January 4, 2015
“…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28: 18-20 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Dr. Anthony Jordan and his wife Polla. Dr. Jordan is the Executive
Director-Treasurer for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and has served in this position since
1996. He provides leadership for all the missions and ministries of the convention. He also relates closely
to Oklahoma Baptist University, The Baptist Foundation, Baptist Village Communities and Oklahoma
Baptist Homes for Children. Falls Creek Conference Center, CrossTimbers Children’s Missions Camp and
Partnership Missions have shown tremendous growth under his leadership. He is a strong advocate of
global missions and exerts leadership wherever possible to strengthen our total missions involvement and
enterprise including Cooperative Program Giving. One of Dr. Jordan’s greatest joys is to minister to
pastors and staff in Oklahoma and to preach in Oklahoma churches. He states “the expansion of the Gospel
from the front door of the Church to the ends of the earth is possible because of the faithful giving of
Oklahoma Baptists. Everything I do is undergirded through the Cooperative Program.”
Specific Prayer Requests for Anthony and Polla:
1. For God’s vision for Oklahoma Baptists.
2. For wisdom in decisions I make that impact others.
3. For Holy Spirit power as I preach.
4. That I might walk in holiness with God each day.
5. Safety and good health for me and my family.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Northwest and Quail Springs
January 11, 2015
For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will
someone die for a just person---though for a good person someone might even dare to die. But God proves
His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! ---For if, while we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled,
will we be saved by His Life! (Romans 5: 6-8, 10 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Martin and Jill Hall. The Halls serve at the Baptist Village of
Oklahoma City where Martin is the Campus Director. Martin has served in this position for the past two
years moving from a similar position in Corn, Oklahoma. The Baptist Village (BVC) in Oklahoma City
completed a 50 bed rehab unit made up of four neighborhoods in August of 2014 and dedicated on
September 27, 2014. Martin’s goal in 2015 is to fill the rehab neighborhoods to capacity and take every
advantage of this brand new opportunity to minister in the name of Christ and to fulfill the mission of
Baptist Village Communities “to honor God by creating communities and services to enhance lives and
enable people to serve God and one another.” He also plans to begin remodeling the older buildings and
begin with the rooms on the north hall. He also has a goal of providing more private rooms in the nursing
home area. Martin says “the Cooperative Program has enabled the Oklahoma City BVC to provide more
outings and life enrichment opportunities for residents and guests in all areas of the OKC campus.”
Specific Prayer Requests for Martin and Jill:
1. For the leadership of the BVC in Oklahoma City.
2. For God to continue keeping His hand on BVC also.
3. For both Martin and Jill as they serve in this new position.
4. For God to daily give Martin wisdom to lead and minister to both residents and staff.
5. For safety and God’s blessings on both residents and staff.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Council Road
January 18, 2015
For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and
worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteousness, and godly way in the present- age, while we wait for
the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave
Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do
good works. (Titus 2: 11-14 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionaries Terry and Nan Williams. They live in Kondoa, Tanzania in the
Dodoma region working with the Rangi (Rahn.Gee) people. Terry is a livestock specialist and is teaching
artificial insemination and good livestock practices. He received some resources in 2013 and has been able
to go into villages with the local government agricultural office teaching insemination of the cows. This
has helped build relationships for sharing the Gospel. He also teaches Bible in the Muslim secondary
school to the Christian students. Nan works mainly with the women teaching them to cook using a
charcoal stove. They love to make bread and cakes, and Nan is showing them how to sell their products
thus helping to support their families. She has lots of opportunities to share the scriptures with the ladies in
an informal way. They have a small worship group that meets each week. Most of them are not the Rangi
people but other tribes. The Rangi people have been very slow to respond to the Good News of Jesus. In
November 2015 the Williams will begin their final stateside furlough in preparation for retirement. The
Cooperative Program has made it possible for them to serve on the mission field for many years and has
allowed them to go into the homes and villages to share God’s Good News.
Specific Prayer Requests for Terry and Nan:
1. For the Rangi people to recognize their need of Jesus.
2. For the Rangi believers.
3. For us to keep our eyes on the Father and stay the course to the end.
4. For continued relationships between the men and women that point people to Jesus.
5. For the small worship group to continue growing and to become a church.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Fort Gibson, First; Muskogee, Immanuel
January 25, 2015
Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is
nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the
deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight. Not in
carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. But
put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires. (Romans 13: 11-14 HCSB)
Pray for North American missionaries Don and Lori Williams and their family. Their field is
Oklahoma where Don serves as Chaplaincy Specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
He works with and coordinates the work of chaplains in prisons and jails, health care facilities,
corporations, industry, military and Disaster Relief. He provides training for prospective chaplains, and
shares and shows to Oklahoma Baptist the significant positive impact chaplaincy can have in the local
church. His goal in 2015 is to see at least 50 churches begin using volunteer/part time/full time chaplains
on their ministry team. Cooperative Program (CP) funds support Don on the mission field in Oklahoma.
They allow him to enlist, encourage, equip and endorse chaplains and provide them with needed resources.
Without CP’s assistance the chaplaincy ministry would not exist.
Specific Prayer Requests for Don and Lori:
1. That I would clearly hear and follow God’s call for my life.
2. That I would be bold in sharing my faith and discipling others.
3. That God would protect and lead my family.
4. That God would continue to draw volunteers to the life—transforming chaplaincy ministry.
5. That Jesus light would shine through out chaplains as they serve.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Choctaw Road; Del City, First Southern; Nicoma Park
February 1, 2015
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God
may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah—for while I am in prison—so
that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the
time. Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should
answer each person. (Colossians 4: 2-6 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Bentley and Susan Hill and their family. Bentley is the Baptist
Collegiate Ministry Director (BCM) for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma at Carl Albert State
College located at Poteau. He organizes Bible studies, plans mission trips, and trains students in
discipleship and leadership. He also plans weekly noonday meals and a weekly time of worship. Even
though Carl Albert is a small, rural campus, God has been drawing students to Himself in large numbers.
The noonday meal on Wednesday has run as many as 170, and the Wednesday night worship service has
run as high as 150. Bentley’s goal for 2015 is to reach more students for Christ and to develop a better plan
for reaching students through social media outlets. The Cooperative Program has given Baptists a
Christian presence on the Carl Albert Campus for over 35 years. Bentley says “without the Cooperative
Program I wouldn’t be here doing mission work in the name of Jesus Christ!”
Specific Prayer Requests for Bentley and Susan:
1. That we might reach more International students with the gospel.
2. For our Fall and Spring Revivals.
3. For our Spring Break Mission trip.
4. For incoming students, that they will be open to the gospel.
5. For good health and safety for me and my family.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Heavener, Forrester; Poteau, Southside; Shady Point, Calhoun
February 8, 2015
If I speak the languages of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging
cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all
faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I donate all my goods to
feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing----Love never ends.
(I Corinthians 13: 1-3, 8a HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Chris and Shari Finley. Chris is Director of Chaplain Services with
Baptist Village Communities (BVC) and the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He offers
Chaplaincy ministries to meet the spiritual needs of residents, staff and their family members of the Baptist
Village of Oklahoma City. He also coordinates the Chaplaincy ministry of 8 Baptist Villages in Oklahoma.
He provides Baptist churches and association’s specific training to develop a vibrant ministry to seniors in
senior living communities through the Baptist Village Communities LINC ministry. Through seminars he
offers practical information and materials for Baptist churches and associations on effective strategies for
serving their aging members. He also works with Baptist churches and associations in creating and
coordinating programs and ministries that enhance the lives of older adults living in senior living
communities. Through Oklahoma Baptist churches adopting the BVC LINC ministry, seniors are being led
to the Lord. Christian seniors are being given opportunities to continue their ministry, and the spiritual
needs of the staff and residents of these senior living centers are being met. The Cooperative Program
makes the Chaplaincy ministries in each of the 8 Baptist Villages possible and it enables BVC to offer
churches training in developing vibrant ministries to the aging.
Specific Prayer Requests for Chris and Shari:
1. That more churches and associations would adopt a LINC ministry model for reaching the aging in
senior living communities in their area.
2. That more churches would offer their LINC members specific training for meeting the spiritual
needs in their area.
3. That more churches and associations would be open to seminars on the changing aging culture and
the growing aging population.
4. That more Oklahoma Baptist churches would see the need to participate in the Mother’s Day
offering.
5. That more churches would become aware of and participate in the Adams Care Assistance Fund
that benefits needy elders.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Claremore, First; Mustang, Chisholm Heights; Oklahoma City,
Highland Hills
February 15, 2015
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of
God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was
revealed among us in this way: God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live
thorough Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be
the propitiation for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way we must also love one another. No
one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us. (I John
4: 7-12 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Preston and Jan Collins. Preston is the Executive Director/Treasurer
for the Union Baptist Association (UBA), a fellowship of 78 Baptist Churches mostly in Cleveland and
McClain counties. These counties are growing at a rate of more than 6,000 new people each year. Dr.
Collins leads the ministries of UBA which are organized under four teams to strengthen the member
churches, strategically plant new healthy churches, and provide opportunities for direct mission
involvement by church members to practice good stewardship of the resources made available to the
association. In 2015 the association will be expanding its partnership in Southeast Asia and Alberta,
Canada. The UBA has a fully developed Disaster Relief ministry with a feeding unit, chainsaw unit, debris
removal unit, shower/laundry unit, and trained chaplains. These trained lay people serve all over the
United States and world where disaster strikes. UBA Mission Builders are involved in church building
construction both inside and outside the Association. Union Baptist Association receives a monthly
allotment through the Cooperative Program. BGCO Specialists and strategists are essential to the training
needed by leaders in all UBA churches. They depend on Oklahoma Baptist University and our Southern
Baptist Seminaries to train their church leaders and Falls Creek and CrossTimbers for adult, youth and
children’s camps and retreats. They would not be able to do their work without the networking relationship
they enjoy as Southern Baptist.
Specific Prayer Requests for Preston and Jan:
1. For the UBA churches to be strategic and intentional in their ministries to impact the growing
population and lostness in Central Oklahoma.
2. For UBA churches as they seek to embrace unreached and unengaged people around the world.
3. For VBS children and youth camps to be powerful instruments for transforming young lives.
4. Lives to be changed through the servant ministries provided by UBA churches.
5. For the starting of new healthy churches to disciple the saved and reach the lost.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Alva, First; Arapaho; Graham; Lone Grove, Cheek; Norman, Hilltop;
Sallisaw, Eastside
February 22, 2015
In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together; with the doors locked
because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”
Having said this He showed them His hands and His side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the
Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” (John
20: 19-21 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Glen and Jeri Moore and their two children. They live in Nairobi,
Kenya. Glen supervises the Logistic Coordinators (LC’s) in East Africa, South Sudan, Namibia and the
Indian Ocean Islands. This entails a lot of training, mentoring and traveling to spend time with them
(LC’s). The LC’s are gifted in business and administration assisting the other missionaries in procuring
work permits, places to live, vehicles to drive, and transporting/shipping furnishings for them to set up
house. The LC’s are the supply line for the Church Planters to advance into unreached areas where the
name of Jesus is not yet known. Jeri actively assist Glen in this role but she also works at the Kenya
Baptist Theological College (KBTC) teaching education classes and working with the youth (of which ½
are orphans) in music and drama. At KBTC she ministers alongside nationals and fellow IMB colleagues
striving to revive, renew and restore this theological education institution. There are 42 tribes in Kenya and
KBTC is a place where there is no favoritism given to anyone tribe or people group. Keri has had former
gang leaders and members who have come for training that are now leading gang members to Christ.
