TOGETHER:
God's work among Texas Baptists produces full heart
___My heart is full. There are stories why.
___God spoke to me at this year's Evangelism Conference. In the music and messages, in the breakout sessions and in personal conversations, I sensed a new energy among Texas Baptists to make a difference in our state, church-by-church and community-by-community.
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CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
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___I talked with a young pastor from the Valley. He has seen his old, established church come alive in the last few years as members have caught a vision of what it means to be a church that reflects its community.
___As I listened to his story, there was no boasting. It was about God and the people. And I rejoiced at how God can use an inexperienced--but gifted--pastor to lovingly lead a congregation into a new way of being church. As we walked the five blocks back to our hotel, I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving for what God is doing in the lives of our young pastors.
___Then I heard about a 72-year-old retired pastor who was asked to preach at a church attended by only two women-- the pianist and the organist!
___He agreed to come if they would call as many people as they could in their rural community, inviting them back to church. On the appointed Sunday, 30 people were present. The two church survivors were thrilled.
___The retired pastor came back the next Sunday--and the next. In the last two years, God has blessed that church with 300 additions, half of them by baptism. Many of these people had no recent church background.
___The church now needs more room, and the BGCT church facilities staff is working with them to design fellowship, education and worship space.
___God has and is doing a new thing in a place that had been given up for dead.
___Sounds just like our God, don't you think?
___The rapid response of Texas Baptist Men following recent events in Central America touches my heart, as well.
___Within hours after a terrible earthquake hit El Salvador, our Texas Baptist disaster relief team was on site. Twelve Texas Baptist Men set up two field kitchens. Working long hours in rugged conditions, they fed up to 10,000 people a day.
___One afternoon, 35 people standing in the serving lines heard the gospel and prayed to receive Jesus Christ. In less than two weeks, at least 300 people came to faith in Jesus as a direct result of Texas Baptists' disaster relief ministry.
___In the months ahead, more Texas Baptist volunteers will travel to El Salvador to help with recovery and rebuilding.
___Your prayers for these men and their ministries are vital to their continued success, and your offerings to support their service in Christ's name are needed. Resources have been stretched thin. This would be a good time to help.
___You can give through your church or send your contribution directly to Texas Baptist Men, Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 North Washington, Dallas 75246-1798.
___Praise God for what pastors and lay people are doing for our Lord all across Texas and around the world. I am grateful for the partnership that Texas Baptists have in these amazing ministries.
___Let us keep praying for one another.
___And let us cheer one another on as we watch what God will do in and through us.
___We are loved.
The Baptist Standard
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