Texas pastor Kie Bowman to lead EC prayer assignment
By BP STAFF
NASHVILLE (BP) – Texas pastor Kie Bowman has been tapped to lead the prayer assignment given to the SBC Executive Committee.
Bowman, recently retired from pastoral ministry, was asked by EC interim president and CEO Willie McLaurin to give direction to the task.
“His proven track record of leading Hyde Park Church to be a house of prayer uniquely positions him to lead Southern Baptist in elevating the ministry of prayer,” McLaurin told Baptist Press.
Bowman said he’s excited about the potential of the assignment and that prayer should be both a priority and strategic.
“Our scope in the prayer assignment is enormous and so are our possibilities. With nearly 50,000 churches, and over 6,000 missionaries on the field in North America and around the world we have a lot to pray about,” he said in written comments to Baptist Press.
The additional ministry assignment given to the EC in 2021 instructs them to, “Assist churches through elevating the ministry of prayer. Provide strategic leadership to lift up and promote coordinated prayer for spiritual awakening, ministry effectiveness, and the completion of the Great Commission.”
In addition to creating prayer resources, Bowman says he intends to “host training events and powerful prayer gatherings led by recognized SBC prayer leaders.” He has already contributed several articles to the BP Toolbox.
“Kie will be partnering with associations, state conventions, and SBC entities to build a strong network of prayer across the country. I am thrilled that for such a time as this God is positioning His people for His purpose,” McLaurin said.
Bowman retired in March 2023 from Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, Texas where he served for 26 years. The Alaska native has written seven books and contributed to 13 others. He’s a two-time graduate of Southwestern Seminary holding M.Div. and D.Min degrees.
He’s grateful for the opportunity to serve Southern Baptists and sees an increased hunger for prayer.
“We heard it repeatedly in New Orleans from President Bart Barber pausing to pray for Michael Catt to Dr. McLaurin’s challenge to the convention to be more focused on prayer and from Todd Unzicker’s convention sermon where he called for more prayer as part of our deliberations,” Bowman said.
He also pointed to the “powerful prayer meetings” led by Bill Elliff and Robby Gallaty at the last few SBC annual meetings.
“The Great Commission, spiritual awakening, and increased ministry effectiveness will be our passions. I can imagine a day when Southern Baptists will be seen as the best providers of prayer resources in the English-speaking evangelical world,” he said.
Longtime Oklahoma Baptist writer and missionary Walker Moore dies
By BAPTIST MESSENGER STAFF
Beloved missionary and Baptist Messenger columnist Walker Moore died on June 26 at the age of 71.
His son, Caleb Moore, who serves as pastor of Catoosa, First, announced the passing of his father on Facebook.
“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I report the passing of my father,” Caleb wrote. “He passed peacefully in his sleep last night. He was the greatest man I ever knew and his love for the Lord was contagious.
“He was a wonderful father, husband, missionary and grandfather,” Caleb added. “We know how much he was loved by you all.”
Moore, a resident of Tulsa, had written more than 1,200 columns for the Baptist Messenger and authored numerous books. Moore and his wife Cathy are members of Tulsa, Parkview and have two grown sons, Jeremiah and Caleb.
“Our hearts are broken by the passing of our dear friend Walker,” Baptist Messenger Editor Brian Hobbs said. “He lived all of life to give glory to Jesus. Through his beloved Messenger column, Walker shared his one-of-a-kind warmth, wisdom, humor, stories and biblical insight. He was a blessing to hundreds of thousands of readers through his more than 25 years writing for the Messenger. We dearly love the Moore family and are praying for them in this season of loss.”
Moore founded and served as president of Awe Star Ministries and Back 40 Ministries. He was “an internationally-known youth culture expert, Bible teacher, author and conference speaker who worked with families for more than four decades. Beginning in 1992, he led Awe Star to network with thousands of churches worldwide to provide students with global missions opportunities. In his recent venture, Back 40 Ministries, he helped to strengthen and refocus churches throughout the United States and around the world.”
Todd Fisher, Oklahoma Baptists’ executive director-treasurer, said, “Walker is a personal friend to so many in our state, including me. I always appreciated his heart for the Lord. His columns brought joy and encouragement to all who read them. His missions and church ministry impact will be felt for generations. I want to ask Oklahoma Baptists to join me in praying for the Moore family.”
A funeral service will take place on July 1 at 10 a.m. at Tulsa, First, 420 S Detroit Ave 74120. His obituary can be viewed here.
