KERRVILLE—Seven Texans on Mission chaplains are ministering to people dealing with the aftermath of the deadly Hill Country flash flood on July 4, and assessors are gathering specific information from homeowners who need help.

Kai Kowalski, a Texans on Mission chaplain, said the team is ministering to survivors who experienced life-changing trauma and “miraculous” events during and after the disaster that killed more than 100 people and displaced hundreds more

“When we went out today, we met with survivors and heard the miraculous things that the Lord has done to save people,” Kowalski said July 8.

One man told the chaplain of being “washed out of the house, and he had his wife wrapped around him, like sitting on his lap, legs, body facing towards him.”

“He’s holding onto her with his right hand, and they’re in water above their head,” Kowalski said. “He’s about to be sucked downstream, and a lightning bolt went off. The only thing he saw was that tree branch right there, so he grabbed that tree branch. He pulled himself to the tree, and they climbed six feet up into the tree to save themselves until the water went down.”

On the other side of the Guadalupe River, the chaplains went with Texans on Mission assessors and talked to another couple.

“The gentleman tells me that (the floodwaters were) coming down … and then all of a sudden he heard ‘help me’ three times,” Kowalski recalled.

When the man turned around, he saw two little girls, 15 feet out in the water.

“He swam out there to grab those two little girls and save their lives and pull them back. That’s a God moment,” Kowalski said.

“I see and hear of miracle after miracle after miracle. But then I hit the deep end of where two people, two families, are just looking for closure for what they’ve already lost. To me,  … that is a chaplain moment.”

A “chaplain moment,” he explained, is “spreading the gospel to the people, being the voice of Christ and getting out there” among hurting people to share the love of Jesus, and letting them know there are people who care for them.

Chaplains “are not here for a hurrah,” he added. “It’s just seven of us … out there spreading the love of Christ, looking and seeing who and where, we can help, house to house, walk by walk.”

That dedication to sharing their faith “is what Texans on Mission is all about,” he added.

“It’s not about fixing things. Fixing things can be done by the 1,000 other people who are here,” he said. “It’s about the voice of Christ and the hands of Christ being given out to the people who need hope.”

More than 60 Texas Baptist pastors and church leaders endorsed an open letter of support for Baylor University’s decision to return a grant for the study of the “disenfranchisement and exclusion of LGBTQIA + individuals and women” in churches, while the grant-issuing foundation issued a statement expressing disappointment.

On June 30, Baylor’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work announced a nearly $644,000 grant from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation awarded to the school’s Center for Church and Community Impact. The stated intent of the “Courage from the Margins” grant was to fund a study “to help foster inclusion and belonging in the church.”

However, on July 9, Baylor President Linda Livingstone issued a statement saying: “Dean Jon Singletary and principal investigator Dr. Gaynor Yancey have voluntarily offered to rescind their acceptance of this grant on behalf of the School of Social Work and return all associated funds to the Baugh Foundation.”

She noted the situation surrounding the grant had “caused concern and confusion for many within the Baylor Family and among our broader community of churches, partner organizations, and supporters.”

Demonstrating ‘moral courage’

In response to Livingstone’s announcement, a group of Texas Baptist ministers and church leaders issued an open letter commending “Baylor’s commitment to hold together theological conviction and compassionate presence.”

“We recognize the thoughtful, prayerful discernment reflected in your actions,” the letter stated.

The group applauded Livingstone for speaking “with clarity and conviction, rooted in love and guided by wisdom.”

“In a polarized culture, Baylor’s decision demonstrates moral courage, affirming biblical orthodoxy while cultivating a campus environment where every student is treated with dignity, care and grace,” the letter stated.

“We affirm the sexual ethic outlined in Ephesians 5, which presents marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, patterned after Christ’s love for the Church. We affirm the call to love all people with Christlike kindness.”

The church leaders stated they “stand with Baylor University and Truett Seminary in their continued mission to serve Christ faithfully through the academic and spiritual formation of future leaders—living out their calling Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo with conviction and grace.”

The church leaders pledged “ongoing prayers” for Livingstone and “for the entire Baylor community.”

‘Pulling the rug out’ from under faculty

Meanwhile, the Baugh Foundation board of trustees posted a statement saying it was “deeply saddened” by Baylor’s decision to cancel the “Courage from the Margins” grant.

“This was an opportunity to answer the Christian call to care for the marginalized by creating resources and providing important research for faith communities. … Not all Baptist believers or churches are aligned on every interpretation of scripture concerning women or LGBTQIA+ individuals, but churches need evidence-based research,” the board stated.

“We believe that all humans are created in God’s image and deserve a loving spiritual home. The purpose of this research was not to dictate theology, but to better understand the disenfranchisement that LGBTQIA+ individuals and women often face in the church.”

“This decision disserves Baylor students, faculty, and the broader Christian community,” the board statement continued.

“Pulling the rug out from under its faculty after those researchers have already put the grueling work into securing funding, work they undertook with Baylor’s full knowledge and approval, is a chilling affront to the very concept of academic freedom.”

The board said the foundation will “continue to support partners who have the courage to listen to voices from the margins and who are dedicated to a more just and welcoming world.”

Widespread show of support

Texas Baptist church leaders who signed the letter of support for Baylor were: Jay Abernathy from First Baptist Church, Woodville; Stan Allcorn from First Baptist Church in Stamford, Adrián Amézquita from Red Pastoral, Houston; Howie Batson from First Baptist Church, Amarillo; Jeff Berger from First Baptist Church, Conroe; Chad Bertrand from South Park Baptist Church, Alvin; Steve Bezner, formerly of Houston Northwest Church and now at Truett Seminary;

Duane Brooks from Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston; Trevor Brown from First Baptist Church, Amarillo; Collin Bullard from First Baptist Church, Longview; Sam Bunnell from First Baptist Church, Henrietta; Chad Chaddick from First Baptist Church, San Marcos; Ross Chandler from First Baptist Church, Marble Falls; Stacy Conner from First Baptist Church, Muleshoe;

Bobby Contreras from Alamo Heights Baptist Church, San Antonio; Al Curley III from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington; Craig Curry from First Baptist Church, Plano; Russell Cravens from Neartown Church, Houston; Daniel Crowther from South Main Baptist Church, Pasadena; Kenny Dean from The Bridge Fellowship, Sugar Land;

John Durham from Highland Baptist Church, Waco; Hugo Gallegos from First Baptist Church Duncanville en Español; Brent Gentzel from First Baptist Church, Kaufman; Jeff Gravens from First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs; Mark Hartman from Sugar Creek Baptist Church, Sugar Land;

Brian Haynes from Bay Area Church, League City; Jim Heiligman from First Baptist Church, Bryan; Kyle Henderson, formerly pastor of First Baptist Church in Athens and now with the Baptist World Alliance; Brian Hill from First Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; Kay James from First Baptist Church, Kaufman;

Chris Johnson from First Baptist Church, San Antonio; Pablo Juarez from First Baptist Church Kaufman en Español; Paul Kim from Forest Community Church, Plano; Josh King from Valley Ridge Church, Lewisville; Juan Lambarria from First Baptist Church, The Woodlands en Español;

Ronny Marriott from First Baptist Church, Richardson, current president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas; Gregg Matte from First Baptist Church, Houston; Jordan McKinney from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Cedar Hill; Dwight McKissic from Cornerstone Baptist Church, Arlington;

