Bob Nigh | Contributing Writer bnigh@oklahomabaptists.org
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IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR
The late summer and early fall months in Oklahoma are home to many special occasions. Football season, “Back to School,” and for many churches, Sunday School promotion time.
Across the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), another special time has emerged each fall. The month of October has become known as “Cooperative Program Month.”
This calendar year marks the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program, on Sunday, Oct. 5 will be recognized as “Cooperative Program Sunday” for many churches.
Just what is the Cooperative Program (CP)? The “CP is Southern Baptists’ unified plan of giving to support missions and ministries.” Since its inception in 1925, the CP is how we have funded missions and ministry across the SBC—together.
You personally give to your church through your tithe. Your church then sends a portion of those gifts through the Cooperative Program, propelling missions and ministry in Oklahoma, the United States and around the world.
Did you know that CP helps support the International Mission Board’s 3,500-plus overseas missionaries that are reaching more than 3,000 unreached people groups around the world? And through the North American Mission Board, church planting is taking root and thriving in some of the hardest to reach, challenging places.
Did you know that the CP in our state supports Falls Creek youth camp and CrossTimbers children’s camp, where thousands of students gather each summer to hear the Gospel shared?
Did you know that the CP is providing vital funding to Baptist Collegiate Ministries, which is reaching students with the Gospel on 39 college campuses across our state?
Did you also know the CP supports Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief? In 2024 alone, DR volunteers across the nation shared the Gospel more than 32,000 times and saw 8,561 professions of faith.
Did you know the CP supports Oklahoma Baptists’ four affiliates—Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, WatersEdge, Baptist Village Communities and Oklahoma Baptist University—which continue to make a Gospel impact every day through their vital missions?
These are only a few examples of CP-supported missions and ministries that truly are changing people’s lives for eternity with the Gospel.
To help equip churches to recognize Cooperative Program Month and CP Sunday on Oct. 5, Oklahoma Baptists have prepared some outstanding resources for churches—now available online at oklahomabaptists.org/cp.
There was shocking news of a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas recently. A woman reported that the man who had impregnated her and verbally pushed for her to have an abortion—after she hesitated to have an abortion—secretly “spiked her drink with abortion pills.”
According to news of the lawsuit, the man intentionally laced her “hot chocolate, … with nearly a dozen abortion pills, (and) killed her unborn baby April 5,” which also sent this woman to the hospital. If any of that is true, it is a horrific act committed against this woman and her unborn child.
Unfortunately, this atrocious story is indicative of other major problems unleashed on women, children and society as a result of the widespread availability of pharmaceutical abortion.
In years past, to have an abortion, a woman went to an abortion center and a medical person tragically ended the life of the baby. Today, abortion comes in the form of a pill and is often taken as a self-managed abortion, tragically ending the life of a child and potentially harming the woman.
One Christian leader compared this trend toward pharmaceutical abortion to that of pornography. It used to be that those seeking pornography would have to go to a seedy store to obtain it. Now, pornography is everywhere on the Internet and pushed into the home. In the same way, abortion is no longer at an abortion center, it’s everywhere and into homes.
Christians rightly rejoiced when Roe v. Wade was overturned, and we rightly rejoice at the closure of surgical abortion facilities. At the same time, we recognize that so-called “medical abortions” are surging and have become the dominant form of abortion.
In his popular podcast, “The Briefing,” Albert Mohler discussed another shocking news story related to
this. According to a news story cited by Mohler, “An abortion provider, (from Great Britain) … shipped almost 120,000 packs of abortion pills to U.S. residents between July 2023 and August 2024. Nearly 100,000 of them lived in states that outlaw the procedure or have laws on the books that ban the mailing of abortion pills.”
Mohler went on to call the abortion pill “human pesticide” because “it is a pill designed to end an unborn human life.” He added, “The culture of death seems to find its way to very successful, very deadly strategies. And this is one of those cases.”
What can Christians do about this? Certainly, we must ask our lawmakers to shore up our public policy to disallow these abortion pills from ever coming to our states. We must outlaw the trafficking of these deadly, harmful, poisonous medications. We must contend for life in persuasive ways.
We also must get involved where we are too. If you want to make a difference for the unborn, you can pray, volunteer at your local crisis pregnancy center, and participate in events like the Rose Day Pro-Life Rally on Feb. 4, 2026 (visit roseday.life for more information).
Also, you can help people prayerfully and financially who are vulnerable to abortion, and get involved in supporting foster care and adoption. Finally, we must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
By God’s grace, abortion, even pharmaceutical abortion, will become a relic of history, much like slavery in our nation. In the meantime, we must do our all—together—as believers to make a difference for the unborn.
Brian Hobbs
Oklahoma Baptists Editor
See what events are happening around the state!
100 Years of the Baptist Faith & Message EPISODES 65 & 66
Todd and Andy discuss the development, revisions, and theological value of the BF&M.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS...
Bring your family and come celebrate 100 Years of Ministry at South Lindsay OKC! Sunday, October 5 | Services at 10:15am & 1:30pm 3300 S Lindsay Ave, OKC 73129
“GOD’S GRACE, OUR FOUNDATION” 1 COR. 3:11
Join OBU and the Tom Elliff Center for Missions for the second Mission Forum of the Fall semester
• Served as an IMB missionary in the role of affinity group leaders, overseeing the work of IMB missionaries reaching European Peoples
• Gained 15 years of on-the-job experience in Cross-Cultural Ministry, Leadership Development, and Global Theological Training
• Developed strategic partnerships and empowered local leaders to engage their communities
• Communicates effectively with diverse audiences as an experienced and gifted speaker
• Represents Oklahoma with pride as one of the state’s own
for Mobile Engagement for the IMB Monday, October 6 2-2:30pm Shawnee Hall, OBU RECEPTION FOLLOWING
Truth Be Told...
Although this story is as true as I remember it, I am going to change the names of the primary characters to protect the innocent or the guilty (you can decide). And for those of you who think I am one of the primary characters, that is simply not the case.
