Character

Character of value begins with humility of heart. It’s the quiet, honest recognition of my own brokenness, the moments when I realize just how much I need a Savior every single day to rescue me from the depths of my own heart. That daily dependence isn’t weakness; it’s the foundation. And from that place, Christ begins shaping something deeper in me: a character that reflects His. Little by little, He builds in me kindness that’s real, integrity that holds steady, and a love for others that goes beyond myself. It’s not perfection, but it’s a life being shaped into something beautiful, with Him at the center.

Isaiah 6:5

Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.

The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?

— Jeremiah 17:9

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!

— Romans 3:23

In Isaiah 6:5, Jeremiah 17:9, and Romans 3:23, I’m reminded of just how deeply broken my own heart is and how essential humility is to true character. In Isaiah 6:5, I see Isaiah undone in the presence of God’s holiness, overwhelmed by his own unworthiness. That kind of honest, humble self-awareness is where real transformation begins. Jeremiah 17:9 shows me how deceitful and desperately sick my heart can be, which is something I simply can’t heal on my own. And Romans 3:23 brings it home: I’ve sinned and fall short of God’s glory, just like everyone else. These verses don’t just expose my need; they gently lead me to the Savior. Only when I stop relying on myself and come humbly to Christ can He begin to reshape me into someone who reflects His character.

Back in 2021, I volunteered with Gideon Rescue Company in their response to Louisiana after Hurricane Ida. This response gave me opportunities for character growth as I worked with a team to repair roofs, remove debris, and complete various other odd jobs. While helping a community recover amidst very challenging times, we were able to reflect the loving character of Jesus.

Here I am working with my daughter on a garden box and learning lessons of patience, diligence, and cheerfulness along the way.

Member Testimonials

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
-Proverbs 27:2

  • We first met Pastor Bailley Schmidt in November 2024. He was so genuine. Wanting to learn more, we started attending the Sabbath services at Pauls Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church. We have found a loving church family and this pastor has invested in us. We started meeting with Pastor Bailley for Bible Study. So many questions! With each question he brought me right back to the Bible. I have learned more in these last nine months than in the previous eight years at the two other churches I attended. We currently meet weekly with Pastor Bailley for biblically based counseling for our marriage of 25 years. He would probably tell you that this is a tough one. Fidelity and trust have been damaged, communication skills need a re-boot and a financial disconnect has been uncovered. At times I had even questioned my salvation. I am confident that the peace in my heart today is real and will be mine forever. Thank You, God, for the gift of Your Son. This is a work in progress. I know this pastor will not give up on us.

    David & Maria Cole, Pauls Valley SDA

  • Pastor Bailley has grown into an exceptional leader whose passion for the mission and a heart for reaching souls for the Kingdom of Heaven have deeply inspired me and our church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he continues to faithfully pursue the will of God. His unwavering conviction to not only stand for truth but to live it out in every circumstance no matter the consequences brings honor to God and serves as a powerful testimony to the church.

    Meredith Pool, Ardmore SDA

  • To whom it may concern, it is with great joy and deep appreciation that I write this letter of recommendation for Pastor Bailley Schmidt. Pastor Schmidt has been a blessing in my life and in the lives of so many others. He is a man of integrity, compassion, and most of all, unwavering faith, who continually demonstrates a heart devoted to serving God and others. Pastor Schmidt was the one who officiated my marriage to my wonderful wife on a beautiful Sabbath day, a moment that will forever remain one of the most cherished in our lives. The love, sincerity, and prayerful spirit he brought to that occasion reflected not only his dedication to his calling but also his genuine care for the people he serves. Throughout the time I have known him, Pastor Bailley has consistently shown kindness, love, and generosity. He is always willing to lend a helping hand, offer words of encouragement, and give of himself for the sake of others. His life and ministry are living examples of what it means to walk humbly with God and to love one's neighbor. I wholeheartedly recommend Pastor Bailley Schmidt, knowing that wherever God places him, He will continue to serve faithfully, spreading love and being a source of light and strength to the community. With gratitude and respect,

    Kenny McCallister, Pauls Valley SDA

  • We know that medical missionary work, including the promotion of the Lord’s original diet of whole plant foods, is a powerful and important outreach and in-reach ministry for preparing souls for the Lord’s soon return. As Health Ministries Leader for the Ardmore SDA Church, I have always greatly appreciated Bailley Schmidt’s enthusiastic, positive support and promotion of comprehensive medical missionary work.