Chris McLain from First Baptist Church, Bandera; Juan Moreno from First Baptist Church, Athens; Roger Patterson from West University Baptist Church, Houston; Matt Richard from First Baptist Church, Llano; Moses Rodriguez from First Baptist Church, Cotula; Mark Rotramel from First Baptist Church, El Paso;

Will Rushing from University Baptist Church, Houston; Lawrence Scott from Harvest Point Church, Pearland; Kris Segrest from Cross Church, Wylie; Joshua Sharp from First Baptist Church, Chappell Hill; Ross Shelton from First Baptist Church, Brenham; Nichole Sims from First Baptist Church, Marble Falls; Meredith Summers from Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene;

Jeff Warren from Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas; Bruce Webb from First Baptist Church, The Woodlands; Jeff Wells from Woods Edge Community Church, The Woodlands; Bruce Wesley from Clear Creek Community Church, League City; Hunter Wheatcraft from First Baptist Church, Athens; John Whitten from Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene; Dennis Wiles from First Baptist Church, Arlington; and Darin Wood from First Baptist Church, Midland.

Joining the Texas Baptists who signed the letter were Stephen Allen from Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton, Ga.; Will Dyer from First Baptist Church, Augusta, Ga.; and Jeff Raines from First Baptist Church in Shreveport, La.

About 60 students and sponsors from churches across Texas showed up in Nederland to volunteer with Bounce, a student disaster recovery ministry.

Middle and high school youth gathered at First Baptist Church in Nederland where they were housed, fellowshipped and participated in nightly worship services.

“They have been so gracious to open their facility for us. They have played a significant role in the recovery efforts. We appreciate their partnership,” David Scott, director of Bounce, said.

The teens spent multiple days divided into multiple job sites to make repairs on homes that suffered damage from previous storms. Students and leaders teamed up with 4B Disaster Response, South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena and Texans on Mission.

“People are still living in Harvey-affected homes,” Scott said. “It’s been almost seven years. We are delighted that there are so many highly motivated students who are giving a portion of their summer vacation to serve these people who have such great needs.”

High school student Uriel Moctezuma participated for the first time in Bounce with his team of seven youth and three leaders from The Crossing Baptist Church in Mesquite.

“I’ve been on a mission trip before, but I never worked in a big group of seven people. I’m really excited. I have experience with repairing houses damaged from natural disasters. I really want to help where I can,” Moctezuma said.

Siblings sent to serve

Lydia, high school student and member of The Woods Baptist Church in Tyler came to Bounce with three students and four leaders. Two out of her group are siblings, high schoolers Joseph and Mary.

The siblings worked together to shift furniture around a home to make room for replacing and installing new wood flooring.

“We felt led to go on a mission trip this summer because we were trying to figure out summer activities. We wanted to do something local, but outside of our city, something out of our comfort zone. We want to help people,” Lydia said.

Joseph came to Bounce with years of experience ranging from remodeling bathrooms to building storage nooks like bookshelves.

“It is always a great opportunity for everyone to learn about the Lord and to be able to do what God told us in the Great Commission,” Joseph said.

The background on Bounce

Bounce—a ministry of Texas Baptists—was created to engage middle, high school and college students in mission work from church planting to disaster recovery.

Chris Liebrum, former director of disaster recovery, consulted with Scott to launch the ministry in 2013. In 2014, they gathered their first crew of students to start ministering to people in West.

“We were in West in June of that year doing recovery from the fertilizer plant explosion. We spent two weeks there,” Scott said.

Scott added Bounce was the first ministry integrating student ministry and volunteer service together for community service ever to do disaster recovery.

Ron Zimmer, construction coordinator for Bounce, makes sure the projects are prepared for the volunteers to learn onsite and start projects.

“My responsibility is to get everything ready for the kids, so when they get here it is a meaningful experience for them. Most of my job is done months and weeks ahead of a project. I work with the agencies like Jefferson County Long Term Recovery. We’ve done a lot of projects with them. They embrace us,” Zimmer said.

With supervision and training, the students are prepared to spend each day installing bathroom vanities, replacing baseboards, repairing roofs and installing floors. The goal is to help each student understand the importance of sharing the gospel and serving communities.

“We’re here to minister. God needs us here to minister to people, and that’s our first and foremost goal. We do that through loving on the neighbors, the residents, and do some work too,” Zimmer continued.

Bounce plans for Hill Country flood disaster recovery

Scott and his team are reaching out to churches and ministries within the Hill Country in preparation for disaster recovery from the tragic floods that overwhelmed the community along the Guadalupe River.

While there are preliminary conversations between Kerr County officials and local ministries, the decision at this time is to wait until emergency response is completed.

“They are not ready for us at this point in time. They’re still in that first phase of disaster work. We’ve reached out to a couple of people in the area and a couple of the churches to see what their role is going to be and how we might partner with them to mobilize students,” Scott said.

BRYAN (BP)—Desiring to reach kids with the gospel no matter their language or background, First Baptist Church in Bryan hosted two Vacation Bible Schools this year—a daytime VBS in English and a concurrent option for Spanish-speakers in the evenings.

In their second year partnering for the event, kids pastor Jay Miller and Spanish pastor Teo Cisneros continue to see an opportunity to reach families by taking a multi-cultural approach to VBS.

“Between the two events, we had over 1,100 people a part of VBS this year including kids and volunteers,” Miller said.

More than 75 kids made decisions for Christ during the week, and the church has plans to offer additional events this summer to continue connection with the families who attended.

“My favorite part of VBS is two-fold,” said Laura Bauer, who has been volunteering to teach in the children’s classes since 2020.

“On the leader end, it is a sweet picture to see the sacrifices adults are making to have an eternal impact on the next generation. It is the greatest gift to have the opportunity to love on kids and show them what it is like to be loved and known by Jesus,” Bauer said.

Julie Hamilton has been participating in First Baptist Bryan’s VBS for 26 years and has seen a lot of changes along the way. She said one of her greatest joys is knowing that that the church is focusing on kingdom-building work through breaking down language barriers.

“It is a great outreach opportunity,” Hamilton said. “Over the years, my children and I have invited so many kids to VBS who may not go to church. It is a wonderful opportunity to invite unchurched kids. I love to see how God uses and brings together so many people to put together an amazing week.”

The church wrapped up its VBS celebration with a swimming party at a community pool that brought more than 500 people.

“Our VBS week is really focused on being one event with everyone working together for a common goal,” Miller said.

“I’m so thankful to have a Spanish pastor who creates a bridge into the church for English and Spanish speakers, and this is not a one-off event, but a representation of the ministries already in place,” Miller continued.

Cisneros has been leading the Spanish congregation at First Baptist Bryan since 2019.

For churches considering putting together multi-cultural outreaches like this one, Miller offers insight and encouragement. Each year, they review and listen to feedback while coming up with new ideas. The pool party wrap-up was one such idea for this year.

“VBS is a launching point for growth,” Miller said. “Identify people in your church who are passionate about reaching people and who have an evangelistic heart and are passionate about kids having a multi-cultural experience. We really want to be careful not to have kids from other backgrounds trying to conform to our style or traditional way of doing things.

