Generosity Magazine Fall/Winter 2018

FALL/WINTER 2018

THE BAPTIST FOUNDATION OF OKLAHOMA

Mentoring Next-Gen Pastors MINISTRY IS A MINEFIELD FOR YOUNG PASTORS. FIND OUT HOW YOUR GIVING IS HELPING THEM SURVIVE AND THRIVE.

NASA DOC ANSWERS MISSIONS CALL

UNDERSTANDING CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES

NEW LIFE FOR A DYING CHURCH

CHURCH LOANS THAT CHANGE LIVES. When you borrow from The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, you’re investing in more than a building — you’re investing in eternity.

Our rates are highly competitive, and unlike traditional lenders, interest from your loan is given back to Southern Baptist ministries that touch lives with the Gospel.

BY MARK KELLY

YOUR LOAN SUPPORTS:

Evangelism & church planting

National & international missions

Baptist universities & seminaries

APPLY ONLINE TODAY:

bfok.org/ChurchLoans

Disaster relief & human needs ministries

Inside MENTORS WANTED Rusty McMullen was ready to resign until an elder pastor’s wisdom changed his life. Learn why a renewed focus on mentorship is essential to preparing next-generation pastors to lead Oklahoma Baptists.

PG. 12

ON THE COVER — Pastor Rusty McMullen preaches during Sunday morning services at First Baptist Church of McAlester, Oklahoma.

WHY GIVE THROUGH A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY?

NEW LIFE FOR A DYING CHURCH

NASA SURGEON HAS NEW MISSION

It’s better to give than to receive, but a charitable gift annuity (CGA) allows you to do both. We’ll show you why there’s never been a better time to channel your giving through a CGA.

It’s not every day a 9-year-old boy calls his church to action. Find out how a generous spirit and an intentional focus on growth brought Franklin Baptist Church back from the brink.

PG. 8

PG. 20

From astronauts to Africa’s poor, God had an unusual flight plan for this former NASA surgeon. See how your giving helps IMB missionar y doctor Larr y Pepper heal bodies and souls in Tanzania.

PG. 22

GENEROSIT Y Fall/Winter 2018 Generosity is published biannually by The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma.

To subscribe, request a copy or update mailing information, please call 800.949.9988 or email communications@bfok.org.

Copyright 2018.

All rights reserved.

PRODUCTION

Mike Schueler | Editor-in-Chief Marissa Crowson | Visual Editor Anna Dellinger | Content Editor Jacob Blaze | Design

CONTRIBUTORS

Steve Childers Margaret Colson Sheryl Hash Heather Horner Nick Oxford

Christa Rogers Jeremy Scott Marcus Wehmuller Dana Williamson

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We Stand With Oklahoma Pastors

H

ard work and sacrifice. lThose are the words that echo in my mind when I think of Oklahoma Baptist pastors.

I’ve set foot in countless churches and spent one-onone time with dozens of pastors during my 16 years as Foundation president. I’ve listened to their stories, seen how powerfully God is using them, and sought to understand the hardships they face.

Some of these pastors left successful secular careers to answer God’s call. Some are bi-vocational, working a

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G E N E R O S I T Y Fall/Winter 2018

second job to supplement their ministry income. Many serve in smaller churches with modest budgets and few staff, filling not just the role of pastor but also secretary, administrator, counselor and sometimes, janitor.

These pastors are working long hours to take the Gospel to a new generation of Oklahomans and to breathe life back into struggling congregations. Many are young, living on less than their families need and missing moments with their children that can’t be reclaimed, because something or someone always seems to demand their attention.

So why do these pastors do it? Because they are called.

Because they believe eternity is more important than today. Because they understand that humanity’s need

CALLED — “When you shepherd a church, you start seeing the brokenness in people,” explains Rusty McMullen (above), who leads First Baptist Church of McAlester, Oklahoma. “The only thing that helped me overcome that was my mentor.”

to know our Savior is greater than ever before. That’s why The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma remains committed to serving Oklahoma Baptist pastors and their churches.

How do we do this? By offering estate planning services for pastors at no cost, so they can protect their families and have peace of mind. By providing loans and investments that build infrastructure for church growth while returning millions in interest to ministry—$4 million in 2017 alone. By giving away nearly $100,000 in matching endowment funds in 2018 to help pastors resource their churches for generations to come. And those are just a few of the ways we help.

Pastors, the Foundation stands in awe of your sacrifice and faithfulness.

We’re here to support your ministry and your family. What a privilege it is to ser ve Jesus at your side.

Robert K. Kellogg President & CEO

If you are a Southern Baptist pastor and would like to create or update an estate plan at no cost, or would like to learn more about how the Foundation can help your church, please call 800.949.9988 or email give@bfok.org. You can also visit bfok.org.

bfok.org

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#BecauseYouGive

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G E N E R O S I T Y Fall/Winter 2018

PHOTO BY JEREMY SCOTT

TAKE A KNEE Oklahoma Baptist University head football coach Chris Jensen congratulates his players following a 34-28 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the Bison’s second win of the season. Many OBU student athletes depend on scholarships to help cover tuition, and your generosity provides these scholarship dollars. #BecauseYouGive, they receive a nationally ranked education grounded in a Christ-centered worldview.

The Foundation’s planned giving professionals can help maximize your gift’s impact. Contact us today at 800.949.9988 or give@bfok.org.

bfok.org

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#BecauseYouGive

NO A/C NECESSARY A Bible study meets perched on the steps of an apartment building in “Cidade de Deus” (City of God), one of Rio de Janeiro’s most dangerous slums. #BecauseYouGive, IMB missionaries are able to partner with local believers like this Brazilian pastor (far right) to make disciples and plant churches in some of the most spiritually dark places on the planet. The Foundation can help you multiply your gifts to IMB through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Let our planned giving professionals show you how. Contact us today at 800.949.9988 or give@bfok.org.

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G E N E R O S I T Y Fall/Winter 2018

PHOTO BY IMB

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Understanding Understanding Understanding GIFT ANNUITIES GIFT GIFT ANNUITIES ANNUITIES giveisisbetter betterthan thantotoreceive, receive,but butwhat whatif ifyou youcould coulddodoboth? both?

ToTogive To give is better than to receive, but what if you could do both?

A AA

charitable gift annuity, charitable gift annuity, oror charitable gift annuity, or CGA short, allows CGA forfor short, allows anan CGA for short, allows ana individual couple make individual oror couple to to make a individual or couple to make a gift ministry while receiving gift to to ministry while receiving gift toincome ministry while receiving deduction and anan income taxtax deduction and a a anguaranteed income taxfixed deduction and a life. income guaranteed fixed income forfor life. guaranteed fixed income for life.

After the individual couple’s After the individual oror couple’s After thethe individual or couple’s death, remainder the gift death, the remainder of of the gift death, the remainder of the gift passed the ministry is is passed onon to to the ministry oror is ministries passed on to the ministry or they’ve selected. ministries they’ve selected. ministries they’ve selected.

