

Escalating violence, including the kidnapping of 17 Christian missionaries east of Port-au-Prince by a gang identified as the 400 Mawozo, threatens to end work of missionary who has offered medical services and resources since 2013.

PUBLICATIO

N INFO

Pastors’ pay shouldT S best E N follow E VGuidestone practices, says ROY HAYHURST | OCT 19

Many churches could give their pastor a pay raise, and it wouldn’t cost the church an extra dime, said O.S. Hawkins, president of GuideStone Financial Resources.

How? Simply by changing the structure of his salary and benefits.

A hypothetical pastor, with annual total compensation of $65,000, could see his take-home pay rise by almost 20 percent, net of taxes, by applying a salary and benefits approach rather than a package approach.

FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS, VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS FIND ALL THESE STORIES AND MORE ONLINE AT WWW.BAPTISTMESSENGER.COM

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October 28, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | News & Trends

PORT

S in its 104-year history. T had only seven men fill that role EN I N MseverR TA Prior to coming toEthe pastored T EFloyd N EC, al churches across Texas until he moved to Springdale, Ark., First, (now Cross Church) in 1986, where he pastored for more than 32 years. He served two terms as SBC president (2014-2016).

“I was a pastor for over 40 years. My entire life has E & The been devoted to serving Christ HisLpeople.

OP P Eand S thought of any sexual abuse done H to anyone N E WabC grandfather H U Rand Cfather, hors me. As a husband, of seven, I deeply care about the protection of all people,” Floyd said in his resignation letter.

In the letter, Floyd conveyed deep confidence in the staff of the Executive Committee.

“Every Executive Committee staff member who is serving with me, along with trustees thatUI know, RE T Uhas Lwhile C & S W E been united in our desire to care for people at N the same time doing what we have been asked to do by the Convention. One of the most grievous things for me personally has been the attacks on myself and the trustees as if we are people who only care about ‘the system.’ Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Floyd said he would remain in the leadership role until Oct. 31. An interim president of the SBC Executive Committee has not yet been named.

“Through the end of this month, I will ensure our team is ready to complete the matters that will accomplish the will of this Convention,” Floyd said.

“I urge all Southern Baptists to pray for Dr. Floyd and his precious wife, Jeana, as they enter their next phase of life and ministry,” Litton said.

According to the SBC EC bylaws, a seven-member search committee will be formed to begin the search for a new president. Six of the members will be the existing trustees who receive the highest number of votes to serve on the committee. The seventh member will be the chairperson of the board who will act as an ex-officio member.

“We are not going to rush into anything. Going forward, we have to make sure we’re fulfilling the bylaws. It’s going to be difficult because lost I N Ewe’ve N Ltypically E WweOwould Nwho our general counsel turn to T N E T ON XCLUSIVE C for guidance,”W Slade EB-Esaid.

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: 40,213. 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. October 28, 2021 • Volume 110, Number 19.

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

Just Joe: A cat tale Joe Ligon

Church finally let out. I have noticed that preachers who overheat tend to go longer than those Oklahoma Baptists’ who don’t. A group of us decided we would drive Interim Executive Director-Treasurer to Ada for some Braum’s ice cream. That has a way of making up for overheated preachers. @marlowpreacher I started out of town when it happened. I was just going around the curve on the south side of town when I felt something on the back of my neck. I It happened a few years ago. It actually happened didn’t think much of it until I felt it again. So, I reached before I married Gayla, so it was before I was house behind me thinking I would simply scratch my neck. broke and didn’t know how to heel very well. Full To my surprise I felt something very alive and very disclosure: I still don’t heel real well, but Gayla con- furry between my neck and the back of my seat. I tinues to work on me. quickly glanced in the rear view mirror to see what The situation occurred on a hot Sunday evening it was. I couldn’t see anything. So, I grabbed for in July in Konawa. I was at church. That statement whatever it was that was on my neck with my right undoubtedly needs a little clarification. This hap- hand, as I continued to drive with my left hand. pened way back when churches actually had SunTo my surprise—okay, to my complete terror—when day evening services. And I was a new enough I grabbed whatever it was, it grabbed me. Something Christian that I didn’t know any better and actually sharp pierced my neck, and something else equalattended Sunday evening services. ly sharp pierced my hand. I didn’t know what it was, To my embarrassment, I was driving a little Plym- but at this point I was convinced the spawn of Satan outh car. It was the first and only time in my adult had attacked me. That’s what I got for going to Sunday life that I didn’t have a pickup. I was fresh out of col- night church—an attack from one of Satan’s minions. lege, and I needed a vehicle. I wanted a new one but I made a strategic decision to strengthen my hold couldn’t afford a new pickup. So, in a weak moment, I on whatever it was that had hold of me. That was not bought this little Plymouth. And, yes, I had to surren- a good strategy. The more I gripped, the more it atder my man card because of this ill-advised purchase. tacked. By the way, at this point I was going about 55 So, I parked my little Plymouth on the south side mph and picking up speed, although that little Plymof Konawa, First that Sunday evening. I rolled down outh was closed to being maxed out at 55, and I was the driver’s side window about a fourth of the way, driving in both lanes. The battle for my life was reachthinking that would keep my little Plymouth from ing a fevered pitch. overheating—like our preacher was prone to do Finally, I got hold of enough of whatever it was that when he was preaching. was attacking me that I dragged it off of my neck and

pulled it around to see whatever my nemesis was. To my dismay, I came eyeball to eyeball with a cat. The cat was anything but dismayed. In fact, it was still mad and continued to hiss at me while trying to get another claw in my hand and bite off another finger.

I finally got my car pulled over and said, nicely, “Here Mr. Cat (I’m not sure of the gender, but back then, this kind of conversation never took place), why don’t you let me put you down on this nice grass?” Actually what I said was closer to “Get out of here you stupid cat.” Regardless of what I said, the cat took one last opportunity at trying to chew my hand off of my arm, ran across the road and disappeared into the tall grass.

And there I sat bleeding and wondering what just happened. To this day I have no idea how that cat got into my car. Did he make the decision to get in there on his own so he could attack me? Or did one of my so-called friends stuff the cat into my car?

For those of you who like cats, this is not a story against cats, so don’t take this personally. Instead, this is a cautionary tale about life. For example, always roll up your windows—all the way. In other words, be careful what opportunities you create to allow something into your life that could hurt you.

Second, always check the back seat before you get in your automobile. That is to say, make sure that you are not unintentionally carrying something around that could bring hurt into your life.

Third, be sure that what you get hold of can’t get hold of you in return or in retaliation. Simply put, it is always better not to grab a cat that doesn’t want to be grabbed.

Finally, remember that a dog would not have done that. I’ll just leave that one right there.

Sword & trowel: That new-time religion?

Brian Hobbs Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

When life hands you lemons, go ahead and make some lemonade. So goes the old saying. When the COVID-19 pandemic tragically limited churches’ ability to meet for in-person worship, many churches wisely harnessed livestream and online communication tools to gather virtually.

During the process, an encouraging trend emerged in that even the smallest churches were able to reach, not only their members, but also new audiences who might not otherwise participate in worship. Americans increasingly said “yes” to that high tech, “new-time religion” in these times.

In fact, a new Lifeway Research poll found that “45 percent of Americans say they have watched a Christian church service online during the COVID-19 pandemic, including some who say they don’t normally physically attend.”

Amid this encouraging trend, though, it was not all positive. The convenience of “doing church on-

line” has made it a hard habit to break for many who previously did attend in person, as pastors and churches still struggle to regather congregations in the wake of the pandemic.

What’s more, a relational void has been created that virtual connections simply cannot fulfill. As the late Roy Moody once said, “The more high tech our churches become, the more ‘high touch’ we must become.”

His point is simple: People want and need in person connection. It is not hard to see why that is the case, when you stop to consider the example of the Lord Jesus Himself.

Think about how many hands-on things Jesus did during His earthy ministry. He healed by touching; He blessed and laid hands on in prayer; He washed feet; He broke bread; He walked on water; He gave His life on the cross.

You see, Jesus—God in the flesh—showed His followers that we must reach people up close and personal, not only from afar. Having personally worked in the communications field, and specifically in ministry communications for years, I can observe the overall effects of this emerging high tech, low-touch trend.

