SEPTEMBER 2026 • VOL. 115 | NO. 9
Rising from the Ashes A New Beginning for Weatherford, Trinity
Baptist Village Communities Names Ricky Coleman as Next President Tammy Janvrin, BVC Director of Communications
Randy Hurt Joins Oklahoma Baptists Staff as Regional Ministry Partner Staff
INSIDE THIS ISSUE September 2026 · Vol. 115 I No. 9
MESSENGER STAFF Brian Hobbs | Editor bhobbs@oklahomabaptists.org Diane Montgomery | Communications Coordinator dmontgomery@oklahomabaptists.org Brook Daniel | Graphic Designer bdaniel@oklahomabaptists.org Jacob King | Staff Writer jking@oklahomabaptists.org Bob Nigh | Contributing Writer bnigh@oklahomabaptists.org
CONNECT WITH US Online | baptistmessenger.com Facebook | thebaptistmessenger Instagram | @baptistmessenger
03 | God is Good...Even When Life Is Hard CONNECT Todd Fisher
04 | Issues, Elections, & Lessons From the Past SWORD & TROWEL Brian Hobbs
05 | Upcoming Events 07 | Up in the Middle of the Night JUST JOE Joe Ligon
08 | Rising from the Ashes: A New Beginning for Weatherford, Trinity FEATURE
Staff
12 | Puzzles 13 | Church News 14 | Pastor in Focus: Paul Montgomery The Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0744-9518) is published monthly by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, 300 Johnny Bench Dr., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Circulation last issue: 35,754. Individual subscriptions are available upon request. When writing for a change of address or a subscription renewal, please include a copy of your mailing label. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Baptist Messenger, 300 Johnny Bench Dr., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Phone number is (405)-942-3000.
15 | Randy Hurt Joins Oklahoma Baptists Staff as Regional Ministry Partner Staff
16 | Baptist Village Communities Names Ricky Coleman as Next President Tammy Janvrin, BVC Director of Communications
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From left: Matt Trentham, chair of the BVC Board of Directors; Bill Pierce, BVC president; Ricky Coleman, newly-named BVC president; and Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists executive director-treasurer.
17 | Missionary Prayer Guide
GOD IS GOOD…EVEN WHEN LIFE IS HARD Not long ago was the two-year mark since my car wreck occurred that changed our lives in one sudden and terrible moment. Jamy and I certainly would never have chosen to be on this incredibly difficult path, but daily marvel at the goodness and faithfulness of God every step of the way. Somehow in God’s providence, He allowed me to survive the car wreck and through His grace has enabled me to see His hand at work through my suffering for His glory and my good. Today, my heart is full of gratitude for a loving God, an amazingly supportive wife and family, the encouragement of friends and co-workers and the constant promise of prayers on my behalf from God’s people. The love and support we have experienced from our Oklahoma Baptists family has been an incredible blessing.
love to me time and again and will continue to do so in a possibly uncertain future. Today, I think of the picture you see on this page. This is when they first let my family see me after the wreck. The moment here was filled with uncertainty. The doctors could not assure my family I would survive, and if I did, what would the future look like? Yet for all the uncertainty, there was also in that moment an unshakable and certain hope that whatever may come, God would be faithful to His promise to be present with us in love and comfort, and in the end, work everything for His glory and our good.
To be very real and honest, my heart still struggles to grasp the intricacies of God’s providence in this journey. I still want to ask the hard questions—Why was my truck in that place, in that moment when the other car crossed the center line? Why did I live and the other person pass away? Why did I lose my leg and sustain other life-changing injuries? Yet, in spite of those questions, I have learned it is far better to focus on the things I know to be true about God from His Word, than focus on the things I don’t know about Him. Trusting in God, even when I don’t know the answers to all my questions, puts me in a much better place than doubting or being angry at Him.