CGAs are excellent giving CGAs are anan excellent giving CGAs are an excellent giving option anyone retirement option forfor anyone of of retirement option for anyone of retirement age who has both the desire age who has both the desire age who has both the desire give charitably and money to to give charitably and money to in give charitably and money the bank earning little in the bank earning little in interest. the bankThe earning little older you are interest. The older you are interest.

The older you are when you create a CGA, the when you create a CGA, the when you create a CGA, the higher your annual payout. higher your annual payout. higher your annual payout.

Rates also differ between Rates also differ between Rates also differ between individuals and couples. individuals and couples. individuals and couples.

For example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith For example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith For example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both years and decide are both 7070 years oldold and decide are both 70 years old and decide give a $25,000 charitable gift to to give a $25,000 charitable gift to annuity give a $25,000 charitable gift their church.

They annuity to to their church.

They annuity to their church.

They qualify 5 percent yield qualify forfor a 5a percent yield qualify for a 5 percent yield (interest rate) their annuity, (interest rate) onon their annuity, (interest rate) on their annuity, meaning they would receive meaning they would receive a a meaning they would receive a $1,250 annual payment from $1,250 annual payment from $1,250 annual plus payment from the annuity income the annuity plus anan income the annuity plus of anabout income tax deduction $8,000. tax deduction of about $8,000. tax deduction of about $8,000.

This $1,250 annual payment This $1,250 annual payment This $1,250 annual payment will continue the rest the will continue forfor the rest of of the will continue for the rest of the Smiths’ lives, even if they outlive Smiths’ lives, even if they outlive Smiths’ lives, even if they outlive their $25,000 gift. their $25,000 gift. their $25,000 gift.

Charitable gift annuities provide Charitable gift annuities provide Charitable gift annuities provide you with a vehicle support the you with a vehicle to to support the you with a vehicle to support the ministries that matter most, plus ministries that matter most, plus ministries that matter most, plus the security a dependable the security of of a dependable the security of a dependable annual income. annual income. annual income.

HOWAACGA CGAWORKS WORKS HOW HOW A CGA WORKS Donate Donate Donate

Receive Receive Receive 8

OI T SFall/Winter I TFall/Winter Y Fall/Winter 2018 6 E6N GEEGRNEO ENSREIO Y 2018 G TRSY 2018 6 G E N E R O S I T Y Fall/Winter 2018

GiveBack Back Give Give Back

COUPLE INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL COUPLE COUPLE INDIVIDUAL years 7070 years oldold 70 years old

years 7070 years oldold 70 years old

$$ $

$$ $

$25,000 $25,000 $25,000 annuity annuity (your(your gift) gift) annuity (your gift)

$25,000 $25,000 $25,000 annuity annuity (your(your gift) gift) annuity (your gift)

5% 5.6% 5.6% 5% 5% 5.6% annuity yield giftgift annuity yield giftgift annuity yield annuity yield gift annuity yield

gift annuity yield

$1,250 $1,250 $1,250

$1,400 $1,400 $1,400

annual income annual income annual income

annual income annual income annual income

$8,000 $8,000 $8,000 income income taxtax income tax deduction deduction deduction

$10,000 $10,000 $10,000 income income taxtax income tax deduction deduction deduction

American Council Annuities publishes TheThe American Council on on GiftGift Annuities publishes rates based upon donor age and expectancy. rates based upon donor and lifelife expectancy.

The American Council onage Gift Annuities publishes rates based upon donor age and life expectancy.

10 10 10

THINGS THINGS YOU YOUSHOULD SHOULD SHOULD KNOW KNOW ABOUT ABOUT CGAs CGAs THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CGAs THINGS THINGS YOU YOU SHOULD KNOW KNOW ABOUT ABOUT CGAs CGAs THINGS THINGSYOU YOUSHOULD SHOULDKNOW KNOWABOUT ABOUTCGAs CGAs THINGS THINGSYOU YOUSHOULD SHOULDKNOW KNOWABOUT ABOUTCGAs CGAs

Now Now is is a great great a great time time to give give through through Now time toto give through Now isisaaisgreat a great time time to give to give through through 11 11Now a charitable a charitable gift gift annuity annuity because because Now Now is is a great a great time time toto give give through through acharitable charitable gift annuity because a charitable gift gift annuity annuity because because 1 1 ainterest interest interest rates rates are are at at their their highest highest in in interest are at their highest a charitable a charitable gift gift annuity annuity because because Now Now is rates is arates great arates great time time toto give give through through interest are are at their at their highest highest inin in 1 1 nearly nearly nearly arates decade, aarates decade, maximizing maximizing your your nearly decade, maximizing your interest interest are are atannuity at their their highest highest a charitable anearly charitable gift gift annuity because because aadecade, decade, maximizing maximizing your yourin in annual annual income annual nearly nearly aincome decade, aincome decade, maximizing your your interest interest rates rates are are atmaximizing at their their highest highest in in annual annual income income annual annual nearly nearly aincome decade, aincome decade, maximizing maximizing your your annual annual income income Receive an immediate income Receive Receive animmediate an immediate immediate income income Receive Receive an an immediate income income tax deduction from your gift tax deduction deduction from from your your gift gift Receive Receive anan immediate immediate income income tax tax deduction deduction from from your your gift gift tax tax deduction deduction from from your your gift gift Receive Receive anan immediate immediate income income tax tax deduction deduction from from your your gift gift Fixed rates guarantee the same Fixed Fixed rates rates guarantee guarantee the the same same Fixed Fixed rates rates guarantee guarantee the the same same annual payment every year for life, annual annual payment payment every every year year for life, for life, annual annual payment payment every every year year for for life, life, Fixed Fixed rates rates guarantee guarantee the the same same even if you outlive your gift even even ififrates you ifrates you outlive your your gift gift even even you if you outlive outlive your your gift gift annual annual payment payment every every year year for for life, life, Fixed Fixed guarantee guarantee the the same same even even if you if you outlive outlive your your gift giftforfor annual annual payment payment every every year year life, life, even even iftoyou ifreceive you outlive outlive your your gift gift Elect income from your Elect Elect to to receive income income from from your your Elect Elect toreceive to receive receive income income from from your your annuity quarterly or annually annuity annuity quarterly quarterly or annually or annually annuity annuity quarterly quarterly or or annually annually Elect Elect toto receive receive income income from from your your annuity annuity quarterly quarterly or or annually annually Elect Elect toto receive receive income income from from your your Choose a single or multiple annuity annuity quarterly or or annually annually Choose Choose aquarterly single orormultiple or multiple Choose Choose asingle single aa benefit single or multiple multiple ministries to from your ministries ministries to benefit to benefit fromfrom your your ministries ministries to to benefit benefit from from your your Choose Choose a single a single or or multiple multiple CGA after your death CGA CGA after after youryour death death CGA CGA after after your death ministries ministries to benefit benefit from from your your Choose Choose a to single ayour single ordeath or multiple multiple CGA CGA after after your death death ministries ministries toyour to benefit benefit from from your your CGA CGA after after your your death death

