2023/October

OCTOBER 2023 • VOL. 112 | NO. 10

‘TOGETHER WE’ REACH

YUKON, TRINITY SEES EXPLOSION OF EVANGELISM, BAPTISMS

Connect: Focused

Greetings from Hope Pregnancy Centers

CrossTimbers Spiritual Decisions

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Page 11

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE October 2023 • VOL. 112 | NO. 10

MESSENGER STAFF >> Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@oklahomabaptists.org >> Chris Doyle | Managing Editor cdoyle@oklahomabaptists.org >> Lori Coats | Subscriptions/Assistant lcoats@oklahomabaptists.org >> Kali Daniells | Graphic Artist kdaniells@oklahomabaptists.org >> Bob Nigh | Contributing Writer bnigh@oklahomabaptists.org

3 | Connect: Focused

by Todd Fisher

Set and Simmer

4 | Sword & Trowel:

by Doug Matlock

Thank you, Pastors!

11 | Greetings from Hope Pregnancy:

by Brian Hobbs The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published 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: 36,905.

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.

10 | Pastor’s Page:

5 | Upcoming Events

Ringing in new life!

by OBHC staff

6 | Rite of Passage:

Where do prayers go?

by Walker Moore

12 | Crossword & Wordsearch 13 | Church News

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.

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14 | People in Focus: Doug Passmore

8 | ‘Together We’ Reach: Yukon, Trinity sees explosion of evangelism, baptisms

by Brian Hobbs

by Chris Doyle

15 | CrossTimbers: Spiritual Decisions

Connect: Focused

In the Third Century B.C., the Carthaginian general Hannibal occupied a portion of the Italian peninsula, much to the chagrin of Rome. Rome had difficulty defeating Hannibal because of his use of elephants in battle, which overwhelmed the Roman infantry formations.

In 202 B.C., a Roman general named Scipio Africanus had an idea to defeat Hannibal. Previous attempts by Rome to counteract Hannibal’s elephants included the release of pigs and use of carts with long spikes, had largely been unsuccessful. Scipio took a small army into Carthage forcing Hannibal to leave Italy and engage him there.

At the Battle of Zama, as the elephants came upon the Roman units, the Roman soldiers put Scipio’s idea into action—blowing large trumpets at them. The loud and discordant sound of the trumpets’ blast frightened the elephants into chaos, some even turning back into Hannibal’s infantry. As a result, Rome was victorious, and Zama ended the Second Punic War, setting the stage for Rome to become the world power that would eventually occupy Judea and play a role in the life of Jesus.

In the end, Hannibal’s defeat was caused by distractions. The sound of the trumpets distracted the elephants from their task.

As I travel all over our great state visiting with Oklahoma Baptists pastors and churches, I hear about many distractions they face. The culture at large, discouragement, Scan here for more information about Annual Meeting.

lack of commitment by members, conflict in the church or community—the list is long of things that can distract both pastor and church from the calling to which they have been called.

How important it is right now for Oklahoma Baptists to be focused on the message and mission God has given to us! We must have a firm commitment to what really matters—the Word of God and the Great Commission—and not be distracted.

In light of this, the Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting theme this year is “Focused” taken from Phil. 4:8. This will be a great time for us to gather in worship, study the Word, connect with others in encouraging fellowship and celebrate all that God is doing among and through Oklahoma Baptists. I am praying that the Annual Meeting will be a time for us to renew our focus on growing in Christ and reaching the world with His Gospel!

This year’s Annual Meeting will be at Del City, First Southern on Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 13-14. There is a fantastic slate of speakers for the Pastors Conference during the day on Monday, and the Annual Meeting will meet Monday evening and Tuesday during the day.

I sincerely hope you will make plans to be at the Annual Meeting as I believe it will be a blessing and encouragement to you. See you there!

Todd Fisher Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer October 2023 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Sword & Trowel Thank you, pastors!

As part of his popular TV program “Dirty Jobs,” Mike Rowe “performs difficult, strange, disgusting, or messy occupational duties alongside the job’s current employees.” Each episode shows jobs that we under-appreciate as a society and are much more difficult than we realize.

If there ever were an occupation that is under-appreciated by society these days and that is more difficult than we know, it’s the role of a pastor.

With October being Pastor Appreciation Month, now is the time in church life we can show these ministers of the Gospel some extra appreciation. 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, the tasks that every pastor is 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, performing weddings and funerals, being a Christlike example, doing the work of evangelism and discipleship.

