Texas Baptists in more than half of state’s counties plan to distribute Scripture

UVALDE—Texas Baptists have stepped forward in more than half of the state’s counties to volunteer to lead efforts to place Scripture in every home in their areas.

As of mid-February, 148 of Texas’ 254 counties have point persons who will lead Scripture distribution efforts as part of Texas Hope 2010, a Baptist General Convention of Texas initiative to share the hope of Christ with every Texan by Easter 2010. Part of that strategy is to place Scripture in every Texas home.

Each day, additional churches are pledging to lead Scripture distribution efforts in their counties, said Ron Herring, director of the BGCT Congregational Leadership Team, who is overseeing the recruitment of county leaders.

“The response so far has been truly amazing, yet not surprising given the evangelistic passion of Texas Baptist churches,” Herring said.

Leadership has stepped forward in most East Texas counties, the Panhandle, along the Texas-Mexico border and portions of the Gulf Coast. In many cases, one pastor has pledged to lead the effort, but other churches are coming alongside to fulfill the goal of placing Scripture in each home.

Tony Gruben, pastor of Baptist Temple in Uvalde, said he’s excited about leading the effort in Uvalde County. He looks forward to working with other Baptist churches in the county, as well as through the ministerial alliance in Uvalde.

“I would hope that making God’s word available, we would see people come to salvation, have a closer walk with him,” Gruben said.

Bruce Irving, pastor of First Baptist Church in George West who is leading the Scripture distribution effort in Live Oak County, said he hopes churches will grow, people will be baptized, believers will become energized and spiritual renewal will take place as a result of Texas Hope 2010.

“It’s just a great vision. I love the hope part of it, because I think that’s something our world needs. There are a lot of people without hope,” he said.

The goal of placing Scripture in every home will require cooperation and commitment, Gruben noted. If Christians across the state work together, they will see lives changed as a result of sharing the hope of Christ, he insisted.

“I think it’s a worthy goal and a goal that needs to be accomplished,” he said. “You never know until you try. Even if you try and you come up short, you do better than if you never tried at all. If you reach only half the homes, you’ve reached homes you wouldn’t have reached if you didn’t try.”

For more information about the Scripture distribution effort, visit www.texashope2010.org or e-mail [email protected].