“Kids will be inviting their neighbors and friends from sports and dance teams, and we wanted to clearly communicate the gospel, so we really wanted to utilize gifted leaders who understand different cultures. We want families to feel welcome and feel like they are part of a family, whether they are English-speaking or Spanish-speaking.

“This isn’t a singular movement. This is a kingdom movement, and our desire is to benefit other churches as well, to build the kingdom and glorify God as we reach these kids with the gospel.”

Miller said First Baptist Bryan’s VBS offers a glimpse of what heaven will be like.

“Even a couple of years ago, statistics showed that in 10-15 years that we wouldn’t have a majority ethnicity in our state, because Texas is a beautiful melting pot,” he said. “The church should look more like heaven with all the nations represented, and that is certainly being reflected in our community.”

David Dykes, longtime pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, died July 3 after a brief time under hospice care. He was 72.

Dykes began his tenure as pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler in 1991, where he served until his retirement in 2021, becoming pastor emeritus.

The church announced his passing on Facebook: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. David Orlo Dykes. Pastor David finished his race surrounded by his family at his home in Tyler, Texas on July 2, 2025. …

“Pastor David was deeply loved by his church family and East Texas community. His passion and dedication to teaching God’s word has impacted countless lives over the years in East Texas and around the world.”

Under Dykes’ leadership, Green Acres Baptist Church gave substantially to Baptist causes at state and national levels.

Dykes received on behalf of the congregation the M.E. Dodd Award, the Southern Baptist Convention’s highest cooperation award, at the 2008 SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis.

In the year preceding the award, Green Acres’ giving to the SBC Cooperative Program eclipsed the next highest giving congregation by almost one half-million dollars.

In his acceptance speech, paraphrasing New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig, Dykes noted: “I consider myself to be the most blessed person alive. I’m pastor of the most missions-minded church I’ve ever heard about. They’ve taught me more about missions than I could ever teach them. …

“If I told them we were going to attack hell tomorrow morning with water pistols, they’d ask, ‘Pastor, where do we fill up?’”

Equally committed to Texas Baptists’ Cooperative Program, the congregation also was honored in 2019 as the top giving church of its size at the annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, a distinction the church has held multiple years.

Texas Baptist responses

Texas Baptists quickly began to respond on social media to the news of Dykes’ passing.

East Texas Baptist University President Blair Blackburn—where Dykes served in numerous capacities—reflected: “Dr. Dykes has been teaching me God’s truths since I was in college. He has modeled for me what it means to give your life in service to Jesus and to shepherd the flock.

“He has fed his sheep, and I am one of them. I am grateful to have been a part of his ministry at Green Acres—what a blessing to grow in my walk under his guidance since my college days at UT Tyler,” Blackburn continued.

“He has been a loving and caring pastor to Michelle and me, our kids, my parents, and the ETBU Family. He has shaped our lives and our discipleship. … I watched him show us what ‘become less’ means as he led others to see ‘Jesus become greater.’”

ETBU noted Dykes “is the namesake of ETBU’s Servant Leadership Award and has served as a dedicated trustee, chapel speaker, adjunct faculty member, and faithful friend to our campus community.”

David Ritsema, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Waxahachie, expressed deep loss in a Facebook post and by email: “I’ve been dreading this news. David’s impact on my life is immeasurable—my first pastor, my mentor, my dear friend.

“He was not only the first pastor I ever had, but the one who shaped the course of my calling, my convictions, and my character.”

“He was part of every major decision of my adult life; he was one of my biggest cheerleaders and encouragers,” Ritsema said, “believing in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself.”

“His calls, notes, emails, and prayers always came at just the right moment and always felt like they came straight from heaven,” he said, noting, “I know I wasn’t the only one. David made everyone he loved feel uniquely seen, deeply valued, and eternally anchored in Christ.”

“To me—he was the prince of preachers, and a man who walked the walk with the highest humility,” but “his sermons went beyond what was spoken. His life was a living sermon, and he lived it with quiet courage and unwavering faithfulness.”

Ritsema asserted, “The legacy he leaves behind is not etched in stone but in souls—in mine, and in countless others who met Jesus more clearly because of him.”

Yet, Ritsema recalled a sermon in which Dykes said he wanted Philippians 1:21 etched on his gravestone: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

“How fitting,” Ritsema said.

Darin Wood, pastor of First Baptist Church in Midland, paused a social media break to note: “We have lost a legend and for me, this loss is profound. Dr David Dykes was used by God to change many lives including mine. In 2008, I was at a low point in ministry, to the point I was seriously considering leaving pastoral life altogether. Into that moment David called me.

“To this day I don’t know why or how he even knew I existed,” Wood continued. “He invited me to lunch and thus began a conversation that has endured. His encouragement and confidence in me gave enough strength to try again and to keep going.”

Dykes submitted Wood’s resume to First Baptist Midland on his behalf, Wood noted.

“I laughed at him and told him he was crazy,” Wood said. “He saw something in me I didn’t. Literally, I wouldn’t be where I am without David … Thanks David. If I am half the man you were, I’ll count myself fortunate and highly blessed.”

Andrew Hébert, lead pastor of Mobberly Baptist Church in Mobberly, wrote on behalf of the church: “David Dykes’ influence for the gospel in East Texas and around the world cannot be quantified in this life.

“He was a pastor’s pastor. He and his wife Cindy have made an eternal impact through their ministry at Green Acres Baptist Church. His time at Mobberly Baptist Church as interim pastor before the Lord called our family here provided stability and wisdom to the Mobberly church family.”

Background and memorial information

Dykes was raised in Alabama, where he earned a degree from Samford University. He attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and also studied at the University of Cambridge in England and ETBU.

Dykes authored more than 20 books, baptized thousands and led many mission teams to serve internationally in more than 30 countries, notably including trips to both the Crimea in the early 1990s and China in the 2000s.

Dykes often described himself as a missionary disguised as a pastor.

Before being called to Tyler, he was pastor of churches in Alabama.

Dykes was born in Ruston, La., on January 16, 1953. He became a Christian at age 9 and began preaching in 1970 at age 17.

In addition to his formal degrees, in 2017 Dykes received an honorary doctorate from East Texas Baptist University and was honored as Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Alumni of the Year in 2021.

Dykes served locally on the boards of the American Red Cross, P.A.T.H., The Greater Tyler Chamber of Commerce, The Mother Frances Foundation and Baptist Child and Family Services (Breckenridge Village).

He also served on the Board of Trustees for ETBU and LeTourneau University. He served 10 years as a member of the Executive Board of the SBC, and he served as volunteer chaplain with the Smith County Sheriff’s Department.

In his 30 years as senior pastor at Green Acres Baptist Church, the church grew from 9,000 members to 17,000 members.

Dykes was married to his wife Cindy for 51 years, and he was a devoted father and grandfather. He was an avid golfer and had his private pilot’s license. Throughout his life, he enjoyed traveling the world, and he and Cindy led more than two dozen tours to Israel.

Dykes is survived by his beloved wife Cindy; his daughters Jennifer Holman and Laura Grace Dykes; his sons-in-law Jason Holman and Joseph Provencher; his grandchildren Lizzie Holman, Caroline Holman, Ada Liner, Grant Holman and Samuel Provencher; his sister Judy Kapa and his brother Daniel Dykes.

