2022/September/29

Connect: Hindrances in our calling

>> TODD FISHER

I was recently visiting with a small group of pastors, and the discussion turned to the distrac tions and hindrances that can keep us from faithfully walk ing in our calling to follow Christ both personally and vocational ly. Temptation, busyness, loss of priority, negative people, diffi cult circumstances and discour agement are merely a few of the things that can hinder all follow ers of Christ in obedience to His calling wherever and however He has called us to serve.

>> STEVEN JACKSON

YUKON—Yukon, Trinity’s wor ship center was filled with col lege students and campus ministries alike from across Okla homa Sept. 9. Nearly 1,000 col lege students attended this night of worship and teaching is known as Momentum, a col legiate ministry event hosted by Oklahoma Baptists.

Momentum is broken up into two segments, the first being a worship service led by Cody Dunbar, worship pastor at Yu kon, Trinity.

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PAGE 5

IN THE WORD

Meaningful ministry: Oklahoma Baptists’ Board meets at Falls Creek

STAFF

DAVIS—Members of Oklahoma Baptists board of directors met at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center on Sept. 13 for their regu larly-scheduled board meeting.

With key business and reports, times of prayer and fellowship, more than 50 board members and Oklahoma Baptist leaders gath ered to meet and consider all the ways the Gospel is advancing in Oklahoma and around the world.

Page 2 | News & Trends

BVC board establishes Pierce Institute For Transforming Life Expectancies

JANVRIN

>>

Page 3 | Voices

Sword & Trowel: Oklahoma going to pot— Part 2

>> BRIAN HOBBS

Page 4 | Gospel Ministry

Rite of Passage: Where do prayers go?

>> WALKER MOORE

Page 7 | Features

Hidden message from the past makes an impact today at Yukon, Canadian Valley

>> CHRIS FORBES

Page 10 | Church Toolbox Create a culture of care

>> DOUG MATLOCK

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To comment on articles, visit www.baptistmessenger.com

Yukon, Trinity hosts Momentum, nearly 1,000 college students attend

BVC board establishes Pierce Institute for Transforming Life Expectancies

>> by Tammy Janvrin BVC DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

To better help Oklahoma Baptist churches meet the increasing needs of senior adults within the lo cal church and to minister to those outside of the church, Baptist Village Communities (BVC) has an nounced the establishment of the “Bill and Susan Pierce Institute for Transforming Life Expectancies.”

“When looking at today’s congregation, it is easy to let one’s mind wander to the thoughts of tomor row’s younger generation and not include adults over the age of 65,” said Dennis Curtis, BVC board chair. “A healthy church moving forward should embrace people of all life stages and ages. The Pierce Institute was created to help individuals un derstand that while they age and may have retired from work, they did not retire from life.”

Named for the 32-year BVC president, Bill Pierce, and his wife Susan, the Institute will collaborate with individuals, families and volunteers to help connect them to God, one another, and the local church. The Institute will work closely with church leadership in the areas of evangelism, discipleship and ministry.

“I love the words ‘transforming life expectan cies,’” Pierce said. “We need to rethink aging and consider how the world is influencing our percep tion. I love it when I see people of every age using their spiritual gifts to serve the Lord in and through the church.”

The launch of the Pierce Institute comes at a time of significant transition in aging in America.

The symbolism of the logo

C L A S S I F I E D S

V O I C E S

“It has been a blessing to have Billy and Su san Pierce in my life for over 40 years,” Curtis said in making the announcement. “From guiding the youth in a small Oklahoma town to ministering to senior adults throughout the state, their consistent love and compassion for others has always been foremost in their lives. Always following Christ and putting their faith into practice, it is only fitting they are honored through this new ministry endeavor so vital to the senior community.”

Through BVC, Oklahoma Baptist churches are part of the largest not-for-profit provider of senior adult housing and services in Oklahoma with 1,381 residents living at 11 campuses across the state. An other 995 elders are served weekly through BVC’s home health care provider, Entrusted Hearts.

The tree represents growth and maturity. The Cross represents the foundational Christian be liefs from which the Institute was birthed and from which it functions. The Cross half in and half out of the tree represents reaching those within and outside the local church.

We grow from our Christian foundation which is reflected in the limbs and foliage of the tree. The limbs reveal our ability for depth and reach while the leaves illustrate the nu merous groups we can impact, both large and small, whether long-time, new, or non-Chris tian, of all demographics.

A tree is in a state of constant change, as are we. Every day is an opportunity, regardless of age, for the believer to grow in the Lord. Every day is an opportunity to use our spiritual gifts to serve the Lord and advance the Gospel.

“Transforming Life Expectancies.”

N

W O N L I N E

CONTENT

By the year 2034, people in the United States age 65 or older will outnumber children younger than 18 for the first time, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That transition could occur much earlier in Oklahoma.

Because of this changing dynamic, a one-sizefits-all approach to senior adult ministry will like ly no longer work, resulting in a need for churches to re-evaluate how they minister to this increasing segment of society.

“Susan and I are encour aged to know the Institute will enlarge the impact of BVC through educating and training those who perform frontline ministry to senior adults,” Pierce said. “We are pleased it so perfectly aligns with the Baptist Village mis sion of ‘Serving God, Serving You, Serving Together.’

N E W O N L I N E

CONTENT

OCT 4

Women Connection

Roundtable

6:30-8 p.m., $5

El Reno, First oklahomabaptists.org/women

OCT 6

Women Connection

Roundtable

6:30-8 p.m., $5

Lawton, First oklahomabaptists.org/women

OCT 6

Singing Churchmen Concert

7-8:30 p.m.

Elk City, First oklahomabaptists.org/worship

OCT 9

Oklahoma Baptist Symphony Concert

6-7:30 p.m. Ada, First oklahomabaptists.org/worship

OCT 13

Singing Churchwomen East Concert

7-8:30 p.m.

Midwest City, Meadowood oklahomabaptists.org/worship

OCT 15

Disaster Relief Orientation and Credentialing

8 a.m.-5 p.m., $20

DR Team Center, Okarche okdisasterhelp.org

Americans’ theological beliefs changed to suit post-pandemic practice

AARON EARLS | SEPT 20

Americans experienced seismic changes over the past two years, including, for many, how they attend church. The shift in behavior coincides with a shift in theology.

After months of quarantines and social distancing, Americans increasingly believe worshiping apart from a church is as good as attending church services.

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: 39, 296. 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.

NTS

Leatherwood named ERLC president BRANDON PORTER | SEPT 14

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) board of trustees named Brent Leatherwood the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) public policy entity in a unanimous vote Tuesday, Sept. 13. “I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve this historic institution as its next president,” Leatherwood told Baptist Press.

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. September 29, 2022 • Volume 111, Number 17.

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

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

>> PHOTO: CHRIS DOYLE BVC President Bill Pierce gives a re port at the recent Oklahoma Baptists board meeting. He has been serving as BVC president for 32 years.

Hindrances in our calling

Todd Fisher

Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer

@eToddFisher

I was recently visiting with a small group of pastors, and the discussion turned to the distractions and hin drances that can keep us from faithfully walking in our calling to follow Christ both personally and vocational ly. Temptation, busyness, loss of priority, negative peo ple, difficult circumstances and discouragement are merely a few of the things that can hinder all followers of Christ in obedience to His calling wherever and how ever He has called us to serve.

The Apostle Paul liked to use athletic metaphors in teaching the Gospel to his readers. One that he used several times was running a race. He told the Galatians they were “running well” but had been “hindered” by listening to false teaching (Gal. 5:7).

We all need to pause and ask ourselves, “What hin ders me from ‘running the race’ to follow Christ?” Many times it is one of the things I mentioned above

that pulls us off the path of running after Christ. I am reminded of the words of the author of Hebrews, when he wrote about hindrances in the race: “There fore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of wit nesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).

In her best-selling book, Unbroken, Laura Hillen brand tells the amazing story of Louis Zamperini whose bomber was shot down over the Pacific Ocean in WWII. Zamperini survived an agonizing two-year or deal of being lost at sea on a raft and enduring Japa nese concentration camps.

