Photo by Austin Urton The Oklahoma Women’s Retreat 2024 was a year to remember, leaving attendees returning home with a better understanding of God, knowledge of Scripture, and connection with one another. Held on April 19-20, 2024, at Falls Creek Conference Center, this two-day event blended in-person and online experiences, welcoming women from Oklahoma and beyond. Engaging Experience Attendees had the option to participate either in person or virtually through a Host Church, bringing the retreat to their communities. 2,100 women attended the retreat at Falls Creek. Forty churches opened t ..read more

Hear about a new online resource called “Her PLAN” (Her Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network), which helps women and families find local life-affirming medical, social and material support. Show Notes: https://herplan.org ..read more

VBS is a discipleship starting point for kids and families and a missions opportunity for more seasoned disciples. Most people who walk into Freedom Church in Neosho, Missouri, start with a worship service. It’s an on-ramp to the church’s discipleship pathway, a natural starting point on the journey from being a first-time visitor to a growing, serving follower of Christ. For kids and families, said Pastor Jack Lucas, that first worship service is often in the context of Vacation Bible School (VBS). Children attend worship at VBS during the day and bring their parents back to Family Nigh ..read more

You might have assumed that my point in the title is a negative one—that is, that I’m railing against churches that elevate fun and fellowship over content and conviction. That’s not my point at all, however. Rather, I want church leaders to think about times when church really is fun – and to long for that to happen in their own congregations. When lives are being changed. There’s nothing quite like it when God saves a soul, the church rejoices in that new believer’s decision, and they celebrate baptism together. It’s fun to see a transformed heart. When worship singing is genuine and e ..read more

DAVIS—More than 800 college students and young adults gathered April 12-14 for the Falls Creek Spring Retreat (FCSR). The annual event, geared college-age young adults, featured messages from Charlie Blount and Cris Lowery, with worship led by Bailey Byers. God was honored and friendships were formed and deepened as attendees participated in numerous breakout sessions, sports tournaments, silent disco, sharing meals and various late-night activities, as well as three large worship gatherings. “Spring Retreat at Falls Creek is always something I look forward to,” said attendee Cortney Evans. “I ..read more

Sending missionaries around the world is not some- thing new for Oklahoma Baptists. As a matter of fact, it is something that God has done throughout our Baptist history. It’s a part of our DNA. It’s who we are. Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board, recently said to me, “Mike, we are so grateful for Oklahoma Baptists and the quality and quantity of missionaries that you guys have sent over the years.” He’s right. We have Oklahomans scattered every- where and still sending. The amount of sending we have done, and are doing, presents us with another exciting opportunity. O ..read more

How did you get your start in ministry? When I was a freshman in college, my home church, Lindsay, Erin Springs, gave me an opportunity to serve in youth ministry during the spring and summer months while they searched for a new youth pastor. I did not have a clue what I was doing, but it was an important time in my life that God used to affirm His calling in my life! During my time at Oklahoma Baptist University, I was called to my first official ministry position at Midwest City, Eastwood as their youth pastor. Who do you consider your Oklahoma Baptist mentors, as you have progressed in full ..read more

My wife is convinced I have the ability to fix stuff. So, she is always asking me to fix something. When I “fix” something it usually means I spend a lot of time and money trying to figure it out and end up calling in a professional to finish the job. Many years ago, we discovered the element in our electric oven had gone out. I could make a joke here about how we didn’t know how long it had been out because Gayla didn’t do a lot of cooking but that would get me in some serious trouble. So, I won’t make that joke. Gayla informed me I needed to fix the element in the oven. I was hoping no one w ..read more

DAVIS—This summer, near Davis, thousands of children will learn about where God is at work “here, near and far.” CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp is poised for an especially impactful summer, according to CrossTimbers Program Director Sarah Hagar. “From the time these boys and girls step on the CrossTimbers campgrounds until they leave, they will learn about the Gospel and the importance of missions.” said Hagar, who is now in her second summer in this role. CrossTimbers is a longstanding camp program offered by Oklahoma Baptists and supported by the Cooperative Program, designed ..read more

The theme for the 2024 Falls Creek summer youth weeks may cause some to recall 1980s lingo or stereo- typical surfer slang. In reality, the theme describes the nature and character of God. Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director, said “Totally” was selected as this year’s theme “to help students take a journey into and respond to the truths of who God is.” “In a world that is uncertain, that is always changing, that is volatile, our God is totally different,” Sanders said. “Each week at Falls Creek this summer, we will discuss how God is ‘totally knowing, totally present, totally caring and ..read more