22 22

22 22 333 33 33 33 444 44 44 44 555 55 55 55

Because CGA’s primary Because Because aaCGA’s a CGA’s primary primary 6 6 6 purpose purpose is is charitable, charitable, your your gift gift 6 66purpose Because Because a CGA’s a CGA’s primary primary purpose is charitable, your gift is charitable, is charitable, your your gift gift 6 purpose

Because Because a CGA’s a CGA’s primary primary

is is permanent permanent permanent purpose isa is charitable, your your gift gift Because Because CGA’s a charitable, CGA’s primary primary is purpose permanent 6 is6ispermanent is is permanent permanent purpose purpose is is charitable, charitable, your your gift gift is is permanent permanent Provides thethe option Provides Provides the the option option Provides Provides the option option ofanonymity anonymity of anonymity anonymity Provides Provides the the option option of ofof anonymity of of anonymity anonymity Provides Provides the the option option ofof anonymity anonymity the CGA isfor for acouple, couple, income IfIf the IfCGA the CGA CGA is for for couple, a couple, income income IfIfthe CGA is isisafor aacouple, income income will continue for the surviving will continue for for the surviving surviving will will continue continue foristhe for the surviving Ifwill the If continue the CGA CGA is for for a the couple, asurviving couple, income income spouse after thethe death ofthe the first spouse spouse after after the death death of of the first first spouse spouse after after the the death death of of the the first first will will continue for the surviving If the If continue the CGA CGA is for is for for a the couple, asurviving couple, income income spouse spouse after after the the death death ofof the the first first will will continue continue for for the the surviving surviving spouse spouse after after the the death death ofof the the first first charitable giftgift annuity may be be AAcharitable A charitable gift annuity annuity may may be AA charitable charitable gift gift annuity annuity may may bebe created foras aslittle little as$10,000 $10,000 created created for for as little as as $10,000 created forfor asgift as little little asas $10,000 $10,000 A created A charitable charitable gift annuity annuity may may bebe created forfor asgift as little little asas $10,000 $10,000 A created A charitable charitable gift annuity annuity may may bebe created created forfor as as little little asas $10,000 $10,000 Only aportion portion ofthe the income from Only Only a a portion of of the income income from from Only Only a portion a portion of of the the income income from from your annuity is taxable youryour annuity annuity is taxable is taxable your your annuity is is taxable Only Only a annuity portion a portion oftaxable of the the income income from from your your annuity is is taxable Only Only a annuity portion a portion oftaxable of the the income income from from your your annuity annuity is is taxable taxable

77 777

77 77 88 888 88 88 99 999

99 99 1010 10 1010 1010 1010

Lakie Gillespie knew sheshe didn’t want tobe be anyone’s burden.

SheShe planned Lakie Lakie Gillespie Gillespie knew knew she didn’t didn’t want want to toanyone’s be anyone’s burden. burden.

She planned planned

Lakie Gillespie Gillespie knew knew she she didn’t didn’t want want todesired to bebe anyone’s anyone’s burden. burden.

She She planned make sure heraffairs affairs were order and desired be good steward ofthe the totoLakie make to make sure sure her her affairs were were inin order in order and and desired toto be toaabe good a good steward steward of ofplanned the resources God had given her.

So, shortly before her 80th birthday, Gillespie sold to to make make sure sure herher affairs affairs were were in in order order and and desired tobirthday, to bebirthday, be a burden. good a burden. good steward steward ofsold of thethe Lakie Lakie Gillespie Gillespie knew knew she she didn’t didn’t want want todesired to be be anyone’s anyone’s She She planned planned resources resources God God had had given given her. her.

So, shortly So, shortly before before her 80th her 80th Gillespie Gillespie sold

her home and used the proceeds to create acharitable charitable gift annuity (CGA) through resources resources God God had had given given her. her.

So, So, shortly shortly before her her 80th 80th birthday, birthday, Gillespie Gillespie sold sold Lakie Lakie Gillespie Gillespie knew knew she she didn’t didn’t want want to to be be anyone’s anyone’s burden.

She She planned to to make make sure sure her her affairs affairs were were in in order and desired desired to to be be aannuity good a burden. good steward steward ofplanned of the the her home her home and and used used the proceeds the proceeds to create toorder create aand abefore charitable gift gift annuity (CGA) (CGA) through through the Foundation benefitting the Oklahoma State Missions Offering.

Gillespie chose her her home home and and used used the the proceeds proceeds to to create create a before charitable a desired charitable gift gift (CGA) (CGA) through through toFoundation to make make sure sure her her affairs affairs were were inOklahoma in order order and and desired to to be be a annuity good a annuity good steward steward of of the the resources resources God God had had given given her. her.

So, So, shortly shortly before herher 80th 80th birthday, birthday, Gillespie Gillespie sold sold the the Foundation benefitting benefitting the Oklahoma the State State Missions Missions Offering.

Offering.

Gillespie Gillespie chose chose give through ahad CGA because she wants anMissions impact with theGospel Gospel the Foundation Foundation benefitting the the Oklahoma Oklahoma State State Missions Offering.

Offering. chose chose resources resources God God had given given her. her.

So, So, shortly shortly before her her 80th 80th birthday, birthday, Gillespie Gillespie sold sold her her home home and and used the the proceeds proceeds to to create create amake charitable amake charitable gift gift annuity annuity (CGA) (CGA) through through totothe give to give through through aused CGA abenefitting CGA because because she she wants wants totobefore make to an impact an impact with with the the Gospel across Oklahoma and values the added security of an annual income stream. to to give give through through aused CGA aand CGA because because she she wants wants to make make anan impact impact with with the the Gospel Gospel heracross her home home and and used the the proceeds proceeds toadded to create create atocharitable aof charitable gift gift annuity annuity (CGA) (CGA) through through across Oklahoma Oklahoma and values values the added the security security an ofannual an annual income income stream. stream.

thethe Foundation Foundation benefitting benefitting thethe Oklahoma Oklahoma State State Missions Missions Offering.

Offering.

Gillespie Gillespie chose chose across Oklahoma Oklahoma and and values values the added added security security of of anan annual annual income income stream. stream. the the Foundation Foundation benefitting thethe Oklahoma Oklahoma State Missions Missions Offering.

Offering.

Gillespie Gillespie chose chose to across to give give through through a benefitting CGA a CGA because because she she wants wants toState to make make impact impact with with the the Gospel Gospel

wanted put themoney money where was most needed,” Gillespie explains. know can’t doititdo all, butIbut Ihope hope thisthis “I“Iwanted “I wanted totoput to the put the money where ititgive was itthrough was most most needed,” needed,” Gillespie Gillespie explains. explains.