Without the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas offering the Moore’s could not be
planting their lives in Africa.
Specific Prayer Requests for Glen and Jeri:
1. For God to call out personnel who are gifted with business and relational skills to join us on
International fields.
2. For the ministry of KBTC and that God will restore, revive and renew this theological education
institution.
3. For our new church—the government needed our land for road expansion and we are having to
relocate. Pray for more land and larger buildings.
4. For safety for us and our colleagues as we strive to go about our various ministries in our countries
and residences.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Claremore, Memorial Heights; Tahlequah, First; Vinita, First
March 1, 2015
“But you,” He asked them, “Who do you say that I am.” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the
Son of the living God! And Jesus responded “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and
blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on
this rock I will build My church, and the forces of hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of
the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatsoever
you loosen on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 15-18 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Chris and Karen Doyle. Chris is Associate Editor of the Baptist
Messenger for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). He works closely with Brian Hobbs,
Editor and Bob Nigh, Managing Editor as well as everyone on the BGCO Communications Team. The
Communications Team serves BGCO ministries with print, audio/video and web productions and provides
sources that help the churches know what God is doing around the world through our Cooperative Program
global missions. Also, news and events of Baptist life in Oklahoma are shared each week through the
Baptist Messenger. Chris says “I enjoy connecting with people who have a story to share, whether it is a
young woman playing a violin to African natives or a 90 year old man who is still serving as Sunday
School Director in his local church. Working with the Baptist Messenger allows me to hear these inspiring
stories and to share them with others.” The Baptist Messenger and all BGCO communications sources
would not be possible without the support provided through the Cooperative Program.
Specific Prayer Requests for Chris and Karen:
1. For the Baptist Messenger to receive strong support from churches and subscribers.
2. For all the Communications team members who work diligently to support and communicate
BGCO ministries.
3. For Word Slingers, an online outreach affiliated with the Baptist Messenger designed to reach
young adults and other readers with a Christian perspective on timely topics.
4. For the families of the Communications team.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Quail Springs
March 8, 2015
Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, Rulers of the people and elders: If we are
being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed—let it be
known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom
you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.
This Jesus is the stone despised by your builders, who has become the cornerstone: There is salvation in
no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:
8-12 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Shane and Kathleen Kammerer and their family. Shane serves for
the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) as Director of Oklahoma City University (OCU)
Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM). Shane sees his work in six (6) areas: (1) International students at
OCU: Shane seeks to pair International students with Friendship Families. The arm is to provide
encouragement and assistance for International students and to see them come to Christ through these
relationships. He also has English classes they can attend. (2) Paradigm Bible Study: Every Thursday at
the BCM building there is Bible teaching and worship time at 7:30 p.m. (3) Village Missional
Communities: Throughout the week small group communities meet all over the city led by students to
discuss topics from Scripture. (4) Equipping Leaders: Twice a month there is a leadership meeting called
Equip. This year 30 students are participating. (5) Free lunches: Every week they have a free lunch on
campus. This gives students time to meet new students and to get local churches and their leaders in front
of the students. (6) International missions: They are going to take mission trips to Nicaragua, Honduras
and other countries that cannot be named. The goal is to take 15 students on mission trips outside the U.S.
The Cooperative Program provides the funding for all BCM Directors in Oklahoma.
Specific Prayer Requests for Shane and Kathleen:
1. For student leaders to rise up and take ownership of the ministry at every campus especially OCU.
2. For volunteers for our Friendship Family program to work.
3. For several people to come to Christ through our Village communities.
4. For several students to sign up and go on International mission trips.
5. For wisdom, endurance, courage, vision and a positive attitude for me and our staff.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Crosstown
March 15, 2015
But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing
about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! (Romans
10:14-15 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionary Ryan Bauer. Ryan serves as Manager of CrossTimbers Camp near
Davis for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He provides oversight in Guest Relations, Food
Services, Housekeeping, Facilities, Concessions, Gift Shop and Recreation. He provides leadership and
supervision for all Conference Center summer staff at CrossTimbers. His goals for the camp in 2015 is to
finish remodeling the dorm bathrooms, construct a swimming pool deck and continue to provide a place
free from distractions so that children can hear and respond to the gospel message and learn about Southern
Baptist global mission work. God has continued to bless and provide the necessary staff and volunteers to
complete the needed tasks and projects. God provided over 15 volunteers to prepare the camp for the
summer of 2013. The Cooperative Program has made it possible for CrossTimbers to make the necessary
improvements to allow the children to have a safe, beautiful, fun mission camp for children in Oklahoma.
Specific Prayer Request for Ryan:
1. That CrossTimbers will continue to be a place where children can hear the Gospel and respond to
Christ.
2. That CrossTimber leadership will secure needed staff for the summer.
3. That CrossTimbers summer staff will grow spiritually and have the endurance to complete the
summer.
4. That God will continue to bless the growth of CrossTimbers.
5. For vision for the CrossTimbers staff as the camp grows and the strength and endurance to carry out
the visions.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Davis, First; McAlester, First; Midwest City, First
March 22, 2015
In the local church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was call Niger,
Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. As they were ministering to
the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have
called them to.” Then after they had fasted, prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them off. Being sent
out by the Holy Spirit ----- they proclaimed God’s message in the Jewish synagogues---. (Acts 13: 1-5
HCSB)
Pray for North American missionaries Scott and Halie Campbell and their family. They live in
Corvallis, Oregon, the home of Oregon State University and Western Oregon University. Scott is currently
serving as resident church planter at Branch Church. He will serve one or two years as an apprentice at
Branch, train a core of people committed to helping plant another new church and move to either Eugene or
Portland, Oregon to plant a new church in that city. The North American Mission Board (NAMB) will
help support the Campbell’s for five years, at which time their newly planted church will be selfsupporting. Why Oregon when the Campbell’s are Oklahomans? Oregon is in great need of more
churches. Oregon’s population is between 3.8 and 4 million people, roughly the population of Oklahoma.
They have only 147 Southern Baptist Churches (SBC), roughly one SBC church for every 26,000 people.
There is a great need, but there are also great opportunities. Oregon needs more evangelical churches that
will push back the darkness by shining the light of God’s glory all over the state. The Campbell’s hope to
be a part of a great new church movement. Your Cooperative Program dollars are helping pay the salary of
this committed young family who feel led to plant their lives in Oregon. Without your support it would be
very difficult for Scott and Halie to be church planters.
Specific Prayer Requests for Scott and Halie:
1.
Pray for God to raise up a core team of committed people to help plant the new church.
2. That the Lord will show the exact location for the new church.
3. For the people we encounter that their hearts will be softened and receptive to the Gospel.
4. For more laborers in the harvest in Oregon; that the Lord will send more church planters.
5. For the Lord to provide all the funds that they need.
Email:
[email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Quail Springs
March 29, 2015
Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he
must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the
whole world yet lose his life? What can a man give in exchange for his life? For whoever is ashamed of
Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him
when he comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8: 34-38 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Otis and Jan Cayton. Otis is Director of Missions for Frisco Baptist
Association. Frisco Association has 56 cooperating churches in three counties: Choctaw, McCurtain and
Pushmataha. The Association provides meetings, rallies and various training conferences to provide the
very best equipping for pastors, staffs and lay leadership. The annual meeting is a great time each year in
celebrating what God has been doing and what He will do in the coming year(s). They also support and
participate in three children and youth camps each year at Kiamichi Baptist Assembly where they have a
large modern two story cabin with separate dining/kitchen facilities. Forty two individuals were trained in
Disaster Relief and received caps and badges this past year. They are now trained to respond to disasters in
the Association as well as ministries in other areas outside Frisco Association. They have sent and
supported mission teams in North America and other parts of the world. The Cooperative Program
provides a monthly allotment to Frisco for on-going mission projects and other special evangelism and
church planting projects.
Specific Prayer Request for Otis and Jan:
1. For me, that I will lead the Association as God directs for real growth of God’s Kingdom.
2. That I will be able to mentor and better equip the 56 pastors.
3. That I will provide godly counsel to the churches as they seek my help for their churches.
4. That God will be glorified and honored in all the programs and ministries of the association.
5. For good health and safety for me and my family as well as the 56 pastors.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Hugo, Oak Grove; Valliant, Trinity
April 5, 2015
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since
death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all
die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at
His coming, the people of Christ. Then comes the end, when He hands over the Kingdom to God the
Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He puts all His
enemies under His feet. (I Corinthians 15:20-25 HCSB)
Pray for North American missionaries Bob and Debbie Shelton. They make their home in Cochrane,
Alberta, Canada. Bob is Send City Coordinator for Calgary and Edmonton. Calgary is a city of 1.4 million
and Edmonton has 1.2 million. His primary role is to work with local leaders to push back darkness in
these two Canadian cities with less than 5 percent considered Evangelical Christians. Four D’s describe
this area: (1) Dense—much of the population is packed tightly in urban and suburban communities.
(2) Diverse—240 people groups and 120 languages are spoken in these cities. (3) Dark—while materially
prosperous due to the oil and gas industry there is deep spiritual poverty that permeates the culture. (4)
Dollars—the standard of living and average income is high. This impacts how new churches are started
and how church planters are funded. Bob sees his assignment as developing a church planting strategy to
reach these two cities; discovering partners who will help to implement the strategy; and discover, develop
and deploy church planters to reach the cities. God is doing amazing things through the missionaries to the
Mandarin speaking Chinese and especially the Truth Church. They are now 10 years old, have started three
other churches and are supporting other Mandarin church planters across Canada. The Cooperative
Program provides financial support for Church Planters from the Philippines, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Korea and
China serving in Canada.
Specific Prayer Requests for Bob and Debbie:
1. Plead with God to call out a man or woman who would stand in the gap on behalf of Calgary and
Edmonton (Ezekiel 22:30).
2. Beg the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into this harvest field of Calgary and Edmonton
(Matthew 9:37-38).
3. For person of peace willing to use their homes for the glory of God (Luke 10:6-7.
4. Ask God to protect the Church Planters and their families, to help them enjoy the journey and to
finish well.
