For the Sake of the Call Campaign

The Vision
Several factors dictate that the time has come to facilitate a crucial expansion and renovation of Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center.

Growth
The dramatic increase in the attendance and frequency of groups utilizing Falls Creek demands that resources be expanded to handle the numerical growth alone. But there is also the growth in scope of ministry that demands attention. There is an unprecedented growth in the diversification of our society. New special focus groups are being identified every day and existing groups are increasing exponentially. Senior adults, single adults, language groups, learning disabled, physically challenged, blended families, single parent families….these and more not only cry for our attention, but they also demand that churches create new ministries they will face in the 21st Century.

Stewardship
For the better part of a century Falls Creek has been among the most productive members of the Oklahoma Baptist family of ministries. What it has produced in the lives of individuals, churches, and missions world wide is truly immeasurable. However, Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center in and of itself has become an asset of value fiscally as well as spiritually.

Through the years, despite no sizeable campaigns, Oklahoma Baptist churches have individually and collectively amassed Falls Creek properties whose financial worth demands that we be good stewards. Not only is the general upkeep of buildings and grounds at issue, but there is the issue of support services like sanitation, water and sewage, roads and all of the other amenities that a "small city" would require. Because of the aforementioned growth, Falls Creek has even seen the need for advanced planning for growth not unlike a city would conduct to bring about wise uniformity and maximum usage of space. Protection of an asset this valuable is a matter of good stewardship.

But the concept of good stewardship at Falls Creek causes ripples far beyond the gates of the encampment. In a day and age when churches, especially small to medium sized churches, are scrambling for resources and our state convention is doing all it can to partner with North American and International Mission Board projects, it does not make sense for us to spend money renting commercial facilities or driving thousands of miles to retreat centers for training and fellowship. Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center has the potential to make us better stewards of the Lord's money. With a facility of this magnitude available to our denomination and state, should it not be readily usable year round and effectively equipped to meet the "university of methods" that "every line of denominational interest" requires? For the sake of good stewardship, we must act now.

Technology
With the incredible technological advancements of recent years, one can only imagine what amazing tools for communicating the Gospel await us in the 21st Century. Within the past decade Falls Creek has greatly enhanced the effectiveness of its worship services through the use of technology. However, there is a limit to how much 21st Century technology can be accommodated in a building designed in the 1920's. Technology has become such an important part of our lives that people have come to expect it's presence and, while we enjoy the "rustic beauty" of the Falls Creek landscape, we must improve the rustic nature of its technology. The technological needs of Falls Creek span the range from comfort to effectiveness to safety.

As for comfort, the technology which would facilitate year round usage of all major conference facilities would greatly enhance both the frequency of usage and the comfort of those who attend. The most prominent building on the grounds, the open air tabernacle, has obvious limitations from both a climate control and audiovisual standpoint. An enclosed facility with heat and air not only makes it a year round facility, but a much more comfortable facility. Audio visual technology not only makes the worship/teaching experience more enjoyable and effective, but it also makes the experience available to the hearing and visually impaired.

Technology is not only needed in the tabernacle and in the teaching environment, but also in customer service and other facility needs. Communications within the camp, emergency equipment and facilities, and technical advancement of support services must grow with the conference center.

Spiritual Impact
All of the growth, stewardship, technology, and buildings are simply a means to an end. The true call of God for Falls Creek is to reach people. History will validate not only that millions can and will be touched, but it also confirms that with each decade there is a new generation being called by God. Falls Creek is a wonderful retreat that separates us from the day to day trials of the world, resulting in a conspicuously Christian lifestyle when we return to our daily walks. Dr. John Bisagno, retired pastor of the First Baptist Church of Houston, stated, "As the world's largest youth assembly, Falls Creek is arguably the single most influential force for good among American youth in the world. Only when human character is transformed does society change. Give us a hundred Falls Creeks and give us a new America! Time is running out for America. Don't let it run out for Falls Creek."

For the sake of a "new America" in the 21st Century, we must ensure that Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center not only exists, but flourishes for another generation and beyond.