“I“Ito know “I know I Ican’t I can’t do all, it but all, IGospel hope this towhere to give through a CGA a CGA because because she she wants wants to make make impact impact with with the the Gospel across across Oklahoma Oklahoma and and values values thethe added added security security of of anan annual annual income income stream. stream. giftgift willwill support someone with thetalent talent teaching people about Jesus.” gift will support support someone someone with with the the talent ofofteaching of teaching people people about about Jesus.”

Jesus.”

“I “I wanted wanted to to putput thethe money money where where it Oklahoma was it Oklahoma was most most needed,” needed,” Gillespie Gillespie explains. explains.

“I “I know know can’t I annual can’t doincome do it income all, it all, but but Istream. hope I hope this this across across and and values values thethe added added security security of of anIan annual stream.

gift will will support support someone someone with with thethe ofmost of teaching teaching people people about about Jesus.”

Jesus.”“I “I “I gift “I wanted wanted to to putput the the money money where where ittalent was ittalent was most needed,” needed,” Gillespie Gillespie explains. explains. know know I can’t I can’t dodo it all, it all, butbut I hope I hope this this Contact us to get your CGA rate! give@bfok.org 800.949.9988 bfok.org/CGA “I gift “I wanted wanted to to put put the money money where where ittalent was ittalent was most needed,” needed,” Gillespie Gillespie explains. explains.

“I “I know know I can’t I can’t dobfok.org/CGA do it all, it all, butbut I hope I hope this this gift will will support support someone someone with with thethe ofmost of teaching teaching people people about about Jesus.”

Jesus.”

Contact Contact us to us get tothe get your your CGA CGA rate! rate! give@bfok.org give@bfok.org 800.949.9988 800.949.9988 bfok.org/CGA gift gift will will support support someone someone with with thethe talent talent of of teaching teaching people people about about Jesus.”

Jesus.”

Contact Contact usus toto get get your your CGA CGA rate! rate!

Contact Contact usus toto get get your your CGA CGA rate! rate!

Contact Contact usus toto get get your your CGA CGA rate! rate!

give@bfok.org give@bfok.org

800.949.9988 800.949.9988

bfok.org/CGA bfok.org/CGA

give@bfok.org give@bfok.org give@bfok.org give@bfok.org

800.949.9988 800.949.9988 800.949.9988 800.949.9988

bfok.org/CGA bfok.org/CGA bfok.org bfok.org/CGA bfok.org/CGA

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E N D OW M E N T A SHADE TREE FOR TOMORROW

$100,000 in matching endowment gifts help Oklahoma Baptist churches lay the groundwork for future ministry.

STORY BY CHRISTA ROGERS

A

seed doesn’t become a towering maple overnight, but when it’s grown, the tree is worth the wait.

That’s the common sense approach pastor Dennis Hooper has taken with the endowment he’s helped

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G E N E R O S I T Y Fall/Winter 2018

create at First Baptist Church of Cheyenne, Oklahoma.

“The analogy I used in my church is that we’re planting a shade tree,” Hooper explains. “I probably won’t

get to see much benefit from the endowment, but those who come after me sure will.”

It’s that kind of long-term, legacy thinking that prompted Hooper’s

church to take advantage of an endowment gift matching opportunity created by The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. This summer, the Foundation gave away $100,000 in matching gifts to churches across the state. For every $4 a church placed into endowment, the Foundation matched $1, up to a $10,000 maximum.

Endowment builds long-term financial stability while simultaneously meeting short-term needs.

It is designed to multiply a gift far beyond its original amount, creating a perpetual stream of income by annually distributing a portion of the growth of invested funds while preserving the principal.

To take advantage of the full match, First Baptist Cheyenne placed $40,000 into an endowment. The Foundation matched an additional $10,000, for a total endowment of $50,000. In 25 years, Cheyenne’s $50,000 endowment will grow to double its annual distribution from $2,250 to $4,570.

Cumulative annual distributions over a 25-year period would total $82,000—more than $30,000 above the original $50,000 endowment.

“The Foundation is passionate about helping Oklahoma Baptist churches accomplish their mission, which is to touch lives with the Gospel and make disciples of Jesus Christ,” says Mike Romero, the Foundation’s chief development officer. “We’re pleased that the $100,000 available for gift matching

Secure Your Church’s Financial Future

“The Foundation’s 25 percent matching gift offer made creating an endowment a no-brainer. The only thing I regret is that I didn’t start it 25 years ago. I have a degree in business with a major in finance, and I should’ve had the foresight to begin an endowment.

The argument that endowment limits people’s faith in the Lord’s provision is wrong. On the contrary, having an endowment is having confidence that the Lord will provide for future earnings.”

- WADE BURLESON, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Enid, Oklahoma

Distributions

Church Contribution YEAR 1

$2,250

$40 K

distributed

$50,000

Foundation Match

YEAR 25

Endowment

$4,570 IMPACT:

distributed

$82,000

distributed over 25 years

$10 K Projections are net of fees. Assumes 7.5% growth and 4.5% annual distribution.

was claimed so quickly because it demonstrates that churches understand the power of endowment to provide for future generations. I’m excited to see how God uses these funds to further ministry now and for decades to come.”

Romero adds that the Foundation is working to create additional gift matching opportunities so that more Oklahoma Baptist churches

and ministries can benefit from endowments of their own.

“We’ve been talking about a heritage or legacy fund for some time,” says Hooper. “We decided the gift match was such a good offer it got us all excited. I think endowment is wonderful, and we’re very comfortable working with the Foundation because of their commitment to the local church.”

Ask a Foundation planned giving specialist about creating an endowment for your church or ministry today. give@bfok.org

800.949.9988

bfok.org/GiftMatch bfok.org

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Mentors Wanted Many Oklahoma Baptist churches are in decline, but a new generation of pastors is rising to meet the challenge. Who will guide them? Find out why the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma is making mentorship a priority.

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G E N E R O S I T Y Fall/Winter 2018

STORY BY DANA WILLIAMSON AND MIKE SCHUELER PHOTOS BY NICK OXFORD AND HEATHER HORNER

T

he weight of failure rested on Rusty McMullen’s shoulders like an anvil.

Less than two years into his ministry, the then 30-yearold Oklahoma Baptist pastor was grieving a series of broken marriages that had shattered the lay leadership at his small church. Five couples within 18 months. Each had come to him for counseling in a last-ditch effort to stay together. McMullen did what he could, but one by one, all five marriages fell apart.

“Some of these couples had been married for 20 or 30 years. They were leaders in the church,” McMullen remembers. Seminary hadn’t prepared him for this.

Nothing could have. “I was a brand-new pastor. I really had no clue how to shepherd them,” he admits.

“What-if” questions gnawed at McMullen’s heart. Maybe he had said the wrong things. Maybe he wasn’t presenting Scripture clearly. Or maybe he wasn’t supposed to be a pastor at all.

