September 2026 Digital

DIGITAL EDITION | MARCH 2026

DIGITAL EDITION | SEPTEMBER 2026

Nourish Catering SHOWING HOSPITALITY THROUGH CULINARY ARTS

Edna McMillan State Missions Offering: Advancing the Gospel Across Oklahoma Messenger Staff

Students Inspired to Answer God’s Calling at ‘The Call Conference’ Messenger Staff

September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

An Opportunity to Shape a Nation Leanne Martin

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 03 | EDNA MCMILLAN STATE MISSIONS OFFERING: ADVANCING THE GOSPEL ACROSS OKLAHOMA Messenger Staff

04 | NOURISH CATERING: SHOWING HOSPITALITY THROUGH CULINARY ARTS Messenger Staff

06 | RANDY HURT JOINS OKLAHOMA BAPTIST STAFF AS REGIONAL MINISTRY PARTNER Messenger Staff

07 | STUDENTS INSPIRED TO ANSWER GOD’S CALLING AT ‘THE CALL CONFERENCE’ Messenger Staff

08 | OKLAHOMA FARM GIRL HELPS TO STRENGTHEN CHURCHES IN COLOMBIA, ONE PIG AT A TIME Jaclyn Mains, IMB Writer

09 | AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE A GENERATION

Leanne Martin, Hope Pregnancy Center Ardmore Director

10 | CHURCH NEWS

EDNA MCMILLAN STATE MISSIONS OFFERING: ADVANCING THE GOSPEL ACROSS OKLAHOMA

by Messenger Staff

Oklahoma Baptists have always shown an unwavering commitment to advancing the Gospel within our state. A significant and consistent way this has been accomplished is by engaging in cooperative giving to support missions through the Edna McMillan State Missions Offering (SMO).

Named after one of Oklahoma’s own missions pioneers, Edna McMillan, the SMO supports ministries making an eternal impact in Oklahoma. The two ministries highlighted for this year’s SMO are the Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) Prison Divinity Program and Ministerial Crisis Care.

OBU Prison Divinity Program Through a partnership with OBU, incarcerated men can earn a theological education and be equipped for ministry.

As they grow in their knowledge of Scripture and love for Christ, they faithfully disciple and encourage fellow inmates, bringing the hope of Jesus by starting Bible studies and churches in prisons across Oklahoma. Through the SMO, Oklahoma Baptists are equipping these men to make an eternal impact right where they are.

Ministerial Crisis Care Pastors faithfully care for others through seasons of joy, grief, uncertainty and loss. When they or their families face unexpected crises, Oklahoma Baptists come alongside them with practical assistance, encouragement and prayer. Through Ministerial Crisis Care, the State Missions Offering helps strengthen pastors and their families, ensuring they receive the Christ-centered care they need as they continue faithfully serving their churches.

These aren’t the only ministries supported through SMO. Funds given through the SMO also help fund Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, hunger funds, foster care, chaplaincy and more.

“Through the SMO, Oklahoma Baptists have the opportunity to do good things together by serving others, caring for people and advancing the Gospel across our state,” said Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer. “Your partnership through the SMO is making a difference across Oklahoma.”

The Edna McMillan Week of Prayer for State Missions is set for Sept. 6-13. The statewide giving goal is $1.25 million.

To learn more about SMO ministries or to access missions education and promotional materials—including videos focusing on the featured ministries and missions activities for children—visit oklahomabaptists.org/state-missionsoffering.

September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

NOURISH CATERING: SHOWING HOSPITALITY THROUGH CULINARY ARTS

by Messenger Staff

Hospitality can be shown in many ways. Each person has their own special way to be hospitable, but the most common way is by providing a warm meal. Through Oklahoma City, Putnam City’s (PCBC) Community Bridges outreach program, Executive Chef Jeff Dalton and his wife, Lindsey, of Nourish Catering have started a ministry where food is more than a meal. It’s a ministry.

Nourish was officially founded in October 2025, but Dalton has been in the food industry as a chef for more than 15 years working at hotels, a variety of restaurants and country clubs. He first went to culinary school to pursue his love of cooking, but while there he realized his true passion lies in service to others.