5. That God would raise-up partners to help us reach these cities.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Putnam City, Quail Springs
April 12, 2015
“Repent”, Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the
forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for
your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other
words he testified and strongly urged them, saying “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who
accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. (Acts 2: 38-41
HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Karen and Randy Alley. They make their home in Tulsa where Karen
is Director of the Tulsa Hope Pregnancy Center which is a ministry of the Oklahoma Baptist Home for
Children (OBHC). Hope Pregnancy Center provides hope for young men and young women in the midst
of an unplanned pregnancy. They do this by offering services of sound, accurate medical information,
pregnancy options information, parenting classes with a Christ-centered message as well as other lifeaffirming services and resources. Women that have found themselves in an unplanned pregnancy and are
considering abortion can come to Hope Center to learn the truth about how much God loves them and their
unborn child. They will find compassionate, non-judgmental caring people who want to show them God’s
love. Karen tells of a 16 year old who came to the Hope Center for a pregnancy test. She had already
decided to have an abortion. The Ultra sound showed that she had twins. After much counsel she decided
aborting was her only option. She was in her second trimester. The abortion clinic made the arrangement.
The night before the abortion was to take place Karen and her staff prayed all night long for this young lady
to change her mind. At the very last minute she changed her mind. She gave birth to two healthy precious
boys. The young mother and grandparents are so happy to have these two boys in their lives. Karen says
“I can’t wait to see how God works through the miracle of these two beautiful baby boys.” The
Cooperative Program assists OBHC with over $600,000 annually. Such things as literature, Bibles, new
cribs, car seats and baby items are provided through Cooperative Program.
Specific Prayer Requests for Karen and Randy:
1. That more women considering abortion would be divinely drawn to Hope Pregnancy Center.
2. For more volunteers to feel God leading them to serve our clients.
3. For Godly men to feel called to serve our young fathers in a “Fatherhood Ministry”.
4. For the Lord’s protection against those who want to interrupt or destroy Pregnancy Center
ministries.
5. For God to continue to provide through fundraising events, youthful donors and “in-kind gifts”.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Hallett, First; Tulsa, Crowell Heights, Skelly Drive
April 19, 2015
Now all the believers were together and had everything in common. So they sold their possessions and
property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. And every day they devoted themselves
to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with
gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the
Lord added to them those who were being saved. (Acts 2: 44-47 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Gary and Sheila Dempsey and their family. Gary is Director of
Missions for the Johnston Marshall Baptist Association, a fellowship of 32 churches in Johnston and
Marshall Counties. He is working with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma to encourage the
churches to start new Sunday School groups and promoting the Re-Connect Sunday School emphasis.
They have adopted an unengaged unreached people group in Northern India. They are supporting a local
church planting catalyst who is currently working to train leaders to share the Gospel in the spoken (heart)
language of the people with the intent of starting churches among the different people groups in the
Association. They are building a Disaster Relief facility to house their response units. They continue to
use the THRIVE training to help revitalize the churches by providing leadership training for their pastors.
Over the past eight years the Cooperative Program (CP) has assisted the association with monthly
allotments. They were able to fund five church plants. CP has also helped provide resources for many of
their disaster relief responses. It has also helped provide training and other workshops in the Association.
Thanks Oklahoma Baptist!
Specific Prayer Request for Gary and Sheila:
1. That God would move among the UUPG we’ve adopted and that a church planting movement
would begin. Pray for Vitto our church planting catalyst.
2. For God to provide the resources to complete our disaster relief facility.
3. That our churches will be able to start new groups.
4. That God will give me wisdom to lead the association according to His plan.
5. That God will unite all the churches with one heart and mind as we work together.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Kingston, Willis; Madill, First; Ryan, First
April 26, 2015
For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in
Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might judge
the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not judged, but
anyone who does not believe is already judged, because he has not believed in the name of the One and
Only Son of God. (John 3: 16-18 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionaries Jon and Miriam Wade (pseudo names to protect them) and their
family. They’ve served in Taiwan 22 years and have been serving in Taichung for the past eight years.
They are moving to a less secured place in 2015 that cannot be known. They serve in Church Planting and
Family Ministries. They mostly work in training and supporting pastors, their families, and other church
members through discipleship/growth groups, and counseling seminars for parents/couples, etc. --- and
using similar activities to draw non-Christians as well. God is at work through Jon and Miriam’s ministry.
An illustration is Jon sharing in an outreach at a college in their town. Only three students came—Jon
introduced one of those students to his wife Miriam. Miriam and Naomi started meeting weekly to study
the Bible together. In time Naomi decided to follow Jesus. Later Naomi introduced her friend Emma to
Miriam. They began meeting weekly to study the Bible. A few weeks later Emma became a Christian.
Miriam says “I can hardly wait to see whom Emma will bring to me so I can lead her to Jesus.” This all
began with a meeting of Jon and three college students. The Wades know they would not be where they
are sharing Jesus if it wasn’t for the Cooperative Program. It took them to the International Mission field
and sustains them so they can spend their time in actual mission work and not raising their financial
support.
Specific Prayer Requests for Jon and Miriam:
1. For us as we transition to a new location after more than 20 years in Taiwan.
2. For our kids--Taiwan has been their home and “home” won’t ever be the same for them.
3. For the family unit in Taiwan. The divorce rate is very high and there are many other problems.
4. For our life and marriage to be a good testimony wherever we’re serving.
5. For the Chinese people all over the world that they will have opportunities to hear about God’s love
for them.
Oklahoma Church Connection: Moore, First; Oklahoma City, Putnam City; Okmulgee, Second
May 3, 2015
So those who were scattered went on their way proclaiming the message of good news. Phillip went down
to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them. The crowds paid attention with one mind to what
Phillip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a
loud voice, came out of many who were possessed and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
So there was great joy in the city. (Acts 8: 4-8 HCSB)
Pray for North American missionaries Felix and Dennise Cabrera and their children. Felix served as
pastor of the Hispanic congregation of Quail Springs Baptist Church (QSBC) in Oklahoma City in 2012
and 2013. January, 2014 he became Church Planting Director with responsibility for leading the Church
Planting Network of Quail Springs Baptist Church in alliance with the North American (NAMB) of
discovering, developing and deploying church planters to the 32 SEND cities specifically among Hispanics.
Fourteen new Hispanic churches were planted in North America in 2014. Plans are in place to plant
churches in New York, New Orleans, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, San Francisco and Calgary and
Edmonton, Canada in 2015. The goal is to plant 70 new churches in North America by the year 2020.
Felix has had the dream of being used by God to create a movement of church planting to reach the largest
ethnic group in North America, the Hispanics and thanks to the Lord, QSBC and NAMB are helping to
make it a reality. Felix says the Cooperative Program has been a real blessing. “It has covered my
financial needs and allows me the opportunity to concentrate on God’s call for my ministry.”
Specific Prayer Request for Felix and Dennise:
1. My family.
2. Our local church Iglesia Bautista De Quail Springs in Oklahoma City.
3. For the 14 new churches planted in Toronto, Canada; San Francisco, CA; Salt Lake City, UT;
Atlanta, GA; New York; New Jersey; Idaho Falls, ID; Calgary, Canada; Portland, OR, and
Lawrence, KS.
4. For the new churches to be planted in 2015.
5. For safety as I travel in Oklahoma and North America.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Quail Springs
May 10, 2015
Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary
Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing there, He said to His mother,
“woman, here is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “here is you mother.” And from that hour the
disciple took her into his home. After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished, that
the scripture might be fulfilled, He said, “I’m thirsty.” ---When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said
“It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit. (John 19: 25-28, 30 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionaries Albert and Kirstin Hesskew and their family. The Hesskews live
and serve in Poland. Their home is in Krakow. Albert is a Church Planter. One of the tools he uses to get
the attention of the people is sports. He works with a Polish football team in Czestachowa and a baseball
team in Krakow. As a result of his work with another football team in Krakow, he leads a weekly Bible
study in his home with 5-6 Polish men. He hosts 2-3 sports mission teams from the states each year.
Albert and Kirstin are both studying the Polish language at a Polish University full time. They are seeking
to build relationships with their classmates hoping to win those who are lost to Jesus Christ. They attend a
local Polish Baptist Church, teaching in their children’s ministry, women’s club and weekly English class
with conversation. Kirsten leads a mom’s group two times a month. They now have 2 non-believers
meeting with three believers. She had a part recently in leading Patrycja to Christ. She had made two
years of investment in her life and witnessed in one afternoon everything she had prayed for. The
Cooperative Program daily impacts the Hesskow’s lives providing rent for their apartment each month,
healthcare insurance for their family, gas for all their ministry trips to Czestachowa and in Krakow school
for their children and all the other needs of their family.
Specific Prayer Requests for Albert and Kirstin:
1. Language acquisition.
2. Stamina to continue their journey of living and ministering in another culture.
3. Future ministry location after our next stateside assignment.
4. God’s provisions for our children’s education in that new place.
5. The ability to clearly live out and explain the reality of God’s salvation plan in ways that connect
with this Polish culture.
Email: the [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Edmond, First; Oklahoma City, Quail Springs
May 17, 2015
When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because
today I must stay at your house.” So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully. All who saw it
began to complain, “He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man. But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the
Lord, “ Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from
anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!” “Today salvation has come to this house”, Jesus told him,
because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19: 510 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Nathan and Jamie Purifoy and their family. Nathan is the Campus
Director for the Baptist Village of Owasso. The Owasso campus has residential living apartments,
duplexes and patio homes. They also have Mimosa Assistance in Living and Evergreen Health Center
where short term rehab and longer term nursing services are provided. Nathan supervises and works with
various team leaders on campus providing support and direction. Goals for 2015 include expanding the
health and wellness opportunities for the resident, having a positive impact on our employees (Friends
Team) lives and glorifying God in this ministry. Nathan’s prayer every day is “Lord give me wisdom.”
His desire is to provide opportunities for the residents to continue to serve God and others with the many
gifts God has given to them. The Cooperative Program impacts the Owasso campus everyday providing
the best in love and care for precious adults who for the most part are senior citizens. More than $600,000
dollars annually of Cooperative Program dollars are given to Baptist Village Communities.
Specific Prayer Requests for Nathan and Jamie:
1. That we can bless and enhance the lives of our residents.
2. Those residents who are not saved will come to faith in Jesus Christ.
3. That we can impact our employees lives in a positive way and for the Kingdom of God.
4. For wisdom in daily decisions.
5. For safety and good health for staff and residents.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Heritage, Northwest; Owasso, First
May 24, 2015
But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the
Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved! He also raised us up with Him
and seated us with Him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might display the
immeasurable riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved
through faith, and this is not from yourselves: It is God’s gift---not from works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2: 4-9 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Brandon and Paula Brister. The Bristers live in Tulsa where Brandon
is Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director (BCM) at Tulsa University (TU). Tulsa University is an ethnically
and cultural diverse campus. One of three students is from another country. TU has more than 70
countries represented. The vast majority come from East Asia and the Middle East. There are also some of
the brightest and best students from across the U.S.A. Each of these students is loved by God, and it is
Brandon and the BCM’s mission to make sure they know God loves them and offers them a new
transformed, abundant life in Jesus Christ. Jason, a Chinese student is an example. He has been involved
in TU’s BCM since coming to Tulsa University. He has always expressed an interest in learning about
Jesus but when asked if he was a Christian he always replied “no”. When asked “Are you ready to become
a Christian Jason replied “no, not yet.” After two and one-half years of praying for and presenting Jesus to
Jason, on Easter Sunday 2014 he gave his life to Jesus and was baptized. Jason is so excited. Pray for
more than 500 Chinese students at TU. Brandon testifies that “the Cooperative Program provides a salary
for me and my family, freeing me to focus on the work of making disciples rather than investing multiple
months raising financial support.”
