WACO—Michael Gossett, pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, called Texas Baptists to experience “holy discontent” until God brings revival.
“Revival requires a heart that longs for the presence of God. It requires a divine and holy discontent,” Gossett told messengers and guests at the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting in Waco.
“Are you willing to live without revival? Contentment and complacency are very close, but you and I must never be content about others’ salvation. We must long to tell others that there is a Savior.”
Preaching from Psalm 85, Gossett encouraged Texas Baptists to “stand firm” in their commitment to sharing the gospel and seeing spiritually lost people come to faith in Christ.
“You know what I love about Texas Baptists? It’s a convention that believes in evangelism. It’s a convention that understands the power of the gospel and God’s word. You and I have to continue that direction, we have to stand firm in our faith and stand firm in the mission that God has called us to,” he said.
Also during the Nov. 14 evening session, Texas Baptists expressed gratitude to David Hardage, who retires at the end of the year as BGCT Executive Director after more than 10 years in that role, and his wife Kathleen.
“David and Kathleen, you have made Texas Baptists proud. And most importantly, you have made God proud,” said Jason Burden, who ended his second term as BGCT president at the close of the 2022 annual meeting.
Clint Davis, chair of the BGCT Executive Board, likewise praised Hardage and offered thanks for his service.
“Dr. Hardage, I want to thank you, because you’ve led us with integrity, a sense of conviction and with purpose. You’ve loved us with that Christ-like love,” Davis said.
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Associate Executive Director Craig Christina shared some of Texas Baptists’ accomplishments under Hardage’s leadership, including the reorganization of the convention into five ministry centers and casting the GC2 vision of sharing Christ and showing love.
“Thank you, Dr. Hardage, for leading us from viability to vitality,” he said.
Christina also announced the inaugural David W. Hardage Run With It 5K, which will benefit the David and Kathleen Hardage Endowment Fund at the Baylor University Baptist Student Ministry.
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