MOORE—On Nov. 11-12, 2024, 885 Oklahoma Baptist registered messengers, plus guests, from 400 churches, attended the 118th Annual Meeting of Oklahoma Baptists, hosted at Moore, First.
The two-day event included times for key business, worship through song, preaching, prayer, ministry exhibits, special meal fellowship events, times to honor Oklahoma Baptist missionaries and more.
Leading into the 2024 Annual Meeting, the Oklahoma Baptists Pastors’ Conference (OKBPC) provided a time of fellowship, worship and encouragement to Oklahoma Pastors.
The theme of this year’s Pastors’ Conference was “Well Done,” based on the words of Jesus from Matt. 25:23: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
This year’s theme encouraged pastors to stay strong in ministry and highlighted the concept of faithfulness in five keys areas of a pastor’s life: family, preaching, leadership, longevity in ministry and personal life.
Speakers included Pastors Keith Wigington, Mark Clifton, Michael Gabbert, Jared C. Wilson and Rob Lindley, who each offered insight from personal experiences and the Scriptures.
On Monday morning, Wigington’s sermon focused on family life and how surrendering to Christ is at the center of a Christian’s life.
Clifton shared from his personal journey as a pastor and church planter, offering encouragement to Oklahoma Baptist pastors and those in the ministry.
“We have a complete revelation in God’s Word. Jesus exceeds every expectation we could ever have,” said Clifton.
Gabbert shared with pastors about the importance and impact of longevity in pastoral ministry.
“Our calling is to impact lives, to impact people for the Lord,” said Gabbert.
Wilson offered biblical encouragement to attendees of the conference.
“It’s not your job to hand out religious busy work. It is your job to proclaim the Gospel and God as the author of that Gospel,” said Wilson.
The final speaker for the Pastors’ Conference, Lindley, encouraged Oklahoma Baptist pastors in the ministry of the local church.
“God takes broken things and makes them beautiful, as only He can,” said Lindley.
As a new feature of the Pastors’ Conference, 2024 Pastor’s Conference President Luke Holmes, who serves at Duncan, Immanuel, presented the inaugural J.B. Rounds Bi-Vocational Pastor of the Year Award. The award went to David Boggs of Butcher Pen Baptist Mission to recognize “his hard work and dedication as a Bi-Vocational Pastor.” Holmes hopes the award continues in future years.
During the event, officer elections for future Pastors’ Conference took place. The 2025 Pastors’ Conference will be led by Jeremy Freeman, President; Jeff DeGiacomo, first vice president and Jase Hargrove, second vice president.
Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive-Director Treasurer Todd Fisher closed the evening in prayer and invited all attendees to the Oklahoma Baptist Annual Meeting which followed the Pastors’ Conference.
2024 Annual Meeting inspires attendees
On Monday evening, the 118th meeting of the Oklahoma Baptists began with a time of worship led by the renowned singing group, Native Praise Choir, which is celebrating its 25th year of ministry and has performed around the world.
That evening, Fisher delivered his annual executive director-treasurer’s address.
During this time, Fisher shared key ministry updates for Oklahoma Baptists, strategic ministry priorities of supporting and serving pastors and churches. Fisher also unveiled plans to add one more regional ministry partner in 2025 with plans to add a sixth ministry partner in the future.
He also shared an update on the move of WatersEdge, Oklahoma Baptists, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children and Baptist Village Communities to the newly acquired Sonic Building in Bricktown. It is anticipated that WatersEdge staff will relocate this month, with the others to make the move in coming months. Several videos throughout the meeting highlighted the many benefits for this strategic office move.
Fisher then shared a powerful and emotional testimony of how God saved his life during a serious automobile accident last July and how the prayers of others have carried him on his journey to recovery.
He detailed how, in providential timing, two men came along and provided life-saving care for him immediately following the crash until medics could be on the scene.
Fisher encouraged those in attendance who are going through any kind of struggle, with what the Lord has taught him throughout the crash and recovery process.
“God sees you. God fights for you. And He is always ultimately at work for our good even when we may not realize or understand it.,” Fisher said.
To conclude the Monday evening session, pastor and Indian Falls Creek executive director Victor Cope closed in prayer for Fisher and for the work of reaching the state, including Native Peoples, with the Gospel.
After the evening session concluded, Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) held a reception for guests that celebrated the 100-year anniversary of BCM/BSU ministries.
The following morning, Tue. Nov. 12, The Singing ChurchWomen of Oklahoma, who are celebrating their 35th year, led the worship session to begin the second day of the Annual Meeting.
WatersEdge CEO Robert Kellogg then delivered a ministry report, emphasizing the Kingdom impact of WatersEdge and speaking about the move to its new office ministry headquarters.
Following this, Bill Pierce, President of Baptist Village Communities (BVC), offered the BVC ministry report. He shared how the ministry is revitalizing senior adult ministry and thriving at its ministry locations. BVC is 66 years old as a ministry and “the future of the next 66 years looks bright,” said Pierce.
Following this set of ministry reports, the business session began. Michael Butler, who is serving as president for Oklahoma Baptists, was elected to a second one-year term as president during the morning business session. Butler preached from God’s Word during the morning session, offering the president’s address and connected his message to the theme of “Invested.”
“You are the missionary God has raised up to reach your community for the Gospel,” Butler said.
In the afternoon, OBU President Heath Thomas shared a ministry report which included the Gospel impact of OBU and about the “Shape the Future” campaign that aims to propel the mission of OBU.
James Swain, president of Oklahoma Baptists Homes for Children, then gave a ministry report about the growing foster care ministry, Hope Pregnancy Centers, residential campus ministries and more.
BCM State Director Cris Lowery then led a time of recognition for BCM’s 100th anniversary and how the Gospel has impacted 39 campuses across the state.
Brent Prentice, lead pastor of Stillwater, Eagle Heights, delivered the annual sermon on Tuesday afternoon. He preached from Psalm 43, sharing about finding encouragement in the Lord when facing discouragement.
During the 2024 Annual Meeting, Oklahoma Baptists women’s ministry and missions was highlighted. In this photo Amy Cordova, Missions and Women’s Ministry for Oklahoma Baptists (pictured at right), connects with Julie Busler (left), who most recently served as Oklahoma WMU state director, and the newly elected Oklahoma WMU director Kennedy Lehew (center).
During the Annual Meeting, Oklahoma Baptists’ messengers elected the following officers: Michael Butler, pastor of Chickasha, First as president; Owen Nease, pastor of Oklahoma City, Emmaus, as 1st Vice President; and Randy Hurt, director of missions for Atoka-Coal Association, as 2nd Vice President. Jacob Bice concluded the Annual Meeting with a closing prayer.
In business items, messengers to the annual meeting approved members to serve on various boards and committees. Messengers also approved the Cooperative Program (CP) giving objective for 2025 of $24.5 million, as messengers looked forward to celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the CP next year. Throughout the two-day event, various meal fellowships and auxiliary events took place, including ones hosted by the Send Network Oklahoma, an Oklahoma Baptists’ Missions Dinner, OBU Dinner and more.
Fisher expressed thanks to all who attended the Annual Meeting. He said, “What an amazing Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting we had! Incredible attendance and so thankful for the unity, love for one another, and focus on advancing the Gospel our churches and pastors have. What a joy to be part of these dear people and serve them. Grateful!”
The 2025 Oklahoma Baptists Annual Meeting is set to take place on Nov. 10-11 and will be hosted by Oklahoma City, Southern Hills. For more information, visit this link.
