Reeves: Introduction, request, challenge

Hello, Texas Baptists! I am so honored to be elected as your new president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. What a wonderful privilege it is to serve our Lord Jesus, our 5,400 churches and the wonderful disciples all through our state.

Danny ReevesLet me allow this week’s article to be an introduction, a request and a challenge.

Introduction

First, the introduction. I am Texan through and through, and I am fully committed to the BGCT. It all began at Southside Baptist Church in Monahans. I didn’t fully know it then, but I was dead center in a Christ-centered body of believers that was committed to a larger shared ministry in our state convention. I gave my life to Christ at Southside when I was only 6 years old.

It continued in incredibly divine moments at Paisano Baptist Encampment. Praise God for our Texas Baptist camps, because each one serves such a vital role in the lives of children and students. For me, I surrendered to God’s call to ministry at Paisano when I was only 16.

Next was development at Howard Payne University. I praise God for our Texas Baptist schools and the incredible professors at these locations that are developing our next generation of Baptist leaders.

Then, God opened the door to serve incredible people in several Texas towns—from Blanket to Big Lake to Mart to McGregor to Edna to Corsicana. How I love each of these places and the amazing churches and believers I have met along the way.

In that time, I had the privilege to be trained at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, where I obtained my master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees. What a jewel Truett is in the heart of the Baylor University campus in Waco.

So now, as I arrive at this opportunity, I see clearly how God has been at work in my life through the BGCT. I feel so privileged to lead all of us to continue in the work of molding lives, changing lives and seeing lives saved for the glory of God.

Request

Second, my request. The longer I have served and been the leader of God’s people, the more I have seen the power of unity. For one person to rise up and lead is one thing, but for all of God’s people to surge forward together is quite another.

Texas Baptists, will you join in doing that together for the sake of the gospel? Will you respond to my request to pray as one? To stand as one? To serve as one?

Perhaps the simplest words in all the New Testament come from Acts 2:44, “All the believers were together ….”

Challenge

Third, my challenge. I am absolutely fixated on “reaching potential.” I am trying to do this in my own life. I want to reach the potential that God has for me. I am striving to do this for my church at First Baptist in Corsicana. I want our church to reach the potential God has for us.

So now, I am going to try to lead our beloved BGCT to do the same. Will you accept this challenge to strive for God’s potential for you? Will you lead your school, your encampment, your children’s home, your association, your missions project, your local church, your Sunday school class to reach its potential?

If we will all surge in this way, then the tidal wave of our full capability will wash over this state and this society, and we will see the full power of God’s workings through his church. Wow! I can’t wait to see what will happen in the year ahead.

I am so proud to be your president,

Bro. Danny

Danny Reeves is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of First Baptist Church in Corsicana.