Hello, Texas Baptists. The last few Sundays, I enjoyed preaching at Park Lake Drive Baptist Church in Waco, Blue Ridge Baptist Church near Marlin and First Baptist Church in Sonora. I also attended the 175th anniversary celebration of Union Baptist Association and preached at the Palo Pinto Baptist Association annual meeting at First Baptist Church in Strawn.
David HardageOctober was Pastor Appreciation Month. If you haven’t already, I hope you will find a way to thank the pastor in your life. It could be a simple email or hand-written note. If you are a pastor, please know you are appreciated, and you are loved. Thank you for your ministry and for your dedication to your church.
Thousands of Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon, but they face harsh realities as winter hits. We are partnering with Baptists in Lebanon to provide blankets, heaters and other supplies for refugee families. Every time a family receives one of these items, the gospel is shared with them in their native language. Click here to help support this effort.
The Texas College Church Ministry Retreat is being held Nov. 5-6 in Bastrop. This retreat is for Baptists in our state who minister to college students in the local church. Check the website to register and for more information.
“Deep Roots Living Legacy” is the theme for this year’s Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting. We will focus on Baptist distinctives. This is a time for church ministers and Baptist leaders from around the state to come together for fellowship and to learn more about Texas Baptist ministries. Join us at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco Nov. 8-10. You can register online by clicking here.
Regardless of whether you will be an elected messenger, a guest, an institutional representative or an exhibitor, please know we look forward to seeing you in Frisco. It is our hope and prayer you will find this year’s gathering to be both informational and inspirational. Our fellow Texas Baptists who made up the committees and teams that planned this event did so believing everyone present would depart blessed and encouraged. I know you share my gratitude for the time, effort and energy so many gave to make this meeting happen.
The challenges in front of us as a convention are significant. Texas continues to grow and change. As a family of churches, we, too, are working to adjust properly and effectively in order to touch the people of this state with the Great Commandment and to impact Texas, and beyond, with the Great Commission.
David Hardage is the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.
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