“...encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

Vol. 22, No. 1

Association

Website

www.plba.org

The PLBA

Office will be

CLOSED

January 15 Martin Luther King Day

EXECUTIVE BOARD

The next regular meeting will be

February 12, 2018 Meeting @ 10:30 Church Security

Presentation with Scott Schooler & His security team.

January, 2018 Pottawatomie-Lincoln Baptist Association, Shawnee, OK ~ Dr. Russell R. Cook, Director of Missions

Support Meeting February 12 @ 9:00

Mission Partnership February 12 @ 1:00

PRO-LIFE Rally

February 7

Oklahoma State

Capitol

4th Floor

Rose Distribution

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Pro-Life Rally

House Chamber 11:45 a.m.

Southern Hills Baptist Church, OKC Ed Newton Lead Pastor, Community Bible Church San Antonio, TX Author/Speaker

Gregg Matte Senior Pastor, Houston First Baptist Church Houston, TX Author

Don Wilton Pastor, First Baptist Church Spartanburg, SC President of Encouraging Word

Ken Davis Best Selling Author/Speaker/Comedian

Art Hallett National director of Prison Ministries At Evangelism Explosion International

Junior Hill Evangelist

David Burton Evangelist/David Burton Ministries

David Edwards President of Creative Force Live David Edwards Production

John Sorenson President of Evangelism Explosion International Author

Matt Blagg Worship Leader

Monday Senior Adult Session 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ~ Junior Hill, Anthony Jordan, Ken Davis, Matt Blagg Afternoon 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ~ Junior Hill, Art Hallett, David Burton, Matt Blagg Evening 6:30 p.m. ~ Matt Blagg, Ed Newton

Tuesday Morning 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ~ Women’s Session & Breakouts Afternoon 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ~ Dave Edwards, John Sorenson, Don Wilton, Matt Blagg Evening 6:00 p.m. ~ Matt Blagg, Greg Matte

State Evangelism Conference ~ January 29-30

“The Result of the Greatest Sermon Ever Preached”

Matthew 7:28-29; 8:1

“That was a great sermon!” How many pastors have heard that com-pliment or something similar from a church member or visitor follow-ing a morning service? Most people mean well when they say that.

But not many sermons are really great.

A confident young pastor asked his wife on their way home from a morning service where he had preached, “How many really great preachers do you think there are in the world?” His wife wittingly re-

plied, “One less than you think!”

Most scholars believe Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is the greatest sermon ever preached. If that is true, maybe we can learn something from evaluating the results. What were the over-all results of the “Greatest Sermon Ever Preached?” Consider two words

that describe the result:

I. The multitudes were AMAZED (vv. 28-29)

(AMAZED, “to be exceedingly struck in mind and emotion”

-It “blew their minds!”

A. They were amazed at HIS TEACHING (v. 28)

(The sermon was Jesus’ instruction in a body of doctrinal

and practical truth.)

B. They were amazed at HIS AUTHORITY (v.29)

W.E. Vines defines authority, “the power of one whose will

and commands must be obeyed by others.”

1. Jesus spoke AS (not just for) GOD (cf. John 12:49)

2. Jesus had authority to HEAL THE SICK (chapter 8)

3. Jesus had authority to RAISE THE DEAD (chapter 9)

II. The multitudes were FOLLOWING (8:1)

(It is much easier to follow Him on the mountain in life, vitality, health and happiness than “down from the mountain” where

there is sin, sickness, sadness, death and despair)

This sermon leaves us with two CRUCIAL QUESTIONS which

we must answer for ourselves...today.

A. WHAT WILL IT COST ME to really follow Jesus?

1. An ENDURING COMMITMENT (cf. Mt. 10:22; 24:13)

2. Our PERSONAL PRIDE (cf. Mt. 10:32-33)

3. Some FAMILY TIES (cf. Mt. 10:34-38)

B. WHERE WILL IT LEAD ME if I really follow Jesus?

(Think about where Jesus, Himself, was led as He obeyed

the Father.)

1. It will lead us to THE GARDEN WHERE HE PRAYED

(cf. Mt. 26:39,41)

2. It will lead us to the CROSS WHERE HE DIED

(cf. Mt. 16:34; 27:31)

3. It will lead us to HEAVEN WHERE HE REIGNS

(cf. John 14:3; II Tim. 2:11-13)

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, AND THEY FOLLOW ME” (John 10:27). How amazed are you at the preaching of the Word of God? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Him?

rrc

It Might Preach! Word of Encouragement “Faithful Churches”

I am borrowing the words of John MacArthur, Pastor, teacher, au-

thor and ardent supporter of churches and fellow Pastors:

I am sad to say there are some congregations today that wrestle with who they are and what their mission is– a spir-itual identity crises of sorts. However, we can thank the Lord for the many churches that have stayed the course in spite of pressure, and the many others that struggle but have not given up the fight. Large or small, the congrega-tions that remain faithful to God’s Word are the one’s that are alive, vital, flourishing, reaching their communities with

great effectiveness and advancing the kingdom of God.