Yes, the job description of a pastor is wide-ranging.

Recent years have not made pastoral work any easier. A Lifeway Research poll revealed “more than a quarter of pastors (27 percent) say they’re struggling with maintaining unity and dealing with conflict or complaints.” Add this all up, and we can see why this October, in particular, we need to encourage our pastors.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about the God of all Comfort. He says, “Praise be to the God and Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God“ (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

Too often we think about receiving comfort that we forget to give it. So how can we be a blessing this month? Consider these ideas: • A Sunday School class 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 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.

These are just a few ideas. Oklahoma Baptists, this October (and beyond), together let’s each find ways to be a blessing—to comfort, encourage and appreciate—our pastors. After all, as church members, that’s one of our own important jobs.

P.S. Allow me to take a moment here to say a heartfelt thank you to my pastor, Stephen Rummage, for the great ways you lead and serve. Also “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 Editor of the Baptist Messenger

CHURCHES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE FACING LEGAL ISSUES. IS YOUR CHURCH LEGALLY PREPARED?

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WHAT MEMBERS RECEIVE: ✔ Religious liberty document review ✔ Direct access to attorneys

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Upcoming Events NOV. 2

Winter Bible Study Preview at Oklahoma Baptist University

NOV. 9

VBS Jumpstart

OKC, Northwest oklahomabaptists.org/ vbsjump

NOV. 2

Singing ChurchWomen at Tulsa, First NOV. 3-4

NOV. 13

Oklahoma Baptists’ Pastors Conference Del City, First Southern oklahomabaptists.org/ pastorsconference

NOV. 13-14

Oklahoma Baptists 2023 Annual Meeting Del City, First Southern oklahomabaptists.org/ annual-meeting

Baptist Collegiate Ministries Volleyball Tournament at Univ. of Central Oklahoma NOV. 9

Singing Churchmen at Edmond, First NOV. 12

Oklahoma Baptist Symphony at Edmond, Waterloo Road FOR MORE INFO ON OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS’ EVENTS VISIT OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG/EVENTS

The Exploring Aging Podcast is here!

Baptist Village Communities and the Pierce Institute for Transforming Life Expectancies are excited to bring you a new way to be informed about topics and issues impacting older adults in Oklahoma and across the nation.

34: Honoring the Temple

Pastors and physical health issues Photo by Jenny Hill on Unsplash

Listen at www.oklahomabaptists.com/podcast or on...

Scan Here For More Information!

The Exploring Aging Podcast will discuss all things aging, including addressing ageism, the age wave impacting America and how Baptist Village Communities and the Pierce Institute will work to help Oklahoma Baptist churches better serve their members and reach the local community.

Listen to the Exploring Aging Podcast anywhere podcasts are streamed, including baptistvillage.org/podcast.

October 2023 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

5

Rite of Passage Where do prayers go?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Walker Moore passed away June 26, but the Baptist Messenger continues to publish his cherished previous columns. The following was first published August 2011.

When I was a child, my family attended a small country church. This white-framed, wooden building was surrounded by a cemetery. I guess the congregation wanted to be as close as possible to the resurrection of the dead.

What I remember most about the church, though, was not its cemetery, but its prayer life. These people prayed all the time. Broken and weeping, they took their requests before the Lord.

Prayer has always confused me. Sometimes I pray, and God moves Heaven and Earth on my behalf. At other times, prayer feels as though I’m tossing bricks skyward. My petitions don’t travel far before they come crashing down. And I realize many of you have prayed for years without feeling as though God hears you.

God taught me that our prayers end up in one of two places. The first is the Red Sea, when Moses brought the Israelites out of the Promised Land. He encountered an insurmountable problem. The Israelites whined and complained that they would have been better off if Moses had left them to die in Egypt.

Moses, already a wise leader, told his crabby crew to wait and see what great things God would do. You know the rest of the story. God parted the Red Sea, and Moses and the grumpy Israelites crossed in safety.

Red Sea prayers end with God changing the external.

I’ve often witnessed the results of prayers like these. For example, our ministry has never asked for money. Instead, we pray and leave our requests at God’s doorstep.

One day we needed $5,000. My wife and I were in the back of our office praying when we heard someone at the front door yelling, “I’m a delivery boy from God!” We went to check out the commotion. There on the ground was an unmarked envelope. We opened it to find the exact amount of money we needed. Our prayers ended in the Red Sea, where God moved external circumstances to meet our needs.

