January 13, 1999
GRACE & PEACE:
Good News abounds at
the beginning of a new year___"But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. ... Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:6-7).___Good news is always welcome news. And good news continues for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
___For example, we can rejoice that a record number of people were baptized in Texas Baptist churches last year.
___The first part of the Texas 2000 vision is "to share Jesus with every person in Texas by the year 2000," and as people pray and evangelize, thevision is being fulfilled. Record numbers of people are making professions of faith in Jesus Christ and being baptized in his name. Thus the sharing of the Good News makes possible this good news for Baptists in Texas.
___This good news is the result of prayerful effort by many parts of the Texas Baptist family. Churches lead the way, but other entities play a big part in sharing the gospel with lost people. Baptist associational ministries, the various ministries of the State Missions Commission, schools, children's ministries, medical centers, Baptist Student Ministries, Texas Baptist Men, Woman's Missionary Union of Texas, encampments and others carry out direct evangelism constantly resulting in thousands of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. To God be the glory, we are part of a family that makes evangelism priority.
___Another major good news report deals with financial stewardship. The treasurer's office of the Baptist General Convention of Texas reports that last year was a record year for financial contributions through the convention, with every offering showing an increase. What a marvelous testimony this is to God's grace and to the faithfulness of his people, especially in light of the devastating impact on the state's economy by terrible droughts and floods last year.
___Such a sterling record of financial support of the Lord's work evidences team effort. Each part of the family of Baptists in Texas emphasizes biblical stewardship and the importance of tithes and offerings to provide resources for fulfilling the Great Commission. In-creased giving in the midst of economic adversity also reveals the commitment of God's people to God's work and the confidence they have in the cooperative efforts of Texas Baptists.
___Of course, the best good news is the Good News. A new year affords opportunity to rededicate ourselves to sharing the Good News with people in our state, nation and world through personal witness and through missions giving. Records in baptisms and in financial support are not ends in themselves but means to the end of glorifying God by lifting up his Son in order that people might be saved.
___Surely the Baptist family in Texas will not rest on the God-given victories of the past year but will move into the new year with prayer, dedication and effort to help make the good news of this year even better.
___Please pray giving thanks to God for the Good News of the gospel. Pray also in thanksgiving for the good news that he made possible for the family of Baptists in Texas this past year. And pray that we will be faithful in sharing the Good News in the year to come.Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!