I wish all of you could have the joy of hearing our mission leaders tell story after story of God’s mighty work. Today,  God is opening hearts to the Gospel in some of the darkest places on Earth.  Indeed, in the past, many nations and people groups have been seen not only as unreached but also unreachable. Yet, God has performed miracles and mighty deeds for the propagation of the Gospel. Nothing is impossible for God! No government or potentate can build walls high enough to stop the Gospel. He opens doors that no man can open.

One of the challenges of reporting on our international mission work through the Cooperative Program is that we cannot tell all the stories. Sixty-two percent of our international missionaries serve in high-security places. Many live in the shadow of danger every day for the Gospel’s sake. New converts often face death or severe punishment when they embrace Christ as Savior. These realities are far removed from us and are almost incomprehensible. We have no frame of reference, but be assured—multitudes in this world literally abandon all, including their lives, to follow Jesus. The blood of martyrs truly is the seed of the church.

One unique blessing of my time here at the IMB has been to meet some of the finest young adults from our Oklahoma churches who are preparing for the mission field. My heart was filled with joy to meet a young lady I had baptized when she was a child. Today, she and her husband are ready to carry the Gospel to hungry souls in need of a Savior.

This time has reinvigorated me and reaffirmed my commitment to our “together” ministry and missions as Oklahoma Baptists. Let me illustrate. One couple told a familiar story—she came to Christ at Falls Creek; he answered God’s call to ministry at Falls Creek.  Three individuals told me they received their education at Oklahoma Baptist University. Others spoke of the influence of Baptist Collegiate Ministries in discipling and helping them hear God’s voice and call to missions.

David Steverson, an Oklahoman who serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the IMB, is a trusted leader and one worthy of our trust. In presenting the financial report, Steverson said something very strong. He indicated he was very grateful for the generosity of Southern Baptists in giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, but he stressed the great need to strengthen the Cooperative Program. Why? Because the Cooperative Program is stable and undergirds all the work.

He stated he would rather see Cooperative Program as the higher percentage of the IMB budget than the Lottie Moon offering because the Cooperative Program is constant.  Don’t misunderstand; our goal should be greater sacrifice in both cooperative giving and our individual giving to Lottie.

Elliff is leading our international mission enterprise with the same integrity, passion for a lost world and dedication we in Oklahoma have observed across decades of local church ministry. I give thanks to God because He has called Elliff to lead Southern Baptist international missions for such a time as this. We are a blessed people.

I have greatly appreciated the last few weeks of articles reviewing the decades of stories and events that were told through the Messenger. Some years ago, I took time to peruse copies from the Messenger’s beginning until the present.  It was a tremendous journey through the ministry, struggles, victories and impact of Oklahoma Baptists. This journey gave me a deep sense of connection to our forefathers who forged together the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and set the table for the abundant work we are able to do today.

The Baptist Messenger is a vital link for all Oklahoma Baptists in our desire to work together. This newspaper has long been the hallmark of Oklahoma Baptists in recognizing that we can do more together than alone. The Baptist Messenger connects us to one another and tells the stories of our “together” ministry.  I know of no communication piece that consistently ties us together more effectively. While our churches are autonomous in polity, we are not independent. The stories told in the Messenger help us see the collective effectiveness of our cooperative efforts.

The Messenger is not a separate organization, but is owned and operated by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. It is not designed to be a hard-hitting independent news source. The Messenger has never been—nor will be in the future—a tell-all newspaper that seeks scandals or attempts to expose the bad. We have chosen to be a mouthpiece for the work of our churches, associations and conventions. Baptist people need to know what others are doing and be encouraged by it.

The Messenger serves to bring the mission field in Oklahoma, our nation and world up close; therefore, missions has always taken precedence in our paper.  Stories of the impact of our missionaries and mission involvement of our churches stir passion for greater mission action by all of us.

Thankfully the Messenger has also been a teaching tool. Baptist doctrine has been proclaimed and taught through its pages. For many years the inimitable Herschel Hobbs wrote a column on the Baptist Faith and Message.  In more recent times, Alan Day gave clear and succinct insight into our Baptist doctrine. Today through the Messenger Insight editions, theological truth with practical implications are set forth.

I am proud that the Messenger has kept up with the changing ways of communication. Last year, the Baptist Messenger launched the digital Messenger.  In addition, there are Messenger podcasts that give us an opportunity to be heard as well as be read.