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But not all prayers are answered this way. King David didn’t get the answer he wanted when his son became ill. For seven days he prayed and asked God for healing, but his son died anyway. And when Paul asked God to remove the thorn in the flesh, He didn’t do that either.

Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, asked God if it would be possible to remove the cross. Three times, He asked His Heavenly Father if He had an alternate plan. But God didn’t give Him one.

All these prayers ended up not in the Red Sea, but in Gethsemane. A Red Sea prayer changes external circumstances. A Gethsemane prayer changes the internal—or rather, it changes you!

The Gethsemane prayer changed King David. He rose from his prayer to worship God. The Gethsemane prayer also changed Paul. He realized the thorn in his flesh was meant to keep him humble. And of course, the Gethsemane prayer changed Jesus. He moved from “Let this cup be removed” to “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done.”

All prayers end in one of two places: the Red Sea, where God does an incredible thing and changes the external; or Gethsemane, where He changes the internal.

Jesus says in Luke 9:23 that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him. Unless you pass through Gethsemane, you can’t reach the cross.

Which is the greater prayer: Red Sea or Gethsemane? I believe the Gethsemane prayer has more power because a changed life changes lives.

When I pray, I don’t know whether God will take my prayer to the Red Sea, where I can stand by and watch His glory, or to Gethsemane, where His glory is revealed in me. But I do know what I desire most: His Kingdom come, His will be done. As long as He is with me, He can take my prayers—and me—wherever He thinks best.

Walker Moore Author & Messenger Columnist from 1998-2023

www.baptistmessenger.com | The Baptist Messenger | October 2023

Oklahoma Baptists Constitution & Bylaws Amendments Messengers to the 2023 Oklahoma Baptists’ Annual Meeting (Meeting on Nov. 13-14 at Del City, First Southern) will be asked to consider and vote on revised and amended constitution and bylaws for the Convention.

The proposed documents are available for viewing at oklahomabaptists.org, in accordance with provisions of the current constitution and bylaws, so that Oklahoma Baptists will have an opportunity to review, in advance of the Annual Meeting, exactly what revisions are being proposed.

Note: The proposed documents are all online for viewing; they are presented with deletions striken out and additions in red text. www.oklahomabaptists.org/constitution-bylaws If you have any questions regarding the proposed documents, Chairman Luke Holmes can be reached at laholmes2@gmail.com.

“It has been a privilege to lead the task force of Oklahoma Baptists tasked with reviewing and updating our state convention’s bylaws and constitution. This is an important task and this group of pastors and lay leaders represents OK Baptists well, and has done a thorough, thoughtful and excellent job.

We invite Oklahoma Baptists to read the proposed updates and prayerfully consider them as we vote on the matter during our Annual Meeting in November.”

-Luke Holmes, Oklahoma Baptist Pastor; Chairman of the Constitution & Bylaws Task Force

Photo: Nathan Hunn

Photo: Becky Benedict

Photo: Becky Benedict

‘TOGETHER WE’ REACH YUKON—The city of Yukon is one of the fastest growing communities in Oklahoma.

Over the past several years, one Oklahoma Baptist church ministering in that community has seen explosive growth and baptisms. Yukon, Trinity was recently called “one of the fastest growing churches in America” by a ministry magazine.

should stay in the ministry. I did not know where God would have me serve next,” he said. “My wife Jennifer and I had no specific desire to move to Oklahoma City. In fact, we had no real idea where Yukon was.”

Mills was serving on another church staff when he received a call in 2019 from Rhys Cole about the possibility of becoming pastor at Yukon, Trinity.

Yet Pastor Brian Mills, who has served at the church since 2019, would not attribute any growth to himself, but instead directly to the Lord, who used the faithful members of Yukon, Trinity.

Trinity Baptist: From then to today The church began as a mission in October 1979, as a joint effort of Capital Baptist Association and Mustang, Chisholm Heights. In January 1980, Ted Kersh was called as pastor and later that spring the church was officially dedicated as Trinity Baptist Church.

The church saw rapid growth and has been greatly used by the Lord for many years. Sometime around 2015, though, the church was not growing. Around that same time, Mills himself had gone through a season of struggle.

By: Brian Hobbs

Mills initially responded “no.” Yet through times of prayer and seeking the Brian Mills with wife, Jennifer Lord, Mills ended up acMills. Along with children, cepting the call to serve as Parker and McKenna. pastor of Yukon, Trinity.

