Since 1912, the Baptist Messenger has been informing and inspiring Oklahoma Baptists, and new for 2017, we are pleased to announce some layout enhancements and design features that we hope you like.

From Walker Moore’s column to the crossword puzzle, all of the great content you’ve come to expect remains. In fact, no content was taken away, and several new features were added. In addition, the new layout is designed to include more photos and be easier to read.

While we strive each week to make the Messenger as great as possible, we asked our readers what they would like to see featured, and we developed some new enhancements that should make the reader’s experience even more enjoyable. Please see page two for an explanation of the new layout and features, but highlights include:

• An overall design update for a cleaner look

• Enlarged font sizes on articles and stories

• An expanded front page menu

• Simplified headlines and headers

• Additional content, including content from our WordSlingersOK.com blog

• A Falls Creek Trivia (FC Trivia) section for 2017

• A Baptist history feature that will appear periodically

While the format and presentation is new, you know one thing will not change. Our focus is to tell the story about what God is doing through and among Oklahoma Baptists and our churches.  You can always count on the Baptist Messenger to continue in this Gospel-centered mission.

Often times when a restaurant debuts a new menu, it means prices increased as well. I am pleased to say that the price of subscriptions remains the same for 2017. In fact, the Baptist Messenger has not introduced a print-subscription price increase for more than 10 years, because we want to maximize the budgets of churches and individuals who subscribe to the Messenger.

While the price has not increased in 10-plus years, we have introduced many new products in that time, including our awarding-winning website, the Messenger Insight podcast (Find us in the iTunes store or at www.baptistmessenger.com/insight), a blog outreach to young adults (www.WordSlingersOK.com), a quarterly Spanish addition and a free “Messenger Go” App (Text the word “Messenger” to 33733 for a download link to this free App), as well as the Digital edition to which many subscribe.

In addition to serving Oklahoma Baptists, we are committed to reaching out to others as well through our ministry. The Messenger distributes free copies to correctional facilities across the state at no charge, for example.

It is for these reasons and more, I am as excited as ever to serve at the Baptist Messenger.

On behalf of the Baptist Messenger staff, we sincerely hope you continue to enjoy the Baptist Messenger, and we are always open to your feedback. You can find how to reach us on page 2 or by visiting the “Contact Us” page at www.baptistmessenger.com.

Thank you for reading the Baptist Messenger! Blessings to you.