April GNJ Update

APRIL MINISTRY UPDATE: FAN THE FLAMES 🔥

April was packed with ministry opportunities, Gospel conversations, leadership connections, trainings, and mission planning. We’ve seen many people place their faith in Christ this month, and it’s been encouraging watching churches and individuals grow in boldness and obedience.

🍽️ JUVENILE CENTER MINISTRY

Every Monday and Wednesday during lunch, I continue spending time at the Juvenile Center teaching the Bible, answering questions, and having honest conversations with students about Jesus. This month several students made decisions to put their faith in Christ. It’s powerful watching students who feel forgotten realize that God sees them, loves them, and still has a purpose for their life.

🐋 GOOD NEWS CHURCH – CATOOSA

I had the opportunity to lead an evangelism training for a couple of churches together at Good News Church in Catoosa. We focused on Gospel Fluency, Gospel Strategy, and Gospel Mobilization before ending the night with an activation experience where people actually stepped into Gospel conversations. The churches were engaged, and it was exciting watching people move from fear to confidence throughout the evening.

⛪ CHISHOLM HEIGHTS BAPTIST

I was honored to speak for “Testimony Sunday” at Chisholm Heights Baptist Church in Mustang. I preached on Gospel Urgency to around 500 people during the morning service and later led an afternoon training for about 100 participants. Several people shared afterward that they immediately started Gospel conversations because of the training. Pastor Griff Henderson is a dear friend and is doing an outstanding job leading there.

🌾 FBC MOORELAND

At the end of the month, I led another evangelism training at FBC Mooreland. We spent time talking through practical ways to clearly communicate the Gospel and create a culture of evangelism within the church. One of my favorite parts was hearing stories from people who had already begun engaging lost friends and family members with greater intentionality.

🎒 CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY

I also got to speak at the elementary chapel service at Christian Heritage Academy. I taught on what the Bible really means by “believe” and used a trust-fall illustration to help explain biblical faith. Jack was supposed to help me with the illustration, but he ended up being sick, so his friend Kasen stepped in and saved the day!

🔥 SOUTH TULSA BAPTIST

One of the most meaningful moments this month was returning to South Tulsa Baptist Church to share the story and vision behind GoodNews Journey. I preached from 2 Timothy 1:6 on “Fanning the Flames” and talked about how God calls us not just to start strong, but to stay faithful and continue stirring the fire He has already placed within us. We celebrated what God has done through GoodNews Journey so far, including more than 80 ministry events, 130+ messages preached, thousands trained in evangelism, and growing mission opportunities.

🤝 OKYM + KINGDOM CONNECTIONS

This month I participated in the OKYM Network gathering at Oklahoma Baptists. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with youth pastors and ministry leaders from across Oklahoma. I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside many of these leaders over the years, and it was encouraging talking about future partnerships, camps, and ministry opportunities.

🙏 OKC METRO PRAYER BREAKFAST

I also attended the OKC Metro Prayer Breakfast again this year. I walked away encouraged by the strong emphasis on prayer for our city and by seeing so many pastors, leaders, and Kingdom-minded people gathered together. There are so many people faithfully serving across Oklahoma, and it was refreshing to reconnect with many friends and ministry partners. The Lord has brought so many amazing people in to our lives and ministry.

⚡ ENERGIZE CONFERENCE

I attended the Energize Conference with Dare2Share Ministries this month. This ministry and conference has impacted me for years, and it was good reconnecting with leaders and friends who helped shape so much of my ministry philosophy. Candace was able to attend with me alongside Andrew and Rachel Riddle from Idabel. Dare2Share highlighted their ministry (VIDEO HERE) during the conference, which was especially meaningful because I’ve had the opportunity to invest in Andrew over the years and help introduce some of these Gospel Advancing concepts to him and his church.

🌎 MISSIONS + PREPARATION

We continue making major progress toward our upcoming mission trips. There have been lots of meetings, calls, planning sessions, and logistics conversations happening behind the scenes. Candace has been working incredibly hard managing communication, travel details, registrations, and preparation. She carries a big part of this ministry, and I’m so thankful for her. Right now it looks like we could have around 80–90 participants involved in our very first year of trips. What an exciting beginning! I also got to meet with missionary friends serving in the Amazon region of Brazil this month. Hearing what God is doing there was incredibly encouraging, and we even discussed the possibility of a future GoodNews Journey trip there someday. Let us know if you’re interested!