“I realized this was one of my gifts, serving people,” Dalton said. “I found that what brought me joy was the act of serving people. As I grew in my relationship with Christ, I realized that it wasn’t an accident. That I’m designed this way.”

Before starting Nourish in Oklahoma, Dalton served in Albuquerque, N.M., by providing food for churches and those with food insecurities. He saw the need there and felt called to help lead churches in starting their own food ministries.

“There was a huge food insecurity issue there,” Dalton said. “I was looking around saying, ‘There’s got to be a way to help.’”

Through ministries there, Dalton prepared and took food and water to those in need. He also satiated their spiritual hunger by simply praying over them and having spiritual conversations. Dalton spoke of a recent encounter his group had with a lady whose husband was having medical issues. They were able to direct her to somewhere that could help and prayed over the couple.

“It’s not for our own benefit,” Dalton said. “We don’t take videos for social media or anything. We’re out there showing God’s love.”

After serving in New Mexico, the Daltons moved back to Oklahoma to get plugged back in to PCBC where Lindsey grew up. While listening to Pastor Bill Hulse preach, Dalton once again felt the call to service “I felt this call that said, ‘You need to go talk to (Hulse),” he said. “I told him that I was a chef and that I was being called to help in food ministry.”

September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

Hulse told Dalton that PCBC had been considering starting a food ministry, but were just waiting for the right person.

“Over the course of about eight months, starting at the beginning of last year, (Nourish) grew into what it is now,” Dalton said.

Through support from PCBC’s Community Bridges ministry, Nourish Catering was able to get its feet off the ground and start serving those in need. Outside of catering for events, Nourish doesn’t charge the church or individuals for meals. Most of the time the Daltons handle meal preparation by themselves, but if an event is too large for the two of them to cover, they’ll enlist help from volunteers from PCBC’s church body. This acts as an additional mentorship opportunity for those in youth groups with culinary backgrounds.

“We try to bring them in as like a mentorship program,” Dalton said. “We have the capacity to love on these kids and teach them culinary skills.”

Primarily, Nourish caters to churches and nonprofit organizations, specializing in curating menus for various events. They also have a large menu of pre-made meals ranging from Barbeque to Italian. During the holidays, Nourish makes “take-and-bake” meals. These are premade meals that are ready to bake and serve right out of the box.

“We do all of the work for you, you can pick it up, pop the food in the oven and it’s ready to go,” Dalton said.

“We try to make people’s holiday season a little bit less stressful.”

Like most restaurants and catering companies, Nourish has contracts with distributors and wholesalers to get their produce from. This, along with utilizing PCBC’s commercial kitchen, minimizes the costs to make the meals.

“That’s one of the advantages going with Nourish,” Dalton said. “We’re not having to build in all of those costs into our pricing which is the whole idea, to help us be able to serve people better.”

From church banquets and weddings to boxed lunches, Nourish serves the Oklahoma City area with handcrafted, fresh food prepared with excellence and heart.

For more information about Nourish Catering, visit https://www.nourishcatering.org/

September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

RANDY HURT JOINS OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS STAFF AS REGIONAL MINISTRY PARTNER

by Messenger Staff

ATOKA—Randy Hurt, who has served as Associational Mission Strategist for Atoka-Coal Baptist Association since 2015, has accepted the role of Southeast Regional Ministry Partner for Oklahoma Baptists.

Hurt will succeed Buddy Hunt, who is retiring in September, and will serve pastors and churches throughout the Southeast Region.

Oklahoma Baptists’ team of Regional Ministry Partners serves and supports pastors and churches across the state. The Southeast Region includes approximately 400 churches affiliated with Oklahoma Baptist associations, spanning communities from Seminole to Poteau and Idabel, west to Durant, McAlester and Madill, as well as other churches south of I-40 including Tishomingo and Ada. “Randy Hurt knows the Southeast Region of our state and knows Oklahoma Baptists,” said Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists executive director-treasurer. “Randy is passionate about advancing the Gospel and serving pastors and the local church. He brings a wealth of ministry and leadership experience, and I am grateful the Lord has led him to serve with Oklahoma Baptists at this key time.”

