Oklahoma OUTLOOK | Winter 2024 by Oklahoma District Council of A/G

Oklahoma Outlook WINTER 2024

The Spiritual Health of a

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Contents From our Pastor: Follow the Leader 6 Empowered Together 10 The Spiritual Discipline of Reading the Word 14

Oklahoma Outlook Oklahoma Assemblies of God The Oklahoma Outlook is published by the Oklahoma Assemblies of God. Publisher: Dr. Darryl Wootton Editor: Phil Taylor Designers: Jayson Evans, Chris Ainsworth Contributors: Jamel Crawford , Chris Dow, Kelly Goins, Charles Kinman, Steve Rose, TJ VonWald

The Answer to Anxiety 20

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Oklahoma District Council of the Assemblies of God

Prayer is Essential 28 It’s Okay to Rest 32 Missions Emphasis 37 Upcoming Events 38

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AGCU

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Follow the

LEADER A Message from Our Pastor

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Do you remember playing the game “Follow the Leader” as a child? One person would be the leader while everyone else would have to follow his every move. If the leader ran, the followers ran after him. If the leader climbed up a tree, the followers were his shadow. If the leader did three cartwheels and a back handspring, the followers would do their best to stay in the game by imitating those actions. If the followers couldn’t follow, they were out. In John 1:43, the author records Jesus Christ’s first recruitment of His disciples. He did not pull out a membership card, He did not give them a copy of His bylaws, He did not make them sign a contract with several pages of fine print. He simply said, “Follow Me.” The disciples began their faith journey with the simple words, “Follow me.” They spent the next three and ½ years following Christ on earth and the rest of their lives following Him by the Spirit. Do you remember when God spoke those words to you, “Follow me?” Jesus always wants to guide you into green pastures and beside the still waters. Often in ministry, we begin to follow our own pursuits. Simon Peter did this and denied Jesus. Judas did this and betrayed Jesus. The desire for “earthly success” in ministry and the accolades of our peers can be tempting. The challenge of balancing ministry with family, finances, career, health, parenting, and community involvement can seem impossible. If we are not careful, these temptations and challenges divert our attention from following Jesus. Busy schedules invade prayer times. Ministry calendars steal devotion times. Sometimes, you can look up and wonder, “Where is Jesus in all of this?”

As ministers and leaders, we must be great examples of remaining Spiritually Healthy. The only way to stay spiritually healthy is to spend time with Jesus. We must follow Him! Jesus is still saying, “Follow Me.” I believe my time in prayer with Jesus is my most effective ministry. The best gift you can give to your spouse, children, family, congregation, and community is to STAY CLOSE TO JESUS. This requires time in prayer and in the Word. If it’s been a while since you’ve been with Jesus, stop reading this article and start praying right now. I believe if you listen today, in a gentle whisper, you’ll hear the voice of the Master speak those same words to you that he Spoke to Phillip, Peter, and Nathanael. He’ll say these words, “Follow Me.” Perhaps you heard those words from the Master many years ago. Are you still following, or have you strayed from the straight and narrow path He guided you on? The old bumper sticker says, “If God’s your co-pilot, you better swap seats.” Christ should be the Pilot of your life, not your co-pilot. He should be your CEO. He should be your guide. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Today, why don’t you follow the Leader! His name is Jesus.

Dr. Darryl Wootton OKAG Superintendent

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EMPOWERED TOGETHER Rev. Charles W. Kinman, PhD, LMFT (retired) “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity…” (John 17:20-23) The book of Acts reflects the heartbeat of the church, everyday people living with God among them. As He lived among their believing hearts, our Lord accomplished His purpose of establishing an integrated people who were eager to serve Him and do good in His name.1 God intended these people to work together in a unified purpose, making them the strongest sociological force on earth, not by might, but by the power of His Spirit in us. This flourishing fellowship provides the most enriching environment to encourage our spiritual health. In Oklahoma, our superintendent, who pastors us, says, “We are better together!” This is not just a slogan or cliché. His vision for us fulfills God’s purpose of inviting us to gather in close fellowship. Jesus prayed His direct purpose in John 17 for His disciples and those of us who would believe their message. He had intentionally “given” something to accomplish the close connection of believers to one another—so we may be one as He and the Father are one. Today, we as God’s people experience His purposes (Eph. 1:3-12), both individually and corporately, to know Him as the “Father.” Our embrace of this relational connectivity

transforms us into His children in the oneness of the Kingdom family. Through that unity, He intended us to know Him and be known by Him through the same love shared between Jesus and Himself (John 17:23). How can two different people become “one?” God fashioned all living things to interact relationally and environmentally to survive, reproduce, and achieve higher order. All the world has followed this. Throughout history, cultures have attempted to collect and preserve knowledge in libraries from many fields of study and experience. These data stores would provide foundations for future generations on which to build. Collective wisdom connected whole societies together with principles that stabilized and allied people. As people learned the same information and skills, their ability to work together increased, providing them with progressive connectivity. New knowledge reformed people’s practices and thus changed how their lives interacted with others. Recent discoveries in neurobiology reveal some of God’s intentional design for this connection. Beginning with basic parts of the brain, Daniel Siegel, a renowned neurobiological researcher, stated, “With a left and right hemisphere physically separated and functionally differentiated, we can achieve more adaptive function if we come to integrate them into a whole. This is how, I believe, creativity emerges not from one side or another, but from their integration.”2 This complex science proves individual well-being and maturity increases the more this collaborative integration process takes place. We are smarter when we use both sides of our brain. Relationally, this concept is writ large. One example shows that men work mainly from the left brain, and women act primarily from the right. The left is more purpose-orientated and linear in function. The male brain appears more differentiated, allowing the separate

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regions to work more in-depth on their own. Men generally gather for a specific purpose (e.g., cars, hunting, sports), and friendship revolves around activities. A male’s linear processing makes him good at getting a job done and solving problems.3 The right brain works more relationally and is emotionally sensitive. Karen, my wife of 52 years, enjoys her capacity to invite and strengthen relationships. She encouraged me greatly in ways to develop my relationship with our children. Women are more likely to discuss issues involving the dynamics of connection with one another on a broader scale than men. They tend to think more in terms of nurturing relational connections. This function facilitates our need to draw close to God in loving relationship and to show His compassion to the world.4 So, if men work primarily from the left brain and women from the right when they work together, they form one mind. God clearly intended for husband and wife to work together to learn the art of cherishing. Scripture repeatedly draws comparisons to a husband’s protective love and a wife’s devotional caring to reveal a more complete picture of God’s own heart. How, then, do two actually become one? In 2005, the validation of mirror neurons on the frontal cortex of the brain confirmed that we absorb another’s emotional content through empathetic connection. This empathy generates memory and increased brain development. I have often asked parents if they felt a hurt when their children fell to the ground. They always do and never forget it. How do they receive that physical information? “Mirror properties of the nervous system provide an important window into examining the nature of culture and how shared ritual behaviors within our families, schools, and communities enable us to resonate with each other’s internal states, including intentions”5 Our ability to feel one another provides the means of knowing and being known by another. This emotional information from the mirror neurons provides a means for compassion to be experienced. When Jesus saw people suffering, He knew something about them and felt compassion. Three actions affect this outcome: presence, attunement, and resonance.

