TOGETHER:
Myriad BGCT ministries makes the Lord's heart glad
___My dad had a heart for people. I still can hear him praying for the lost and the needy as we would sit around the dinner table. When God called me into the ministry, I prayed, "Lord, give me a heart for people like my father has." I suppose I knew it, but it was only

CHARLES WADE Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

later that I began to realize that my daddy's heart was that way because of Jesus. He wanted to be faithful in every part of his life to the Savior.
___Matthew said of Jesus, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).
___What do you see when you look at your community, at Texas and the world?
___Our churches are the body of Christ in each community (Ephesians 4:11-16). We flesh out the presence of Jesus so people can feel his heart, hear his words and respond to his welcome. The compassion that moved his heart should move our hearts as well.
___You could tell stories about how your church is responding every day to people who need the love of God.
___Let me briefly share three examples of what is happening around Texas as a result of your giving through the Baptist General Convention of Texas Cooperative Program and the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas missions.
___A new church, Casa de Restauracion, was started 16 months ago. Eric DiCesare is the pastor. They regularly have 270 in worship who come from 23 Central and South American countries. Each Sunday, they choose one flag, and the folks from that country stand as the congregation prays for that country. On Memorial Sunday, they plan to baptize 70 to 80 people in an outdoor baptismal service. They are giving to missions and are deeply involved in the life of our convention.
___Mission Service Corps volunteer Carole Ross reports: "In December, I spoke with Olin Baptist Church. They have about 20 members. They provided $450 to help purchase a copier for the Mountain View prison chaplaincy department. Other churches provided the remaining $300. I have seen the body of Christ come together in unity to meet the needs of the Lord's mission field here in Gatesville. I am mentoring with a woman who was on death row. My mission is to prepare her for going home when she is released. On March 25, Elaine Barnett and I led three worship services back to back. Thirteen inmates were saved. To God be the glory!"
___One of our least-known ministries is to ministers in crisis. Dan McGee leads the Counseling and Psychological Services Center for Texas Baptists. In the last four months, Dan has given 151 hours of counseling to ministers and their families. He has arranged to help subsidize 187 hours of counseling for ministers through our referral network. He has contacted directors of missions across the state to help ministers in their associations.
___These are the kind of ministries you make possible when you give your offerings through your local church. God gives us a fresh blessing when we take a moment to consider that what we gave last Sunday already is making a difference in many lives for Christ.
___I believe it makes our Lord's heart glad when he sees his children caring for people like he does.
___We are loved.
___

The Baptist Standard