Prior to his military service, Zamperini was a worldclass athlete in the 5,000 meter run and competed in the Olympics. In 1938, Louie ran in the NCAA champi onships against numerous other athletes determined to prevent Zamperini from winning—an Italian-Amer ican who unexpectedly rose to prominence in the track and field world.

Of that race, Hillenbrand writes, “Halfway through the race, just as Louie was about to move ahead for the lead, several runners shouldered around him, box ing him in. Louie tried repeatedly to break loose, but he couldn’t get around the other men. Suddenly, the man

beside him swerved in and stomped on his foot, impal ing Louie’s toe with his spike. A moment later, the man ahead began kicking backward, cutting both of Louie’s shins. A third man elbowed Louie’s chest so hard that he cracked Louie’s rib.”

In our effort to run after Christ and to follow the path He has set out for us, we will encounter hindranc es. There are many things that can draw us away from Christ and His calling that can box us in, stomp on our feet and elbow us in the ribs. The Greek word translat ed “hinder” in Gal. 5:7 literally means “to cut in.” The word was used of runners “cutting in” on others to gain position. We must identify the things in our lives that try to “cut in” on our pursuit of Christ and eliminate them from our lives.

As we commit ourselves to the race that is following Christ, we know the journey will not be easy. Yet, we also know that we can have confidence in Jesus to pro vide all we need and to give us an eternal reward at the finish line.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

Sword & trowel: Oklahoma going to pot—Part

Brian Hobbs

Editor of the Baptist Messenger @BrianGHobbs

In my last column, I voiced concern about the rapid advancement of legalized marijuana in Okla homa. I specifically raised concerns about State Question 820, a forthcoming ballot measure which would legalize recreational marijuana in our state.

Oklahoma Baptists can and should speak out against this move toward even more marijuana in our state, which sadly already has become a marijuana armpit of America with more dispensaries than any other state.

In 2018, Oklahoma Baptists advanced a reso lution at our annual meeting that said, “We are alarmed at the rapid advance of acceptance of rec reational marijuana and the trafficking and abuse of other addictive drugs. We believe that every state and authority should protect its people from the trafficking of illicit drugs, and we know that the abuse of drugs leaves neighborhoods and schools vulnerable for exploitation. We pray that the citi zens of Oklahoma will oppose the legalization of

recreational marijuana and that the church will be proactive through Christ-centered ministries to reach people who are addicted to substances.”

Those words still ring true. Whereas my last col umn discussed prudent steps to stop marijuana’s further advancement through this state question, here I want to highlight and applaud the efforts by many Oklahoma Baptists to help individuals who have become addicted to these substances.

With programs like Celebrate Recovery and Find ing Hope (a Christ-based support group from Hope Is Alive Ministries), among other programs, there are countless Christ-centered ministries available to of fer help and hope to those facing addiction. What’s more, the Edna McMillan Oklahoma State Missions Offering is also helping in these important efforts.

According to statistics available, there is some where between 160,000 and 300,000 people in Oklahoma facing substance abuse addictions. Now, these are not mere statistics. They are real men and women (and sadly young people, too) needing the hope of Jesus and help.

As we know, substance abuse is not a victimless situation affecting only one individual. For every person addicted to substances like drugs or alcohol, there are family members, friends and whole com munities who can be devastated in the process.

The Bible continually warns people against being inebriated, addicted and delving into reckless be havior (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 5:18; Titus 2:12; 1 Pet. 5:8). As bad as these sins—which in some cases are also crimes—are, there is always hope and help.

There is hope for the addicted individual. God can and does lift people out of substance abuse and into His open places where His blessings abound. He replaces addiction and wreckage with joy and peace and restored relationships.

There is hope for family members of the addict ed. One participant in the Finding Hope program, who is mother of a drug addict, said, “Finding Hope has given me the tools to face this giant with oth ers, and I don’t feel so alone and helpless.”

As Oklahoma continues to go to pot—mean ing, as we see marijuana and other mind-altering, addictive substances become socially acceptable and widely available—it will be the church who can continue to step in to offer help and hope amid the mess.

Ultimately, it is the Lord Jesus who shows us how to do this well. Today, we warn against recreational marijuana use and legalization. And today, we also stand ready to offer hope and help through our churches to those facing this crisis.

Rite of passage: Where do prayers go?

repeat a prayer. Three times, He asked His Heaven ly 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 chang es external circumstances. A Gethsemane prayer changes… you. Instead of changing the external, a Gethsemane prayer changes the internal.

When I was a child, my family attended a small country church. You’ve seen dozens like it. 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.

The thing I remember most about the church, though, was not its cemetery but its prayer life. These people prayed all the time. I don’t mean the type of prayer meetings we see in our churches today, but an entire congregation bro ken and weeping as people took their requests before the Lord.

This thing called 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 trav el far before they come crashing down. And I realize many of you have prayed for years without feeling as though God hears you.

Over the past few months, God has been teach ing me that our prayers end up in one of two places. The first is the Red Sea. Think back to Exodus, when Moses was bringing the Israelites out of the Prom ised Land. There in the wilderness, he encountered an insurmountable problem. I believe this experi ence shows us the Bible’s first Baptists. How do we know they were Baptists? Simple. They 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. And you know the rest of the story. God parted the Red Sea, and Moses and the grumpy Baptists—ex cuse me, Israelites—crossed in safety.

Red Sea prayers end with God changing the ex ternal. As a missionary, I’ve often witnessed the re sults of prayers like these. For example, our minis try 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 ran up to check out the commotion, and there on the ground was a plain, 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.

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 to heal the infant boy, but his son died anyway. And when Paul asked God to remove the thorn in the flesh, He didn’t do that, either.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, in Matthew 26, Je sus asked God if it would be possible to remove the cross. This is the only time in Scripture we see Jesus

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. Each time He prayed, 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 Gethse mane? I believe the Gethsemane prayer has more power because a changed life changes lives.

Not long ago, I took one more step in learning to pray like our Lord. Our prayers begin with surrender when we go to our knees. But they also end with surrender when we tell our heavenly Father, “Thy will be done.“

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. And since He is with me, He can take my prayers—and me—wher ever He thinks best.

Are you willing to do what it takes to be healthy?

Amy Petersen

Ministry Wives Ministry Partner for Oklahoma Baptists @amyruthpetersen

The older I get the more I value my health. When I was little, I would get strep throat quite often. I was familiar with the burning soreness in my throat when I swallowed. We would call the doc tor, and inevitably I would end up getting a shot of penicillin. Even though I feared getting a shot, I knew it was what was required to feel better, and I was willing to do what I needed to get healthy.

Now in my 50s, I don’t get strep throat anymore, but I do have all kinds of highs and lows with my physical health. But, health is more than the absence of sickness or disease. It can be defined as: “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” Healthiness is the whole package of being well in our bodies, mind/emotions and relationships.

What does it take to be well? Physically, we need to eat the right things, drink water, exercise and get enough sleep. Mentally, we need to process our emotions, stretch our minds and focus on those things that are right and true. And relation ally, we need connection, to interact with a hum ble openness, and to love well. These are a few of the disciplines required to be healthy.

Amid all the lists and resolutions, God tells us in Prov. 4:20-22 what brings lasting life and health to our whole body: His word. “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body ” (Prov. 4:20-21 NIV).

Here are four ways to seek healthiness through God’s Word:

1. Pay attention. Don’t just pick the Bible up on Sunday mornings. Read it daily and take notice of its truth and power.

2. Turn your ear and listen. Ask God for ears to hear what He is saying to you and then quit talking. Listen to worship music throughout the day. Engage in the stillness of who He is.

3. Fix your eyes and look. Be willing to see the truth of who you are and who God is in your cur rent situation. Write down verses and put them in places where you spend a lot of time: your car, the sink, or on your computer.