The people still attending Yukon, Trinity, at the time, kept believing the best days were ahead.

“We call them the ‘Faithful 400,’” Mills explained. “All of these people stayed faithful to the church and kept moving forward, which proved to be so important.”

One such member, Elaine Bewley, who has since passed away, wrote a note to Brian Mills upon his arrival as pastor. “Those of us that have been at Trinity Baptist Church from the beginning look back on the time Bro. Ted was pastor as … glory days,” Bewley wrote.

Yet the Lord used Mills’ season of struggle to create “(Yet) I feel like the Lord gave me a promise way back then, the latter glory of this house will be clarity about where he should serve and to bring greater than the former…” him to Oklahoma. “At one point, I wondered if I Mills had served nearly 20 years in youth ministries, as small as seven students and as large as 3,000 students. He served churches in Tulsa, Fort Smith, Ark.; Houston, Texas; and near Memphis, Tenn.

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www.baptistmessenger.com | The Baptist Messenger | October 2023

t

That prediction, in many ways, is unfolding, as the church has seen explosive growth in professions of faith, baptisms and membership in the past four years.

Yukon, Trinity sees season of growth begin The theme “Together We” was the first sermon series Mills preached, and the message stuck. “Together we reach. Together we disciple. Together we send,” he said.

“We were not called to just move to a city; we were called to join a group of people and see a ‘Together We’ movement happen,” Mills explained.

In his first year as pastor, Mills and Yukon, Trinity held a Kickoff Sunday, and had 743 people attend that day. By the end of that year, the church was running 625 on attendance and had moved to two services.

By February 2021, the church had grown past 850 in attendance and began to update their worship center, preparing for more attendance and growth.

Even amid the pandemic times, the church grew.

“We stayed closed for six weeks,” Mills said. “We were online. We were in the community. The church was just taking off.”

By March 2021, they had exceeded 1,000 in worship attendance and had baptized 169 people that year.

The following year, the church continued prayerfully and evangelistically to involve church members in the ‘Together We’ reach vision, putting on events and follow up with everyone who attended.

As of Easter 2023, more than 3,000 individuals were on the Yukon, Trinity campus. The church baptized 51 people last summer at Falls Creek, and the congrega-

Women praying during the Together We Worship Night.

Church member emerging from baptistry.

Photo: Becky Benedict

Photo: Becky Benedict

tion is a baptism leader among Oklahoma Baptists and the entire Southern Baptist Convention.

The congregation is outreach-minded, as it operates a strong community outreach ministry, which includes benevolence, called “Together We Center.” Yukon, Trinity also connects with local public schools.

The church also launched a ministry specifically to those facing sensory needs and other special needs.

The church utilizes home groups to reach even more people, in addition to offering Sunday School. Mills also emphasizes a call to response, or alter call, at the end of every service and event.

On Wednesday evenings, Mills recently invited Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists executive director-treasurer, to teach a multiple-weeks series on biblical doctrine. In 2022, he asked Ted Kersh to preach on a Sunday.

“The Lord is using this church in a mighty way,” Kersh said. “I praise the Lord for what He is doing.”

Mills, who is known for his high-energy personality and enthusiasm for the Gospel, seeks to energize others to share the Good News.

Dakota Denison, ministry resident, and Malley Scarbrough, girls’ minister, praying with family.

Photo: Becky Benedict

Moriah Widner, ministry resident, reading Scripture during Kids Camp this summer.

Photo: Becky Benedict

“Our church oozes evangelism,” Mills said. “We just want to share the Gospel of Jesus with everyone.

This move of God is something that we pray happens in every area of our community, in every area of Oklahoma. ’Together WE’ as Oklahoma Baptists can reach many more for Jesus.”

Listen to a podcast interview with Brian Mills

October 2023 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Pastor’s Page

Theology, ministry leadership & more

Bible study: Set and simmer My wife Courtney and I love great food, watching food shows and cooking. Our date night preference usually involves finding a great local food spot and trying a recommended dish on the menu.

Courtney is a great cook, and one of my favorite things she makes is her take on baked beans along with green chile mac-n-cheese. But you know what?

As good as they are on the day she makes them, they taste even better after they set in the fridge overnight. In fact, if you listen to great chefs, many will encourage you to prepare food and let it set or simmer.

This way, the flavor of the ingredients intensifies and really permeates the dish.