People tend to be more irritable and less forgiving toward those they know only behind a screen.

People tend to be more quarrelsome in online

spaces than they would be face-to-face. It does not take a social scientist to see that people in society today—sadly, Christians too—are suffering from even more ruptured relationships.

What can we do about it? First, we can and should thank the Lord for these tools of technology, allowing us to advance the Gospel and reach people who might never darken the door of a church. Next, we must remember that the best ministry occurs up close, life-on-life.

How can we balance this? C.S. Lewis once said that for every new book he reads, he would read more than one old book. His intent was to connect himself with the conversations that have been going on a long time, and to avoid getting consumed by the latest trends and conversations.

A good rule of thumb for churches is that, while we can and should utilize the Internet and social media to speak to and with people, we ought to use time-honored techniques, as well. We must alcommunicate and minister in a personal way.

As people seem to say, “Gimme that new-tech religion” over the old, we can balance what we do; and, above all, stay true to Christ and His command for us to love our neighbors. In doing this, we will be sharing a faith and religion that’s always good enough for Thee, O God.

Voices | October 28, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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S & passage: Surprise, Rite of surprise, surprise SPORTS & T MISSION N INME S T RY MINI

Walker Moore

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

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

You never know how your kids are going to do when you send them off to their first day of school.

The first day of kindergarten will often cast your child’s position until they graduate. That child could be cast in the role as the smart one, the pretty one, the athletic one, class S clown or the troubled ED I F Ithe A SofS these C LMost one. are roles children assume early in life. They learn to play those parts, not knowing they can change any time they want.

When my two grandsons went off for their first day of school, I was excited because this was a rite of passage in their lives. It was the starting line of marching into adulthood, and it gave their mom a break for a few ES I Chours.

VO I never worried about Titus the Honorable at school; he has a curious spirit and wants to know about everything, everyone and everywhere. Fiveyear-old Cohen the Goodhearted, on the other hand, has always been the muscle man of the little group. If he were born in Old Testament times, he could have given Samson a run for his money.

He has always been physically strong and will dominate any game that has to do with strength. When he went off to his first day of school, I thought we would receive reports of him using his strength to wrestle all the other kids to the ground.

I don’t know if you ever watched “The Andy Griffith Show” on television, but they had an actor named Jim Nabors who played Gomer, a backward, goofy

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gas station attendant with a good heart. Gomer became famous for such catch phrases as “Shazam!” and “Gollleee,” but his most famous was when he L Ea & shook his head and O Pwith P Esaid Southern drawl, “Surprise, sur- E W S CHURCH N prise, surprise!”

When the reports from the teacher started to come in on Cohen the Goodhearted, they said he was an “excellent student,” “paid attention” and was “a role model in his class.”

C U LT U R E S& EW All I couldNhear in my head was Gomer Pyle saying, “Surprise, surprise, surprise!”

I asked Cohen, “How was your first week at school?”

“There are some kids in the class who didn’t listen to the teacher,” he told me. “If you want to do good, you must listen to your teacher.”

Again, all I could hear in my mind was “Surprise, surprise, surprise.”

His teacher was out this last week, and they had a substitute. Adrian, Cohen’s mother, got a text from the substitute teacher. He had been chosen to come up and write an example on the whiteboard for his class. As he got to the front of the room, he turned around and addressed his fellow students.

“It is OK if you didn’t get chosen; be glad for others. Your turn could come next time. If you didn’t get picked; don’t throw a fit.” With that, he turned and did his assignment. Again, my mind was saying, “Surprise, surprise. surprise.”

Dear Cohen the Goodhearted, What a great speech you gave to your class. I have heard your dad and mom teaching you that prin-

ciple when you were younger.

Mostly it had to do with food: “You get what you get; don’t throw a fit.” But you took that nugget of wisdom and applied it to your class. What a great message you shared with them.

I am not sure what prompted a 5-year-old to share those words of wisdom, but you saw an opportunity to speak into others, and you took it.

Cohen, you have a choice in how you live your life. Every day, ask God to use you to show the world what Jesus looks like.

Acts 10:38 tells us that Jesus went about doing good. It has also been your nature to do good. Just last year, you went out on your own and collected candy for Halloween, only to turn around and pass it out to other children, not keeping a single piece for yourself.

When you were born, I felt led to give you a title, “Cohen the Goodhearted.” Your parents gave you the first name “Cohen,” which means “priest” in Hebrew. But I also wanted to give you a character trait in which to grow. This week you walked out your title. I encourage you to continue to grow strong in your body, but may you also continue to grow stronger in your character.

It’s your Poppy’s prayer that the name Cohen will always be associated with goodness, graciousness and acts of kindness. In doing that, you will reflect the life of Jesus to a world that needs to see a fleshand-bone example of Him. Love you, Cohen the Goodhearted, Poppy

The pastor as an evangelist Vern Charette Senior Pastor, Coweta, First @Vern_Charette

I remember the class as if it happened yesterday.

I was teaching a jumbo breakout session for Collegiate Week in Glorieta, N.M. I had well over 200 college students in my class, all of whom were there that week to pursue missions around the globe.

My subject was “Christ in Revelation,” and on this particular day, we had been looking at specific passages within the Apocalypse that dealt with the Atonement. I could have easily landed the plane and dismissed the class. I mean, after all, I was in room full of college students who were pursing missions.

Probably unexpected by all who were in the room that day, the Holy Spirit led me to give an invitation for those who needed to repent and trust in Christ as their atoning sacrifice. With every head erect and every eye open, I watched as three college students literally stood up in a room full of peers and publicly profess their faith in Christ.

Now having served five years as a senior pastor within our state, I have seen God do similar things in a plethora of situations like the one mentioned above. The key for every class or service that we lead is to remember something I heard Andy Stanley say years ago. He said, “Assume they are in the room.” The “they” that Andy was referring to is the lost or unregenerate.

Too often, even within our normal church gatherings, we as pastors might be tempted to look out over our audience and assume they are the 99. Not only

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might we have a visitor who is lost, however, but even within the familiar territory of our congregations we could have an unregenerate church member. I think it is always good to, “assume they are in the room.”

This is one of the reasons I follow Spurgeon in taking a text and heading straight for Calvary. I believe it is always appropriate, in any setting, to present the Gospel and give people some kind of opportunity to respond.

Besides our normal services and classes, special gatherings yield a high volume of visitors who need the Gospel. Two of these special gatherings are weddings and funerals. Unfortunately, like many of you, I have preached and attended many funerals over the last 20 months. Occasionally, I’ll leave one grieved over the preacher who had a room full of unchurched and unregenerate attendees and rather than clearly presenting the Gospel they chose to go the “celebration of life” route.

Why is that? The most important life we should be celebrating is the life of Christ, our Savior. By all means, comfort the family, honor the deceased, but above all, preach Jesus!

Yes, I even give people opportunities to respond at funerals and weddings by ON tactfully giving what I call a “soft invitation.” Regardless of how one chooses to

draw the net, the main thing is, we need to “assume they are in the room” and preach the Gospel.

Recently, our beloved Southern Baptist Convention has been lamenting the decline of baptisms while we have actually grown in membership. The heyday of our evangelistic efforts was a time when, it seemed, we had an army of specially called men who were traveling from church to church as full time itinerate evangelists.

The days, nevertheless, of Bailey Smith seem to be long gone. We not only have less evangelists, but churches are having fewer evangelistic events. Pastor, the onus is on us to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5).

Good News Campus

October 28 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Gospel Ministry

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.

& MISSIONS M I N I S T RY

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

Fall Back offers students a retreat experience X PEOPLE &

>> by Chris Doyle

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MANAGING EDITOR

DAVIS—Falls Creek Baptist Conference Centers hosted Fall Back Weekend, Oct. 15-16, offering a unique setting for church youth groups to experience at the campground in the Arbuckle Mountains.

A common perspective of Falls Creek is seeing thousands of students all over the encampment, enjoying summer activities, gathering for Bible studies, learning about missions and meeting in the Tabernacle for powerful worship services.

Fall Back was different from the summer weeks, but the weekend retreat was enjoyable with 52 churches represented and 1,020 people in attendance.

