November 18, 2002
TOGETHER:
Recall children, missions network
___I suspect the 2002 meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be remembered for two things. One was the creation of a world missions network. The other was that stirring moment when the Korean children's choir sang "Jesus Loves Me," moving among the messengers to hug all they could reach. There were tears in many eyes--even reporters who came to cover the convention.
___It wasn't according to schedule. As I stood to bring my report, the children gathered behind me. They were supposed to be on stage a little later, just before a message by Billy Kim, president of the Baptist World Alliance. But there they were. I knew I couldn't preach with them standing there. In the first place, they were so attractive with their smiling faces and striking garb, no one would have listened to a thing I might say. In the second place, no children, even ones as disciplined as these, should have to stand for 20 minutes while a preacher brings a message. Improvising, I read the text and introduced the children. They began to sing. What a glorious gift they were. And how they prepared our hearts for the report that followed.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___It was my privilege to encourage adoption of our new Texas Cooperative Program budget. Our 2003 giving plan enables churches to support missions work around the world through either the Southern Baptist Convention or Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as each church desires. At the same time, it supports BGCT missions work in Texas and in partnership and networking efforts around the world.
___About half of the BGCT Cooperative Program budget supports institutional ministries that provide $4.25 billion worth of ministry and service to the people of Texas each year, touching more than 10 percent of the Texas population. The other half supports services to churches. It helps churches do missions, start new churches, develop Bible study and discipleship ministries, increase stewardship and lead capital campaigns. It helps churches in evangelism, building plans, music, worship and prayer ministries. It enables us to serve churches in conflict and provide intentional interim services and counseling for ministers and their families. Support for Texas Partnerships, Mission Service Corps, Texas Baptist Men and River Ministry are all in the BGCT Cooperative Program budget.
___The great new challenge we were able to offer at the convention was the establishment of a world missions network. This network is generating enormous excitement. My greatest concern is that we will not be able to move fast enough to meet churches' expectations. We will meet very soon to select the board as mandated in the resolution, and then the board will select a leader for the network.
___Please pray that God will accomplish through this network more than we have known before. I believe this new entity can generate more missions involvement, more connections to places where we need to be and more opportunities to help missionaries--those already on the field and those who want to serve. The network will link churches to missions opportunities.
___The world missions network represents the way missions work increasingly will be done in the future. I believe every Texas Baptist church personally can experience missions work in its community and around the world. And the world missions network will help churches achieve that goal.
___We are loved.
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