OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) — On May 15, the Baptist Messenger, the newspaper of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, reached a milestone few publications do. The Messenger officially turned 100 years old.
“We are so grateful for all of the people involved in the preparation, production and promotion of the Baptist Messenger over these 10 decades,” editor Brian Hobbs said. “They leave us with a strong legacy and great footing for the future. We pray God continues to bless the Baptist Messenger in the years to come.”
The Baptist Messenger has a print circulation of nearly 60,000 and a digital version as well. Hobbs became the 11th editor in the Messenger’s history in 2011.
Notable leaders such as U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, financial expert Dave Ramsey and a leaders within the Southern Baptist Convention extended statements of congratulations to the Messenger on its 100th anniversary.
Oklahoma’s Gov. Mary Fallin and Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb jointly declared May 15, 2012, as “Baptist Messenger Day” in Oklahoma through an official citation.
R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said on Twitter on May 15, “Congratulations to the Baptist Messenger of Oklahoma on the paper’s 100th birthday today. A century of service to Baptists.”
In conjuction with its 100th anniversary, the Messenger is hosting a series of celebration events that are open to the public. One was held May 15 at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City, where numerous former staff were in attendance. Popular Baptist Messenger columnist Walker Moore, who is president and founder of Awe Star Ministries, spoke at the gathering. Moore also is speaking at several “homecoming” events scheduled across the state in the next few months.
The Messenger recently completed a series on the paper’s history “10 decades in 10 weeks,” featuring highlights and history from each decade. In addition, the Messenger will publish a 100th anniversary edition magazine in time for release at the BGCO annual meeting in November. For more information, visit www.baptistmessenger.com.
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