MacArthur has clearly said what has been on my heart for a good while now. My prayer for our churches and our Pastors in PLBA, as we close another year, is that we all be found faithful in the fight. May we be able to honestly say with the Apostle Paul, at the conclusion of

our life’s work,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day; and not only to me, but

also to all who have loved His appearing (II Timothy 4:7-8).

Should the Father give us another year, may it be a year filled with His power and grace. May He find us more faithful than ever...faithful

to His Word, to His Church and to His commission.

Encouragingly yours,

Russel R. Cook

PLBA WOMEN

A Nugget From My Spiritual Journey…

HAPPY NEW YEAR! What does that mean to you...to me??? Does it mean that only “happy” things will happen to us all year? Does it mean that last year was “unhappy” and we want this year to be “happier?” OR, maybe we should focus on the word “new.” Are all things new in life automatically just because we flip over a page on a calendar? Or are there always “leftovers” that sometimes get in the way of “do-overs?” OR, how about the word “year?” Does it seem like that the older we get, the shorter those 12 months just rush by every year? It sure does to me! So, what do we do with that cheerful and hopeful greeting, HAPPY NEW YEAR??? Ahhhhh....the key word, I think, is “hope!” Recently I was in a Bible study where we were discussing hope in the midst of difficult circum-stances. You know, those kinds of times when hope is hard to come by on a regular basis? But, as believers, we, of all people, have the privilege and gift of being able to live with hope in our hearts because of the precious relation-ship we have with our Heavenly Father, through the blood of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit! How do we access and expe-rience all of that on a daily basis...in the midst of circumstances that may or may not be “happy” ones? We experience it much more fully by recognizing that we don’t have to wait until we transition to heaven through physical death before we experience our ETERNAL lives! The moment we are saved, our eternal life with Christ begins. When I remember that I am already living my eternal life, it puts a whole different perspective on how I choose to spend my time here on Earth. I don’t have to die to experience it. I make better choices now. I live with hope now. I trust God for my everyday nows, not just for my unseen, un-known eternity out there sometime, somewhere. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can take on a whole new meaning when I realize I don’t have to be dragged down by circumstances but, instead, I can live in daily hope, trust and peace, no matter what. Russell has often said it best: “Happiness depends upon happenings. Joy depends on Jesus.”

Marsha Cook, Director

Oklahoma State Evangelism Conference

Women’s Session Tuesday, January 30 - 9-11:30 am

Southern Hills, OKC Lina AbuJamra ~ Keynote Speaker

“For this world is not our permanent home; we are look-

ing forward to a home yet to come” Hebrews 13:14.

