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.
One of our primary goals of the Global Missions office is for us to connect Oklahoma Baptist churches with Oklahomans serving around the world. At the same time, we want to provide on-ramps for our churches to fulfill the Great Commission. We can do this in various ways.
We are asking Oklahoma Baptists churches to send one person from each church. That would allow us to send more than 1,800 people in the next 12 months overseas. Can you imagine the difference we can make if we send 1,800 missionaries preaching the Gospel to the lost and encouraging the local church?
At the same time, we are asking our churches to take one. We have churches right now who have volunteered to take others with them on their mission trips from other churches. This is an amazing display of unity, working together as Oklahoma Baptists to fulfill the Great Commission.
This also reminds us to be one. As we mobilize people to the nations to serve as missionaries, it reminds us that someone doesn’t have to get on a plane to be a missionary, but that we are missionaries in Buffalo, Atoka, Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Something else we provide are entry-level short-term mission trips to the Americas, Europe, North Africa and Asia. If you are interested in any of these, please contact the Global Missions office at 405/942-3800 Ext. 4377. These entry-level excursions will give you the tools you need for your church to begin short- term mission work.
We are excited to walk alongside those who feel called to serve in long-term missions. As Oklahoma Baptists, we have the responsibility to train, equip and encourage our full-time missionaries as we hold on to our end of the rope, so they know they are cared for and encouraged to fulfill God’s call on their lives.
We want our churches to know that the Global Missions office is here to support and empower each church to go overseas on short term trips but also send well-trained missionaries.
It’s an honor to serve you.
Written by Mike Wall
Oklahoma Baptists Global Missions Partner