The story comes from many, many years ago. We will call the man in this story Billy. Billy and I were both members of the same church. And we made a habit of going out on visitation every week. For those of you who are too young to know (or too old to remember), visitation is when church members would drum up enough courage to sneak up to some unsuspecting home, knock on the door of the house (unannounced), take a couple of steps away from the door in case there was a bad dog or something and wait for someone to come to the door so we could share the Gospel.
Obviously, that does not work as well these days. People don’t seem to appreciate unannounced guests these days whether they are church members, insurance salesmen or religious cult members. In fact, most of us have some sort of camera on our front door so that we don’t unintentionally open it to someone we don’t want to talk to.
But back in the day, visitation was well accepted, even expected. So, Billy and I knocked on doors almost every week except Christmas. For some reason even people back then frowned on having their Christmas holiday interrupted by two strangers or two strange men (you decide). Other than that, we were pretty much out there, wandering around looking for a door to knock on.
You might imagine that as we drove around looking for our next “victim.” I don’t mean victim in the literal sense—OK, maybe more literal than I want to admit. But I have digressed.
As we drove around looking for some unsuspecting soul who would be willing to open their front door to two unknown guys, Billy and I talked a lot (At least a lot for men. Most of the time it was one word
statement followed by a grunt). It was during one of those drivebys, however, that my friend Billy told me what would become one of my favorite stories.
Here it is…
Billy and his wife Sally lived out in the country. Except for the city dwellers and small-town residents, everyone lived out in the country back then. One night, Sally shook Billy awake. As Billy lay wondering if it was his wife who woke him up or whether his over-active bladder was the culprit, she whispered to him, “Billy, I think someone is breaking into the house.” To which he replied, “Go back to sleep. No one is breaking into our house.”
It was at that moment that he heard glass break and what he called “some rummaging around.” So, in his best man voice, Billy said, “Sally, hand me that old pistol out of nightstand.” Sally responded, “Billy, you know we don’t have a gun.” Billy, ever quick on his feet, said (in his best man voice): “Sally, hand me that old butcher knife we keep in the nightstand.”
Sally was about to confess the lack of a butcher knife, when they heard what sounded like someone climbing back through the window. Billy said they laid there for a bit, staring into some of the deepest darkness he had ever seen. But to their benefit, the bad guy somehow got scared away.
You know, it is always the right thing to tell the truth. But sometimes I wonder if there aren’t a few moments in life that truth telling is not necessarily the best approach. In other words, it might have been OK that night for Sally to say something like: “Here’s that great big gun you wanted Billy.”
Perhaps God would have forgiven that one. But you can’t ignore the fact that Sally’s penchant for truth telling seemed to work out for her and her man. So maybe the moral of this true story is, it is always better to tell the truth.
Joe Ligon Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director
Open Hearts, Open Doors
Special Needs Ministry Taking Off in Growing Number of Oklahoma Baptist Churches
During His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated a remarkable love, care and attention for those who were disabled or had special needs (Matt. 15:30-31, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 14:15-24).
Numerous Oklahoma Baptist churches across the state are showing His love, care and attention toward those facing disabilities or special needs through dedicated ministries.
Several of those churches include: Coweta, Community Church; Oklahoma City, Quail Springs; Sand Springs, Church That Matters; and Moore, First.
COWETA CHURCH HELPS INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS FIND ‘CONNECTIONS’
As a thriving church plant committed to reaching people for Jesus, Coweta, Community has established a special needs ministry called “Connections.”
Pastor Adam Mask and his wife Grace have a special needs son. This has given their family an even greater “desire to connect special needs individuals and their families to Jesus,” Mask said.
“We want to connect them with other families and individuals with special needs, and to connect the church as a whole with those families as well. The ministry is designed to include, allowing those in it to be as involved and integrated into the life of the church as possible.”
The church focuses on simple ways to help, such as a welcoming atmosphere and also offering buddies, who are trained, one-on-one helpers to connect with and attend to the needs of the individual.
One church member helping serve and lead the “Connections” ministry is Samuel.
“I have been serving in the Connections ministry for one year now,” Samuel said. “What specifically motivates me to serve in the special needs ministry is the heart I have always had for special needs individuals, going back to when I was a child. I love the unconditional love the people we serve give and are so willing to receive.”
He has formed a connection with one young man enrolled in the program named Sebastian, who has special needs and is non-verbal. “The first day we met we hit it off, and our day is made every Sunday when we see each other.”
OKLAHOMA CITY CHURCH SEES SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS AS GOD’S
‘MASTERPIECE’
Stephanie and Brad Johnson are members of Oklahoma City, Quail Springs. In 2012, the couple’s son Caleb was born with Down Syndrome and multiple medical complexities.
“My husband Brad and I quickly learned what it means to walk by faith—and to lean on the support of a loving church family,” Stephanie said.
“Our church surrounded us during diagnoses, surgeries and daily challenges, always ensuring Caleb was included in every aspect of children’s ministry. We were cared for. We were seen.”
Their family also began attending Camp Perfect Wings, a ministry of Oklahoma Baptists held at CrossTimbers that serves individuals with special needs.
“Through our time at camp, we discovered that many churches across Oklahoma are eager to launch or expand their own disability ministries—but often feel isolated or under-resourced,” said Stephanie.
In 2019, God began stirring in the couple’s hearts to help establish and build a ministry “not just for my own family, but for the many other families affected by disability,” Stephanie said.
Today, Quail Springs has a ministry called “Masterpiece,” through which Stephanie and Brad volunteer and serve. Masterpiece has made an impact through its buddy system, offering a sensory-friendly room near the worship center to use during services, among other forms of support.
Earlier this year, the church called a new pastor, Connor Bales. He and his wife Mary have five children. Two of their children have severe disabilities. Bales is eager to see Masterpiece continue to grow and thrive.
“This ministry is not on the edge of what we do as a church, to reach people for Jesus. It’s not a ministry on the side—it’s at the heart of who we are and what we do,” said Bales.
Bales encourages all churches to try to connect with their local schools in the special education program as a way to identify those who may need support—such as students, teachers, families and others in the community.