So, what are steps we can take in letting the truth of God’s Word set and simmer in our hearts? First, get your ingredients together—in other words, make a plan. Determine what sections the Bible you will study, how long will the study be and what pace you will take throughout the study.

For example, you could take a group or person through the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. Over the next 12 weeks, focus on one passage for the week, reading it every day.

Next, determine some practices to employ for specific ways will you meditate on the truths found in the Scripture. This might look like planning a certain time each day to read the passage for the week.

As the Holy Spirit speaks through your time in the Word, write down in a journal the truths you hear to take with you throughout the day. Each break at work or quiet space during the day, take out that journal, read that truth and ask the Holy Spirit to hide it in your heart. The more you practice this, the more you will see that truth become an opportunity to live it out in the circumstances throughout your life.

As you are leading in discipleship ministry, this same principle can be a powerful tool in considering methods for studying the Scripture with an individual or small group. There are many approaches to studying the Bible, but taking your time has great advantages. Just like food takes on more flavor as it allows the ingredients to do their work, moving through a Bible passage slowly creates space for the Holy Spirit to speak to us and allows the truth of God’s Word to permeate our hearts.

Throughout the Bible, the Holy Spirit teaches us how dwelling on the Word of God allows the truth to transform us. In Psalms, we see the authors describing how they meditate on the word or law of the Lord. In Psalm 1, the author uses the image of a tree planted by a stream of water, slowly taking in water from the ground for life amid a difficult desert. Jesus described Himself as a vine that gives life to the branches in John 15, commanding His disciples to abide in Him. Only through the truth and power of Christ does real fruit grow in our spiritual lives.

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This is just one example of setting the truth and letting it simmer. You can also make a commitment to replace social media time with reading the Bible passage for the week. Each time you would open that app, open the Bible instead. Find a quiet place outside to be still in God’s creation and think about the truth you hear from Holy Spirit. Plan a time to look back on your life and see how God worked in this truth around you.

You might also have some other methods for meditating on the truth of God’s Word, but the goal should always center on creating space and time for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and transform us.

Just like making great food, taking your time makes all the difference in the world.

Doug Matlock Oklahoma Baptists Discipleship & Small Groups Ministry Partner

www.baptistmessenger.com | The Baptist Messenger | October 2023

Greetings from Hope Pregnancy Centers Ringing in new life!

By OBHC staff

At Hope Pregnancy Center in south Oklahoma City, a ministry of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, you hear a bell ring each time a woman or man prays to surrender their life to Christ. Since January 2023 volunteers and staff have heard the bell ring 48 times.

Across the state, at Hope Pregnancy Centers, there have been 99 professions of faith in Christ in 2023.

This is twice the lives surrendered to Christ at Hope Pregnancy Centers in 2022. At the Ardmore center, 19 moms and dads have participated in parenting classes.

Hope Pregnancy Centers have been serving women and men with unintended pregnancies since 1986.

Our client services provide: • Pregnancy Testing • Ultrasounds • Pregnancy Option Education • Adoption Education and Referrals • Community Referrals • Parenting and Spiritual Healing Classes

Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children volunteers and staff at the Hope Pregnancy Center, South OKC’s volunteer celebration dinner, hosted by Richard Thompson.

Pam, a volunteer at Hope, South, has answered God’s call to show the love of Christ to those facing an unintended pregnancy. Pam educates, encourages and offers a new perspective on uninteded pregnancy news.

“I led three people to the Lord today,” Pam said recently. “I’m shocked, though I shouldn’t be. I mean this is God we’re working for, after all. The first girl, a Muslim, came with her boyfriend who was a Christian. After I shared the Gospel, she didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation to pray and receive Christ.

The frontline responders at Hope are volunteer women and men who love the Lord, the mission of Hope and have a passion to see individuals meet the ultimate hope giver, Jesus Christ.

“Then, I met with another couple. The man said he’s gone to church before, and she said she had no spiritual beliefs. I shared the Gospel, and both readily accepted the invitation. I am humbled to be used by Him.”

Hope’s volunteers are teachers, doctors, stay-athome moms, retirees, business executives, pastors and other professionals in the community. Their role as volunteers includes in-depth training that empowers them to have new and hard conversations with individuals who may not believe like they do.

Volunteers know their confidence must be in the Lord, and as Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

These conversations share the truth about the sanctity of human life and the hope of eternal life. Hope, and other pregnancy centers, are mission fields right in our community.