Congratulations to Brian Hobbs, editor, and to all who have gone before, on celebrating 100 years of faithful service to Oklahoma Baptists! Thank you for keeping us informed and inspired to do the work of the Kingdom together.

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

These beautiful rose bushes have caused me to reflect on the condition of so many churches that have gone dormant like a rose bush in the winter—no growth and no vitality. The problem is that years of no growth and lack of spiritual power has left them in a perpetual winter. Your church may be in this condition. Your church may have good fellowship, or give to missions or conduct meaningful worship services, but there is no new growth, no new followers of Christ and no penetrating of the community with the Gospel.

I believe every pastor and church long to see growth. I do not think any church finds joy in empty pews, no response at invitations or dry baptisteries. But I do think we become paralyzed and crystallized in our dormant state. Growth requires work—hard work and attentive work. So what can we do?

I propose going back to the basics and using a God-given tool that is already a part of the church. This tool needs pruning, fertilizer and spiritual water—it is in the DNA of Baptists. Dormancy has set in because we have let it happen.  This tool works when we work it. What am I pointing to? Sunday School!

Recently, a group of Oklahoma Baptist leaders defined Sunday School in this way: Sunday School is a local church strategy to connect people to Jesus, His community, His Truth and His mission.  The key to this definition is the phrase “connect people.”  Sunday School is not just about fellowship and teaching, but is primarily about new growth, seeing people engaged with the Gospel and finding a place to belong.

There is a simple Sunday School principle. For every new unit (class or group) begun there will be 10 people added.  Don’t believe it? Test me and see. Just like new growth produces roses, so new groups produce church growth. For too long, we have been satisfied with a static organization that produces no growth.  Now is the time to stretch and grow.

As I speak to leaders across Oklahoma about our recent initiative regarding Sunday School, I find positive responses. In fact, as I talk about a renewed emphasis on starting new groups and revitalizing our focus on intentional and effective Sunday School, I see a clear affirmation from pastors who know deep down that Sunday School can be a part of the solution for producing new growth.

Work Sunday School and Sunday School will work. I hope to see in the days ahead churches filled with new people connecting with Jesus, His community, His Truth and His mission.  Like roses in the spring, I pray for churches filled with new growth.

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

In times like these, to whom do you turn? When life throws you to the mat and things you once held dear are gone, where can you find solace and help? For those of us who know Christ, our first word is to call on people to cast themselves into the everlasting arms of our Mighty God, allowing the God of all comfort to soothe their aching hearts.

Man’s days are full of trouble.  Whether the storms are in the form of an F-3 tornado or life experiences that blow with just as great a wind speed, there is an anchor in the storm. Our God does not ignore us. He stands ready to pull us into His lap and hold us when the storms seek to pull us apart. He is our strength when we are weak and an ever present help in times of trouble.

But God has created us to need human touch also. He is ever present, but often demonstrates His presence through the loving touch and helping hands of His people. Such is the case in times of disaster. Oklahoma people of every persuasion come out of the woodwork to assist and offer a helping hand. I have watched across the years as this Oklahoma standard is repeated again and again during times of disaster.

When tragedy strikes, I take great joy in pointing to an army of volunteers who are first on the scene, trained and tireless in meeting the needs of hurting people. I speak of the band of brothers and sisters called Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief. They serve tirelessly, without pay and perform dirty jobs, as well as provide warm meals for those still in shock from the trauma of disaster.

In Woodward, as in place after place across our state, nation and world, those in the bright yellow shirts and hats give themselves away without reserve and pour oil on the troubled waters of people in need. With every meal and every touch, the love of Christ is evident. The deeds of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are not acts of pity, but expressions of the love of the Savior.  Their listening ears, comforting hugs and soft prayers bring the presence of God in the midst of tragedy and despair.

Oklahoma Baptists give to the State Missions Offering and give special gifts during times of disaster to support disaster relief work. The Cooperative Program provides needed resources and covers the office expenses so that the disaster relief work is not hindered in any way. I can assure you that every dollar makes a huge difference in our ability to minister during times of disaster.

Thanks to Sam Porter and Mary Stephens who oversee this great disaster relief work. Join me in giving praise to the Father for the thousands of trained volunteers who serve. And especially now, pray for those in the town of Woodward who have lost so much.

