May 21, 2001
TOGETHER:
Bless the children, and pray for lost souls in Texas
___This summer, one of the finest colleagues in ministry with whom I have served will retire. Helen Waldrop served over 20 years at First Baptist Church of Arlington. She was my right arm in ministry to children.
___I am so very grateful for her and all who work with the children in our churches. Helen loves to help children come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Never was a child "pressured" to make a decision. But every step a child took toward God, she was there to encourage and bless. She led a class for hundreds of boys and girls who had made professions of faith that prepared them for baptism and church membership.
___Every year, she asked me to be the children's camp pastor. I watched her traincounselors, talk to children, plan activities and develop relationships with adult leaders and parents. It's that time again--summer camps for children and youth. Helen will miss camp like I do, but what she has accomplished will live on in the families, the children and grandchildren of the boys and girls she helped in their journey to faith and obedience.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___Last year, Texas Baptist churches sent 315,657 children and youth to our Baptist encampments. There were 7,820 professions of faith recorded and 7,982 rededications of life. There were 1,101 young people who expressed a willingness to answer God's call to service in ministry. These 30 camps are a crucial part of our Texas Baptist strategy to touch people of every age, in every part of Texas, with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
___Pray for the wonderful men and women who direct our camp ministries. The Baptist General Convention of Texas does not own any of these camps, but through our partnerships with the associations and camp leadership, we are able to assist and encourage their efforts. Red Colquitt, consultant to Texas Baptist encampments, helps our convention to network with these camps and their leaders so that many lives will be touched for Christ this year.
___If you have an opportunity to work in your church camp this summer, I encourage you to do so.
___I also encourage you to remember the effort to Pray the Perimeter of Texas (Orando Por El Perimetro de Texas). On June 2, the Saturday before Pentecost, thousands of Texas Baptists will be walking, boating, driving or flying the borders of Texas in order to pray earnestly for the spiritual health and welfare of Texas and beyond. We will pray for the blessings of the gospel to fall upon all people. We will pray for our leaders and our churches. We will pray that we Christians can be the presence of Christ in our world.
___Ted Elmore, director of the office of prayer and spiritual development, has worked with directors of missions around the state to help coordinate this effort. If you want to be a part of the prayerwalk, call your associational director of missions.
___On Sunday, June 3, Pentecost Sunday, many churches will be prayerwalking their property. If you want some help for your church for this special time of prayer, contact Ted Elmore at (214) 828-5114, call toll free at (800) 288-7729 or email elmore@bgct.org.
___Until we have prayed, there is nothing more important to do. After we have prayed, there is nothing of importance that we cannot do.
___Children and prayer--both are in the heart of Jesus.
___We are loved.
___
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