bgcowomen.org

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday January 21, 2018

Churches listed in red are Pastorless

PASTORS CHURCH Nov. ‘17 YTD Roger Shaw Agra, FBC 365.04 4,675.11 Randy Dirrim Asher, FBC 176.38 1,764.30 Larry Sparks Blackburn Chapel 644.38 5,409.42 Lonnie Lee, Int. Carney, FBC 117.84 1,085.40 Rick Blackwell Chandler, FBC 2,256.91 10,672.08 Keith Henley Chandler Southern 298.80 2,498.54 Doug Parker Dale 19.74 331.08 Mike Mitchell Davenport, FBC 580.54 5,394.95 Mike Haines Deer Creek 200.98 2,731.58 Mark Streetman Earlsboro, FBC .00 625.00 Galen Greenwalt Earlsboro Indian 88.93 988.49 Galen Jones, Int. Fairview 139.21 1,564.32 Dan Campbell Faith 799.64 3,876.54 Jeff Bruton Forest .00 50.00 Lee Witt Hazel Dell .00 3,923.25 Wes Bates Hillside 878.10 13,290.39 Gary Nickerson Hilltop 422.57 5,807.08 ________________ Hopewell 116.81 673.32 ________________ Macomb .00 1,477.88 Mike Hazelwood Mammoth 611.00 4,145.00 Bobby Shatto Maud, FBC 25.00 25.00 Butch Bradley Maud, Trinity 71.17 905.27 Shawn Crawley McLoud, Covenant Hope .00 1,048.12 Mike Taylor McLoud, Emmanuel 458.60 4,757.17 Jerry Gray McLoud, Emmaus 136.86 1,456.42 Matt Halsted McLoud, FBC 79.17 1,059.89 Joe Jones Meeker, FBC 313.70 2,334.18 Jerry Jackson Morning Star .00 .00 R.J. Stokes Mt. Pleasant .00 187.00 Rick Ham Newalla, New Life .00 884.40 Ed Moore Newalla, Pecan Valley 75.15 792.66 Mike Collyer Pink 313.16 3,251.28 Jim Morningstar Pioneer .00 620.45 Nathan Howard Pleasant Home 245.69 2,513.57 Tim Emmons Prague, FBC 606.48 5,373.30 Danny Napier Rock Creek 677.20 9,826.34 Gaspar Reyes Rock Creek Hispanic 30.87 317.39 Tony Black Romulus 186.58 1,861.99 Monte Dean Sh-Aydelotte .00 6,433.26 David Henry Sh-Calvary .00 .00 Paul Stevens, Int. Sh-First 230.34 3,061.22 Spencer Davis, Int. Sh-First Indian .00 745.00 Anthony Rhone Sh-Galilee 75.00 675.00 Bob Dawson Sh-Good Shepherd Chapel 66.92 731.34 Paul Roberts, Int. Sh-Heritage .00 5,507.29 Todd Fisher Sh-Immanuel 2,016.48 23,345.51 John York Sh-Oakland Chapel .00 177.62 Don Acker Sh-Sallateeska 144.00 1,565.00 Mike Craig Sh-Temple 1,249.47 11,454.49 Larry Norris Sh-Trinity 171.35 1,743.72 _________________ Sh-University 242.92 2,854.72 Blake Martin Sh-Wallace Ave. 116.00 927.00 Perry Tripp Sparks, FBC 80.71 410.96 Brandon Leslie St. Louis, FBC .00 2,847.45 Disbanded Stroud, Disciple’s Way .00 30.92 James Bond Stroud, FBC 465.45 5,835.52 Tony Peak Tecumseh, FBC 1,054.02 10,178.64 Kevin Fox Tecumseh, Karis .00 75.00 Will Wilson Tecumseh, New Hope 25.00 475.00 Clint Dawkins Tecumseh, Sharon 50.00 4,395.81 Bob Fowler Tryon, FBC 144.58 1,990.36 Britt Lesley Wanette, FBC 312.80 2,271.47 Bill Howse Wanette, Victory Pointe .00 25.00 Russ Houser Wellston, Cornerstone 25.00 177.95 Darrell Sullivan Wellston, FBC 459.26 3,990.99 Lane Buckley Wellston, Trinity .00 1,100.00 TOTAL $17,865.80 $201,224.40

Association Website-www.plba.org

Budget Receipts

TOTAL CHECKING AND SAVINGS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR Beginning Bal. Income Expenses Ending Bal. 11-1-17 11-30-17 Budget -1,136.43 17,865.80 19,570.72 -2,841.35 Designated 203,360.30 210,405.23 Total Monies $202,223.87 $207,563.88

Staff Needed Incorrect information...

please call the Association

office, 405.273.4558.

Church News Please let us know of any

upcoming events or news

from your church!

FAIRVIEW is prayerfully seeking a pastor. If interested please send resume to Mickey Sinor, Pastor Search Committee PO Box 126 Seminole, OK 74818 or email to momonine@sbcglobal.net (Galen Jones, Interim Pastor)

FIRST, ST. LOUIS is prayerfully searching for a bi-vocational music minister. If interested please send resume to the personnel committee at P.O. Box 147, St. Louis OK 74866 or email mocabee1340@hotmail.com . (Brandon

Leslie, Pastor) FIRST, SHAWNEE is prayerfully seeking a pastor with a call to shepherd a diverse body of Christians. Send resumes to Robbie Henson, Pastor Search Committee, First Baptist Church, PO Box 1928, Shawnee, OK 74802 or email to firstshawnee@gmail.com. (Paul Stevens, Interim Pastor) FIRST, STROUD is accepting resumes for a Part-time Plus and/or a Bi-Vocational worship leader. Please send resume to fbcstroud@gmail.com or First Baptist Church, PO Box 600, Stroud, OK 74079. (James Bond, Pastor)