A memorial service for Dykes will be held on Wednesday, July 9, at 1 p.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church Worship Center with Michael Gossett and Jim Gillen officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Green Acres Foundation, 1607 Troup Hwy., Tyler, TX 75701, or through gabc.org.

Texas Baptists responded with prayers and support when flash floods July 4 led to a devastating loss of life and substantial damage along the Guadalupe River in areas stretching from Kerrville to San Antonio.

Associated Press reported 104 fatalities as of July 7, including 28 children in Kerr County. Ten girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, remain missing.

More than 12 inches of rain fell within 12 hours. Roads were washed out, and area businesses were destroyed by the rushing floodwaters that carried brush and debris.

Baptist community responds in prayer, mourning

Baylor University President Linda Livingstone, who currently is in Brisbane, Australia, to attend the Baptist World Congress, said, “My heart is back in Texas as I stay updated on the tragic flooding and heart-shattering loss of life along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country and in other areas of the state.”

Livingstone also said the Baylor Care Team is offering prayer and resources to the 18 students from the Kerrville, Hunt, and Ingram areas.

Keith Bruce, a former pastor, seminary administrator and denominational executive, reported on social media one of the missing girls from Camp Mystic is part of his extended family.

“Greta Toranzo, one of the missing girls from Camp Mystic, is the niece of our son Preston and his wife Michelle,” Bruce posted on Facebook.

“I know you will continue to pray with us and for all who are missing, families who have lost loved ones, and for the tireless efforts of rescuers. We covet and are grateful for your specific prayers for our extended family.”

Early Tuesday, Bruce confirmed through Toranzo’s mother on Facebook that Toranzo “lost her life in the July Fourth flood in Kerr County.”

Jeff Warren, senior pastor at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, reflected on the tragic loss for his church—which was home to one girl who was killed—and for the University Park community.

“We had 8 in our community … none of those girls or counselors made it out alive,” Warren said.

“It’s been heartbreaking, but the Spirit is moving among us and God’s people are bringing hope and healing in the midst of unspeakable loss. Grief is the price we pay for love, and the greater the love, the greater the grief. These girls loved so well and were loved by everyone who knew them.”

Jim Denison, in his online newsletter “The Daily Article,” shared a story of sacrifice by Dick Eastland, the director of Camp Mystic who died trying to save kids during the flood.

“He was one of the most loving, gracious people I know,” Denison wrote. “A camp counselor said Dick was among the ‘most selfless men in the whole world. He was an inspiration to so, so many. He was a father figure, a comforting force in the uncertainty of everything.’”

Kathy Hillman of Baylor University, a past president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, reported on Facebook, “Tears flow as memories flood our minds in the heartbreaking loss of Jane Ragsdale, longtime director and owner of Heart O’ the Hills Camp,” who died in the floods.

Hillman recalled from personal family experience how Ragsdale “made every summer one to remember with her passion, love, and attention to each girl, and her unique personality and gifts.”

Texans on Mission deploy to affected areas

Texans on Mission disaster relief volunteers deployed to Central Texas July 7 once “some of the water … receded.”

Volunteers set up their base of operations at Trinity Baptist Church in Kerrville, and volunteer chaplain are ministering to families affected by the flood.

The group has placed incident management teams, shower and laundry units, assessors, electrical and electronic support, asset protection and flood recovery teams on standby to serve, said David Wells, director of disaster relief for Texans on Mission.

Gaylan Mathis, volunteer feeding coordinator for Texans on Mission announced, “All openings for volunteer feeding are full through at least the first 3 weeks.”

Matthis added Kerrville has full deployment and is capable of feeding about 100 Texans on Mission volunteers. In San Angelo, Mathis confirmed volunteers still are needed and anticipate feeding 60 to 75 volunteers by the middle of next week.

Mickey Lenamon, executive director of Texans on Mission, said volunteers from his organization likely will be serving in varied capacities—relief, recovery and rebuilding—in Central Texas for up to six months.

Lakepointe Church in Rockwall will deploy its flood recovery unit to Kerrville on July 20. Anyone interested in volunteering for deployment can call Dyan Drain at 214-681-8766 or email at dwdrain@yahoo.com.

Texans on Mission is gathering the names and addresses of people who will need assistance and identifying the needs. To report needs, click here.

(https://www.texansonmission.org/hill-country-request-for-assistance)

Editor’s Note:  This is a developing story. See updates in paragraph 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 20.

Baylor University recently announced—and then rescinded—a grant focused on the study of the “disenfranchisement and exclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals and women” in churches.

On June 30, Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work announced a grant awarded to Baylor’s Center for Church and Community Impact, or C3I. The nearly $644,000 grant from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation will fund a study “to help foster inclusion and belonging in the church.”

“This grant will help us better understand the disenfranchisement and exclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals and women within congregations to nurture institutional courage and foster change,” the announcement reads.

Courage from the Margins: Inclusion and Belonging Practices for LGBTQIA+ and Women in Congregations is the study funded by the $643,401 grant.

In his weekly email, Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri responded to “questions and concerns among several” about the announcement. Acknowledging “we are trying to learn more about what this means,” Guarneri cited several certainties among Texas Baptists.

Linda Livingstone, Baylor University president, issued a statement for Baylor faculty, staff and alumni on July 9 stating that “Dean Jon Singletary and principal investigator Dr. Gaynor Yancey have voluntarily offered to rescind their acceptance of this grant on behalf of the School of Social Work and return all associated funds to the Baugh Foundation.

“We recognize that this situation has caused concern and confusion for many within the Baylor Family and among our broader community of churches, partner organizations, and supporters. This has been a learning opportunity for many involved in this situation, and we aim to work alongside our college and school leaders, faculty, and research community, particularly during these challenging times for higher education.”

Livingstone added that Baylor will remain “committed to its unique role as a Christian research university—one that encourages rigorous inquiry and thoughtful exploration of complex issues. We will continue to support our faculty and researchers in pursuing meaningful scholarship, while ensuring that such work aligns with our institutional processes.”

Julio Guarneri, Texas Baptists executive director, expressed his appreciation for Baylor’s decision.

“I am thankful for this decision made by Baylor leadership,” Guarneri said.

“The decision is consistent with Baylor’s policies and statement on human sexuality. We appreciate Baylor President Linda Livingstone and Truett Seminary Dean Todd Still for their commitment to these biblical and historical principles and for their leadership,” Guarneri added.

Focus and goal of C3I study

The Courage from the Margins study “will focus on the lived experiences of emerging adults. It will assist us in filling out the bigger picture of congregations’ practices that result in an environment of belonging,” Gaynor Yancey, director of the Center for Church and Community Impact (C3I) and Lake Family Endowed Chair in Congregational and Community Health, said.

“Through our research, we want to expand our picture of what congregations do and do not do in their caring practices with all people about their experiences of belonging” Yancey added.

According to the announcement, “Many LGBTQIA+ individuals and women experience what researchers call ‘institutional betrayal’ within their faith communities—situations where the institutions they depend on for spiritual support fail to protect them or even actively harm them,” a focus of C3I’s work.

This failure or harm “might involve exclusion from church activities, family estrangement and painful conflicts that leave lasting emotional wounds.”

