In Southern Baptist life, the headquarters is the local church. Churches have organized into local associations, state conventions and the national Southern Baptist Convention to assist carrying the Gospel to the world. In Acts 1:8, Jesus commands that we be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the Earth.
In addition to the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO), which is comprised of 1,800 Oklahoma Southern Baptist churches, the churches have also formed 43 associations. Each of these associations is an autonomous organization governed by its member churches. The relationship of these associations with the BGCO is a voluntary and cooperative partnership in which we work together to fulfill the Great Commission.
Each association is led by a leader selected by the association. Usually this person is called either the “Director of Missions” or the “Associational Missionary.” Many church members are unfamiliar with the vital and important role the associations play in reaching our world for Christ. Historically, associations have