4. Keep truth in your heart and hold on tightly. Embrace His Word as the truth in your life. Prioritize what God says over what you feel or can figure out.

As ministry wives min istry partner for Oklaho ma Baptists, I spend a lot of time sharing and en couraging ministry wives to live healthy. Ministry of fers many unique challeng es, and ministry wives are often faced with helping others live in healthy plac es while struggling to stay rooted in Jesus.

This weekend, Sept. 30 –Oct. 1, is our annual Minis try Wives Weekend where Oklahoma Baptist ministry wives from all parts of the state gather to be encour aged. Our theme this year is

“Growing Healthy.” We will dive into what it looks like to be spiritually and emotionally healthy. Christine Hoover (host of North American Mis sion Board’s The Ministry Wife Podcast) will lead us to God’s Word and help navigate conversations about healthiness unique to ministry wives.

I long to live healthy. But for all the plans I make, if I miss engaging with God and His Word, I will miss it. God tells us that health for the whole body is found in Him. His Word works actively in our lives to grow and to shape us. We have to be willing to do what it takes to be healthy. So to day, open up God’s word, listen, look and hold tightly to him. You will be so happy you did. God is faithful.

Walker Moore

Yukon, Trinity hosts Momentum, nearly 1,000 college students attend

>> by Steven Jackson OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS WEB DESIGNER

YUKON—Yukon, Trinity’s worship center was filled with college students and campus ministries alike from across Oklahoma Sept. 9. Nearly 1,000 college students attended this night of worship and teaching is known as Momentum, a collegiate ministry event hosted by Oklahoma Baptists.

Momentum is broken up into two segments, the first being a worship service led by Cody Dunbar, worship pastor at Yukon, Trinity. Following up the incredible worship was Paul Worchester, the director of collegiate evangelism for the North American Mission Board, who spoke to students on God’s plan for their lives.

Worchester’ message emphasized the difficul ty of the Christian life, telling students how they can’t do it all on their own. He mentioned sever al Bible passages, but one of the ones that stood out the most was Eph. 1:19-23—“And His incom parably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His Right Hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.”

After Worchester read this passage he said, “Last I checked that was more than enough to conquer your addictions, anxiety and darkest places.”

VOLUNTEER MISSIONS

O RT U N I T I E S

He then asked everyone to watch a vid eo about a Russian man who was arrested for preaching the Gospel to his family and neigh bors. The government and prison guards did every thing thing they could to break him, but the man stayed faithful to the Lord. Every day he would wake up and sing praises to God.

The video concluded with the man being sent to his death, and on his way the whole prison broke out in praises to the Lord. Following the video presentation, Worchester emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit guiding Christian students today.

The first service was concluded, and the packed worship center turned empty as students went to

the youth room and foyer to eat free Chick-Fil-A. During this break, students connected with friends from different campuses, ate great food, visited with different vendors and more.

The last session of the night began with an acous tic worship set. Singers and players were set up all around the room while the spotlight was cen ter stage on the cross. Towards the end of the ser vice Worchester offered an alter call where numer ous students gave their life to ministry or professed their faith in Jesus Christ.

OBHC President Search

OKLAHOMA

On-going opportunities for volunteers:

Baptist Village Communities:

Ada—Tracy Scheer, 580/332-6004

Broken Arrow—Monty Baggett, 918/355-0099

Cleveland—Wade Wilson, 918/358-2575

Cordell—Alicia Holt, 580/832-5831

Elk City—Cathy Henderson, 580/225-5555

Grove (Honey Creek)—Gary Mishler, 918/786-2223

Madill (Lake Texoma)—580/564-3776

Miami—Shane McGhee, 918/542-7124

OKC—Chris Finley, 405/721-2466 Ext. 2115

Okmulgee—Matthew Wood, 918/756-5377

Owasso—Steven Walkingstick, 918/272-2281 Ext. 102

Entrusted Hearts by Baptist Village (home health care)—Shannon Ryan, 405/942-3000 Ext. 4685

DISASTER RELIEF

Training:

Oct. 1—Chaplaincy Refresher Training, Mannford, First, 105 Greenwood Ave., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m; To register email: pjones@ oklahomabaptists.org.

Oct. 15 —DR Orientation & Credentialing, DR Team Center, 7180 N.W. Expressway, Okarche; 8:30 a.m.-12 noon; To register visit okdisasterhelp.org/ volunteer-training

For other upcoming training, visit okdisasterhelp.org.

Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) is prayerfully seeking its next President. OBHC has ministry locations including Baptist Children’s Homes in Oklahoma City and Owasso, Boys Ranch Town in Edmond, and the Baptist Home for Girls near Madill, as well as Hope Pregnancy Centers across the state.

The OBHC President is responsible for all operations and administering policies established by the Board of Trustees. The President reports to the Board of Trustees and provides direct supervision to all vice presidents, the preparation of annual budgets, the management of nancial resources, the completion of an annual audit, the meeting of all legal and accreditation requirements, and the securing of nancial resources plus other position requirements.

Pray for International Missionaries

Sub-Saharan Africa

Pray for Oklahoma Baptists who serve with the International Mission Board in SubSaharan Africa. Their names and even the number of them are withheld for security reasons. There are 20,775 new believers with 3,982 baptisms in these countries.

Pray for Send Oklahoma Network

The Send Oklahoma Network is a church planting partnership of Oklahoma Baptists and the North American Mission Board.

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

Quali ed applications must have a proven track record of ministry leadership, being a person of vision and character able to lead this storied Baptist ministry that has served children and families for more than 100 years. Managerial experience should include a record of working with governing bodies, skills in fundraising and donor relations, personnel supervision, and nancial resource development.

To apply, send your resume and a letter detailing your interest to: MAIL: OBHC President Search, P.O. Box 22038, Oklahoma City, OK. 73123-0038 And/or E-MAIL: pres.search2022@gmail.com

>> PHOTOS: STEVEN JACKSON

1) Paul Worchester challenged college students to be faithful in their Christian walk in spite of challenging circumstances; 2) Cody Dunbar led worship times through music.

2022

Baptists Annual

>> by Staff

MUSTANG—Oklahoma Baptists will gather Nov. 14-15 at Mustang, First for the 116th Annual Meet ing. The 2022 Annual Meeting will feature times of preaching, prayer, ministry reports and other con vention business.

Oklahoma Baptists President Chris Wall is look ing forward to messengers from Oklahoma Baptist churches across the state coming together for the Annual Meeting.

“I’m really excited about it,” said Wall, who serves as pastor of Owasso, First. “These are opportunities to unite around our calling to this state, nation and world. When I think about the blessing of this con vention, it’s a joy that we get to come together and unite around this calling.”

Wall encourages all Oklahoma Baptist churches to send messengers to the Annual Meeting and be lieves the result will have a great Gospel impact.

“(Having a good attendance) makes us more ef fective for the Gospel because, as Jesus was pray ing in John 17:20-21, in our network of churches coming together unified, the world sees our unity,” Wall said. “As Jesus said, the world is going to know that ‘You (God) sent me.’ So it’s moments like this when we rally around our joint work, our unified message of the Gospel, that the world really does

come to see who Jesus is and what He is like.”

Among those speaking at the An nual Meeting will be Todd Fisher who is completing his first year serving as execu tive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists. He will give his address Monday evening, Nov. 14.

“The Annual Meeting is an important time for Oklahoma Baptists—for pastors and churches all across this state—to come together for worship, prayer, fellowship, and encouragement,” Fisher said. “We have a special program planned this year that will highlight how the Gospel has been ad vancing across our state and beyond.”

Fisher reported the theme of the Annual Meeting will be “Anchored,” based on Heb. 6:19, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”

“The convention theme of ‘Anchored’ speaks to how God’s Word keeps us anchored in our message and mission, even as the world is rapidly changing around us,” Fisher said. “Please make it a priority to attend this year’s Annual Meeting on Nov. 14 and 15. I look forward to seeing you there!”