The study “prioritizes [marginalized] voices, giving them a safe space to share their experiences and guide positive change within faith communities. … Listening to and understanding the stories of these often-marginalized populations can promote a trauma-sensitive sense of belonging, cultural humility and institutional courage in congregations.”

“Social work values and competence through the ethical integration of faith and practice prompt C3I to constantly and consistently nudge faith-based organizations to be proactive in establishing institutional courage,” the announcement states.

“The study will help congregations develop greater cultural sensitivity and humility, trauma-informed approaches to ministry, concrete steps toward genuine inclusion, and environments where all members can thrive.”

Study methodology

“Researchers will recruit two groups of 25” emerging adults ages 18-24 “from across the country … to a series of confidential interviews, focus groups, and surveys to facilitate a deeper understanding of their lived experiences with congregations.”

Data gathered “will directly inform trauma-sensitive training resources that C3I will develop for congregational use, providing guidance on inclusivity and institutional courage.”

Further, “C3I will pilot the curriculum at a gathering of congregations, measuring success through attendance and feedback specific to what a congregation plans to implement, such as the adoption of more inclusive language.

“Findings [from the pilot] will be shared through online publications, digital platforms, faith-based conferences and academic articles.”

Gratitude for grant

“The generous support of the Baugh Foundation allows C3I to deepen its work at the intersection of faith, justice and community and is both timely and essential,” Jon Singletary, dean of Baylor’s Garland School of Social Work, said.

“We are always so grateful for the support and encouragement of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation for our ongoing research in assisting congregations in ministering to marginalized populations,” Yancey said.

“For several years, they have assisted us with funding for research to study the inclusionary practices of congregations with people who are marginalized in numerous ways,” she added.

“Congregations have the potential to be spaces of healing and belonging, yet too often they become sources of exclusion and harm. This grant equips us to listen deeply, study carefully and partner faithfully with churches seeking to become more just and welcoming communities,” Singletary added.

“This is about our hearts, for sure, and how we act on God’s softening of our hearts toward those who live life in the margins and shadows, rarely experiencing a sense of belonging,” Yancey stated. “Congregations are uniquely positioned in community life to be those places of care.”

Texas Baptist position

“While we are trying to learn more about what this means, there are things that are certain and which I want to communicate to you,” Guarneri wrote in his July 3 weekly email update. “We are seeking to learn more from Baylor’s leadership so that we can decide how to best move forward.”

Guarneri reaffirmed the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ position on marriage, sexuality and gender: “Texas Baptists remains committed to our conviction that biblical sexuality is a gift from God, which consists of a relationship between a man and a woman within the covenant of marriage.

“While we consider any sexual behavior outside of the above definition of biblical marriage sinful, we strive to love every person with the desire that they would be faithful followers of Christ,” Guarneri added.

“We also believe that God created every human being as either male or female. Gender is not a choice but a gift from God. This has not changed for us,” Guarneri added.

Further, “in our commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, we believe that every human being is made in the image of God and is worthy of dignity, respect and love.”

In keeping with this commitment, Guarneri pointed Texas Baptists to resources prepared by the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission “for churches to learn how to minister to those struggling with gender identity. Our desire is for our churches to be welcoming and loving of all people while remaining true to the biblical standards of holiness and God’s design.”

BGCT/Baylor relationship

Responding to questions about the BGCT’s relationship with Baylor University, Guarneri acknowledged “the relationship has changed over the years. In contrast with the universities that are affiliated with us, our relationship with Baylor University is by special agreement.”

This special agreement has funding and governance implications, Guarneri explained.

“Cooperative Program funding does not support Baylor’s general budget,” Guarneri stated. “We designate our funding for scholarships of ministers’ children, the work of the Baptist Student Ministry, which Texas Baptists oversees, and ministry student scholarships exclusively.”

Additionally, the “BGCT elects approximately 25 percent of Baylor’s board of regents, allowing Texas Baptists to have a voice but not control of the university,” he continued.

For those asking about Baylor’s and Truett Theological Seminary’s position on sexuality, Guarneri stated Truett’s “is essentially the same as the BGCT’s and not unlike that of Baylor University’s.”

“Pastors and leaders who are concerned or have questions are encouraged to contact [Baylor] University and Truett Seminary administration,” Guarneri added.

Statement from Baylor University

Baptist Standard contacted Baylor University administration following Guarneri’s weekly update and received the following statement:

“Baylor’s institutional beliefs, policies, and statements have not changed. Our commitment to our Christian mission and identity remains steadfast, and we continue to uphold the biblical values that have long shaped our University’s foundation.

“In particular, Baylor affirms the biblical understanding of human sexuality as a gift from God. Christian churches across the ages and around the world have affirmed purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm. This conviction continues to guide our institutional policies and our approach to student life, academics and spiritual formation.

“It is important to understand [the Courage from the Margins study] is not an activist endeavor aimed at changing our Baptist churches or redefining biblical truth. Rather, it is an educational program designed to equip church leaders with resources and perspectives to engage on these difficult issues within their congregations thoughtfully and pastorally and to better understand and, specifically, minister to individuals who may feel marginalized or excluded.”

Editor’s Note: The story originally was posted July. 3. It was updated July 9 to include statements from Baylor University President Linda Livingstone.

Los asistentes a la reunión anual de la Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas 2025 se reunieron en la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Duncanville para celebrar a los líderes de larga trayectoria, desarrollar nuevos líderes, agradecer las bendiciones financieras y elegir a los nuevos directivos.

Bea Mesquias, de la Iglesia Bautista Ágape de San Antonio, fue reconocida por su trayectoria de servicio a la Unión Femenil Misionera de Texas y sus 15 años como directora ejecutiva de la UFM. Mesquias también fue la primera mujer elegida presidenta de la Convención. La sucesora de Mesquias es Silvia Ake, quien también sucedió a Mesquias como directora de la UFM de Texas.

Raquel Contreras Smith fue homenajeada por sus años de servicio como editora y directora ejecutiva de Casa Bautista de Publicaciones, ahora conocida como Editorial Mundo Hispano.

Alfonso Flores también fue homenajeado por sus 63 años de servicio en el ministerio y 35 años como pastor de la Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana de San Antonio.

Además de estos reconocimientos, la Convención celebró una asistencia récord. En comparación con las 600 personas que asistieron a la reunión anual de 2024 en Houston, 911 asistieron a la reunión de este año.

Formando nuevos líderes

El tema de la reunión anual de 2025, “De Generación en Generación”, y los talleres se centraron en el desarrollo y la formación de nuevos líderes.

Las iniciativas de educación hispana son una parte importante del desarrollo y la formación de nuevos líderes. Estos esfuerzos buscan ampliar las oportunidades para que los estudiantes hispanos asistan a la universidad y realicen estudios de posgrado.

Bendiciones financieras

El director ejecutivo de la Convención, Jesse Rincones, agradeció los esfuerzos de las iglesias por unirse para fomentar la cooperación entre ellas y ampliar la labor de formación de nuevos líderes para la próxima generación.

Rincones informó sobre una extensión de cinco años de una subvención del Fondo Lilly para Prosperar en el Ministerio, que financia la Iniciativa Conexión Pastores, lanzada en 2019. La iniciativa está diseñada para “conectar a los pastores en grupos de pares saludables para ayudarlos a prosperar en el ministerio”. La subvención amplió el programa para ministrar a las esposas de pastores bautistas hispanos a través de la nueva obra de Conexión Esposas.