Specific Prayer Requests for Brandon and Paula:
1. That God would raise-up and send out student laborers on our campus and throughout the world.
2. That we would encounter people of peace who would be able to take the gospel to their peer groups
and their people and countries.
3. For our partners in ministry that they would also be effective at presenting the gospel and making
disciples on the TU campus.
4. For saved and unsaved students to come to the services and ministries we provide.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Broken Arrow, Arrow heights; Durant, First; Tulsa, Berryhill, Skelly
Drive, Memorial, Calvary
May 31, 2015
So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for
the gospel, relying on the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before
time began. This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has
abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1: 8-10
HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Andy and Kim Harrison and their family. Andy is Falls Creek
Program Director and Student Ministry Specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma
(BGCO). He works out of the BGCO offices in Oklahoma City planning the eight weeks of Falls Creek.
Each summer he moves to Falls Creek for 10 weeks to host camp for over 53,000 students, sponsors and
guests. His work in preparation for camp includes: enlisting bands and speakers, planning camp activities,
break out conferences, morning and evening services and special events, hiring, training and supervising a
summer staff, preparing all printed materials for camp promotion, camp preparation and themed
curriculum, developing multiple media pieces to use during camp, resources for the mission center and
mission village, etc. The Falls Creek services are streamed live online during the summer. In 2014 Andy
received an e-mail from a mother whose daughter was at Falls Creek. She was saved and rejoiced with her
daughter when she returned home. Andy also serves the churches of Oklahoma as Student Ministry
Specialist. He helps train leaders, speaks to youth groups, ministers through interims and continually
resources student ministers through personal counseling, project development, printed and digital resources
and youth events. Without the Cooperative Program, Andy could not do what he is doing. Not only does
CP pay his salary but also provides 95% of the program costs at Falls Creek.
Specific Prayer Requests for Andy and Kim:
1. For purity of character and clarity of purpose.
2. For my family. Our oldest child is married and lives in New York City; our middle child is engaged
to be married; our youngest daughter will be finishing high school soon. Pray for God to be
glorified in their lives.
3. For revival among the students in Oklahoma who number more than 340,000 with the vast majority
being unsaved.
4. For the youth leaders in our churches that God will give them wisdom, patience and vision as they
faithfully minister to the future leaders in our churches, communities and nations.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Durant, First; Piedmont, First; Oklahoma City, Quail Springs
June 7, 2015
Then He said to His disciples, “the harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the
Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. (Matthew 9: 37-38 HCSB)
Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly
teaching the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2: 15 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Randy and Susan Lind and their family. Randy is Music and
Worship Specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Prior to coming to this position,
Randy served on several church staffs in the area of music and worship, the latest being Southern Hills
Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He sees his primary mission as that of partnering with local churches
and their leadership in equipping them, especially in the areas of worship and music, to be Great
Commission and Grand Commandment churches in today’s world. Additionally Randy’s office oversees
the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma (SCM) which he directs, the Singing Church Women of Oklahoma
(SCW) which he directs, the Oklahoma Baptist Symphony (OBS) and the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s
Chorus (OBCC). Wynn Anne Hook directs the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Chorus. Through the years
the BGCO Worship/Music office has been able to share in local church ministries filled by men and women
who have led lives of faith in their personal lives and journey in local church leadership. Randy has
recently been able to join churches in celebrating several of these men and women’s lives. Randy says “I
am glad that our ministry has been able to be a part of their lives.” The giving of Oklahoma churches
through the Cooperative Program has allowed Randy and his staff to reach across the state and around the
world to share the Gospel and to focus on training and equipping men and women to lead musically and
spiritually in the local church.
Specific Prayer Requests for Randy and Susan:
1. Wisdom as we continue to train current and future church leaders.
2. That God would give Oklahoma churches a renewed sense of the greatness and majesty of God with
a renewed sense of worship.
3. For our ongoing ministry groups, the Singing Churchmen (SCM), Singing Church Women (SCW),
Oklahoma Baptist Symphony (OBS) and the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Chorus (OBCC),
4. For guidance and leadership as training is expanding through the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s
Chorus, Resonate and Resound.
5. For Ministers of Music across the state as they lead multiple generations in worship
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Southern Hills; Woodward, First
June 14, 2015
And Jesus called them over and said to them, “you know that those who are regarded as rulers of the
Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like
that among you. On the contrary whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and
whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” (Mark 10: 42-45 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries John and Jan Kelsey and their family. John serves as Director of the
Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman. BCM’s are a ministry
of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. OU has the largest number of students of any university
or college in the state. The OU BCM is the largest campus ministry of its kind in Oklahoma. John’s key
areas of responsibility are to set the vision and strategy for ministry to the campus. He also directs the staff
and support staff as well as trains them in leadership and ministry. He also works hard to maintain a
healthy relationship and communication with Southern Baptist churches and the local Baptist Association
(Union). He also strives to set an example in evangelism and discipleship with staffers and OU students.
His desire is to be a lifelong learner. John tells about a mainland Chinese student who recently came to
faith in Christ through their ministry. He wants to be baptized before going back to China. He has already
told his parents of his decision. The Cooperative Program provides the resources that enable adding staff
when needed, taking OU students overseas to work with IBM missionaries in multiple countries every year,
and training students in intentional disciple making. He says “As a lifelong Southern Baptist, I am proud of
our cooperative effort to reach the nations together”.
Specific Prayer Requests for John and Jan:
1. Wisdom as I lead the ministry with my wife Jan. (Proverbs 3: 13-18)
2. A conviction that leads to repentance at OU (2 Corinthians 7: 8-10).
3. Students to be healed from the brokenness of their past hurts and shame. (Psalms 103: 2-4)
4. A generation of multiplying disciple makers to be produced from the ministry (2 Timothy 2: 2).
5. More laborers for the fertile mission field on our university campuses (Matthew 9: 37-38).
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Christ Community; Sapulpa, First
June 21, 2015
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. Make me like one of your hired hands.” So he
got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled
with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son Said to him, “Father, I
have sinned against heaven and in your sight, I’m no long worthy to be called your son.” But the Father
told his slaves, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on
his feet --- because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” So they began
to celebrate. (Luke 15: 18-24 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Brett and Brenda Selby. Brett is Pastoral Leadership Specialist for the
Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. The Pastoral Leadership office exists to train pastors in their
three crucial tasks: Preach God’s word, Lead God’s church and care for God’s people. He plans, promotes
and convenes the State Pastors Conference. He provides training and up-date training for Transitional
Pastors and provides information about the Transition Pastor program to pastorless churches. He works
with the elected officers in planning and promoting the State Pastors Conference in November. A pastor
recently said to Brett, “If it wasn’t for you and your office I wouldn’t be in the pastorate today. You helped
me survive a forced termination, find a new church and the coaching that helped me not to repeat some bad
leadership practices that hurt me in the past. Thanks!” Brett says “without the Cooperative Program I
couldn’t fulfill God’s calling on my life. I’ve always asked, “who equips those who are doing the
equipping?” Who trains the trainer and more importantly who encourages the encouragers?” Because of
the Cooperative Program I’m blessed to be able to be that person, thanks to the generosity of Oklahoma
Baptists.”
Specific Prayer Requests for Brett and Brenda:
1. That pastors will continue to improve their preaching and leadership skills.
2. That Oklahoma Baptist churches will continue to encourage and support their pastors.
3. That Oklahoma Baptist Associations will continue to be powerful encouragers of pastors in the
ongoing development of their leadership and preaching skills.
4. For continued good health and protection as I travel all over the state.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Oklahoma City, Northwest, Western Hills; Yukon, Surry Hills
June 28, 2015
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer
good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by man. You are the light of the world. A city
situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts is under a basket, but rather on a
lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before man,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5: 13-16 HCSB
Pray for International Missionaries Ken and Janet Brownd and their family. The Brownds’ live in
Gdańsk, Poland, which is in the North Central part of Poland on the Baltic Sea. They serve as church
planters serving alongside the Polish Baptist Union, helping to strengthen and encourage existing churches
and partner with them to begin new groups and new churches. Some of their goals for 2015 are: to work
with First Baptist Church of Gdańsk in discerning where, when and how to start new churches in Gdańsk or
one of the outlying towns; bring a team from America to do a family camp with the goal of reaching new
families, many of whom will hear the gospel and read the Bible for the first time; presenting topics of
interest in English at a bilingual middle school with the goal of building relationships with students and
teachers, and involving them in spiritual conversations; using One-on-One With God, which has been
translated into Polish, to disciple women and teaching/discipling couples through home Bible studies.
Recently their pastor asked them to lead a special study for married couples. Their “kick off” event
included dessert, the Newly Wed game and a talk by Ken. They had 40 people come. Out of that event
several couples, including some lost couples, signed up for the six-week course. They are excited to see
what God may do. The Cooperative Program pays for the Brownd’s apartment, car, medical care and their
son’s schooling. It paid for Janet’s surgery in 2013. Their response is “we are allowed to focus on our
ministry and know that our family needs are being provided. Thanks.”
Specific Prayer Requests for Ken and Janet:
1. That we will continue to progress in learning and using the Polish language.
2. For Janet to continue to discover women who are open to spiritual things and want to study the
Bible and be discipled.
3. For our church to discern where, when and how to start new work.
4. For Ken to find men who can be trained for future leaders.
5. For a team from the states to come together to do a family camp in Gdańsk.
Email: janet@thebrowndsinpoland
Oklahoma Church Connection: Farris Baptist; Edmond, Coffee Creek; Oklahoma City, Northwest and
Village
July 5, 2015
In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of
His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his
face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said,
“Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” …then I heard the voice of the Lord,
saying “whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said “Here am I, Send me!” (Isaiah 6: 1-3, 8
NASB)
Pray for international missionaries Stan and Debra Owens-Hughes and their family. They have been
international missionaries for 26 years reaching Indigenous people in Columbia, South America. Their
focus is the CH people group, a tribe of about 20,000 who have about 25-40 Christians among them. The
CH people have never had a church in their language. They have been working with CH refuges in Bogota
for the last four years and have recently moved to a city near the CH people’s traditional lands. They use
chronological Bible storying with them since they are a very oral people. They prefer receiving and
sharing information through speaking and listening rather than through reading and writing. With the help
of volunteers from Southern Baptist churches they have produced videos of Bible stories using indigenous
actors with the narration in the language of the unreached people group they are working with. They gave
a DVD to an older man, a refugee on the street in Bogota. He gave it to his son who went to another part of
Columbia. He asked for another copy. When another copy was given he asked, “Now is this the video
where God speaks my language?” He was assured, “Yes, He speaks your language.” Stan and Debra say
“the Cooperative Program (CP) buys gas for the truck, pays for our children’s schooling, puts food on the
table, and makes the videos possible. Without the CP and Lottie Moon Christmas offering, we could not
continue our work in Colombia.”