Wall will be giving his presidential address during the Tuesday morning session, Nov. 15. Duncan Blackwell, pastor of Elk City, First, will deliver the an nual sermon during the Tuesday afternoon session.

116TH ANNUAL MEETING

Oklahoma Baptists

Among the many reports that will be given at the Annual Meeting will be the report from the Abuse Prevention and Response Task Force, which was formed at last year’s Annual Meeting. Eric Costan zo, pastor of Tulsa, South Tulsa and chairman of the task force, will be presenting the report.

The Annual Meeting also will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Oklahoma Baptists Disaster Re lief. A report of this important ministry will be giv en in the opening session, Monday evening, and a special celebration dinner will be observed.

Messenger registration is now open for Oklaho ma Baptist-affiliated churches. Childcare is available on a reservation basis. Information is also available for lodging in the area. Visit oklahomabaptists.org/ annualmeeting to register and for the latest Annual Meeting information.

“I pray that we hear from the Lord,” Wall said about expectations for this year’s Annual Meeting. “I pray that we are challenged by His Word. I pray we end the meeting with more of a resolve to live by the Word of God, with a greater appreciation of how God is at work among us and with a sense of urgen cy to share the Gospel.”

MONDAY EVENING

GRAHAM,

TUESDAY MORNING

Andy

McKeen

TUESDAY AFTERNOON

Trey Graham, Presiding

1:15 Pre-Session Music Joe McKeen

1:30 Call to Order Trey Graham

Scripture Cameron Whaley

Prayer Cole Bryce

1:40 WatersEdge Services Robert Kellogg

1:50 BVC Report Bill Pierce

2:00 Cooperative Program Todd Fisher

Business Session

Russell

Andy

Nominating Committee

Brian Waddell

Report of Board of Directors

10:30 Abuse Prevention & Response Task Force Report

Todd Fisher

Eric Costanzo

10:45 Worship in Song Joe McKeen

Address Chris Wall

Justin Beadles

Prayer

Chris Wall

Election of Officers Chris Wall

Report of the Resolutions Committee

Jeff Moore

Miscellaneous Business

Worship in Song Joe McKeen

Sermon Duncan Blackwell

Alternate Michael Staton

Prayer

Todd Fisher

Keahbone

>> PHOTOS: PROVIDED; 1) Chris Wall, pastor of Owasso, First, is serving as president of Oklahoma Baptists and will preside over the 2022 Annual Meeting; 2) Duncan Blackwell, pastor of Elk City, First, will deliver the annual sermon at the Annual Meeting; 3) This will be the first time Mustang, First has hosted the Annual Meeting of Oklahoma Baptists.

CHRIS WALL, President

FINCH, First

Meaningful ministry: Oklahoma Baptists’ Board meets at Falls Creek

>> by Staff

DAVIS—Members of Oklahoma Baptists board of directors met at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center on Sept. 13 for their regularly-scheduled board meeting.

With key business and reports, times of prayer and fellowship, more than 50 board members and Oklahoma Baptist leaders gathered to meet and consider all the ways the Gospel is advancing in Oklahoma and around the world.

Fisher highlights summer salvations, ministry

During the afternoon plenary session, Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher addressed board members.

“I am now about nine months into my role as executive director, and I have been blessed to be in churches and associational meetings across the state,” Fisher said. “By the end of this calendar year, I will have visited every Baptist association in Oklahoma.”

Fisher emphasized key ministry updates since the board last met in May.

“We had a great summer, with just short of 3,000 students committing to follow Christ at Falls Creek and CrossTimbers (Mission Adventure Camps), with more than 500 committed to special service in min istry,” he said.

Fisher also highlighted that “GoStudents mis sion trips, including our largest-ever team, shared the Gospel in Oklahoma and around the globe.” He also highlighted the great work of Baptist Colle giate Ministry (BCM).

“At the OU BCM semester kickoff event, 26 stu dents in one week committed to follow Christ at OU BCM. Praise the Lord!” he said.

Other members of Oklahoma Baptist staff also shared reports. Amy Cordova, women’s & missions ministry partner, highlighted the annual Edna Mc Millan Oklahoma State Missions Offering, showing videos at the meeting that highlighted refugee min istry, African American ministry and Deaf ministry.

CP overage making maximum impact

Fisher reported on how the 2021 Cooperative Pro gram (CP) overage was distributed, according to what board members approved in their March meeting.

The CP overage of $1,407,605 was distributed with the set allotment of 43 percent of CP going to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), 15 percent to Oklahoma Baptists affiliates and 42 percent to Oklahoma Baptists.

The 42 percent designated to Oklahoma Bap tists—or $591,194 of overage—was spent toward efforts including:

Ukraine relief: Efforts to share the Gospel, pro vide food supplies and shelter to Ukrainian refu gees in Poland and Ukraine.

“We are being regularly updated how the money we sent to Ukraine is being used,” Fisher said. “Just recently, I was informed that the Baptist church in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, which was heavi ly bombarded by Russia, received a gift funded in part by our gift to assist its church members who had been displaced by the bombing.”

Missionary retreat: Plans are coming together for a spring 2023 retreat for approximately 20 missionaries from Oklahoma serving in the North Africa and Middle East, to gather for a time for rest and encouragement.

Pastor development and wellness: Oklahoma Baptists pastors were given a letter detailing op tions for encouragement, including a retreat for a pastor and wife. Also, options to receive book sets for pastors, including a full Bible commentary set, were given, and more than 450 have been distrib uted by regional ministry partners.

“The pastor gift has been very well received,” he said. “I’m still getting almost daily a ‘thank you’ from pastors for the investment we made in them.”

In other board action, members approved a 2023 financial plan for the convention, which was pre sented by Oklahoma Baptists’ Chief Financial Of ficer Leslie Osborn and board finance committee chair Russell Duck.

“The Lord is great, and Oklahoma Baptist church es are so very faithful,” Osborn said. “CP Giving was $12,224,800 at the end of the second quarter, which is 51 percent of the annual objective. If giving con tinues at this rate throughout the year, the CP ob jective for 2022 will be met and exceeded.”

Osborn emphasized that Oklahoma Baptists’ staff continues to exercise great fiscal discipline, amid in flationary challenges.

Abuse Prevention and Response Task Force presents initial report

When Fisher was elected to become executive di rector-treasurer in November of 2021, he announced his intention to ask the president of Oklahoma Baptists to form an Abuse Prevention and Response Task Force.

This task force, which was established by the board in March 2022 by Chris Wall and members of the board, has been meeting to study the best prac tices in preventing abuse. The group presented a re

port at the Sept. 13 meeting. Their scope of work has been forward-looking, and it includes specific rec ommendations for churches and best practices.

Eric Costanzo, pastor of Tulsa, South Tulsa ad dressed board members and also will present re sources and recommendations at the Annual Meet ing on Nov. 14-15 at Mustang, First.

Costanzo said the task force “will provide top-quality resources and strategies that will help churches and pastors have excellence when it comes to preventing abuse, reporting abuse and caring for abuse survivors.”

Other task force members include Jennifer Bar nett, Leanne Deason, Anne Jenkins, Doug Melton, Troy Taylor and Lori Twomey.

Committee & affiliate reports

Members of the board received reports from all four Oklahoma Baptists’ affiliates. Oklahoma Bap tist University President Heath Thomas empha sized that student enrollment is up 20 percent over last year. Baptist Village Communities President Bill Pierce emphasized the ministry impact of all the BVC locations, as well as the “culture of serving” at every age and stage of BVC staff and residents.

Bobby Hart, president of WatersEdge Ministry Services, highlighted the growing ministry services program that helps churches of all sizes with their finances. Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children In terim President Michael Williams emphasized the expanding ministry impact of Hope Pregnancy Cen ters, in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade

In addition to affiliate reports, each of the Okla homa Baptist board committees presented reports. Chris Wall spoke for the Executive Committee, LeRon West for the Church Resources Committee, Brad ley O’Dell for the Communications/CP Committee, Russell Duck for the Finance Committee; and Ryan Goodman for the Support Services Committee.

