TOGETHER:
Institutional decisions illustrate strength of BGCT
___Many Americans in recent days have received encouraging notes from friends outside the United States.
___Eric Watson was a Baptist leader in Scotland for many years. He and his wife, Betty, are longtime frie
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CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
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nds of my family and our church. The Watsons wrote our congregation a few days ago expressing love and concern for all that America has been through this month. They concluded their kind note: "God, bless America. Yours sincerely in Jesus."
___It has been gratifying to Americans to hear people from other lands express appreciation for our country. And their prayer has become a prayer across this nation: "God, bless America."
___In our time of prayer with fasting last week, God gave to Texas Baptists another great gift as we interceded for one another, for Baptists everywhere, for those who lead our country and for those who grieve with a terrible emptiness in their hearts.
___You will read articles in this Baptist Standard describing significant decisions made by the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas last week. God answered the prayers of many concerned Texas Baptists as we reached agreement on key matters related to three of our institutions--Buckner Benevolences in Dallas, Baptist Health System of San Antonio and Houston Baptist University. News articles outline details of the agreements.
___After the board approved the recommendations regarding these three institutions, I reminded board members about the scope of our life together in the BGCT. These institutions are among 23 affiliated with the BGCT. These three particular institutions are located in our state's three largest cities, providing a strong and vital Baptist witness there in partnership with our churches. They represent the three major ways Texas Baptists have sought to serve God and the people of Texas through our institutions--ministry to children and families, ministry to the sick and ministry to students.
___The details of each negotiation are different because of different circumstances and needs. But in each instance, Baptist leaders worked together through very difficult issues and came out with proposals that are good for the institutions and good for Texas Baptists and the BGCT.
___Our Christian--and distinctively Baptist--witness has been affirmed. The institutions continue to have a relationship to the BGCT that is loyal and unique. They have been given the opportunity to succeed and grow in changing environments. Our opportunities for significant service to the people of Texas and the world have been increased.
___I am very grateful for those who lead our Texas Baptist institutions--trustees and administrators. These men and women have a heart for God, for people and for our Baptist witness.
___Three different locations, three different ministries, three different sets of issues and three good solutions!
___Thank you, Keith Bruce, coordinator of institutional ministries for the BGCT, for your tireless leadership. Thank you, Christian Education Coordinating Board and Human Welfare Coordinating Board, for your patient and faithful work through this entire process. Thank you, negotiating committees, for serving so very cautiously and prayerfully to bring us finally to the best solutions possible. Thank you, boards and administrators of Buckner, Baptist Health System and HBU, for hard work and good-faith efforts to bring the deliberations to a mutually beneficial conclusion.
___We will work together for the glory of God and the good of his people.
___We are loved.
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
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