Family & Ministry Experience Randy and his wife, Tahrea, a teacher at Harmony Public Schools, have four children: Tucker, Fisher, Shyler and Ryder.

Based in Atoka, Hurt has served in ministry in a variety of roles, including director of missions, missionary, student minister and firefighter chaplain for the Atoka Fire Department.

He has also been active in regional community groups, including the Atoka-Coal Food Bank board and the Atoka County Hope medical board. Hurt has frequently traveled internationally for missions, including Oklahoma Baptists mission work in Mexico.

Hurt has served in a number of leadership capacities with the state convention, including a one-year term as second vice president, and serving on the board of directors for Oklahoma Baptists. Hurt is currently a student at Southeastern Seminary.

Called to Ministry Hurt said it took some time for him to surrender to God’s call on his life. He met Jesus while attending Grandview, Texas, First, preached his first sermon there and was licensed to the ministry at age 15. Hurt eventually September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

surrendered to the call to ministry at Atoka, Harmony, where he would go on to serve as youth minister and associate pastor.

Missions & Ministry In his role at Atoka-Coal Association, numerous ministries and missions grew. Since November 2015, the association has participated in church planting and medical caravans in Mexico.

“During this time, we have seen God plant four churches,” Hurt said. “More than 25,000 people have been treated medically, and we have experienced more than 5,000 souls begin a relationship with God.” Hurt is an avid fisher, and he founded and led an outdoor ministry focused on reaching men through outdoor events and activities.

For more information about Oklahoma Baptists Regional Ministry, visit www.oklahomabaptists.org.

STUDENTS INSPIRED TO ANSWER GOD’S CALLING AT ‘THE CALL CONFERENCE’

by Messenger Staff

SHAWNEE—On Sat., Aug. 29, hundreds of middle and high school students attended The Call Conference at the Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) campus. This annual event, hosted by Oklahoma Baptists, is designed for those who are interested in exploring or are pursuing a call from God to ministry leadership.

The Call Conference began with worship and students hearing from Oklahoma Baptists Executive DirectorTreasurer Todd Fisher on how to answer the inward call from God. Fisher told students his personal testimony for God calling him to ministry. Fisher said that many times God reminded him that the call that was placed on his life meant giving everything to God. Fisher then encouraged students who are questioning if they are called to ministry that God will confirm that calling. He said that not everyone is called to ministry, and those who pursue ministry when God hasn’t called them to it is actually a bad thing. Fisher concluded by challenging students to follow their calling and solve the greatest problem in the world: lostness.

“Are you ready to step up and be the solution to the greatest problem? Or are you going to sit back and put God in a box?” Fisher asked.

In addition to main sessions, ministry leaders from across the state equipped future ministry leaders on biblical and theological topics including pastoral ministry, evangelism, leading the called, service, sin and salvation, the church, making disciples and more. God was working in the hearts of students during these breakouts. During this time, five students made professions of faith. A ministry panel of Oklahoma Baptists leaders encouraged students through personal theological and biblical reflections on and applications for ministry.

The event concluded with worship and another main session where OBU Auguie Henry Chair of Old Testament and Associate Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies Mario Melendez spoke on how to answer the outward call. He started by telling students that they need to have their motivation for going into ministry right.

“You should be going into ministry not from a sense of greed, but a sense of need,” he said.

Melendez then explained that the main calling of the Church and pastors is to find the needs in the communities and answer them.

“Sometimes, you need to feed someone first before you can lead them to Jesus,” he said.

September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

He concluded by encouraging students to always seek God and feed their spirits with the Gospel.

“The first person you need to share the Gospel with daily is you,” Melendez said.

As a partnership between Oklahoma Baptists and OBU and supported by the Cooperative Program, The Call Conference was developed for individuals who are exploring or pursuing a call from God to ministry leadership. The conference is promoted at Falls Creek and other ministry settings. It operates on a three-year rotation of topics with next year’s conference focusing on specific ministry areas.

For more information, visit oklahomabaptists.org/thecall.

