April 17, 2000
TOGETHER:
Texas Baptists touch ordinary
people with God's love
___The vision that is taking shape in my heart and mind is that God wants Texas Baptists to put our arms around this state and hug it up close to God. Part of what that means is that we want to be used by God to love people in such a way that we make a difference in people's lives.
___Jesus repeatedly confronted the religious and those who trusted in their own goodness with the sinfulness of their neglect of and self-righteous condemnation of others. He was far more popular with the ordinary people than he was with religious leaders.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___This must be a warning to all of us who read the Baptist Standard, who hold office in our church ministries, who are pastors, Bible study leaders, religion professors and denominational servants. If we do not immerse ourselves in the spirit of Jesus, if our churches and institutions do not intentionally seek to be the presence of Jesus in our communities and state, then we run counter to Jesus.
___This week, I met a couple of people who are finding great joy and satisfaction in living out their sense of the call of God. Harold Ellis is a layman who found his calling in working with criminal offenders, inmates in the prison system of our state. He founded J.A.I.L ministries in Belton as he found a need in the Bell County jail. Jesus Acts in Inmates Lives is the name and the deep conviction of those who work in this ministry to inmates and their families.
___Across the state there are more than 200,000 men and women incarcerated in our Texas prisons. For every inmate there are four other people directly impacted by this separation from family.
___Many Texas Baptists are volunteers working in jails across the state to help share the love of Jesus and his power to change lives.
___I asked Harold what is the thing that gets the attention of the inmates and helps them want to change. He has a shelf full of inspirational reading; they give Bibles; they contact families and seek to encourage continuing communication.
___He said, "It's the time we spend with them in the jail. They can't believe anyone would care enough to want to be in jail with them if they don't have to be." It is the surprising act of kindness, the unexpected moments of compassion and faith that often break through a hard or hurting heart and help people get a glimpse of Jesus (Matthew 25:34-40).
___David Dover is one of more than 100 Baptist student ministers in our state who are working on 124 college or university campuses. David serves McLennan County Community College and Texas State Technical College in Waco.
___David and I had breakfast together and talked about reaching out to college students. He has a great heart and a great vision for touching the lives of these students. A young mother dropped by and sat down to visit. Her testimony of what God has done in her life through the work of the BSM made me glad to be a Texas Baptist. They are touching people for Christ at a critical time in their lives.
___Together, Texas Baptists, we can touch this state for Jesus Christ. In all these special places, and hundreds of others, we are forming a network of compassion and gospel presence which is making a difference in people's lives. Other people need to know ...
___We are loved.
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