René Maciel: Celebrate at Texas Baptists’ meeting in Waco, November 13-15

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“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)

rene maciel headshot130René MacielI had a chance to meet one last time with the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting committee in the planning session for our convention in November.

You will be glad to know this committee is a wonderful and diverse group of people who love our convention. It was a great meeting. We finalized the schedule and talked about the importance of worshipping together and the great need of meeting together.

I want to encourage you to attend this meeting, Nov. 13-15, but let me also challenge you to spread the word about this meeting. Make sure your church messengers are there, and be sure to invite others from your circle of influence to come be a guest and be a part of the convention this year, as we highlight our 27 Texas Baptist institutions. The theme this year is “Celebrating Service.”

texas baptist voices right120It is so easy for us to just sit back and hear about the great work going on throughout our convention, but the Scripture says “to not neglect, to not forsake, do not give up on meeting together.” We sometimes get lazy in our faith, and we begin to neglect praying or reading God’s word, or just meeting together.

When I attend the convention, it is a great time to network, to hear some great preaching, to catch up on all the things our convention is doing, and most importantly, to be encouraged in my faith. When I am around other followers, I always come away challenged and stronger in my walk. That is the intention—not to fight, not to talk other ministries down, not to tear down, but to build up and to encourage. The annual meeting should be a time to encourage one another, a time to build each other up.

Let’s meet in Waco Nov. 13-15 so we can encourage one another. But let’s also meet with the understanding that the day is drawing closer, what a wonderful day that will be—a day like Pentecost, when all the disciples and believers were all together in one place.

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend our annual meeting this year in Waco. You will be encouraged, you will be strengthened, you will be informed, you will be challenged, you will celebrate and most importantly, we will be “together.”

See you there!


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René Maciel is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and president of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio


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