By Bob Allen
Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby has donated $2 million to the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma for purchase of an Assemblies of God youth camp near Davis, Okla.
The gift, in addition to more than $3 million given previously to a capital campaign for construction at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center, makes Hobby Lobby the leading donor in the history of the BGCO, a statewide affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention established in 1906.
“Throughout the years, we have been privileged to invest in the work of the BGCO through Falls Creek, Hobby Lobby CEO Steve Green, a Southern Baptist who belongs to Council Road Baptist Church in Bethany, Okla., told the Baptist Messenger. “The opportunity to help the Falls Creek ministry through this gift brings us great joy. We see this as a win-win for everyone involved.”
The acquisition of Newburn Center will allow the Baptist state convention to double the size of its CrossTimbers Children’s Missions Camp by relocating the camp, which now operates in McAlester, Okla., to the new location. It also brings the children’s camp in closer proximity to Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center in south central Oklahoma, allowing conference center staff to manage both facilities.
Anthony Jordan, executive director-treasurer for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, called the $2 million designated gift from Hobby Lobby and the Green family an answer to prayer.
“We have sought the Lord’s leading as to how we can further expand our impact and reach in the Falls Creek area, and we are grateful beyond words for their generosity which makes that possible,” Jordan said.