“Many youth pastors told me they really had a great time,” said Andy Harrison, director of Oklahoma Baptists Conference Centers. “They love the retreat atmosphere. It’s laid back. The schedule has just enough programming in it that makes it valuable in that regard. But it also allows enough free time that they’re able to interact with their students in a way they want to in a retreat environment.”

Mike Keahbone, pastor of Lawton, First, was the Fall Back speaker. Rivers was the worship band, which led inspiring times of worship in the Tabernacle. Keahbone mentioned the praise and worship time during his opening message of Fall Back.

“I know there are believers here,” Keahbone said.

“I know because of how you sung those words. It was powerful. It caused my heart to fill up with lots of joy.

“Some of you singing those words, you mean them. You really do love God, but you’re not in a great place with God. You sang them because, even

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1) The worship band Rivers led times of worship in song during Fall Back; 2) Mike Keahbone related well to students as Fall Back’s main speaker. >> PHOTOS: CHRIS DOYLE

though you haven’t been living like you’re supposed to, you know He still loves you.

“And there are some of you,” Keahbone continued, “listening to these songs, reading the words CES O Ireally on the screen, andV you’re not sure how to process or what to do. I will tell you this, the God of this universe loves you so much. If you don’t know Him as Lord and Savior, He wants to save your soul.”

On Saturday morning, Fall Back participants observed a campus-wide prayer experience, with the intention of modeling the emphasis from Acts 1:8.

Students went to four different prayer stations that instructed them to pray for their hometown, their state, the United States and the world.

“Overall, the retreat was a very positive experience,” Harrison said. “It was especially energizing for the students and for the leaders as well.”

The Fall Back Weekend at Falls Creek has officially occurred for the past 11 years. Harrison mentioned how the two-day event originated.

“It started organically with different youth pastors meeting at Falls Creek during fall break (for schools),” Harrison said. “From there, Falls Creek got

involved by providing the speaker and the band.

The youth pastors get together and facilitate the other elements of the event.”

Though it’s a relatively new event for Oklahoma Baptists, Harrison believes Fall Back will become a mainstay as an annual gathering for church youth groups.

“We’ve only just begun to tap the possibility of it,” Harrison said about Fall Back. “There’s a lot that we can do. Oklahoma is still not in sync with all the schools having fall break at the same time, but there were groups here that their fall break was actually the next week but had students come anyway.”

Another advantage for future Fall Back retreats is the time of year. There are not as many competing events for church groups happening in the fall.

“It’s the one big event between now and YEC (Youth Evangelism Conference),” Harrison said. “Fall Back is made to service a youth ministry, so that churches can maximize their time with students.”

For more information on Fall Back, visit fallscreek.org/ events/fall-back.

MISSIONS VOLUNTEER TIES

OPPORTUN

I

OKLAHOMA

On-going opportunities for volunteers: Tulakogee Conference Center, Wagoner— 918/462-3212—info@tulakogee.com The Spring, a faith-based shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence or human sexual trafficking and their children, Sand Springs—918/245-4075 Hospitality House of Tulsa provides family centered lodging, emotional and spiritual support for family members of patients traveling to Tulsa for medical care—918/794-0088 or hhtulsa.org Hospitality House of Oklahoma in McAlester. Lodging for families of incarcerated—918/429-0142.

OK Jail & Prison Ministry needs volunteers to go into the jails and share the Gospel—405/917-2242 ojpm@ojpm.org.

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

Oct. 30—DR Facility, 7180 NW Expressway, Okarche 73762 Visit okdisasterhelp.org for the most recent information and to register.

Campers on Mission: Campers on Mission is a fellowship of Christian campers who share their faith while camping or doing mission activities. They work on projects in Oklahoma and across the U.S. For more information email pjones@ oklahomabaptists.org

Featuring the

SINGING CHURCHMEN & SINGING CHURCHWOMEN

World Premiere Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Scott Hume Scott is Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at the Weatherford campus of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He also teaches a freshman orientation class and is chaplain for campus as well as city police.

Pray for International Missionaries Southeast Asia Pray for Oklahoma Baptists serving with the IMB throughout Southeast Asia.

Information about them is withheld for security reasons. Last year, 67,767 Southeast Asians through IMB workers and national partners heard the Gospel.

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

Date: November 4, 2021 Location: First Moore Baptist Church

301 NE 27th Street, Moore, OK

Time: 7:00 pm Cost: Free

WWW.OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/WORSHIP-MUSIC Missions & ministry | October 28, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Oklahoma Baptists coming together as ‘ONE’: 115th Annual Meeting set for Nov. 15-16 in OKC /// PREVIEWED ON COVER >> by Brian Hobbs EDITOR

Oklahoma Baptists will gather Nov. 15-16 at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills, 8601 S Pennsylvania Avenue, for the 115th Annual Meeting.

As in previous years, the 2021 Annual Meeting will feature times of preaching, prayer, ministry reports and other convention business. Yet for only the 10th time in state convention history, Oklahoma Baptists will have the opportunity to affirm the election of a new state executive director-treasurer.

Todd Fisher to be presented as 10th executive director-treasurer On Monday evening, Nov. 15, a special installation service will be observed for Todd Fisher, who is poised to become Oklahoma Baptists’ 10th executive director-treasurer. Messengers at the meeting will have the opportunity to affirm Fisher, who was unanimously approved by the state convention’s board of directors at a special-called business meeting on Oct. 5.

Fisher has served as pastor of Shawnee, Immanuel since 2003 and will succeed Hance Dilbeck, who stepped down as executive director-treasurer in the summer of 2021 to become president-elect at GuideStone.

Following formal approval from Oklahoma Baptist messengers during the upcoming annual meeting, Fisher would officially fill the role as executive director-treasurer in January of 2022. Joe Ligon, who has been serving as interim executive director-treasurer, would continue in that role through December 31.

Fisher is scheduled to preach at the annual meeting. In addition, Moore, First Pastor Charlie Blount and Michael Butler, pastor of Chickasha, First who is serving as president for Oklahoma Baptists, will preach.

“The annual meeting is always a great opportunity for Oklahoma Baptists to join together in worship, fellowship and to be connected with the ministries of our state,” Fisher said. “I am especially hopeful that many of our pastors will be able to attend the meeting this year and be refreshed and encouraged through our coming together.”

2021 Annual Meeting theme: ‘One’ The theme of the 2021 Annual Meeting is ‘One,’ to focus on the unity believers have in Jesus Christ.

Joe Ligon, who serves as Oklahoma Baptists senior associate executive director, said that churches are ministering amid a culture that is increasingly divided, so “the annual meeting will highlight the unity Oklahoma Baptists have as we advance the Gospel together.”

The theme is based on Eph. 6:1-4, which says, “Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting ONE another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. There is ONE body and ONE Spirit—just as you were called to ONE hope at your calling — ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Reports & other key information The annual meeting will feature various reports from several Oklahoma Baptist ministries, a resolu-

tions report, officer elections and more.

Leaders from the four affiliate organizations— Oklahoma Baptist University, Baptist Village Communities, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children and WatersEdge Ministry Services (formerly the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma)—will make presentations to messengers.

Prior to Annual Meeting, the annual Oklahoma Baptists’ Pastors’ Conference is set to take place (see story on page 7), along with various meals and meetings connected to the annual meeting.

The Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting consists of church members who are elected as messengers to represent their respective local church bodies in business decisions during the meeting.

Church members interested in serving as a messenger can contact their church office for information.

Every elected messenger will receive a messenger booklet and voting ballots upon check-in at Annual Meeting. Anyone can attend, but only elected messengers have voting privileges at the Annual Meeting.

Messenger pre-registration is open for churches to register their elected messengers prior to the Annual Meeting, allowing for a quick and easy on-site checkin process. To access pre-registration, visit oklahomabaptists.org/annualmeeting. For further information contact Kdie Nix at knix@oklahomabaptists.org.

Onsite check-in begins Monday, Nov. 15. Pre-registering online and early check-in are strongly encouraged. Childcare is available on a reservation basis. At the annual meeting resources page online, there is also information about lodging in the area.

Visit oklahomabaptists.org/annualmeeting for the latest information on the 2021 Annual Meeting.

115TH ANNUAL MEETING THEME: ONE

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Oklahoma Baptists Southern Hills Baptist Church, Oklahoma City November 15-16, 2021

Don’t miss any Oklahoma Baptists’ Annual Meeting news!