Otra subvención de Lilly, recibida en 2024, estableció CANTA. El acrónimo significa “Congregaciones que Ayudan a los Niños a Transformarse en Adoradores”. El programa crea materiales de adoración y capacitación para niños en iglesias hispanas.

Otra subvención de Lilly, recibida en febrero, apoya una colaboración para el desarrollo de capacidades entre la Convención y la Red Nacional Bautista Hispana, llamada Adelante. Esta subvención permite a la Convención contratar a un director de desarrollo y participación eclesial y lanzar una iniciativa para desarrollar jóvenes líderes latinos a través de una experiencia de cohorte de un año.

Elección de nuevos directivos

Durante la sesión de negocios del martes por la mañana, Edson Lara, pastor de la Iglesia Bautista Emanuel en McAllen, fue elegido presidente de la Convención.

Fernando Rojas, pastor de la Iglesia Bautista Azle Avenue en Fort Worth, permanecerá como primer vicepresidente. Demetrio Salazar, pastor de la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Belton, también fue reelegido segundo vicepresidente. Lidia Salazar, maestra de escuela, esposa de Demetrio Salazar y miembro de la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Belton, fue elegida secretaria.

Celebrando la jubilación de una líder

Tras 12 años como directora ejecutiva y editora de Editorial Mundo Hispano, Raquel Contreras, chilena de nacimiento, se jubila. Es abogada de profesión. Se graduó del Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary y tiene un Doctorado en Divinidad de Dallas Baptist University.

Editorial Mundo Hispano fue fundada por los misioneros J. Edgar y Mary Davis en Toluca, México, en 1905, y posteriormente se trasladó a El Paso. Contreras fue elogiada por su capacidad para mantener la empresa a flote y servir a la comunidad cristiana hispana incluso en tiempos difíciles, como la pandemia.

Editorial Mundo Hispano celebra su 120th aniversario de servicio a los cristianos de habla hispana en todo el mundo. Proporciona Biblias, programas de escuela dominical y una gran variedad de libros. Carolina Carro de Mangieri, directora de eventos globales y confraternidad de Baptist World Alliance, comenzará a desempeñarse como nueva directora ejecutiva y editora de la editorial este agosto.

Texas Baptists honraron a estudiantes y líderes educativos hispanos durante un banquete de recaudación de fondos tras la clausura de la reunión anual de la Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas 2025, celebrada en la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Duncanville.

Becas

Se recaudaron $8,500 para financiar nueve becas otorgadas por la Oficina de Educación Hispana de Texas Baptists a estudiantes hispanos de pregrado que asisten a una universidad afiliada a Baptist General Convention of Texas y son miembros de iglesias bautistas de Texas.

Los beneficiarios de las becas son:

• Celina Aguirre, estudiante de ciencias políticas en Dallas Baptist University y miembro de la Iglesia Bautista Park Cities en Dallas.

• Luis Alfredo Esquivel, estudiante de estudios bíblicos en Baptist University of the Américas y miembro de Southwest Baptist Church en San Antonio.

• Osmara Dayanira Flores, estudiante de consejería clínica en Wayland Baptist University y miembro de la Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel en McAllen.

• Ana Martínez, estudiante de enfermería en la University of Mary Hardin-Baylor y miembro de la Iglesia Bautista Getsemaní en Fort Worth.

• Jazmín Lizbeth Olivarez, estudiante de administración de empresas en BUA y miembro de la Iglesia Bautista Elohim en Bryan. Olivarez dio su testimonio durante el banquete sobre su llamado al liderazgo ministerial. También habló del valor de la educación y su agradecimiento por el apoyo financiero de Texas Baptists.

• Libni Shetler, estudiante de enfermería en Houston Christian University y miembro de First Baptist Church en Marble Falls.

• Marlon Vargas Zea, estudiante de negocios y teología en BUA y miembro de la Iglesia Más Allá de la Cruz en San Antonio.

• Jayson Villalobos, estudiante de mercadotecnia en Howard Payne University y miembro de la Primera Iglesia Bautista en Azle.

• Sofía Villarreal, estudiante de comportamiento humano en BUA y miembro de Life Church de San Antonio.

Líderes de la Iniciativa de Educación Hispana

Además de otorgar becas, el banquete celebró los 21 años de la Iniciativa de Educación Hispana de Texas Baptists y honró a sus líderes clave.

Albert Reyes, presidente y director ejecutivo de Buckner International, expresidente de Baptist University of the Américas y primer presidente hispano de BGCT (2004), impulsó la formación de un Grupo de Trabajo para la Educación Hispana a principios de la década de 2000.

El grupo de trabajo se creó en 2005 y Felipe Garza fue su primer presidente.

Gus Reyes, director de alianzas hispanas en DBU, fue el primer miembro del personal de Texas Baptists en dirigir la Iniciativa de Educación Hispana antes de convertirse en director de la Comisión de Vida Cristiana de Texas Baptists.

Gabriel Cortés fue director de la Iniciativa de Educación Hispana de 2014 a 2018. Posteriormente, se desempeñó como jefe de personal en la BUA antes de regresar a Texas Baptists en 2024 como director de educación hispana.

Rolando Rodríguez, director de Texas Baptists en Español, fue director de la Iniciativa de Educación Hispana de 2018 a 2024.

Lorenzo Peña dirigió una iniciativa especial centrada en la educación superior hispana de 2022 a 2023 a petición de David Hardage, exdirector ejecutivo de Texas Baptists.

Celebrando el pasado

Albert Reyes pronunció el discurso principal del banquete, compartiendo su propia trayectoria educativa desde la Primera Iglesia Bautista en Corpus Christi, pasando por la Mary Carroll High School, hasta Angelo State University, donde obtuvo un Doctorado en Ministerio en Misionología del Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary y un Doctorado en Liderazgo de Andrews University.

Cuando Reyes era presidente de BUA, “la tasa de finalización de la escuela preparatoria en Texas para los adolescentes hispanos era de alrededor del 50 por ciento”, dijo, “y la tasa a nivel nacional era del 33 por ciento a principios de la década de 1990”.

“Hemos mejorado drásticamente esas cifras en los últimos 35 años. Hoy, la tasa de finalización de la escuela preparatoria hispana se sitúa en el 88 por ciento”, añadió, citando datos de la Fundación Annie E. Casey.

Desafiando el futuro

Reyes se refirió a las realidades demográficas actuales y futuras, haciendo referencia a las estadísticas y proyecciones de Texas 2036.

“Hoy en día, Texas alberga a 32 millones de personas. Para 2036, se espera que Texas aumente entre 3 y 5 millones de personas, principalmente debido a la migración interna. En 2022, hace tres años, los hispanos se convirtieron en el grupo poblacional más numeroso de Texas.

“Para 2050, dentro de 25 años, la población hispana de Texas será el grupo racial-étnico más numeroso en todas las categorías de edad. En otras palabras, en el futuro, o serás bilingüe y bicultural, o estarás solo.

“Para el otoño de 2042, dentro de unos 15 años, se proyecta que el número de graduados anglosajones, afroamericanos y asiáticos disminuya en un 26 por ciento, un 22 por ciento y un 10 por ciento, respectivamente”.