I hope in some small way this article may encourage you if you are struggling, in pain, or overwhelmed with the uncertainty of your situation. Focus on the Lord and what the Word says about Him. Focus on His spiritual and eternal purposes, rather than temporal circumstances. His love is immeasurable, His goodness is certain, His power is unmatched— even though you may struggle to see or understand it My heart is heavy today for the family who lost their beloved family member in the wreck. A wonderful, in the present. godly family that lost more than I did that terrible day. Psalm 55:22—“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He I pray often for God to fill them with His comfort and will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to peace and ask that you would join me in that prayer be moved.” for them as well. Psalm 62:8—“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour And lastly, my heart is filled with hope today—even out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. in an uncertain future. I do not know what each day Selah.” will hold—whether I will have to have another surgery, lose more mobility or face some additional health Todd Fisher challenge related to the wreck. My hope is centered Oklahoma Baptists on an unchanging God Who has demonstrated His Executive Director-Treasurer The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com
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SWORD AND TROWEL
ISSUES, ELECTIONS & LESSONS FROM THE PAST Just the other day, I was reflecting upon this difficult “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, national situation. There’s intense fighting between the says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem two major political parties. The Senate is gridlocked. to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down; plant Citizens have lost their confidence in elected officials gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have to solve even the most basic problems. Violence is sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give breaking out in the cities and streets. There are wars your daughters in marriage, so that they too may and conflict abroad, including a desperate fight in the have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; Middle East (including in Iran). do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray To make matters worse, the old-fashioned virtues and to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will values of the Republic seem to be fading away, while prosper.’ … (Jeremiah 29:4-7) vested financial interests and money have completely taken over elections. Notice a couple things: The time I am reflecting on, of course, is around 54 1. In a time in which God’s people could have shrunk B.C. in the late Roman Republic, which in so many back or decreased, they were told to build houses, ways resembles our own. Like the Romans, Americans have families and to thrive. will have to choose if we can keep our Republic, by staying civically involved and by recovering, with a 2. This passage also reminds us to pray for the wellbeing of where we live, regardless of who wins supreme effort, our moral values and virtue. elections. Yet many challenges persist. What are we to do, as Christians, living in these times? Like Christians in America is indeed at a crossroads. The election is just the Roman world, such as the Roman empire, we a few weeks away, on Nov. 3. For Oklahomans, there sometimes find ourselves in the minority. This is often are several major issues and items on the ballot. We need to pray. We need to be educated and active and what happens to God’s people. vote. We need to pray even more, trusting the Lord to Another place we see this dynamic is in Jeremiah 29 work all things for good for those who love Him. in the Bible. This book was written as God’s people were in exile, carried away by a culture in Babylon As the Book of Jeremiah also reminds us, God always gives us a hope and a future for His people, as we that hated God. look to Him. We often quote Jeremiah 29:11, but it’s also important to read the context in which it was written, as author “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares and professor Marvin Olasky has pointed out in his the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” essay Living in Babylon. (Jeremiah 29:11). Brian Hobbs Oklahoma Baptists Editor
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Up in the Middle of the Night
It happened up in the middle of the night. For those of you who are significantly younger than I am or are significantly more urban than I am, “up in the middle of the night” is the time period somewhere between about 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. In other words, it is the time that most decent folks are asleep. I was.
I came wide awake somewhere around midnight. I lay there for a few minutes wondering why I was awake. It was way too early to get up, and I was way too young to need to. Then I heard a noise. It was not a familiar noise, but it was a noise, nevertheless. It was one of those noises that if it happened to you up in the middle of the night, your heart rate would pick up a bit as would your breathing. I rolled over in bed and lay there waiting to see if I could hear anything else. I did. Something was going on right outside of the apartment I was staying in. So, I pulled the window shade up to see if I could find out what the noise was. I was living on the top floor of a garage apartment (let the reader understand). So, I had a pretty good view. I looked down at my pickup, and there he was. Not only did I see him, but when I did, he was reaching over into the back of my truck trying to grab something. Next thing I knew, he was pulling my jumper cables out of the bed of my truck. I know some of you are thinking that I probably drive a Ford. What other reason would I have to keep jumper cables in my truck? You are perfectly right. But the jumper cables were not for my Ford. I keep jumper cables in my Ford truck so that I can help get all of the Chevrolets and GMCs started. I’m just that sort of guy. When I saw the guy grabbing my jumper cables, I did what any red-blooded American male would do. I yelled, “Hey, put those down!”