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

My own observation and informal survey of those who work with our youth in churches and schools point in one very clear direction—what is wrong with young people is directly related to the significant adults in their lives.  In fact, in most cases, it boils down to home life or, more appropriately, the lack thereof. It is proven that with more parental involvement and positive parental example, young people are more faithful to church and excel in school.

Youth ministry has changed radically across the years. Many of the youth in our churches have little parental encouragement or support. Parents don’t attend church, and don’t encourage their children to attend. A family attending church together becomes more and more the exception.

Young people find it difficult to discover examples, parents or other adults, who live authentic Christian lives. By authentic, I do not mean perfect—I do mean a purposed Christian life. Having parents who love Jesus and seek to live for Him 24/7 devoid of hypocrisy is not always the norm. Pew-sitting parents who fulfill their duty to God on Sunday morning are different than authentic followers of Jesus who purpose to bring all their lives under His Lordship.

Failure and compromise on occasion is different than living a life of failure and compromise. The former is authentic living, while the latter is hypocritical living. Parents who own their failure, confess and seek forgiveness, are different from those who fail and do not care.  Our children do not need perfect parents, but they do need authentic followers of Christ who talk the talk and walk the walk.

Parents are of greater influence than they know. Parents have often been deceived in thinking they are not major influencers in their children’s lives. Studies prove again and again that parents continue to be near the top of the list of those who shape the values, attitudes and actions of kids. The question is not whether we influence our children, but how we influence them.

The words of Paul to young Timothy come to mind. Paul reminded Timothy of the genuine faith of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, a faith that was not compromised and did not cave during the difficult times. Paul knew that genuine, living faith is more caught than taught. Paul also reminded Timothy of the powerful influence of Timothy’s mother and grandmother as they taught him the truth of Scripture. This Scripture, Paul said, was able to prepare, to mature and to grow Timothy into a fully-devoted follower of Christ.

Authentic followers of Christ are the kind of adults our kids need. So when you ask, “What’s wrong with our youth?” just start looking at the adults who surround them. While young people can and do make their own decisions, it is more likely they will make good choices if they have been led through example and word by authentic followers of Christ.

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

Easter is, without a doubt, the most significant day on the Christian calendar. The largest crowds of the year are usually on this particular Sunday.   Church members who are unwilling to attend or careless in attendance the rest of the year will go to church on Easter.  Husbands and dads who would not normally darken the doors are willing to give one day a year to make wives and children happy.

For committed followers of Christ, this past Sunday was more than a special day on the calendar—it represents a celebration of the center of our spiritual universe. If the story of Easter is not valid, then our faith is not valid. Our message is incomplete without the exclamation point of the resurrection of Christ.  No, our message is empty. A martyr’s death has power to inspire, but it does not have the power to save.

It is interesting that the government-approved church in the largest country in East Asia can preach the Bible except for the resurrection and the second coming of Christ. The atheistic government understands that the Gospel is empty and incomplete without the Easter message.

But what if last Sunday had been devoid of the resurrection truth? Would there have been a reason to meet? I fear that we handle holy truth so much we may miss its significance. Christianity is an Easter religion. Paul was very clear—no resurrection, no faith—at all!

As you reflect on the joy of last Sunday and the powerful truth your pastor declared, let this glorious message sink deep in your soul. Jesus has conquered death.  Because He lives, we will live also throughout eternity. But greater still we will not just live, but we will experience eternity in Heaven with all its glory.

But there is more!  Our celebration last Sunday was an affirmation that the Savior will return as the Lord of Lords. He will place His enemies as a footstool under His feet. The evil of this world will crash and burn into the lake of fire.  The crucified Lamb will return as the conquering King of Kings.

I believe the crowds gather on Easter because deep inside there is a longing for the resurrection message to be true.  Those who nonchalantly enter the worship center to satisfy the nagging of others or who decide to give God one day a year endure the worship, but deep inside, I believe they hope the story is true.

The message cannot be handled casually. There is a truth that demands response. I fear “church members” who pay their dues on Easter have a deep misunderstanding of the Easter reality. Christ did not die and rise on the third day for casual belief or acceptance. He died to bring radical change in the lives of all who would embrace the resurrection message through repentance and faith. Christ has no interest in indifferent church membership or faith. He demands a commitment that requires death to self and resurrection to new life.

