TOGETHER:
Spirit revives churches across Texas
___All across Texas, churches are finding new life. My heart is thrilled as I hear stories about churches that were almost dead but now are lively and growing--reaching people with a new zeal that only the Holy Spirit can give.
___Sometimes the stories are about laypeople who would not give up and kept praying for God to send someone to help.
___Often the stories are about God working in his own ways to bring to the community a minister whom God called to make a difference in people's lives.
___As I have tr
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CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
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aveled to several associations for their annual meetings over the past few weeks, I have heard and seen three of these stories up close.
___ Searsville Baptist Church in Bos-que Baptist Association had died. But in recent years, the one-time rural area has become a growing bedroom community for commuters working in Waco. First Baptist Church of Valley Mills, which was started by Searsville Baptist Church more than 100 years ago, recognized the potential. Working with the BGCT Church Starting Center, First Baptist Church in Valley Mills and the association helped give the church new life.
___ Billy Bob Evans retired last spring after leading the girl's volleyball team from Jewett to more state championships than any other Texas coach. While he was still coaching, he went to preach at a small church in Leon Baptist Association that was without a pastor. Eventually, Marquez Baptist Church felt God leading them to call this deacon to be their pastor. Since Evans answered the call, the church is up and growing. Attendance, baptisms and offerings all have increased. And Pastor/Coach Evans has the young people in town coming to play volleyball in the church Family Life Center. Marquez Baptist Church is the liveliest place in town.
___ Cottonwood Baptist Church in Paluxy Baptist Association was down to three folks in church, but recently they had over 100 people present--and it wasn't homecoming Sunday! A few years ago, God used Pastor John Allen to help rejuvenate this dying rural church outside Glen Rose. People are being saved, and Christian folks who have been AWOL in the Lord's service are back in fellowship and growing in the Lord.
___Every year, a few of our churches die. Sometimes that is the very thing that had to happen for a new work of God to begin. But sometimes, it is because there was no one who answered God's calling. Sometimes, the members have been through so much discouragement that they feel they can go no further.
___Pray for church members that God will give them hope and a will to love their communities so much that they cannot walk away.
___Pray for ministers across our state who could make a big difference in lives by serving church fields where there is a need.
___Pray that God will bring together churches that need ministers and ministers who need churches.
___Our BGCT Church Starting Center and the church health and growth section are available to assist associations and churches to plan ways to help your church come alive to the needs of your community and become again the presence of Christ in your part of the world.
___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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