In Search of Oklahomans

Downtown San Antonio is teeming with Southern Baptists, most wearing their annual meeting badges.

A sign in the press room Monday night proclaimed that 6,000 had registered as of 4 p.m. Monday.

I visited the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Monday so that I would know my way around this morning.

I’m glad I did. I heard a distinctive voice as I waited for a shuttle to my hotel. I turned around and saw the Rev. Anthony Jordan, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, and his wife Polla. After talking to them I walked across the street and made a remark to passersby that I was not from such a big city as San Antonio (at least not one that is as busy at 10 at night).

“Where are you from?,” they asked.

“Oklahoma City,” I said.

Turns out the “passersby” were Rev. Randy Wisniewsky and his wife Peggy who live in Woodward. He is senior pastor of Crown Heights Baptist Church there and they were on their way to a late evening seminar on missional churches.

It’s a small world.

Pastor Wisniewsky said he and his wife attend the convention’s annual meetings when it’s affordable and close to home.

He said he likes the convention’s Cooperative Program which encourages churches to move in the same direction in regards to their giving and other efforts.

“We figure we can do more all being in cooperation together,” said pastor Wisniewsky. “It’s helping to grow the kingdom of God.”

OK. Southern Baptist Convention Frank Page just convened the denomination’s 2007 annual meeting.

Stay tuned.