Oklahoma Baptists’ board meets in OKC for first time since moving offices

Members of Oklahoma Baptists’ Board of Directors met on Feb. 25 in Oklahoma City for a regularly scheduled meeting. This marked the first meeting of the board of the year and the first board meeting since the state convention moved offices to the WatersEdge Building (formerly Sonic Headquarters) in Bricktown.

After a time of touring the new offices in Bricktown in the morning, board members traveled to Oklahoma City, Exchange Avenue for the board meeting, which included times of prayer, conducting business, ministry reports, a fellowship meal and more.

Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer, was in attendance. It has been more than seven months since his serious automobile accident. Fisher, who recently experienced a leg amputation, talked about God’s grace on his journey to recovery.

“I am so grateful to you and to all the people who have prayed for me along this journey,” Fisher said. “We are seeing a good recovery and healing since my surgery, and the process is nearing for me to get a prosthetic leg.”

Fisher talked about how the journey has given him opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel.

“I have been asked more times, ‘How do you feel about this?’ I tell them that God has given me a deep peace and my belief that He will use everything that has happened and my future life as an amputee for His purpose. What an opportunity we’ve already had in this journey to point people to God and His Kingdom.”

He added, “I thank God for helping me focus on what I’ve gained in this journey. My physical body has been diminished, but my spiritual life has been enriched. I’ve gained a greater perspective on not taking for granted the blessings God gives us every day—faith, health, marriage, family, and so many other blessings.”

Fisher explained how the Lord has used this journey “the last seven months to teach me in ways I could never have imagined on the importance of what is eternal, about the things of faith, and how that impacts the way I live today.”

Pastor Michael Butler of Chickasha, First, serves as Oklahoma Baptists president and led the board meeting proceedings. Members of the board, who represent every area of the state of Oklahoma, heard various ministry reports.

WatersEdge CEO Robert Kellogg shared a report that stated that the “25 by 25” campaign has met and exceeded its goal of distributing $25 million annually each year since its inception. Oklahoma Baptist University President Heath Thomas reported how OBU is seeing hundreds of salvations connected to its ministry, including through the OBU Prison Divinity Program, as well as giving a report on the “Shaping the Future” Capital Campaign.

Bill Pierce, president of Baptist Village Communities (BVC), shared how each of its campuses across the state is thriving and how the ministry is transforming the expectations of senior adults, mobilizing them as witnesses for the Lord. James Swain, president of Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, shared about the life-transforming impact the ministry is having through Hope Pregnancy Centers and on the various campuses offering homes for children.

In addition to affiliate reports, each of the board of directors committees delivered various reports, including the Executive Committee, the Church Resources Committee, the Communications/Cooperative Program Committee, the Finance Committee and the Support Services Committee.

Board members took action on recommendations, including affirming the 2026 Cooperative Program allocation of 40 percent to the Southern Baptist Convention, 45 percent to Oklahoma Baptists and 15 percent to Oklahoma Baptist Affiliates. This distribution remains the same as it is for 2025.

Leslie Osborn, CFO for Oklahoma Baptists, gave a report on church giving. “I want to express gratitude to the Lord for His perfect provision and for our staff for their great stewardship. Our (state convention) staff managed their budgets well for the fourth year in a row with an above average inflation rate,” she said.

Osborn noted that the 2024 Cooperative Program giving objective of $24.5 million was exceeded by $394,722 in giving by Oklahoma Baptist churches. Board members allocated the overage to ministry causes, including investing in pastors in the areas of leadership and education. The Edna McMillan Oklahoma State Missions Offering for 2024 was $1,306,646, setting a state record three years in a row.

Board members heard plans about celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program in 2025. Osborn added, “We see all of this giving as evidence of our Oklahoma Baptist churches cooperating together to advance the Gospel in Oklahoma and around the world, and for this, we are blessed and feel thankful.”

Joe Ligon, Senior Associate Executive Director, shared a report how the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) building is now fully operational, and the ministry is already reaching new students through the recently-constructed facilities. Ligon shared that plans are accelerating for a new BCM building for Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

The board was also introduced to two new staff members serving as regional ministry partners. Bryan Pain, who most recently served as pastor of Duncan, First, is serving as Southwest Regional Ministry Partner.

Matt Spann, who has been serving as a director of missions in Oklahoma, will begin in April as regional ministry partner for the Northwest region. Spann replaces Griff Henderson, who stepped out of the role to be pastor at Mustang, Chisholm Heights.

With Pain and Spann in their respective regions, that means there are now five regional ministry partners for Oklahoma Baptists, including Brett Selby (Central), Andy Taylor (East Central) and Buddy Hunt (East). In addition, there are four affinity group ministry partners, Ever Borunda (Hispanic Ministry), Emerson Falls (Native American Ministry), Amy Petersen (Ministry Wives) and Walter Wilson (African American Ministry).

The meeting was punctuated with various times of prayer and worship through song. Fisher emphasized the continued work of the state convention is to “serve and support pastors and churches as we advance the Gospel together.”

The next scheduled meeting of the Oklahoma Baptists’ board will take place on May 20 at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.