I was immediately shocked by how loud my voice was. Then it dawned on me that the window I was looking out of was closed.
So, I mumbled a bit as I struggled to raise the window. Once I got the window up, I again yelled, “Hey, put those down!” I decided there was no need to change the message. This time my voice obviously startled the guy who was grabbing my jumper cables. He looked up toward the sound of my voice and stared for a minute. He then put his fore finger up to his lips and let out the loudest “Shssss” I have ever heard. Then he said, “You need to quit yelling. You are going to wake everybody up.” I got out of bed, got to the front door, and started down the stairs when I saw the guy staggering off down the street without my jumper cables. I felt somewhat manly for resolving this little crisis. And I hoped he would spread the word around town not to mess with my stuff. I figured if the Chevrolet and GMC owners got wind of what this guy was trying to do, they would take care of it. After all, you would never know when they might need a jump. Here are a couple of things to consider. First, seldom does any good thing happen up in the middle of the night. Second, if you get things out, put them up. Jumper cables in the back of my truck were just too big of a temptation. Third, you know you are being too rowdy when a potential thief calls you out for being too loud. Fourth, sometimes the best thing you can do is roll over and go back to sleep. Most things will wait until morning. Joe Ligon Oklahoma Baptists Sr. Associate Executive Director
Rising from the Ashes:
A New Beginning for Weatherford, Trinity
WEATHERFORD—On Nov.1, 2022, Pastor Skylar Spradlin of Weatherford, Trinity was working inside the church alongside Worship Pastor Larry Jones. It was just another ordinary day for the two, until Spradlin saw a flicker of fire in the ceiling above the sanctuary. “We were working, and I’m glad because if Jones hadn’t been there, I would not have known anything had happened from my office until it was dangerous,” Spradlin said. Spradlin grabbed a fire extinguisher, but by the time he returned to the sanctuary the fire had already spread. Jones and Spradlin exited the building and called 911. Firefighters tried to contain the blaze, but it had already spread too far, and the building was a total loss. Despite the daunting challenges and uncertainty ahead of Weatherford, Trinity, Spradlin knew God would be with them. “By God’s grace, faith kicked in,” he said. “There was a sense of, ‘okay, everything’s going to be okay. God is in control. God has got this.’” 8
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Spradlin said that the moments after were a mixture of comfort from God and practical thinking of how they were going to proceed. The next day after the fire, Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer, Todd Fisher, presented Weatherford, Trinity with a $5,000 check from Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief to help defray costs associated with the fire. Additionally, a retiring pastor offered Spradlin his entire pastoral library since Spradlin’s was lost in the fire. “While the fire was of monumental importance to our emotional, physical and spiritual outlook, it is not what has left the biggest impact—at least not on this pastor,” Spradlin said in an open letter of gratitude. “Instead, it has been the kindness of God’s people poured over us in the days since that has made the deepest mark.” Through various donors and insurance claims, Weatherford, Trinity was able to secure more than $3 million for the rebuilding project. Some who made donations included past students and congregation members who have gone into the mission field and wanted to thank Weatherford, Trinity for the impact the church had in their life. The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com
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On Sunday, July 19, the new Weatherford, Trinity church building held its first service. Constructed on the same plot of land as the old building, the new building has a modern design both inside and out. The furnishing within was acquired from donors as well as salvaging pieces from the old building. Three items to note are framed Bible pages with burnt edges. Weatherford, Trinity does public reading of scripture from a Bible that they keep on the pulpit. When the fire spread to the sanctuary, the pulpit and Bible were some of the only items to survive. Both were damaged by the fire, but the pages within the Bible were still legible. At the first service in the new building, the scripture read was from one of those pages. “It’s just a testament that, in a lot of ways, God’s Word endures,” Spradlin said. “He’s seen us through to where we are today.” With the completion of the new building, Spradlin doesn’t see an end to a project, but the beginning of a new chapter for Trinity. Inspired by the generous donations that made the construction possible, Spradlin is hoping to create a fund to assist churches in need. He hopes to reach the Weatherford community and beyond.