“I believed I had failed so miserably. All these couples came to me for help and they still divorced,” he says.

“I thought, ‘OK Lord, obviously I misunderstood my calling.’”

McMullen felt his only option was to resign. But before taking that last desperate step, he turned to a fellow pastor, friend and mentor—Hance Dilbeck.

Dilbeck leads the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). Although the role requires him to balance a full plate of challenges on behalf of Oklahoma Baptists, one of his great passions is mentoring, training and sending out young pastors.

He says problems like the one McMullen faced are surprisingly common. During Dilbeck’s 30-plus year career as a minister, he has witnessed too many

young pastors walk away from the ministry. Regardless of the circumstances, he says the root cause is usually discouragement.

“In my experience, much of what a mentor does for a young pastor is keep him from quitting,” Dilbeck explains.

That’s exactly what he did for McMullen.

“Hance said to me, ‘Rusty, the problem is that you’ve assumed this ministry belongs to you and not the Lord,’” McMullen remembers. “‘You’ve assumed that you’re the shepherd of the church and that Jesus isn’t.

But your calling isn’t to be shepherd, it’s to be the under-shepherd. Christ is the one that will take responsibility for the good and bad that happens in the church.

He will shoulder the load. What you have to do is be faithful to care for people as best you can and trust Him with the results.’”

Understanding that truth changed the course of McMullen’s life.

“Those words that the Lord spoke through Hance kept me in ministry,” McMullen says. “I would have quit. I had

LEFT: NEW LIFE — Pastor Rusty McMullen grins as 10-year-old Naomi exits the baptistry following her public profession of faith in Jesus at First Baptist Church of McAlester, Oklahoma. ABOVE: ANY GIVEN SUNDAY — McMullen welcomes members and guests with a warm handshake or hug before Sunday morning services at FBC McAlester. bfok.org

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every intention of going home and telling my wife, ‘I’m going to resign this Sunday.’”

But today, seven years later, McMullen is still pastoring. He now leads First Baptist Church in McAlester, Oklahoma, where Dilbeck’s wisdom still echoes.

TOP: IRON SHARPENS IRON — BGCO leader Hance Dilbeck (right) draws on more than 30 years of experience as he mentors young pastors like Rusty McMullen. LEFT: ALTAR CALL — With her mother at her side, 11-year-old Chloe comes forward to receive Christ during a Sunday morning service at FBC McAlester.

RIGHT: SHEPHERDING THE FLOCK — McMullen provides premarital counseling to Troy Meadows and Maggie Homer, who are engaged to be married in 2019.

“I’ve replayed those words countless times in my mind as I face new challenges as a young pastor,” McMullen says.

LEADERSHIP DEFICIT The need for that kind of godly wisdom has never been greater. According to the BGCO, Oklahoma Baptists have witnessed between 11 and 16 percent declines in church membership, worship attendance and baptisms over the past decade.

“We all need godly mentors who can help us grow as a husband and father, in pastoral ministry and ultimately in our relationship with Christ. As a young pastor at my first church, Dr. Dilbeck taught me to focus on caring for and feeding the congregation. Once they know you love them and that you will faithfully feed them God’s Word, you’ve earned the right to lead.”

- NICK JOHNSON, pastor of First Baptist Church, Snyder, Oklahoma

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“We have a deficit of pastoral leadership. We have a lot of feeble churches that need to be strengthened,” Dilbeck says. “One of the primary keys to strong churches is healthy pastors. Not rock stars, but men who have strong, vital relationships with Christ, who have healthy relationships at home, who are committed to the Word and to evangelism.”

But Dilbeck admits leading a church has changed significantly since he was a young pastor, which is why mentors are so important.

“The young pastor has a much more difficult job today,” he says. “He faces more obstacles and a more diverse set of expectations—some external, some self-imposed.

Pastors expect opposition from the world, but not from inside their church. A mentor helps sort through expectations and helps the pastor know what he should respond to and what he should reject as unhealthy and unreasonable.”

Some days the expectations seem overwhelming. Leading a multi-generational church comes with a built-in set of challenges, McMullen says, from worship-style preferences to theological nuances. The competitive nature among churches is difficult, too. McMullen says these things sometimes leave him feeling isolated.

“It’s tough feeling alone, with few friends and no one knowing what I’m going through,” he says. “That, plus the challenges of everyday leadership of a church make my relationship with a mentor like Hance a true blessing.”

Dilbeck understands. He learned the benefits of mentoring firsthand after graduating from high school.

“I had a mentor who was a volunteer youth minister,” Dilbeck recalls. “He knew God had prepared me to serve Him before I did. I was planning to pursue another career when I surrendered to the ministry at Falls Creek, and he said, ‘I’ve always thought God had other plans for you.’”

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YOUR MOVE — Six-year-old Hudson (right) matches wits with his father as his brothers, Beau, 8, and Dax, 6, look on. While fully committed to ministry, McMullen and his wife, Lindsay, are intentional about prioritizing time with their children and each other.

“Dick Radar (pronounced raider), from Oklahoma Baptist University, counseled me the night I made my decision,” Dilbeck continues. “I didn’t have a full sense of what was happening, but I now know he was challenging me, showing confidence in me, mentoring me.” He notes that Radar didn’t spend large amounts of time with him but instead gave him attention at critical moments in his life. “The right touch at the right time makes a difference,” he says.

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being more committed to investing in them through mentoring relationships,” he says.

By the time Dilbeck reached his mid-40s, young men began coming to him for advice.

“Sometimes I think of a young pastor as a tightrope walker who’s trying to walk the rope but doesn’t have the benefit of the balancing bar. Experience is that balancing bar, providing stability. When you don’t have experience, you don’t know what to take seriously and what to ignore.

So, the young pastor may make one of two mistakes.

Either everything is a major catastrophe that they overreact to, or they fail to pay careful attention to a person or issue that does require a significant response.

“It made me realize that one of the ways we meet this need for establishing a new generation of pastors is by

“In many ways, what the mentor provides is encouragement,” Dilbeck adds. “Encouragement is an important

G E N E R O S I T Y Fall/Winter 2018

“A mentor like Hance helps me know my situation is not unique and that others have traveled these roads before. Talking with them helps me avoid some potholes completely and brace myself for bumpy patches in the road ahead that they’ve warned me about.”

- TREY GRAHAM, pastor of First Baptist Church, Cache, Oklahoma

New Testament word that means to be called alongside another. To encourage is to support, comfort, console.

But it also involves challenge, exhortation. It’s an arm around the shoulder, but also a hand in the back, pushing someone forward.”

person sees weakness, disappointment and inconsistency, he gets a realistic expectation of what it takes to be a pastor.”

Dilbeck says the mission of the BGCO is to encourage one another and advance the Gospel, emphasizing that Kingdom work is always relational.

“We want to encourage and facilitate mentoring relationships and raise up pastors who could benefit from being mentored. We also need to open the eyes of established ministers to understand what mentoring is.

