3 basic ways to care for the lonely
It’s rare that people will come right out and share that they are lonely. Perhaps, for some, it might seem needy—and unfortunately neediness is a taboo in our society. Yet, didn’t Jesus come for the needy? If we are honest, we are all needy. We are all longing for something else, something better. We have eternity planted on our hearts (Eccl. 3:11). We know that there’s a better future ahead—something lasting. Our understanding that...
First person: A big Gospel for small places
I grew up in Laverne, a town of barely over 1,000 people, tucked away in the far corner of NW Oklahoma. I was shaped and formed in that place. To many, Laverne is just another drive-through or fly-over place—a small place of little consequence—but for me, it is one of the most important places in the world. It is the place I first heard the Gospel, learned how to follow Jesus and grew to love people. Though I don’t live there anymore,...
LIFEWAY TRUSTEES: Mandrell announces renewed mission and focus
NASHVILLE (BP)—LifeWay Christian Resources CEO Ben Mandrell unveiled to trustees a new organizational structure and mission statement to align the organization for future ministry and growth. LifeWay experienced a successful transition in closing its brick-and-mortar retail chain in 2019 and saw significant growth in its direct sales channels, Mandrell reported to trustees during their biannual board meeting, Feb. 3-4 in Nashville....
Buddy Hunt serves in eastern Oklahoma
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an expanded article based on the 2020 Cooperative Program Prayer Guide for Oklahoma Baptists. For more information, please visit www.oklahomabaptists.org/cp. Buddy Hunt has been a volunteer chaplain for the Tahlequah Police Department for 11 years. He’s been in ministry since 1981, including 1991-97 as associate director in the former Religious Education Department for Oklahoma Baptists. This year he’s...
Greear urges churches to ‘Fill the Tank’ on Easter
NASHVILLE (BP)—J.D. Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), is calling SBC churches to participate in a nationwide focus on baptism this Easter Sunday, April 12. After the success of the first “Baptism Sunday” in September 2019, Greear and other SBC leadership hope to continue to focus on growing proclamations of faith through public baptism services. “We have heard some of the most amazing...
OK State House approves bill to revoke doctor licenses of those who perform abortions
On Thursday, Feb. 6, members of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives approved House Bill 1182, a bill that would direct the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to revoke the license of a medical doctor who performs an abortion in Oklahoma, for a period of one year. Seventy-one members of the House voted to approve the measure, which was authored by State Rep. Jim Olsen and numerous other co-sponsors. Twenty-one...