Board members also spent time together in prayer and fellowship, which punctuated their meaningful meeting at Falls Creek.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting is March 7, 2023 at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City.

“This is a great time to be an Oklahoma Baptist,” Fisher said. “I’m thankful for the spirit of unity that the Lord has provided, and together we will see the Gospel continue to advance in our state and around the world.”

Message from the past makes an impact today at Yukon, Canadian Valley

>> by Chris Forbes STAFF WRITER

YUKON—Yukon, Canadian Valley was doing some needed renovation to their church, includ ing replacing the carpet in the pastor’s office, when they discovered a message written on the concrete floor. The message was from a previous pastor that was intended for their current pastor.

Kevin Kellogg, who served the church for 15 years (1993-2008), scrawled the message in mark er on the concrete floor in 2003, apparently when the pastoral church office was getting carpet in stalled 19 years ago. Kellogg left a note with a Bi ble verse and prayer for whatever pastor would one day follow him.

The message, which was discovered by Jonathan Baker, the current pastor at Yukon, Canadian Valley, read: “To all who serve here: I solemnly charge you

in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His ap pearance and His Kingdom, preach the Word: be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Tim othy 4:1-2. Pastor Kevin Kellogg 8/14/3”

“It was inspiring and even more humbling to find out this has been under my feet all this time I have had the privilege of serving at CVBC,” Baker said.

In a Facebook post, Baker talked about how he was affected by the find. “(Kellogg) has since passed away (losing his battle with cancer in 2008). Without knowing me, Kevin prayed for me. He cared enough for the people that he shep herded to pray for another shepherd to come.

“It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of a God-fearing and God-loving man such as Kevin,” Baker said. “Might I leave such a faithful legacy.”

>> PHOTOS: 1, 3) BRIAN HOBBS; 2) CHRIS DOYLE; 1)Board members spend time in prayer over the ministries of Oklahoma Baptists; 2) Misael Gonzalez, campus pastor at Owasso, First, shared a testimony and Scripture in the plenary session; 3) Todd Fisher reported on the great ministry Oklahoma Baptists have done this year.

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED Written 19 years ago, Kevin Kellogg offered a message to the pastor who would eventu ally follow him at Yukon, Canadian Valley. Jonathan Baker is the current pastor who recently found the message on the floor in his office.

Pastor Mark Hall of Comanche, First visited Malawi in August with his wife, LeAnna. They worked with International Mission Board missionaries Chris and Jamie Schilt, and Jamie is their daughter. The Schlits work with the seminary in Malawi. Jamie manages a guest house, and they are help ing a church plant.

“We were involved with numerous ministries, mostly with the local pastors,” Hall said. “We taught some of their church members about personal evange lism and their responsibility to share the Gospel with their friends and family.”

The Halls also visited with church planters in the northern part of Mala wi, setting up family ministry training with the pastors.

“One impactful encounter was with a pastor that is trying to establish ministry in villages and with a group that has been shunned by all oth er religions,” Hall said. “Many of their cultural practices are also linked to traditional African religion and spiritualism. (The pastor) is trying to show them the love of Christ and reach them with the Gospel. It is his prayer that they will see that love and desire to have a relationship with Jesus, and then they will recognize their sin and allow Jesus to forgive them.”

Pictured above are Mark and LeAnna Hall with a family in Malawi.

Frank

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Sallisaw churches host event to reach students

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

SALLISAW—Four Oklahoma Bap tist churches in Sallisaw teamed up to hold an event at The Stage Park, Sept. 17. Sallisaw, First; Hanson; Blunt and Immanuel hosted the event with the intention to reach young people in the community.

V O I C E S

Brian Baldwin, Okahoma Bap tists’ youth evangelism and mis sions ministry partner, spoke at the event that experienced 25 professions of faith, 11 recommit ments, six decisions for baptism and five other spiritual decisions. Thirteen students also gave testimonies.

“(The four churches) have never done an event like this before and were unsure of who would show up,” Baldwin said of the event which drew nearly 200 students.

“They felt burdened for the lostness of

teenagers in their community and came to gether to try to do something about it. And God blessed it—simple as that!”

Baldwin said the churches are planning to meet soon to follow up with the students who made decisions.

Headrick, First celebrates 135 years Headrick, First celebrated its 135th anniver sary on Sept. 11. Celebration activities includ ed a lunch, fellowship and children’s activities at the Simmons Community Center. Many long time members also were recognized including Waymon Kelly, Doris Miller and Anita Miller. Pic tured are Pastor Billy Irions receiving a certifi cate from Danny Ringer, director of missions in Great Plains Association.

Pott-Lincoln Association hosts ‘Heaven’s Gates & Hell’s Flames’ Oct. 30-Nov. 1

Pott-Lincoln Association is host ing a live drama presentation called “Heaven’s Gates & Hell’s Flames,” Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at FireLake Arena, 18145 Old Rangeline Road, in Shawnee. The event begins at 7 p.m. each night. Admission is free. For more information visit plba.org or call 405/273-4558.

Coming Events

Capital Association hosts annual meeting, Oct. 9 Capital Association will host its annual meeting at Okla homa City, Trinity, Oct. 9. Business meeting will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a Night of Worship at 6:30 p.m. Speakers include Frank Williams, pastor of Bronx, N.Y., Wake-Eden Community, and Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber, pastor of Farmersville, Texas, First. For more information, email Julie Irwin at julie@cbaokc.net or call 405/942-0244.

Revival event Oct. 10-14

Kenwood Gymnasium, Kenwood Crusade, will host a re vival event, Oct. 10-14, at 7 p.m. Jess Jones, pastor of Jay, Piney, reported the event will feature Vern Charette and Phil Lawrence as speakers. “Hear the Word and Gospel at these events and invite neighbors and friends,” Jones said. For more information email ajones2306@yahoo.com or call 918/253-8783.

APTIST ARCHIVEHE OKLAHOMA

BURCHFIEL DEATH. Eddie Burchfiel, 78, died Sept. 3. Funeral services were Sept. 10 at Oklahoma City, Village. He served as a greeter at the Baptist Building before retiring as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office, serving 40 years. He also served 23 years in the United States Army and National Guard, retiring at the rank of First Sergeant. He was an active member and deacon at Okla homa City, Village. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Thel ma; his son, D Burchfiel; and two grandchildren.

LUNSFORD DEATH. Gerald Lunsford, 83, died Sept. 16. Funeral services were Sept. 21 at Choctaw, First. He served in nu merous roles of ministry over the years. He pastored churches throught central and western Oklahoma, including Weather ford, Emmanuel and Choctaw, First. Over a span of 30 years, he pastored eight dif ferent churches and impacted countless lives with God’s Word. In 1991, he became director of Grace Rescue Mission in Okla homa City. For 15 years, he served thousands of homeless men, women and children at Grace and at the adjacent Bap tist Mission Center. In 2006, he did interim work for churches and preached at numerous revivals. He also served as senior adult minister at Choctaw, First. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Darla; his son, Kevin; his daughter, Kathleen; his son, Ste ven; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

WALL DEATH. Lisa Wall, 58, died Sept. 13. Funeral services are Oct. 1 at Chouteau, First. She was very active in her husband Wayne’s ministry who is currently the pastor of Chouteau, First. She also was instrumen tal in starting children’s ministries, women’s ministries and support group ministries. She is survived by her husband; her daughter, Amanda Riley; her son, Wesley Wall; and two grandchildren.

CHURCH STAFF CHANGES

MARK PRICE is pastor of Oklahoma City, South Lindsay.

ANNA SIMMONS is associate youth minister/girls minister at Ada, Trinity.

BETTY STICKLEY is youth leader at Arcadia, First.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

REVIVAL REPORT. Sept. 11-14 at Lequire in San Bois Asso ciation; four professions of faith in Christ and one decision for baptism; Evangelist Clint Sinclair; music led by Rock Ridge Re vival and The Alversons; Tim Perkins is pastor.