In September, Quail Springs hosted the EQUIP Disability Ministry Conference to equip churches of all sizes with
practical tools and encouragement for disability ministry (to hear more, visit baptistmessenger.com/podcast).
SAND SPRINGS CHURCH PROVIDING ‘ACCESS’
On their church website, Sand Springs, Church That Matters says they are a church where “people can experience a life changing encounter with God through authentic community with real people.”
This community-minded church ministers to its people and beyond its walls, and its special needs ministry is one example of that.
“We are blessed to have a good team of people and some beautiful friends with special needs and their families that we get to minister to,” Pastor Rusty Gunn said.
Their special needs ministry is called “ACCESS,” which seeks to “identify and break down barriers that keep children with disabilities and their families from being able to fully participate in the community of the local church.”
The church offers a buddy system during small groups and worship time, with trained volunteers, so all individuals and families can participate.
Church That Matters also offers a “kids/respite program where kids with special needs (VIP kids) make new
Photos provided by church staff
friends, play fun games, enjoy crafts, therapy dogs, stories, music, activities and more! Meanwhile, their caregivers get a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities for three hours one Friday evening per quarter.”
The church believes “every child can know and serve Jesus.”
MOORE, FIRST ‘SHINES’ LIGHT OF JESUS THROUGH SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY
One of the most longstanding special needs ministries can be found at Moore, First, where Tara Kerby serves as Special Needs Director.
“First Moore has been blessed to have a special needs ministry for many years. We have had a dedicated class for individuals with special needs and great volunteers in this area,” Kerby said. “Within the past three years, we have seen growing interest and participation. Through conferences and training, we also have learned effective techniques and how to create the best classroom design for those with special needs.”
Moore, First takes part in Camp Perfect Wings and this summer took 22 campers, their largest group ever. For two years the church has hosted the “Night to Shine,” a special prom night experience for people with special needs, ages 14 and older, that centers on God’s love.
The event, which happens in locations around the country and is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, includes fun experiences for the participants, including a red-carpet entrance with a crowd and photography, a hair and makeup station, limousine rides and a catered dinner.
“It’s a blessing to us at First Moore to be part of special needs ministry. We want to pour into all people and not exclude anyone,” she added.
Other Oklahoma Baptist churches with active special needs ministries include Bethany, Council Road; Edmond, Henderson Hills, El Reno, First and others.
It is evident that Jesus is blessing these churches and the people who they are reaching.
Oklahoma Baptists Childhood Ministry Partner Sarah Hagar, who helps facilitate Camp Perfect Wings, said, “I am excited to see so many churches across our state take steps—not only to make their churches welcoming places for all kids and families—but also provide needed supports and accommodations so
that church is a positive experience for everyone. This is how we can share the love of God to these families in tangible ways.”
With Oklahoma Baptist churches across the state leaning into special needs and disability ministry, the Lord has opened a wide door for the Gospel.
For information about special needs ministry contact Oklahoma Baptists’ Sarah Hagar at shagar@ oklahomabaptists.org.
January through June 2025 Giving Report
Dear Oklahoma Baptists,
This calendar year, we are celebrating an important ministry milestone in the history of the Cooperative Program (CP)—the 100th birthday of the CP. We have learned over these 100 years that we truly can do more for the Kingdom of God together than we can apart.
The CP is the distinctive mark of Southern Baptists that enables us to fulfill the very reason we formed together as a convention in the first place: to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Your CP dollars have propelled important missions and ministry. Through the CP and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, more than 1.6 million people around the world heard the gospel from missionaries now serving with the International Mission Board. Your CP giving also enhanced efforts in evangelism and church planting, and supported our six Southern Baptist seminaries.
When Oklahoma Baptist churches give, they support ministries like Falls Creek and CrossTimbers, where thousands of young people hear the gospel and many came to faith in Christ. CP supports the vital mission of Baptist Collegiate Ministries on 39 campuses and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, as well as serving and supporting pastors and churches through special events and trainings. The gospel ministries of
Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Baptist Village Communities, and WatersEdge are also propelled through CP giving.
In the following pages, you can see a mid-year Cooperative Program report on Oklahoma Baptist churches giving from January through June. Together, we have advanced the Gospel in our state and around the world, and the Lord is using the generosity of you and every in church in our state convention, for His Kingdom and glory.
