June 23, 1999
GEACE & PEACE:
Hispanic Texas Baptists
are vital to Christ's mission
___"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10
___The "good tidings," that is the "gospel," brings the possibility of great joy for all people. The New Testament writers emphasized the "all," stressing that the good news about Jesus Christ was for male and female, slave and free, Jew and Gentile. No "people group" is excluded. Every ethnic, racial and cultural group is included.
___The Baptist General Convention of Texas reflects this fact about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as people and churches of numerous "people groups" cooperate through the convention. The gospel is shared in more than 40 different languages in Texas Baptistchurches each Sunday.
WILLIM M. PINSON JR..
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___One of the largest of these "peoples," the Hispanic, comprises a large part of the BGCT and provides numerous leaders for the convention. Churches related to the BGCT which are predominantly Hispanic now number approximately 1,000, and this number grows daily. The largest number of churches currently being started by Texas Baptists is Hispanic.
___The strong emphasis on reaching Hispanic Texans for Christ is in keeping with the population of Texas. Now numbering more than one-fourth of the state's population, Hispanic Texans are at the leading edge of Texas' population boom.
___A comprehensive strategy to make and mature disciples of Hispanics in Texas was developed in this decade by Hispanic and other Texas Baptist leaders. Termed Vision 2000, the strategy sets forth bold efforts to reach the vast Hispanic population for Christ. One of the major goals relates to starting new churches, a goal which is being fulfilled in the launching of hundreds of new churches.?
___Hispanic Texas Baptists comprise a significant part of the BGCT and play a major role in the leadership of the convention. For example, Hispanic Texas Baptists serve on the committees, commissions and boards of the convention and its related institutions and agencies giving excellent leadership.
___The Hispanic Baptist Convention fulfills a very significant part in the life of Hispanic Texas Baptists. The Hispanic Baptist Convention meets annually for fellowship, business and inspiration. The officers and various ministries of the convention encourage and assist the growing number of Hispanic Baptist churches in our state.
___The Hispanic Baptist Convention meets this year in Wichita Falls June 28-30. The president of the convention, Rudy Camacho, and other elected officers will guide the hundreds of people who gather in a time of celebration of the year's victories and of strategizing for the coming year's efforts. One of the highlights of the gathering will be reports on the progress of Vision 2000.
___Please pray for the efforts to reach "all people" with the "good tidings" of Jesus Christ. Pray especially for the evangelistic and discipleship efforts related to Hispanic Texans. And pray for the meeting of the Hispanic Baptist Convention.
___P.S.: It is encouraging to know how carefully some people read this column! Last week's column should have stated that it was one of David's sons who raped one of David's daughters, not one of Abraham's. (2 Samuel 13:1-21)
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