MICHAEL BUTLER, President JASON YARBROUGH, First Vice President

Follow the latest reports and posts through social media.

Oklahoma Baptists @oklahomabaptists @OklahomaBaptists

2021 Annual Meeting preachers pictured from left to right: Charlie Blount, Michael Butler, and Todd Fisher

TUESDAY MORNING

MONDAY EVENING Michael Butler, Presiding

6:30

Call to Order

Michael Butler

9:00

Greetings from Host Pastor

Call to Order

Prayer

Worship in Song

Business Session Appointment of Committees

Prayer 9:10

BVC Report

Bill Pierce

9:20 9:30

OBU Report “One” Campaign

Heath Thomas

9:50

Business Session

Michael Butler

Michael Butler

Alan Quigley

Nick Johnson

Vote by Messengers

Michael Butler

Charge to Todd Fisher & Messengers Prayer of Consecration Presentations

Michael Butler

7:30

Theme Interpretation

7:35 8:00

Worship in Song “One” Choir Executive Director-Treasurer’s Address

6

Closing Prayer

1:45 2:00

Call to Prayer OBHC Report

2:10 2:20

WatersEdge Report Business Session Election of Officers

Election of Officers 10:10 10:25

Call to Prayer Worship in Song

10:30 President’s Address 11:00 Closing Prayer

Brady Paul Bradley O’Dell Mike Lehew Bob Nigh Todd Fisher Greg McNeece Robert Kellogg Michael Butler Michael Butler

Report of the Nominating Committee

Russell Duck

Report of the Resolutions Committee

Ray Griffin Owen Nease

Michael Butler Todd Fisher Xavier Abraham &

2:50

Group

2:55

Michael Butler Marlon Coleman

3:25

Todd Fisher

Julio Crespo

Michael Butler

Todd Fisher

Miscellaneous Business Worship in Song

Brady Paul

Annual Sermon Charlie Blount Alternate Jeremy Smith Recognition of Outgoing Officers & Presentation of Newly Elected Officers Todd Fisher

3:30

Todd Fisher

8:30

Distinguished Service Award

Financial Plan Presentation

Installation of Executive Director-Treasurer Introduction of Dr. Todd Fisher Michael Staton

1:40

Report of Board of Directors

Report of Credentials Committee 6:50

Scripture Prayer

Gary Lillie Ryan Goodman

Call to Order Worship in Song

Xavier Abraham &

Scripture

Brayden Buss James Swain

1:30

Group

Erin Guleserian

Recognition of Special Guests 6:45

Michael Butler, Presiding

Jason Yarbrough

Douglas Melton

Scripture

TUESDAY AFTERNOON

Jason Yarbrough, Presiding

OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/ANNUAL-MEETING

October 28, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Features

Closing Prayer

Amy Petersen

Pastors’ Conference to praise God ‘From Whom All Blessings Flow’ /// PREVIEWED ON COVER The one exception to the speakers list this year is H.B. Charles. The pastor of Jacksonville, Fla., Shiloh Metropolitan, is a welA common practice at the end of a worship ser- comed addition, as Charles has spoken at vice is for the congregation to sing the Doxpast Oklahoma Baptists events, inology, which praises God “from whom all cluding the Priority of Preaching blessings flow.” This will be the theme Conference and at Falls Creek for the 2021 Pastors’ Conference, Nov. youth summer weeks.

15, which will precede Oklahoma BapBrett Selby who serves as tists’ Annual Meeting at Oklahoma a regional ministry partner City, Southern Hills. for Oklahoma Baptists will “The theme (of the Pastors’ Conferbe among those preaching ence) is understanding that the riches at the Pastors’ Conference. of God’s truth both convict us toward salSelby’s previous duties inH.B. Charles vation but also encourage us toward worcluded being a consultant for ship,” said Nick Atyia, pastor of Seminole, the Pastors’ Conference, and First, who is serving as president of the at the close of the 2019 event, Atyia gave as early as previous, with the Nov. 15 morning session Pastors’ Conference.

Selby a special invitation to preach in the beginning at 9 a.m.

“The sermon is really the preacher’s next Pastors’ Conference.

“We built in a longer time for lunch,” Atyia greatest spiritual tool to lead the flock Other speakers include said. “We know when pastors get togethinto genuine worship,” Atyia continOklahoma Baptist pastors er they want to spend time together. ued. “That’s what a doxology is—a Andy Finch and Michael There will be at least an hour and half form or an expression of worship. EvStaton. Finch serves as for lunch.” erything we do in the ‘sanctuary,’ as it pastor of Choctaw, First, Walter Wilson, Oklahoma Baptists Andy Finch says Psalm 150, ought to be about worand Staton is pastor of African American ministry partner, ship, and that includes the sermon. Each Mustang, First and recenthas scheduled a luncheon for African sermon preached at the Pastor’s Conly served as chairman of American pastors with Charles speakference will be focused on the soul the search committee for ing during the luncheon. of the preacher being a worshipping Oklahoma Baptists’ exThe Pastors’ Conference also will feaBrett Selby soul and the message of the preacher ecutive director-treasurture a special panel conversation about being a worship-filled message.” er, leading to Todd Fisher, the pastor’s role and care for the pastor.

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 Paspastor of Shawnee, ImAtyia will moderate this panel which tors’ Conference did not happen. The manuel, to be selected will feature Fisher; Mark Dance, Oklahogood news is the focus of the Pastors’ for the position. ma Baptists director of pastoral develKelvin Mosley Conference, as well as everyone who Kelvin Mosley was a longopment; and James Swain, associate was scheduled to speak last year, is able time Oklahoma pastor beexecutive director of church relations. to be a part of this year’s conference. fore filling his current role at Atyia quoted Charles when sum“It’s important to be mindful that not having the Asheville, N.C., Biltmore, as missions and ming up this year’s Pastors’ Conference Pastors’ Conference in 2020,” Atyia said, “we felt staff care pastor. “He is a pastor who makes “H.B. Charles once said, ‘When I preach, Michael Staton that if the Lord gave us that direction toward the sure that the rest of the staff are cared for I’m not preaching to a congregation. I Pastors’ Conference in 2020—and He had not re- spiritually and emotionally,” Atyia said preach to an audience of one.’ That is moved that direction—so we would stay in that di- about Mosley. “He is kind of a pastor to pastors.” what should be a compelling factor to a sermon. The rection. Also, almost everybody who is speaking Though the schedule of this year’s Pastors’ Confer- preacher should deliver God’s Word with a deep and this year was scheduled to speak last year.” ence is full, Atyia pointed out the event will not start spiritual desire to worship God with God’s words.” >> by Chris Doyle

MANAGING EDITOR

Oklahoma Baptists partner in ‘Serve Tour’ projects across Tulsa Metro /// PREVIEWED ON COVER

1) Members of Coweta, Community pray for a foster mother who received a car donated through the CarePortal, replacing one that was destroyed by fire; 2) Serve Tour Tulsa community ministry volunteers load cement onto a tractor that was used in replacing a fence that had deteriorated at an area mobile home park; 3) Sammy Simmons, left, and Mike Lehew coordinated the work of 350 volunteers from 47 churches who worked on 32 ministry service projects in the greater Tulsa metro area. >> PHOTOS: CHRIS FORBES

>> by Chris Forbes STAFF WRITER

TULSA—Churches from across the state converged on the Tulsa metro area with one thing in mind—community service. The North American Mission Board (NAMB), in partnership with the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association and Oklahoma Baptists kicked off its Send Relief Serve Tours on Oct. 15-16 with Serve Tour Tulsa.

The service event included 350 volunteers from 47 churches who spread out across the greater Tulsa metro area to complete 32 ministry service projects in Tulsa, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Coweta, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs and Sapulpa. Many people from outside the state also served during the event, representing Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Volunteers participated in caring ministries for various communities, serving local churches, bi-vocational pastors and low-income schools. Some projects included light construction, painting, landscaping and hosting sports camps and block par-

ties. Volunteer teams also served foster families and people experiencing homelessness.

Mike Lehew, pastor of Sapulpa, Church Inside Out, served as Tulsa Serve Tour project manager and said Serve Tour Tulsa surpassed his expectations.