1. PRESENCE IS UNDISTRACTED CARE GIVEN TO ANOTHER. It is listening fully. When a pastor prays for someone with focused attention, he or she hears where the other person is in their need. We compassionately join with them there to pray effectually. Think of the impact of the opposite: if we are not present, faith is not shared, and the person’s hope diminishes. How do you feel when you are sincerely talking to someone who’s checking their phone? This lessens the construction of conscious memory, distracting from connective knowing.6 When establishing new forms 12

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of worship while in exile, the Lord instructed Ezekiel to tell the Israelites, “On the Sabbaths and New Moons the people of the land are to worship in the presence of the Lord…” (Ezk. 46:3). The Lord invites us into His presence undistracted to appropriately worship Him with due honor. Thus, we honor another by giving them our focused attention.

2. ATTUNEMENT OCCURS WHEN ONE PERSON EXPERIENCES ANOTHER’S FEELINGS BEING EXPRESSED. While praying, we become aware of someone’s need as if we share the weight with them. Both are present in a state of mind and emotion. When two are gathered in such a manner, Jesus joins with them in shared consideration (Matt. 18:20). The context of that passage suggests how a brother or sister is restored in a relationship by making an effort to attune with each other. Family therapists view a parent’s ability to empathize with their children as one of the most helpful attributes that strengthen a child’s well-being and relational skills.

3. RESONANCE MOVES US BEYOND UNDERSTANDING AND INTO ENGAGEMENT. I am not just feeling the other person; my neuro circuitry moves me to an action of compassion and genuine interest. When Jesus felt compassion for the crowds following Him, He told the disciples to feed them.7 Imagine the impression left on the little boy (possibly Mark) who gave up his lunch for the miraculous event. Resonance makes two a part of one system of knowledge and beliefs. As Siegel suggests, “Two ‘me’s’ become a ‘we’.”8 As believers, we can encourage one another with the common knowledge and experience of our salvation in Christ and our hope in His promises. When Karen and I are sweetly greeted at various churches we visit, we always feel at home because of attuned resonance with the fellowship. These three neurobiological actions create the essential condition of trust. No one feels spiritually healthy without trust in what we believe. This by-product of trust enables pastors to engage members freely and to heal, encourage, and strengthen people in God’s purposed love. To practice empathetic connection as we have discussed:

• A person must first suspend judgment concerning the

other person’s feelings and experience in order to be present. Upset people do not always accurately express their feelings at first, so one must listen deeper and with patience. And because we can feel them, suspending our judgment, not eliminating it, just suspending, we make more space in our head and heart for shared meaning. As well, we are more able to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say and to guide us. Suspended judgment in presence honors another’s voice.

• As we attune with understanding, it is important to

validate what another is experiencing. “Wow, that sounds scary. Seems you would feel very unsafe.” Such acknowledgments help regulate emotions in complex matters. No arguments. Inappropriate reactions, such as judgment or criticism, create further damage. We have all made this mistake at least once. Attuned affirmation of another’s feelings, you “get it,” promotes emotional and spiritual healing through the mirror properties9 and the Holy Spirit’s input.

• In such attuned connection, we are moved to extend

an invitation to closeness or further communication. We often offer to pray for them or give care. This process builds meaning around bonding experiences that define the relationship. To give and to answer an invitation is one of the sweetest and most satisfying of all connections—both parties are connected because they want to be. There is little question of belonging.

The everyday people in Acts were a symphony to the world that articulated God’s designed melody of the heavenly Family. They carried out extraordinary events in an unbelieving society to demonstrate God’s power to connect us. He called on simple folk and educated leaders, both male and female, to show that His Kingdom develops in the hearts and minds of those who love Him. When we pray compassionately for another or share the inspiration of Scripture in mutual thinking, isn’t it a glorious moment in Christ, Him in us, and us in Him? This collaboration in our design empowers those for whom Jesus prayed. Collectively, we fulfill the enfolding unity that reflects God’s love for Jesus to be the same as for us.10 In Oklahoma, we are empowered together. Dr. Kinman recently retired from 30 years as a pastoral marriage & family counselor and 20 years as a professor at Northwest University. He is a military veteran of nine years, and now serves the Oklahoma district as an encourager. The Kinmans live with their family in Newalla.

• Resonance is expressed in the connections of mean-

ing shared from bonding experiences and common rituals. How much meaning is voiced and exchanged in church on Christmas and Easter? Empathetic connections interweave suspended judgment, validation, invitation, and meaningful connection to support the spiritual and emotional dynamic of a Christian community. Thus, trusting such interaction releases brothers and sisters to feel free to contribute to the unifying purposes that glorifies our God in His love for us.

In a symphony, each instrument must play its part to compose the music you hear. Musicians submit to the orchestration of the conductor. Each brings his or her training, skill level, and style to interact with other musicians and instruments. Within their collaboration, a corollary melody emerges we call a song. One song is distinguished based on the resonance from the many parts of the orchestra.

Titus 2:14v

Siegel, D. J. (2007) The mindful brain: Reflection and attunement in the cultivation of well-being. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. Page 46. 2

3 Crabb, L. (1991). Men and Women: Enjoying the Difference. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. Page 83. 4

Crabb, (1991), p 84.

Siegel, (2007), p. 167.

Siegel, D. J. (2012) The Developing Mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are, 2nd Ed. New York: the Guilford Press. “Without focal attention, items are not encoded explicitly.” Page 63.

Matt. 14:13-21; Mk. 6:32-44; John 6:1-13.

7 8

Siegel, (2012), p. 308.

Siegel, (2012), i.e. Contingent communication. pp.93-96; 133; 143.

