Foster care rally calls on Baptist faithful to take active role
EDMOND—Today there are approximately 8,500 boys and girls in DHS custody in Oklahoma, representing a staggering foster care crisis. On Nov. 13 at Edmond, First, approximately 500 Baptists and others gathered to address the crisis and seek solutions through an event called “The Gospel, The Church and Foster Care.” The event was an equipping conference presented by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) and Oklahoma Baptist...
Conventional Thinking: Marijuana’s march
The 2018 midterm elections saw many winners and losers. Yet the much-discussed Nov. 6 vote had one big winner that some people are not talking about. That “winner” is marijuana, which is actually a loser for families and society. On Nov. 6, voters approved recreational marijuana use in Michigan, as well as so-called medical marijuana in Missouri and Utah. Indeed, 2018 as a whole has been a banner year for the advancement and...
2018 Annual Meeting brings Him glory: Dilbeck installed as state exec during 112th BGCO meeting
EDMOND—The 2018 annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) featured many highlights, including the installation of Hance Dilbeck as the ninth executive director-treasurer in the state convention’s history. More than 650 registered messengers, and many more guests, gathered at Edmond, First on Nov. 12-13 for the 112th annual meeting of the BGCO, which had the theme of “To Him be the Glory in the Church.”...
Historic: Langston BSU/BCM project brings unity, opportunity
LANGSTON—Wednesday, Oct. 31 marked a historic day on a historic college campus in Oklahoma. A group of Baptist faithful gathered at the newly remodeled Langston University Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) Building for a special noonday and building dedication event. eaders with the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention (OBSC) and the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) joined with Langston students and new and longtime...
Rite of passage: J+0=E
The crops hadn’t been too good that year, and the offerings were down. The small, country Baptist church struggled to keep its doors open and pay the bills. For a long time, the church had wanted to install indoor plumbing. The old outhouse was getting rickety, and the people who came to visit were put out that the church hadn’t moved with the times. As the leader of the congregation, the pastor struggled with how he could best help...
Multiply: A better way to win the culture war
It’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. But that’s not a problem for the missional church. Christianity was born into a society that was crueler, more heartless and more decadent than our minds may imagine. Paganism ruled the day. The sick, the weak and the helpless were fodder for the cruel and powerful. Abortion, infanticide and child sacrifice were very common in the ancient world. In fact, children born with any...
