July Digital 2026

DIGITAL EDITION | JULY 2026

ABOVE AND BEYOND: FALLS CREEK SEEING SIGNIFICANT SPIRITUAL DECISIONS

DAVIS—With summer camps at the halfway mark, both Falls Creek has seen numerous spiritual decisions made by campers.

Each week of Falls Creek Youth Camp provides campers with opportunities to participate in fun activities, form meanginful connections with God and others, and grow deeper in their faith.

“My favorite part of Falls Creek is the community,” said Todd Sanders, Falls Creek program director. “We get to connect with the students and be a part of their lives and spiritual growth.”

As of June 29, 2,349 spiritual decisions have been made by campers. This includes 1,083 professions of faith, 67 assurances of salvation, 630 recommitments to the Lord, 209 calls to ministry and 360 other decisions.

The theme for camp is “The Greatest,” Based on Matt. 28:16-20.

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

Falls Creek invites speakers from all over the country to preach on the camp’s theme verse. Those who have spoken so far include Greg Davis, pastor at Cashion, Southwest; evangelist Garrett Wagoner; and Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB).

Even though it’s only halfway through the summer, Falls Creek has already seen God working in the lives of students. One pastor relayed a story of a young lady who was almost left behind because of her open and active antagonism to the Gospel. God worked in her heart during a Friday night service, and she responded to the invitation.

Another young man proclaimed faith in Christ and began to feel God’s calling on his life into vocational ministry. Sanders was able to speak to him and encourage him to pray and pursue this calling faithfully.

Without the support of the local church through prayer and the Cooperative Program, these stories of life change wouldn’t be possible.

“We are grateful for each of you and your investment in advancing the Gospel with the next generation,” said Sanders. “I thank each of you every week, this work happens because of you. Thank you!”

Besides the impactful sermons and discipleship, Falls Creek offers various activities campers can participate in like zip-lining, basketball, skating, baseball and more. New for 2026, Falls Creek is offering a large-scale ropes course called the “Adventure Matrix.” The camp’s rich history also adds to its uniqueness.

“The nature of the legacy makes Falls Creek unique,” said Sanders. “It’s uniquely Oklahoma Baptist. It has so many cultures and sub-cultures that have been established over the years.”

For more information on Falls Creek, or to view the Falls Creek prayer emphasis, visit oklahomabaptists.org/youth.

2026 SBC ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS MISSIONS, TRUTH & UNITY

ORLANDO, Fla.—More than 11,000 registered messengers from Southern Baptist churches across the United States and globe gathered in Orlando, Fla. for the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting and related events. More than 300 messengers from Oklahoma participated from nearly 120 churches.

At the annual meeting, Southern Baptists gathered to elect a new president, take actions that will shape the SBC in years to come and celebrate the sending of missionaries.

In the week prior to the annual meeting, Southern Baptists intentionally engaged the host city of Orlando to serve the community and proclaim the Gospel through a series of events in Crossover. Each year, Crossover challenges 1,000 churches to participate in having 10,000 Gospel conversations with a goal of 1,000 decisions for Christ.

Preceding the annual meeting, the 2026 SBC Pastors’ Conference took place on June 7-8. This year’s conference featured several prominent speakers and introduced four “micro-conferences” designed to equip local churches in worship, discipleship, student ministry and kids ministry.

During the opening session of the 2026 SBC Meeting on June 9, the International Mission Board (IMB) Sending Celebration took place, as 63 newly commissioned missionaries are being sent to the nations. Among the 63 IMB missionaries, six Oklahoma Baptists were featured, including Tanner and Sallie from OKC, Frontline ChurchSouth.

Oklahoma Baptists

Executive Director-Treasurer

Todd Fisher said, “At the annual meeting, the IMB commissioned 63 missionaries going out to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples in the nations. Many of them have their identities and destinations hidden for security reasons. These are incredibly committed and courageous soldiers of the cross! This is why our churches cooperate. This is what makes us at our best. How grateful I am that 6 of the 63 commissioned today are Oklahoma Baptists. The unity, strength and mission among the churches of our state convention is bearing fruit not just in Oklahoma, but all over the globe. Praise the Lord!”