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“It’s just a testament that, in a lot of ways, God’s Word endures.”
“The purpose isn’t just to have a nice building, but to do the work of Christ,” he said. “We’ve been given this building; it’s paid for by God because He still has a purpose for us. I think that has helped us see that this isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of a new season.” For churches who are going through similar circumstances, whether it be fire or storm damage, Spradlin encourages them to remain faithful to the Lord. Lots of churches throughout history didn’t have a building to meet at, yet they remained faithful. “Don’t sit around and think, ‘We’re going to do great things when we have a building,” Spradlin said. “You can do those great things now. Focus on continuing to be faithful.” The church building doesn’t constitute the Church. The Church is the congregation of people around the world who gather to worship and honor Christ through their actions.
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PUZZLES
CROSSWORD
Note: Bible translations may vary for clues
44 “As water ____ on the ground” (2 Sam. 14:14) 45 Garaged the car 46 A __, choir with accompaniment 49 “Like a __ or a sword...is one who gives false witness” (Prov. 25:18 niv) 50 Egg-shaped 51 Attention-getting calls
52 Before faith, we’re under the __ 55 Jesus, true God, true __ 56 Caffeine pill brand 59 Philippine dish 61 Average 62 Cow’s belly 63 Organ setting device 64 Pie __ mode (2 words) 65 Arabian peninsula nation 66 Join together
DOWN
ACROSS 1 Swing around 5 Fundamental 10 Hebrew letter 13 Winter jacket 15 Methuselah’s dad 16 John took the book “and __ it up” (Rev. 10:10) 17 Theme: slow to __ 18 Paul’s woes, “in danger __” (2 Cor. 11:26 niv) (2 words) 19 9 Down book (Abbr.) 20 Ball holder 21 Evil in a field, parable-speak 23 Track features 25 Fish hands
26 19 Across, e.g. 28 Last Supper, a spiritual __ 31 Theme: not easily brought to this 32 Sever 33 Like an angel, maybe 34 Repeated, word of disapproval 37 __ scallopini, Italian dish 38 Kick out 40 Indonesian island 41 “Tongue is the __ of a ready writer” (Ps. 45:1) 42 Car rental agency 43 Authoritative list, as Bible books
1 Row 2 Path 3 “I __ you to imitate me” (1 Cor. 4:16 niv) 4 Make do 5 Theme: __ things patiently 6 Wager 7 Distress call 8 Frost 9 Theme, KJV style 10 Implied 11 Coral reef 12 Bible book section 14 Creator 22 “Go to the __, thou sluggard” (Prov. 6:6) 24 Brimstone leaving 25 Theme: It will never __ 26 Little Mermaid’s love 27 Theme: now we know in __ 28 Invitation request (Abbr.) 29 Fencing sword 30 God has a good __ for you 31 Keep belt of truth around your __ 34 Chariot descendant, maybe 35 __-eyed, almond shaped feature 36 Theme: is __ to others 38 Theme: thinks no __ 39 Bob __, home improvement man 40 Sharp point
WORDSEARCH C T K O W E C F A I T H F U L E Z X G X R P J V N B C S T G N M U T J L G N J O O R N R M L O S T H Q D O F Z M B U I L D I N G Y E I X R E B U I L D G P Z M E Z Q N U P T A F M K N B Y S S T X D L G Q C U R MW F A I T H I C C N C S M A B S F D Y T L E I L M U H G R A C E I I O E K U G Z A K B E B D F N F P V N M E R V L G R W A R E R H N K A M B E A C D P I P I T I F E N Z Q E D H A O C Z C I D S C O E O K T H T R B Y E I V C Y X T N T L L S S I T M M L L N Q F Y G O D I U H W A I O U W L S T G I F Q J Y D N S S E A V K H U B P T R A X Y I F N O O G B I B L E Z S R C Y E R P A U D R M T O A G N R G C M M H A K U Y N J L C A S D A Y U X N E H S T W E Y S L O S X I N V P H G T E M N F B X R O N E Q I A B I C H R I S T B G E O A A W T W D G P N N U H W O B I W I M P A C T S R H G S A R P Z E Z H B U R N T F C C O X K F I O L H E W H L Y V Note: The word clues are chosen by Messenger staff, while the puzzles and letters surrounding the clues are computer-generated at random. 12