Specific Prayer Requests for Stan and Debra:
1. Safety as we travel in five locations each month to begin new churches among the CH people.
(3-10 hours of travel is required each way).
2. For us as we disciple new CH Christians.
3. For God to help us identify “men of peace” (people open to the Gospel in the new CH
communities we enter.)
4. That God will call our Christian CH men to be trained to lead new works.
5. For the two new missionary families coming to Colombia in 2015 to join our team.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Stillwater, First
July 12, 2015
When Christ came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those
who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the father. So then you are no
longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. The whole
building is being fitted together in Him and is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord, in whom you also
are being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2: 17-22 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionary Alyson Walker. Alyson serves as Childhood Education Specialist for the
Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma joining the BGCO staff in January 2014. She loves children and
wants to disciple children throughout Oklahoma and the world. Her grandparents were missionaries in
Brazil with her grandpa teaching at the seminary in Rio. She thought at one time God was leading her to be
an International Missionary, but while on a mission trip to Africa she felt God saying to her “stay home and
teach children about missions or there won’t be any missionaries in the future.” She is also involved with
an organization that gives beds to orphaned and abandoned children. This ignites her passion to encourage
Oklahoma Baptist churches to reach out to orphaned and abandoned children. In Oklahoma there are more
than 11,000 children in foster care but there are hundreds and hundreds of children who are still in need.
She has begun a ministry called ‘community 94’. She meets monthly with full time and part time
children’s ministry directors to equip and train them to be the most effective teaching team in Oklahoma.
She continues to develop more online training. The Cooperative Program is vital to all Alyson is doing
from salary and travel support to reconnect training videos made free to the churches, as well as being able
to provide supplies and curriculum for church leadership.
Specific Prayer Requests for Alyson:
1. For Alyson as she seeks what the Lord has planned for Childhood Ministry with the BGCO.
2. The ability to connect with all BGCO churches and their childhood leadership.
3. For BGCO churches to increase their ministry to orphans.
4. For more children and their families to be reached through VBS, Sunday School and other
ministries.
Email:
[email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections:
Oklahoma City, Quail Springs; Tulsa, South and Woodland Acres
July 19, 2015
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of
God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was
revealed among us in this way: God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through
Him. Love consists in this; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one
has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us. (I John 4: 712 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Dale and Donna Griffin and their family. Dale is Dean of Spiritual
Life at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. His ministry included Student Ministry, Global
Outreach, Church Relations, Chapel and Pastoral Care. He seeks to provide discipleship opportunities for
students across all academic disciplines and interests; raise up laborers for mission opportunities around the
world; connect students, faculty, and staff to ministry opportunities in churches in the state; provide
worship experiences that celebrate the glory of God, and oversee pastoral care of the students in time of
need. Dale’s desire is to see students, faulty and staff come to know Christ more deeply and intimately and
to know the power of Christ’s resurrection. Oklahoma Baptist University receives almost 2.5 million
dollars of Cooperative Program funds each year. Dale says, “the Cooperative Program (CP) makes a
difference in the Spiritual Life at Oklahoma Baptist University. One key way the Cooperative program
impacts Global Outreach Trips is in the support CP dollars give to the field personnel who host, train and
empower students, faulty, and staff for ministry across cultures around the world.”
Specific Prayer Requests for Dal and Donna:
1. For the Howard Apartments Project at OBU.
2. For the Global Outreach Trips around the world during J-Term (January), Spring Break and
Summer.
3. For the local outreach projects designed to give students, faculty and staff “at home” missionary
experiences.
4. For the students who are looking to find balance between life as a college student and ministry
as a local church leaders.
5. For students safety as they travel the United States and around the world in athletics and service
projects.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Durant, Calvary; Oklahoma City, Northwest; Shawnee, Immanuel
July 26, 2015
Now about the collection for the saints: you should do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. On
the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save to the extent that he prospers, so
that no collections will need to be made when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you
recommend by letter to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem. ….Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave
and strong. Your every action must be done with love. (I Corinthians 16: 1-3, 13-14 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Matt and LuSinda Spann and their family. The Spann’s served as
Church Planters in Washington and Florida prior to going overseas to serve with the International Mission
Board (IMB) in Moscow, Russia and then later in Madagascar. Matt has been serving as Director of
Missions in the Cherokee Strip Association since August 2014. The association is comprised of 30
churches in five counties of Northwest Oklahoma: Garfield, Major, Grant, Alfalfa and Noble. Matt sees
his responsibilities as: challenging churches and pastors to keep looking out for those pockets of people yet
to be reached for Christ and strategizing with them to find ways to reach the lost; encouraging and
strengthening existing churches; fostering cooperative missions, and ministries, and planting new churches.
One of his goals is to have teams of volunteers from associational churches work over a Friday and
Saturday alongside of one of the churches to help canvas the neighborhood doing outreach events such as
block parties. The Cooperative Program (CP) gifts enabled Matt to attend a Southern Baptist Seminary,
serve as a Church Planter and overseas as an IMB missionary. Each month an allotment of CP funds is
shared with the association and also help with special mission projects.
Specific Prayer Requests for Matt and LuSinda:
1. For the association as they make a special study of the pockets of lost people in their area.
2. For wisdom in finding creative ways to reach the lost, whether through existing or new churches
and ministries.
3. For wisdom in encouraging and developing the pastors and church leaders.
4. For the Spanns to take every opportunity to share Jesus with those around them.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Mooreland, First; Woodward, Lincoln Avenue; Shawnee, Immanuel
August 2, 2015
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia, during a
severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of
their generosity. I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, they begged
us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, and not just as we had hoped.
Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God’s will. So we urged Titus that, just
as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace to you. Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in
speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this grace. (2 Cor 8: 1-7
HCSB)
Pray for North American Missionaries Ethan and Skye Sperle and their family. Ethan serves on a
team as co-pastor/church planter in Lawrence, Kansas, a city of more than 120,000 people. His primary
role on Sunday is worship Pastor. The church named, Free City Church, is currently meeting for worship
on Sunday nights in an existing church that leases them the building. They have a weekly city group
(missional community) that meets in homes. The men meet on Thursday night to study the Bible and
mentor and develop leadership especially among the young men. The women meet on Monday night.
Ethan tells of a friend he made when he first moved to Lawrence in February 2014. He was extremely
skeptical of the church. For many months Ethan talked to him about the Gospel. Recently this friend had a
lot of things happen to him; his longtime potential spouse ended the relationship, his house was broken into
and his computer and TV were stolen, and his car completely died. In the midst of this, he had a lot of time
for introspection. Recently he started attending Free City and has trusted Jesus as Savior. The Cooperative
Program provides some financial support of the Sperles. It also enables people on the associational level
and the North American Mission Board to train, coach and encourage them.
Specific Prayer Requests for Ethan and Skye:
1. Pray that Free City Church will be known as a people who trust and treasure Jesus.
2. Pray that Jesus will gift us with His strong presence and I His beauty we will find repentance.
3. Pray that God will help us to expose the lies of darkness.
4. Pray that many people I our city will find new life in Jesus Christ.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Oklahoma City, Quail Springs; Weatherford, Emmanuel and First.
August 9, 2015
Then Peter responded to Him, Look we have left everything and followed You. So what will there be for
us.” Jesus said to them, “I assure you: In the Messianic Age when the Son of Man sits on His glorious
throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And everyone
who has left houses, brothers or sister, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will
receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
(Matthew 19: 27-30 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionaries Jim and Jana Cornwell (pseudonyms). The Cornwell’s have
served in Asia for 28 years. They have worked for the past eight years meeting the needs to open doors for
ministry in hard to reach areas of East Asia specifically through: meeting sanitation needs including
building household and community toilets; training local believers to meet basic health needs of people as a
platform for national Christians to enter villages and neighborhoods in order to do evangelism; discipling
local believers in evangelism; involvement in medical research and using volunteers to meet both medical
and sanitation needs. Their next job will be to work with a team developing a health care center including
health facilities and a medical institute for training and discipleship training. Jim shares an experience
where he went with a Christian couple from another area to another province to share the Gospel. He heard
the wife begin an evangelistic presentation using the “three by three nutrition plan” as an entrance to an
evangelistic presentation. This had been used by the Cornwell’s in another area. They had trained other
Christians and now this local Christian work comfortably used this technique to share the Gospel and
minister to the whole person. The Cooperative Program allows this missionary family to serve in East Asia
and also helps most sanitation needs in an area where less than 25% of the people in the villages have
toilets (indoor or outdoor).
Specific Prayer Requests for Jim and Jana:
1. For the continued development of a Christian medical center.
2. For continued favor with the government for this project.
3. That this work will bring many people to Christ across the country.
4. For volunteers and for close involvement of Baptist institutions of higher education in the U.S. in
this project.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Alfalfa; Midwest City, First; Oklahoma City, Quail Springs;
Weatherford, First
August 16, 2015
And they received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the
work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every
morning. And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the
work which he was performing, and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough
for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.” …Thus the people were restrained
from bringing anymore. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the wok, to
perform it. (Exodus 36: 3-5; 6b-7 NASB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries David and Dana Whitlock and family. Dr. Whitlock is the President
of Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) serving since 2008. OBU was founded by Oklahoma Baptist in
1910. OBU transforms lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate faith with all
areas of knowledge, engage a diverse world, and live worthy of the high calling of God in Christ. As
President of OBU, Dr. Whitlock is the Chief Academic officer responsible for a growing student body of
about 2,100 students, 348 employees, and a $64,900,000.00 budget. More missionaries serving through the
International Mission Board have a degree from OBU than any other university in the world. In the
summer of 2014, 189 students from OBU were commissioned as summer missionaries for service
throughout North America and on almost every continent. OBU as an entity was born of the cooperative
efforts of the Southern Baptist Churches of Oklahoma and through the Cooperative Program provide more
than $2 million per year in scholarships to deserving students. God’s hand is definitely on OBU blessing
them and our world immeasurably.
Specific Prayer Requests for David and Dana:
1. For students faculty and staff as they seek to be a Great Commission and Great Commandment
University.