Over the two-day SBC Annual Meeting, messengers considered various key business items.

On June 10, messengers approved a plan for the International Mission Board to begin receiving 51 percent of national Cooperative Program receipts annually beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

IMB President Paul Chitwood announced that the missionary pipeline is “exploding,” noting a 500 percent increase in recent years, an announcement that was met with applause.

Messengers voted on various motions throughout the SBC Annual Meeting. One motion was submitted by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler to the SBC Constitution limiting friendly cooperation to churches with only men serving in the office and function of pastors, specifically, in the role of preaching to an assembled congregation. That motion received the first of two required two-thirds votes of approval.

The messengers also received a report from a task force dedicated to studying the need for ministry to those with disabilities.

“It is quite possible that individuals affected by disabilities are the largest lost people group on the planet,” said task force chairman and Maryland/Delaware Executive Director Tom Stolle. “We cannot leave them behind.”

Reports from various SBC entities were heard, including GuideStone, the IMB, the NAMB, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), all six SBC seminaries, the WMU and others.

Numerous ethnic groups held meetings in Orlando in conjunction with the annual meeting. Conversations discussed during these meetings included spreading the Gospel, advocacy, building connections, encouragement, immigration concerns and submission to God.

Florida pastor Willy Rice was elected SBC president with 57 percent of the vote over South Carolina pastor Josh Powell.

Rice, pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, will lead the slate of SBC officers that include First Vice President Craig Carlisle, associational missions strategist for Etowah Baptist Association in Gadsden, Ala.; Second Vice President J. Allen Murray, pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Supply, N.C.; Registration Secretary Don Currence, administrative pastor at First Baptist Church in Ozark, Mo.; and Recording Secretary Travis Kearns, associational missions strategist for Three Rivers Baptist Association in Taylors, S.C.

Messengers approved resolutions addressing Southern Baptists’ commitment to the sanctity of life through opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide. Messengers also approved resolutions on the importance of bivocational pastors, the office of pastor/elder/overseer

as limited to men, and support for efforts to encourage all ministers to finish well. Additional resolutions affirmed the enforcement of borders as well as the dignity of immigrants, and the importance of in-person church amid the growth of technology.

A resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States noted the founders’ belief in unalienable rights “given by God and secured by government.” Others opposed the rise of antisemitism and political violence.

The 2027 SBC Annual Meeting is set to take place in Indianapolis, Ind., June 13-17. For more coverage of the 2026 Annual Meeting, visit www.baptistpress.com.

OKLAHOMA PARTNERSHIP RECEPTION AT THE SBC ANNUAL MEETING

In partnership with Oklahoma Baptists and WatersEdge, Oklahoma Baptist University hosted a special evening reception on June 9 during the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. More than 450 attendees, including OBU alumni and friends, Oklahoma Baptists messengers and WatersEdge guests, gathered at SeaWorld Orlando for fellowship and connection. This annual reception continues to be one of the largest gatherings during the SBC Annual Meeting each year. The evening featured remarks from OBU President Heath A. Thomas and Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher, as well as special appearances by SeaWorld animal ambassadors.

AMERICA 250: LAND OF THE FREE

by Brian Hobbs, Baptist Messenger Editor

In just a few days, on July 4th, a truly great holiday will take place in which we recognize and celebrate the freedom we enjoy in this great land. As many have noted, this year marks a truly special occasion, as the 250th anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In these divided times in our country, people often find themselves in a verbal tug-of-war, about their feelings about America. Two extreme groups you find are antipatriots, who refuse to see good in America and want to spoil the celebrations. In the other extreme, we sometimes see “hyper-patriots,” who might refuse to admit any flaws in our nation at any point in history.

Yet most people I know fall into the category of simply American patriots: people who love this great land and— while we recognize past and present wrongs—have true gratitude and appreciation for America and our Founders.

Like you, I cannot express enough appreciation or admiration for the men and women who have served in uniform. We the people of the United States are truly blessed to be connected to so many brave members of the military, both past and present. Countless soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen and others have given their lives to earn the freedom we enjoy. On the Fourth of July (and every day), these heroes deserve all the respect we can offer and more.