My friends in East Asia choose to meet in small gatherings in out of the way places to celebrate the Easter story each week. They understand a faith without Easter and the second coming of the resurrected Lord is no faith at all. They are right.

In my post-game review of last Sunday, I find great joy in knowing that across this great state, our Baptist churches met to worship and declare the powerful resurrection story.  It was a great day!  Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

When traveling in Israel, I found myself often saying, “This is my favorite place!” If you were to ask me today which spot left the most indelible mark on me, I would be torn between the view from the Mount of Olives that overlooks Gethsemane and the old walled city or the simplicity of the garden tomb. Both had a powerful effect on my mind and heart.

Yet for me the most touching moment in Israel took place at the garden tomb as I sat in its beautifully kept surroundings—the very site of the most important events in history. No place so captures the heart and essence of Christianity.

From the garden you can look upon a hill believed to be Golgotha. I realize scholars still debate its exact location, but I can assure you the Hill of the Skull fits well the biblical text. Its gnarled face reminds one of a human skull. For those with eyes of faith it is no stretch to see the three crosses on that hill. You can almost hear the cries of our Lord as He dies in agony and shame upon the old rugged cross.

To gaze upon the empty tomb stirs many emotions. Whether or not this is the exact location, it certainly matches the text of Scripture. Without question it calls forth joy and exhilaration as one considers what it would have been like to be with Peter, John and the women as they peered for the first time into an empty tomb. Wow!

But as exciting as those experiences are, they are not necessary in order to know the resurrected Lord and Savior. They give powerful testimony to the truth of Scripture, but they are unnecessary for validation of the truth once one has had a personal encounter with the Lord of Life.

The Easter story is alive because He is alive. Today we can experience something far greater than looking inside the empty tomb. After 2,000 years we can still meet the risen Lord personally. As he did for Mary, He is still calling our names.

Have you heard Him call your name? If so, rejoice. If not—listen. The voice that cried in agony from the cross now tenderly and softly speaks to you. Come to the risen Lord in faith and receive life—abundant and eternal.

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

Case in point is the treatment of actor Kirk Cameron. Cameron, who became famous for his starring role in the hit television series “Growing Pains,” has been a believer for many years.  He is the father of six children, and often speaks of his commitment to rear them in the ways of Christ. Cameron, a personable and winsome follower of Christ, has taken repeated abuse at the hands of the mainstream media because he articulates clearly the biblical standard of morality.

In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Cameron was asked his views on homosexuality and gay marriage.  Cameron spoke out against gay marriage and homosexuality as “destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.”  His views set off a firestorm. The tolerant among us have chastised, castigated and sought to make him look out of touch and ignorant. He has been accused by the liberal left as instigating bullying and hate crimes against homosexuals.

In reality, if a person disagrees with the liberal norm, which declares immoral acts as normal, he is intolerant.  Any reference to biblical truth is met with ridicule and scoffed at as though it is Neanderthal in its perspective. Anyone who stands on the absolute truth of Scripture is uninformed, uneducated and intolerant; therefore, their view should not be tolerated. That, my friend, is an oxymoron!

Ann Curry of the Today show interviewed Cameron and sought to fit Cameron into the above mold. Cameron, in a very winsome and kind way, took her questions and stood without compromise on the truth of Scripture. When asked if he expected the firestorm surrounding his comments, Cameron said, “I was surprised, frankly, that people were surprised by the things that I’ve said,” he explained. “I have been consistent for 15 years as a Christian. I’m a Bible-believing Christian. What I would have thought was more newsworthy is if I had said something that contradicted the Word of God, if I had contradicted my faith.”  Well said, Kirk!

Curry asked if he hated gays. He responded that he did not.  Isn’t that interesting? If you reject a moral choice by another, you hate them. No, rejection of sin does not imply hate, it implies a commitment to the Creator’s standard for right living.

Sadly, Kirk Cameron or anyone else who holds to biblical truth about homosexuality or any other moral sin is granted the sacrament of the liberal left, which is intolerance.  The hate speech of our day is reserved for those who would dare to stand on the absolutes of the Bible.  Nonetheless, “Stand, therefore, with the truth like a belt around your waist.”

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

We found ourselves away from home for the first time and very alone. We immediately looked for a Southern Baptist church to help fill the void. We found a large Baptist church in town, but discovered it was not Southern Baptist. How strange! In Oklahoma, the largest church in town usually is Southern Baptist. In fact, due to our Southern Baptist creative church planting plan (fussin’ and splittin’) a person usually must choose among several churches. Not so in Kansas!

