DEL CITY—The State Evangelism Conference at Del City, First Southern, Jan. 25-26, featured three significant award presentations, emphasizing state evangelism work.
Pastor Heath Tucker of Skiatook, First and his family were the recipients of the Fishers of Men Award Mon. evening, Jan. 25. His wife Randy and children Evan, Ali, Kathryn and newborn Gemma received the award for setting a strong pace, as a family, for others to follow, said Mike Napier, personal evangelism specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO).
“They are having evangelistic conversations with people on the playground, at the grocery store and everywhere they go,” Napier said.
Pastor Sam Dyer of Heavener, First also received the Fishers of Men Award Tuesday evening, Jan. 26. In a community of 4,000 people, Heavener, First baptized 121 people from Sept., 2014-Aug. 2015.
“Many more were reached with the Gospel and baptized in their prison and county jail ministry,” Napier said about Heavener, First where Dyer has pastored for 15 years. “They have baptized more than 40 people in the last five months.”
Wayne Bristow received “the highest recognition we have for evangelism,” said Napier. The former BGCO evangelism specialist was presented the “Lifetime Achievement Award in Evangelism” Mon. evening, Jan. 26.
Bristow is a veteran of 60 years of active ministry. He has served as a pastor, international evangelist, associate director of the Volunteers in Missions Department of the Southern Baptists’ International Mission Board and as the world missions coordinator for Edmond, First. He is retired and is the full-time caregiver for his wife Robbie. The couple have been married 57 years.
“Wayne is very deserving of this recognition,” Napier said. “Many pastors and leaders across Oklahoma and other states have said this recognition is way past due.”