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42 Theme: joy __ (in abundance) 43 Instrumental 44 “City that is __ on an hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14) 45 Layer 46 Punctuation mark 47 Reward 48 Chinese bamboo eater 49 Cheat 51 Theme: one of three that remain 52 Modern 9 Down 53 First murder victim 54 Theme: gentle in __ and deed 57 Lode yield 58 “Eyes of Israel were __ for age” (Gen. 48:10) 60 Manna came with it
LAST MONTH ANSWERS
WORDS ACTIONS
DESIGN
LOST
ASHES
FAITH
MISSION
BEGINNING
FAITHFUL
NEW
BIBLE
FIRE
OLD
BLAZE
FLICKER
PAGES
BUILDING
GOD
PASTOR
BURNT
GRACE
PULPIT
CHRIST
GRATITUDE
REBUILD
CHURCH
HELP
SANCTUARY
COMFORT
HONOR
SURVIVE
COMMUNITY HOPE DAMAGE
IMPACT
CHURCH NEWS
Church NEWS CALEB FREEMAN SPEAKS AT OKLAHOMA BAPTIST RETIREES LUNCHEON Caleb Freeman suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a near fatal car accident in 2017 and was not expected to live. God chose not only to spare Caleb’s life, but also to miraculously begin healing him. Now, Caleb and his dad, Jeremy—lead pastor at Newcastle, First—share the hope of the Gospel through their family’s #butGod story. They presented an update on Caleb’s amazing journey on Aug. 4 during a luncheon meeting of the Central Oklahoma Baptist Retirees Association.
NEW DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS Arbuckle Association met on August 9 at Pauls Valley, Trinity, to elect Cory Woods as the association’s new Director of Missions (DOM). Woods had most recently served at Sulphur, Crossway as missions and family pastor. Lindsay, First Pastor Nick Johnson, who led the search committee, said “Cory has a heart for missions and is a capable leader. We are so thankful the Lord has led him into this role at this key time.” Woods is filling the ministry leader role long held by recently retired Arbuckle Association DOM Terry Mott. Arbuckle Association consists of 29 Southern Baptist Churches of Garvin and Murray Counties.
TULSA, SOUTHWOOD CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY TULSA—Later this month, Tulsa, Southwood will be celebrating their 50th anniversary. The event will begin at 12 p.m. on Sept. 26 with a potluck lunch, followed by an open house walkthrough experience of their church building. The next day at 8:30 a.m., a continental breakfast will be held in the student center. At 10 a.m., a celebration service will be held in the worship center with a catered picnic afterwards. “We warmly invite current and former members, their families and our community to join us as we honor our rich history and embrace the future God has prepared,” Tulsa, Southwood said.
TRIBUTES Stephen Smith died June 25. He was former worship leader at Choctaw, Choctaw Road and other churches in the area, a member of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, and the brother-in-law of Keith Burkhart, pastor of Del City, First Southern.