TO SHARE NEWS, PLEASE EMAIL ALL INFO TO BAPTISTMESSENGER@OKLAHOMABAPTISTS.ORG

>> PHOTO: PROVIDED

Brian Baldwin speaks to students at The Stage Park in Sallisaw. The event was hosted by four Sallisaw church es to reach teenagers with the Gospel.

Create a culture of care

>> by Doug Matlock DISCIPLESHIP & SMALL GROUPS MINISTRY PARTNER WITH OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

Just the other day, I was listening to a pod cast featuring a ministry leader who made a statement that caused me to press the skip back button. He said that he struggled with pastoral care—in fact he said he “hated” it.

To be fair to him, I do not know him personally, nor do I know much about his ministry outside of this podcast. However, the host spoke of how pastoral care visits were intimidat ing and how he was wired in a more cerebral way. As a teacher, he wanted answers to give for suffering, and sitting with others as they walked through times of tri al was uncomfortable. It wasn’t that he hated people; he hated how hard it was for him to minister in that way.

For the church, pastoral care is essen tial. In fact, every church that desires to be healthy and grow must create a “culture of care” as a part of its discipleship ministry. As we make disciples who obey the commands of Christ and become more like Him, caring for needs of others plays a vital role in that process. The Bible teaches us of God’s de sire for His people to care for one another, as well as the world around them.

In the Old Testament, we find time and time again God commanding the people of Israel to care for the oppressed, the poor, the foreigner and others in need. This was to show the world the reality of God through the work of His people. In the New Testa ment, God’s Kingdom goes beyond a cer tain people and now shines forth through all those who make up the Body of Christ, the Church.

If we look in Acts at the early church, we see a culture of care that speaks to the world around them. In chapters two and four, the church meets the needs of others through generosity and sacrificial giving. Chapter five highlights care for the sick and healings that take place. Peter even makes an incredible pastoral visit to Dorcas, who

L A S S I F I E D S

the Holy Spirit brings back to life through Peter’s prayers.

How can churches today create a culture of care for members of the church body and the community?

O I C E S

First, pray. Creating a culture of care is some thing only the Holy Spirit can truly create. He cultivates our hearts and transforms our lives to see and love people like Jesus did.

Second, creating a culture of care in your church flows out of the lead ership. Pastors and staff must love and care for those they are called to lead. If the pastor does not demon strate a level of pastoral care in his own life, asking members of the church to will not go far.

To be clear, pastors or any other pastoral staff members are not superheroes. They carry a burden of ministry leadership and all the work that comes with it.

That leads to a third step in creating a culture of care: discipleship. As leaders train and equip members of the church to engage in the work of ministry, peo ple are cared for, and others will join in the work. The more that this takes place in the church, the more normal it becomes and culture forms.

Not only does this relieve the burden of any pastor from meeting all the needs of ministry, but it also engages Christ-follow ers in service. Serving is a key component to maturity as a disciple.

You may wonder, “What is the best way to organize ministry in creating a culture of care in the church?” The answer: small groups. Sunday School groups and small groups form the organized structure that allows care to take place, so that no one should be left out if a need arises.

BLOGFROM THE DAV E SAYS

We are not called to have all the answers to the suffering that people face. Howev er, we are called as disciples of Jesus, and the church, to care for the needs of oth ers as they face those difficult times. Cre ating a culture of care in your church not only serves as discipleship but also demon strates the Gospel to the world.

TOGETHER FOR THE NATIONS

Together for the Nations is an Interna tional Mission Board event coming Oct. 11 at Edmond, Henderson Hills that will help churches grow in missions.

imb.org/together

‘FEEDING & LEADING’ PODCAST

From sermon prep tips to guidance on mobilizing churches for missions, this podcast featuring Todd Fisher and Andy Taylor is a go-to resource for pastors. oklahomabaptists.org/series/ feeding-and-leading

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD’S WORD IN TODAY’S CULTURE

EMBERLY KINCER

N UA L M E E T I N G I N F O

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My oldest daughter started running cross country for her school this year. She had never ran in a race before, so she didn’t know all the ins and outs of the sport. She has great coaches and friends who have helped her along the way, as she’s learned the rules and how to train.

WORDSLINGERS BLOGFROM THE DAV E SAYS RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTOKLAHOMA BAPTISTS

When she was preparing for her first race, if they would have told her that in the last 20 yards, when you sprint it out to the end, that she should throw a few elbows at the oth er runners to get a better finishing place, she would have believed them and done that. She would have learned the hard way that’s not acceptable. The realization would sink in that she had taken someone’s word for the rules without accessing the source to know if elbows were allowed.

How we approach our Christian lives can be much the same. We have so many things at our fingertips every day that connect us to what we think is the latest and greatest on any given topic. The best preachers and teachers, the best news source, social media influencers, the list could go on.

ON

We are able to feed our brains and hearts with informa tion from many types of sources at any given time. How ever, we can have all these resources and neglect God’s biggest gift to us—His Word.

To read the rest of Emberly’s blog visit, baptistmessenger.com/blog-the-importance-ofgods-word-in-todays-culture

TOOL

To read more blogs with Jesus in mind, visit www.baptistmessenger.com/blog

L A S S I F I E D S

EMPLOYMENT

>>CHILDREN’S/FAMILY PASTOR: FBC Crescent is prayerfully seeking a Children’s & Family Pastor to love & serve the Crescent community. Parsonage is provided. Please send resumes to: P.O. Box 196, Crescent, OK 73028 or email to: FBCCrescent@aol.com.

O I C E S

>>F/T or BI/VO PASTOR: Mary Niblack Road Baptist Church, Ardmore, OK is prayerful ly seeking a F/T or BI/VO Pastor. Please send resume to: maryniblackroad@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: Is needed for Galey Baptist Church. Galey is a friend ly, country church. Please send resume to: DMount.quiver@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: Bethel Baptist Church of Anadarko, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. Candidates should email a resume to: scot.gpglass@att.net or mail to: Bethel Baptist Church, Attn. Pastor Search Committee, 501 W. Florida, Anadarko OK 73005.

>>F/T SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Jay is accepting resumes for a F/T Se nior Pastor. Please email resumes to: fbcjay@yahoo.com or mail to: P.O. Box 304 Jay, OK 74346. Attn: Pastor Research Committee.

>>P/T WORSHIP LEADER: FBC, Noble prayerfully seeking Sunday morn ing Worship Leader. Interested applicants email resume to: stbrasier@aol.com.

>>F/T WORSHIP LEADER: FBC Sapulpa is looking for the right individ ual to lead our worship ministry & corporate worship. For a detailed de scription of the position visit: https://fbcsapulpa.com/ministry-openings.

>>BI/VO YOUTH MINISTER: Eastland Hills Church in Choctaw is seeking God’s person to lead in our youth ministry. You may contact Pastor Ken ny Lindsey at (405) 361-0656 or email resumes to: kenny@eastlandhills.org.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Etowah Baptist seeking God’s man to preach, teach & guide our congregation. Mail cover letter & resume to Etowah Bap tist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 571, Noble, OK 73068.

>>F/T YOUTH MINISTER: Southeast Baptist, Muskogee is seeking a F/T Youth Minister who has a call & passion for ministering to youth. Please email to: danielm.sebc@gmail.com or mail to: 2511 E. Hancock, Muskogee, OK 74403.

>>WORSHIP/YOUTH PASTOR: Emmanuel Baptist in Purcell, OK is looking for a Wor ship & Youth Pastor. We have a blended worship style & a good core of students. This is currently a P/T position with potential to go F/T. Contact: mike@ebcpurcell.org.

Visit https://www.baptistmessenger.com/classifieds-form/ to advertise with us!

>>F/T WORSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS PASTOR: FBC Enid is seeking a F/T Pastor of Worship & Com munications. For more info on the job description & next steps visit: www.fbcenid.com/careers or contact the church office at (580) 234-1133. Thanks!