🎉 HOME CHURCH UPDATE

Easter Sunday at our home church (Choctaw Road) was incredible as around 3,800 people gathered across services to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. This month also marked the launch of a new satellite campus in McLoud, and we’ve already started a youth ministry there that is currently meeting once a month. It’s exciting seeing new ministry opportunities continue developing.

📅 LOOKING AHEAD

Summer ministry season is quickly approaching, and preparations are already underway for camps, mission trips, trainings, and speaking opportunities. I’m especially looking forward to upcoming opportunities as camp speaker at Kiamichi Baptist Association with Summit Camps and Grand Lake Assembly this summer. Please pray for students, leaders, salvations, and long-term Gospel impact.

❤️ JOIN THE MISSION

Thank you for praying, encouraging, giving, and believing in what God is doing through GoodNews Journey. If you would consider partnering with us financially, your support helps equip believers, train churches, send mission teams, and create opportunities for people to hear the Gospel.

GIVE HERE 👉 https://goodnewsjourney.org/give/

Thank you again for being part of this mission!

-Brian and Candace

GNJ March Update

 🦋 MARCH MINISTRY UPDATE

March was full—lots of miles, meaningful conversations, and clear moments where we saw God at work.

🚗 FROM DNOW TO SUNDAY MORNING (NO SLEEP REQUIRED)

After finishing a DNOW at FBC Dewey late on Saturday night, I drove almost 8 hours through the night to First Baptist Church Snyder TX. Pulled in around 4:30am, slept a couple hours in the car, and jumped straight into a full day. I led a church-wide training on how to have Gospel conversations, preached on Gospel urgency during worship, and then wrapped up the day with a practical session + Q&A. We ended by challenging people to actually start a Gospel conversation right there on their phones—and many did. I also helped develop a 6-week evangelism track they’re continuing to use. They’ve already talked about bringing us back, which is always encouraging.

⛪ FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH – HOLLIS, OK

Had a great night with Faith Baptist Church in Hollis. We shared a meal, talked through Gospel urgency, and then walked step-by-step through a simple strategy for sharing your faith. It was a great group at the small church that really leaned in and wanted to grow.

🔒 TAKING THE GOSPEL TO STUDENTS IN HARD PLACES

Spent a lot of time this month investing in students walking through some really difficult seasons of life. We saw multiple young men respond to the Gospel and others take real steps forward spiritually at the Juvenile Center. These moments are a reminder that the message of Jesus meets people right where they are—and changes everything.

🤝 BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THAT OPEN DOORS

Connected with mission leaders from across Oklahoma at the Advance Conference—great conversations that lead to future opportunities. Also spent time with youth leaders in the eastern OKC area. Networking and strengthening these relationships matter more than people realize.

📣 TENKILLER DNOW – “REACH”

Spoke in Cookson at the Tenkiller Baptist Association DNOW, centered on Matthew 28. We focused on: WHY we reach, WHAT the mission is, and WHO we’re becoming. Also spent time equipping leaders on building Gospel-advancing ministries. These weekends are always about more than the moment—they’re about momentum.

✈️ MISSIONS ARE COMING TOGETHER

There’s a lot happening behind the scenes right now. Flights are being secured, teams are forming, and details are locking into place. We’ve got projects lined up in Alaska (3), Portugal (2), Guatemala, Cambodia, and Denver. Several trips are already filling up, but there are still a few spots open on select teams. If you’ve been thinking about going, now’s the time. Check out our Mission Page! 

🌍 TULSA MISSION PROJECT

I helped lead our churches mission team alongside Mobile Missions Network in Tulsa for a 6-day project with around 120 participants. We served in mobile home parks and apartment communities, saw people come to Christ, and had lots and lots of Gospel conversations. It was also a great opportunity to introduce more people on the project to GoodNews Journey and what we’re building.