John 17:23

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The Spiritual Discipline of

READING

The WORD Chris Dow

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT? “Pastor, what do you think about the upcoming election?” “Pastor, what do you think is the best style of education?” “Pastor, how do you feel about vaccines?” “Pastor, what is your opinion on artificial intelligence?” “Pastor, should I be worried about climate change?” Ministers are guaranteed to get requests for opinions on a variety of topics. Some questions come from curious people seeking wisdom on important issues. Others are submitted as a litmus test to see if you are “the right kind of pastor” for the questioner. The diversity of questions that face the average minister can create a desire to become an expert on everything. The temptation to become an expert on everything might be one of the greatest distractions facing the modern minister. It can lead us down rabbit holes that are not essential to our calling. There is a documentary, online group, subreddit, blog, book, or Wikipedia page for all 14

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the questions we have encountered and all the questions we have never even considered. What begins as a passing question can turn into hours of lost time and wasted energy. At best, knowledge expeditions, though at times somewhat beneficial, become distractions from our primary calling as ministers. At worst, becoming an expert on everything is an impossible goal that will leave a minister exhausted and frustrated.

REMEMBER YOUR CALLING In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul writes to encourage and instruct the second generation of ministers in the new Christian community. Paul calls the attention of every minister to the priority of the Word. He writes in 2 Timothy 4:2, 2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. Paul reminds us that the call to ministry is always a call to the Word. This is a timeless command that transcends location and culture for every minister from that day to this. We are called to be students of the Word. We live under the authority of the Word. We preach the Word. We teach the Word. We counsel with the Word. We seek guidance from the Word. We pray the Word. We disciple others to be people of the Word. We strive to build and lead churches founded and grounded in the Word.

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As ministers of the Word, we must give our energy and devotion to the Word. We cannot confuse our calling or obscure our obligation. Our first calling is not to be a social commentator, a political pundit, an educational expert, a keyboard warrior, a medical analyst, a marketing guru, or a leadership expert. When lesser pursuits distract us from our primary calling, we will exhaust our souls and bring harm to those whom God has called us to lead. This does not mean that, as ministers, we bury our heads in the sand of scripture or are ignorant of the days in which we live. We are aware of the pressing questions, current conversations, and concerns of the day, but we filter everything through the Word of God. It is not our job to teach everyone what we think about everything. It is a minister’s privilege to show others how current issues, questions, problems, fears, doubts, anger, and worry are answered with the timeless wisdom of the Scriptures. We have a different responsibility than politicians, influencers, podcasters, and authors. We are called to the Word, so we bring the truth and hope of the Word into every situation. If you are an exhausted minister, is your exhaustion rooted in a desire to be an expert on everything for everyone? Are you wearing yourself out trying to carry responsibilities that are not God-given? Are you bearing the weight of trying to be the one with all the answers when God has asked you to simply point others to The Answer? If so, returning to your calling as a minister of the Word will breathe fresh air into your mind, body, and soul. As you reengage with the Word and recommit to your calling, you will find the Word ministering to your soul even as you minister to others. Paul’s advice to Timothy contains a few wonderful reminders of how we can develop the spiritual discipline of reading the Word that will sustain us and overflow to those we serve.

THE DISCIPLINE OF READING THE WORD Ministers who develop the discipline of reading the Word have embraced Paul’s command to preach the Word. As a formerly devout Jew thoroughly educated in the Torah, Paul assumed that a teacher or preacher would live a scripture-saturated life. Paul had no context for a minister who only reads the Word when searching for content for a sermon or teaching. Ministers serious about the scriptural command to preach the Word know that such preaching is only possible when daily experiences with the Word are embraced. Ministers who preach the Word are ministers who memorize, pray, study, consider, discuss, and internalize the Word. Paul assumed that we cannot preach what we do not know, we cannot share what we do not possess, and we cannot lead others into experiences of truth and life that we have not embraced. The command to preach the Word contains an implicit command to be a person of the Word. 16

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Paul also tells Timothy to be prepared. This implies living in a state of readiness to preach, which is fueled by daily experiences with the scriptures. Ministers cannot wait for a moment of crisis to turn to the Word. Ministers do not need the urgency of a sermon or ministry opportunity to consider the present-day application of the Word. Prepared ministers are always preparing. Every day is an opportunity to read, learn, and grow. Preparation always includes discipline. The daily discipline of reading the Word is the best way to stay prepared to preach the Word. The emphasis on this daily spiritual discipline continues when Paul tells ministers to be ready in season and out of season. Being ready in season and out of season means it is always scripture season. There is no off-season with the Word. There are no breaks or sabbaticals from the Word. We are created with a need for daily bread from God’s Word. We are designed to hear the consistent voice of the Holy Spirit through the scriptures. We are people of the Word every single day. When the Word is the source of our preaching and part of our daily experience, we naturally utilize the scriptures to correct, rebuke, and encourage. The Bible always has practical present-day application. The Word will correct us when we are wrong. The Word will rebuke us when we are rebellious. The Word will encourage us when we are down. God will also use the Word to achieve these purposes through our ministry.

The discipline of reading the Word will also create great patience and a desire for careful instruction in life and ministry. Scripture teaches us to be patient with others as God has been patient with us. We patiently correct, patiently rebuke, and patiently encourage. This spiritual discipline of reading the Word will keep our hearts soft towards God and others. We will recognize the sacred responsibility we have been given to know the Word, love the Word, and share the Word. We will carefully and effectively teach others that the Word is the best source of instruction in every season and for every need.

I once had a conversation with a man pursuing a call to ministry. He wanted to embrace daily Bible reading but was struggling with fears of legalism. He did not want to go through the motions of reading the Bible without a passionate heart. To combat his fear of legalism, he adopted the practice of only reading the Bible when he really felt like it. But guess what – he rarely felt like it! His scripture reading was sporadic and frustrating. He would go deep into a passage one day and then not read the Bible for days or weeks while he waited for his next round of inspiration.

Once we have developed this spiritual discipline, we want to ensure it remains part of our daily experience. This isn’t just a calling for new ministers or young ministers. The call to the Word is a call to a life-long experience in the scriptures.

As we discussed his dilemma, he realized that spiritual discipline is not the same as legalism. The discipline of reading the word is not mindless participation in a religious ritual. It is a mature decision that the Word is a good and necessary gift from God that must be embraced and applied regardless of our feelings. The daily discipline of reading the Word creates space for us to receive the benefits and blessings accompanying a scripture-soaked life and ministry.

FIND YOUR RHYTHM How do we take Paul’s advice and make the scriptures a part of our daily experience? Paul doesn’t get into the details of how we do it. This means we have the freedom to experiment with the most effective ways to incorporate the Word daily. What works for one might be completely different than what works for another. Some of us love the routine of annual Bible reading plans, while others find them stifling and boring. Many people love reading in the same chair, with the same coffee mug at the same time of day, but others prefer spontaneity and flexibility. I have friends who prefer to listen to an audio Bible as they drive, others who insist on a paper Bible in a particular translation, and some who demand a digital version that checks boxes as they complete each chapter. If any, all, or some combination of those work for you, then go with it! Developing a rhythm of reading the Word is about finding and doing what works for you. You are a minister of the Word, not a minister of one prescribed method for reading the Word. Don’t just adopt what your mentor does if it doesn’t fit you. Don’t be boxed in or discouraged by someone else’s model. You’re a mature, Spirit-filled Christ follower capable of discovering and implementing a daily discipline of scripture reading that is most beneficial for you. If daily bible reading has been a struggle for you, don’t give up! Keep experimenting until the Holy Spirit leads you to the rhythm that works for you.

