February 23, 2000
TOGETHER:
Thank God for laypeople
who strengthen Texas churches
___The two of us were high in the air, flying to Midland/ Odessa when Bill Noble put the plane on autopilot and handed me two devotional books. So I read Scripture, and we prayed together.
___As I noted the devotion of this layman from First Baptist Church in Brownfield, I rejoiced in the strength that the lay leaders in our Baptist churches bring to our work for Christ in Texas.
___Jim Furgerson, director of Texas Baptist Men, enlisted three pilots and three planes to fly me to 13 cities in Texas the week of Feb. 7 so I could get acquainted with the religioneditors of the local press. I went to share the story of missions outreach and ministry involvement that defines who we are as Texas Baptists.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___I found them to be interested and knowledgeable about our work. I told them the BGCT wants to make a difference for good and for God in Texas and the world. And I told them I would be available to talk when they needed me.
___Deborah Fikes, member of the missions committee of First Baptist Church in Midland, met us and took us to a luncheon she and her husband, Stan, had arranged for several local leaders in mission work. She had carefully prepared the local religion writer for our interview and, as I talked to the reporter, I silently thanked God for the incredible dedication and sensitive mission spirit of people like the Fikeses and their friends who are deeply devoted to the God who loves this world and wants everyone to be saved.
___On Thursday night, Rosemary and I went with laypeople Robert and Sally Walker of First Baptist Church in Arlington to a Larry Gatlin concert at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth and listened to yet another Texas Baptist layman. I hadn't expected to feel like I had been to church that evening, but Larry Gatlin gave witness to God, the Son and Holy Spirit, in a most appealing and moving way. He claimed his pastor, Gerald Mann of Riverbend Baptist Church in Austin, had approved his jokes! He appealed to Jesus to help him through some Roy Orbison lyrics. He wasn't pushing the faith on his audience, but he clearly knew where his strength came from.
___At the end, there was a prolonged standing ovation, and he returned to say: "When I get to heaven, I hope they'll let me sing one song for everyone. If they do, this will be my song:
___Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, my Father,
___There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
___Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
___As thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be."
___And then he said, "Now my favorite verse of all ..."
___Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
___Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
___Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
___Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
___Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
___Morning by morning, new mercies I see;
___All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided;
___Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
___Anyone there with even half an ear to hear heard the good news. And I prayed: "Thank you, God, for Baptist laypeople like those I've met this week who love you so much that they want everyone to know you."
___We are loved!
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