“Project after project,” Lehew said, “I heard of divine encounters of salvation, connections made to the local church and the body of Christ encouraging people, as the Gospel was advanced. Serve Tour Tulsa was a springboard for churches and individuals to continue to get outside the walls of their churches to go after ‘the one.’” Lehew was referencing the parable of the lost sheep (Matt. 18: 10–14).

“In the next few weeks,” he continued, “we are going to have a ‘what’s next’ meeting to capitalize on what God has done through his church to advance the Gospel.”

Sammy Simmons serves as NAMB national project director and was pleased with the result of Serve Tour’s first stop in Tulsa.

“I am very excited about what God did and what He will do,” Simmons said. “There are a ton of great stories of how God worked. The heart of the idea behind Serve Tour is to partner with state conventions and associations to inspire churches to meet needs within a city, share the Gospel and see lives changed. I have received numerous different emails and texts from pastors saying how they and their churches were encouraged as others helped them reach out to their community.”

Simmons said Serve Tour will be happening in other cities across the United States in the next year, including Memphis, Tenn.; Meridian, Miss.; Baltimore, Md.; and Charleston, S.C. “After seeing the impact made in Tulsa, I’m excited for the other cities that we will serve in the spring Simmons said. “I feel quite honored to be a small part of seeing Southern Baptists do what they do best—sharing Christ’s love and the Gospel together.

For more information about future Serve Tour projects, visit servetour.org.

Features | October 28, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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O O L B OX CHURCH T

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

Life Chain Sunday NE WS & CULTURE DS

CLASSIFIE

VOICES >> PHOTO: FACEBOOK.COM

Enid to host ‘The One’ featuring 140foot Christmas tree

Kyle and Carol Williams, members of Enid, Emmanuel, created the idea to feature a multi-event experience called “The One,” spanning through the Christmas holidays. The keystone of the experience will be the world’s tallest, fresh-cut Christmas tree, measuring at 140 feet. The famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York City averages 77 feet. The One will be Nov. 26Jan. 6 in the heart of Enid. For more information, visit theoneenid.com.

>> PHOTO: LINDA MORGAN

RED OAK—Several people stood on the side road of Hwy 270 in Red Oak, Oct. 3, to participate in Oklahoma Baptist’s Life Chain Sunday. Members from Red Oak First and Lequire took a stand for unborn children and God’s will in the lives of His children.

Members held signs proclaiming “Adoption— the Loving Option,” “Jesus Forgives & Heals,” and “Lord, Forgive Us and Our Nation.”

The annual event is held on the first Sunday in October and is a time for prayerful self–analysis, repentance and serious commitment to helping end abortion in our nation.

Featured above, from left, Jill Perkins, Tim Perkins, Linda Morgan and Romana Shaffer share God’s love during Life Chain Sunday.

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October 28, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | People & Church News

Comanche, First hosts Beautifully Broken Girls Conference

>> PHOTO: MARK HALL

On Sept. 25, Comanche, First hosted the third annual Beautifully Broken Girls Conference, which was cohosted by Mullins Association. The theme was Hope21 with Sonya Bruner as the main speaker. Nearly 50 teens and ladies attended, some from as far away as Nebraska. Pictured in front are Sonya Bruner, left, and LeAnna Hall, wife of Pastor Mark Hall.

PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N

O O L B OX CHURCH T

Bailey, Thomas join DS LT U R E CLASSIFIE NE WS & CU Oklahoma Baptists staff >> by Staff Bertholomew “Prophet” Bailey, who previously served as director of the Langston I C E SCollegiate Ministry, has V OBaptist University joined state convention staff as young adult discipleship ministry partner, it was recently announced. Bailey also has served as an Oklahoma Baptist University admissions counselor and a pastor in Oklahoma. He and his wife Nikol have three children.

Rickey Thomas, pastor and church planter for Oklahoma City, Freedom Worship, also joined Oklahoma Baptists’ staff as community ministry evangelism ministry partner. He

Prophet Bailey

Rickey Thomas

and his wife Brittany established a ministry outreach in Northeast Oklahoma City that meets needs and shares the Gospel. Bailey and Thomas each will work on the Church Resources Group, led by Alan Quigley.

LeFlore Association observes note burning

LeFlore Association in southeast Oklahoma celebrated the burning of the note on the Association building during the association’s 138th annual meeting, Sept. 26. Jim Reed, pastor of Poteau, Southside and associational moderator, holds the pail while Bentley Hill, director of missions, burns the note.

Sans Bois Association elects new officers

San Bois Association had its 62nd annual meeting, Oct. 10 at Quinton, West Liberty. Bill Self, member of Stigler, Antioch, served as moderator. Gary Caldwell, interim pastor of Whitefield, provided the opening session message.

Jeff Berger, pastor of Stigler, Main Street, provided the moderator’s message. Pictured are the newly-elected officers for 2021-22. From left, Jeff Berger will serve as vice-moderator; Ronnie Payne is director of missions; Paul Brady, pastor of Wilburton, First, will serve as moderator.

SUDOKU

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

RCH WORD SEA

>> PHOTO: LINDA MORGAN

Begin the holiday season with a free-admission Christmas concert and night of worship at Moore, First, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.

The Singing Churchmen and Singing ChurchWomen of Oklahoma will be joined by the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Chorus and Oklahoma Student Worship Choir for the world premier presentation of “The Majesty of Christmas.” The Oklahoma groups are the recording choir for this project that will be released by Lifeway Publishing in 2022 and will be the feature music product for the 2022 season.

In addition to more than 400 voices and instruments singing and playing, a special guest for the concert will be Phil Barfoot, producer and co-writer for the project.

During the summer of 2021, these groups rehearsed and recorded the project, and at the concert the recording will be available for the very first time, and just in time for Christmas shopping.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS PARKER DEATH. Rickie Parker, 72, died Oct. 12. Graveside services were A MCemetery O H Oct. 14 atLSunny Lane in Del A K O E H T City. He was pastorHatI VOklahoma City, E C R A T S I T B A PSharon, a faithful and loyal servant to Jesus. He is preceded in death by his wife of 28 years, Synthia. He is survived by his daughters, Stacie Reese and Renelle Freeman and five grandchildren.

WHITE DEATH. Roger White, 60, died Oct. 13. Funeral services were Oct. 18 at Cushing, Oak Grove. He was pastor of Cushing, New Pathways, a church he planted in 2016. He was gifted at the pastorate. Any opportunity to share the Gospel was his delight. He loved his Lord and Savior, as well as his fellow man. He is preceded in death by his son, Patrick. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his son Justin; his daughters, Sidney Risinger and Aurora White; and four grandchildren.

HAILE DEATH. Kimberly Haile, 58, died Oct. 12. Funeral services were Oct. 18 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel in Muskogee. She was the wife of Pastor Mark Haile at Muskogee, Brushy Mountain. She is survived by her husband, Mark; her children, Christopher Haile and Katie Payne; and one grandchild.

ORDINATION. Jeff Clark was ordained to the deacon ministry at Comanche, First.

COMING EVENTS NOV. 7. Ada, First will be celebrating its 125th anniversary. Steve Dighton will be preaching during the morning worship service, which begins at 10 a.m. The church will have a worship time and banquet beginning at 6 p.m. Bart Morrison will lead a a time of worship. John Haynes and Brad Graves will speak during the banquet.

Those wanting to attend should RSVP at fbcada.org/anniversary or call 580/332-4121.

NOV. 14. Ada, Lovelady will be celebrating its 75th anniversary during its morning worship service at 10 a.m. A meal will follow the morning services. An RSVP is appreciated by emailing coyhowry@gmail.com.

>> PHOTO: RACHAEL MARROW

Coming event

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Note: The word clues for the Word Search are chosen by the Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random.