As we celebrate 100 years of the CP, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to you Oklahoma Baptists churches for your faithful, sacrificial giving through the CP. To God be the glory for the great things He is doing…
Serving Jesus with You,
Dr. Todd Fisher Executive Director-Treasurer Oklahoma Baptists
“To Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:21
Missions Giving at a Glance JANUARY - JUNE COMPARISON
OKC, IGLESIA BAUTISTA GARCIA DE DIOS $150.00 $0.00
OKC, IGLESIA LAVILLA
OKC, IGLESIA PALABRA VIVA
OKC, INDIAN COMMUNITY
OKC,
OKC, NEW LIFE MISSION $0.00
OKC, NEW VISION COMMUNITY
OKC, NEWCHURCH $1,200.00
OKC, NORTHEAST FELLOWSHIP $0.00
OKC, NORTHWEST
OKC, NUEVA VIDA
OKC, OIKOS
OKC, OKLAHOMA ZOTUNG
OKC, OLIVET
OKC, PLAINVIEW
OKC, PORTLAND AVENUE
OKC, PROSPECT
OKC, PROVIDENCE
OKC, PUTNAM CITY
OKC, QUAIL SPRINGS
OKC, RIOS DE AGUA VIVA
OKC, ROCKWOOD
OKC, SHIELDS BOULEVARD
OKC, SOUTH LINDSAY
OKC, SOUTHERN HILLS
OKC, SPRING CREEK
OKC, SPRINGDALE
OKC, THRIVE
OKC, TIMBER CREEK COMMUNITY
OKC, TRINITY
$46,397.61 $66,030.99
$936.05 $910.09
$0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00
$11,484.00
$4,585.78
$19,165.82
$0.00
$15,720.00
$29,682.33
$428,044.07
$1,036.80
$0.00
$2,074.68
$7,896.91
$12,120.11
$4,812.36
$19,444.80
$0.00
$0.00
$27,776.90
$422,369.17
$1,681.25
$0.00
$2,317.02
$7,920.64
$321,278.36 $332,227.24
$0.00
$3,267.00
$0.00
$5,100.00
$8,885.27 $6,617.04
$0.00 $0.00
$2,962.97 $1,657.13
OKC, TRINITY CHINESE $495.72 $991.32
OKC, TRINITY MISSIONARY
OKC, TRUE LIGHT
OKC, VICTORY
WEOGUFKEE
BETHLEHEM
$0.00 $0.00
$98.00 $71.10
$2,087.00 $925.00
OKC, VILLAGE $3,165.63 $22,533.54
OKC, VISION COMMUNITY $0.00
OKC, WESTERN AVENUE $250.00 $300.00
OKC, WILMONT PLACE $996.00
OKC, ZOMI CHRISTIAN
PIEDMONT, FIRST
SPENCER, ANTIOCH $250.00
WHEATLAND, FIRST $2,733.81
YUKON, CANADIAN VALLEY
YUKON, FIRST $29,073.55 $27,322.21
YUKON, REFUGE
YUKON, SURREY HILLS
YUKON, TOGETHER WE CHURCH
COMANCHE, CORUM
COMANCHE, COUNTRYSIDE
COMANCHE, FIRST
COMANCHE, PATTERSON
COUNTYLINE, FIRST
DUNCAN, CHISHOLM TRAIL COWBOY $0.00
DUNCAN, EL DIVINO SALVADOR $0.00
DUNCAN, FAIR $8,105.73 $4,885.94
DUNCAN, FIRST $34,586.38
DUNCAN, FREEDOM BIKER
DUNCAN, GRACE
DUNCAN, IMMANUEL
DUNCAN, LIBERTY
DUNCAN, NEW HOPE WEST
DUNCAN, PARKVIEW
MUSKOGEE,
CARDIN,
EUCHA, SOUTH GRAND LAKE
FAIRLAND, FIRST
FAIRLAND, HUDSON CREEK
GROVE, DELAWARE
GROVE, DODGE
GROVE, ELK RIVER
GROVE, FIRST
GROVE, GRAND LAKE
GROVE, TRINITY
JAY, FIRST
JAY, NEW HOPE
JAY, WHITEWATER
JAY, ZENA
KANSAS, CROSSTIES
KANSAS, FIRST
LEACH, FIRST
MIAMI, EASTSIDE
MIAMI, FIRST
MIAMI, GREEN ACRES
MIAMI, IMMANUEL
MIAMI, LONE STAR
$2,575.40 $2,949.31
$1,550.42
$10,122.73
$1,559.74
$10,499.29
$1,274.59 $1,460.83
$45,163.41
$4,617.76
$2,100.00
$7,005.59
$1,570.31
$0.00
$882.15
$0.00
$2,859.64
$1,814.53
$45,102.23
$1,148.27
$2,100.00
$6,749.44
$1,448.41
$0.00
$1,640.27
$0.00
$2,739.45
$3,050.82
$3,834.60 $3,993.00
$14,447.85 $12,391.42
$867.47 $1,019.83
$2,793.09 $2,722.65
$3,181.00 $3,482.56
MIAMI, MICRONESIAN $40.00 $55.00
MIAMI, MOUND VALLEY $232.12 $633.00
MIAMI, MOUNT ZION $2,245.20 $1,694.50
MIAMI, NARCISSA $876.35 $667.55
MIAMI, NORTHWEST $461.23 $30.00
MIAMI, OTTAWA INDIAN $0.00 $0.00
MIAMI, SOUTHEAST $105.00 $125.00
MIAMI, SOUTHERN HILLS
MIAMI, TWO RIVERS
MONKEY ISLAND, LAKE CENTER $6,408.87 $5,650.13
QUAPAW, FIRST $17,007.81 $15,135.85
QUAPAW, SPRING RIVER INDIAN $339.00 $611.00
WEST SILOAM SPRINGS, CALVARY
$8,570.44 $9,588.19
WYANDOTTE, FIRST $500.00 $2,083.31
Northwestern Association
ALVA, FIRST $16,572.99
ARNETT, FIRST $5,407.47 $4,275.47
BUFFALO, FIRST
FORT SUPPLY
$6,583.52 $7,009.55
GAGE, FIRST $3,000.00 $3,535.00
LAVERNE, FIRST
MOORELAND, FIRST
$4,032.52 $1,841.62
$13,060.98 $22,522.87
SEILING, FIRST $3,290.00 $4,156.00
SHARON, FIRST $0.00 $0.00
SHARON, SOUTH PERSIMMON $150.00 $300.00
SHATTUCK, FIRST
VICI, FIRST
WOODWARD, ASCENT