>>BI/VO OR P/T WORSHIP MINISTER: Lakeview Baptist Church is searching for a blended service worship minister. Please send resumes to: lsbc93@ gmail.com or 5265 W. Rogers Blvd, Ste A # 202, Skiatook, OK, 74070, Attn: Search Committee.

>>F/T or BI/VO PASTOR: Cheek Baptist Church, Lone Grove, OK is prayerfully seeking a Pastor for our rural country church. Please send resume to: Cheekbaptist@gmail.com or P.O. Box 551, Lone Grove, OK 73443-6166.

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

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Konawa, a small rural church is prayerfully seeking the right man of God to serve as Pastor. Parsonage is included. Submit resume to: FBC Konawa, P.O. Box 308, Kona wa, OK 74849 or fbckonawa129@gmail.com.

>>YOUTH MINISTER: Ochelata FBC is seek ing a Youth Minister who has a call & pas sion for ministering to youth. Please send resume to: fbcochelata@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Cameron, OK is prayerfully seeking God’s candidate for a BI/VO Pastor. Housing is avail able. Please submit resumes to: Danny Rog ers by email at: RogersDanny1959@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO YOUTH PASTOR: CrossPoint Baptist Church of Coweta, OK is seeking an individual who has a calling to serve as our Youth Pastor. For more in formation regarding this BI/VO position, please email our office at: crosspointcoweta.office@gmail.com.

>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: New Hope Bap tist Church, 1501 N. 43rd St. E., Muskogee, OK 74403 is prayerfully seeking a P/T Youth Minis ter to lead & disciple youth 6th - 12th grades. Send resumes to above address or email to: NHBC2022YouthMinister@gmail.com .

>>P/T MUSIC MINISTER: New Hope Bap tist Church, 1501 N. 43rd St. E., Muskogee, OK 74403 is prayerfully seeking P/T Music Minister. Send resume to above address or email to: NHBC2022MusicMinister@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Faxon is seeking a BI/ VO Pastor. We are a friendly, small, country church seeking a family Pastor to love & serve the Faxon community. A newly updated par

sonage is provided. Please send resume to: FBC Faxon, 215 SW 7th St., Faxon, OK 73540.

>>F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR/YOUTH MINISTER: Midway Baptist Church Big Spring TX, is accept ing resumes for a F/T Associate Pastor/Youth Min ister. We are in search of someone to develop, lead & promote youth ministry as well as working as our Associate Pastor alongside Senior Pastor.

>>F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR WORSHIP/MIS SIONS: First Baptist West, Lawton, is accept ing resumes for this F/T position. Please send resumes to: worship@firstbaptistwest.com.

>>F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Davis, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T or BI/VO Pastor. In terested candidates should mail a cover let ter & resume to: FBC, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 297, Davis, OK 73030.

>>F/T SENIOR PASTOR: Mount Zion Baptist Church, Edgerton, MO is seeking a F/T Senior Pastor. Our church is located on the northern edge of the Kansas City, MO metro area. Please visit www.mzlife. org to apply. Candidates must support the BFM 2000.

>>SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Jones seeking a Senior Pastor. Send resumes to: fbcjpsc@gmail.com or by mail to: FBC Jones, 320 SW 3rd St., Jones, OK, 73049.

>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Main Street Baptist Church in Stigler, OK is looking for a P/T Youth Min ister to disciple/lead grades 6-12. Inquire or apply by sending a resume to: jeffkberger@gmail.com.

>>F/T PASTOR: Eastside Baptist Church in Elk City, OK is prayerfully seeking a F/T Pastor. A parsonage is provided. Candidates should sub mit a cover letter & resume to: eastsidesec@ outlook.com Attn: Pastor Search Committee.

>> F/T PASTOR: Immanuel Baptist Church in Skia took, OK is prayerfully seeking a Pastor. Interested ap plicants send a resume with references to: IBC, 625 S. Broadway St, Skiatook, OK 74070 or email to: imman uelskiatook@yahoo.com. Contact (918) 781-2719.

>>F/T MUSIC/YOUTH MINISTER: FBC Idabel, OK seeking a F/T Music/Youth Minister to join us in beautiful SE OK. Committed to blended worship & creating a discipling culture in our teens. Com petitive salary with parsonage. Send resume & worship leading links to: fbcidabel@sbcglobal.net.

>>F/T FAMILY PASTOR: FBC Maysville is in search of a F/T Family Pastor. Please email a cover letter & resume to: fbc.maysville@yahoo.com or mail to: FBC Maysville, Attn: Family Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 745, Maysville, OK 73057.

>>F/T YOUTH MINISTER: WHBC is seeking a F/T Youth Minister who loves young people & desires to see them grow in their relationship with Christ. Send resumes to: mail@whbcok.org or Woodland Hills Baptist Church, 313 S. Hwy 76 Newcastle, OK 73065.

>>BI/VO YOUTH MINISTER: Northeast Baptist Church, located in Norman, is seeking a BI/VO Youth Minister. Please send resume to: esasnett@ nebaptist.com or mail it to: Northeast Baptist

Church, 905 E. Rock Creek Rd, Norman, OK 73071.

>>F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: New Hope Bap tist, an elder lead church, in Jay, OK is seek ing a F/T or BI/VO, Spirit-called Pastor. Please email resumes to: nhbcjayok@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Spring River Indian Bap tist Church is prayerfully seeking a BI/VO Pas tor. Mail cover letter & resume to: Spring River Indian Baptist Church, Attn: Search Committee, 5600 S. 630 Rd., Quapaw, OK 74363-1997 or email: sribc1939@gmail.com.

>>P/T WORSHIP LEADER: FBC Ninnekah, OK is prayerfully seeking for the right individual to lead our worship services. Hourly wages plus milage. Send resume to: ninnekahbaptistchurch@hotmail.com.

>>BI/VO YOUTH MINISTER: Banner Baptist Church in Lindsay, OK is prayerfully seeking some one to lead & grow our youth ministry. Please email resume to: bannerbaptist2022@gmail.com.

>>P/T YOUTH MINISTER: Hydro FBC in Hy dro, OK is prayerfully seeking a P/T Youth Min ister to disciple/lead our youth. Inquire or send resumes to: jbsanders59@hotmail.com.

>>P/T OR BI/VO YOUTH/STUDENTS MINISTER: FBC Pauls Valley, OK. Applicants must affirm the 2000 BF&M & be able to pass a criminal background check. Current college students are encouraged to apply. Send resume to: fbcpvpastor@gmail.com.

>>DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES: Oklaho ma Baptist University is seeking a Director of Hu man Resources. This role will provide leadership & administration of the comprehensive human resources programs & services that support OBU’s mission & strategic goals. To apply, include appli cation administrative.pdf (okbu.edu) & email with your documents to: hr@okbu.edu. (405) 585-5130.

>>F/T PASTOR: FBC Hollis is prayerful ly seeking a F/T Pastor. Parsonage is provid ed. Please send resumes to: FBC, P.O. Box 589, Hollis, OK 73550 or fbchollis@pldi.net.

>>BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: Southmoore Baptist Church in Moore OK is seeking a BI/VO Music Min ister. Please send resume to: office@southmoore bc.org or mail resume to: 3801 South Broadway, Moore, OK 73160 ATTN: Music Search Committee.

>>P/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: New Beginnings Church is seeking a P/T or BI/VO Pastor. What we believe: https://www.nbcshawnee.com/ about-3. 1203 East 42nd St., Shawnee, OK. Con tact: 2700 N. Kickapoo, #273, Shawnee, OK 74804. newbeginningschurchshawnee@gmail.com.

>>SENIOR PASTOR: FBC Granite, OK is prayer fully searching for the man God is calling to fill the Sr. Pastor position. If you feel called, please email a resume to: fbcgraniteresumes@gmail.com.

>>BI/VO PASTOR: Possibly leading to F/T. We are small in number but anxious to grow & willing to work. Parsonage can be provid ed with all bills paid. Send resume to: High Hill

C R O S S W O R D

“Sealed them with his ___”

Kings 21:8)

Heron

Baptist, 33 Church Rd, McAlester, OK 74501.