Otras estadísticas señalan la urgencia con la que las universidades e instituciones de educación superior deben involucrar a los estudiantes hispanos.

“El Centro Nacional de Estadísticas de Educación informa que la proporción de estudiantes hispanos de secundaria es mayor en California, con un 56 por ciento, Texas, con un 53 por ciento, y Florida, con un 38 por ciento”, informó Reyes desde Texas 2036.

Más cerca de casa para los asistentes al banquete, U.S. News & World Report muestra que Dallas Independent School District informa que la matrícula estudiantil hispana alcanzó el 70 por ciento en el año escolar 2023-2024, afirmó Reyes.

Ante estas estadísticas, Reyes instó a las iglesias, colegios y universidades de Texas Baptists a estar “preparadas para los hispanos”.

“Educar es redimir”, dijo Reyes, citando un mensaje que recordaba haber leído durante su propia trayectoria en la educación superior. “Educar a alguien es redimir todo lo que Dios quiso que fuera y equiparlo, discipularlo, prepararlo para una vida con propósito”.

Texas Baptists honored Hispanic students and education leaders during a fundraising banquet following the conclusion of the 2025 Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas annual meeting held at First Baptist Church in Duncanville.

Scholarships

A total of $8,500 was raised, funding nine scholarships awarded by Texas Baptists’ Office of Hispanic Education to Hispanic undergraduate students attending a Baptist General Convention of Texas-affiliated university and who are members of Texas Baptist churches.

Scholarship recipients are:

• Celina Aguirre, a political science major at Dallas Baptist University and member of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.
• Luis Alfredo Esquivel, a biblical studies major at Baptist University of the Américas and member of Southwest Baptist Church in San Antonio.
• Osmara Dayanira Flores, a clinical counseling major at Wayland Baptist University and member of Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel in McAllen.
• Ana Martinez, a nursing major at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and member of Iglesia Bautista Getsemani in Fort Worth.
• Jazmin Lizbeth Olivarez, a business administration major at BUA and member of Iglesia Bautista Elohim in Bryan. Olivarez gave her testimony during the banquet about her call to ministry leadership. She also spoke of the value of education and her appreciation for Texas Baptists’ financial support.
• Libni Shetler, a nursing major at Houston Christian University and member of First Baptist Church in Marble Falls.
• Marlon Vargas Zea, a business and theology major at BUA and member of Iglesia Mas Alla de la Cruz in San Antonio.
• Jayson Villalobos, a marketing major at Howard Payne University and member of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Azle.
• Sofia Villarreal, a human behavior major at BUA and member of Life Church of San Antonio.

Hispanic Education Initiative leaders

In addition to awarding scholarships, the banquet celebrated 21 years of the Texas Baptists’ Hispanic Education Initiative and honored the initiative’s key leaders.

Albert Reyes, president and CEO of Buckner International, past-president of Baptist University of the Américas and first Hispanic president of the BGCT (2004), called for the formation of a Hispanic Education Task Force in the early 2000s.

The task force was created in 2005, and Felipe Garza served as its first chair.

Gus Reyes, director of Hispanic partnerships at DBU, was the first Texas Baptists staff member to serve as director of the Hispanic Education Initiative before becoming director of Texas Baptists’ Christian Life Commission.

Gabriel Cortés was Hispanic Education Initiative director from 2014 to 2018. He then served as chief of staff at BUA before returning to Texas Baptists in 2024 as director of Hispanic education.

Rolando Rodriquez, director of Texas Baptists en Español, was Hispanic Education Initiative director from 2018 to 2024.

Lorenzo Peña led a special initiative focused on Hispanic higher education from 2022 to 2023 at the request of Texas Baptists’ past-executive director David Hardage.

Celebrating the past

Albert Reyes delivered the banquet’s keynote, sharing his own educational journey from Primera Iglesia Bautista in Corpus Christi through Mary Carroll High School to Angelo State University and on to a Doctor of Ministry in Missiology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Leadership from Andrews University.

When Reyes was president of BUA, “the Texas high school completion rate for Hispanic teens was about 50 percent,” he said, “and the rate nationally was 33 percent in the early 1990s.”

“We have dramatically improved those numbers over the last 35 years. Today, the Hispanic high school completion rate is right at 88 percent,” he added, citing data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Challenging the future

Reyes then pointed to demographic realities today and into the future, referring to statistics and projections from Texas 2036.

“Today, Texas is home to 32 million people. By 2036, Texas is expected to gain another 3 to 5 million people, due primarily to domestic migration. In 2022, three years ago, Hispanics became the largest population group in Texas.

“By 2050, 25 years from now, the Hispanic population in Texas will be the largest racial-ethnic group in every age category. In other words, in the future, you will either be bilingual and bicultural, or you will be by yourself.

“By the fall of 2042, about 15 years from now, the number of Anglo, Black and Asian graduates is projected to fall by 26 percent, 22 percent and 10 percent, respectively.”

Further statistics point to the urgency with which colleges and universities need to engage Hispanic students.

“The National Center for Education Statistics reports the proportion of Hispanic high school students is highest in California with 56 percent, Texas with 53 percent and Florida with 38 percent,” Reyes reported from Texas 2036.

Closer to home for banquet attendees, U.S. News & World Report shows Dallas Independent School District reports Hispanic student enrollment at 70 percent in the 2023-2024 school year, Reyes said.

In light of these statistics, Reyes challenged Texas Baptist churches, colleges and universities to be “Hispanic-ready.”

“To educate is to redeem,” Reyes said, quoting a message he remembered reading during his own journey in higher education. “To educate someone is to redeem everything God intended them to be and to equip them, to disciple them, to prepare them for a life of purpose.”

Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas 2025 annual meeting attendees gathered at First Baptist Church in Duncanville to celebrate longtime leaders, develop new leaders, give thanks for financial blessings and elect new officers.

Bea Mesquias of Agape Baptist Church in San Antonio was recognized for her lifetime of service to Unión Femenil Misionera de Texas and her 15 years of service as UFM executive director. Mesquias also was the first woman elected president of Convención. Mesquias’ successor is Silvia Ake, who also followed Mesquias as director of UFM de Texas.

Raquel Contreras Smith was honored for her years of service as she retires as editor and executive director of Casa Bautista de Publicaciónes (Baptist Spanish Publishing House), now known as Editorial Mundo Hispano.

Alfonso Flores also was celebrated for his 63 years of service in ministry and 35 years as pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana in San Antonio.

Along with these recognitions, Convención celebrated record attendance. Compared to the 600 who attended the 2024 annual meeting in Houston, 911 attended this year’s meeting.

Growing new leaders

The 2025 annual meeting theme “From Generation to Generation” and workshops focused attendees on growing and training new leaders.

Hispanic education initiatives are a significant part of growing and training new leaders. These efforts seek to expand opportunities for Hispanic students to attend college and graduate school.

Financial blessings

Convención Executive Director Jesse Rincones gave thanks for the efforts of churches joining together to grow the cooperation of churches and to further outreach for training new leaders for the next generation.

Rincones reported a five-year extension of a Lilly Endowment Thriving in Ministry grant funding the Conexion Pastors Initiative launched in 2019. The initiative is designed “to connect pastors in healthy peer groups to help them thrive in ministry.” The grant expanded the program to minister to the wives of Hispanic Baptist pastors through the new work of Conexión Esposas.