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Camps Coweta Churches Camps Gospel Jenks Lehew Maryland Churches Jenks Painting Partnership Connections LehewProject Texas Tour Tulsa Construction Maryland

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People & Church News | October 28, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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

4 takeaways from Send Relief Serve Tour Tulsa /// PREVIEWED ON DS I ECOVER

CLASSIF

PEOPLE & SIFIEDS AS CELW CHURCH N

EMP LOYMENT LT UVROEI C E S U C & S W E N >> P/T MUSIC MINISTER: Bethel Baptist Church, Anadarko is seeking a P/T Music

Minister to lead our Sunday worship band. See the full job description on our website https://www.anadarkobethel.com/. Email resume to: duncan@anadarkobethel.com. >> F/T SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Idabel is seeking a F/T Senior Pastor. Parsonage & benefit package available. Send resume including personal testimony, education, experience, references & video link of sermons to: fbcidabel@sbcglobal.net. >> BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: Eastside Baptist Church in Elk City, OK is accepting resumes for a BI/VO Youth Pastor. A growing church with a multigenerational congregation. Seeking an outgoing person to lead our youth ministry. Email resume to: esbchurchsearch@gmail.com.

VOICES

>> BI/VO PASTOR/YOUTH: Del View Baptist Church, Del City, OK is prayerfully searching & accepting resumes for a BI/VO Pastor/ Youth combined position. Please submit resumes with a cover letter & at least one link to a video message to: rlangan.dvbc@gmail.com.

>> PHOTO: CHRIS FORBES

Send Relief Serve Tour volunteers help renovate an inner-city church

>> by Rickey Thomas

COMMUNITY MINISTRY EVANGELISM MINISTRY PARTNER FOR OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

and advance the Gospel faster. While working together, the churches simultaneously completed 30 projects and had numerous \ Send Relief is a collaboration between the Gospel conversations with the beneficiaries North American Mission Board, state con- of those projects. We eagerly await the final ventions and associations that helps church- report of total salvations. es and those who hope to make a difference 3. Oklahoma Baptists and Send Relief in their community share the Gospel. are available to equip and help resource On Oct. 15-16, hundreds of volunteers the local church. As your church champions tackled projects in the first-ever Send Re- community ministry evangelism, you are not lief Tour making a difference and sharing alone. Oklahoma Baptists are ready to help the Gospel in Tulsa. In addition to the proj- you define your community’s need and guide ects, the tour also included a team rally Fri- you through strategically meeting the need to day, Oct. 15th to encourage the volunteers provide your church a door to share the Gosand share how they were making an impact pel. Oklahoma Baptists and Send Relief also in Tulsa. have resources available to assist your church Here are four takeaways from Send Relief in meeting needs and sharing the Gospel. If Tour Tulsa: you are ready to champion community minis1. Brokenness is our opportunity. There try evangelism or have questions, please feel are people in our communities who desper- free to contact me, Rickey Thomas II, at rthomately need help. When churches and Chris- as@oklahomabaptists.org. tians alike meet tangible needs, such as pro4. Be willing to take a step of faith. Meetviding groceries, tidying someone’s lawn, ing tangible is no small feat. We are ofE withneeds T Hmet F R O Mten minor home repairs for a widow, watching needs that are greater than our G E R S BtoLOaddress. a single parent’s children for a couple However, we must reI N Gcapacity D S Lof R O W hours or providing tutoring, an opportunity member, the unmet need is an opportunity often arises to share our story and the Gos- to share the Gospel. Although our individupel with those we serve. al capacity might be limited, there is no lim2. The Church (Big ‘C’) is stronger to- it when we work together, and Oklahoma gether. About 40 churches across the Tul- Baptists are here to support you. Most imsa metropolitan area collaborated to serve portantly, “What is impossible with man is posY SGod” (Luke 18:27 NIV). Take a step people in need. When the Church serves S Awith AV E sible together, we have an opportunity D to lever- of faith, and God will continue to use you to age shared resources, serve more people make a Kingdom difference.

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

CP MONTH

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ COOPERATIVE PROGRAM

AN N UAL M E E T I N G

OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ LEADERSHIP

October is Cooperative Program month!

Encourage your church to continue giving faithfully, because we can do more together. Give online through the link below:

Is your church planning on sending elected Messengers to the Oklahoma Baptists’ Annual Meeting? Online pre-registration is open and available on the SBC Workspace website.

oklahomabaptists.org/give/cp

oklahomabaptists.org/annual-meeting

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

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October 28, 2021 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox

>>P/T STUDENT MINISTER INTERN: Woodland Acres Baptist Church, Tulsa is seeking a Student Minister Intern to assist Pastors in leading youth & college age student ministries. Submit resumes to: office@wabc.org. >> PASTOR: Patterson Avenue Baptist Church is searching for a new Pastor. Send resumes to: contact@pabcfamily.com care of the Pastor Search Committee or mail resumes to: 208 Patterson Ave., Comanche, OK 73529.

MIS CEL L A NEO US >> 2012 EZGO TXT, ELECTRIC GOLF CART: $6,500.00. Kept in garage since purchase in 8/2018. Six Seats. Covers on outside for rainy or colder weather. Electric heater. New tires. Headlights. Very Nice Golf Cart! Contact the church for more details >> FREE COPIER/PULPIT: Free to a church home. Full size Minolta Bizhub 350 Copier (good for at least 1 year with drum that is provided). Has storage cabinet below for paper, etc. Also free, full size, used church pulpit. Contact by email: jlwfbcole@pldi.net. >>BIBLE REPAIR & BINDING: Hand Sewn, fine stamped leather.

McSpadden Book Bindery, 911 West Benedict, Shawnee, OK 74801. www.mcspaddenbookbindery.com (405) 275-7788.

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D AV E S AY S HOPE IS A GOOD THING Dear Dave, What is the main difference between people ISTS BAPT A M who follow your plan, stick with it and succeed, and O H A L OK T those who fall off along the way? —Damon E H IG H L I GH C R U O S E R Dear Damon, I’ve walked with thousands of families through financial problems.

Some of them were just speedbumps that needed to be smoothed out, while others seemed like mountains. The biggest factor I’ve noticed separating those who stick with it and gain control of their finances, from those who give up and go back to their old ways, can be boiled down to one simple word—hope.

Hope is stolen when we misunderstand failure and believe lies. One of the biggest lies that robs people of hope is the one that says failure is permanent. The moment we start seeing failures of the past as predictors of our futures, it extinguishes that ember of hope. Failure happens to all of us at times. It’s natural, and it is normal. The way to reach your goals, though, is to keep failure in its cage. And failure is caged when we begin to understand it isn’t permanent.

Winston Churchill once said, “Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” If we believe failure is here to stay, we lose enthusiasm. And that leads to an inability to re-focus on success. People often make dumb, short-term decisions when they’re in financial difficulty. If you talk yourself into believing you’ll never be able to save enough money to pay cash for a car, you’ll lose hope and borrow the money. Debt not only robs you of the ability to build wealth, but it’s also usually the result of losing hope.

Have you done something wrong in the past that you are still reliving daily? Is that memory haunting you and stealing your hope? Remember, the past only has power over you if you let it have that power. Don’t get me wrong. The past can hurt, and it can be disappointing. But you can either give in to it and let it control you, or you can learn from it and make a conscious decision to keep moving forward.

The choice is yours!—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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PA S TOR YOUTH MUS I C

FBC Beaver, OK is prayerfully seeking SPASTOR: EPastor.

C>>F/T a F/T Resumes can be sent to: fbcbeavr@gmail.

I O V STUDENTS/ASSOCIATE com or mailed to: FBC, P.O. Box 6, Beaver, OK 73932.

vided. Send resumes to: Attention Search Committee, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 305, Allen, OK 74825 or email cwaynebullard@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Bethany is prayerfully seeking at F/T Pastor. Interested applicants should email a resume & cover letter to: fbcb@coxinet.net or mail them to: 3800 N. Mueller Ave., Bethany, OK 73008.

>> P/T WORSHIP LEADER: Lead blended worship service. Adaptable skill set & leadership ability to enable worship ministry growth. Job description at: www.twelvecornersbaptistchurch.org.

Send resume & interest letter to: talodes@ou.edu.

send resumes to: brad@northsideneosho.com.

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>>F/T MINISTER OF PASTOR: Calvary Baptist Church in Durant, OK is seeking a F/T, hard-working & energetic Minister of Students/Associate Pastor. Resumes can be sent to: P.O. Box 1028, Durant, OK 74702 or can be emailed to: search@calvarydurant.org.

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

EMPLOYM ENT

>>F/T YOUTH/WORSHIP PASTOR: The Elk River Baptist Church in Grove, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Youth/Worship Pastor. Please send resumes to: elkriverworship@sbcglobal.net.