Stories of redemption are happening across the state through Hope Pregnancy Centers. Visit obhc.org/about/ hope-pregnancy-center/get-involved to learn how to get involved at Hope.

October 2023 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Crossword/Word Search 45 “The Lord was my ___” (Ps. 18:18) 46 Run down 48 Insult (slang) 49 Mucus 52 “Let us search and try our ___” (Lam. 3:40) 53 Concorde, e.g.

54 Grain 56 Handle 58 What Jacob does to Esau 63 Describes Jerusalem’s culture at this time 67 Military officer 68 Urim and Thummim 70 Curious 71 Afloat 72 “___ is thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:23) 73 Women’s magazine 74 “Go up, ___ an altar unto the Lord” (2 Sam. 24:18) 75 Rebekah had one (Gen. 24:59) 76 God does this in relation to everything

DOWN

ACROSS

1 “Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted ___” (Luke 15:27) 5 Decree 10 Group of members (abbr.)

14 Open 15 Masculine 16 How Jeremiah felt delivering his prophecy 17 “I called upon thy ___, O Lord” (Lam. 3:55) 18 Thoughts 19 Hamburger rolls 20 Sell abroad 22 “Behold, O Lord, for I am in ___” (Lam. 1:20) 24 Jesus’ apostles left these to follow

26 God’s compassions are this (Lam. 3:22–23) 27 Part of body 30 “He was unto me as a ___ lying in wait” (Lam. 3:10) 32 “Behold my ___” (Lam. 1:18) 37 “A faithful witness will not ___” (Prov. 14:5) 38 The sword of the angel had two of these (Rev. 2:12) 40 Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every ___ (Luke 2:41) 41 Delivered God’s message to Mary 43 “Go to the ___” (Prov. 6:6) 44 How Jerusalem’s people felt having heard this prophecy

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Bewley Church Cole Community Doctrine www.baptistmessenger.com | The Baptist Messenger Disciple | October 2023

Evangelism

Faithful

Fisher

Gospel

Growth

Jesus

Kersh

Mills

Ministry

Mission

Oklahoma

Outreach

Reach

Send

Sunday

Together

Trinity

Vision

Yukon

September Answers

Baptism Bewley Church Cole Community Disciple Doctrine Evangelism Faithful Fisher Gospel Growth Jesus

Kersh Mills Ministry Mission Oklahoma Outreach Reach Send Sunday Together Trinity Vision Yukon

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F V

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36 “Every day they ___ my words” (Ps. 56:5) 39 Potatoes pairing 42 “Mine ___ affecteth mine heart” (Lam. 3:51) 44 Chicken brand 47 Family rulers 50 “Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto ___” (Lam. 3:41) 51 What Jerusalem did to God’s name 55 Neon fish 57 “He hath broken my ___” (Lam. 3:4) 58 River through France and Germany 59 “Be not ___ in thine own eyes” (Prov.

3:7) 60 Thought 61 “Thou drewest ___ in the day that I called upon thee” (Lam. 3:57) 62 “I AM the man that hath ___ affliction” (Lam. 3:1) 64 Idol recipient in Isa. 2:20 65 Where Paul was shipwrecked 66 “Mine ___ do fail with tears” (Lam. 2:11) 69 “It is good that a ___ should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3:26)

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.

Church News

DR Chaplains meet for training

Twenty-five Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief chaplains attended a refresher course at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City on Sept. 14. The day-long training was led by state DR Chaplain Coordinator Debbie Inselman, front row, left. Also presenting information and sharing a devotion was Brent Bond, senior director of chaplaincy with the North American Mission Board.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS NEW CONGREGATION. Bixby, Broken Rice is now meeting. Hoang (Kevin) Nguyen is pastor.

NEW CONGREGATION. Bixby, Tulsa Awakening is now meeting. Maolun (Weller) Zhou is pastor.

NEW CONGREGATION. Norman, Magnify is now meeting. Jonathan Knox is pastor.

Oklahoma Baptists host African American Fellowship

Members of the African American Fellowship of Oklahoma Baptists met at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City on Sept. 19. Addressing the gathering were Oklahoma Baptists convention ministry leaders including Walter Wilson, Tarvoris Uzoigwe, Mike Wall, as well as executive director-treasurer Todd Fisher. Among those attending was longtime pastor Lee Cooper of Oklahoma City, Prospect. The event included times of fellowship and prayer.