2. For God to give Dr. Whitlock vision in leading OBU.
3. For my family, our sons (the youngest in college and one active army.)
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Durant, First, Silo; Hendrix; Shawnee, Galilee and Immanuel
August 23, 2015
When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place,
what is man that you remember him, the son of man that you look after him? You made him little less than
God and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him lord over the works of your hands; you put
everything under his feet: all the sheep and oxen, as well as animals in the wild, birds of the sky, and fish
of the sea passing through the currents of the sea. O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name
throughout the earth! (Psalms 8: 3-9 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Mike and Rhonda Barnett. Mike serves at Baptist Collegiate (BCM)
Minister at Oklahoma University (OU) Health Science Center. BCM is a ministry of the Baptist General
Convention of Oklahoma. OU Health Science Center includes Schools of Medical, Dental, Nursing,
Pharmacy, PA, PT, etc. Mike and his staff encourage students in their spiritual growth as healthcare
professionals with Christian mentors, Biblical bioethical values, opportunities for medical/dental missions
involvement both locally and overseas and service in their local church. They offer weekly Bible studies,
lumches with speakers, mission trips, volunteering at local free medical clinics and retreats for fellowship
and spiritual growth. They work closely with the National Christian Medical and Dental Association and
the Baptist Medical/Dental Fellowship. Mike tells of a medical student from an Asian background. Her
family was Buddhist but her personal faith was unsure. During her first two years of medical school she
was befriended by several devoted Christian classmates. She asked many questions about Jesus of both
classmates and Mike. She knew trusting Jesus would not be received well by her Buddhist mother. But
one day she shared joyfully that she had received Jesus as Savior. She is now a Christian physician. Mike
says the Cooperative Program has given him the opportunity to minister to students for more than 36 years.
The Cooperative Program provides for a weekly luncheon for the students, organized medical mission trips
and provides care for the poor. People ask “who makes all these things possible on our campus?” Mike
says “I answer to the Baptist churches who care about students provide it through the Cooperative
Program.”
Specific Prayer Requests for Mike and Rhonda:
1. For spiritual awakening among secular educational institutions.
2. For students who will boldly live their faith as health professionals.
3. For wisdom as these students become our doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists.
4. Thank God for raising up a new generation of committed believers who share their faith in Christ.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Moore, First; Oklahoma City, Southern Temple and Western Hills
August 30, 2015
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say ‘How have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes and
contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you! Bring the
whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this.” Says the
Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until there
is no more need. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you …and all the nations will call you blessed, for
you shall be a delightful land” says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3: 8-11a, 12 NASB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Daniel and Marta Caceres. Daniel is the Hispanic Ministries
Specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He serves and ministers to one of the fastest
growing people groups in Oklahoma. The Hispanics now outnumber Native Americans. As of November
2014, there were 112 Hispanic Baptist churches and missions. The Hispanic churches have a goal of
beginning 50 new churches and baptizing 3,000 new believers by 2020. These are very bold goals but with
the prayers of God’s people, the zeal of the Hispanic Christians in witnessing, and the power and blessings
of the Lord, these goals are reachable. Daniel’s wife, Marta Elisa, is Director of the Robert Haskins School
of Leadership. She coordinates and directs the training of ethnic leaders. The school is connected to and
cooperates with the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary’s CLD office (Contextual Leadership
Development). There are over 100 students rerolled in the eight centers across Oklahoma. Thirty-four
students graduated in the June, 2014 graduation ceremonies. The Cooperative Program provides salary and
travel for both Daniel and Marta Elisa. The Edna McMillan State Mission offering provides a half
scholarship for each student. Praise God for the generosity of Oklahoma Baptist and their love and
commitment to reach and minister to all people!
Specific Prayer Requests for Daniel and Marta:
1. Pray for the Hispanic Task Force
2. Pray for the Hispanic Fellowship that it will reach its goals.
3. Pray that God will provide a new Hispanic Strategist to help in the area of evangelism, discipleship
and Sunday School
4. Pray for the unity of our Hispanic Team that God will be glorified.
5. Pray for a deep desire in our Hispanic churches to support the Cooperative Program and Global
Missions.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Clinton, First Hispanic; Durant, Hispanic; Norman, Hispanic
September 6, 2015
And you, Philippians, know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared
with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for
my need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that is increasing to your account. But I
have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied having received from
Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, a welcome sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God
will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 15-19 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Kerry and Mary Russell and their family. Kerry is Finance Team
Leader and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. His chief
responsibility is to oversee the preparation of the BGCO annual budget and to accurately account for all
monies received and spent by the convention. Each year the convention has an outside firm do an audit of
the financial books and records. Kerry is then responsible for fully implementing the internal audit
function. Each week the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) portion of the Cooperative Program is sent
to the SBC Executive office in Nashville to be distributed to the International Mission Board, the North
American Mission Board, the six seminaries, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and other entities
of the SBC. The Finance Team is responsible for insuring all BGCO properties, buildings, and employees
and Oklahoma missionaries’ payrolls. Kerry gives oversight to the cash flow funding for the three
concurrent buildings being constructed at Falls Creek Conference Center. The Cooperative Program
provides a salary for Kerry and the Finance Team and allows for the most qualified staff to be employed to
account for the receipts and expenses of the BGCO so that as many dollars as possible can be sent to reach
North America and the rest of the world with the ”Greatest Story Ever Told” – Jesus.
Specific Prayer Requests for Kerry and Mary;
1.
Wisdom for the many financial decisions I must made every day.
2. Health and safety for the Finance Team.
3. Cooperative Program funds to grow to fund Oklahoma and global mission needs.
4. For all BGCO staff to depend on the Lord’s provisions and be content with whatever He provides.
5. Spiritual awareness and growth of my family at home.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Del City, First Southern; Oklahoma City, Graceway and Southern Hills
September 13, 2015
Then He told them a parable; “A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘what
should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this’, “he said.” I’ll tear down my
barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, “you have
many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” But God said to him,
‘you fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will
they be?’ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
(Luke 12: 16-21 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma Missionaries Ralph and De Chapman. Ralph has been serving for the past 25 years
as Director of Missions for Beckham-Mills Baptist Association. The association is comprised of 25
cooperating congregations in a four county area in western Oklahoma – Beckham, Roger Mills, Dewey and
Greer. This part of Oklahoma is a sparsely populated area, mainly rural and small towns, which have had a
large influx of oil and gas industry related workers and families. In addition to the ongoing inreach and
outreach ministries of local churches, they are also involved in ministries to and with the oil patch workers
and truckers. Farmers and ranchers make up a large part of the membership of the association’s churches.
Children’s Camp, Falls Creek, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and a variety of mission projects
occupy much of Ralph’s time and energy. In 2014, 466 people participated in 41 projects in eight states, 17
international projects, 13 local and state projects in addition to the local Hispanic work, and the partnership
with South Dakota. Disaster Relief is also his priority with over 100 trained volunteers and a feeding unit
that is ‘housed’ in Elk City. Ralph loves the association and says, “A close fellowship of pastors, staff and
lay people make the work absolutely amazing and wonderful!” The Cooperative Program and state mission
offering have been absolutely vital in their Disaster Relief work and also the Hispanic work.
Specific Prayer Requests for Ralph and De:
1. For both Ralph and De with their health concerns in their older years.
2. For God’s guidance in all the mission projects the association is involved in at home and around the
world.
3. For God’s provisions for many churches that are struggling to grow and even maintain their
ministry and facilities.
4. For our camps that are growing and demand a large team of workers and volunteers.
5. For our Sunday Schools that they will continue to grow and reach the lost and unchurched.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections; Duke, First; Fargo; Gould, First; Lindsey, Calvary; Maysville, First
September 20, 2015
Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me
anything in My name, I will do it. “If you love Me, You will obey my commandments, and I will ask the
Father, and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of Truth, whom the
world is unable to receive because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He
remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.” (John 14: 1321 HCSB)
Pray for North American missionaries Gibson and Julie Largent and family. Gibson is Church
Planter/Pastor of Ridgeline Community Church located approximately 40 miles north of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania in the suburbs. This is his third year serving as a North American Mission Board (NAMB)
Church Planter in the Philadelphia suburbs. It has taken two years to solidify a core team and to become a
stable and slightly growing church of about 20 families. His responsibilities include basically everything
from preaching weekly, leading worship by playing guitar, leading small group Bible studies, recruiting
and leading mission teams, leading out in outreach and prayer efforts, etc. Gibson’s goals for 2015 include
starting a children’s and youth ministry, strengthening worship and adding to their worship team,
developing a leadership and finance team and aggressively seeking to evangelize the five surrounding
communities. Gibson relates a story of God’s strong activity in their church – a young woman went to
Alaska on her honeymoon and saw what looked like the face of Jesus in a snowy mountain landscape. That
experience stuck with her and aroused her curiosity about Jesus. She was a tattooed liberal feminist pastry
chef with an amazing custom cake bakery. She began her search for Jesus listening to Christian music and
searching for churches. Her search brought her to Ridgeline. After a few months of hearing Gibson preach
and share the Gospel, she gave her life to Jesus and she’s shown amazing Christian growth. Ridgeline
would not be a church and the Largent’s could not be in full time ministry without the Cooperative
Program and other partnerships.
Specific Prayer Requests for Gibson and Julie:
1. That God will provide faithful, qualified, gifted leaders and workers.
2. For continued financial provision as several of their partnerships are ending in 2015.
3. For fruitfulness in evangelistic efforts.
4. For revival/awakening for the Philadelphia metro and the Washington DC to Boston corridor. The
lostness and worldliness makes the Gospel ministry slow and painful.
Email:
[email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections:
Norman, Trinity; Oklahoma City, Northwest
September 27, 2015
After they were released, they went to their own fellowship and reported all that the chief priests and the
elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices to God unanimously and said,
“Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. …For in
fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled
together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had
predestined to take place. …When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness. (Acts 4: 23-24,
27-28, 31 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Bobby and Angie Kelly and their family. Bobby is the Ruth
Dickinson Professor of Bible at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) and has served in this position for the
past 18 years. He teaches New Testament and Greek and also chairs the Department of Biblical and
Theological Studies in the Hobbs College at OBU. To freshman taking New Testament, Bobby’s goal is to
challenge them to develop a greater appreciation for God’s Word and His will as revealed in the New
Testament. To upper level classes, he seeks to help students who feel a call to ministry to more clearly
define their call and to help them see the centrality of Scripture as the focal point of their teaching and
preaching. A final goal is to continue ministering in the churches in Oklahoma, whether through Winter
Bible Studies, supply preaching, or serving as interim pastor. Bobby shares a letter from a former student
who was older and had graduated from a lower class high school. His study skills were very weak when he
arrived at OBU. Having difficulty in a Biblical language course, he went to Bobby’s office and asked if he
was failing. He was assured he would not fail if he kept working. He kept working and graduated from
OBU. He went on to seminary and so impressed his Greek professor, he was asked to serve as a tutor.
Now he is approached by pastors and convention leaders as a New Testament scholar. He says, “When I
had little confidence in myself, you graciously offered encouragement that has lasted for many, many
years.” The Cooperative Program impacts everything OBU does and Bobby’s ministry at OBU in
particular.
Specific Prayer Requests for Bobby and Angie:
1.
That I continue to grow and mature as a follower of Jesus, even as I challenge my students to do
the same.
2. That God gives me wisdom to balance ministry at OBU and ministry in the churches with my
responsibilities to my wife and sons.
