Missions mobilizers can help your church ‘get it’

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The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, June 18, 1815, near Waterloo in Belgium. A British army, under the command of the Duke of Wellington, combined with a Prussian army, under the command of Gebhard von Blücher, to defeat the French army, commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte. The defeat at Waterloo ended Napoleon’s rule as emperor of the French.

jeff johnson130Jeff JohnsonWe’ve all had our Waterloos—those moments when we realize too late we are in over our heads and sinking fast. This insight may come when sitting on the floor in the midst of a hundred “components” on Christmas Eve. Or maybe it’s when our teenage daughter decides she simply must be allowed to shave off all her lovely hair—except for one long hank somewhere on the top—because that is the only “look” right for her. Sometimes we have to scratch our head and admit we “just don’t get it!”

How about this: “Pastor, I hear you talking about starting a new church. You say we need to reach beyond our walls to new people and cultures. But we already have enough churches in this town. Besides, we barely make our budget as it is. Where would the money come from to start a new church? I just don’t get it!”

Ignorance rarely is bliss. It is constantly frustrating, often embarrassing, sometimes costly and always regrettable. And yet we often choose ignorance in order to avoid responsibility or guilt or the demands of others. Seeking refuge in “I just don’t get it” has consequences down the road.

texas baptist voices right120The truth is the church has a severe learning disability. After almost 2,000 years, we still don’t “get it.”

Allow me to introduce you to some folks who do “get it” and have helped our church “get it.”

Josue Valerio is our Baptist General Convention of Texas director of missions mobilization. From “church-based” mission sending to multihousing and “organic” (yes, organic) church planting, Josue and his team can enable your church by helping you “satellite” your congregation beyond the walls of the building.

The BGCT can help by equipping your laypeople as leaders of no-cost, simple congregations among unreached pockets of people in your community. Add to this his team’s ability to connect local churches for mission projects both nationally and internationally, River Ministry along the Texas border, as well as urban outreach, and you have world-class leadership.

Even if your church “gets it,” it would be worth a call or email ([email protected]) to Josue and/or a member of this team.


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Now you “get it,” right?

Jeff Johnson is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of First Baptist Church in Commerce.


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