DAVIS—An offering total of $50,578.10 was collected during the Oklahoma Baptist Women’s Spring Retreat, April 12-13, and Men’s Rewired, April 26-27.

Each year the retreats feature a dedicated offering toward missions and ministry, and the 2019 offering will support MinistrySafe training, a resources that proactively helps prevent child sexual abuse in the church through training and background checks. Money collected at the women’s retreat totaled $32,721.14, and Men’s Rewired gave $17,856.96.

“As a mother, it’s important to know my children are safe when we gather with our church family,” said Amy Cordova, women’s missions and ministry specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO), who was the program coordinator for the women’s retreat.

“I am blown away by the offering from the men and women’s retreats,” said Bubba Burcham, BGCO men’s ministry consultant, who oversaw Men’s Rewired. “To see them come together to make such a significant difference in the local church is encouraging.”

MinistrySafe is a Christian organization that provides training and resources to more than 3,500 organizations on six continents. They specialize in legal consultation to child-serving organizations including churches, camps, schools, youth sports, foster care and adoption, child services, daycares and preschools.

The BGCO plans to use the money collected at the retreats to support churches that pursue Ministry Safe training.

“The women’s and men’s retreats each were powerful events in which the Lord moved,” said Hance Dilbeck, BGCO executive director-treasurer. “I am so grateful that people enthusiastically participated in the offering. These gifts will go far to help ensure safe ministry environments for our churches across the state.”

Both events met at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center in Davis, and each event was attended by thousands from across Oklahoma and the region.