The Challenger

July 2017

From the Desk of the DOM I saw a documentary on TV a while back. It detailed the design and construction of the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The Skywalk is a U-shaped glass walkway which extends 70 feet out over the canyon. It sits hundreds of feet above the floor of the canyon. The idea, obviously, is to be able to walk out on the glass and look straight down into the canyon. (Please allow me to stop a moment for a serious shiver!) This picture came to mind recently when I was reading Vance Havner’s definition of faith. He describes it as being “a sturdy confidence that God will keep His promises, confidence enough to walk out on them and live there, although the world expects them to crack and crumble under you any day.” Whether one thinks so or not, it takes great faith to walk out onto the Skywalk for even a few moments. But to live out there would be well beyond a short stroll. A stroll can be taken at the convenience of the individual when conditions are just right. Life happens whether convenient or not and the conditions can all too often be difficult, if not downright stormy. Yet the promises of God are unchangeable and the power of God is unconquerable. Both are backed by the very nature of God “with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17b NKJV). Now, I still maintain that it is perfectly acceptable to be nervous while walking out onto the Skywalk. But there is absolutely no cause for alarm when trusting our Heavenly Father.

Tim

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What’s Going on in Our Churches

Western Meadows is seeking a P/T Worship Minister. Send resumes to: j6420@yahoo.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Streetman Rd is in search of a Music Leader/Pianist. If you’re interested in leading

our services, please contact us! We would love to hear your God given talent. Kent Moore 1-405-623-6666

---------------------------------------------------------------------- FBC Cartwright is searching for a Bi-Vo Worship Minister. Please send resumes to:

stacierphillips@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 264 Cartwright, OK 74731 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Utica is seeking a P/T Youth Minister. For more information, contact Leann Bishop. 580-920-9929

----------------------------------------------------------------- Stone Creek is seeking a Bi/Vo Pastor with a family to help us grow in God’s grace.

Send resumes to: Pastor Search Committee, P.O. Box 1262 Durant, OK 74702

Please pray for our pastorless churches:

Albany, Kenefic, Brown, Utica Stone Creek

Senior Adult Luncheons

July 12 — Roberta

Aug 9 — Platter

Operation Christmas Child

New for 2017! No toothpaste/candy;

new requested donation is $9 per box.

While school is out, take kids/grandkids

shopping for a few items each week.

Suggest they choose items for their age group/gender.

Remember pencils!

Cut out cents-off coupons on school supplies. Tell kids

stories about OCC (you can find stories online). New

idea: tear old clothes, linens, etc. into strips and braid

them into jump ropes. You can decide how to do the

ends. God will give you ideas about how to keep kids

creatively useful in filling shoeboxes.

Pray for recipients. --Dolores Kiser

Birthdays Troy Phillips July 01 Jim Hodson July 08 Tammy Wood July 17 Cindy Bunch July 18 Wes Schreier July 20 Philip Wesley July 21 Shirley Thornton July 24 Bill Horn July 27 Ida Peevyhouse July 30

Wedding Anniversaries Greg & Sunny Thralls 7/05/97 Bob & Adine Stephens 7/09/— Craig & Sherri Whisenhunt 7/09/88 Charles & Peggy Williams 7/10/55 Charles & Zona Loyd 7/15/89 Jeremy & Bethany Dunegan 7/19/97

Bill & Sharon Ledbetter 7/22/78 Tim & Robin Bowen 7/29/82

Ministry Anniversaries Troy Phillips 7/03/12 Charles Williams 7/07/88 Scott Hamilton 7/24/11

From the BBA Prayer Ministry Team Leader

Think on this: Concerning the Father's readiness to answer our prayers, Jesus argues from

the standpoint of an earthly father, saying, If your child asks you for bread, do you give him a

stone? If he asks you for a fish, do you give him a serpent? If he asks you for an egg, do you

give him a scorpion? If you earthly men are good enough to give good things to your

children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good

things to them that ask him? How is your prayer life? Apparently our

Father has a desire to communicate with you. He cares about you. May

we slow down and take time for Him

In His Grip, Bro. Anthony

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Grand Island, NE Mission Trip, July 15-21

We need a few more people to go on the mission trip to Grand Island, NE,

July 15-21. The cost is $75 which will cover all trip expenses. If you are

interested in joining us for this mission week, contact the BBA office.

FBC Bennington has

called Jay Perry as

their new pastor!

Welcome Jay and Tammi!

Blue Baptist Church invites you to join them for their Annual Patriotic Service honoring veterans who fight for the freedom we have as Americans. Sunday, July 2nd.

Hotdogs at 5 p.m., service following at 6 p.m.. All welcome!

Disaster Relief Training August 12 at 9 a.m.,

Kiamichi Baptist Assembly, Talihina, OK. Pre-Register at okdisaster-help.org

Contact Mike Wingfield for more info.

As we move through Summer and into Fall, church will be working through the process of determining a budget for the

upcoming fiscal year. As that happens, the opportunity presents itself to build into the budget some funds to help the

pastor and/or staff with retirement planning. Guidestone (formerly the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist

Convention) offers some excellent assistance with this process. Plans can be tailored to individual needs and may be funded as a benefit through the church, by salary reduction planning, or a combination of the two. If you would care to explore this

further, feel free to call Tim Bowen at the BBA offices (580-924-2351) and he will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Phone: 580-924-2351 Tim@bbaok.com office@bbaok.com Website: bbaok.com Mailing: P.O. Box 970 Durant, OK 74702 Director of Missions---------------- Tim Bowen Admin. Assistant -------------- Chloe Richards Moderator------------------------- Scott Hamilton Vice-Moderator--------------- James Robinson Clerk------------------------------- Jessie Hopkins Treasurer------------------------- Faye Boydstun

Office Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 8:30 - 4:30

We love to have your church’s events in the

Challenger. If you or your church have any

announcements or news you would like to be

included in next month’s Challenger, please

contact the BBA office before July 19th.

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Falls Creek Youth Camp Week 8

July 2017 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

Sr. Adult Luncheon

@ Roberta

Budget & Finance

Committee

Meeting @ 5:30

Falls Creek Youth Camp Week 5

Falls Creek Youth Camp Week 6

Falls Creek Youth Camp Week 7

Indian Falls Creek

BBA Closed

BBA Exec

Committee

Meeting @ 5:30

BBA Exec. Board @

6 p.m., Bennington