July 1, 2002
TOGETHER:
Lift together to bring Texas to Jesus
___Someone defined the church word "fellowship" as "a bunch of fellows in the same ship." And if the ship goes down, we all go down. In every ship, some ride while others work. Some complain the whole journey, and others find delight in almost everything.
___That reminds me of the cynical observation comparing the church to Noah's ark: "If it weren't for the storm on the outside, you couldn't have stood the stink on the inside."
___Churches aren't perfect. My pastor said last Sunday, "All of us at this church are recovering hypocrites!" It was his way of reminding all of us there is no room for self-righteousness. There is welcome and mercy in the Savior's invitation to come and find rest.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___When a church falls in love with Jesus Christ and hearts are opened to all the people around them, something happens in the texture of the church. When the congregation begins to think about life and people the way Jesus did, everything changes. People are not very interested in converting people to churches or even Christianity. But they will invite friends to join them in experiencing the presence of Jesus in Bible study and worship.
___Mark tells the story of four friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. They couldn't get in the door because it was crowded. The people who were already in Jesus' presence would not make room for the man on the stretcher. The four climbed the steps to the roof, cut a hole in the ceiling and lowered their friend down in front of Jesus. "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, you're sins are forgiven.'" Then, later, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home" (Mark 2:5, 11).
___If we can get our friends to Jesus, believing with all our hearts that he can make the difference for them, we will see marvelous things happen right where we go to church.
___Here is the thought that has stirred me the last few weeks. There are 11 million Anglos in Texas, 6.6 million Hispanics, 2.5 million African-Americans, and 700,000 Asians and other cultural groups. More than half do not go anywhere to church.
___If our 1,200 Hispanic churches, our 730 African-American churches, our 265 churches from 40 language groups in Texas and our 3,500 Anglo churches would each get hold of one end of Texas, we could bring Texas to Jesus for salvation and healing. And many of these churches are served by bivocational ministers who bring a heart for people, continuing contact with lost people and spiritual wisdom in how to deal with the ordinary needs of people. There is a place for everyone in our Texas mission strategy, and everyone is fully needed.
___And if God calls us to stand alongside our Mexican brothers and sisters who have 1,500 churches seeking to minister to a 100 million people, we will each of us take hold of one end of this pallet and, doing whatever it takes, bring the people from Mexico and Texas and place them before our Lord.
___No task worth doing can be done alone. We are not alone. We are partners with one another in the gospel and laborers together with God. Pray for this harvest.
___One ... two ... three ... lift!
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