René Maciel: Texas Baptists minister to the sick and dying

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Texas Baptists have 28 institutions we will be highlighting at our annual meeting this year. These institutions provide a variety of services and ministries that are foundational to the work of Texas Baptists.

ren maciel headshot130René MacielTwo of these institutions provide healthcare in their communities; but even more importantly, they provide ministry and care to the sick and dying. They minister to patients and their families. Texas Baptists should be grateful for the many ministries they provide outside the church walls.

I hope you will make the effort to attend the annual meeting in Waco in November and find out more about these critical institutions that are a part of Texas Baptist life. 

Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas

Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas opened in Beaumont in 1949, founded by the churches in what is now the Golden Triangle Baptist Association, following the vision of layman L.E. Stagg of First Baptist Church in Beaumont.

bap hosp southeast425Baptist Beaumont HospitalThe institution includes an array of health facilities, with Baptist Beaumont Hospital as the flagship. In 1988, the hospital in Orange was purchased. The organization continuously invests in the latest medical instruments, equipment and technology to provide the right healthcare to serve Southeast Texas. 

Baptist Hospital is certified as an advanced primary stroke care center for disease-specific care and as a Cycle IV chest pain accredited facility. The emergency department is the proud home of the RP-6 mobile robot system by InTouch Health, which allows doctors to consult virtually with patients, family members and healthcare staff at a moment’s notice.

It has expanded its outreach to focus on a healthier community by sponsoring the Exygon/Baptist Gusher Marathon, with more than 1,900 participants and by coordinating the Vidor Diabetes Walk, with more than 600 walkers.

Valley Baptist Health System


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Valley Baptist Health System serves people in the Rio Grande valley bap hosp425Valley Baptist Medical Center in HarlingenValley through services at two main hospitals—Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville. With more than 3,000 employees and 600 doctors on staff, the two hospitals trace their beginnings to Harlingen in 1923, when a group of residents opened a 10-bed hospital in a converted frame house, and to Brownsville in 1925, when the Lower Rio Grande Valley Baptist Association opened a not-for-profit community hospital.

Both hospitals are accredited as primary stroke care centers. They also are known for using a robotic system for precision surgery, ranging from urology to gall stones to hysterectomies. This provides smaller incisions and quicker healing times for patients.

texas baptist voices right120In addition, Valley Baptist-Harlingen attracts patients from across the United States and Canada because of its orthopedic surgery specialty, while patients come to Valley Baptist-Brownsville for robotic-assisted partial knee replacements.

Valley Baptist extends many of its services beyond its facilities and into local communities, offering free screenings, support groups and numerous educational opportunities.

Please keep these institutions in your prayers as they serve and provide ministry in their areas. Texas Baptists, we are blessed to have these important institutions.

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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