Oklahoma has been a proving ground for many national leaders. In the last few years, four men from Oklahoma have moved directly to lead state conventions in other parts of the country. Two of these four men worked on our state staff before becoming leaders of state conventions. Now, a third man will join this outstanding group of leaders.

Dr. Randy Adams, who has led the Church Outreach Team of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma for the last nine years, will leave the BGCO to become the Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention. The Northwest convention encompasses Oregon, Washington, and the stove pipe of Idaho. With 407 churches and 38 church-type missions, the convention is well positioned to make great strides forward in church planting and membership growth.

I take personal joy in seeing Randy assume this new position. He has served Oklahoma well. The Church Outreach Team is the largest team and touches many of the most significant areas of the BGCO “together” ministry in Oklahoma, including Baptist collegiate ministries, evangelism, church planting, disaster relief, chaplaincy and women’s ministries, to name a few.

Dr. Adams came to us from the pastorate of McAlester, First, where he led the church through a remarkable time of growth in evangelism and missions. Under his leadership, the church had purchased a large section of land at the most prominent intersection in the city for future expansion. When the Church Outreach Team leader position came open, I talked with only one person, and that was Randy. He has not disappointed me or Oklahoma Baptists.

He has been a faithful partner and leader as Oklahoma Baptists have expanded their reach around the world through partnership missions. In recent days, SERVE OKLAHOMA and MY316 have had significant impact in our state. Blessed with an outstanding staff, Randy has led them to serve with passion and excellence.

We will miss Randy at the BGCO and across Oklahoma. He has been interim pastor and preached at many churches and events across our state. We will miss his passion for Christ and his preaching of the Word. Randy is a churchman who loves the local church and believes that ministry must be the anchor in the local New Testament church.

Perhaps the most difficult part of Randy’s departure is that Paula is going to leave also! Paula has served beside him and has always been active in state WMU work. In fact, she has been serving as president of the state WMU. She is an outstanding lady and leader in her own right.

As a couple, they will be a blessing to the people of the Northwest. I am very proud of Randy and have greatly enjoyed our time together. God has called him to a great task. I have no doubt he is more than capable, under the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit, to lead the Northwest Baptist Convention to levels of impact and effectiveness.

Pray for Randy and Paula in their time of transition. I give thanks to God for our time together in leadership of the BGCO. I wish them God’s best as they take on this new adventure for the Master.