“No one has greater love than this:

to lay down his life for his friends”

John 15:13

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION

-SAYRE, OK U.S POSTAGE

PAID OKLAHOMA

PERMIT NO. 89

GREAT PLAINS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

PO BOX 425 SAYRE, OK 73662-0425

2020 OFFICERS

Director of Missions ............................... Danny Ringer Moderator ..... ………………………...……Jeff Moore Vice Moderator ..................................... Jason Kleckner Clerk ........................................................... Arlene Epp Treasurer ..................................................... Gary Beach North Representative .............................. Scott Showers South Representative ................................. Glenn Alley

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Letters of Recommendation

Over the past couple of weeks many students have contacted me for letters of recommendation for scholarships. First, I wonder why would they contact me? Second, I will always tell the truth about a student in the letter of recom-mendation. Finally, there is always a timeline. I have the same thoughts when I write a letter of recommendation for a pastor or a staff member. I will have to ad-mit that it’s bittersweet to write a letter for a pastor and or a staff member to go to another position. In II Corinthians 3:1-6 NASB it says, “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; be-ing manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Paul’s words in II Corinthians 3:1-6 remind me of the need for the Lord’s letter of commendation not written on pa-per or sent in an email but written on our hearts. First, we must rely on the Lord and not our resume. Second, our ade-quacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant. Finally, we must rely on the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must remember the Holy Spirit gives life. We must share this life with others in all we do. In the year 2020 let’s ask the Lord to write our letters of recommendation on our hearts for His glory. Grateful for all of you, Danny Ringer

PO BOX 425 (1906 N WATTS) SAYRE, OK 73662-0425

www.gpbaok.org email: sayreoffice@gpbaok.org OFFICE PHONE: (580) 928-2585

OFFICE FAX: (580) 928-8215

2515 N MAIN ALTUS, OK 73521 Email: altusoffice@gpbaok.org OFFICE PHONE: 580-482-4798

DANNY RINGER, DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS

OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY—THURSDAY

8:30 A.M.-NOON—1:00-4:30 P.M.

February 2020 VOLUME 44 Number 2

BEACON

Carter First Baptist

IF:GATHERING

JOIN US FEBRUARY 7-8 Register for free at:

Local.ifgathering.com/carterfirstbaptist

Questions? Feel free to contact the host! Brittani Aldridge (580) 339-1976

brittani1991@hotmail.com

The IF: GATHERING is for women and teenage girls. All you need is your Bible, notebook/journal, and writing utensil. If you don’t have one, that’s

okay, we will provide you one!

GPBA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Thursday, March 5, 2020 6:00pm Meal; Meeting follows

Southside Baptist Church 1100 Asa Lee, Altus

VBS CLINIC APRIL 7

ALTUS FIRST BAPTIST

CHURCH 6:15pm – 8:00pm

Worship Center 6:15

Meal & Snack Preview 6:30-6:50

Breakout Sessions 6:50-8:00

Crafts Missions

Music Preschool/Kindergarten Bible Study

1st/2nd Grades Bible Study 3rd/4th Grades Bible Study

PreTeen Bible Study Administrative Training for

Pastors/Directors

Childcare (Birth to Kindergarten)

RSVP at 580-482-1777

Before ordering literature—

Please consider sending your order through our Association of-fice. Direct ship to your church is free!

And the commission we receive helps us fund this clinic. Email Arlene at sayreoffice@gpbaok.org

Or Call 580-928-2585

ALTUS BCM NEWS

Please continue to pray for Seth & Katy. Brent Logan is doing a fantastic job of keeping the ministry going in Seth’s absence!

SAYRE BCM NEWS

Dear Association, A month or so ago, when visiting with a friend about ministry he shared a prayer request with me. He was troubled that a person told some other people just to take his words “with a grain of salt.” I have prayed for my friend, but also God has not let this thought leave me. The phrase “take them with a grain of salt”, is meant to be a put down or don’t hold on to those words too tightly. In Mat-thew 5:13, Jesus says, ”You are the salt of the earth.” The world wants to consider a grain of salt as nothing big. The truth is salt is salt. I have never seen just a grain of salt. I think how comforting it is to be recognized as a grain of salt. You are being who Christ says you are. Be salt today. It doesn’t take much for a person to see, hear or feel the differ-ence. Have a salty month. Thanks for all that you do for the Sayre BCM. God Bless, Benny Lockler P.S. -- Feb. 5—Sayre; Feb. 12 – Spring Creek; Feb. 19—Cheyenne; Feb. 26 – Fairview, Elk City; Mar. 4 -- Leedey

1 C Morgan Adams, Olustee 2018 1 C Michael David, Elk City FBC 2012 1 C Chris Milner, Hess 2016 1 C Billy Smithey, Sweetwater 2015 3 B Esther Walter 5 B Trevor McClure 6 A R.B. & Pat Mathis 7 B Jamie Holt 10 B Jeff Moore 11 B Scott Showers 17 B Cindy Parker 22 C Kevin Baker, Martha Road, 2004 22 B Nick Johnson 24 C Jase Hargrove, Carter 2019 26 B Mandy Davis

A = Anniversary B = Birthday C = Church Anniversary

Week of Prayer for North American

Missions

March 1-8, 2020

ANNIE ARMSTRONG Easter Offering

GET THESE ON YOUR CALENDAR!

Feb 7 Pastor/Spouse Movie Night, Martha Road 6pm, RSVP by Jan 27

Feb 7-8 IF:Gathering, Carter FBC

Feb 14 State VBS Training

Feb 29 Mission Ignition

Mar 5 GPBA Executive Board

Mar 1-8 Week of Prayer for Annie Armstrong Easter Offiering

Mar 2-3 Priority in Preaching, Edmond FBC

April 7 GPBA VBS Clinic, FBC Altus, 6:15pm

April 17-18 Women’s Retreat

April 24-25 Men’s Retreat

Mission Ignition is an opportunity for kids in 1st-6th grades to experience missions first hand. Kids are introduced to exciting mission activities, meet actual missionaries and learn about mis-sions in the United States and around the world.

February 29, 9am-3pm Southern Hills, OKC Register/pay online