TOGETHER: Gospel means evangelism & ministry

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Posted: 1/04/08

TOGETHER:
Gospel means evangelism & ministry

I have sounded the twin notes of evangelism and ministry throughout my time as your executive director. I have done this because I am convinced both notes must be played in harmony if our churches are to have a full and healthy response to Christ’s call to “follow me.” The spiritual idea that drives me is that we have been called to be a Jesus kind of people and to build Jesus kind of churches.

Jesus came preaching the good news of God: “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). Sin has broken everyone and separated us from God, but God loves us so much that he doesn’t want to spend eternity without us. He sent Jesus into the world to make sure we knew that. And the followers of Christ respond to that love and salvation by reaching out to others.

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Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board

Jesus also came demonstrating the heart of God and the will of God to the world. He spent time with the poor as well as the rich. He called those who have much to be generous in their attitudes and stewardship toward the needy. He demonstrated that people who love God also will love the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the prisoners (Matthew 4:23-24; 25:37-40; Luke 4:18-19).

These are not two gospels. There is only one gospel, and Jesus embodied all of it.

Two conferences are planned this month that will help you and your church be more effective in evangelism and ministry. Both conferences will encourage evangelism and ministry.

Jon Randles, our Baptist General Convention of Texas evangelism leader, spoke to our staff chapel this week and laid on our hearts the passion of God for those who are lost. I want what happened in my heart that day to happen in yours. Our churches need encouragement in reaching out to the lost all around us. I am praying God will fall upon our Engage conference with a mighty spiritual awakening and will use this time to help all of our pastors and churches to evangelize Texas. Go to the www.bgct.org/evangelism website for details on this Jan. 13-15 meeting at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall.

Baptists from across North America will gather in Atlanta Jan. 30-Feb. 1 for the New Baptist Covenant celebration. It will be a historic meeting to proclaim what it would look like if Baptists were to take Jesus’ words to heart and go everywhere preaching the good news and binding up the wounded and broken-hearted. There will be memorable sermons and addresses, inspiring music and practical workshops where you can take back to your church ideas that are effective in other churches and could be useful in yours. There is more information at www.newbaptistcelebration.org.

These are the kinds of meetings you need to make calendar changes in order to be involved. You will not be able to duplicate what God can do for you and through you as you gather with fellow Baptists in Texas and in Atlanta this January.

We are loved.

Charles Wade is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.

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