Brett Selby

Around the State

Southwest Regional Ministry Partner Oklahoma Baptists

Calling someone to a task without equipping them to do it is negligent.

For that reason, Oklahoma Baptists have made the equipping of leaders as part of our purpose. As your regional ministry partner in the Southwest region, let me share an example of how we are partnering together in this key endeavor.

Debbie Barrett, director of childhood ministries at Inola, First, leads a breakout session during the EQUIP Conference at Ardmore, First.

Each year as school starts back, Oklahoma Baptist churches turn their attention toward training and equipping of their leaders. Many associations lead these regional events, such as Comanche-Cotton, Great Plains and Enon. Other nearby associations partner with them, both financially and by participation.

I want to highlight just one of these excellent annual training opportunities in the Southwest region, Enon Association’s EQUIP Conference that was held on Aug. 27 at Ardmore, First.

EQUIP is an inspiring example of associations, churches, a state convention and a Southern Baptist Convention seminary coming together to train the saints of the church called by God to effectively pursue their ministries. With 10 breakout sessions, a ministry expo and a worship rally for adults, children and students, EQUIP sought to cover all the ministry bases.

This event was intentional in its planning with specific targeted goals. First, some practical needs were covered. Fifty percent

of the churches in the association do not have a regular nursery, so one of the breakouts focused on how to have a consistent nursery, even when some children are only brought to church every third or fourth Sunday. Second, Enon wanted to help church members do community-based ministry, such as using athletics for outreach.

Finally, there was a desire to develop ongoing networks in the various breakout audiences, such as kids’ ministry and MVPs (multi-vocational pastors). The Ministry Expo was a good example of how these networks can be developed, with people interacting with partnering vendors and other attendees.

Some would argue that the days of these equipping events are numbered and would even ask, “Why do we keep doing these things?” I asked the Director of Missions at Enon Association, Derek Crawford, that very question.

His reply was right on track: “We’ll keep doing it because leadership investment is the greatest need in our churches.”

So, you can count on it. Every year when school starts back, Oklahoma Baptists will be equipping those whom God has called to fulfill His mission.

October 2023 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

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Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries: Alexander Monteros He is planting Muskogee, First Hispanic and serves the Hispanic population primarily in Muskogee.

In Focus:

Doug Passmore

Doug Passmore has been pastor of Lawton, First East for 44 years!

“When I graduated from seminary, I told my wife I would not mind serving a church in Oklahoma, or north Texas—except Lawton,” Passmore recalled.

Drake Bendabout He is Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at Murray State College.

As often happens, God had other plans. He became youth and recreation director at Lawton, First for three years, and then moved to pastor the smaller congregation at First East.

Pauline Boren

She is Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at Oklahoma City Community College.

Before the COVID pandemic, the church averaged more than 50 baptisms per year. “But, we got hit hard, and I didn’t know if I had the energy to bring the church back,” he said. “But, through a great amount of prayer and Bible reading, God would not give me the freedom to retire. I came here because He called me.

North Africa & the Middle East Nineteen mostly Muslim nations make up this area of the world, where more than 568 million people live.

Clay Phillips He serves as Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at Carl Albert State College.

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He marvels at the faithfulness of his people, who joined together to build a $6 million-plus building debt free. “We just had a lot of people willing to give sacrificially,” he said. “We also saw God move in a lot of great ways.”

“I felt I couldn’t leave until He told me to,” Passmore continued.

“In the last two months, God has shown me why He wanted me to stay. We have seen our attendance increase; He is answering our prayers, and we are seeing our baptisms move back up close to where they were.”

Passmore is a firm believer in the Cooperative Program. “It is great to see how our Cooperative Program funds are being used to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so glad God has allowed me to be His messenger, sharing the Gospel each Sunday. When God shows me it is time to retire I will, but until that time comes, I am excited He allows me to still be a part of His ministry.”

www.baptistmessenger.com | The Baptist Messenger | October 2023

2023

CrossTimbers Spiritual Decisions Childrens Missions Adventure Camp in Davis and Grand Lake

Total Attendance:

4,622

Professions of Faith:

340

Called to Ministry:

Total Decisions:

588

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Remaining decisionsare are4242 assurance salvation, 59 rededications, 127 baptism/special Remaining decisions assurances of of salvation, 59 rededications, 127 baptism decisions/specialprayer/other prayer/other

Campers donated $8,664.50 to the Missions Offering

2023 DPA GALA

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