June 24, 2002
Layman's goal: Get more men and boys on mission
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___Wayne Maddox did not grow up with Texas Baptist Men. He has just grown with them.
___Maddox, an associational Brotherhood director in 1954, now is the regional leader of Texas Baptist Men Region 6 and the adult men's and ministry director of Canadian County as well as a member of the agricultural missions committee of Texas Baptist Men. He has changed and grown with the men as they discovered better ways to meet people's needs and share their testimony.
___"Christ was concerned with people, not making a name for himself," he said. "He would perform a miracle and tell the people not to tell anyone. That's really what Texas Baptist Men is all about."
___During his time in Texas Baptist Men, Maddox has seen the organization expand to include overseas projects as well as retirement builders. The men have responded to needs across the nation including a variety of disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes and the Sept. 11 tragedy. Such expansion has been key to the continued importance of the group, he believes.
___"They are more effective because they have more ministries," Maddox said. "They are reaching out to a broader spectrum of people. They are trying hard to touch men who are willing to go out and do mission work."
___Staying effective has not been easy, however. According to Maddox, changes in society have led to changes in the way the men organize efforts as well as the challenges they face.
___"People don't go to meetings like they used to," he said. "We used to have meetings just to get together and discuss things. Now everyone's gotten so busy it's become hard to get everyone together. It's become harder to get people involved in anything past local needs."
___Maddox also has adapted to be an outreaching member of Texas Baptist Men, especially working to improve agricultural techniques in Third World countries. He also has tried to provide an example of a Christian household by raising his children in a Christian home. His daughter currently is a missionary, and his son works at the Baptist General Convention of Texas as a church building consultant.
___Maddox, a retired rancher, said he has seen God do amazing work through Texas Baptist Men. And he has been inspired to greater service through the influence of the other men.
___"Contact with the (Texas Baptist Men) executive board and the other men has been the most amazing part of this. I thought I was doing a lot for the Lord, and I'd go to meetings and feel about an inch high."
___Maddox has been particularly active in attempting to get younger men and boys involved in missions, working to put on an annual fish fry in Pampa, where men can freely share testimonies about what they have experienced. Current members also meet men who may be interested in getting involved.
___"I'd like to see us get churches to get more men and boys in missions," he said. "I think these men have forgotten what they are to go out and do."
___The younger members add enthusiasm to the group and help inspire them toward more innovative projects, he said.
___Maddox continues to see results of his work and is proud of what he sees. "I can see some results of what I'm involved in. I could see I was helping people."
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