February 17, 1999
Texas among partners looking to Northeast
___RICHMOND, Va.--Baptists in Texas, Virginia and other Southern states are exploring a new strategy of evangelizing the American Northeast in partnership with Baptists in that region.
___A general sketch of the undertaking--tentatively called the Northeast Project--was outlined at a Jan. 26 consultation in Richmond, attended by representatives of state Baptist conventions in Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland/Delaware, Minnesota/Wisconsin, New England, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania/South Jersey and Texas.
___Although the forum was the third connected with the project, many details remain to be settled. However, those attending the all-day session expressed a deep desire to accelerate the spread of an evangelical witness in the Northeast, one of the most secularized regions of the country and home to nearly a quarter of the nation's population.
___"This potentially will provide Texas Baptists a new stimulus to increase our role in winning our country to Christ," said Don Sewell, director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas partnership office. "We are always happy to explore new facets of partnering here and across America to maximize our combined resources."
___A tentative set of priorities discussed Jan. 26 focuses on starting new congregations, aiding the growth and development of existing churches, developing a ministry to college and university students and offering leadership training.
___Traditionally, Southern Baptist ministry in the Northeast has been led by the SBC's North American Mission Board. Additional support has been provided by one-on-one partnerships with older, established state conventions in the South.
___The Northeast Project will provide a new dimension to partnerships through its multi-state approach.
___Participants at the Richmond meeting were careful to say their efforts do not conflict with NAMB and are not motivated by ill-will toward the agency or the SBC.Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!