Regular readers of this column know that I do not often push programs or events. With this edition, however, I want to put extra emphasis on a few important opportunities and issues you will read about in the pages that follow.
First, I would like to invite you to join us at the State Evangelism Conference (SEC), Jan. 28-29, at Del City, First Southern located at 6400 South Sooner Road. The theme for this year’s conference is “Multiply.” The SEC will begin both days at 9 a.m. with breakout sessions on Tuesday morning, Jan. 29. You can find a detailed schedule at sec.okbaptist.com.
Keynote speakers include Pastor Ed Newton, SBC First Vice President A.B. Vines, comedian Chonda Pierce, founder and president of Compel Outreach International Bill Britt, along with many others. A full list of speakers can be found on the website as well.
This conference provides a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and encouragement, and it puts the spotlight on our calling to do the work of the evangelist. This very important conference hits on the heart of our mission as Oklahoma Baptists—we encourage one another to advance the Gospel.
Second, Rose Day—the annual rally for life at the state capitol—is scheduled Feb. 6. This gathering of Christians from all across Oklahoma is held at the beginning of the legislative session to allow people the opportunity to express their support for life in Oklahoma and to encourage their state senators and representatives to strongly promote pro-life legislation.
Bring your red roses to the state capitol and present them to your representative, senator, lieutenant governor, and governor, and attend the Rose Day Rally held in the House chamber at 11:30 a.m. You can find more information about Rose Day and how to find your legislators at www.roseday.life.
Finally, pray for Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). Our university plays a vital role in the advancement of the Gospel in Oklahoma and around the world.
We want to express our gratitude to David Whitlock for his sacrificial service. We should also express our dependence on the Lord for His continued direction and provision.
OBU was founded on prayer. J.M. Gaskin writes that when Bison Hill in Shawnee was chosen as the location for the new Baptist school, two leaders, W. P. Blake and G. Lee Phelps, arranged 12 stones to mark the spot.
“Their hearts were so stirred that they knelt, one on one side of these 12 stones and the other on the opposite side” (Milestones, p. 61). Let’s continue in this heritage of prayer, asking our Lord to direct us to our next president of OBU.
Remember to pray Zeph. 3:9 over our churches this year. “For then I will give the peoples purified lips, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD, to serve Him shoulder to shoulder” (NASB).