OKLAHOMA FARM GIRL HELPS TO STRENGTHEN CHURCHES IN COLOMBIA, ONE PIG AT A TIME

by Jaclyn Mains, IMB Writer

When Taylor McConnell introduced herself at an International Mission Board (IMB) interview conference, she kept it simple.

“I’m Taylor. I’m from Oklahoma, and I’m a farm girl.”

Her bold introduction led to appointed conversations with missionaries who just so happened to be looking for someone with agricultural experience. One of those conversations eventually connected McConnell with an IMB team in Colombia who had been praying for someone who knew how to work with animals. More specifically, they needed someone who knew pigs.

McConnell grew up on a pig farm, earned an animal science degree from Oklahoma State University and spent years learning skills she once assumed would lead to veterinary medicine. Instead, God used those experiences to prepare her for a ministry assignment she never could have planned.

Today, McConnell serves as an IMB Journeyman in Colombia, where she helps lead a pig-raising project designed to strengthen Indigenous churches, encourage biblical stewardship and support Gospel ministry.

A Calling that Kept Returning McConnell grew up in church and trusted in Christ when she was eight years old. By the time she was in high school, she sensed God drawing her toward missions.

During a worship service at Falls Creek, a Southern Baptist camp in Oklahoma, McConnell looked around at thousands of students singing and began thinking about people around the world who had never heard the gospel.

“Why don’t they get to have these moments?” she remembered wondering. “They need the Gospel.”

The desire to serve among the nations followed her into college. As she studied animal science, however, McConnell struggled to understand how missions fit with the career she had imagined since childhood. She first planned to become a veterinarian and later considered law school. The more she evaluated her options, the more she recognized the common thread running through each one: she wanted to serve people.

This article was originally written by Jaclyn Mains and posted to IMB.org. Click here to read the full article.

September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE A GENERATION

by Leanne Martin, Hope Pregnancy Center Ardmore Director

DAVIS­—Truth can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Falls Creek gives Hope Pregnancy Center (Hope) staff an extraordinary opportunity to reach students at a pivotal time in their lives while they are forming their beliefs about life, relationships, sexuality and truth. We are not simply speaking into the decisions students are making today; we are helping shape the convictions they will carry into tomorrow, empowering students to defend life, stand on truth, push back the darkness and point others to Jesus.

The “Culture Changers: Defending Life and Pushing Back the Darkness” breakout session was attended by 1,184 students and adult sponsors. Students were challenged to understand the value of human life, recognize how culture evolved to its current view of abortion, and know what is true so they can be equipped to stand for life with courage and compassion. Hope staff spoke to 1,472 students and 239 adults through in-cabin talks, bringing the message of Hope directly into the places where students were already gathered and having conversations about real-life issues.

This Summer, Hope staff ministered to six students experiencing unintended pregnancies and connected them with pregnancy centers in their communities. We were able to walk alongside them as they considered how to have difficult conversations with their parents and the fathers of their babies. Even though they felt frightened and overwhelmed, Hope was there to remind them they were not without help, resources or hope.

Students openly shared struggles with being sexually active, pornography addiction, and the desire to establish healthy boundaries before beginning dating relationships.

These conversations gave our staff the opportunity to address behaviors and point students to Jesus, His truth, forgiveness, and His plan for their lives.

The response to the breakout session was especially encouraging. Three young men told our team, “This was the best breakout we have ever been to!” They had taken five pages of notes. Two young men said what they heard had completely changed the way they view abortion and helped them understand how our society arrived at where it is today. Another student stated, “When we visit colleges, we are pressured to take condoms and party bags. They tell us we will need them in college, and everything we’ve believed will change when our parents aren’t with us to filter it. The breakout has given me courage to know I do know the truth.” A young woman told Hope staff, “Before this breakout, I truly believed abortion was safe and good for women. After this breakout I know that is horribly wrong. I feel so bad because I have encouraged several September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

of my friends to take the pill. I need to check on them and tell them I am so sorry.”

Falls Creek staff members rotated out of their work assignments to attend the breakout. They wanted to experience it for themselves after hearing so many students talking about it.

A pastor attended the breakout and a cabin devotion provided by Hope staff. He invited us to speak to his cabin during Indian Falls Creek, resulting in another 243 students hearing the truth of life and the hope we have in Jesus.