The late University of Oklahoma professor and historian J. Rufus Fears often spoke of the remarkable legacy of

heroes we have in America. He also said that what makes America truly a unique nation is that it is the only one founded on an idea; namely freedom.

It’s that topic—freedom—that I want to highlight today. Just prior to his passing, Dr. Fears produced an excellent online set of videos that really delve into the history of America and the unique legacy of freedom we share.

“In this series of 18 dynamic (video) lectures supplemented by downloadable documents, Professor J. Rufus Fears tells the story of how America’s vision of freedom became a model for the entire world. As Fears argues in the first lecture, one of the main reasons America has endured is because the founding fathers used lessons from the past to make decisions in the present and plan for the future. This sense of what works historically and what we should avoid has given the great American leaders (from Jefferson to Lincoln to FDR) a sturdy precedent that can be used as a tool to forge ahead.”

You can find all of the videos at no cost on YouTube here.

As we go to celebrate this Fourth of July, I truly hope you are able to celebrate with gratitude the freedom we enjoy. This July 4, let’s harness the freedom we have for the glory of God, the spread of the Gospel and the betterment of our neighbors.

Happy Independence Day! Happy 250th America!

CONCENTRATION CAMP SURVIVOR GIVES ALL PRAISE TO GOD

by Bob Nigh, Oklahoma Bapitsts Historical Secretary

Post-World War II concentration camp survivor Fred Kailer, 95, is a faithful member of Tulsa, Southwood and a prime example of how God provides His protection and provision during one’s life.

He survived the atrocities committed during the years of concentration camps and ethnic cleansing of the Germans living in Yugoslavia—now known as Serbia—following WW II. God provided many earthly “angels” who played crucial roles in helping Kailer traverse Europe over several years as he eventually made his way to the United States.

Kailer’s epic journey included stops in Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany--where he accepted Christ as Lord and Savior--and Switzerland before he finally disembarked at Ellis Island in New York City. His story of endurance is inspirational.

“Fred is a faithful man of God. He is a supreme encourager,” said Andy Taylor, interim Southwood pastor. “He is openly grateful for the many provisions and blessings God brings him each day. But on Sundays, Fred lights up being with God’s people. What a life he has lived all for the glory of God!”

“The reason I tell my story is to give glory and praise to the One Who brought me this far and preserved me to be able to share my experiences,” Kailer said. “For some reason these details have been ignored or deliberately omitted from history books.

“Our people had lived peacefully in Yugoslavia since the mid-1700s, where we kept our German heritage intact. I was born in 1931, one of 10 children God entrusted to a very devout Christian family in an all-German speaking town of Ca. The 7,000 families who lived there kept the German traditions alive.

His father, who spoke seven languages and served as an interpreter for the Kaiser during the First World War, wanted the best education for his children. He enrolled Fred in a private school, where he excelled and graduated from primary schooling in five years.

“At the age of 12, I was sent to study at the University of Werschetz, where I also excelled both in academics and gymnastics and was awarded a dual scholarship to study at universities in Germany,” he said.

“Our parents instilled in us a love for God and for people. They taught us good manners and encouraged a strong work ethic, which was not always easy to fulfill. However, no task is easy if you are not equipped for it. Sometimes, God uses the hard knocks in life to shape and condition us for that task.

“When I came home from the university with the scholarships in hand, my family was overjoyed. I had achieved something that was rare with only five years of primary schooling and certainly the first one in my family to do so. My father could not have been more pleased, because he had sold a parcel of land to afford to send me to that university.

Fred was scheduled to board a train a couple of weeks later and on the designated day he and his father loaded his suitcases on the wagon and headed to the train station about six miles away. On the trip, a wheel came off the wagon, and they struggled in vain to put it back on. They finally loaded the suitcases on the backs of the horses, climbed up behind them and raced to the station, only to see the departing train pulling out of the depot.

“Heartbroken, we returned home with shattered dreams of a lifetime gone,” Kailer continued. “My father, who was not one given to displays of affection, gathered me in his arms and said, ‘All things will work out for the best; that is a promise given to us in the Word of God. Moreover, God is always true to His word.’