WOODWARD, CROWN HEIGHTS
VICTORY POINTE
CLAREMORE, OWALLA ROAD
CLAREMORE, SAGEEYAH
CLAREMORE, SEQUOYAH
CLAREMORE, TIAWAH $1,323.00
CLAREMORE, WASHINGTON
$715.00 $2,154.47
CLAREMORE, WILLIEO $0.00
DELAWARE, FIRST $0.00
FOYIL
INOLA, CALVARY
INOLA, FIRST
OOLOGAH, FIRST
OOLOGAH, HARBOR
TALALA, FIRST
TALALA, RABBS CREEK
TULSA, LYNN LANE
VERDIGRIS, FIRST
Salt Fork Association
$1,037.68 $935.04
$6,481.93
$44,525.00
$9,277.66
$34,924.35
$9,271.19 $11,133.42
$5,400.00
$3,340.16
$0.00
$4,490.96
$10,051.42
CLEO SPRINGS $693.28
FAIRVIEW, ORION
HELENA, FIRST $764.00
LAHOMA, FIRST
NASH, BETHEL HAWLEY
NASH, FIRST
WAKITA, FIRST
WAYNOKA, FIRST
Sans Bois Association
$5,400.00
$2,908.33
$0.00
$4,239.36
KINTA, FIRST
LEFLORE, THESSALONIAN
MCCURTAIN, FIRST
PORUM, FIRST
QUINTON, FEATHERSTONE
QUINTON, FIRST
QUINTON, WEST LIBERTY
RED OAK, FIRST
RED OAK, NORTH ROCK CREEK
STIGLER, ANTIOCH
STIGLER, FIRST
STIGLER, MAIN STREET
STIGLER, ROCKY RIDGE
STIGLER, TRINITY
WHITEFIELD
WILBURTON, BOWERS
WILBURTON, CALVARY
$259.00 $651.00
$3,835.62
$8,447.50
$3,348.82
$10,157.00
$10,561.76 $8,938.32
$0.00
$958.73
$546.00
$1,054.36
$12,808.89 $11,844.35
$6,867.83
$232.65
$1,159.00
$6,308.50
$6,739.60
$218.55
$1,317.00
$6,708.90
$4,695.22 $12,007.58
WILBURTON, CENTER POINT $6,288.68 $5,501.82
WILBURTON, FIRST $5,570.77 $4,976.78
WILBURTON, GRACE COUNTRY COWBOY $0.00
WILBURTON, HIGH BRIDGE
WILBURTON, SOUTHSIDE
OWASSO, BETHEL
OWASSO, CENTRAL
OWASSO, COWBOY UP
OWASSO, DALTON HILL $4,928.75
OWASSO, FIRST $66,027.49 $75,574.98
OWASSO, FREEDOM $0.00 $600.00
OWASSO, THE REFUGE
$3,674.33 $3,826.95
SAND SPRINGS, ANGUS ACRES $8,380.11
SAND SPRINGS, BROADWAY
SAND SPRINGS, CALVARY
SAND SPRINGS, CHURCH THAT MATTERS $5,193.18 $4,783.05
SAND SPRINGS, HILLSPRING
SAND SPRINGS, KEYSTONE HILLS
SAND SPRINGS, LIMESTONE
$1,002.00 $1,002.00
$0.00 $0.00
$1,273.58
SAND SPRINGS, THE FATHER’S HOUSE $0.00
SAND SPRINGS, TRINITY $0.00 $0.00
SAPULPA, CHURCH INSIDE OUT $0.00 $5,331.72
SAPULPA, COALITION CHURCH $0.00 $0.00
SAPULPA, FAITH
$5,897.54 $5,337.54
SAPULPA, FIRST $73,820.86 $40,929.34
SAPULPA, FOUNDATION
SAPULPA, NATIVE STONE
SAPULPA, THE WAY
SKIATOOK, IMMANUEL
SKIATOOK,
TULSA, BELVIEW
TULSA, BERRYHILL
TULSA, BROOKSIDE
TULSA, CANYON ROAD $1,352.86
TULSA, CHURCH INSIDE
AT RED FORK
TULSA, COGNIZANT $0.00 $0.00
TULSA, CONCORD $600.00
TULSA, EASTON HEIGHTS $3,789.80 $3,394.24
TULSA, EASTWOOD $11,533.18 $14,610.32
TULSA, FIRST $210,782.99 $190,595.70
TULSA, FIRST KOREAN $150.00 $0.00
TULSA, FIRST SLAVIC $0.00 $0.00
TULSA, GARDEN CITY $0.00 $0.00
TULSA, GARNETT ROAD
$3,039.33 $3,500.04
TULSA, GILCREASE HILLS $500.00 $200.00
TULSA, GOOD NEWS CHURCH $375.00 $250.00
TULSA, HARBOR OF GRACE CHURCH
$1,375.00 $1,500.00
TULSA, HARVARD AVENUE $861.33 $650.00
TULSA, HISPANIC AGAPE $0.00 $0.00
TULSA, HOPE FELLOWSHIP $0.00 $0.00
TULSA, IGLESIA BAUTISTA EL CAMINO $0.00 $0.00
TULSA, IGLESIA BAUTISTA EMMANUEL
TULSA, IGLESIA EVANGELICA
TULSA, INDIAN FELLOWSHIP
TULSA, INTERNATIONAL
TULSA, LAMB
TULSA, LIVING HOPE CHURCH
TULSA, LIVING WATER
TULSA, NOGALES AVENUE
TULSA, OAKRIDGE
TULSA, OKLAHOMA HMONG
TULSA, OLIVET
$41,037.46 $41,614.21
TULSA, OWEN PARK $0.00
TULSA, PALARBAS DE VIDA
TULSA, PARKVIEW
TULSA, PENIEL
TULSA, PRIMERA IGLESIA
BAUTISTA HISPANA
TULSA, RANCH ACRES
TULSA, RESTORATION CHURCH OF BOWDEN
TULSA, RIDGE CREST
TULSA, RIVENDELL FELLOWSHIP
TULSA, ROSE OF SHARON
TULSA, SEQUOYAH HILLS
TULSA, SKELLY DRIVE
TULSA, SOJOURN
TULSA, SOUTH TULSA
TULSA, SOUTHERN HILLS
TULSA, SOUTHWOOD
TULSA, SPRINGDALE
TULSA, SPRINGS OF GRACE
TULSA, THEMISSION
$40,553.50 $38,865.43
$6,600.00
$7,920.00
$0.00 $0.00
$1,620.21 $851.71
$0.00
$0.00
$400.00
$4,888.85
$0.00
$184,478.09
$0.00
$0.00
$800.00
$5,661.81
$0.00
$218,629.66
$4,381.50 $8,386.00
$28,259.73 $28,924.09
$0.00 $25.00
$0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00
TULSA, TRINITY $15,551.40 $21,732.79
TULSA, TULSA CHURCH $86.65 $0.00