    Diana Fleming, PhD LDN DipACLM, Ardmore SDA

  • Pastor Bailley is bright, both intellectually and spiritually. He is eager to do what is right in the Lord's eyes in accordance with scripture. He has been gifted with a good blend of courage and humility, and has a sincere love for souls.

    Wils Teal, Ardmore SDA

  • I love Bailley’s burden for lost souls and his willingness to study the Bible with anyone that is interested. He goes above and beyond his duty in this area. His knowledge and recall abilities of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy never cease to amaze me.

    Buddy Withers, Ardmore SDA

  • Pastor Bailley is knowledgeable and skilled in the delivery of his sermons and is dedicated to working with the children and young adults in the church.

    Margret Sanchez, Ardmore SDA

  • We are very blessed to have Pastor Bailley at Ardmore SDA Church. Paul and I have been members for 3 years and are always touched by his spirit-filled sermons. He was very involved in VBS this year which shows his love for children, his own and the children in the church. We are honored to have him as our pastor.

    Lorna Lonnstrom, Ardmore SDA

  • A modern day Daniel. Knows his God. Calls sin and hypocrisy by its right name.

    Mark LaFerr, Ardmore SDA

  • Pastor Bailley Schmidt is truly a man lead by God. He exhibits the true message of the Bible. I feel the presence of the Lord through the Holy Spirit when he speaks. Through his preaching and the Holy Spirit, my husband was baptized in the Pauls Valley SDA Church, an answered prayer of mine for many years. I was raised an SDA, but he has brought me closer in my walk with God! Your sister in Christ,

    Connie Christian, Pauls Valley SDA

  • To whom it may concern: I just wanted to give a short testimonial on my experience with Pastor Bailley Schmidt. First off, I had no idea this was his first church to pastor. Most of my adult life, I’ve worked for different pastors in several denominations. The bar was set pretty high for me when I worked for a wonderful Pastor who was the president of the Oklahoma Southern Baptist Convention. The Lord has led me to work alongside pastors in different ways and all of them have taught me something that I’ve carried with me on my journey. Then the Lord said, “I’ve got someone I need you to meet.” So after leaving the SDA church for several years, I came back. I didn’t know why I was back, I just knew I was being obedient. As I’ve watched him preach and pray and witness to strangers and serve communities and even make cornbread, I’ve come to see a man who not only has a calling on his life, but he walks out that calling by living in a daily relationship with his Savior. He’s the most genuine pastor I’ve ever met. Yes, he’s had struggles trying to balance family & responsibilities, and still making himself available to his congregations. Although I’m not an expert or a judge by any means, but church staff are usually the first ones to see cracks in someone’s foundation. Pastor Bailley Schmidt is built on the rock of Jesus Christ. I’ve been blessed to serve with him and been encouraged to grow in my own relationship with Jesus!

    Lisa Rollings, Pauls Valley SDA

While slander may blacken the reputation, it cannot stain the character. That is in God's keeping. So long as we do not consent to sin, there is no power, whether human or satanic, that can bring a stain upon the soul. A man whose heart is stayed upon God is just the same in the hour of his most afflicting trials and most discouraging surroundings as when he was in prosperity, when the light and favor of God seemed to be upon him. His words, his motives, his actions, may be misrepresented and falsified, but he does not mind it, because he has greater interests at stake.

— Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 32