⛪ CHURCH INSIDE OUT

Had the opportunity to preach at Church Inside Out during their Reunion Sunday at the Red Fork campus. We talked about identity in Christ and what it looks like to live from that identity daily. It was a powerful gathering.

🙏 NXT MOVE – DAY OF PRAYER

I was honored to be part of the NXT Move 24-hour global Day of Prayer I led a time focused on relational discipleship, joining leaders from around the world seeking God together. Really special moment to be part of.

🔓 PRISON

Closed out the month speaking to over 100 inmates at Great Plains Correctional Facility. We walked through Ephesians 4, 2 Corinthians 5, and Romans 7—focusing on leaving the old life behind and stepping into the new life Christ offers. Many responded to the Gospel, and several shared how much it impacted them.

📞 PARTNERS + PREPARATION

This month included a lot of calls, planning, and meetings with missionaries, teams, and ministry partners. Also spent time connecting with supporters—always a reminder that this mission is shared. Candace has been working hard behind the scenes managing logistics, communication, and travel. There’s a lot happening, and she’s carrying a huge part of it.

🎯 LOOKING AHEAD

I’ve been preparing for upcoming summer camps, including Kiamichi Baptist Association and Grand Lake Assembly. Already praying for what God is going to do. April is shaping up to be another full month.

❤️ JOIN THE MISSION

If you believe in helping people confidently share the Gospel and live it out, would you consider partnering with us financially? Your support helps train, send, and create opportunities for real, lasting impact.

GIVE HERE 👉 https://goodnewsjourney.org/give/

Thank you for being part of what God is doing through GoodNews Journey!

-Brian and Candace

7th Grade English

Can I just say that I LOVE that these are the things Jonah is writing about in 7th grade English?! If you're gonna have to learn to write a three-point expository paper, it might as well be about how to share the gospel! Love this kid so much! 

February GNJ Update

 🔥 FEBRUARY WAS FULL. SOULS SAVED. LEADERS EQUIPPED. TRIPS FILLING. GOD IS FANNING THE FLAMES. 🔥

Friends,

February carried real momentum. Not just busyness, but Kingdom impact. People were saved, baptized, and called to missions. Churches were trained. Leaders were mobilized. Mission teams are forming. Here’s what God did through GoodNews Journey this month:

🌍 MISSION TRIPS ARE FILLING

Airfare is being purchased. Teams are forming. Logistics are tightening. Most projects are filling quickly!

Our current planned projects includes:

·       Three projects in Alaska

·       Two in Portugal

·       Trips to Guatemala, Cambodia, and a newly added project in Denver

Want to come to Alaska, Denver, or Guatemala? We still have spots available for:

·       🇬🇹 Guatemala (Sept 4–11)

·       ❄️ Alaska (May 20–29)

·       🏙️ Denver (June 20–27)

Would you consider going? Or pass this along to someone in your church? Special invitation to GNJ friends: invite your church to prayerfully consider Guatemala. We would love to partner together.

We’ve also had multiple Zoom and phone calls with the Mobile Missions network strengthening partnership and finalizing logistics.

📞 COACHING & MULTIPLICATION

This month included in-person, online, and phone coaching helping leaders think through how to encourage early commitment instead of last-minute decisions.

One highlight was coaching a GNJ supporter’s daughter as she prepared to lead evangelism training for her youth group. She taught our CORE teaching called GOODNEWS. Hearing that multiplying was powerful.

📖 EVANGELISM TRAINING – COWETA

The Evangelism Training at Community Baptist Coweta was a strong success. Great crowd. High engagement. We covered Gospel Urgency, Gospel Strategy, Gospel Multiplication, Gospel Mobilization, and finished with an Activation Experience. Students and adults left equipped and ready to live it out.

🔥 DNOW – FBC POTTSVILLE, AR

We focused on IGNITING students for our King and His Cause. There was salvation and real inspiration to show and share faith. The church has already invited me back for an all-church evangelism training later this year. And yes, Lecrae gave me a name drop promoting the weekend. It was Cameo… I’m not saying we’re close, but it definitely sounded official.

