Encourage: One sacred effort
Recently I spoke with two young men who remind me of the impact of our cooperative efforts. One is a key leader for the International Mission Board (IMB) and the other was commissioned as an IMB missionary in September. They and their wives are raising their families in hard places. Each of these families have gone with the Gospel to the nations. I cannot mention the name of either for security reasons. One grew up in western Oklahoma...
Encourage: Encourage your pastor
Consider the power of an encouraging word. As told in 2 Chronicles, the Spirit of God came on a man named Azariah. He had been watching King Asa as he led Judah in a season of renewal. Asa was calling the people to trust wholly in the Lord. Azariah’s inspired word for Asa is one of the great lines of encouragement in the Old Testament. “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work” (2 Chron. 15:7)....
Encourage: Layers of accountability
I am writing this article the day after our Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) Board of Directors meeting at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center. What a beautiful time to be in that special place. The creek runs full of water; the sights, sounds and smells refresh the soul. I thank our Lord for the women and men who serve as our Board of Directors. They selflessly give of their time, expertise and energy to help Oklahoma...
Encourage: Propagation revitalization
As I read Oklahoma Baptist history, I find a certain word used repeatedly. This is a word that has fallen out of favor. My hope is that we do not use this word because we no longer understand it, but I fear we might also no longer value it. Propagation. The Random House dictionary that I received as a high school graduation gift reads as follows: Propagation, n. 1. The act of propagating. 2. The state of being propagated. 3....
Encourage: Reaching broken people
We all work together to advance the Gospel. When Baptists in Indian Territory first began to work together in 1883, they declared their desire to “give the Gospel to destitute places.” They opened their eyes to the fields of Indian Territory and saw people and places that were dark and waiting for the Gospel light. If we open our eyes, we would still see people who are dark and destitute. Think in terms of sociology instead of...
Encourage: The excuse of ‘not me’
Most of the people reading this sentence have never led another person to faith in Jesus Christ. More than half have never even tried. That truth hurts. The New Testament calls Philip “the Evangelist.” He is always leading people to Jesus. We admire the consistency of his obedience. Everywhere he goes, with everyone he meets, Philip shares the Good News of Jesus Christ. He challenges our excuses—Not them, Not now. When we read the...
