MOORE, Okla. (ABP) — Messengers to the annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Nov. 12-13 passed a resolution emphasizing non-discriminating ministry to illegal immigrants and adopted a record budget of $24.6 million.
“Finishing the Task” was the theme of the convention, which brought almost 900 messengers to First Baptist Church of Moore.
The resolution dealt with a new state law making it a felony to associate with undocumented immigrants. Messengers, in approving the resolution, said they don't “necessarily agree [with] or oppose the new law,” but will continue to minister to anyone.
Convention spokeswoman Heidi Wilburn said Christians should place their “No. 1 focus” on God and look to government as a second priority, according to news reports.
The resolution states: “Christians are under biblical mandate to respect the divine institution of government and its laws. Let it be known that House Bill 1804 related to illegal immigration will not change their ministry to any people.”
Bruce Prescott, the executive director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, said the resolution is a move in the right direction.
“More often than not I am a critic of the resolutions adopted by the BGCO,” Prescott wrote on his blog, mainstreambaptists.blogspot.com. “I commend them for passing this resolution — timid, as it is, in opposing an unjust law.”
The local Catholic archdiocese and the Muslim community of Oklahoma City have also sent letters of protest to Gov. Brad Henry (D).
Oklahoma messengers also adopted a record-setting budget for 2008, anticipating $24.6 million in Cooperative Program gifts from convention churches. That's an increase of $1.1 million from last year's budget. The convention uses 60 percent of the budget for in-state ministries, while the remaining 40 percent goes to the Southern Baptist Convention for national and international ministries.
Alton Fannin, pastor of First Baptist Church in Ardmore, was elected as president by a 292-208 vote over Ernie Perkins, a retired director of missions. Doug Passmore, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lawton, was elected as first vice president. Aaron Summers, pastor of First Baptist Church in Perry, became second vice president. Pat Wagstaff, a member of First Baptist Church in Maysville, was elected as recording secretary.
The messengers adopted 10 other resolutions, including ones opposing “any hate-crimes legislation that potentially criminalizes speech and belief;” opposing the sale of alcohol in Oklahoma grocery and convenience stores; and affirming the so-called conservative resurgence in the SBC, which “returned us to our historic roots of commitment to the Bible as the infallible and inerrant Word of God.”
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