When we welcome the Word into each day, we give the Holy Spirit more material to work with as He leads, guides, corrects, and encourages us. The more we develop this spiritual discipline, the more often the Holy Spirit will bring the Word to our minds at the right time. When we embrace the discipline of scripture reading, we dig deeper wells of wisdom, knowledge, and insight that will make us more effective ministers. When we try to read the Bible daily, we renew our minds and cleanse our souls with the truth of who God is and who we are.

THE DISCIPLINE OF READING THE WORD IS CONTAGIOUS Ministers always impact the places we serve. When we embrace the discipline of reading God’s Word, that practice becomes contagious in the communities where we minister. This is something we want other people to see in us and imitate! Our hope as ministers is to introduce others to a vibrant relationship with God where they hear His voice and do what He says. As you teach others to love the Word, you teach them to hear God’s voice. As you show others how to apply the Word, you demonstrate how to do what God says. The spiritual discipline of reading the Word is one of the best gifts you can share with others because the Word is God’s gift to us.

JUST DO IT Once you discover what works best to make the Word part of your daily life, keep doing it! Don’t give up if you miss a day or two or seven. Don’t give into distraction, discouragement, or any other deception designed to keep you away from the scriptures.

Chris Dow is the Lead Pastor at Christian Chapel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is married to Angie and has three children.

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The Answer to

ANXIETY

By Dr. Steven M. Rose

As a pastor, experiencing anxious moments reminds me of Mrs. Monroe’s experience as a mother of eight children who lives in Darlington, Maryland. She arrived home to discover the house was quieter than usual. She peered into her living room and noticed five of her extremely quiet kids sitting in a circle and doing something. Mrs. Monroe slipped over to her kids and saw them playing with five of the most adorable skunks imaginable. Feeling extreme anxiety, she screamed, “Run, children, run!” Each kid grabbed a skunk and ran. She screamed louder. It scared the children so much that each one squeezed their skunk. We all know what skunks do when they are squeezed. Often, church leaders look within their circles and experience extreme anxiety. And it stinks!

THE ANXIETY ATTACK Hezekiah was twenty-five when he began his reign over Judah. Scripture states, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 18:3 ESV). But even though Hezekiah fully trusted the Lord, “the king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them” (13).

Hezekiah gave the enemy all the silver in the Temple storehouse and palace treasury. He even stripped the gold from the doors and doorposts of the Temple, but the enemy wanted more. The king of Assyria demanded full surrender, or his army would attack. Anxiety engulfed Hezekiah. He “tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth” (2 Kings 19:1). Hezekiah experienced anxiety, even though he did the right thing and sought to please the Lord. Yes, anxiety can be the result of disobedience, but many times, anxiety happens to believers who are living in total obedience to the Lord.

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING ANXIETY? Medical News Today notes, “Anxiety is a complex response to real or perceived threats.”1 Healthline states, “It’s a natural process that every person deals with at one time or another. People often use anxiety as a blanket term for a general feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.”2 Anxiety is a normal part of life, but many pastors daily face excessive anxiety, fear, terror, and panic. It can short-circuit the lives of leaders. Fear of loss is at the root of anxiety. Many pastors experience mental exhaustion trying to please God and all those around them. Leaders can feel trapped inside their heads, with no way out. Feelings of despair can be distressing, debilitating, and deadly. A few years ago, my wife and I were asleep in bed when our security alarm began to sound. The alarm showed www.okag.org

glass breakage in our family room, so we thought a prowler had broken into our home. Police were dispatched, and we were told to lock ourselves in our bedroom. We felt the grip of extreme anxiety.

ANSWER #3: WAIT ON THE LORD.

The police arrived and circled the house. When they found nothing, they came inside to search for an intruder. Suddenly, we spotted the source of our anxiety. We had just decorated for Christmas. A picture of Santa Claus had fallen off the mantle and set off the glass breakage sensor. We experienced extreme anxiety over Santa Claus!

Waiting on the Lord stands as the most important key to overcoming anxiety. Prophetically, Isaiah saw that Hezekiah would be victorious over the King of Assyria. The enemy would return home and eventually “fall by the sword in his own land” (2 Kings 19:7). Sure enough, the king of Assyria was called back to deal with invading enemies. Still, he sent a message back to Jerusalem that he would be back to destroy them. Notice how Hezekiah responded to the crisis moment that caused him great anxiety.

But I hear you saying, “My anxiety feels very real! I feel like I have lost my health, my wealth, and my mind. I feel trapped in feelings of worthlessness and worry.”

2 Kings 19:14 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord.

Three Answers to Overcoming Anxiety

Hezekiah spread the problem before the Lord and waited. As you share your anxious moments with God, He listens, helps you process what is occurring, and comes to your aid.

Believers are never trapped by the enemy.

ANSWER #1: REALIZE YOUR FATHER CARES ABOUT YOU. Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:25, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body.” That great passage of scripture concludes by stating, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (33-34). Jesus commanded believers not to be anxious because we are valuable in God’s eyes, and He will provide what we need. As I read scripture, I realize that through Jesus, I can overcome all things – including feelings of anxiety.

ANSWER #2: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH CARING PEOPLE. Hezekiah surrounded himself with great men. Eliakim, his household manager; Shebna, his secretary; Joah, the recorder (2 Kings 18:37); his senior priests (2 Kings 19:2); and even the prophet Isaiah merged their efforts to help him through his anxious moments. Every leader must learn to talk through tough moments at the right time, place, and with the right people. As caring people pray with you and speak encouraging wisdom into your life, you can overcome the heavy weight of anxiety. Don’t be too proud to be real. Remember, we are better together!

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King David knew how to wait on the Lord. In the Psalms, David poured out his anxiety before God, experienced a loving Father, and found help. David waited on the Lord until his anxiety turned to victory! Hezekiah waited on the Lord until he experienced victory over anxiety. Isaiah delivered a word to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Your prayer to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard” (20).

