MAKING DISCIPLES, GROWING IN FAITH

Equipping

Family’s Salvation Began At VBS

BGCO and funded by the Cooperative Program. Duncan,

Immanuel, reported 17 baptisms as a result of starting seven new

units in their Sunday School Program.

VBS Information —

Vacation Bible School is one of the greatest

evangelism opportunities for the local church. The BGCO led

VBS leadership training events in every association this year with

over 4,500 participants. Early reports indicate that VBS has

resulted in over 1,540 decisions for Christ. These figures are 4

percent above the totals for the same period last year. Over 6,950

new Sunday School prospects have also been identified.

FAITH —

Over 325 churches received FAITH Sunday School

training in 2005. A Hispanic FAITH Clinic in Oklahoma City

had nearly 40 participants and, as a result, recorded 14

professions of faith. After implementing the FAITH Sunday

School strategy, OKC, Southwood, reported 20 baptisms in the

first semester alone.

Leadership Development

–

Oklahoma Baptists have given new

life to churches in transition due to

efforts of Leadership Development.

With an average of 230 out of

1700 churches without a pastor at

any given time, the nation’s largest

team of transitional pastors in

Oklahoma stays busy. Over 50

trained and certified transitional

pastors across the state enable

Oklahoma Baptist churches to take

advantage of one of the fastest

growing strategies for churches

without pastors. More and more

churches have discovered the opportunity and fresh vision that

can come during transitional time. Most churches that utilize

the Transitional Pastor process experience growth during the

interim time. They are also able to call a new pastor more

quickly and testify that the experience was positive. In 2005, the

Transitional Pastor process was shared with at least one church

per week. Eight out of every 10 churches who learn about the

process choose to take advantage of it. Thanks to the

Cooperative Program, trained professionals are available to

Oklahoma Baptists during one of the most critical times in

church life.

Sunday School —

Sunday

School continues to be at the

center of reaching Oklahoma for

Christ. Last year over 2,700 new

Sunday School units were

started. Approximately 4,000

Sunday School Leaders

participated in training events

that were sponsored by the

This summer, a little girl at our church became interested in

church, accepted Christ and was baptized all within a few

months of attending VBS. Because of her faithfulness and

childlike nature, her parents’ interest peaked and both received

Christ after witnessing their own daughter’s profession of faith.

Shortly after these life-changing events occurred, the father

began witnessing to his parents, the little girl’s grandparents. In

spite of the grandfather’s apprehension of the church, both

grandparents became Christians and were baptized. They are all

members of our church and are actively involved in ministry!

Praise God for Vacation Bible School reaching the lives of many

children and families!

— Howard Head

Pastor, Geary First Baptist Church

Your Cooperative Program giving

makes Vacation Bible School fun!

Teaching children about Jesus is possible

through your Cooperative Program giving.