River Ministry gives Bell Awards to two
___By Becky Holt
___For Texas Baptist Communications
___CORPUS CHRISTI--Texas Baptist River Ministry honored two churches Oct. 31 that are making a difference in the lives of the millions of people living along the Texas-Mexico border.
___The River Ministry's annual luncheon drew 150 people to Bayfront Plaza Convention

THE RIVER MINISTRY presented its annual Bell Awards to two churches Oct. 31 in Corpus Christi. Elmin Howell (center), namesake of the awards, stands with Aaron de la Torre (left), of Iglesia Bautista de la Comunidad in Pharr, and Nicolas Hernandez Portillo of Iglesia Bautista Monte de los Olivos in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Photo by Ferrell Foster)

Center. The Baptist General Convention of Texas ministry honored Iglesia Bautista de la Comunidad in Pharr and Iglesia Bautista Monte de los Olivos in Juarez, Mexico, with the Elmin Howell Jr. Bell Award.
___Comunidad, where Aaron de la Torre is pastor, was recognized for tremendous growth it has experienced within the last two years. The congregation started two years ago with only four families, Torre said. One year later, 400 people celebrated the church's first anniversary.
___The young church already has started 40 preaching points along the Rio Grande, and its goal is to start 100, Torre said.
___"There is no other objective but to be found faithful when God returns for us," he explained.
___Bautista Monte de los Olivos, where Nicolas Hernandez Portillo is pastor, was recognized for planting new churches in Juarez. Its goal is to start 3,000 new congregations for the 3 million people living in Juarez, Portillo said. It has committed to start one new mission each year.
___Elmin Howell, founder of the Rio Grande River Ministry, presented the awards to the pastors. The Bell Award was created 30 years ago to honor churches for their mission work along the Rio Grande.
___In honor of his retirement in February 2001, James Semple, director of the BGCT State Missions Commission, was given a miniature bell in appreciation for his support of border ministry. In addition, he was given a quilt made by women from across the river.
___Cantico del Cordero, a group of young men from Primera Iglesia Bautista in Piedras Negras, Mexico, provided the music.
___Dexton Shores, director of River Ministry, ended the luncheon by asking Texas Baptists to pray for the mobilization of forces to reach the multitudes coming to the border each day.
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