Bill Britt
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4500 SE 31st Street Del City, OK 73115 thelane.tv 405-677-0591
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PASTOR
CRESCENT—Unity among believers is one of the most important aspects to have in the church. A great example of such unity can be seen through the Crescent Collective, a student-driven ministry hosted by Crescent, First. Acting as a hub for worship, people from churches in the Crescent area gather to have fellowship with one another. “The true architect of Crescent Collective is John Lovett,” said Paul Montgomery, lead pastor at Crescent, First. “He’s the associate pastor here, he does our youth and he also does our music and worship.” Lovett has been serving at Crescent, First for almost 30 years in numerous roles. Churches from numerous denominations in the town rotate hosting community-wide worship nights for students in grades 6–12. Lovett approached Montgomery and proposed the idea of having Crescent, First host the event since their worship center could facilitate it.
In Focus
“He said to me, ‘What if we made this an every-Wednesday night thing?’” Montgomery said. “We met with the elders and leaders at churches to work out details.”
Crescent, First
“We’ve just had these awesome opportunities to point people to Christ, which is what we’re here for,” Montgomery said.
PAUL MONTGOMERY Crescent, Oklahoma
Since then, Crescent Collective has only grown.
According to Montgomery, most of the kids who attend Crescent Collective are not part of any of the churches in town. Each week they are encouraged to dive deeper into the Word and tell their parents what they’re learning. This then opens the door for the whole family to be invited to a church where they can find community in Christ. “We’re not just trying to ‘recruit’ people to join our church,” Montgomery said. “We’re just saying that kids need to be in a church and they need to take their parents to church.” Prior to becoming a pastor, he was a successful businessman. All throughout his career, Montgomery felt God was calling him to ministry but just didn’t know where he was called to. That was until 2017 when Crescent, First asked Montgomery to preach temporarily. A few weeks later, the church asked him to stay. Montgomery celebrated nine years of service to Crescent, First on Aug. 17. By reaching the younger generation, Crescent Collective has been able to lead entire families to the Lord and prepare the next generation of ministry leaders. For more information about Crescent Collective and other Crescent, First ministries, visit fbccrescent.org/ministries.
RANDY HURT JOINS OKLAHOMA BAPTISTS STAFF AS REGIONAL MINISTRY PARTNER ATOKA—Randy Hurt, who has served as Associational Mission Strategist for AtokaCoal Association since 2015, has accepted the role of Southeast Regional Ministry Partner for Oklahoma Baptists. Hurt will succeed Buddy Hunt, who is retiring in September, and will serve pastors and churches throughout the Southeast Region. Oklahoma Baptists’ team of Regional Ministry Partners serves and supports pastors and churches across the state. The Southeast Region includes approximately 400 churches affiliated with Oklahoma Baptist associations, spanning communities from Seminole to Poteau and Idabel, west to Durant, McAlester and Madill, as well as other churches south of I-40 including Tishomingo and Ada. “Randy Hurt knows the Southeast Region of our state and knows Oklahoma Baptists,” said Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists executive director-treasurer. “Randy is passionate about advancing the Gospel and serving pastors and the local church. He brings a wealth of ministry and leadership experience, and I am grateful the Lord has led him to serve with Oklahoma Baptists at this key time.”
He has also been active in regional community groups, including the Atoka-Coal Food Bank board and the Atoka County Hope medical board. Hurt has frequently traveled internationally for missions, including Oklahoma Baptists mission work in Mexico. Hurt has served in a number of leadership capacities with the state convention, including a one-year term as second vice president, and serving on the board of directors for Oklahoma Baptists. Hurt is currently a student at Southeastern Seminary.
CALLED TO MINISTRY
Hurt said it took some time for him to surrender to God’s call on his life. He came to faith in Jesus while attending a church in Texas—Grandview, First— where he later preached his first sermon and was licensed to the ministry at age 15. Hurt surrendered to the call to ministry at Atoka, Harmony, where he would go on to serve as youth minister and associate pastor.