YOU CAN CONQUER ANXIETY BY WAITING ON THE LORD. Isaiah 40:30: Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Waiting on the Lord is trusting in the Lord as you pray it through and gain new strength. Waiting on the Lord will bring peace to a troubled mind. Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

HEZEKIAH WAITED ON THE LORD AND WON THE VICTORY. 2 Kings 19:35: And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

God heard us! The next day, I preached at the church plant and informed them we would not submit our names. When we arrived home, three Kansas churches had called, and the rest was history. Soon, at twenty-five years of age, I was building a new church in Liberal, Kansas, and in less than three years, I was elected as the state youth director. God took my anxiety and defeated my enemies as I waited on Him. Are you feeling anxious? (1) Realize your Father cares about you. (2) Surround yourself with caring people. But most of all, (3) Wait on the Lord, and you will renew your strength. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323454#what-is-anxiety (accessed January 23, 2024).

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/ how-to-cope-with-anxiety#:~:text=Anxiety%20is%20the%20 body%27s%20response,worry%2C%20nervousness%2C%20 or%20unease (accessed January 23, 2024).

Hezekiah’s enemy, the king of Assyria, was eliminated as his own sons “struck him down with the sword” (36) Hezekiah didn’t lift one finger against the enemy. Years ago, while serving a church in Springfield, Missouri, I slipped my letter of resignation under my senior pastor’s door. In six weeks, I would be without income. I had been married for one year, had a car payment, and was building a brand-new home. We looked at every open church, including a new church plant in Kansas City. After a Saturday of touring it, I realized the present pastor was not ready to resign. I loved Kansas City but knew we would not go there. Overwhelmed with anxiety, my wife and I went to bed early that evening. I wanted that day to be over. In a cheap motel with thin walls, we cried to the Lord. We prayed in the Spirit and didn’t care who heard us. As we waited on the Lord, we turned our anxiety over to Him.

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Searching for

PEACE Kelly Goins

Peace is the subject of headlines and posts all over the world today. For those of us in the ministry, it is as sought after as Stanley Tumblers were the week before Christmas. Billy Graham once said the Bible references three understandings of peace: spiritual peace – peace between God and man; psychological peace – peace within; and relational peace – peace among mankind. But where can I find REAL peace, and what must I do to get it? On July 28, 2021, my wife Lisa and I traveled from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. We had picked up our 1-year-old granddaughter and headed back home when tragedy struck. Although we were not at fault, we were involved in a fatality auto accident. There was an elderly gentleman who lost his life. I jumped out to help him, only to hold him in my arms as he passed. My wife was left with a four-inch laceration across her forehead, and I was left with the guilt of wondering if there was anything I could have done differently that could have changed the outcome and this gentleman would still be alive.

Being in the ministry, I’ve been around death all my life. In high school, I would get excused from classes to play the organ at a local funeral home and sometimes even drove one of the limousines at 17 years old. I’ve been in hospital rooms when saints took their last breath, but this was different. This shook me emotionally. For reasons I can’t explain, I could not get the day’s events out of my head. The next morning, Lisa’s father came to check on her, but I couldn’t come downstairs to even greet them. I couldn’t retell the story without breaking down. The accident wasn’t my fault. There was nothing I could have done to prevent it, but I still felt the loss. As I write now, some 18 months later, I still get emotional retelling the story. While Lisa’s family was downstairs, I went back to my study and began to cry. Being a pastor is hard enough without tragedies rocking me to my core. I sat in my chair, closed my eyes, and whispered the only name I knew that could bring me real peace. “J-e-s-u-s… J-e-s-u-s…” With every breath, I said His name again. The more I said it, the more I felt my pain release and my worry dissolve. The more I said His name, the more I felt the “peace that passes all understanding” (Phil 4:7 NIV) fill the room where I was sitting. Throughout my life, running to Jesus has been the only thing I have found that brings peace.

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JESUS IS THE ONE WHO GIVES PEACE. John records some of Jesus’ last words of instruction to his disciples, preparing them for His departure. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV). These three sentences contain some eternal truths that will help us find peace. Let’s look at them in more detail. First, Jesus uses the pronouns “I” and “my,” obviously referring to Himself. These are personal pronouns that tell us that Jesus is the one who gives peace. We do not find this kind of peace. We are given this type of peace. That’s interesting to note because often we feel we can find peace if our situation would change: our boss would quit riding us, our spouse would stop nagging us, the bill would be magically paid, or our kids would see more value in us instead of all the drama they create in our lives. Whatever momentary peace we get from our efforts is short-lived because we cannot control our own peace, nor can our peace be contingent on the fickle decisions of others. Besides, I wouldn’t even need God if I could control my own peace. But that’s not the case. If peace comes from me, then it’s weak at best, but if peace comes from Jesus, then I know that’s a peace I can count on. This is the spiritual peace that Billy Graham refers to. When we receive spiritual peace, we also receive psychological and relational peace. In the following sentence, Jesus contrasts the peace He gives to the peace “the world gives.” I have often concluded that the word “peace” is inferred here to read, “I do not give to you [peace] as the world gives.” However,

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the Greek word for peace is not included in this sentence. Why? Because Jesus knew that the world could not produce “peace.” The world produces pleasure or comfort but not lasting peace. John instructs us later in his writings by describing what the world has to offer: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:15-17 NIV). Pleasures are external and short-lived, but peace is internal and is from God. You can find temporary peace by eliminating war or conflict, but it’s not lasting because the ones controlling it are of the world. The peace that Jesus gives is lasting because it is offered by the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 6:9 NIV), the only one who can offer real peace, lasting peace that soothes the soul. The peace that Jesus gives is lasting. We may return to conflict or turmoil because we are human, but the peace that Jesus gives is also refillable. And there is a never-ending supply.

PEACE WITH A PURPOSE Second, the focus turns to humankind in the third sentence of this verse when Jesus defines the result of His peace: to bring comfort to our hearts and reduce fear. Here, Jesus assures us that His peace has a purpose. So, did Jesus set me up to be in a fatality accident just to make a point? Absolutely not, but He didn’t save me from it. Sometimes, God will allow you to go through things so that you’ll slow down in traffic, stop texting while you drive, have more compassion on those who experience loss, or take inventory of your life. Many times, God doesn’t eliminate the trial, but He’ll give you the grace to go through it. For me, He’s most often teaching me to depend more on Him and stop trying to do it all on my own.

