As I have traveled the state, I am continually amazed to hear how God is working among Oklahoma Baptists. We are truly blessed by the Lord as He continues to use Oklahoma Baptists to advance the Gospel here and around the world.
Through the years, the Lord has raised up some special ministries that are near and dear to the hearts of Oklahoma Baptists.
We think of Falls Creek and the way God continues to save young people and call them into vocational ministry, as well as His work through CrossTimbers reaching children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We think of our amazing affiliate ministries: Baptist Village Communities, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Oklahoma Baptist University, and WatersEdge—each of these making a difference in the lives of many for Christ.
We hear tremendous testimonies of how God is at work through campus Baptist Collegiate Ministries, which make a Gospel impact every day.
We think of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief and how these wonderful volunteers are the hands and feet of Jesus, making a difference for the kingdom in times of disaster by meeting physical needs and sharing the Gospel.
We also think of the Baptist Messenger. This longstanding and beloved publication truly is an Oklahoma Baptist treasure.
Today marks a new era for the Baptist Messenger with the introduction of a full-color magazine. This print publication will include all the features that longtime readers know and love. It will also include some new content designed to bless and equip pastors and our churches.
You have heard me say the goal of Oklahoma Baptists is to serve and support churches and encourage and equip pastors.
It is my prayer and hope that this publication will be a constant source of encouragement to our churches and pastors, with news of missions, theological pieces, Gospel-based human-interest stories, Baptist news, podcast highlights, church news, inspiring articles, and more.
I pray the Baptist Messenger will be a great resource to help strengthen and edify our churches, pastors, and all who read it. Please take a moment to look through the pages of this new edition. I hope you will be blessed by it. Then pass it on to a neighbor or friend.
The Bible says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isa. 52:7).
In a world that thrives on negative news and division, we are committed to the Baptist Messenger being a continual source of Good News, one that proclaims the peace and salvation that only Jesus brings.
