On May 4, officials with Metro Baptist Network, Oklahoma City (MBNOKC), celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Grace Rescue Mission and the 100th Anniversary of the Baptist Mission Center. The centers, located at 2125 and 2205 Exchange Ave., are supported by approximately 160 Southern Baptist churches in the metro area.
“Celebrating 100 years for Baptist Mission Center and 75 years for Grace Rescue Mission is a wonderful testimony to God’s faithfulness through His local churches,” said Mark Walters, MBNOKC associational mission strategist and executive director.
Walters pointed out that Grace Rescue Mission began with $50 borrowed by a local church pastor in 1950.
“It was birthed out of the heart of a local pastor, but it has taken a cooperative effort by churches to meet the difficult needs of people in the heart of OKC for all these years.”
Scott Allen, director of community ministries for the missions’ centers for the past 21 years, was the emcee for the anniversary celebration, which was attended by about 75 people.
“Through the years, both missions have had faithful men and women in leadership who always kept their focus on meeting the basic needs of others, caring for them, and sharing Jesus as often as the opportunity presented itself. Though both missions and the services they provide may look different today from when they first opened, that focus has never changed.”
During the brief celebration, Allen recognized those current and past volunteers present who have worked at the missions centers. As the event ended, he encouraged those in attendance to participate in a “Hands Up” project by dipping the palms of their hands in paint and leave their handprint on a wall of the center.