>>F/T STUDENT MINISTER: FBC New Bos ton, TX, is seeking a F/T Student Minister Please send your resume, references & testimony (personal statement of faith) to: FBCNBYouth Search@gmail.com Compensation Package: $62,000 in salary & benefits. Salary negotiable.

>>F/T MUSIC MINISTER: FBC New Boston, TX, seeking a F/T Minister of Music for blend ed music ministry. For more information about the position, please visit: https://www.fbc newboston.com/music-minister-search/. Send your resume to: office@fbcnewboston.com.

>>PASTOR: FBC of Kellyville is prayerful ly seeking a Pastor. Please send resumes & DVD or CD, if available, to: Pastor Search Com mittee, FBC, Kellyville, P.O. Box 637, Kelly ville, OK 74039 or email: kvfbc1@yahoo.com.

>>F/T ASSOCIATE PASTOR/WORSHIP: FBC, Mannford, OK. Primary ministry empha sis is Worship/Media but responsibilities also include pastoral leadership & care. Please email resume to: fbcmannford@cimtel.net.

>>P/T OR BI/VO MUSIC MINISTER: Meeker FBC is in search of a P/T or BI/VO Music Minis ter to lead in a Sunday morning blended service. Please submit resumes to: mfbcmusicsearch@ gmail.com or mail to: Meeker FBC, P.O. Box 300, Meeker, OK 74855. Attn: Music Search Committee.

>>VOLUNTEER WORSHIP LEADER: Sun nyside Baptist Church, 8091 S 305th E Ave, Broken Arrow is seeking a volunteer to lead our mostly traditional worship service. Con tact us by email: rcheasbro@outlook.com.

>>SENIOR PASTOR: Senior Pastor sought. Ex perience required. Adherence to BFM2000. Send resumes, recommendations to: Pastor Search Com mittee, First Baptist Church, 125 S. Delos, Hays ville, KS 67060 or pastorsearch@fbchaysville.org.

>>F/T OR BI/VO PASTOR: FBC Asher, OK is seek ing a Pastor to shepherd a rural town church fam ily. Staff includes Worship Pastor, Youth Pastor & P/T Admin. Parsonage with paid utilities includ ed. Email resumes to: fbcasher@windstream.net.

>>F/T WORSHIP PASTOR: FBC Frederick is prayerfully searching for a F/T Worship Pastor. Please send resumes to: admin@frederickfirst.org.

MISCELLANEOUS

>>SHUTTLE BUS FOR SALE: 2012 Ford E450 Shut tle Bus. 26 passenger, 38K miles, CNG, TV w/DVD player, Dual Air, New Brakes, New Tires & meticu lously maintained. Great Bus, just too big for us. $24,000 or best offer. Contact Tim (918) 346-1622.

>>VEHICLE FOR SALE: 15 passenger 1998 Ford Club Wagon,V-8. 124,800 Miles. $3,500. Call (918) 244-8212.

“___ doth God know?” (Ps. 73:11)

“I ___

couch with my tears” (Ps. 6:6)

“Even as a ___ gathereth” (Matt. 23:37)

___ is also sore” (Ps. 6:3)

did ___

Omelet

Lamb was Last Supper’s

“I do wait all the ___” (Ps. 25:5)

Comedian Gri th

Scattered, as the bones (Ps. 53:5)

“___ me under the shadow of thy wings” (Ps. 17:8)

55 Memory

Horse command

“Let thine ___ behold the things” (Ps. 17:2)

Indian currency

“There went over a ferry ___” (2 Sam. 19:18)

“All his commandments are ___” (Ps. 111:7)

“Price of his ___ shall be” (Lev.

ATTENTION: There was a misprint in the Crossword puzzle in the Sept. 15, 2022 edition of the Baptist Messenger. This is the corrected puzzle. We apologize for the error and any inconvenience. Thank you for reading the Baptist Messenger!

Sarah

SBC should be known for love, firm convictions, Barber says

A L

V O I C E S

>> by Diana Chandler BAPTIST PRESS SENIOR WRITER

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Southern Baptists need to uphold and support Scriptural truth while main taining love and cooperation, Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber said in address ing the SBC Executive Committee (SBC EC) Sept. 19.

“You are just as much a defender of the truth when you argue for cooperation, as you are a de fender of the truth when you argue for (Scriptural) purity,” Barber told the EC as it convened for its fall session Sept. 19-20.

Both 2 John and 3 John were his primary texts, fo cusing on the call to Scriptural truth in the second epis tle, and the call to love and cooperation in the third.

“And I want God to make us a family of churches who know how to hold firm convictions about the truth of Scripture, while feeling the obligation to bring everybody that we can who’s in agreement with our statement of faith and with our movement to go and reach the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ, to bring everybody that we can on board into that journey,” he said, “so that together we can fulfill the mandate of both of these books.”

Barber took time to announce the theme and Scrip ture for the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting set for June 1314 in New Orleans. “Serving the Lord, Serving Others,” will be the theme, supported by 2 Cor. 4:5.

“I wanted to have a theme that really just ties to gether who we are as Southern Baptists,” he said.

“And the other thing I love about that theme is that if any community has seen what Southern Baptists are like, serving other people in the name of Jesus, it’s been New Orleans,” he said, referencing Southern Baptist rebuilding efforts after the devastation of Hur ricane Katrina in 2005 and in subsequent disasters.

In his first presidential address since his June election, the rural cattle farmer and fulltime pastor of Farmersville, Texas, First, told the EC he discov ered the meat of his message while on a mission trip to train pastors in Senegal.

“What happened in that moment in Senegal in that little mud house with those teachers, is that I found the Southern Baptist Convention in the Bi ble,” he said. “We live in this crack here of the pages between 2 John and 3 John.

“It is good and right that we be vigilant against doctrinal deviation. It is good and right that we be on guard against those who would work evil in the midst of the company of good.

“It is good and right that we be watching for sex ual predators who would come into our flocks and destroy the hearts and the bodies and the lives of precious children of God…

“It’s good and right for us to be on guard against people who are being led not by the truth of God’s Word, but by the convenience of the moment, who are being led not by the inerrant Word of Scripture, but by the fleeting opinions of the day.”

He described both epistles as written in the de fense of truth, one focusing on supporting only adherents of God’s Word; the other extolling the church’s faithful love.

“So here’s my mission for me. I want to watch my own heart, my own actions, my own tongue,” Barber said. “I want to be on guard against the moments when I dance over so far into 2 John, that I’ve left 3 John all the way behind. And I want to guard my heart against those times when I’ve wrapped myself up in 3 John so much that I’ve completely wandered away from 2 John.”

Using his own church as an example, Barber said Farmersville, First supports the SBC Cooperative Program—the funding mechanism for Southern Baptist cooperative work—in support of work the church intends to be Scripturally sound.

“It is good for us to be on guard against false teachers in the church because there are a lot of things going on in the world that Farmersville, First does not want to be participating in,” he said. “And that’s the message of 2 John, is to say you have to be on guard against this be cause everything you support you’re participating in.

“And sometimes it’s easy to live in 2 John, but 3 John must be taken into account too.”

Barber proclaimed “a divine obligation” to sup port the work of those who proclaim the Gospel “in truth and fidelity to the Scriptures.”

“We do not give at Farmersville, First through the Co operative Program just because we think it’s a nice op tion,” he said. “We give through the Cooperative Pro gram because we believe God wills it.”

He encouraged churches to continue to support the work of international missions.

“We believe that the people who have gone to far-flung and dangerous places around the world to share the Gospel have gone out from our church and from churches like ours,” he said. “And if we will not be partners with them in the good work of the Holy Spirit that they have engaged in, who will? If it’s not the responsibility of the churches who are sending them, whose responsibility is it?”

>> PHOTO: BRANDON PORTER SBC President Bart Barber preaches at the SBC Executive Committee meeting on Sept. 19 in Nashville.