Oklahoma Baptists celebrate CP, BF&M
By Baptist Messenger Staff
OKLAHOMA CITY – Nearly 1,000 Oklahoma Baptists gathered at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City Nov. 10-11 for the 119th Annual Meeting. The two-day Annual Meeting was attended by 875 registered messengers from churches across Oklahoma, as well as other attendees and guests.
The theme was “Prevail,” based on Matthew 16:13-19. Michael Butler, pastor of Chickasha, First, served as Oklahoma Baptists president and led throughout the meeting.
Celebrating 100 Years of the Cooperative Program
During the opening session of Annual Meeting on Monday Nov. 10, Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Fisher shared his annual address.
Fisher, who was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident in July of 2024, thanked Oklahoma Baptists for their prayers and support. He then led in a time to commemorate the 100th anniversaries of the Cooperative Program (CP) and the Baptist Faith and Message.
“As we gather this evening in our annual meeting as Oklahoma Baptists, we do so in remembrance and celebration of a long and rich history of obedience to God’s Word and faithfulness to the mission he has given the church,” Fisher said. “Our cause for gratefully looking back at our heritage are the 100th anniversaries of both the Cooperative Program and the Baptist Faith and Message. In light of these milestones, we would do well to do as these examples from history have done and learn from our history to help us in our today and our future.
“I am reminded of the address an aging Joshua gave the leaders of Israel in Joshua 23 as he looked back on the history of his people. He used that history to help encourage the leaders of Israel to remain focused on the Word and mission God had given them. We would do well to do the same.”
Business session
The Tuesday morning session began with pre-session music by the Southern Hills Worship Team, directed by Randy Lind. Oklahoma Baptists’ First Vice President Owen Nease, pastor of Emmaus Church in Oklahoma City, led the session.
Messengers heard reports from Baptist Village Communities (BVC) President Bill Pierce and Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) President Heath Thomas
They also approved the 2026 financial plan, which includes a budget of $24.5 million and allocates 45 percent for Oklahoma missions and ministry, 40 percent for national and international Southern Baptist causes and 15 percent for Oklahoma Baptists affiliates. Both the budget amount and the allocations remain the same as last year.
Messengers elected Nease as president. Pastor Kevin Moss of Antioch Fellowship in Spencer, was elected first-vice president. D.J. Carney, pastor of First Baptist Bristow, was elected as second-vice president. Each of the officers ran unopposed and were elected by acclamation.
Fisher then gave the Board of Directors Report, beginning with recognition of Veterans Day and thanking veterans for their service.
After another time of worship through prayer and praise, President Michael Butler delivered an address based on 1 Corinthians 4. Butler emphasized how unique and amazing the unity amongst Oklahoma Baptists is, but how we must still work to keep that unity for the sake of the Gospel.
“We are all servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God that is the Gospel,” Butler said.
Celebrations
In a special session, Fisher helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Baptist Faith and Message through a video presentation by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler. Fisher also recognized staff and volunteers who helped make Annual Meeting possible.
After the Southern Hills Worship Team led messengers in a final time of praise, David Wallace, lead pastor at First Baptist Roosevelt, delivered the annual sermon. Wallace is a military veteran and Green Beret who was honorably discharged after sustaining a major injury. His message focused on standing strong in the faith when the world stands against us.
“Be courageous and prevail through Christ,” Wallace said.
The 120th Annual Meeting of Oklahoma Baptists is set for Nov. 9-10, 2026, at South Tulsa Baptist Church. For more information, visit www.oklahomabaptists.org
Louisiana Baptists enjoy worship, fellowship, conduct business
By Brian Blackwell/Baptist Message
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists enjoyed fellowship and worship during the 2025 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, hosted by the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria.
In his address to messengers, Executive Director Steve Horn urged messengers to stay on mission together to reach the 4.6 million people who live in the state.
“Let’s stay together so that the world may know that God the Father sent the Son,” he said. “Let’s stay together. This is going to require faith. And this is going to require grace. But staying together is going to result in eternal wins. Louisiana Baptists, let’s stay together.” (Read full story here.)
Budget approved
Messengers approved the 2026 financial plan, based on Cooperative Program contributions of $16,925,460, a decrease of $455,348, or 2.62 percent.
Cooperative Program projections are based on actual receipts from August 2024 through July 2025. The allocation formula for distributing CP gifts between Southern Baptist entities and Louisiana Baptist causes remains unchanged, 62.87 percent to support ministries in the state and 37.13 percent forwarded to fund national entities.
Motions and resolutions
Messengers considered two motions. A motion by Keith Sheridan, a messenger from First Baptist Church, Franklinton, presented a motion to amend bylaw Article 3, Section 6 concerning the committee on resolutions by adding the sentence “recommended resolutions may not be amended and must be adopted by a two-thirds vote.” The motion was referred to the Executive Board, who will report its findings during the 2026 Annual Meeting.
A motion had been made during the 2024 LBC Annual Meeting by messenger Lewis Richerson, pastor with Woodlawn Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, which asked messengers to amend Article 6, Section 5 of the Articles of Incorporation to affirm the office of pastor as exclusive to men was defeated by messengers. The motion then was referred to the Executive Board for further deliberation and consideration.
During the 2025 LBC Annual Meeting Executive Board Chairman Tim Williams, pastor with Williams Boulevard Baptist Church, Kenner, said the EB declined to bring forward the motion because the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 already speaks to the theological issue and the Articles of Incorporation have a clear process with dealing with issues of cooperation or concern. The 2025 messengers subsequently supported the Executive Board’s recommendation.
Messengers affirmed five resolutions: expression of appreciation for all who made the 2025 Annual Meeting possible; encouragement for churches to support Louisiana Christian University; celebrating the exit of Planned Parenthood from Louisiana; support for biblical marriage by requesting the government to remove the marriage penalty from the financial safety net it provides; and equal protection for pre-born children.
Officers elected
Kirk Jones, pastor with Fellowship Church, Prairieville, was elected president. Ben Hackler, pastor with First Baptist Church, Sterlington, was elected first vice president, and Neil Treme, pastor with Glenmora Baptist Church, was elected second vice president.
All three men were given individual votes of acclamation by the Convention – a single ballot cast by the LBC executive director in view of no opposition to any of the candidates.
Messengers also heard reports from LBC ministries. (See related story here.)
The final messenger count for the 2025 Annual Meeting was 582, an increase from the 451 who registered for the 2024 Annual Meeting at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport.
The 2026 LBC Annual Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 10 and will be hosted by Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles. The convention sermon will be preached by Chris Craig, pastor with First Baptist Church, Ruston. The alternate preacher will be Stewart Holloway, pastor with First Baptist Church, Pineville. The worship leader will be Brian Watson, worship pastor with First Baptist Church, Lafayette.
The 2027 LBC Annual Meeting will be hosted by Temple Baptist Church, Ruston.
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