TULSA, TULSA HILLS
$0.00 $0.00
TULSA, TURN CHURCH $50.00 $200.00
TULSA, VIEW ACRES $3,766.64 $6,754.72
TULSA, WINNETKA HEIGHTS $0.00 $0.00
TULSA, WOODLAND ACRES
TULSA, ZION COMMUNITY
TULSA, ZOMI
Union Association
BLANCHARD, AGAPE $0.00
BLANCHARD, COLE FIRST
BLANCHARD, CROSSROAD TO LIFE $583.57 $665.62
BLANCHARD, FIRST $62,214.06 $53,799.22
BLANCHARD, NEW LIFE $475.00
DIBBLE, FIRST
GOLDSBY $0.00 $0.00
LEXINGTON, ACTS 2
LEXINGTON, CORBETT
LEXINGTON, CORNERSTONE
LEXINGTON, FIRST
LINDSAY, BANNER
LINDSAY, CRINER
LINDSAY, PAYNE
$410.00
$389.00
$0.00 $0.00
$977.00 $1,387.85
$34,108.09 $29,669.00
$2,041.90 $2,146.06
$0.00 $0.00
$3,133.95 $4,053.15
LITTLE AXE, FIRST $175.95 $851.00
MOORE, ELEVATE
$1,800.00
$1,800.00
MOORE, FIRST $150,762.32 $161,368.32
MOORE, FIRST INDIAN $787.00 $0.00
MOORE, FIRST MOORE EN ESPANOL
$0.00 $1,559.48
$0.00 $0.00
MOORE, HIGHLAND $7,495.50 $6,638.42
MOORE, REGENCY PARK $33,203.49 $29,884.00
MOORE, SOUTHMOORE $9,021.90 $9,417.35
MOORE, THE WELL $0.00 $600.00
NEWCASTLE, FIRST $120,058.36 $106,957.79
NEWCASTLE, NEW LIFE $0.00 $0.00
NEWCASTLE, WOODLAND HILLS
TULSA, MEMORIAL $17,053.29 $45,600.69
TULSA, MERCYVIEW
TULSA, MYANMAR ZOMI
TULSA, NEW HOPE COMMUNITY
TULSA, NEW JOY FELLOWSHIP
BIXBY, BEMO
BLANCHARD, NEW BEGINNINGS
EUFAULA,
GARVIN, WATERIN’ HOLE
GORE, NOTCHIETOWN
GROVE, CROSSWIRED COWBOY
HASKELL, BENDED KNEE COWBOY
HASKELL, MOUNT ZION
HAYWORTH, BOKHOMA
HITCHITA, GRAVE CREEK INDIAN
HOBART, DAW-TOW-KOOT
HOLDENVILLE, CEDAR RIVER
HULBERT, NEW HOPE FIRST INDIAN
JONES, LIVING WORD
KEIFER, RISEN LIFE
KEOTA, BETHEL INDIAN $0.00 $0.00
KIEFER, RELENTLESS
KINGFISHER, IGLESIA
BAUTISTA EMANUEL $1,135.74
LAWTON, COMMUNITY
LAWTON, DAYSPRING
LAWTON, FIRST CHINESE
LAWTON, HOPE $11,489.62 $6,970.80
LAWTON, LEGACY FAITH & FAMILY $0.00 $0.00
LAWTON, PROVIDENCE
$0.00 $0.00
LINDSAY, LIVING SANCTUARY $0.00 $0.00
MADILL, CROSS-N-SPURS COWBOY $0.00
MAYSVILLE, COWBOY
MIAMI, HISPANIC MISSION
MIAMI, NUEVA VIDA
MOORE, TRANSITIONAL
MOUNDS, SNAKE CREEK 1
MULDROW, NEW
MUSKOGEE, EKKLESIA $0.00
MUSKOGEE, FIRST MISSIONARY $0.00
MUSTANG, THE WELL $0.00
MWC, FRESH FIRE
NOBLE, FREEDOM BIKER $0.00
NORMAN, THE CHURCH AT NORMAN
NOWATA, HIS LIFE
OKC, CHRIST CENTRAL
OKC, CITY LIGHT
OKC, CONVERGENCE (DBA FUSION)
OKC, CROWN HEIGHTS
$0.00
$0.00
$250.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00
$0.00 $0.00
OKC, E-CHURCH $0.00
OKC, EMMANUEL
OKC, FAITH HOPE AND LOVE MISSIONARY $50.00 $250.00
OKC, FRONTLINE DOWNTOWN $11,000.00 $11,000.00
OKC, FRONTLINE SOUTH $11,000.00 $11,000.00
OKC, GRACE COMMUNITY
OKC, GREATER BETHEL
OKC, HOLY TEMPLE
OKC, IGLESIA COMUNIDAD DE FE
OKC, LIVING WORD
OKC, NEW HOPE
OKC, REAL
OKC, SENTRAL
OKC, ST. JOHN MISSIONARY
OKC, THE PARISH
OKC, TOGETHER CHURCH
OKC, UNITY CHRISTIAN
OKC, URBAN
OKC, VIETNAMESE
OKEMAH, GREENLEAF
CROSSWORD
Note:
ACROSS
1 “People sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to __” (1 Cor. 10:7)
5 Severs
9 “From the __ of the foot...unto the head” (Isa. 1:6)
13 One without trials, e.g.
14 Leave out, as bad behavior
15 Ill-advised antic
16 Materialism, e.g.
17 Respond to God’s will this way
18 Swimming mammal
19 Hopelessness, a challenge
21 Be jealous, a challenge
23 Chemical ending (Suffix)
24 Genetic data carrier (Abbr.)
WORDSEARCH
25 Airborne
29 Jesus’ was not broken by Roman soldiers
30 Do not “fulfill the __ of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16)
32 Keats composition
33 Tempter
36 Impressionist painter
37 Faucet
38 Promote
39 Subdue, as temptation
40 Anger, a challenge
41 “Put off...the __ man, which is corrupt” (Eph. 4:22)
42 Twilight 43 Stun gun
Note:
44 Also
45 “Whoever __ this bread will live” (John 6:51 niv)
46 Spiritual gift
47 Result of chronic challenge, often
49 Snare
50 Tam
53 Caesar’s eight
55 Shelters
DOWN
1 Self-love, a challenge
2 Burdened, as with worry
3 “Sea __ by reason of a great wind” (John 6:18)