When my wife and I planted Heartland Church (now LifeSpring Church) in Norman, we had a conflict in the church that caused me many sleepless nights and lots of prayer and fasting. After the conflict was resolved and life returned to normal, another unrelated issue arose. I just got out of the last conflict, and here comes another one. I asked the Lord, “Why is it that when everything gets going well, I get thrown back into conflicts?” I sensed the Lord say to me, “If you would run to me as much in the good times as you do the bad times… you would experience more good times and less bad.” Alright, I get it. Peace comes when I run to God instead of trying to solve my problems on my own. I’ve always been intrigued by the unhurried pace of Dallas Willard, University of Southern California scholar and author. Willard said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict — it’s “shalom” or fullness of life. Peace is a rest of will that comes from divine assurance about how things will turn out” (soulshepherding.org). When I look at my future, it’s easy to feel the need to work harder or save more money. But when I can open my life to the peace of God, I find that anxiety and worry leave, and peace rises to the top. Okay, cut to the chase…How do you receive this peace? I think the answer is back in that text. But move back a few verses. The answer is found in verse 26. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV). That’s it! Did you hear it? God the Father will send the Holy Spirit, representing Jesus, to give you peace. Jesus uses a Greek word translated as counselor or comforter five times to describe the Holy Spirit in John’s Gospel. The Holy Spirit’s job is to bring comfort and peace internally into our lives. One Saturday night, I found myself in my backyard praying over the message I was struggling with for Sunday morning. Have you ever been there? I was second-guessing what God had put in my heart to share with the congregation. To be honest, I was feeling pretty defeated. The weight and expectations of ministry were causing me to ask God, “Why?” My family had given me a chiminea as a gift, and I enjoyed burning pinion wood in it and just unwinding. So, that night, I sat and tried to get the fire started so I could enjoy the smell and ambiance of the fire, but after several minutes, I just gave up.

lead a church.” And now, to make matters worse, a storm was blowing in, and in a matter of a few seconds, the wind began to blow hard from seemingly out of nowhere! I was wearing a hoodie, and I put the hood over my head, ducked my head down, and just sat there. I remember thinking, “God, do you even know who I am? Do you even care about my situation or Faith Church?” Just then, I heard a pop and saw a faint flash of light. When I looked up, the fire I thought had gone out had ignited, and the wood was fully engulfed in flames. The wind had blown across the tiny embers I didn’t even know were there, and now the fire was blazing. I felt the Lord say to me, “I’m not through with you yet. I will cause the wind of the Holy Spirit to blow across the embers of your life and set you ablaze once again.”

HOW DO I GET PEACE? Find a place where you can get in the presence of the Holy Spirit. It might be outside in nature or a quiet room, just somewhere you have no schedule, no phone, no agenda, no distractions, just Jesus. Now, tell Jesus what you need. Ask Him to show Himself to you. Ask Him to take your worry, stress, failures, and pain and replace it with joy, love, hope, peace, and rest. You will find the Holy Spirit will bring you into God’s presence, which was made possible through the open door that Jesus provided. You can have access to God’s presence and receive peace. When Jesus is in the room, everything changes. He hasn’t given up on you. Get alone with Him. You will find there is peace in God’s presence.

Kelly Goins is Lead Pastor at Faith Church in Tulsa where he has served for the past 20 years. Kelly and his wife Lisa, live in Broken Arrow. Kelly holds a MA from Oral Roberts University and a DMin from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, bow hunting, fly fishing, and cooking - in that order.

The starter sticks would not ignite for whatever reason, and whatever little flame appeared would quickly fizzle out. This didn’t help my state of mind. It just contributed to my frustration with the church, feeling like it wasn’t going anywhere, feeling like it may be time for me to move on. My life felt as cold and wet as that pinion wood I was trying to start. My fire was out, and I felt like quitting. I remember thinking, “I can’t even start a fire, much less

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PRAYER Essential is

Jamel Crawford

What is your daily prayer habit? If prayer is a spiritual habit of successful pastors and world-changing leaders, why do pastors and leaders pray less? The Maclellan Foundation surveyed the prayer lives of Christian leaders. The results of the survey were never released due to the alarming results. There was a gap between the number of ministers and leaders not praying. There is a difference between talking about prayer and practicing prayer. Is it possible that many pastors, ministers, and leaders talk about praying but don’t practice praying?

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Six months ago, I tore my Achilles tendon while playing basketball. After successful surgery, I began doing physical therapy. During physical therapy, I was reminded that my core (muscle core) is critical to my recovery. Core refers to the central or most important part of something. The muscle core is the central part of your body. It includes your pelvis, lower back, hips, and stomach. Without a healthy core, you cannot properly stand, walk, or move as you are accustomed. Your core is the foundation for your movement. In the same way, prayer has to be the central and most important part of your daily spiritual habit. We must cultivate a lifestyle of prayer. Prayer is essential in the life of the minister. It is vital, a primary means by which a person connects with God personally and leads people corporately. Without prayer, the minister suffocates in ministry. The prayerless minister struggles in his strength and will eventually collapse under the weight and pressures of ministry or be led astray by our culture. Prayer is a constant reminder that God is God and we are not. A life devoted to prayer is a nonnegotiable for those called to the ministry. It is the fruit of a minister’s or leader’s walk with God and reveals a genuine dependence on God. Prayer, not personality, uncovers the minister’s true heart for God.

Ministers, pastors, and leaders alike must learn to flow in the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives by being sensitive to His promptings to pray. I will share with you reminders of how ministers, Christian leaders, and pastors can live in the discipline of prayer as their CORE. I want to use each letter in the word CORE for this article.

“C” IS FOR COMMUNICATION One thing is true for nearly every situation in our lives: communication is critical. Ministers are to live a life of prayer, continually communicating with God. If communication helps strengthen earthly relationships, why would the same not be true in our relationship with God? We must develop a craving for God and cultivate a craving to communicate with Him often. God wants to communicate with us. He wants to hear from us. He wants us to hear from him. We love and serve a God that wants us to talk to him through prayer. Prayer communicates with our God, who loves and cares for us. “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Colossians 4:2 NLT). In his letter to the Colossians, Paul calls all believers in Christ to devote themselves to prayer. Devote means to concentrate on a particular pursuit. In other words, focus and intentionally communicate with God in all you do. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to “pray without ceasing.” This is an invitation to an ongoing conversation: prayer without ceasing. D.L. Moody once said, “God is not bothered by our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.” Make it a core practice to communicate with God daily.

“O” IS FOR OPENNESS We must stay open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. It’s also essential that we are honest with God. Live in such a way that we are being real with God, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and submit ourselves to His power. Being open with God shows Him that we trust that His ways are better than ours. Our openness is an expression of our need for His grace and guidance. Openness, honesty, and vulnerability release us from the pressure to be perfect. There are times when we don’t know what or how to pray. We are reminded in Romans 8:26 NIV - “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness when we don’t know what to say. The Holy Spirit prays through us, interceding for other people. Make it a core practice to be open to God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

“R” IS FOR RELATIONSHIP A key way to stay focused on cultivating a lifestyle of prayer is to have a friendship with Jesus. He wants us to draw near to Him since the foundation of every strong relationship is talking to each other—honestly and frequently! Prayer is an intimate relationship and connection with God. Practicing prayer is the key to a deep and meaningful relationship with God. It is a core practice to establish a meaningful relationship with God through prayer.