MISSIONS & MINISTRY
In his role at Atoka-Coal Association, numerous ministries and missions grew. Since November 2015, the association has participated in church planting and medical caravans in Mexico.
“During this time, we have seen God plant four churches,” Hurt said. “More than 25,000 people have been treated FAMILY & MINISTRY EXPERIENCE medically, and we have experienced more than 5,000 Randy and his wife, Tahrea, a teacher at Harmony Public souls begin a relationship with God.” Schools, have four children: Tucker, Fisher, Shyler and Ryder. Hurt is an avid fisher, and he founded and led an outdoor ministry focused on reaching men through outdoor Based in Atoka, Hurt has served in ministry in a variety events and activities. of roles, including director of missions, missionary, student minister and firefighter chaplain for the Atoka For more information about Oklahoma Baptists Regional Fire Department. Ministry, visit oklahomabaptists.org.
Music led by:
Matthew Boswell Visiting Professor Oklahoma Baptist University
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Baptist Village Communities Names Ricky Coleman as Next President by Tammy Janvrin, Baptist Village Communities Director of Communications
The Baptist Village Communities Board of Directors the Administrator University program through the has named Ricky Coleman as the organization’s Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term next president. Coleman will succeed Bill Pierce, Care Administrators. who will retire effective Dec. 31, 2026, following 36 years of leadership and service to Baptist Village “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve as president of Baptist Village Communities,” Communities (BVC). Coleman said. “This organization has a long history of The appointment follows a nationwide search conducted serving older adults and their families. I am grateful for by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The the foundation Dr. Pierce has built, and I look forward search committee considered more than 25 candidates to working alongside our team members, residents from across the United States. and partners as we continue advancing our mission of Serving God, Serving You, Serving Together.” “After careful consideration, extensive conversations and prayer, the committee and Board believe Ricky is Throughout his career, Coleman has emphasized peoplethe right leader to guide Baptist Village Communities centered leadership, collaboration and mentoring, with into its next chapter,” said Mark Gandy, chair of the a focus on building strong teams and working across search committee and member of the Baptist Village departments to accomplish shared organizational goals. Communities Board of Directors. “His commitment to serving older adults, compassion for residents and Ricky’s love for the Lord, deep roots in Oklahoma Baptist team members, and extensive healthcare leadership life and extensive experience in senior housing and services make him an outstanding choice to build on experience reflect the mission and values of BVC.” Bill Pierce’s 36 years of leadership and guide BVC into a Coleman has served as campus director of Baptist bright future of service and advancing the gospel,” said Village of Enid since August 2023, overseeing the daily Todd Fisher, member of the Baptist Village Communities operations of the 276-residence life plan community Board of Directors and Executive Director-Treasurer of and leading approximately 135 team members across Oklahoma Baptists. independent living, enhanced living, assisted living, longterm care and skilled nursing. His responsibilities include Pierce has served as president of Baptist Village financial and operational management, regulatory Communities since 1990. During his tenure, the compliance, risk management, occupancy growth and organization expanded its senior living and home care services while strengthening its statewide commitment campus improvement projects. to serving older adults, their families and Oklahoma Coleman brings more than 20 years of experience churches. in senior living, long-term care and healthcare administration. Before joining BVC, he held executive “Pierce has devoted his career to enhancing the lives and administrative leadership positions, including chief of older adults and advancing the mission of Baptist operating officer of Memorial Hospital and Physicians Village Communities,” said Matt Trentham, chair of the Group and long-term care administrator for multiple Baptist Village Communities Board of Directors. “We healthcare organizations. He began his aging-services are grateful for the strong foundation he has built and career at the Lawton/Fort Sill Veterans Center, first confident Ricky will lead BVC forward with the same serving as director of therapeutic recreation before commitment to mission, service and excellence.” advancing into administrative leadership at the 200-bed Coleman will work closely with Bill Pierce and the long-term care community for wartime veterans. BVC leadership team throughout the transition Coleman is an Oklahoma-licensed long-term care administrator. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cameron University and an associate degree from Western Oklahoma State College and completed 16
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before assuming the role of president following Pierce’s retirement.
