Missions
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
At Southwood Baptist Church we are committed to tell everyone everywhere about the hope we have in Jesus. We seek to lead each of our members to be “On Mission Christians.” We base our missions strategy on the Acts 1:8 model, seeking to be involved in missions in our Jerusalem (Tulsa), our Judea (Oklahoma), our Samaria (North America), and to the ends of the earth (International). Southwood Baptist Church seeks to provide financial support, prayer support and personal involvement in missions around the world. We partner with the Southern Baptist Convention in supporting missions from Tulsa to the ends of the earth.
Local Missions
By partnering with the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association and other local ministries, we seek to reach the Tulsa Metro area with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each year we sponsor special events to reach out to our community. Through block parties, Vacation Bible School, backyard Bible clubs, concerts, and seminars we seek to meet members of our community and demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ.
We also support various citywide ministries as they seek to meet the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of local residents. Specifically, we have an ongoing partnership with DaySpring Villa Women’s Shelter where we minister to women and children coming out of abusive backgrounds. We also work with Hicks Park in ministering to families within our immediate community. Through financial support, we seek to undergird the local Baptist Collegiate Ministry as they reach out to the growing Tulsa educational institutions. Through weekly visitation and scheduled prayerwalks, we seek to stay aware of needs within our community that we can meet as a local church.
State Missions
By partnering with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and other statewide ministries, we seek to impact the state of Oklahoma with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each year, several of our students invest their summers ministering to Oklahomans through various church camps, children’s homes, shelters, and other ministries. We also seek to participate in an Oklahoma-based mission trip each year as a church.
North American Missions
Southwood’s mission efforts do not stop in Oklahoma. We partner with the North American Mission Board in reaching out to the entire nation. Through mission project partnerships, such as the Arizona Partnership, our church helps undergird the work of other churches in the nation. We also mobilize our members to invest their vacation time in building God’s kingdom in North America.
Since Jesus included the uttermost parts of the world in His call for missions, we obey with a partnership with the International Mission Board. We support international missions through prayer, giving, and going. We currently have mission involvement in Africa, South America, and Malaysia.
Missions Education
In order to sustain an ongoing commitment to missions, we seek to raise our children with a missions sensitive education. For our youngest children this is accomplished through Mission Friends. For our children, youth, and adults this is accomplished through special training sessions and personal involvement. We believe a hands-on approach to missions education better serves to develop a heart for global missions.
