Training model a success for YEC
DAVIS—The Youth Evangelism Conference (YEC) for Oklahoma Baptists completed its fourth year of meeting at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center, Jan. 20-21. Not only has YEC changed its location, from meeting at a church or large arena, but its format also has changed, and Brian Baldwin said it has been a successful transition. “We are really picking up traction of how people see the new model of YEC,” said Baldwin, who is the student...
SEC urges Gospel work to ‘multiply’
DEL CITY—The 2019 State Evangelism Conference (SEC) provided an array of speakers, offering an emphasis of sharing the Gospel to everyone in the single-word theme of “Multiply,” Jan. 28-29 at Del City, First Southern. Messages were challenging and encouraging, and attendees had opportunities for specialized evangelism training through breakout sessions and were even given the chance to witness in the closing session. Monday, Jan. 28...
OU Basketball honors Caleb Freeman as sixth man
NORMAN—Caleb Freeman’s father said the University of Oklahoma (OU) men’s basketball team “rolled out the red carpet” for Caleb on Saturday, Feb. 9. The OU squad featured Caleb as the honorary sixth man during the starting lineup announcements, when the Sooner hosted Texas Tech. “It’s a day we will never forget!” Jeremy Freeman, pastor of Newcastle, First and Caleb’s dad, posted on Facebook “There’s no way to thank everyone...
Oklahoma Baptist leaders participate in Capitol prayer gathering
More than 400 people gathered on the south plaza of the Oklahoma State Capitol on Sun., Feb. 3 for the “Awaken Oklahoma” prayer rally. The gathering met as a new legislative session begins this week with a new gubernatorial administration and many newly elected members in congress. Blake Gideon, pastor of Edmond, First and president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO), was in attendance, as well as Oklahoma U.S....
Engagement with Muslims, not fear, is authors’ aim
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)—Fear, distrust and even anger can rise to the surface when Christians think about Islam and Muslims, stemming from tragic events like 9/11, the Boston Marathon bombing and the mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. Islam seems like an outsider in today’s North America, yet as Christians look around, more and more of their neighbors are Muslim. It’s a tension Keith Whitfield and Micah Fries address in...
