August 11, 1999
GRACE & PEACE:
Texas Baptist schools offer
strength, today & tomorrow
___"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
___The Baptist General Convention of Texas is unique in a number of ways. For example, more schools are fostered by the BGCT than by any other Baptist body in the world. Soon after organizing the first churches and the first association, Texas Baptists organized for missions and education. Ever since, these two emphases have been primary.
___Eight universities, three seminaries, an academy and a mission learning center are a vital part of the convention's life. The BGCT contributes to the schools in a number of ways, such as electing trustees, assisting in recruitment and development programs, andproviding Cooperative Program and other funds.
WILLIMA M. PINSON JR.
Executive Director,
BGCT Executive Board
___The schools also contribute greatly to the convention and to the cooperative Baptist effort to help fulfill the Great Commission. The schools see themselves as an integral part of the missions as well as the BGCT's education ministry.
___The strength of the schools has increased through the years. All of the schools are on a sound financial basis. Enrollments and endowments have grown, as has the number of faculty, staff and students involved in missions and ministry. Record after record has been set in the number of students enrolled in the schools.
___The vitality of BGCT schools is seen when compared with other Baptist schools. For example, the eight Texas Baptist universities make up one-sixth of the 48 schools related to the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools, yet the enrollment is almost one-third of the total, or 30,866 out of 111,091.
___Even more remarkable and encouraging for the future of Texas Baptists is the number of students preparing for church-related ministries in Texas Baptist schools. Our schools report a total of 3,623 such students. This is almost half of all the students preparing for church-related vocations in Southern Baptist schools throughout the nation.
___The strength of Baptist life in Texas is due in large measure to the Baptist schools, which our ancestors under God's leadership sacrificed to found and to support. These institutions have provided ministerial and lay leadership for Baptist life not only in Texas but also throughout the nation and the world. How thankful we should be for the vision and dedication of those who have left us the legacy of a number of strong Baptist schools.
___The leadership of the schools desires that the institutions be academically excellent, distinctively Christian and unapologetically Baptist. For these qualities to remain a vital part of the schools requires the constant prayer, support and involvement of Texas Baptists. History is littered with formerly Christian schools that were allowed to stray from the purposes of their founders. Texas Baptist schools are committed to seeing this does not happen here.
___Please pray in thanksgiving for the blessings of God on the schools related to the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Pray the schools will forever receive the support necessary to keep them on the course set by their founders. And pray for staff, faculty and students as they begin another school year.
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