HOPEWELL is prayerfully seeking a bi-vocational-pastor. If interested please send resume to Hopewell Baptist Church, Pastor Search Committee 33500 Hardesty Road, Shawnee OK 74801 or call Gerald Nowlin at 405-275-1799. NEW LIFE, NEWALLA is prayerfully searching for a part-time music minis-ter. Please contact Pastor Rick Ham at pastorham221@yahoo.com or call 405-830-5216 if interested . (Rick Ham, Pastor) TRINITY, MAUD is prayerfully searching for a bi-vocational youth minister. Resumes can be emailed to goinyardinc@aol.com or mailed to TBC, PO Box 177, Maud, OK 74854. (Butch Bradley, Pastor)

Director of Missions.................................................. Dr. Russell Cook, 405.273.4558

Moderator ............................................................................. Joe Jones, 405.517.3640

Vice Moderator .............................................................. Billy Benson, 405.595.1053 Treasurer ................................................................... Mike Hazelwood, 405.279.2451

Clerk & Office Manager ............................................ Janice Maynard, 405.273.4558

Media Manager .............................................................. Tanya Bruton, 405.273.4558 Discipleship Director .................................................. Nathan Howard, 405.432.9228

Family Director ........................................................... Shawn Crawley, 405.229.5813

Worship Director ........................................................... Jason Henson, 405.273.2105 Missions Director ......................................................... Kirk Holloway, 405.258.0175

Support Director....................................................... Dr. Russell Cook, 405.273.4558

Youth Minister ......................................................... Duncan Blackwell 405.273.5509 Licensed Counselor ............................................................ Brett Ellard, 405.275.2222

Licensed Counselor ........................................................ Larry Roberts, 405.275.2222

4 Rev. Roger Shaw 13900 River Ridge Rd Perkins, OK 74059 Pastor, First, Agra

6 Rev. Tony Peak 21425 Trailridge Tecumseh, OK 74873 Pastor, First Tecumseh

6 Rev. Gaspar Reyes 1409 Morren Drive Norman, OK 73071 Pastor, Rock Creek Hispanic

10 Mrs. Bernice Lowder 12 Willow Creek Rd Shawnee, OK 74801 Former Pastor’s Wife

11 Mrs. Jamy (Todd) Fisher 1403 Manchester Shawnee, OK 74804 Pastor’s Wife, Immanuel

13 Mrs. Carol (Ellis) Rolette 405 N. Pesotum Shawnee, OK 74801 Retired Pastor’s Wife

13 Rev. John York 311 Debbie Lane Tecumseh, OK 74873 Pastor, Oakland Chapel

15 Mrs. Lynn (Kent) Kellogg 2524 Sutton Court Shawnee, OK 74804 Retired Pastor’s & DOM’s wife

15 Rev. Jerry Gray 581 N Peebly Road Choctaw, OK 73020 Pastor, Emmaus

18 Mrs. Sherry (Al) Farrow 1 Dennis Blvd. Shawnee, OK 74804 Retired Pastor’s Wife

22 Rev. Nathan Howard 130 E. 45th St. Apt. 15E Shawnee, OK 74804 Pastor, Pleasant Home

31 Mrs. April (Clint) Dawkins 2326 Faith Blvd. Shawnee, OK 74804 Pastor’s Wife, Sharon

31 Rev. Tuney Ropp 33892 E 1040 Rd McLoud, OK 74851 Retired Pastor

8 Rev. & Mrs. Gaspar Reyes 1409 Morren Drive Norman, OK 73071 Pastor, Rock Creek Hispanic

13 Rev. & Mrs. Jeff Bruton 970972 S. 3430 Rd. Chandler, OK 74834 Pastor, Forest

14 Rev. & Mrs. Rick Ham 6401 Carling St. Norman, OK 73071 Pastor, New Life, Newalla

23 Rev. & Mrs. Jim Reynolds 2 Lancet Circle Shawnee, OK 74804 Retired Pastor

24 Rev. & Mrs. Glenn Peck 18 Comanche Circle Shawnee, OK 74801 Retired Pastor

26 Rev. & Mrs. Larry Sparks 36325 Lake Road Shawnee, OK 74801 Pastor, Blackburn Chapel

28 Rev. & Mrs. Tony Black 40255 State Hwy 59B Macomb, OK 74852 Pastor, Romulus HOPEWELL has called Nathan Crowson as their youth director.

1 Happy New Year 3 Association Office reopens 7 STOP Sunday 14-15 YEC-Falls Creek 15 Martin Luther King Day-Assn. Office CLOSED 21 Sanctity Of Life Sunday 28 Prayer For Spiritual Awakening Gathering, First Southern, Del City 29-30 State Evangelism Conference, Southern Hills, OKC

January, 2018