I love to watch God at work. His thoughts are beyond our thoughts, and His ways beyond our ways. We think He is silent, but silence on our end often means He is speaking on the other end.
Across the years, I can assure you that God has used no place on Earth to speak to me as He has at Falls Creek. He called me to ministry there, and time and again, I have had the fresh wind of the Spirit breathe life into me. He has done it again.
Two weeks ago, our Leadership Team decided to hold our meeting at Falls Creek so we could tour the new buildings that are in the final stages of completion. I admit that as we walked through these beautiful and remarkably functional facilities, I found myself overwhelmed by the goodness and provision of God. I stood there amazed that God would be so good to Oklahoma Baptists.
Always on my mind, and the desire of my heart, is the completion of the Falls Creek Centennial Campaign that includes the buildings under construction and the removal of the debt on the R.A. Young Tabernacle.
As we were finishing our business and getting ready to head back to Oklahoma City, I received a call from Marty Harkey, Chief Development Officer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. As I stood in the middle of the street in front of the new buildings, I heard Marty tell me a most remarkable story.
He was opening the afternoon mail when he discovered a check for $500,000 payable to the Centennial Campaign to help eliminate the debt at Falls Creek. A wonderful couple, who desire to remain anonymous at this point, provided the gift. While they have had family attend Falls Creek, the gentleman said he had not been privileged to attend himself. This couple had been reading about Falls Creek in the Baptist Messenger and felt led to give so Falls Creek could be debt free. To God Be the Glory! Great things He has done!
With this gift, and present cash and pledges made, we are now only $307,000 from reaching our Falls Creek Centennial Campaign goal of $4,762,142. All the buildings, including the R.A. Young Tabernacle, will be paid in full! Amazing!
I have no doubt God is at work speaking to someone or several others who can give year-end gifts so we can celebrate the completion of the Centennial Campaign. There even may be someone God is calling to write a check for the full amount of the remaining debt.
Many years ago, when we started on this incredible journey of faith to revitalize and renew Falls Creek for new generations of children, youth and adults, this statement was made, “Our great desire is that when people see what has transpired they will say, ‘The LORD, He is God! May all glory and honor be to Him alone.’” Every gift, large and small, has been and will be from His hand.
Thank you to this sweet couple for their generosity! Thank you to all who have given gifts large and small! And most importantly, thank you, Lord!