4 Bark in pain
5 Baby Jesus is doing this, maybe
6 Dark shadow
7 Bind
8 Eye infection
9 Mythological woodland creature
10 Choose, as good over evil
11 Downwind
12 Sin
15 Wants another’s stuff, a challenge
20 Yemeni Gulf of __
22 Of the nose
26 Itty-bitty bits
27 One of many in Proverbs
28 Biblical outcast
29 Fall behind
30 Stew veggies
31 What sin looks like, e.g.
33 “__ they are and blemishes” (2 Peter 2:13)
34 Distribute
35 English royal name
36 “They shook off the __ of their feet against them” (Acts 13:51)
39 Pseudo
40 Sunbeam
42 Unhindered wants, a challenge
43 Cheap cigar (slang)
57 Cutting beam
60 Stumble, as into sin
62 God the Father
63 Church feature
64 God’s consolation
65 Do according to God’s __
66 “Let him __ himself, and take up his cross” (Mark 8:34)
67 Jar
68 Fisherman’s boat part
46 Biblical precious gem
48 “__ one that asketh receiveth” (Matt. 7:8)
49 Overly innocent
50 Biblical measurement
51 Wander
52 Sacred poem
54 Crete or Cyprus
56 Ten Commandments, e.g.
57 Acid drug
58 Mimic worldly people, a challenge
59 Do wrong, a challenge
61 “Brother of __ degree rejoice” (James 1:9)
WORDS
CAMP
CONNECTIONS
CROSSTIMBERS
EQUIP
HELPER
INDIVIDUALS
MASTERPIECE
Church NEWS
TRIBUTES
Jimmy Lehew died July 31. He served as BSU/BCM director at Cameron University in Lawton for 25 years. He also worked security at Falls Creek and served at Elgin, Locust Grove and with Comanche-Cotton Association. He is survived by his sister Judy Lehew Miles, of Tulsa, South Tulsa. She is a member of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children Gladys Smith Society. He also was the uncle of Jim Lehew, vice president of Ministries for Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC), and Mike Lehew, pastor of Sapulpa Church Inside Out.
Will J Roberts died July 7. A 1957 graduate of OBU, he and his wife Marie (Morgan) were appointed as missionaries by the IMB and served in eastern Africa for 38 years. He earned an M.Div. in 1960 from Southwestern Seminary and a D.Min. in 1987 from Golden Gate Seminary. After retirement in 2000, he served as pastor at Willow from 2003-2016.
Kerry G. Powell died Aug. 19. He was the father of Jamie Powell, Director of Missions for Comanche-Cotton Association. He was a long-time pastor in Arkansas and Tennessee.
Larry Justice died June 30. He served as BSU/BCM Director at Eastern Oklahoma State College for three years and then at Northwestern Oklahoma State University for 34 years. He was the father of Chris Justice, worship pastor at Moore, Regency Park.
Patricia Weast died Aug. 3. She was the wife of Forest L. Weast. They served with the Home (North American) Mission Board in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania before returning to Oklahoma to minister at several churches.
Mary Jo Barnett died Aug. 2. She was the wife of the late Bill Barnett, a former Oklahoma Baptists’ Board member and pastor of Muskogee, First Indian. Her daughter Jennifer Barnett serves on the Indian Falls Creek Board of Directors.
With Grateful Hearts
Thank you, Oklahoma Baptists and WatersEdge, for partnering with us (OBU) and helping make our time at the SBC Annual Meeting meaningful year after year. Your continued support strengthens our mission and our future. We look forward to Orlando in 2026!
During the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting, Kellogg and Thomas presented Dr. Fisher with a custom Cowboys jersey at the OBU/Oklahoma Baptists reception held at AT&T Stadium.
From left: Robert Kellogg, CEO of WatersEdge; Dr. Todd Fisher, Executive Director-Treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists; Jamy Fisher, wife of Todd Fisher; and OBU President Dr. Heath Thomas.
MISSIONARIES In Focus
JACOB & ELISABETH BOSS
In international missions there is a region stretching from North Africa through the Middle East and into Asia called the 10/40 Window where most unreached people groups reside. One of the main hurdles preventing the Gospel from reaching the unreached is translating the Word into their native tongue. With advancements in technology, this hurdle is getting smaller.
“We have some incredible digital engagement strategies at the International Mission Board (IMB) that allow us to find those people who are searching and get in chats that we can’t get in real life,” said Jacob Boss, IMB vice president of global engagement. “They have phones in their hand where we can get them some form of the Gospel they are able to understand, even in their heart language.”
In February, Boss was as elected as vice president of global engagement at IMB. Before that, he and Elisabeth, his wife, had been serving both at home and abroad. They started their missions work in South Asia where they served for several years and saw “God do some amazing things.” In 2017, they began serving in London, England. They also served in other cities around the world and by mid-2019 they began to lead the work among European peoples.
“The reach Southern Baptists have globally is amazing,” Jacob said. “We have come together to cooperate and to get the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.”
Every day there are news stories highlighting the evil in the world, but through their work the Bosses have been able to see the only headlines that matter: the work God has been doing in the hearts of people.
“You know, I realize that there’s one narrative about some countries that’s true politically, but there’s another narrative out there about what God is doing,” Jacob said. “It just reminds me that God is so far ahead of all of this, that He’s establishing His church in some of these harder places. It’s just awesome and an encouragement to others as we engage and read some of these public headlines that can be discouraging at times.”
As with most missionaries, their journey was not an easy one. Before they walked it, the Boss’ path was not a clear one. Each step they took was taken in faith
that God would provide what’s best for them and their encouragement as they walked their path was God’s Word.
“I would say that at every marker [God] asked for our yes,” Elisabeth said. “Sometimes, we’ve given it willingly with open hands, and sometimes we’ve given it less-willingly. But in every step, He has placed the opportunity before us, and then we’ve been able to be willing to say, ‘Yes, we’re going to move into whatever He’s leading us into.’”
Through their journey, the Bosses confidence and faith in God have grown. Because of that, their confidence in their new role is high.
“It’s been amazing to look back and just see how faithful He’s been to us, even though it’s not been easy,” Jacob said.
