Retired missionary claims Baptist legacy as her inheritance
Frank Coy has a framed copy of his “cradle roll” certificate, which shows he was in church at a very young age. He was raised by Christian parents and was called to preach when he was 18. But his wife, the former Betty Burleson, has a different heritage. Raised in a poor neighborhood in southwest Oklahoma City, neither her parents nor grandparents were Christians. She never went to Sunday School or darkened the door of a church until...
Crafted by God: Late Oklahoma Baptist missionary is genius behind WorldCrafts
As women gathered in Betty Butcher’s stilt house in Bangkla, Thailand in the 1980s, they could not imagine the simple sewing practice Butcher was teaching them would grow into a modern-day worldwide business that helps hundreds of people lift themselves from the throes of poverty. Butcher and her husband, Orby, a medical doctor, served 22 years as International Mission Board missionaries in Thailand. While Butcher was searching for a...
Spencer’s baptism just one of many amazing stories at Coweta, Community
COWETA—This is Spencer Shamas’ story. But it’s also the story of a church plant in a small Oklahoma town that is making a big impact. Let’s start with Shamas. Shamas was born in Okmulgee, where he grew up attending the Lutheran church, playing sports and was a curious soul trying to understand life. A deep thinker, he was always inquisitive, wondering how things worked and what might be beneficial to him. For example, at age 14, he...
Church from nowhere growing, serving community
PAWNEE—Masham Church in Cimarron Association doesn’t understand that it’s in the middle of nowhere and, in this day and age, is supposed to just exist. For the past year, since Johnny Wagner took over the pastorate, the little church that couldn’t, has. It has grown from 12 to more than 40 in Sunday School and from 20 to around 60-80 in worship. Wagner has baptized 12, with three more awaiting baptism. Young families are joining the...
Burns Flat pianist is missionary to local store customers, employees
BURNS FLAT—WANTED: Missionary. Must be friendly with outgoing personality. Must love people, know the Bible and yearn to share the love of Jesus with others, praying for them and inviting them to church. Apply at Walmart. While it is unlikely that Walmart or any retailer would pay for an ad like this. If they did, Hazel Fleming would fit the bill perfectly. A member of Burns Flat, First for nearly 30 years, Fleming spends a part of...