💥 IMPACT WEEKEND

Impact Weekend gathered around 350 participants from about 10 churches in Eastern Oklahoma City at First Southern Del City. It was awesome having my new home church, Choctaw Road, not only participate but take a major leadership role in the weekend. That meant a lot personally. I led two apologetics breakouts, and it was powerful seeing churches united around gospel engagement.

🎤 EMPOWER CONFERENCE – IRVING, TX

I was invited by the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas to lead two breakouts at the Empower Conference in Irving. We covered overcoming fear in evangelism and gospel strategy. Leaders were encouraged, equipped, and strong connections were made.

🎓 CAMPUS MINISTRY GATHERING

I spoke at a campus ministry gathering from Luke 16 on the reality of hell and the urgency of knowing Jesus and making Him known. Students were challenged to take eternity seriously and live sent.

🔥 DNOW – FBC DEWEY

I closed the month at DNOW at FBC Dewey teaching on WHY Missions, WHAT Missions is, and the HOW/NOW of Missions. Students were challenged to see themselves as missionaries right where they are.

🙌 SALVATION & JUVENILE CENTER MINISTRY

We had several ministry days at the Juvenile Center, and many young men placed their faith in Christ. Watching hearts soften in that environment never gets old.

Across other events this month, students responded in salvation and some sensed a clear call to vocational ministry and missions. That kind of calling shapes decades.

🛠️ STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION

We held our 1st Quarter GNJ Board Meeting on February 6. Strong accountability. Clear direction. Healthy growth.

I’m incredibly thankful for Candace stepping into her role as GNJ’s Ministry Support Coordinator. Her work on administration and logistics has already made a huge difference. She’s settling in well and helping the ministry operate with clarity and structure as we grow.

🚀 THE VISION

Our bold vision before the end of 2030:

·       50K trained in evangelism

·       7K mobilized on mission

·       100K brought to faith in Christ

Spring and summer are packed with evangelism training, coaching leaders, DNOWs, conferences, camps, and mission trip mobilization. Please pray for endurance, clarity, open doors, and multiplied fruit.

Thank you for praying. Thank you for giving. Thank you for standing with GoodNews Journey.

If you believe in raising up a generation that shares the gospel boldly and clearly, would you prayerfully consider investing financially? Your partnership fuels training, mobilization, and eternal impact.

GIVE HERE 👉 https://goodnewsjourney.org/give/

Grateful to run with you,

Brian and Candace Baldwin

A Starbucks Kind of Valentine's Day

This girl loves her iced coffee drinks...and so does her littlest bro! 

I feel like Starbucks should pay us to use these pictures as advertisement...seriously, cutest ever! And of course Jack wasn't going to be left out of the yummy drinks or cute pics! =0) 

Hindsight--as in, after Jack threw up his entire drink all over my new car--I was wishing I would have said no to letting him have it.

I took Madi out to GMa's so she could clean her house (doesn't this look like a cleaning house kind of outfit she's wearing?!). Connie was flying back to Arizona on this day, so Jack and I dropped her off at the airport on our way back home. All was well until Jack threw up his ENTIRE Vanilla Bean Frappuccino all over my new car while I was driving down the road....waahhhhhh!!! I'm just gonna tell you...it was bad. Poor buddy had to ride home with it all over him. It was a very long ride home from the airport, and I'm not sure my car will ever smell the same.

I think she gets more beautiful by the day.

Young Valentine's Love

Kade came up to spend Valentine's Day with Mackenzie & they went to an SNU party with some of her friends. They are the cutest! Long-distance relationships can be hard...but who knows...maybe next Valentine's Day Kade will be living in Oklahoma and going to college here! I think their smiles show how happy they are together! Praying God continues to guide their steps in the right direction.

Jack's Valentines Party

We celebrated Valentine's Day at school on the 13th. I have really enjoyed being a Homeroom Mom for Mrs. Garner this year! I love her parties, because she likes to keep them very calm and simple...still a sweet time for the kids, but without all the chaos! =0) 

This was also the day that Jack made it across the monkey bars all by himself! I love that Mrs. Garner video'd it, and I LOVE that he says "send that to my mom!" at the end.

The 3 Amigos...