BGCT board recommends decreased 2015 budget, provides relief to BUA

DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board approved a decreased 2015 budget for consideration by messengers to the BGCT annual meeting, Nov. 16-18 in Waco.

The board also voted to purchase property from Baptist University of the Américas to provide financial relief for the San Antonio school.

The 2015 BGCT budget depends on $31.9 million in Cooperative Program receipts from churches—down $1.95 million from the 2014 budget. It also requires $2.6 million in investment income and an additional $500,000 from individual donors. The budget reflects a $2.14 million reduction from this year.

Budget decrease

Counting additional revenue from the North American Mission Board, conference and booth fees, product sales and other miscellaneous sources, the BGCT anticipates $37,784,297—down $2.62 million.

The recommended budget includes no increase in staff salaries and elimination of two positions, and it reflects a 2.5 percent increase in group medical insurance costs.

“We have across-the-board reductions, including institutions,” said Jill Larsen, treasurer and chief financial officer.

The board also approved continued division of undesignated receipts, with 79 percent allocated for BGCT and 21 percent for worldwide causes. Each church determines the recipient or recipients of its worldwide giving.

The board approved $1.47 million for Texas worldwide missions initiatives and partnerships, down from $1.8 million in 2014. Recipients include missions mobilization, River Ministry and Mexico missions, Texas Partnerships, the Baptist World Alliance, Go Now Missions involving college students, Texas Baptist Men international ministries and intercultural international initiatives.

Assistance for BUA

The board also voted unanimously to purchase property from BUA for $4.373 million to relieve the financial burden the school has borne since it purchased 80 acres across Pan American Freeway south of downtown San Antonio across from its current campus. BUA has been unable to sell the older campus.

BUA built housing on its new property, and the school’s long-range plan calls for relocation of all its campus to that land. However, the relocation has been stalled by BUA’s inability to sell its old property.

“The sale of their property has fallen through twice,” said BGCT Executive Director David Hardage.

The BGCT will liquidate nonendowment investments to fund the payoff of $4.173 million in BUA notes at Frost Bank. The BGCT already was the guarantor for those notes. In addition, the convention will pay BUA $200,000 to help with immediate cash flow needs.

The BGCT will continue to market the BUA property for sale. When the BUA property is sold, the proceeds will be invested in financial instruments. The BGCT will waive rent from BUA for three to five years, or until the property sells.

In other business, the board:

• Re-elected by acclamation Ron Lyles, pastor of South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena, as chair and Ernest Dagohoy, executive pastor of First Philippine Baptist Church in Missouri City, as vice chair.

• Approved changes to the bylaws of the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio to bring them into alignment with BGCT governance.

• Filled four vacancies on the Hispanic Education Council—David Natividad from Mision Nueva Vida in Brownwood, Roberto Cepeda from Olmito Community Church in Olmito, Joe Rangel from First Baptist Church in Weslaco and Carrie Tunson from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield.

• Filled eight vacancies on the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation Council—Bryan Finley from First Baptist Church in Kerrville, Bill Brian from First Baptist Church in Amarillo, Dan Ellis and Gary Fullington from Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Pat Hyde from First Baptist Church in Kenedy, Bob Moore from First Baptist Church in Hamlin, Fred Roach from The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson and Malcolm Watson from First Baptist Church in Lindale.

• Filled several vacancies on other councils—Keith Bruce from First Baptist Church in San Antonio and Tom Ruane from Park Meadows Baptist Church in Waxahachie to the Baptist Distinctives Council; Tom Henderson from Heights Baptist Church in Temple to the Baptist Student Ministry Council; Robby Barrett from First Baptist Church in Amarillo and Jill Fulghum from Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo to the BaptistWay Press Advisory Council; Melissa Pardun from Antioch Baptist Church in Waco to the Chaplaincy Endorsement Council; Tommy Hood from Lakeshore Drive Baptist Church in Weatherford and Matt Killough from First Baptist Church in Sonora to the Historical Collection Council; Jeff Johnson from First Baptist Church in Commerce to the Texas Baptist Ethnic Affinity Council; and Jack Bodenhamer from First Baptist Church in Elm Mott and Amy Wilkins from Valley Ranch Baptist Church in Coppell to the Theological Education Council.

• Filled four vacancies on the Christian Life Commission—Linda Brian from First Baptist Church in Amarillo, Delcia Maria Chisolm from Coastal Bend Fellowship Church in Kingsville, Brenda Rincones from Alliance Church in Lubbock and Elmo Johnson from Up Lift 4th Ward and Rose of Sharon Baptist Church in Houston.

• Filled vacancies on two planning teams—Gerald McMath from Central Baptist Church in Carthage and Becky Biser from University Baptist Church in Fort Worth to the Baptist Student Ministry Strategic Planning Team; and Joe Fields from New Beginnings Baptist Church in Lewisville, Mark Hewitt from Beltway Park Baptist Church in Abilene and Tedye Schuehler from Victory Life Church in Lubbock to the Evangelism Strategic Planning Team.

• Filled vacancies on two groups—Stacy Leonard and Bill Broyles, both from First Baptist Church in Garland, to the Institutions Audit Group; and Patti Jones from South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington, Jackie Miller from Coronado Baptist Church in El Paso and Eric McNeil from Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas to the Missions Funding Group.