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“E” IS FOR EXPECTANCY As we continue to make it a daily habit to communicate with God, be open to His leading, and establish a meaningful relationship, we can approach God in prayer with expectancy. Pastor Mark Batterson has written about how we need to stop praying ASAP (as soon as possible) and instead start praying ALAIT (as long as it takes). Past generations of Christians used to call this “praying through,” meaning to keep praying until you get an answer. James 4:16 says, “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” A craving for God energizes you to pray more. The more we pray, the more we understand God’s ways. The deeper we plunge into prayer, the clearer His ways and thoughts become. John Bunyan said, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” Make it a core practice to live with expectancy when we pray.

leave you more prone to poor posture, lower back pain, and muscle injuries. This is the same with our lifestyle of prayer. If our prayer life as ministers and leaders is weak, so is our ministry, and what we do will become weak. Here is a good principle: Only go before His people if you have been before the altar. When we increase our private prayer life—we’ll watch our leadership capacity grow exponentially. Ephesians 3:20 tells us, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” I’ll close with how living this out impacted my life personally. Last January, I committed before God to establish some new habits. Those habits included listening to podcasts on leadership and spiritual growth, establishing a morning prayer and devotion routine, and praying through Nehemiah as I prepared for the Seek and Save OKC. I’ve witnessed so many answered prayers during the planning process of Seek and Save. It started with prayer. Someone once said, “Everything we do is a spiritual matter.” If that’s the case, we need to bring everything to Him. By bringing the outreach to God through months of prayer, we saw some great things, including over 1000 salvations. Prayer is persistent. Prayer requires perseverance. The mysteries of God’s kingdom are not accessible on the surface; they are hidden and can only be unlocked in the place of prayer. What is your daily prayer habit? The core and DNA of a leader begins with living a lifestyle of prayer. There cannot be a gap in our prayer life. Prayer has to be our CORE. Prayer produces private health that leads to public fruitfulness. Ministers, pastors, and leaders are to be fueled by prayer. It is easy to look for self-help resources for a healthy and successful life and ministry. Those may be good and helpful. But it all starts with a lifestyle of prayer. I found a free resource, a book called, “Lead with Prayer” by Ryan Skoog. For a free copy of the book, email the River Valley Network at network@rivervalley.org. Put “Free Book” in the subject line. Let’s make prayer the core, the foundation, and the central most important thing.

Living with a spiritual discipline of prayer requires making prayer the very CORE of everything we do. We must intentionally carve out time and make prayer a core habit. I learned that weak core muscles can lead to more fatigue, less endurance, and injuries. Weak core muscles can 30

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Jamel Crawford is the Compassion & Minister Development Director with the Oklahoma Assemblies of God. He desires to be an extension of God’s love while sharing hope and networking with churches to further the Gospel. He has been married to his wife, Melissa, for 14 years. They have two sons, Jace and Jacoby, and a daughter, Journey.

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It’s Okay to

REST Establishing Longevity in Ministry TJ VonWald We wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. After all, we’ve got Kingdom work to do. There are people in our communities who are dying and going to hell. We have neighbors and friends who are lost, broken, and addicted. Our church members are drifting from God, struggling in their marriages, and desperately searching for someone to disciple them and help them grow into who God has called them to be. So, we work seven days a week. We say yes to every coffee invitation. We schedule meetings well into the evenings. We do marriage counseling and grief counseling, plan events and banquets, and attend ball games and band concerts because there is work to be done! Our well-intended exhaustion is sabotaging our souls.

Don’t hear me wrong - I’m not saying everything I’ve mentioned isn’t true. There certainly is an urgency to the work we do. Our church members need pastors and shepherds who will lead and love them well. On top of that, our families deserve to get us at our very best, which is exactly why our work must be done in a proper rhythm that God models for us on the second page of scripture. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:2-3 NIV God rested. “But my schedule is too full.” God rested. “But this season is really busy.” God rested. “But if I don’t do these things, no one else will.” God rested. His practice of rest set forth a rhythm that invites us to experience that rest with Him.

REST I find it interesting that immediately following His famous verse on rest (Matthew 11:28), Jesus follows it up with… “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” - Matthew 11:29

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We know that the “yoke” Jesus is referring to is a wooden beam placed across two oxen, which enables them to work together. In other words, there is work that is necessary for our rest. If we want to experience the rest that Jesus invites us into, then there is a work for us to engage in. I’ve become convinced no greater work impacts our rest more than the Sabbath. Matthew continues in chapter 12, telling a story about Jesus picking grain and healing a man on the Sabbath. It was against the law to engage in any work on the Sabbath, but Jesus emphasized that while the Pharisees made the Sabbath a burdensome ritual to obey, God gave it to us as a valued gift to be experienced. We don’t cease from work simply because we’re commanded to. We don’t spend 24 hours resting and refueling because we don’t have anything else to do. We “sabbath” because God “sabbathed” and because we trust He can do more with our six days than we can do with all seven. In his book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality,” Peter Scazzero tells a story of a wagon train of Christians traveling from St. Louis to Oregon. At first, they would stop every seven days to observe a sabbath. However, as winter approached, a fraction of them became worried that they would not make it to their destination before the snow began. So, they proposed pushing through all seven days of the week. They decided to split into two groups: one group would travel every day, and one group would continue to observe a sabbath. Who got to Oregon first? The group that took a day to rest. They were so rested by their sabbath observance that they could travel more efficiently during the other six days of the week. It’s the boy with the sack lunch: God can do more with our five loaves and two fish than we can. It’s the widow with the jar of oil: God can do more with our small jar of oil than we can. It’s the law of the tithe: God can do more with our 90% than we can do with our 100%. When I trust God and obey His commands, He provides in ways that only He can.

SABBATH The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word that means “to cease; to stop working.” It speaks of a 24-hour period where we stop all work-related activities, and in so doing, we imitate God, who created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh.

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The question isn’t, “How can I take a day off work?” For the majority of us, that’s not the issue. The question is, “How can I practice an intentional day of rest where I allow God to recharge and refuel my soul for the week to come?”

STOP God doesn’t NEED us to accomplish what He wants in the world. He chooses to allow us to partner with Him in the work He is doing. That means if work is left unfinished, God’s plan is not thrown off. If meetings are pushed to next week, God is not upset. If your sermon is not perfect-

ly polished and ready for Sunday, God will not strike you down when you step behind the pulpit to preach. We stop working and trust that God can do more with our six days than we can do with all seven. We trust that He is the one who builds His church - not us.

Everything we do daily, especially on the Sabbath, is done with a heart of worship and gratitude towards our God, who loves us more than we deserve.

For my family, we kick off our Sabbath (Fri 7pm - Sat 7pm) by gathering around the table, lighting candles, and reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible. It is a practical step that gets us to stop and focus our hearts on God.