2 0 2 6 M I S S I O N A RY
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Prayer Guide
Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) directors and missionaries are present on local college and university campuses to encourage, mentor, disciple, equip, and coach students during their college experience. Young adults ages 18-24 are in a critical time in their lives. BCM staff help to keep them on track. University campuses are filled with international students who have never heard the Gospel of Christ. The nations are coming to us, and they need to hear the Good News.
How to Pray
Pray many students will be saved by the Gospel and that they would desire to live a life like Jesus. Pray the BCM staff will be faithful to Jesus and the ministry and be fruitful. Pray students will see God’s heart for all nations and play a role in reaching the nations with the Gospel.
Statistics show that in Oklahoma 12% of Pray more churches would participate in adults function below the basic literacy level. literacy missions. Through literacy missions, English-speaking, Pray the teachers of literacy missions low-level adult readers can improve their would be in close relationship reading and writing skills and children can to God. be tutored in the academic skills needed for school success. Literacy missions makes an Pray students would be receptive to the impact in the lives of others by meeting the truth of God’s Word and be excited to very practical need of improving literacy read it. skills all while sharing the life-changing truth and love of Jesus Christ. James serves as an Associational Missions Pray that churches would be receptive Strategist in Lincoln and Pottawatomie to necessary change and embrace God’s counties in central Oklahoma. James assists will for the lost. churches as they grow stronger through Pray that God would continue to devleop mission partnerships, connections with OBU strong lay and ministry leaders. and ministry students, while focusing on stability and a passion for church planting. Pray that there would be a renewed James provides counsel, encouragement, passion for planting new churches. discipline, strategic planning, staff supply, and training on all aspects of church life. Jane and Ken are missionaries in Kobe, Pray that seeds of the Gospel will be planted Japan. As part of their team ministry, they and bear fruit through the English and Korean host English and Korean café gatherings. Joyful Song Cafes, as well as the trauma Ken leads the Joyful Song Café, sharing the healing ministry. Gospel message through hymns and praise Pray that many Japanese people will join and songs, while Jane leads a trauma healing meet Jesus at the Bible study that Jane and ministry where the people of Japan can find Ken are starting in their home. emotional support and healing. Pray for Jane and Ken’s Atlanta-based son, Steven, that he would grow spiritually and be connected with the right church.
To receive weekly missionary prayer requests, text the word PRAY to 833-942-3800. The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com
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ONE MEETING. ONE VOTE.
One Act of Compassion. MARK YOUR CALENDAR APRIL 3, 2027 I OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Women of Compassion invites women from every Christian denomination across Oklahoma to join a growing community committed to showing and sharing the love of Christ to children and their families in need. Your gift is combined with others to create a major impact to help bring hope, healing, and lasting change to children, single mothers, and families across our state. Together, Women of Compassion turns love into action, making an eternal difference in lives that need it most. Membership is $1,000 and includes voting privileges for the 2027 Cups of Kindness grant recipients. Attendance at the event is not required. Join or renew today online via the QR code below or by mail (OBHC, 300 Johnny Bench Drive, Ste 450, Oklahoma City, OK 73104). Monthly payment options are available by calling Jessica Harrison at 405.697.2719. Membership must be paid in full by the event date to participate in voting. To learn more about this giving opportunity, call Shonda Flowers at 405.550.5870.
FEATURED SPEAKER: LISA HARPER Popular Bible teacher, author and speaker Lisa Harper combines biblical truth with humor, authenticity and powerful storytelling. With more than 30 years of ministry experience, she inspires women to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Lisa’s years of ministry leadership include serving as director of Focus on the Family’s national women’s ministry and speaking to more than a million women through Women of Faith events. LEARN MORE
obhc.org/woc
The Baptist Messenger | baptistmessenger.com
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