EDITORIAL:
Here's one way to impact
Texas for the coming century
___One hundred years from now, Texas Baptists will look back and say the Baptist General Convention of Texas' most significant scenario of the 21st century played out in San Antonio. Whether they look back in gladness or sadness is up to us.
___One of the institutions with tremendous potential to impact Texas in coming decades belongs to the BGCT. It's Hispanic Baptist Theological School in San Antonio.
___HBTS already has taught 75 percent of the leaders of 1,000 Hispanic congregations affiliated with the BGCT. But if Texas Baptists are serious about our intention to reach our state with the gospel, thousands more Hispanic churches are needed. Within 25 years, Hispanics will become the largest cultural group in Texas. Not long after that, they will become the majority population in the state. These facts must be reflected in the BGCT and its churches. Hispanic Baptist Theological School is the key--to providing those churches, to evangelizing lost people and to establishing the spiritual and moral climate of Texas for the coming century.
___You can read about the school's goals and plans and aspirations in this issue of the Standard. HBTS President Albert Reyes outlines the blueprint for the future--and reveals his passion for one of the BGCT's greatest assets--in an article written by Managing Editor Mark Wingfield.
___But knowledge isn't enough. Texas Baptist individuals, Sunday School classes, church groups and congregations can make a lasting impact on the state by strengthening Hispanic Baptist Theological School. You can:
___ Provide a book. State certification and national accreditation require a strong library, and HBTS is working hard to comply. Baptist Standard readers already provided 7,000 usable volumes in response to an appeal by BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade. Now, you can help the school acquire titles specifically requested by Librarian Edith Pequeño.
___On the Internet, go to her wish list at Amazon.com and you'll find a roster of the many books the school needs. You can buy a book online and have it shipped directly to the San Antonio campus. With an investment of five minutes and a few dollars, you can put the school farther down the road toward accreditation or certification.
___If you don't wish to order online, you can send a cash donation to the school at 8019 South Pan Am Expressway, San Antonio 78224. A $25 contribution will cover the cost of most titles.
___ Supply a journal. The library desperately needs academic journals. Pequeño can provide you or your group with a list of needs. Write to her at the school's mailing address or send her an e-mail at epequeno@hbts.edu.
___ Offer a scholarship. A gift of $540 provides a full scholarship for one student for one semester; $100 will buy that student's textbooks.
___ Fund a project. Whatever your interest or passion, HBTS has a need. For example:
___$800 for a business computer
___$2,500 for the chapel's sound system
___$4,200 for a portable video projector
___$10,000 to complete the library automation
___$10,000 for library shelves
___$10,000 for a tractor with a lawn mower
___$20,000 for five video projectors with VCRs
___$25,000 for faculty training
___$25,000 for a portable sound system
___$30,000 to fund a spiritual formation program
___$40,000 to help with student recruitment
___$40,000 for staff development and training
___$60,000 for computers to be used schoolwide
___$60,000 for computer network upgrades
___$60,000 for two passenger vans
___$75,000 for student center remodeling, repairs
___$100,000 to start a youth leadership summit
___$100,000 for an elevator
___$100,000 for three fire escapes
___$150,000 for the Hispanic Cultural Center
___$400,000 to buy all required library holdings
___ Pray. The new students who will begin classes this month--about 25 to 30 of them--specifically need prayer, as do the returning students, faculty, administration and support staff, as well as President Reyes. Pray also for new donors and churches that will lend their aid, and for the school's efforts to obtain certification and accreditation.
___ Volunteer. School administrators are planning some projects that will be labor-intensive and require volunteers with specific skills. For example, while campus facilities are well-constructed, some buildings need minor exterior repairs, such as painting and fascia-board patching. Also, in the library, volunteers are needed to enter data, affix labels and move books.
___ Extend your church's contribution. Churches that channel their Cooperative Program unified budget contributions through the BGCT Adopted Budget utilize the giving option that provides the school with the greatest proportion of funds. However, churches that wish to contribute through another Cooperative Program option can boost their financial support by designating funds for HBTS.
___However you support Hispanic Baptist Theological School, you will make a contribution toward the spiritual well-being of Texas.
___ —Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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.
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