November 18, 2002

A VOLUNTEER from the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention cuts cheese to give away to messengers in the exhibit hall.

Minnesota-Wisconsin link celebrated
___By Miranda Bradley
___For Texas Baptist Communications
___WACO--In 1953, Texas Baptists adopted seven churches that needed guidance, counsel and financial support--one in Minnesota and six in Wisconsin. Today, the partnership has spawned 150 congregations with 16,000 members.
___Those congregations in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention still feel a connection to Texas Baptists, speakers said during the annual fellowship gathering at the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session.
___"This has been a very longstanding, happy relationship which has proven to be a wonderful thing for Texas Baptists," said E.B. Brooks, coordinator of the BGCT's church missions and evangelism section.
___Tong Zong Vang, executive director of the Hmong Baptist Fellowship in Saint Paul, Minn., shared his history as a southeast Asian immigrant. "I was the only one in my family who came to Christ," he said.
___He began his ministry by converting 17 Hmong families within his first two years in the U.S. Today, he directs Bible shipments. In Thailand, Vang's efforts helped bring 700 Thailand residents to Christ.
___Forty-six years after forming the partnership between Texas Baptists with their northern brothers and sisters, Wisconsin boasts one church for every 83,807 people and Minnesota one church for every 109,322 residents.
___"People said the suburbs in Minnesota were the graveyard for new churches," explained Phil Faig, pastor of Northwood Community Church in Maple Grove, Minn. Faig's church planted itself in an upscale suburb with 23 families. Now, Northwood has a 65-family membership, bringing its congregation to 300 members.
___"Thank you for daring to dream big dreams for us," Faig concluded. "May we continue to partner together to perform the work of God's hands."

The Baptist Standard



News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

---

Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook