From ministry articles to links to health care websites, from event cancellation notices to new podcasts, the Oklahoma Baptists’ newly launched Coronavirus Response Resource—viewable at www.OklahomaBaptists.org/Coronavirus—offers a wide array of resources that pastors and churches can use in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the church-centered article topics included on the site are:
- Cleaning considerations for your church
- 5 ways your church can respond to COVID-19
- 5 principles for church service decision-making in a COVID-19 world
- Free Coronavirus response training and resources available for churches
- 4 mistakes to avoid in this pandemic
- Coronavirus and your church
- GuideStone COVID-19 Preperations
- The Center for Disease Control’s Resources for Community and Faith-Based Leaders
- Well child policy
- Pandemic preparedness checklist
- Basic hygiene practices for guest services
- Pandemic planning considerations
- Baptist Village Communities Update
The web resource is home to video resources and podcasts produced by Oklahoma Baptists’ convention staff.
The web page also is being updated daily with information pertaining to upcoming events. As of March 18, the website listed the cancellation of the following Oklahoma Baptist events:
March 26: Community 94
March 27-28: Literacy Missions Workshop
March 27-28: Critical Incident Stress Management Training
March 31-April 2: Falls Creek Pre-Camp Gatherings
April 1-2: Ask Anything Tour—OU & OSU Campuses
April 3-5: Collegiate Falls Creek Spring Retreat
April 4: Disaster Relief Training
April 17-18: Women’s Retreat
April 21: Chaplain Refresher Training
April 24-25: Rewired Men’s Retreat/Conference
To see the status of each future event, visit www.oklahomabaptists.org/events. Any cancellations will also be announced at the Coronavirus Response page.
Summer camps have not been cancelled. According to the website, “Falls Creek Youth Camp and CrossTimbers planning is moving ahead as normal. Our intention is to have camp. We will continue to closely monitor and make further decisions May 1, 2020.”
Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists, expressed gratitude for people serving.
“I have been greatly encouraged to see pastors and churches across the state step up to serve their communities in need, as well as continue to worship the Lord as a church body, whether in person or online,” he said.
“In the Kingdom of God, opportunity and challenge often come together. We are in a challenging season with the Coronavirus. But we have an opportunity as well, because people are more aware of how fragile and uncertain life is. I thank God we have faithful pastors and churches in every corner of this state. With God’s help, we advance the Gospel together in this season of great need.”