Even if you’re more of a Michael Jordan fan, no one can deny how incredible it is that Lebron James has been playing professional basketball at an elite level for 21 years (and counting). He’s played in approximately 1,458 games (as of the writing of this article), at an average of 38 minutes per game, equaling 55,404 minutes of basketball played. How is that possible? Because he invests in his health. In fact, some estimate he spends around $1.5 million a year taking care of his body. Much of that is spent on things that allow his body to rest and refuel so he can perform at a high level.

REST This does not mean we lay around and eat chips all day. It does not mean we binge Netflix until it has the audacity to ask, “Are you still watching?” It simply means we partake in activities that rest and refuel our souls. For some, that may mean playing a round of golf or going to Chicken N Pickle. For others, that may mean reading a good book or enjoying lunch and a movie by yourself (don’t knock it until you try it). It may even mean taking a nap before going to dinner with your family. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to rest. Ask yourself, “What activities allow me to rest and refuel for the week to come?”

ENJOY When did you last slow down enough to truly enjoy and be grateful for all you’ve been given? When was the last time you left your phone in your room as you played games with your kids or sat down to a candlelight dinner with your spouse? When was the last time you took a walk to enjoy God’s creation or spent the night around a campfire with friends? God has given us so much for our enjoyment, and the Sabbath is the perfect time to slow our pace so we can acknowledge and be grateful for His many blessings.

LONGEVITY

I want that sort of longevity in ministry. I don’t want to start strong out of the gates only to become bitter by the end. I don’t want to do well for a few years only to struggle for the rest because I found myself burnt out. I don’t want to accomplish “great things” for the Kingdom at the expense of my soul. Eugene Peterson calls the Christian life a “long obedience in the same direction,” which is especially true for ministers. Are you living in the rhythm of Sabbath? We must if we are going to make it for the long haul!

TJ is an Associate Pastor at Victory Family Church in Norman. He is a SAGU grad, spent twelve years as a youth pastor, and enjoys spending time with his wife Cameron and their two daughters, Piper and Ezra.

When my family and I gather around the table and light those candles, my two daughters also get to pick some candy or ice cream to eat because what’s better than scripture AND sugar? It’s a reminder of all that God has given us to enjoy.

WORSHIP While this can include specific times we set aside during our Sabbath to pause and engage in the spiritual discipline of worship, it mainly refers to mindfulness as we engage in the activities that bring us rest and enjoyment. I am aware of God’s goodness as I sip my morning coffee. I am mindful of God’s presence while playing games with my kids. I am thankful for God’s blessings as I take a nap in my air-conditioned home in the middle of July. I remember God’s grace as I take another mulligan on the golf course.

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ITINERATING MISSIONARIES THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR OUR OKLAHOMA MISSIONARIES! FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MISSIONS OFFICE.

contact OKAG Missions

**Sensitive Country

Karen Coon

karencoon007@yahoo.com

Chaplaincy - Prison Ministry

Destry & Cynthia Dobbs

dobbs@tulsaxa.com

Tulsa Chi Alpha

Kirk & Karla Ford

kirk@nexusministries.org

Nexus Ministries/Church Planting in Spain

Chris & Amy Hales

halesforeurope@gmail.com

Europe

Terence & Laurel Harris

tdharris04@gmail.com

Intercultural Ministries - Sensitive

Tim & Lynley Hatcher

tim_hatcher@sil.org

Wycliffe Bible Translators

Bethany Hines

bethany.hines@lacagwm.org

Latin America Caribbean

Cory & Angela Hogan

Hogansinmexico@gmail.com

Mexico, Latin America/Caribbian

Rebekah & Scott Howell

rhowell@backyardorphans.org

Orphan Care

A.J Jenkins

aj.jenkins@agwmafrica.org

Mozambique

JoLeta Nash joleta.nash@gmail.com Chaplain Adam & Sarah Quinn

hello@TheQuinn.Family

Latin America Caribbean

David & Patty Schatzmann

dave@schatzmann.com

Pohnapei, Asia Pacific

Isiah Smith iamisiahsmith@gmail.com Netherlands, Europe JS

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**Sensitive Country

Stephen & Kimberly Snow

sk3ksnowfamily@gmail.com

Intercultural Ministries, Hispanic

Michael & Jaylynn Sperry

sperry1232@gmail.com

Chi Alpha, UCO

Melliza Taylor

melliza@saveone.org

SaveOne

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UPCOMING EVENTS ALL DATES, LOCATATIONS, AND ANNOUNCED SPEAKERS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

February

April

OSOM–OKC OSOM–Muskogee Hispanic School of Ministry, McAlester Next Gen Conference Hispanic Training for Church Leaders Hispanic Teaching–OKC Hispanic Teaching–Tulsa Women of Valor Retreat Women’s Ministries Day OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 5E & 5W (PM) Section 2 (AM) Section 1 (PM) Section 8 (AM) Section 9N & 9S (PM) Section 10 (AM) Section 11 (PM) Section 4 (AM) Section 3 (PM) Section 6 (AM) Section 12 (AM) Section 7 (PM)

February 3 February 10 February 10 February 16-17 February 17 February 17 February 24 February 23-24 February 26

February 5 February 6 February 6 February 8 February 8 February 20 February 20 February 22 February 22 February 26 February 27 February 27

March OSOM–OKC

March 2 March 8 Hispanic School of Ministry–McAlester March 9 OSOM - Muskogee March 9 Hispanic Women’s Conference March 22-23 Good Friday (Office Closed) March 29 Easter March 31 Council Resolutions Submission Deadline

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Fine Arts Festival OSOM–OKC

April 5-6 April 6 GM Names Due for Celebration Awards April 10 OSOM–Muskogee April 13 Hispanic School of Ministry–McAlester April 13 Hispanic Men’s Conference April 19-20 Better Together Conference & Council April 22-23 Women in Leadership Luncheon April 22 Ordination Investitures April 23 Heritage and Elite Ladies Luncheon April 24 Administrative Professional Day April 24 OCM Fun Arts April 27

May National Day of Prayer OSOM–OKC OSOM–Muskogee Hispanic School of Ministry–McAlester Pentecost Sunday Memorial Day (Office Closed)

May 2 May 4 May 11 May 11 May 19 May 27

June OSOM–OKC June 1 OSOM–Muskogee June 8 Hispanic School of Ministry–McAlester June 8 Youth Camps: Camp #1 Camp #2 Camp #3 Camp #4 Camp #5 Camp #6

May 26-29 May 29-June 1 June 3-7 June 10-14 June 17-21 June 24-28

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We Are

A network of Churches and a family of Ministers focused on fulfilling the Great Commission 40

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Oklahoma OUTLOOK | Winter 2024

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