“I questioned, ‘Dad, how can anything good come out of anything that promising being lost?’ Two weeks later, we learned that that train—which was loaded with retreating soldiers and scholars—was blown up by Russian soldiers as it crossed the bridge over the Danube River leading into Hungary.

During his remarkable journey Kailer worked as a driver for the Russian concentration camp commander, farm laborer, pastry chef and baker, which led to his immigration to the U.S. He worked during the day as a brick layer and carpenter and at night as a baker.

He also joined the U.S. Army and received his American citizenship when he was discharged.

“Never underestimate what God is able to do,” Kailer concluded. “If you turn over the controls of your life to Him, he will be faithful to get you where He wants you to be.”

STUDENTS GEARING UP FOR ‘MOMENTUM’

by Carissa Jones, Baptist Collegiate Ministries Assistant

College students and young adults across Oklahoma are gearing up for Momentum, which will be held on September 11th at Moore, First Baptist Church. Hosted by Oklahoma Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM), Momentum is a free, statewide gathering that includes worship, biblical teaching, games, and fellowship.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event, and stage personalities for the occasion include Charlie Hall and Tom Richter. Hall, a singer/songwriter from Oklahoma City, serves as the Pastor of Worship Arts and Liturgy at OKC, Frontline. Hall has led worship in churches and at various state and national events for more than 20 years. Tom Richter is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Cullman, AL, but he is no stranger to Oklahoma BCM. Richter has spoken previously at Momentum, Collegiate Week, and numerous other events across the nation.

According to Haiden Sides, a student at Redlands Community College, “Momentum is a fun event for college students to worship together and spend time learning even more about God.” She also notes, “It’s a great way to meet new people from other colleges and a great way to grow in your relationship with God.”

Though hosted by BCM, State BCM Director Chad Coleman is quick to point out that Momentum is open to anyone in the 18-24 age range who wants to come. “We know that many young people enter the workforce or military after

high school, and we want them to know that this event is for them too,” he says. “We would love to see more people, more church groups get involved – whether that be a college and career Sunday school class, a young adult small group, or even just a group of friends.”

The timing of this high-energy event offers a great opportunity for attendees to get to know the new people in their groups better and provides a renewed Kingdom focus as summer winds down and a new season begins. “Another benefit is that we (the leaders) can check on each other and connect with everyone across the state to see how the start of the semester has been and how the Lord has been working,” says Pauline Boren, BCM Director at Oklahoma City University. Shannon Cross, BCM Director at Rogers State University, adds that Momentum is often the first event for leaders to build deeper connections with those in their ministry.

The evening features two worship services with a break in between. The first service kicks off at 7:00pm. The break time features food, fellowship, and fun before attendees head back into the sanctuary for the second service. The night wraps up at 11:00pm.

For more information about Momentum or other events hosted by Oklahoma BCM, please contact Chad Coleman (ccoleman@oklahomabaptists.org) or Carissa Jones (cjones@oklahomabaptists.org)

CHURCH NEWS

NEWALLA, PECAN VALLEY PASTOR OPENS ‘CHILDREN’S WHITE HOUSE CHAPEL & PRAYER GARDEN’

NEWALLA—Earlier this year, Pastor Ed Moore opened the “Children’s White House Chapel & Prayer Garden.” Held within a small scale replica of the White House, this exhibit displays how faith has been an integral part of American history. Moore said that he wanted to remind the younger generations of how important faith has been and show God’s goodness throughout the United State’s 250 year history. The exhibit is located at Shawnee Twin Lakes and visits must be scheduled. To set up a visitation appointment, call 405-818-9244.

CHURCHES HONOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY WORKERS

Oklahoma City, Quail Springs, during its annual Vacation Bible School, recognized longtime children’s ministry staff member Stacie Sherry for 30 years of service. On June 28, Newcastle, First recognized Jennifer Barnes for 15 years as preschool minister. Both Sherry (pictured left) and Barnes have dedicated countless hours of their time to children’s ministry and impacted the lives of many children and families.