Spurred by the love to serve and guided by the desire to learn more about the root of the Catholic faith, Bill Thurman joined the deacon formation program sponsored by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in 2005.

“It’s mine. It’s mine” I’m sure you have heard a child cry out with these words when you try to take a toy or something that is theirs away from them. Possession is an important part of ownership. There is a sense of security in holding on to that which we own, whether it is a gift or a purchase made. To say, “it’s mine” is a declaration of ownership.

Dr. Margaret Nikol knows a thing or two about suffering missionaries — she has lived as one in Bulgaria for the better part of her life. An accomplished and world-renown violinist, Nikol shared her many experiences of anti-Christian persecution with Oklahoma Baptist University students at a weekly chapel service on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Sisters at Heart, a women’s ministry of Wesley United Methodist Church in Shawnee, invites all women to the Tuesday program.

James and Holly Douglas accepted the pastorate at Open Door Aug. 30. Prior to becoming pastor, James and Holly served as youth and worship pastors at Open Door.

You really can’t get here from there. I’m sure you have heard someone say that. Well, that is the way I felt upon leaving the beautiful San Francisco Bay where I lived through my high school years.

One hundred years ago this week, the women of Emmanuel Episcopal Church Guild were probably deeply involved in preparing dinners for community events, teas, bazaars and quilt fairs to raise money to pay for their just -completed church building at 501 N. Broadway.
The centennial of Episcopal Church services in Shawnee was celebrated in 1996, but the present church building was completed in 1909, according to its cornerstone.

“Stories for Life: Jesus’ Parables of the Kingdom in Matthew” will be the topic for Oklahoma Baptist University’s annual Winter Bible Study Clinic being held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in the Geiger Center on OBU’s campus in Shawnee. Dr. Bobby Kelly, Ruth Dickinson professor of religion, will lead the clinic.

University Baptist Church’s upcoming activities continue the church’s outreach both locally and across the globe.
Four members of the youth group, Sarah Cullison, Jennifer Jett, Tyler Swadley, and Taylor Thompson will spend their Fall Break at Camp Barnabus in Missouri assisting with “Barn-a-Break,” a short camp for teenagers with disabilities, ages 16 and up.

“Jesus spoke a parable, and said, the kingdom of heaven is like a king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent other servants, saying, tell them which are bidden, behold, I have prepared my dinner: come unto the marriage. But they made light of [it], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and slew [them].

The Dale Church of Christ, 201 N. Oklahoma in Dale, will hold services Oct. 11-14, featuring Virgil Trout as speaker. On Sunday services will be 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday services will begin at 7 p.m.

No example reveals the challenges of the question, “What does it mean to tell the truth?” more than the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his life-and-death struggle as a German theologian who came of age at just the time Adolph Hitler was rising to power. Dr. Bobby Kelly, Oklahoma Baptist University’s Ruth Dickinson professor of religion, tackled that question during a weekly chapel service on Bison Hill Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Pastor Larry Norris of Trinity Baptist Church will be honored with an appreciation reception, Sunday evening, Oct. 11, immediately following evening worship.

Saint Paul wrote a curious thing about prayer. He said we ought to pray without ceasing.
I’ve heard different thoughts about what such a peculiar phrase might mean. Was the Apostle exaggerating? Was he talking about keeping a constant awareness of God’s presence in such a way that even our thoughts can be considered like prayers?

New Beginnings church offers Spirit Quest II written and taught by JR McElfresh, Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m.
People have heard the saying, “Stick n’ Stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me!”
Unfortunately, that saying may sound good but may not be entirely true. Words have energy.

Wallace Avenue Baptist Church, 601 W. Wallace, will hold a revival at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Oct. 18 and at 7 p.m. Oct. 19-21.
Dr. David Whitlock, evangelist, and Dale Griffin, worship leader, will lead the revival services.
Whitlaock became Oklahoma Baptist University’s newest president Nov. 1, 2008.

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.”
The above text from Psalm 62:5 (NIV) of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible tells us that man’s only source of eternal hope is in God. Here, instead of hope, the King James Bible uses the word expectation. This comes from a Hebrew term which can also mean a cord or a rope.

Randall Bradley, former music minster at University Baptist Church, is returning to offer a conference on worship on Oct. 10 and 11. 
The first session will follow a pot-luck dinner on Saturday evening and is titled: “Worship:  What’s the big deal?” The session will explore the ministry of the church and why worship should be the church’s priority.

Executive Director Peggy North and host church Pastor David Henry from Calvary Baptist Church, accept a mayoral proclamation declaring Sept. 20-26 as Family Promise of Shawnee Week at Monday night’s city council meeting.

People make decisions every day: what to wear, whether to go to class or work and, often the first decision of the day, whether or not to hit the snooze button one more time.
During a chapel message Friday, Sept. 18, Steve Winterberg challenged Oklahoma Baptist University to make the conscious decision to follow and know Jesus Christ each day.