Since the world is more connected than ever, the ability to spread the Gospel is becoming easier. According to Jacob, most stats say that 65 percent of the church is outside of the US and Europe. The IMB has had the privilege of helping to establish the strength of the church around the world and on the Internet.
“More and more people are searching for Jesus online,” Jacob said.
With this, the next generation of missionaries and church leaders are starting to emerge.
“We are seeing the new generation, Gen Z, get excited about the Gospel and they understand this world even better than I do as an older millennial,” Jacob said.
“Learning from them about their generation and how they’re engaging via online and other means is exciting.”
According to the IMB, there are about 3,070 unengaged unreached people groups. That means that they are below 2 percent evangelical and most likely don’t have a church, or a healthy church, they can engage with.
The Bosses and the IMB work every day to reach those who are in that category. With modern technology and a network of dedicated missionaries, they can bring the Gospel to those who might have otherwise never heard the Gospel before.
Faith & Family Flourish at 2025 Indian Falls Creek
DAVIS—More than 2,400 campers took part in the annual Indian Falls Creek (IFC) assembly at Falls Creek on July 27-31.
IFC, which began in 1947, has been called the largest gathering of Native American Christian believers in North America, with more than 50 tribal Nations and more than 250 churches each year. IFC is unique in that it is a family camp with participants of all ages.
The 2025 IFC Assembly featured times of fellowship, fun activities, worship, prayer, training opportunities, as well as services at which campers responded to God’s Word.
The camp pastor was Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher. Exactly one year prior, Fisher was involved in a serious automobile accident while traveling to IFC.
“This is a special joy to be here with the IFC family this year,” said Fisher. “I am always honored to be able to share from God’s Word and preach the Gospel. Yet there is something special this year at IFC. The people have just been amazing to me. When I’m out and about in camp, many people ask for a hug, instead of just shaking hands. The Lord has given us a great time of connection. I’m grateful for each and every one of the IFC leaders and all those in this camp.”
Total attendance for IFC was 2,462, according to Victor Cope, who serves as executive director of Indian Falls Creek.
During the evening services and throughout the week, campers responded to the Gospel. There were 137 spiritual decisions at IFC, with 54 professions of faith and five calls to ministry.
Cope said, “Dr. Todd Fisher did an outstanding job all week. Our churches did a great job participating at IFC. We praise God for these decisions!”
Groups helping lead music in worship included the Sons of Thunder of Salina, All Nations Church and Oklahoma City, Glorieta. Native American history and culture is integrated and celebrated with each IFC assembly. The world-renowned singing group Native Praise, which sings spiritual songs in Native languages and English, led in worship on July 30 of the camp. Each evening service also features a time in which each Tribe represented at IFC sings a Gospel hymn in their native Tribal language. Native Praise also sang hymns in the Cherokee, Choctaw and Muscogee Creek language. In addition, activities included arts and crafts, meal preparation and other displays of Native American culture.
IFC has a strong legacy of community involvement. On July 28 and 29, IFC held the annual blood drive, now named the Joyce Hansen Legacy Blood Drive. The blood drives led to 161 units of blood donated, which exceeded the IFC’s goal. This year’s blood drive was held in honor of Joyce Hansen, one of the original organizers of the annual IFC blood drive, who passed away on May 12.
Each day, various equipping and discipleship classes were held. Vacation Bible School (VBS) was held for the Pre-K children that was led by a group of volunteers from the Native churches. A VBS for K-6th grade children also was held, for a grand total combined attendance of 350.
The 2025 IFC was a blessed time for all who took part. The 2026 IFC is set to take place July 26-July 30. For more, visit indianfallscreek.org.
Join us throughout the year in praying for our missionaries, serving locally and around the world!
2025 MISSIONARY Prayer Guide
Who & Where Why How to Pray
Despite the beautiful mountains and oceans shouting God’s glory, Japan is the world’s second largest unreached people group with the Gospel. Ryan and Michelle Tankersley with their three children live in the south-western city of Fukuoka. Their passion is to connect with existing churches and to help them reach the people they love. They teach them to share the Gospel and help them grow in discipleship. Their greatest joys are seeing individuals and families change and come to Christ as they sing His praises.
William and Nancy Potter have served in Southeast Asia for 23 years. They operate a water purification factory that makes household water filters and teach health groups in rural places, which open doors. They get the joy of seeing people accept Christ as alcoholics leave alcohol and their abusive relationships and become loving, Christlike homes. They have also seen blessings on their family as Christ meets the needs of their children, though they are across the world at university.
Pray for Oklahoma Baptists who are serving with the International Mission Board in Central and South America, where many have heard of Jesus, but very few have a relationship with Him. Most of the peoples practice folk Catholicism, a blend of ethnic Catholicism combined with animistic beliefs. They know the name of Jesus but think of Him as one among many saints. Additionally, the area is experiencing rapid growth in an aggressive form of prosperity theology that causes theological confusion.
Anthony and Mindy Oloteo alongside their five children planted Relentless Church in Kiefer, Oklahoma. As the lead pastor, Anthony encourages, motivates, challenges, and train all of their church leaders to grow in Christ and live a life that is pleasing to God. They hope they can fulfill the mission and vision the Lord has given them in Kiefer. It’s exciting to them when a person decides to follow Jesus.
Pray for boldness in the churches as God raises up healthy churches.
Pray God will move among the Japanese people as He prepares Japan for a harvest.
Pray for wisdom and strength for the Tankersley family.
Pray for peace, joy, and patient endurance for the Potters as they send their kids to college.
Pray for godly friends for their kids.
Pray for the unreached people in their country, whose hearts are cold toward Jesus.
Pray God would open the eyes and hearts of people living in the Americas and help missionaries as they convey the truth of the Gospel.
Pray for encouragement, health, and strength for local pastors and other church leaders.
Pray the Lord will draw others to Himself through the faithful testimony of missionaries and local pastors.
Pray the Lord will send more laborers to join the mission of Relentless Church.
Pray the Lord will send the church financial opportunities to keep the mission moving forward and upward.
Pray God will protect their people as the enemy attacks.