It’s not a structural thing, but something that happens naturally. It’s good for young pastors to know they have needs and for experienced pastors to know they can meet these needs.”

McMullen points to an iconic example of mentorship in the New Testament as proof.

“In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructs Timothy about the importance of a mentor,” he says. “It is an ongoing process that doesn’t come to a conclusion but continues indefinitely, relaying knowledge, wisdom and application through one-on-one discipleship. Every believer should have both a mentor and a person they are pouring into. But in pastoral ministry, it is especially vital that younger pastors receive guidance, advice, training and teaching from others who have had success leading healthy ministries.”

As McMullen expresses thanks for the mentoring he’s receiving from Dilbeck, he also shares his desire to mentor others.

MENTORING NOT OPTIONAL The Bible, Dilbeck explains, teaches that the minister of the Gospel has a duty to mentor. “Some are hesitant because they think it will take too much time or they have issues they don’t want others to know about. But it’s a mistake to think a mentor has to be perfect. When a

Support Young Pastors Through The BGCO

“When you shepherd a church, you start seeing the brokenness in people as you’re living life with them,” McMullen says. “The only thing that helped me overcome that was my mentor. I desire to pass on to others what was passed on to me.”

The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) supports the work of more than 1,700 Southern Baptist churches across Oklahoma. Your giving enables the BGCO to mentor, equip and support dozens of young pastors and church planters.

The Foundation’s planned giving specialists can help you leave a gift that will support this work for generations to come. Contact us today to invest in the future of Oklahoma Baptists. give@bfok.org

800.949.9988

bfok.org/give bfok.org

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LEADING BY

EXAMPLE Greg and Karen McNeece knew they needed an estate plan to protect their young family. But what happens when that family grows up?

STORY BY ANNA DELLINGER | PHOTOS BY STEVE CHILDERS

G

reg McNeece couldn’t stop wrestling with the big “what-if” questions. As the father of two young children, he wanted to ensure they’d be taken care of if tragedy struck and left them without their parents.

“If something were to happen to us, we had to have a plan so those left behind would know what needs to be done,” says McNeece, who today serves as president of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. So he and his wife, Karen, created an estate plan through The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma.

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An estate plan maps out critical end-of-life decisions including a will, children’s guardianship, health care directives, and charitable giving. Most plans created through the Foundation are free if a gift is left to ministry in the estate, and the Foundation’s unique online estate planning tool means that much of the process can be completed from home.

The estate plan gave the McNeeces much needed peace of mind, and for years, the couple kept their plan as it was, even as they changed jobs, moved, and watched their children grow. But recently, Greg and Karen realized it

McNeece says. “It was a miracle and an example of how an individual can use their estate plan to be a part of something beyond this life.”

BUILDING A LEGACY — Together with their son, Jackson, Greg and Karen McNeece add the finishing touch to their estate plans: signatures.

was time to make some adjustments. Their eldest son, Jackson, was turning 18, and in addition to updating their own estate plan, they wanted to teach him the importance of preparing for the future.

“We needed to do something that gave Jackson responsibility in this journey. If something were to happen to Karen and myself, he would have some say-so in what came next,” McNeece explains.

So the family again turned to the Foundation, this time to renew their estate plan and walk alongside Jackson as he created his own.

Kathy Lee Hatchett, vice president of estate planning at the Foundation, says life is so busy it’s easy for people to forget to keep their estate plan up-to-date. For example, sometimes a beneficiary will change, or a different guardian becomes a better choice. Charitable donations can also change.

“Our original plan included a ministry which I led in Arizona,” McNeece says. “That ministry has now been absorbed into a state convention’s work, and so in our revision, it’s been taken out.”

Though he admits he is biased, McNeece says the children’s home is an obvious choice for believers interested in making a Kingdom impact long after they are gone.

OBHC meets the needs of children, single moms and parents-to-be, but the most important aspect of their ministry is sharing the Gospel. In 2017 alone, 157 people made a profession of faith in Jesus through the ministry of OBHC. “One hundred and fifty-seven people will now know eternity in Christ because of the work of the OBHC,” McNeece says. “A gift to OBHC touches a child’s today, tomorrow and eternity.”

As proof of that conviction, the McNeeces made OBHC the sole beneficiary of their estate plan once both of their children become adults.

“There’s no regret. We don’t own anything—it’s all the Lord’s, so you give it back to Him completely, without any strings attached,” McNeece says. “I’m just returning what He’s given me to say, ‘Even in my death, it’s still His, and He’s going to use it to change the lives of kids across Oklahoma.’”

As president of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC), McNeece understands the critical role estate gifts play in the work of the children’s home.

In 2017, OBHC was prepared to pull more than $1 million from its reserves to avoid a budget deficit. But an unexpected $1.1 million gift from a woman who made OBHC a beneficiary in her estate closed the budget gap, sparing the organization’s reserves.

“Because of the generosity of that dear lady, we didn’t have to touch one dime of reserves to make our budget,”

HOPE — OBHC provides Gospel-centered homes for more than 200 children and families in need across Oklahoma.

An estate plan is for everyone. It maps out critical end-of-life decisions, provides peace of mind, and helps support ministries like Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. The Foundation makes it easy and affordable. Start your plan online today for free. estateplan@bfok.org

800.949.9988

bfok.org/ProtectMyFamily bfok.org

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New Life FOR A

Dying Church Hunter Parsons didn’t realize he could bring change like the boy with two loaves and five fish.

STORY BY MARGARET COLSON | PHOTOS BY ANNA DELLINGER

F

or 9-year-old Hunter Parsons, the death of his church wasn’t an option.

but I sensed that God would do something special at Franklin,” Parsons says.

His father, Brent Parsons, was the new pastor of Franklin Baptist in Norman, Oklahoma, and the church was in trouble. On his first Sunday, Parsons remembers scanning the congregation from the pulpit as he preached—there were only about a dozen people scattered throughout the small 14-pew sanctuary.

Hunter felt God working, too. Instead of playing outside or watching TV like most boys his age, he wrote a letter for his father to read at the church’s next business meeting.

Instead of being discouraged, he saw potential. “I didn’t know how,

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The letter challenged the church to have 50 people in Sunday worship attendance for four consecutive weeks. If the congregation met the challenge, Hunter promised to give $50 of his own money to an offering

benefiting Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children. The church rose to the occasion, and Hunter gave his $50.

What Hunter and his dad didn’t yet realize was that this missional challenge was the beginning of a chain of events that would breathe new life into the historic church.

“I believe God had a reason to establish our church over 120 years ago, and He had a reason for sustaining it through some lean and difficult times,” Parsons says.

OPPOSITE PAGE: A NEW FAMILY — Nine-year-old Rylee Freudiger is baptized by pastor Brent Parsons, along with her father (background), mother and younger sister.

The entire Freudiger family accepted Christ earlier this year and are now members of Franklin Baptist Church.