3. That God continue to give me the passion, energy, and love for teaching as I move into my 50’s this
March.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Claremore, First; Oklahoma City, Quail Springs; Shawnee, First
October 4, 2015
Then He told him: “A man was giving a large banquet and invited many. At the time of the banquet, he
sent his slave to tell those who were invited, come, because everything is now ready: “But without
exception they all began to make excuses. …”So the slave came back and reported these things to his
master. Then in anger, the master of the house told his slave, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of
the city and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame!’ “Master; the slave said, ‘what you ordered
has been done, and there’s still room.’ “Then the master told the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and
lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, not one of those men who
were invited will enjoy my banquet.’” (Luke 14: 16-18a, 21-24 HCSB)
Pray for missionaries Mike and Cindy Napier. Mike is Evangelism Specialist for the Baptist General
Convention of Oklahoma. He was in a similar position in New Mexico with the New Mexico Baptist
Convention before returning to Oklahoma. He is not a stranger to Oklahoma. He has served as pastor in
several churches. As Evangelism Specialist he will have the opportunity to equip, encourage and inspire
Oklahoma Baptist in the work of evangelism. Hopefully God will use him to help reduce the downward
slide in baptisms to a marked and significant increase. Evangelism is hard work and Mike recognizes that.
He says, “If it were easy more people would be talking about Jesus, more people would be being saved and
more people would be baptized in our churches”. The State Evangelism Conference in January is one of
the great events looked forward to by both pastors and lay people. Mike will be responsible for planning
and implementing this significant event in Oklahoma Baptist life. Mike has seen and experienced the value
of the Cooperative Program (CP). He says, “Because of the CP, lives are being touched and souls are being
saved all across Oklahoma, North America and around the world”.
Specific Prayer Requests for Mike and Cindy:
1.
That Cindy and I would have a smooth transition back to Oklahoma.
2. That God would grant a fresh vision for Oklahoma Baptist to reach the lost around us.
3. That Oklahoma Baptist will be talking about Jesus every day.
4. That evangelism would be on the minds of Oklahoma Baptist every day.
5. For safety as I travel the state.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Broken Bow, First; Kellyville, First; Noble, First; Owasso First;
Perkins, First; Pond Creek, First; Sapulpa, First.
October 11, 2015
This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and
having prepared everything to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
…with every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance
and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my
mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6: 13-15, 18-19 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Alan and Cindy Quigley and their family. Alan is the Church
Outreach Team Leader for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He manages a great team of
leaders in the area of Disaster Relief, partnership missions, church planting, Baptist Collegiate ministries,
evangelism, Native American ministries, Hispanic ministries, and Women’s missions and ministries. The
primary goal of the outreach team is to impact Oklahoma with the great news of the Gospel. Alan had the
opportunity recently to give a group of Chinese business men and women a tour of the Baptist Building.
The question was asked of Alan, “You go to help non-Christian people and you don’t ask them to pay you--why would you do that?” Alan told him it was because of the love for Christ. In the mission room they
shared a picture of Lottie Moon and told her story. They wept. In his office Alan gave them each a Bible
in their language. They wept again. Alan told them of his conversion. One man said, “One day I will be a
follower of Jesus”. The interpreter who is a Christian responded with “why not today?”. That conversation
will continue. Without the Cooperative Program, the Church Outreach Team would not exist and the
convention’s work of encouraging and quipping pastors and lay leaders through the local association and
church would not happen.
Specific Prayer Requests for Alan and Cindy:
1.
Wisdom to lead a great team of leaders to equip believers with the Gospel.
2. That God would empower my witnessing and preaching for a harvest of souls.
3. That I will continue to grow in the disciplines of Bible study and prayer.
4. For good health and safety as I travel the state.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Del City, First Southern; Oklahoma City, Village; Tahlequah, Carter;
Weatherford, Emmanuel
October 18, 2015
But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed—attested by the Law and the prophets
-- that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood to
demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.
He presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and
declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3: 21-26 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Robert and Tonia Kellogg. Robert has been President and CEO of the
Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma for the past 13 years. The Baptist Foundation has offices in Oklahoma
City and Tulsa and exists to promote charitable planned giving and provide financial management for the
gifts that strengthen Southern Baptists ministries today and tomorrow. In addition, the Foundation provides
lending to churches through its church building loan program and helps churches invest their cash reserves
through its church funds management program. Robert illustrates the Evergreen Baptist Church in south
Tulsa that began in 1999 with 28 people meeting in a Holiday Inn Select. In 2005, they outgrew the space
they had rented at Thoreau elementary school. They had purchased a 40 acre plot and now needed to build.
A local bank turned down their request for a loan. The Baptist Foundation made them a loan. They have
now grown to more than 600 in attendance and have built 57,000 square feet in a church building and have
extra space to build. God provided the resources and the people to build a tremendous family of faith
called Evergreen Baptist Church. The Foundation‘s goal moving forward is to distribute $25 million
annually to ministry by the end of 2025. The Foundation is blessed to receive Cooperative Program (CP)
gifts which are used to provide baby Bibles to Oklahoma Baptist churches, financial guides for newlyweds,
estate administrating funeral planning and personal records organization. CP also assists the Baptist
Foundation develop and share resources with churches and donors.
Specific Prayer Requests for Robert and Tonia:
1.
For wisdom and knowledge in daily decision making.
2.
For God’s blessings on the Foundation donors and beneficiaries.
3.
For strength, guidance, and wisdom for the staff and board members.
4.
For health and safety for all our staff and their families.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Dewey, First; Shawnee, Immanuel
October 25, 2014
But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: Do not say in your heart, “who will go up to
heaven?” that is, to bring Christ down, or “who will go down into the “abyss’?” that is to bring Christ up
from the dead. On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and
believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes,
resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. …For everyone who
calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10: 6-10, 13 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Brian and Jennifer Hobbs and their family. Brian serves as Editor
for the Baptist Messenger, the statewide news journal for Oklahoma Southern Baptists. The Messenger is
published each week, with a print circulation of nearly 50,000 and offers a digital app (Messenger mobile)
and website, www.baptistmessenger.com. In addition, the Messenger has a new blog
(www.wordslingerok.com) that reaches out to young adults with the Good News of Jesus and also a
quarterly Spanish version distributed to thousands of Spanish speaking people in the state. Hobbs also
oversees the Communication Team for the BGCO which creates print, web, video, social media and public
relations for the convention. He also helps coordinate the convention’s Ethic and Religious Liberty
Committee which monitors special and ethical issues and oversees the annual Rose Day Pro-Life Rally at
the Capitol. Brian says, “The Cooperative Program is the lifeblood of our shared ministries as Southern
Baptists. The Communication’s Team which promotes each of the ministries of the Baptist General
Convention, and comes along side local churches and associations, is made possible through the
Cooperative Program”.
Specific Prayer Requests for Brian and Jennifer:
1.
For our daughter Violet who was born extremely premature.
2. For our family, Jennifer and our five children.
3. For wisdom and God’s leadership for the Messenger staff and BGCO Communication’s Team.
4. For a spirit of unity, focus, and cooperation and wise use of time and words.
5. For our staff as we help the people of Oklahoma with an awareness of the mission and ministry of
the BGCO.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Bartlesville, First; Oklahoma City, Quail Springs.
November 1, 2015
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking
the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit
of Jesus did not allow them. So, bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas. During the night a vision
appeared to Paul: a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, "Cross over to Macedonia and
help us!" After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding
that God had called us to evangelize them. (Acts 16: 6-10 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Keith and Lynn Jordan. Keith serves as Director of Church
Development for Capital Baptist Association (CBA). CBA is a network of 173 churches and missions that
are ethnically diverse in the greater Oklahoma City area. He is responsible for working with CBA teams to
plan and oversee: central Oklahoma ministry enrichment (a leadership event hosted by CBA in cooperation
with Union Association each fall); Worship Arts Camp for kids; Vacation Bible School training events;
mission partnerships with High Country Association in Colorado and Bogota, Columbia; School of
Christian Service (“OBU@OKC”); Church Revitalization; and resources that include media library, banner
printer, die cuts, laminator and Capital Association Resource Trailer (for block parties, etc.). Keith says,
“Gifts to the Cooperative Program (CP) helped make it possible for me to complete my education at
Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Seminary. It is a privilege to give through the CP and to
see how God uses these gifts to reach the lost in Oklahoma and throughout the world”. A monthly gift
from CP is given to CBA and also helps with new church starts and special projects.
Specific Prayer Requests for Keith and Lynn:
1.
That our churches will have a renewed zeal for reaching their communities.
2. That God will use Capital Association to encourage, resource and equip the church leadership in the
Oklahoma City metro area.
3. For Bogota, Colombia, a city of six million with only ten Baptist churches.
4. For pastors of High Country Association in Colorado and our efforts to partner with them.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Choctaw, First; Dewey, First; Noble, First; Yukon, First
November 8, 2015
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, "This is what is written:
the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would
be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered
from on high." (Luke 24: 45-49 HCSB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionary Steve Childers. Steve has been Communications Director for the
Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) for the past 20 years. He works at the home office in the
Baptist Building in Oklahoma City. He works with four residential campuses (Oklahoma City, Edmond,
Owasso, and Madill) and the four Hope Pregnancy Centers in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Ardmore. He
oversees OBHC’s print communication with churches and individuals, telling the story of how they can
provide hope and homes for children. He enjoys telling the story of children in their care and how young
men and women find hope in an unplanned pregnancy at Hope Pregnancy Centers. He especially enjoys
working with children in producing OBHC’s annual Christmas card. Steve tells of Shane’s life changing
story because of coming to live at one of OBHC’s residential campuses. His life was in disarray. He was
making bad choices, running with the wrong crowd, flirting with drugs and alcohol because he thought no
one cared. When he moved into one of the OBHC homes everything changed. He is now a confident,
hardworking, honor roll student with college plans and big goals. He has trusted Jesus as his Savior. He
went on a mission trip with his church to Spain and now is working at Chick-fil-a and saving for college.
Almost $700,000 of Cooperative Program gifts are shared with OBHC each year saying that children and
young people matter to God and Oklahoma Baptist.
Specific Prayer Requests for Steve:
1.
For discernment in placing children at the campus that best meets their needs.
2.
For volunteers with tender hearts for clients at our Hope Pregnancy Centers.
3.
For God to call staff, especially house parents.
4.
5.
For public school teachers to have understanding and compassion for OBHC children in public
schools.
For Sunday School teachers, youth ministers, and pastors as they minister directly to our children.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections: Cushing, First; Oklahoma City, Village
November 15, 2015
Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen
this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I
command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are
called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I
will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. "Now My eyes will be open and My
ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. (2 Chronicles 7: 12-15 NASB)
Pray for Oklahoma missionaries Rhonda and Ray Richards and their family. Rhonda serves as Dean
of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS) for Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU)
located in Oklahoma City at the Baptist Building. They currently offer three graduate programs servicing
Oklahoma City, Shawnee and regional areas. Their overall goal is to help individuals attain their
educational and career goals through an integrated approach to faith and learning. They plan to launch
more online programs in the spring of 2015 to reach a larger audience, including ethnics training for
business, hospitals and other organizations and to offer degrees in nursing, business and Christian studies.
