When First Baptist Church of Lawton sensed godly inspiration to add a second weekend to its Living Christmas Tree, Senior Pastor Mike Keahbone didn’t realize what was in store.
The additional weekend, Dec. 1-3, accommodated an exclusive performance for Fort Sill soldiers that drew 700 attendees. Keahbone had been working to invite the soldiers to the 42nd annual event that at one time drew heavy attendance from the large Army base adjacent to Lawton.
First Lawton began the evening with a dinner of grilled burgers and hotdogs in advance of the service. The church gifted soldiers with a commemorative challenge coin First Lawton commissioned with the logos of all six U.S. military branches on one side, and the living Christmas tree logo on the flipside. Gideon Christian Fellowship provided New Testaments with the Psalms.
But the night wasn’t just about good food and mementos. The church shared the Gospel. The result, 116 professions of faith with several others wanting to know more the plan of salvation. And a large number saying they were recommitting their lives to Christ.
Soldiers recorded their professions of faith and other spiritual decisions on cards, and First Lawton gave copies to Fort Sill for follow up counseling. Several chaplains attended the event.