From only a dozen members in 2011 to an average of 98 today, Franklin Baptist continues to grow and reach its community.

“I didn’t know how, but I sensed that God would do something special at Franklin,” Parsons says.

As Sunday attendance slowly rose, Franklin’s leadership soon realized that the church needed to expand its facilities to prepare for future growth.

“Without expanded space, it was hard to motivate people to see that we could offer meaningful ministry to entire families,” Parsons explains. Church members voted to remove all existing structures and build a new facility, including a sanctuary, fellowship hall and Bible study space. A loan of over $250,000 from The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma allowed Franklin Baptist Church to construct the new facility.

An unexpected and substantial gift from an Oklahoma City businessman’s estate energized church members to pay off the loan in just three years. “Everyone could see God was at work,” Parsons says.

Soon, with another Foundation loan of $325,000, the church acquired a nearby building which would be remodeled, doubling Franklin’s space, increasing its parking and “lifting the lid on our growth,” Parsons explains.

“Building and purchasing additional space did not guarantee our growth, but neglecting to move ahead in faith would have guaranteed our stagnation and eventual death,” he adds.

“When Hunter gave his offering, it’s not like there was some big ‘boom’ that went off and people just showed up at Franklin,” Parsons says. “But it was a turning point. It’s been a long seven years, but we’ve simply sought to be steadfast and provide godly leadership to keep the church moving forward.”

Parsons credits Robert Kellogg, the Foundation’s president and CEO, and Jerry Vaughan, the Foundation’s chief lending officer, with helping lead Franklin Baptist to focus on the future with the facilities needed to reach the community with the Gospel.

“God made the growth, construction, expansion and renovation at Franklin possible through The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma. What God wants done, He makes a way for. The future of Franklin has never looked brighter,” Parsons says.

Grow Your Ministry With A Loan That Gives Back To Kingdom Causes Our rates are highly competitive, and unlike traditional lenders, the Foundation pours loan interest back into Southern Baptist ministries that touch lives with the Gospel. Apply online today. churchloans@bfok.org

800.949.9988

bfok.org/ChurchLoans bfok.org

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I M B : W E E K O F P R AY E R

LOSING YOURSELF FOR THE LOST

HEALING HANDS — IMB missionary Dr. Larry Pepper performs an ultrasound on a young boy at Kigoma Baptist Hospital in Tanzania.

For Pepper, offering medical help and sharing the hope of the Gospel go hand in hand.

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D

r. Larry Pepper was on trajectory. He was a NASA flight surgeon who was good at his job, active in his church, involved as a dad—and possibly headed for space. It wouldn’t be long before he ended up as a finalist for an upcoming space mission. But God interrupted his plans. As Pepper thought more about his life and its eternal significance, he felt the Lord saying, “You’ve committed everything to Me except your job.” It soon became evident God was calling the rising astronaut to walk away.

“I was beginning to see the world through God’s eyes in terms of lostness,” Pepper explains. “For me, that meant discovering if I could use my medical skills in a way that had more Kingdom impact.”

So more than two decades ago, Pepper, his wife, Sally, and their three children packed up and moved to Africa to serve as missionaries through the International Mission Board (IMB)—first to Uganda, then Lesotho.

Over the years, the Peppers have spent countless hours at the bedside of the sick and hurting, healing bodies and leading souls to lasting hope in Christ.

Recently, God moved the Pepper family again, this time to the Kigoma Baptist Hospital in Tanzania. The humble medical facility lies at the end of a dirt road but is an important lifeline for the surrounding community. At times the need is so great, sick children sleep two or three to a bed. Pepper has even seen critical medical supplies completely run out, like anesthetic drugs for C-sections or suture materials for surgeries.

But those desperate times of need have never lasted long, he adds. Again and again, Southern Baptist churches have stepped up to cover the hospital’s needs, including the construction of a new pediatric wing.

“Churches of all sizes have helped,” Pepper says. “And because they have, we have seen God work to spread the Gospel in amazing ways.”

Over the past 22 years, churches have also supported the Peppers’ work through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the funding source that keeps them on the field. The offering also supports more than 3,600 other Southern Baptist missionaries serving around the world.

“We’re just two people,” Pepper says of himself and Sally.

“But we find that when others get a passion to come alongside us, God uses it to further His Kingdom.”

LEAST OF THESE — A toddler plays in his bed as he awaits medical care in the pediatric wing of Kigoma Baptist Hospital.

PRAY for Larry and Sally to maintain endurance in their medical ministry and have open doors to disciple the people they meet.

PRAY for God to call out more workers to leave the United States and serve among the unreached overseas. Pray for them to be sensitive to His leading and obedient to the call.

PRAY for churches to understand the importance of every dollar spent toward the spread of the Gospel. Pray for generous support of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

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A MIRACLE PARTNERSHIP F

our years ago when IMB worker Mark Brandon* set out to reach a large city in Southeast Asia, Daniel Tuchez was ready. His team wasn’t just the first Hispanic missions group to partner with Brandon in that city—it was the first team, ever. And Tuchez, who serves as pastor of Iglesia Bautista El Shaddai in Jackson, Tennessee, wouldn’t have it any other way.

of Southeast Asia. And Tuchez started encouraging other Hispanic pastors to go, too. He’s since taken pastors from several states overseas with him, and they’ve seen God do amazing things. In the city where Brandon lives, more than 200 people have professed faith in areas the Gospel had never reached, and churches have been planted.

“Pastor Daniel has a real calling and a burden for Asia,” says Jason Carlisle, the IMB’s director of Hispanic mobilization. “He’s very good at mobilizing other pastors and giving them a vision.”

“The very big blessing is that IMB is not just challenging us to go to Latin America,” says Tuchez, who is originally from Guatemala. “They want us to be cross-cultural people who reach the lost in the last frontier.”

Years earlier, Carlisle had encouraged and equipped Tuchez, then started taking him on trips to other parts

*Name changed for security.

PRAY for churches and IMB workers to continue to form partnerships to carry the hope of Christ to unreached people all over the world.

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PRAY for God to continue to call Hispanic churches to engage the world with the Gospel.

THE PATH TO HOPE T

wenty-five million people is enough to fill a small country. That’s how many refugees the world has today, more than ever before in recorded history. They’re on the move across dangerous seas and trekking over mountain ranges. They’re trying to create a new life for themselves in a new place with nothing but the clothes on their back.

And in the midst of this heartbreak, many refugees have walked right into the eternal hope that was waiting for them all along.

IMB workers all over the globe say they are seeing refugees come to faith in Christ in the ashes of their tragedy.

It’s an unprecedented opportunity for the Gospel to reach people from hard-to-reach countries.

That’s why Pastor Bryant Wright says his church, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, has invested heavily in refugee ministry both at home and overseas. In the Atlanta area, members of Johnson Ferry Baptist are walking alongside Syrian Muslim families trying to rebuild their lives. The church has also partnered with IMB workers overseas who are serving as a consistent presence in refugee centers and camps in Europe, Africa and Asia.