The Cooperative Program (CP) funds a building to house the Master of Business administration courses
and administration of the CGPS in Oklahoma City at the Baptist Building. It also supports OBU faculty,
staff and campus which houses the marriage and family therapy program of the CGPS in Shawnee.
Specific Prayer Requests for Rhonda and Ray:
1.
That OBU faculty, staff, and students would follow God in everything we do and say.
2. That our words and actions would be a blessing to those around us as we represent OBU and they
would see Christ in us.
3. That our families would be protected and blessed.
4. That our programs would grow so that we can spread the Gospel of Christ and help individuals
attain their career goals through the integration of faith and learning.
5. That doors would be opened for our ministry and that we would be observant and obedient to follow
God’s call on our lives.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connection: Durant, First
November 22, 2015
"Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in
and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where
thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "Don't collect for
yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But
collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't
break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. …"No one can be a slave of
two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot be slaves of God and of money. (Matthew 6: 19-21, 24 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionaries Richard and Sharon Cook. Richard is Theological Education
Connector and works primarily with the Guatemala Baptist Theological Seminary and secondarily with
seminaries in Honduras, El Salvador, Belize and Panama. His responsibilities include teaching at the
Guatemala Seminary and in its partner seminaries in the neighboring Central American Countries. He also
coordinates the Guatemala Seminaries master’s program and facilitates connections with partners in the
states particularly Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. A major goal for 2015 is to begin making
a transition toward retirement in two years following 36 years on the field. This will include working with
others who will assume Richard’s responsibilities. Sharon’s primary ministry is leading home Bible studies
in cell groups of their church. The majority of the people have Roman Catholic backgrounds and have a
limited knowledge of Scripture and how to apply the Bible to practical everyday life. The Cooperative
Program has enabled the Cooks to serve the Lord in Central America for 34 years; 26 years in Panama
before moving to Guatemala and in Guatemala for 8 years. Through Southern Baptist giving all our
financial needs have been met. “Thank you!”
Specific Prayer Requests for Richard and Sharon:
1. For God to continue calling pastors, national missionaries and other church leaders in Guatemala
and Central America.
2. For the Lord to provide financial and other material resources needed by pastors, national
missionaries and church leaders need personally and in their ministry.
3. For the Lord to provide national seminary professors finances and other resources necessary to the
Guatemala Seminary to extend and promote theological education throughout Guatemala and
neighboring countries.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections:
Owasso, Bethel; Tulsa, Eastwood
November 29, 2015
Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one
of you with tears. "And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build
you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or
gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs, and for those who
were with me. In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to
keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (Acts
20: 31-35 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionary Caroline Reel. She is serving as a missionary journeyman in Stara
Zagora, Bulgaria working with the Roma (Gypsy) people. She works primarily with the children both in a
local orphanage and children from the Roma village in Stara Zagora. Her work with the girls is targeted
toward trafficking prevention so she and others teach them marketable skills such as how to give a
manicure, or apply make-up, how to sew and make macramé hanging pots, etc. The girls pick-up on skills
they can use to find employment other than sex trafficking. They use these lesson times to teach the Bible
through storying. They also teach English to a group from the orphanage as well as storying. They also
visit the village and do storying with the parents and kids who show up or just ones they meet. In 2015 she
hopes to begin a storying group with the women in the village. The majority are un-evangelized and the
ones who are Christians have not been discipled. She hopes to develop stronger relationships with
extended families so she can story with family units. Caroline says “the Cooperative Program provides a
part of everything I do here from my salary to my expenses to travel to ministry sites, to funds for special
outreach to the kids we work with. Thanks Oklahoma Baptists”.
Specific Prayer Requests for the Caroline:
1. My team struggles daily to learn the language. Pray that God will give us the ability to clearly
communicate.
2. The orphanage is closing down over the next few months. Pray for the children as they adjust to the
changes in their lives.
3. For the girls we work with who are at high risk to become involved in sex trafficking.
4. For the people who claim to be Orthodox Christians but are blinded by Satan and walk in darkness
that the Gospel message might break through.
Email:
[email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections:
Shawnee, Temple; Tishomingo, First and Bullard Chapel
December 6, 2015
And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His
ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our
God's merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and
the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1: 76-79 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionaries Chad and Crystal Reynolds and their family. They served in
Senegal, Chile from 2005 to August 2013 when they moved to the Dominican Republic. Chad serves as
Logistic Coordinator for the Caribbean and Suriname and Crystal serves in church/home and outreach
evangelism. Chad maintains the properties and vehicles owned by the IMB, assists missionaries with visas,
travel and other legal documents for their respective countries. His work involves meeting with
missionaries, pastors, lawyers, governmental officials, plumbers, electricians, etc. to take care of the
various situations that arise in day-to-day life in a foreign country. He has many opportunities to share
God’s love and the truth of God’s word as he models Christ to those he meets and serves. Crystal stays
busy caring for the boys and serving in their local church, the Central Baptist Church of Santo Domingo,
located in the historic “colonial zone”. The church is 50 years old and is without a pastor. There are many
opportunities for outreach and evangelism in the community around the church. The Cooperative Program
provides salary, housing, a vehicle, healthcare insurance and schooling for the children of the Reynolds
family. Chad and Crystal say, “We are so blessed and so thankful to those who contribute, we could not be
here without it”.
Specific Prayer Requests for Chad and Crystal:
1. For Central Baptist Church of Santo Domingo—the new pastors and church leaders.
2. For the families of the boys who participate in the basketball ministry at Central Baptist Church, for
their salvation, etc.
3. For our sons to continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge of God’s word and His plans for them.
4. For Chad to have wisdom in decisions he must make and for Christ-likeness in al his interactions
with others.
5. That Crystal will be able to help equip and encourage pastor’s wives to serve Christ in their homes
and churches.
Email:
[email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections:
Broken Arrow, First; Coweta, Community and First
December 13, 2015
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave
or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are
Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise. …But when the completion of the time came, God sent
His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive
adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying,
"Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
(Galatians 3: 27-29; 4: 4-7HCSB)
Pray for International missionaries Daren and Shawna Norfleet Davis and their family. They live in
Gaborone, Botswana located in southern Africa but their ministry assignment is focused on unreached and
unengaged people groups in numerous countries throughout southern Africa. They have been Cluster
Strategy Leaders and Cluster Prayer Advocates since 2008 to the Cluster called Ocean2Ocean. This
consists of the countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Indian Ocean Islands, Namibia, Madagascar, South Africa,
Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Shawna has been leading an effort to raise prayer support for the people groups
residing in these countries and in addition has been homeschooling their two daughters. Daren has been
busy planting churches, fortifying believers, breaking down strongholds and strengthening the work of the
ministry throughout the Cluster. Together they work with 70 missionary families that make up the Cluster
engaging over 30 unreached people groups with the Gospel. The Cooperative Program provides education
support, vehicles and travel expense, housing and living expense for all these families. Without your
mission gifts through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas offering these families
could not serve and the result would be 30 more unengaged people groups.
Specific Prayer Requests for Daren and Shawna:
1. That God would send laborers to the unreached and unengaged people groups in Madagascar.
2. That Namibian believers would catch the vision of reaching the peoples of their country with the
Gospel.
3. For the strong Baptist Conventions of Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa as they reach pockets
of lostness throughout these countries.
4. For safety and good health for our family and all the families in the Ocean2Ocean Cluster.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections:
Marlow, First; Shawnee, Immanuel
December 20, 2015
…"Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her
is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His
people from their sins." Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel , which is
translated "God is with us." When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord's angel had commanded
him. He married her but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him
Jesus. (Matthew 1: 20-25 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionaries Randy and Anita Jordan and their family. The Jordan’s live in
Manila, Philippines and minister among university students in Prezon City, the largest and most populated
of the six districts that make up metro Manila. There are 12 to 14 million people in the Metro Manila Area.
Their vision is to see multitudes of student disciple-makers making disciples throughout the entire city.
They are currently working alongside other Filipino Great Commission organizations to accomplish this
gigantic task through sharing the gospel, disciplining students to become multiplying disciple-makers and
by training full time local campus missionaries to do the same. Recently Anita and a student leader were
on campus for an evangelistic Bible study and met a young girl named Jana. After answering several
questions from Jana she was ready to accept Jesus as her Savior. Her response was, WOW! Jana is
continuing to meet with Anita and the student leader to continue growing in her new life in Christ. The
Jordan’s have been greatly impacted by the Cooperative Program throughout their 23 years of being
international Mission Board missionaries in South Korea and the Philippines. “We would not be able to
stay on the mission field to follow our call to reach university students for Christ.” Thanks! Thanks!
Thanks!
Specific Prayer Requests for Randy and Anita:
1. For Christian students to have boldness to share their faith with classmates in a difficult religious
environment of cultural/finical religion without having a real relationship with Jesus.
2. For many new students to attend the discipleship groups where they can learn about Jesus, be saved,
and be trained to lead others to Christ.
3. For our sphere of influence and training opportunities among Filipino University student workers to
expand to other areas of Metro Manila.
4. For the health and safety of our family.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections:
Arkhoma, First; Pawhuska, First; Tulsa, First
December 27, 2015
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived
unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star
in the east and have come to worship Him." …After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it
was-the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child
was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child
with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures
and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 HCSB)
Pray for International Missionaries Terry and Nan Williams. They live in Kondoa, Tanzania in the
Dodoma region working with the Rangi (Rahn.Gee) people. Terry is a livestock specialist and is teaching
artificial insemination and good livestock practices. He received some Beefmaster semen in 2013 and has
been able to go into villages with the local government agricultural office teaching insemination of the
cows. This has helped build relationships for sharing the Gospel. He also teaches Bible in the Muslim
secondary school to the Christian students. Nan works mainly with the women teaching them to cook
using a charcoal stove. They love to make bread and cakes and Nan is showing them how to sell their
products thus helping to support their families. She has lots of opportunities to share the scriptures with the
ladies in an informal way. They have a small worship group that meets each week. Most of them are not
the Rangi people but other tribes. The Rangi people have been very slow to respond to the Good News of
Jesus. In November 2015 the Williams will begin their final stateside furlough in preparation for
retirement. The Cooperative Program has made it possible for them to serve on the mission field for many
years and has allowed them to go into the homes and villages to share God’s Good News.
Specific Prayer Requests for Terry and Nan:
1. For the Rangi people to recognize their need of Jesus.
2. For the Rangi believers.
3. For us to keep our eyes on the Father and stay the course to the end.
4. For continued relationships between the men and women that point people to Jesus.
5. For the small worship group to continue growing and will become a church.
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Church Connections:
Fort Gibson, First; Muskogee, Immanuel