Another Lilly grant received in 2024 established CANTA, the Spanish word for “sing.” The acronym translates in English as Congregations Helping Children Be Transformed into Worshippers.” The program creates children’s worship and training materials for Hispanic churches.

Another Lilly grant, received in February, supports a collaborative capacity development collaboration between Convención and the National Hispanic Baptist Network called Adelante. The grant enables Convención to hire a Director of Development and Church Engagement and launch an initiative to develop young Latino leaders through a year-long cohort experience.

New officers elected

During the Tuesday morning business session, Edson Lara, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Emanuel in McAllen, was elected Convención president.

Fernando Rojas, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Azle Avenue in Fort Worth, will remain as first vice president. Demetrio Salazar, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista of Belton, also was reelected second vice president. Lidia Salazar, school teacher, wife of Demetrio Salazar, and member of Primera Iglesia Bautista of Belton was elected secretary.

Celebrating a leader’s retirement

Retiring after 12 years as CEO, publisher and editor of Baptist Spanish Publishing House/Editorial Mundo Hispano, Raquel Contreras, a native of Chile, is a lawyer by profession. She is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has a Doctor of Divinity from Dallas Baptist University.

Editorial Mundo Hispano was started by missionaries J. Edgar and Mary Davis in Toluca, Mexico, in 1905, and later moved to El Paso. Contreras was praised because she was able to keep the company afloat and serving the Hispanic Christiam community even during hard times, including COVID.

The Editorial Mundo Hispano/Hispanic Baptist Publishing House is celebrating its 120th anniversary of service to Spanish-speaking Christians throughout the globe. It provides Bibles, Sunday school curriculum, and a great variety of books. Carolina Carro de Mangieri, director of global events and fellowship for the Baptist World Alliance, will begin serving as the new CEO and publisher of the publishing company this August.

UPDATED: Reporting on the Texas Baptists Hispanic Education Banquet was removed and will be corrected and published separately.

Bill Moyers, a renowned broadcast journalist with strong Texas Baptist roots, died June 26 in New York, N.Y. He was 91.

He first became known nationally as deputy director of the Peace Corps during the Kennedy administration, special assistant to President Lyndon Johnson and White House press secretary during the Johnson administration.

After a few years as publisher of Newsday in Long Island, N.Y., he moved to television, where he hosted “Bill Moyers Journal” on public television and worked two stints with CBS News.

He and his wife Judith went on to form their own production company, Public Affairs Television, where Moyers had greater editorial freedom to conduct in-depth interviews and produce documentaries on a wide range of subjects.

Moyers won 13 Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and three George Polk Awards for contributions to journalistic integrity and investigative reporting. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995.

But before all of that, Moyers grew up in an East Texas Baptist church, preached in rural churches, served as pastor of Texas Baptist congregations and earned a degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Billy Don Moyers was born in Hugo, Okla., but grew up in Marshall, where he and his family worshipped at Central Baptist Church.

As a teenager, he worked at the Marshall News Messenger, dropping the “y” from his first name because he thought it looked better in a byline.

He also responded to what he discerned at the time as a call to ministry, preaching summer revival meetings in rural churches around East Texas.

Shared interest in ‘Baptist life and ethics’

William M. Pinson Jr., executive director emeritus of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, was close friends with Moyers more than seven decades.

Their friendship dated back to their early student days at what was then North Texas State College. Moyers served as Pinson’s campaign manager when he ran for student body president.

“Strong from the beginning, with a common interest in Baptist life and ethics, that friendship grew even stronger in the ensuing years,” Pinson said.

He recalled Moyers as “highly intelligent and a genius with words.”

“I witnessed this firsthand when we were students. He would come to my little garage apartment with a load of books and a typewriter and sit and read the books and then type out a multi-page assignment in one sitting—a process I had spent weeks on,” Pinson said.

“Yet, he remained basically humble and soft spoken. He had an intuitive ability to evaluate a need and act quickly, and usually helpfully, to meet it. Thoughtful and fun-loving, with a winsome smile and a streak of mischief, he made friends easily. We always enjoyed times together.”

Influenced by ethicist T.B. Maston

Their “friendship was cemented” when Pinson and Moyers spent a year together studying at New College of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

“We also spent months visiting missionaries in Europe,” he recalled. “To travel, we either hitchhiked or drove a car so small you put it on rather than getting in. During those months of togetherness, we forged a bond that was to last almost three quarters of a century.”

Both Pinson and Moyers studied at Southwestern Seminary under trailblazing Christian ethics professor T.B. Maston.

“Dr. Maston’s teaching and writing were often controversial, and so were Bill’s. But neither wavered in a commitment to share the truth as they perceived it—even when it sometimes cost Bill his job,” Pinson said.

While he was a seminary student, Moyers worked as the seminary’s director of information and also was a rural Texas Baptist pastor.

“When I look back, the people to whom I am most indebted are those warm and patient and loving people at Brandon and Weir and Shiloh and Loco who could, despite what I said between 11 and 12 o’clock, have me to dinner at 12:30 and still be a friend,” he said in a 1982 interview with Stan Hastey, published in Report from the Capital.

Shaped by Central Baptist in Marshall

In the wide-ranging television documentaries he produced through the years, Moyers frequently returned to subjects related to religion and ethics, with programs such as “Amazing Grace,” “Genesis: A Living Conversation” and “A World of Ideas.”

In 1987, Moyers produced “The Battle for the Bible” as part of his series on “God and Politics.” It focused on what winners of the battle later called the “Conservative Resurgence” and critics called the “Fundamentalist Takeover” of the Southern Baptist Convention.

“The stakes are not only theological. The battle for the Bible is also political—a battle for church and state, a battle for America,” Moyers said in the documentary.

During a segment filmed at Central Baptist Church in Marshall, Moyers said: “Everything I learned about faith and democracy I learned from this congregation. I didn’t learn a creed from these people. There was no creed and no coercion. … They taught me to read the Bible for myself. … The important thing was my own experience with the Bible—not what anyone said about the Bible, but what the Bible said to me.”

When Moyers spoke at Central Baptist Church’s 50th anniversary in 1993, Pastor Wallace Watkins introduced the award-winning broadcaster simply as “Henry and Ruby Moyers’ son.”

“This church is so much a part of my own story that I would not be able to explain myself to my grandson without it,” Moyers told the congregation.

Learned lifelong lessons in faith

He reflected on lessons he learned at the East Texas church.

“I learned about humanity in this church. I learned about frailty and forgiveness and fellowship,” he said.

Moyers remembered taking his “first baby steps in faith” at Central Baptist Church. He described time when he “squirmed … prayed … held hands and flirted with pretty girls … [and] wrestled with hard questions” at the church.

The Baptist distinctive of soul competency was central to the faith he learned at Central Baptist Church, Moyers said.

“Created with the imprint of divinity from the mixed clay of Earth, you and I are endowed with the freedom and capacity to be ‘response-able’—a grown-up before God. When God touched that clay, God touched our minds with the power to think and reason,” he told the congregation.

“Truth is not some doctrinal proposition frozen like flavor in a popsicle. Truth emerges from experience and encounter and sharing in a community of faith whose members struggle daily to love justice and mercy and to walk humbly with the Lord. Truth breathes life into tradition.”