July 17, 2000
TOGETHER:
Partnership missions efforts take Texans far and wide
___One of the delightful challenges of my work is becoming familiar with the multitude of wonderful ministries that are being encouraged, planned, led or resourced by the men and women who work for Texas Baptists. For example, look at our Texas Partnerships office, led by Don Sewell and Joe Bruce, both experienced missionaries.
___While on vacation at our daughter's family in Portland, Ore., I visited with Jeff Iorg, executive director for the Northwest Baptist Convention. Jeff grew up in Abilene, a member of Elm Crest Baptist Church.
___He is excited about the growing strength of their work in Oregon and Washington. There are now 450 Baptist churches in cooperation with their convention.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___Recently they elected a president of their convention who grew up in Washington, was saved and called to preach in one of their churches and was prepared for ministry in the Golden Gate Seminary extension located in the convention offices in Vancouver, Wash. This was a milestone in the 50-year history of Southern Baptists in the Northwest.
___Jeff told me about the partnership mission projects ongoing in his convention with Texas Baptist churches and associations.
___He said the efforts have been mutually beneficial as interim pastors have arrived to help at crucial times, volunteer builders have shown up to help with church construction, outreach projects have been initiated or strengthened, and youth groups have come to sing and do mission ministries.
___At the beautiful convention offices, Mission Service Corps volunteers from Texas have set up their RVs and provided landscaping and maintenance service for their facility.
___Additionally, we have partnership mission efforts underway with the Northeastern Baptist conventions, Germany and Spain, to name a few.
___At First Baptist Church of Tolland, Conn., a need arose for help with a stewardship emphasis. I heard about it because Rosemary and I have another daughter and her family who are members of the church.
___Bob Eklund, who directs our stewardship offices, made contact with the pastor and now will be going to help that church, as he has so many of our Texas churches.
___A letter arrived from Nolan Duck, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lufkin, telling of the thrilling experience his church recently had in Glauchau, Germany.
___A group of young neo-Nazis showed up for a youth rally. It looked ominous; the local leaders were worried. But prayerfully, relying on God's guidance and grace, they went ahead with the services and God provided another lesson in his providential care. The churches were strengthened, the good news of Jesus Christ was shared, the courage the gospel gives was manifested, and people were saved.
___This fall, I will go to Spain with some pastors and wives to return a visit from the executive secretary of the Spanish Baptist Union. Texas Baptist Hispanic leaders are vitally involved in this new partnership mission assignment.
___When people ask you what it means to be a Texas Baptist, you can tell them it means being on mission for God in a world that desperately needs to know how much ...
___We are loved.
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