On April 26, 2024, the Men’s Retreat ended with a challenge. To move the event back to the larger room venue, the Tabernacle (TAB), we would need to “Take a brother” (TAB). On April 25, 2025, after six years of waiting, the sound of more than twelve hundred men singing praises filled the Tabernacle as Matt Roberson led worship.

The men accepted the challenge in a great way, and God answered the prayers of men from across the state. One of the most encouraging aspects of the 25th Men’s Retreat was the presence of many first-time attendees. The retreat continues to draw men from across Oklahoma and beyond, including participants from Texas and chaplains from Tinker Air Force Base.

In 2024, attendees requested breakout sessions at the Men’s Retreat. This year, we held six repeating breakouts and one major breakout on Saturday. One attendee applauded and noted, “Every breakout was full.” This demonstrated that the men were hungry to be equipped and challenged.

Friday night’s main session began with Tarvoris “Coach Tee” Uzoigwe, Oklahoma Baptists evangelism and apologetics ministry partner, who posed the question: can we truly celebrate on Sundays when no one is rescuing the lost with the Gospel?

He invited a former student named Andre, who shared a powerful testimony about overcoming his fear of sharing the Gospel. The evening concluded with Josh Smith, who emphasized the need for godly men in both the church and the home, asserting that such men will change the world. He suggested that Adam’s first sin might have been his failure to confront Satan while he was tempting Eve.

The morning session was opened by Sam Porter, who initiated the Men’s Retreat at Falls Creek 25 years ago. He highlighted the importance of seeking God’s plan for our lives. Sam was honored with the Laddie Adams Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of service in Disaster Relief, presented by Jason Yarbrough, the state director for Disaster Relief.

Keith Burkhart, the state men’s director who coined the term “Rewired” for the Men’s Retreat, closed the retreat by challenging the men to be obedient to the command of making disciples. The messages deeply resonated with the attendees, leading many to accept Christ and seek prayer.

The morning session also featured the annual awards for competition winners. The champions of cornhole were Josh and Stephen from Frederick, First; the dodgeball winners came from Velma Baptist Church; Stephen from Frederick, First won the 5K; Kolby and Rick from El Reno, Prarie View took the pickleball championship; and Casey Estes won the archery competition.

For years, the Newalla, First Men’s Ministry has served at the Men’s Retreat, often led by John Walker. This year marked the first time he was able to attend after his wife had been ill for the past two years. A special thank you goes to the Men’s Retreat volunteers, the Falls Creek Staff, Sportsman United 4 Christ, Disaster Relief for providing lunch on Friday, Steve Wood for grilling, the Lighthorse Police Department for bringing their Bearcat, and Travis David for coordinating the shooting competition.

For more information about Oklahoma Baptists Men’s Ministry, visit https://www.oklahomabaptists.org/men/.