>>WORSHIP LEADER: First Baptist Church Antlers, OK, is seeking a Worship Leader to lead our blended worship service as well as our choir. Email resume to: Search Committee, fbcantlers@hotmail.com or mail resume to: 208 NE B Street, Antlers, OK 74523.

>>F/T SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Boswell in Southeastern OK is seeking a F/T Senior Pastor. Parsonage is available & benefits are provided.

Please send resumes to: fbcboswell@gmail.com.

>>PASTOR: We’re seeking a God called Pastor to lead & disciple our congregation. We’re a small church in a rural town with opportunities to minister to members & the community. Send resume to: richardking6735@gmail. com or FBC, P.O. Box 67, Mannsville, OK 73447.

>> BI/VO YOUTH MINISTER: Whitefield Baptist Church is looking for a BI/VO Youth Minister. Housing is available. If you feel called to share the Gospel & minister to youth please send us your resume. Send resume or questions to: wbc.cyndi@gmail.com.

>> BI/VO OR P/T WORSHIP MINISTER: Seeking God’s candidate for our next blended service Worship Minister. Please submit resume & cover letter to: cbcbamusic@gmail.com or Clearview Baptist Church, P.O. Box 140892, Broken Arrow, OK 74014.

>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Duke FBC is prayerfully seeking a P/T Youth Minister who is passionate about God & serving youth. Please send resume or inquiries to: fbcduke@swoi.net.

>>F/T YOUTH MINISTER: College Heights Baptist of Chickasha, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Youth Minister. Resumes may be sent to: College Heights Baptist Church, P.O. Box 357, Chickasha, OK 73023 or by email to: chbcsearchcmte@gmail.com

>> F/T PASTOR: Board Camp Baptist Church is seeking a F/T Pastor. Board Camp, AR is located 10 miles east of Mena, 72 miles west of Hot Springs. Please send resumes to: Bill McCourtney, barmcranch@yahoo.com or 228 Dogwood Springs Lane, Mena, AR 71953.

>>F/T PASTOR: Southside Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Mail cover letter, resume & current sermon video to: 1223 S. Perkins Rd. Stillwater, OK, 74074 or email: southsidestillwater@gmail.com with the subject as ATTN: Pastor Search Committee.

>> BI/VO PASTOR: Lone Star Baptist Church, a rural small in attendance church near Miami, OK is seeking a BI/VO Pastor to lead their multigenerational congregation.

Send resume to the church at: P.O. Box 561, Afton, OK 74331 or email jasonggibson@gmail.com.

>>F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Ryan, OK is seeking a F/T or BI/VO Pastor. Parsonage is provided.

Please send resumes or questions to: FBC Ryan, Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 519, Ryan, OK 73565 or email to: fbcryan1@gmail.com.

>>F/T WORSHIP PASTOR: FBC Duncan is prayerfully seeking a F/T Worship Pastor. Please send resumes to: music@fbcduncan.com. >>F/T WORSHIP/GROUPS MINISTER: FBC Muskogee is seeking a F/T Worship & Groups Minister. Send resumes to: kwood@fbcmuskogee.org or 111 S. 7th St, Muskogee, OK 74401.

>>MINISTER: Grace Baptist Church in Chickasha, OK is accepting applications for a Minister. Please send resumes to: Grace Baptist Church, P.O. Box 644, Chickasha, OK 73023. Contact Royce at (405) 201-7796 or Gary at (405) 922-0134 with questions.

>>F/T YOUTH PASTOR: FBC, Cordell is prayerfully seeking a F/T Youth Pastor. Send resumes to office@fbccordell.com or mail to: FBC, P.O. Box 287, Cordell, OK 73632.

>>F/T YOUTH PASTOR: The FBC of Fort Gibson, OK is searching for a F/T Youth Pastor. All Candidates please send your resume & cover letter to: fbc.ftgyouthpastorsearch@gmail.com.

>>F/T SENIOR PASTOR: Basehor, KS. Outstanding opportunity in a rapidly growing community in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Experience preferred. Please send resumes to: fbcbasehor@ sbcglobal.net or P.O. Box 236, Basehor, KS 66007.

>>F/T PASTOR/DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE: Northside Baptist Church of Neosho, MO, is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor/Director of Student Life to lead our student ministries. If interested, please

>>F/T STUDENT PASTOR: Student Pastor Position at Riverview Baptist Church, Bixby, OK. Submit resumes to: contact@riverview-church.org or mail to: Riverview Baptist Church, 13201 South Memorial, Bixby, OK 74008. >>INTERIM MUSIC MINISTER: FBC Hobart is looking for an Interim Music Minister to lead our congregation in worship on Sunday mornings. If you are interested, please email: paula@fbchobart.org. >>LEAD TEACHING PASTOR: Heritage Church, Shawnee, OK, is seeking a F/T Lead Teaching Pastor to minister to the members & congregation in the Shawnee area. Please submit resumes to Dr. James Wilder at: heritagechurch.office@gmail.com. >>BI/VO PASTOR: Small rural church seeking Bible believing BI/VO Pastor to feed our flock. Send resume to: randkvance217@ sbcglobal.net or call (405) 397-7884. >> P/T WORSHIP LEADER: Olivet Baptist Church is looking for a P/T Worship Leader. Position is available immediately. Please email your resume to: olivet2529@sbcglobal.net. >> DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS: Muskogee Baptist Association is now accepting resumes through November 20, for a Director of Missions (DOM).

Resumes can be sent to: DOM Search Committee, 637 N. C Street, Muskogee, OK 74403. >> STUDENT/ASSOCIATE PASTOR: FBC Tuttle is currently accepting resumes for our next Student Pastor. Resumes & questions may be directed to: fbctuttlestudentpastorsearch@gmail.com. >> BI/VO PASTOR: Hazel Dell Baptist Church, Minco, OK is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Resumes may be sent to: Hazel Dell Baptist Church, Attn: Pastoral Search Committee, P.O. Box 585, Minco, OK 73059 or via email at: jeffhacker81@yahoo.com. >> F/T CHILDREN’S/FAMILY/EDUCATION PASTOR: FBC Lowell, AR is prayerfully seeking & accepting resumes for a Children’s, Family & Education Pastor. For a job description & to submit a resume, please email: fbclypsc@gmail.com. >> P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Send resume to: First Southern Baptist Church, P.O. Box 237, Arcadia, OK 73007 or fsbcarcadia@yahoo.com. >> F/T PASTOR: FBC Allen, OK. Parsonage pro-

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(Judg. 16:21) ACROSS 24 Mythical deity 4218Army Athleticleader, field as Sisera (Judg. 4:2) 1 Negative (prefiGreek x) 25 Ground (Judg. 2:1) 43 Beaches (Judg. 11:22) 19 2,000 pounds 5 Speak without preparation 26 Pairs 44 Eglon was a fat one (Judg. 3:17) 20 High naval rank (abbr.)

10 Furthest back 27 “This is nothing ___ save the 45 Hobo “All the men of Israel were gathered against 13 Baseball player Yogi sword of Gideon” (Judg. 7:14) 4621Organic compound city, ___could together onehis man” 15 City 28 Seemanager secretly (Josh. 14:7) 47theSamson notas___ head 20:11) 16 “Go and ___ wait inGideon the vineyards” 29 What meninasked to do (Judg. (Judg.

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16:19) “Ye thought evil7:21) against me; 21:20)(Judg. 8:22) 4823Healed (Luke God ___it unto good” (Gen.Jesus 50:20) 17 Shiny metal Philistines bound 30 What unrighteous do in Samson the daywith 49but Crush of people around time (2 Peter 2:13) Main impact Arched, as a bow (Ps. 7:12) Elliptical Samson’s mother could not eat anything from this plant (Judg. 13:14) 38 Sharpen

31 34 35 36

(Luke 19:3) 51 A wolfhound 52 Vegetable 53 Honey makers Samson found in lion carcass (Judg. 14:8) 54 Organization that promotes cause (abbr.)

57 Cow sound

>> F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: Sobol, OK. Sobol Baptist Church is a small rural church seeking a Pastor with a heart for God & families as we seek to grow our church for the next generation.

