July 9, 2001

TOGETHER:
Thank God for Texas' Hispanic Baptist Convention
___At the Hispanic Baptist Convention meeting in Abilene recently, I experienced again the richness of the fellowship and vision that nurtures and energizes our Hispanic hermanos and hermanas (brothers and sisters).
___In the process, I was reminded once more of the vital role of our Hispanic Baptist Theological School in San Antonio. More than 25 percent of our 20 million people in Texas are Hispanic. And our school is the only theological training institution in the United

CHARLES WADE Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

States devoted to developing Hispanic Baptist leaders who will carry the gospel of Christ to a huge mission field in Texas, across the United States and around the world.
___This past semester, 282 students were enrolled--75 on the main campus and 207 in off-campus centers. Eighteen graduated. Albert Reyes, president of the school, anticipates 375 students enrolled this fall, with 175 at the main campus.
___A "Timothy Project" is under way to link scholarship help to students who need financial aid. The project is designed to provide qualified students with full tuition for the first year and half of the tuition costs for the second year.
___President Reyes told me the school is receiving numerous calls and checks, books for the library and volunteers. Texas Baptists are responding to a sense that we all can play a part in helping fulfill the school's vision to become the "premier equipper of cross-cultural ministry leaders who serve in a multicultural context."
___Many graduates of the school are serving in the new Hispanic congregations Texas Baptists continue to plant. During the five years of the Texas 2000 emphasis, Texas Baptists started 621 Hispanic churches. Since January, Texas Baptists have started 102 more Hispanic churches. Now there are 1,139 Hispanic congregations in Texas. Many are growing. Their Cooperative Program giving is up 25 percent over a year ago. ?
___The most creative and aggressive church planter I know is Otto Arrango of Getsemeni Baptist Church in McAllen. He has developed materials for teaching lay people how to plant new churches. We are seeing God bless in extraordinary ways this fertile field.
___The Hispanic Convencion was a great celebration.
___Highlights included the presidential address by Antonio Estrada of South Main Baptist Church in Houston; messages to the convention by Mateo Rendon of Primera Baptist Church in Corpus Christi and Jimmy Garcia of the BGCT; the awarding of the Rudy and Michaela Camacho college scholarships; the music of the choirs and the congregation; and the commissioning of Rick Davis as director of strategic evangelism for Texas Baptists. Convencion President Estrada offered the prayer of dedication on behalf of all of us for Rick and his wife, Joan.
___In the Pastors' Conference led by Rolando Lopez, pastor of Northwest Multicultural Church in San Antonio, I was touched by the testimony of Crox Quintanilla, who leads the New Life Shelter street ministry for Second Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. I was moved by the old, old story of how God touches the most frightened and helpless among us and transforms people into growing disciples of Christ.
___Sometimes we get so removed from the power of the gospel to change lives that we forget why we are in the work we are in. Spending time at the Hispanic Convencion helped me remember again why I love the work I do for Texas Baptists.
___God, bless our people, our churches, our efforts to be where you are at work every day.
___We are loved.
___

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