Hope staff are grateful for the opportunity to invest in a generation being challenged every day by a culture with very different messages about life, sexuality, relationships and identity.

Hope staff are available to speak at any event, church or group. In addition, the breakout session from 2025 was recorded and is available in three, 20-minute videos along with numerous resources on the Community Resources page of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children’s website.

Learn more - https://www.obhc.org/hope-pregnancycenter-oklahoma/community-resources/

CHURCH NEWS CALEB FREEMAN SPEAKS AT OKLAHOMA BAPTIST RETIREES LUNCHEON

AFFINITY MINISTRY LEADERS CONNECT WITH SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LEADER

TULSA, SOUTHWOOD CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

YALE, FIRST CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY

TULSA—Later this month, Tulsa, Southwood will be celebrating their 50th anniversary. The event will begin at 12 p.m. on Sept. 26 with a potluck lunch, followed by an open house walkthrough experience of their church building. The next day at 8:30 a.m., a continental breakfast will be held in the student center. At 10 a.m., a celebration service will be held in the worship center with a catered picnic afterwards. “We warmly invite current and former members, their families and our community to join us as we honor our rich history and embrace the future God has prepared,” Tulsa, Southwood said.

On Sept. 20, Yale, First will be celebrating their 125th anniversary. The congregation first met in Pleasant Ridge School in 1901 as Pleasant Ridge Church. A new structure was built in 1903 from donated logs and the congregation officially became Yale, First, four years before Oklahoma achieved statehood. Some of the first members of what is now Yale, First were homesteaders in the Oklahoma Territory. The church has a long history of mission work and youth outreach programs. In preparation for the celebration, Yale, First asks that any historic photos or memories be shared with Mary Matlock at marymatlock128@gmail.com.

Caleb Freeman suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in On August 18 at Oklahoma Baptists offices, Charles a near fatal car accident in 2017 and was not expected to Grant, Associate Vice President for Convention live. God chose not only to spare Caleb’s life, but also to Partnerships of the Southern Baptist Convention’s miraculously begin healing him. Now, Caleb and his dad, Executive Committee, spent time with various Oklahoma Jeremy—lead pastor at Newcastle, First—share the hope Baptist state convention ministry leaders and pastors. of the Gospel through their family’s #butGod story. They Grant shared how SBC Executive Committee President presented an update on Caleb’s amazing journey on Aug. 4 Jeff Iorg is working to connect with state conventions during a luncheon meeting of the Central Oklahoma Baptist and local churches, with resources. Representing Oklahoma Baptists at the meeting was Walter Wilson, Retirees Association.

African American Ministry Partner; Emerson Falls, Native American Ministry; Ever Borunda, Hispanic Ministry Partner; among others.

‘THE SCOPE OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY’

BY DONALD WHITCHARD RELEASES ENID, GARLAND ROAD TO HOST This book is an introduction to Bible prophecy that avoids CAMPFIRE REVIVAL typical sensationalism, offering a scholarly yet accessible approach with an evangelistic appeal. It covers the definition and role of the biblical prophet, the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah, the rebirth of Israel in Ezekiel, the prophecies of Jesus, and a survey of major end-time viewpoints. Whitchard is a graduate of New Orleans Seminary and has been in Gospel ministry since 1986. To purchase the book, visit https:// drwhitchardteaches.org.

September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com

For the first time in several decades, Enid, Garland Road will host a Campfire Revival on Saturday, October 3. Enid, Garland Road invites all 8th-12th graders in the area to join them. They also ask prayers from their fellow Oklahoma Baptists as they share the enduring hope of Jesus Christ around the campfire with these students. Will you join them in prayer? For more information, call Hannah Summers at 405-481-9280.

OCTOBER 9-10, 2026 E D M O N D , WAT E R L O O R O A D

for ministry wives in every season ACTIVE, RETIRED, AND WIDOWED

Cost: $50 per person Register by 9/30 Hotel blocks available until 9/9 Register now by scanning QR or visit oklahomabaptists.org/ministry-wives

September 2026 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com