We discovered the Southern Baptist mission on a back street, meeting in a converted garage. Harold Morgan, a bivocational church planter, served as pastor. The mission and pastor were supported by the Home Mission Board (now called the North American Mission Board). It was a wonderful group of pioneering people. On our high attendance day, we would break the 20 barrier. But what a blessing this mission church was to a young couple far from home.

It was in this mission supported by the Home Mission Board that Polla and I gave our first tithe check as a couple. In this mission, Polla and I shared that we had surrendered to God’s call to vocational ministry.

In this little mission, Brother Morgan gave me the opportunity to be his pulpit supply, and I stammered through my first “official” sermon.

This mission was a direct result of the generous giving of Southern Baptists through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions. My testimony is repeated multiple times by individuals across this country. Because you give, missions are planted, the Gospel is preached and lives are changed. Your generosity provides support for church planters to establish beachheads for the Gospel in the inner cities of the great metroplexes and in the small towns of this nation. Because you give, Easter will become a reality to people who live in some of the darkest places in the United States.

First Southern Baptist Church of Pratt, Kan., now has a beautiful church building on the main east-west highway into town. It provides a strong gospel witness to the community. It is there because Southern Baptists like you gave generously to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. There are thousands of communities all over North America waiting for generous Southern Baptists to give so a church planter can come to town and start a gospel preaching station. Their eternity depends on it.

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

I ran past the place where Hominy Hut was located. I laughed as I thought back to the cabin with flaps on the windows, no air conditioning and an outdoor toilet. This cabin was the place where I first noticed a beautiful cheerleader. She didn’t know I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I didn’t ask her for an Icee date that summer, but the day did arrive when she would become my wife.

My run took me by the beautiful new tabernacle that covers the place where the old one stood. The memory of the Saturday morning service when God captured my heart for ministry filled my mind.  The moment was as real to me this morning as it was so long ago. This spot on Earth will always be holy ground to me. It was here that the voice of God spoke so loudly I could not ignore Him. Life would never be the same because of that morning at Falls Creek.

My journey took me through this revitalized and dramatically improved camp. Nearly every street has a new or totally remodeled cabin. The recreational venues have taken exponential steps forward over the last few years.  Yet with all the improvements, the same God has chosen to work just as powerfully as ever in the hearts of people who step on these grounds.

In the calm, I began to breathe a prayer for the events that are about to begin. In just a few weeks, the women’s and men’s retreats will take place.  Thousands of adults will fill the camp.   And just as the Holy Spirit touches lives during the summer youth weeks, He will deeply touch the adults who come to this place. Eternity-changing decisions will transform families.

While now quiet, it will not be long before the streets of Falls Creek are filled with young people from around Oklahoma. Indeed, as you know, Falls Creek will become a city bigger than most of the towns from where many of these young people come. The now calm atmosphere will be inundated with the chatter of excited young girls and boys relishing in the fact that this is their town, and they are the overwhelming majority.

As I ran, I just kept praising and thanking God for this wonderful place in the Arbuckle Mountains.  There truly is no place on earth like it—it is a treasure that God has given us. We dare not take it for granted or fail to be good stewards of the facilities and the ministry performed here.

The challenges to provide such a wonderful place never go away. We must remove the debt on the tabernacle. Because of 2011 giving and interest earnings, in the next few months the debt will be reduced by $550,000. It is a major step in the right direction, but we will still owe $4.9 million. I am confident Oklahoma Baptists will work together to remove this debt very soon.

This “city” of Falls Creek is in the process of replacing sewer and water facilities to the tune of $7.5 million. We cannot vote a bond issue as municipalities do across our state. The BGCO Board of Directors instead raised the registration fee and designated the increase to pay for the necessary improvements.  Falls Creek is the largest youth camp in America and perhaps the world. The cost of a week is still half that of an athletic camp and well within the cost of other smaller camps in Oklahoma, a bargain by any measure for both small and large churches.

I had a good run and a good walk down memory lane. While I rejoice in the past, I must tell you my mind is set on the future—a future filled with transformed lives and powerful spiritual moments.  Lord, thank you for blessing Oklahoma Baptists with this awesome place!

Anthony L. Jordan is executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.