Eccl. 3:1 says “there is a time and season for everything.”
I have heard many times about the “gathering of eagles” at the 1992 State Evangelism Conference (SEC). This was a gathering of great preachers and evangelists, such as W. A. Criswell, Roy Fish, Angel Martinez and J. Harold Smith. By all accounts, it was a time of anointed preaching and a fresh breath of God’s Spirit.
I believe this year is the time and season to hear what God is doing across Oklahoma and to hear what God has put on the heart of Oklahoma pastors. The “eagles” are gathering again, and this time, they are the pacesetters in evangelism from right here in Oklahoma. Each speaker at the upcoming SEC will be an Oklahoma pastor.
You will know personally several of these evangelistic Oklahoma pastors. These are guys you went to school with, fellowshipped with at Falls Creek, had revivals with or at least have heard about from your friends in ministry. These are guys who pastor churches very similar to your own church. It is always great to hear pastors from across our nation, but there is something special about hearing how God is working in the heart and congregation of a pastor from our own state.
The pastors preaching at the conference are Charlie Blount, El Reno, First; Alton Fannin, Ardmore, First; Nick Garland, Broken Arrow, First; Blake Gideon, Edmond, First; Alex Himaya, Broken Arrow, Battle Creek; K.J. Jackson, Tulsa, New Beginnings; Scott Reed, Cache, First; Rick Sowell, Choctaw, Choctaw Road; and Jack Vance, Dewar, First.
You can find feature articles on each of these pastors at sec.okbaptist.com/speakers.
I want you to know that I take the responsibility of selecting the conference speakers very seriously, and that I prayed extensively about each of these men. I consulted with several advisors, and these men were recommended as highly evangelistic pastors. Also, I want to tell you that as I met personally with each pastor, they were humble in accepting this honor and excited to share their heart for Christ and the people of Oklahoma.
Is the Lord still among us? Of course He is! Mark your calendars now for the upcoming SEC at Moore, First, Jan. 27-28, 2014, to hear and experience what God is doing as we all renew our commitment to reach Oklahoma with the Gospel. I believe the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart through these men who are like you, love the people of this state like you do and lead a church similar to yours.
Also, for the second year in a row, there will be a prayer focus the Sunday night prior to the conference. I talked with Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) Prayer & Spiritual Awakening Specialist Greg Frizzell, and based on the movement of God from last year’s time of prayer and the continued spiritual drought of our state, we believe concerted prayer is still a key ingredient for evangelism. This solemn assembly will take place at Moore, First from 6-7:30 p.m., Sun., Jan. 26.
Plan now to attend the SEC and hear how we can transition from the last leg of MY316 (SERVE Oklahoma) to ReConnect Evangelism and align with the new BGCO emphasis of ReConnect Sunday School. For more information, visit the conference website at www.bgco.org/sec, or call the evangelism office at 405/942-3000, ext. 4313.
