Texas Baptists to meet in Arlington for Family Gathering

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ARLINGTON—Texas Baptists will assemble July 29-31 at the Arlington Convention Center for a Family Gathering.

The Texas Baptist Family Gathering includes joint sessions of the 133rd BGCT annual meeting, the African-American Fellowship Conference and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas.

‘A real glimpse of what heaven will be like’

“The Family Gathering of Texas Baptists this July is unique among Baptist gatherings here in the U.S.,” BGCT Executive Director David Hardage said. “We will enjoy great worship and fellowship and, in so doing, get a real glimpse of what heaven will be like. I hope our BGCT family will take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity.”

Featured speakers include Nebiye Kelile, pastor of Pathway Church in Garland; David Dykes, senior pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler; Ralph West, senior pastor of Church without Walls in Houston; and Jason Paredes, lead pastor of Fielder Church in Arlington.

“The Family Gathering is one expression of God’s great gift to his creation,” said Jesse Rincones, executive director of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas

“Through Christ we are ‘no longer foreigners and strangers,’ but members of God’s household,” he continued, quoting Ephesians 2:19. “As we come together, we can value God’s image in each other, even in the midst of our differences. What a great opportunity to be joined together, be built up and ‘become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.’”

Chris and Diane Machen will lead worship, along with the choir, orchestra and praise team of The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, the praise team from Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville and the First Baptist Church of Weslaco praise team.

Taking care of business

The three-day meeting includes business sessions for both the BGCT annual meeting and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas.

Messengers to the BGCT annual meeting will elect officers for the next year. Announced nominees to date are Michael Evans, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield for president; Jason Burden, pastor of First Baptist Church in Nederland for first vice president; and Jason Atchley, pastor of Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock for second vice president.


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Affiliated churches must register messengers for each convention if they wish to vote during business sessions. ​​

Messengers to the BGCT annual meeting also will consider nominations presented by the Committee on Nominations for Boards of Affiliated Ministries, the Committee to Nominate Executive Board Directors and the Committee on Committees.

“Relationships! Deepened partnerships! Practical training! Great preaching! Dynamic worship and encouragement! These are just a few of the reasons I can’t wait for this year’s Family Gathering,” BGCT President Danny Reeves said. “I love the unity we feel when our entire Texas Baptist family comes together. I can’t wait to see everyone there.”

Twenty-five workshops will be offered on topics such as preaching, family ministry, church safety, evangelism, discipleship and missions.

Event organizers encourage attendees to visit exhibit halls throughout the three-day gathering to learn more about Texas Baptist resources, partnering ministries and institutions.

For more information about schedule, meals and receptions, click here.

With additional reporting by Managing Editor Ken Camp.

 


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