July 28 - August 2 - Youth Camp. See Danny or Tina for Details.

“You will be my witnesses.” When our Lord spoke these words it was not in the form of a question. It was not an invitation. He did not say, “Would you like, sometime, to tell someone about me?” He said, “You will be my witnesses.” And you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost part of the earth. God’s Mission is at the heart of who we are as the people of God. It is central to our life together as Southern Baptist. Being “on mission” is not an option for us. It is a matter of obedience or disobedience. Through the years we’ve been involved in missions locally, statewide, nationally and internationally as we’ve given to various offerings and individuals have gone on mission trips. It is time for us to take the next step.

It is time for us to put together a comprehensive plan/strategy for mission involvement. That’s why we are having a meeting Sunday evening, August 10th at 5:00 P.M. for anyone interested in missions. I want us to get together in one place and pray and dream about have we become involved, “hands on,” with missions. I would like for us to get to the point that we are intentionally involved locally, nationally and internationally. We do not have to reinvent the wheel. The structure is already in place through our association, state and national convention. We also have sister churches with established relationships with mission projects who would welcome our support. I hope that you will be a part of the meeting Sunday as we begin the process of looking beyond our walls and actively seek ways we can impact our world with the Gospel of Christ. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

It is hard to believe school has started. I’m left wondering, “Where did the summer go?” It is time to refocus our energies as we gear up for the coming church year that runs from September – August. We still have some needs in our staffing for the coming year. There has been some reorganization, the convention has changed some of the literature, but we are in fairly good shape with a few weeks to go. I would ask you to be in prayer as we seek to fill the few remaining spots and as we seek an answer to our nursery woes. We’ve gone with an all-volunteer force in the nursery for several years but we have some significant needs on Sunday morning during Sunday School and on Wednesday evening. Please pray for our nominating committee and our personnel committee as we seek to address these needs.

We had a great response Sunday evening for our missions meeting. Pray as we put our team together and begin working through the suggestions received Sunday and develop a mission strategy to guide us as we seek to spread the name and fame of our God in the days to come. Our goal is to educate, inspire and provide “hands on” experience in mission work locally, nationally and internationally. Pray for us as we seek to put our vision into action. Of course there is always room for you to join us! If you were unable to attend the meeting but want to be a part call the church office and let Katrenia know.

On a personal note, I appreciate the kind words and the good response to our Sunday morning study of Revelation. I would ask your prayers as we continue to walk through this important book together. I look forward to seeing you and your family as we gather this coming Lord’s Day.

Rod

Wow, thank you for the very generous love offering Sunday evening! It is hard to believe it’s been 17 years. I know many of you have told me it seems so much longer. To have the opportunity to watch our children grow up in the same church we did; to baptize them in the same baptistery and see them stand on the same platform at their wedding ceremony is a privilege very few pastors enjoy. To see them shaped and molded by many of the same teachers and leaders that played such a vital role in our lives is a great joy. Rheadon and I want you to know how much we love and appreciate you as our family. You are a great blessing to us and we pray, that by God’s grace, we are a blessing to you. Thank you for the privilege of serving with you.

On Sunday, August 10, we had a missions meeting. This was a meeting for any and all who are interested in the mission goals, programs and education of our fellowship. We had a great response to this first meeting and as a result we had several suggestions made. John Taylor and I have meet and categorized the suggestions and have developed an overall framework. We will be meeting again on Sunday, August 24, at 4:30 pm. Again this is an open meeting. You are urged to attend if you want to serve or if you just want to know what is going on.
At this point we are looking at three teams: evangelism/outreach; mission education; and service ministries and projects. We will divide people up according to interest and allow them to develop each area as they fill led. We are excited about the future and where this will lead. I want to encourage you to join our team as we seek to spread the name and fame of our God here and around the world. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

From the book by the same name, by Mark Dever. A Wednesday evening series of messages by Pastor Rod Harris.

• 08/20/2008: What Are You Looking For?
• 08/27/2008: What Is the Church and What Is Its Purpose?
• 09/03/2008: First Steps on Displaying God’s Glory
• 09/10/2008: The Need for a Biblical Understanding of Conversion
• 09/24/2008: A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
• 10/01/2008: A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership
• 10/08/2008: A Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline
• 10/15/2008: A Biblical Understanding of Discipleship and Growth
• 10/22/2008: Biblical Church Leadership
  

At the writing of this column I find myself at an interesting point. I’m sitting at my desk reflecting on the events of the last 24 hours. It is Sunday afternoon and in a few minutes I’ll be heading to the worship center for the evening service. What makes this time interesting is the bittersweet moment I’m experiencing. Two fellow servants – one a mentor who guided me through my first two years of pasturing; the other a co-laborer with whom I’ve shared ministry over the last 10-12 years. Dr. Tom Owens, director of Missions for the Cimarron Baptist Association went to be with the Lord Saturday afternoon. Tom walked me through my first wedding, first funeral, first baptism and first Lord’s Supper service. His office door at First Baptist Pawnee was always open to me. I spent countless hours sitting and talking with Tom. His wisdom, sense of humor and kindness has continued to shape my ministry. I’ll miss Tom but I’m greatly encouraged by the fact he made it “home” for worship Sunday.

I learned just a few minutes ago my friend Tom Woodson, pastor of Keystone Hills Baptist Church also went to be with the Lord yesterday. Tom was just 47 years old and following a massive stroke on Thursday died Saturday evening about 11:45 pm. Tom and I served together on several committees for Tulsa Association and on the Board of Directors of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Tom’s death shocks me. Partly because it was so sudden and unexpected (I was not aware of any health issues with Tom); and partly because he was my age. I grieve for Tom’s wife and children. I don’t understand why his life would end so suddenly and why such suffering for his family. When I said in the sermon this morning that, “there are times when we cannot see God’s hand and thus we must trust His heart” I wasn’t expecting to have to practice that myself this afternoon! But it is true. And I find great comfort in knowing God can be trust and my friends are both home this evening.

Rod