A ‘kind and caring’ Oklahoma Baptist leader, Hawkins dies at 83
He once joked that he was “bookkeeper” for 1,650 Oklahoma Southern Baptist churches. William “Marlin” Hawkins, 83, died Friday, June 21. Funeral services were June 25 at Bethany, Council Road. Hawkins served Oklahoma Baptist life in many roles, but his most notable position was controller for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO), while working at the Baptist Building for 25 years. The Dill City native worked for three...
Sutherland Springs finds healing through VBS
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (BP) — When First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs kicked off their annual Vacation Bible School the week of June 3, it looked profoundly different from two years ago. On Nov. 5, 2017, a gunman entered their sanctuary, opened fire, and took the lives of 26 people. Several of those who lost their lives were instrumental in the VBS ministry of the church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. “VBS takes...
Sudan Christians fearful amid deadly revolution
KHARTOUM, Sudan (BP) — Persecuted Christians in Sudan are discouraged and fearful after the military massacre of protesters seeking civilian rule that, amid Sharia law, could protect religious freedom. A Southern Baptist eyewitness to protests in Khartoum ahead of the June 3 massacre, who requested anonymity, updated Baptist Press on the Christian minority in the mostly Sunni Muslim country. The military took control of the...
‘Every nation’ underscored as IMB’s mission vision
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) — Songs of worship in Swahili, a new missionary testimony in American Sign Language and Gospel presentations by missionaries in Mandarin, Hausa, Russian and Fon representing a biblical view of the church worshipping God for eternity. These were among the highlights of an International Mission Board dinner prior to the SBC annual meeting in Birmingham, Ala. “The IMB exists to partner with churches to...
Ben Mandrell nominated as LifeWay president/CEO
NASHVILLE (BP) — Colorado pastor Ben Mandrell has been unanimously recommended as the next president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources by the trustees’ presidential search committee. Mandrell, 42, is the lead pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colo. Trustees will vote on the recommendation during a special called session Friday, June 28, in Atlanta. If elected, Mandrell will become the 10th president of the...
Recommendations sought for BGCO boards, committees & officers
The Nominating Committee of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) invites Oklahoma Baptists to recommend persons to serve on the various boards and committees. The committee’s nominations will be presented to messengers at the annual meeting of the BGCO, Nov. 11-12, at Oklahoma City, Quail Springs. It is important that consistent information be available for all recommendations. The recommendation form printed with this...