Contact: debbanwhite@gmail.com. >> F/T YOUTH MINISTER: Sharon Baptist Church, Tecumseh, OK. Visit www.sbctecumseh.com for Job Overview. Email Resumes to: suzi.sharontecumseh@gmail.com. Resumes due by 11/20/21.

F/T YOUTH/WORSHIP MINISTER: FBC Carrizo Springs, TX is searching for a F/T Minister of Youth & Worship. Package is salary + house & utilities. We hope our candidates have a completed college degree & some ministry experience.

Email: jonathan@firstbaptistcarrizo.org. >> F/T DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS: ENON Baptist Association located in Ardmore, OK is currently accepting resumes for the DOM position. Please send resumes to: enondomsearch@ gmail.com or mail to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Ryan Goodman. Deadline is Nov. 15, 2021. >> F/T PASTOR: Ringling FBC is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Interested candidates should mail or email their resume to: RFBC, P.O. BOX 530, Ringling, OK 73456 or fbcringling@att.net. >> BI/VO PASTOR: FBC St. Louis, OK is seeking a BI/VO Pastor. Solid financial standing established in 1928. Send request for application packet toFirst Baptist Church, Attn: Search Committee, P.O. Box 147, St. Louis, OK 74866. >> MIDDLE SCHOOL/MEDIA PASTOR: FBC Madill is in search of a God-called & gifted person who enjoys MS students & understands the significance of media in the 21st Century Church. Great place to serve/ learn! Great team! Resume: staff@fbcmadill.org. >>CHILDREN/RECREATION PASTOR: FBC Madill is looking for someone who is gifted by God & has a heart for children & their families & would enjoy incorporating sports/recreation into the ministry as a tool to impact children & their eternity. Resume: staff@fbcmadill.org. >> DISCIPLESHIP PASTOR: First Moore is prayerfully seeking God’s man to join our team. They will be entrusted with oversight & leadership in our adult discipleship strategy.

Please send resumes to: info@firstmoore.com.

RD

25 Big cat (Judg. 14:8) 26 Prophetess (Judg. 4:4) 28 Secret mission (Judg. 3:19) 31 Jacob took Esau ten of these (Gen. 32:15) 32 Taking to court 33 “There ___ up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes” (Judg. 6:21) 34 King in Celtic mythology 37 Walk slowly 38 Gideon was least in his father’s ___ (Judg.

6:15) 40 Israel’s priests came from this tribe (Deut.

31:9) 41 “___ the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed” (Judg. 1:35) 42 Cob vegetable Samson burned (Judg. 15:5) 43 Mr. O’Brien 44 Impressionist painter 45 Container Jael gave Sisera (Judg. 4:19) 46 Survives (Judg. 3:26) 49 Tola’s father (Judg. 10:1) 50 Divert 51 Samson’s strong limbs (Judg. 15:14) 52 Kimono sash 55 Dark, oily material 56 Ramble 59 Samson “had ___ the honey out of the carcase of the lion” (Judg. 14:9) 61 Adam’s wife 62 Tiny amounts 63 “Dogs came and licked his ___” (Luke 16:21)

64 Sea Israelites walked to (Judg. 11:16) 65 Parts of speech 66 “If they bind me ___ with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak” (Judg. 16:11) DOWN 1 Father (Rom. 8:15) 2 Goody two shoes 3 Trolley car 4 Tax agency (abbr.)

5 Vigorously 6 Weapon (Job 41:26) 7 Caustic substance 8 Cation 9 Thorny bush trees asked to reign over them (Judg. 9:14) 10 Holy table (Judg. 21:4) 11 Female singer ___ Apple 12 Day people came up out of Jordan and encamped in Gilgal (Josh. 4:19) 14 Posing questions (Luke 2:46) 22 Land where Cain dwelt (Gen. 4:16) 24 Mythical Greek deity 25 Ground (Judg. 2:1) 26 Pairs 27 “This is nothing ___ save the sword of Gideon” (Judg. 7:14) 28 See secretly (Josh. 14:7) 29 What men asked Gideon to do (Judg. 8:22) 30 What unrighteous do in the day time (2 Peter 2:13) 31 Main impact 34 Arched, as a bow (Ps. 7:12) 35 Elliptical 36 Samson’s mother could not

eat anything from this plant (Judg. 13:14) 38 Sharpen 39 Mined metals 40 Very reluctant (var.)

42 Army leader, as Sisera (Judg. 4:2) 43 Beaches (Judg. 11:22) 44 Eglon was a fat one (Judg. 3:17) 45 Hobo 46 Organic compound 47 Samson could not ___ his head (Judg.

16:19) 48 Healed (Luke 7:21) 49 Crush of people around Jesus (Luke 19:3) 51 A wolfhound 52 Vegetable 53 Honey makers Samson found in lion carcass (Judg. 14:8) 54 Organization that promotes cause (abbr.)

57 Cow sound 58 Energy unit (abbr.)

60 U.S. Navy rank L O S S E S

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Online services expanded reach of churches during pandemic ES >> by O I CEarls VAaron

WRITER, LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN RESOURCES

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, online worship services were a novel concept for many churches. In the almost two years since, however, churches have adapted and reached new people with the adoption of digital streaming.

According to a new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, 45 percent of Americans say they have watched a Christian church service online during the COVID-19 pandemic, including some who say they don’t normally physically attend. Around half (52 percent) say they have not watched a church service during the pandemic, most of whom say they don’t normally attend church in person either.

“The distance to one’s nearest church has changed almost overnight,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “A form of communication that was not even used by most churches before the pandemic has now reached almost half of Americans.”

In a previous Lifeway Research study of Protestant pastors conducted prior to the spread of COVID-19, 41 percent said they didn’t regularly livestream any portion of their church service or post the sermon online later. At the time of the survey, only around 1 in 4 (27 percent) said they livestreamed either the entire service or just the sermon.

As the coronavirus began to spread and social distancing guidelines emerged, the vast majority of churches quickly provided digital options. By March 2020, Lifeway Research found 92 percent of Protestant pastors said they provided some type of video sermons or worship services online. That climbed to 97 percent in April 2020.

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In a Lifeway Research study from early 2021, 85 percent of Protestant churchgoers said their congregation offered livestreamed worship services, and 76 percent said their church posted a video of the worship service to watch later. Additionally, 53 percent of churchgoers said they watched online worship services at their church more in 2020 than in 2019, while 21 percent said they watched more online services at a different church in 2020.

Throughout the pandemic, Lifeway Research found pastors reporting that new people who had previously not attended their church in the past attended or connected online. The latest study seems to bear that out.

When asked, “Have you watched a Christian church service online during the COVID pandemic?” 45 percent say they have, including 30 percent who normally attend church in person and 15 percent who normally do not attend in person.

“It’s not surprising to see churchgoers using online options to view a church service, but there are also those who have not been church attendees who have at least checked out a church service during the pandemic,” McConnell said.

Americans with evangelical beliefs are three times as likely as other Americans to say they watched church services online during the pandemic and normally attend church in person (64 percent to 20 percent).

Some of those most likely to say they watched church services online during the pandemic but don’t normally attend church in person include

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ENON Baptist Association located in Ardmore, Oklahoma is currently accepting resumes for the Director of Missions position.

Please send resumes to: enondomsearch@gmail.com or mail to: First Baptist Church, Attn: Ryan Goodman, 225 1st Avenue SW, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401. Deadline to submit resumes is November 15th.

A THRIVING ASSOCIATION READY FOR ITS NEXT LEADER ENON Baptist Association exists to promote the message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ through management of the cooperative mission and ministry endeavors of our member churches. This association is to be a loving fellowship of Southern Baptist congregations in South Central Oklahoma, bound together by the redeeming mercy of God.

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young adults ages 18-34 (18 percent) and African Americans (22 percent).

Churches were still not able to reach most Americans with the expansion of digital offerings during the pandemic, however, as 52 percent say they have not watched services online during the pandemic. Most of those (42 percent) say they haven’t watched online and normally do not attend church in person. Another 1 in 10 Americans (10 percent) say they do normally attend church in person but have not watched a church service online during the pandemic.

“Church participation is in flux,” McConnell said.

“Some who were regular, in-person churchgoers before COVID-19 only view online services today, others have never tuned in online despite the pandemic, and still others use both at different times.

This shift has created both challenges and opportunities for pastors and church leaders.”