January 6, 2003
TOGETHER:
Columns reveal 'dream' for BGCT
___As we begin a new year together, I am moved to say a word of gratitude to all of you who read this column. Many have spoken kind words about Together. Please pray for me when you read the column, asking the Father that I might have wisdom and courage to serve you and the churches well.
___It is a privilege to come to you each week. I want you to know my heart. So I write about what is going on in my spirit, what I dream for Texas Baptists.
___I want you to hear about the great mission field that is Texas, a place where people love to come--over 4 million in the last 10 years. Ten million to 11 million unchurched people live in Texas. That is more people than the population in 26 of the 50 states.
___The Church Starting Center, led by new Director Abe Zabaneh, has begun the Genesis Project--reaching the world in Texas--with a goal of 777 new churches in 2002-04. Working with our Texas Baptist churches, we started 265 churches this past year, six more than the goal, and, God willing, we will set a record in church starts in Texas over a three-year period.
___There were 179 new Hispanic churches, 28 new African-American churches, 22 new Anglo churches, 22 n
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CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
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ew multi-ethnic churches and 10 others of various ethnicities. During 2002, the Church Starting Center assisted 354 new and developing congregations. These congregations averaged 126,822 in worship, saw 5,990 professions of faith and gave $1,045,661 to the Cooperative Program, associational missions and other missions causes.
___Our churches believe in reaching people for Christ. Last year, we sent multiplied thousands of people on mission trips in Texas and around the world. It appears we will have baptized more than 50,000 people this past year.
___I want you to be challenged by the opportunities to be part of a great mission vision that touches the world. So I will keep you informed as the new world mission network begins to take shape. Our churches are going to have opportunities to network with our Baptist institutions, other churches and Baptist work around the world so that we can do far more together than we can in isolation.
___Already our efforts with the European Baptist Federation, our relationships with the National Baptist Convention of Mexico, and other mission initiatives are resulting in new ministries and new hope for stronger cooperation with Baptist brothers and sisters elsewhere.
___We are experiencing steady progress in achieving the goals of our strategic vision to help our churches and related ministries be the presence of Christ in the world. We are focused on reaching all people, starting churches, helping churches be healthy, strengthening families, meeting human need, equipping the laity and providing theological education for our ministers. We have teams in place to help achieve these goals.
___I get to talk to you every week about these matters. My goal is to help us work together in such a way that we can be partners in the gospel, advancing all the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. Pray for Texas. Pray for all of us who work in this great state that God will have all of us there is to have. Pray that what we have to give is what our churches need as we respond to the cries of those in spiritual and physical need around Texas and the world. Pray for this harvest.
___We are loved.
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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