“It’s a humanitarian disaster,” Wright says. “It just makes sense to reach out with love.”

PRAY for God to guide the path of refugees to a place where they might find salvation in Christ.

PRAY for churches to step up and engage in ministry to refugees right where they are and through partnerships overseas.

Your Giving Changes Lives With The Gospel Your prayer and gifts through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering support the work of more than 3,600 Southern Baptist missionaries serving around the world. The Foundation’s planned giving professionals can help you multiply your gift’s impact. Contact us today to learn how. give@bfok.org

800.949.9988

bfok.org/give bfok.org

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FOUNDATION NEWS NEW STAFF

PROMOTION

BRIAN LOHREY

BRAD JOHNSON

Director of Church and Association Relations blohrey@bfok.org

Chief Financial Officer bjohnson@bfok.org

Whether on a basketball court or inside a Baptist church, Brian Lohrey’s business is about relationships. Lohrey recently made a radical career change when he left his position as the head basketball coach at New Mexico Junior College and joined the Foundation as the director of church and association relations. He is responsible for connecting with pastors, directors of missions (DOMs) and individual church members to understand their needs and find opportunities for the Foundation to help. This includes a variety of services like church loans and investments, planned giving, endowment and estate planning.

“God made me to love people, and I’m here to invest in relationships that allow churches to grow and the community to experience the love of Christ,” Lohrey says. He and his wife, Lyndsey, have two boys, Malachi, 9, and Josiah, 5.

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Certified Public Accountant isn’t a title typically associated with ministry, but don’t tell that to Brad Johnson. The 35-year-old CPA recently stepped into the role of chief financial officer, where he oversees the Foundation’s $5.4 million budget as well as financial reporting for the more than $450 million in assets the Foundation manages on behalf of hundreds of ministries across the United States. Previously, Johnson served for eight years as Foundation controller. “God’s given me the unique privilege of using my accounting skills so others can focus on frontline ministry—sharing the Gospel, planting churches and meeting the needs of those who are hurting,” he says. Johnson and his wife, Stephanie, have been married for 10 years and live in Edmond with their two children, Caleb, 5, and Tyler, 3. Their family is active at Quail Springs Baptist Church, where Johnson serves as a deacon and chair of the finance committee.

PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTION

PROMOTION

KATHY LEE HATCHETT

KRISTEN KARR, CTFA

Vice President of Estate Planning klee@bfok.org

Among Oklahoma Baptists, the name Kathy Lee Hatchett is synonymous with estate planning.

For more than 23 years, she has helped thousands of Oklahomans create estate plans that protect their families, provide peace of mind for the future, and help support Kingdom causes. In recognition of her experience and expertise, Hatchett was recently named the Foundation’s new vice president of estate planning. “I love helping people in their time of need and impacting the Kingdom at the same time,” she says. Hatchett and her husband, David, live in Edmond and are members of Henderson Hills Baptist Church.

Vice President, Trust Administration kkarr@bfok.org

Kristen Karr, vice president of trust administration, recently earned the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) professional designation. The CTFA is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of wealth management and trust. Karr has served on the Foundation’s trust team for seven years and is passionate about inspiring generosity and multiplying gifts that strengthen ministry. “I love that what I do is for a higher cause,” Karr says. She and her husband, Josh, have two children, Ethan, 3, and Addie, 1. The family lives in Edmond and are members of Henderson Hills Baptist Church.

PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTION

TALLIE THOMPSON, CEP Compliance Officer tthompson@bfok.org

As more Oklahoma Baptists rely on the Foundation’s estate planning services to protect their families and support ministry, the Foundation is expanding its team to meet growing demand. Tallie Thompson, compliance officer, was recently recognized as a Certified Estate Planner (CEP) by the National Institute of Certified Estate Planners. The distinction represents Thompson’s expertise as she guides individuals and families through the estate planning process. “Working with estate planning clients is so fulfilling because I’m helping people gain peace of mind about the future while advancing ministry at the same time,” she says. Thompson lives in Warr Acres and is a member of Council Road Baptist Church. bfok.org

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REMEMBERING

Jim Wilsie Celebrating the life and homecoming of ‘a good and faithful servant’

BY MIKE SCHUELER AND ANNA DELLINGER

J

im Wilsie isn’t a household name in Oklahoma Baptist life, but if you’re involved in ministry, there’s a good chance you’ve benefited from his expertise.

Wilsie served as the Foundation’s chief financial officer (CFO) for 15 years, helping lead the organization’s work to financially support churches and ministries across the state.

He died in April at age 62.

“As CFO, Jim faithfully served Oklahoma Baptists in a role that didn’t receive much public attention or praise. But those weren’t the things he was after,” says Robert Kellogg, Foundation president. “Jim wanted to impact lives with the Gospel, and he used his skills as an accountant to zealously protect the integrity of the Foundation’s financial information. His work ethic and love for the Lord were never in doubt, and his absence is deeply felt.”

Wilsie modernized the Foundation’s financial record keeping, which helped lay the groundwork for a time of tremendous growth. During his tenure, the Foundation more than doubled assets under management, from $199 million to $452 million, and distributed over $100 million to ministries in the past five years alone.

“Jim was down-to-earth, hardworking, and humble.

Whatever help I needed, he was available,” says

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Shryln Treadwell, Foundation chief operating officer.

She remembers Wilsie frequently going above and beyond to care for Foundation colleagues, like always making sure female staff members made it safely to their cars if they left work late. “Jim was a good friend—someone who really cared.”

Outside the office, Wilsie was actively involved at his church, Immanuel Baptist in Shawnee, where he served as a deacon.

He was also a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

“I never once questioned whether he loved me unconditionally or not,” his wife, Debbie, says of the couple’s 41-year marriage.

“When I went through breast cancer, he quoted Joshua 1:9 to me every day. He was a kind, nurturing, patient man.”

As a father, Wilsie’s top priority was to raise his two children in a Christ-centered home.

“He wanted to make sure they knew what it meant to be a Christian, to be generous with Kingdom causes, and to be successful adults,” Debbie adds.

“There’s no one else that believed in me the way that he did,” Wilsie’s daughter, Amy, remembers. “He approached life and relationships with a belief in the goodness of people, and that kindness and generosity could save someone’s life.”

LAST LOOK STANDING FOR CHRIST

Students surround the flagpole at Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Oklahoma, to pray for their classmates, family and their nation during the 28th annual “See You At The Pole” rally.

The Foundation’s planned giving professionals can help you multiply donations that support student ministries on campuses across the state. Contact us today at 800.949.9988 or give@bfok.org to learn how.

HER FUTURE’S

BRIGHT Protect it with an estate plan.

An estate plan maps out critical end-of-life decisions and supports ministry. The Foundation makes it easy and affordable.

GET STARTED AT:

bfok.org/ProtectMyFamily