Posted: 11/14/03
| Young Wang accompanied his parents to a Texas cultural event for internationals held at the Texas Tech Baptist Student Ministry as part of Crossover Lubbock, a ministry and evangelism blitz that preceded the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual sesion last week. |
Crossover Lubbock warms hearts on High Plains
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
LUBBOCK–Hundreds of High Plains residents found shelter from chilly temperatures in the warm welcome of Baptist church members during evangelistic outreach prior to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session.
Texas Baptists invited their neighbors to block parties and revivals and shared the gospel through inner-city outreach teams during Crossover Lubbock, a cooperative outreach between the BGCT and Lubbock Baptist Association.
 |
| Brandon Parker (left) and Armando Riojas play a basketball game during Nueva Vida Baptist Church's evangelistic block party Nov. 8. (Nan Dickson/BGCT Photo) |
The work brought nearly half the churches in the association together to impact their communities for Christ.
“We share the same dreams and hopes,” said Manny Longoria, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Templo. “It's really been a shot in the arm for churches.”
His church's fall festival featured a cake walk, praise-and-worship band and children's games based on Bible stories.
“We're all about reaching our community,” said Margie Oswalt, who directed the effort. “We're here for them. There's a place here for them and their families.”
By reaching out, Longoria hoped the congregation could change the image some people have of Christians.
“A lot of people have their image of Christians as sour-faced and judgmental people who don't have freedom to do anything,” he said. “I want them to know following Jesus is not a dreary life. They can find acceptance here and can find a new life.”
In all, 348 professions of faith in Jesus Christ were recorded through Crossover Lubbock ministries. Forty-nine Lubbock-area Baptist churches and members of eight Baptist churches from around the state participated.
The blitz included 63 events, ranging from block parties to fall festivals to an international gathering at the Texas Tech Baptist Student Ministry.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.