Richard Ray: Texas Baptists ‘do good’ for people in need

Serving as director of missions of the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area and as executive director of the Bivocational/Small Church Association, I have had the privilege to explore ways churches can reach out and win the lost for Christ.

Richard RayIt may come in the form of planning mission trips and outreach opportunities locally or abroad, or assisting in putting together a Vacation Bible School, daycare center or food pantry. Mission opportunities are vast and wide and make an impact for the kingdom of God. However, I am reminded of what God’s word says: “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the right of widows” (Isaiah 1:17).

We as a church and association of churches must come together in unison to do good. To do good is a learning process. And as with anything we learn, it must be done repeatedly. It is not enough to do good once or twice a year; we must do good every day.

I am so glad for organizations such as the Christian Life Commission, which seek justice by helping Texas Baptists, churches, communities and government leaders give voice to critical modern issues that are often overlooked or ignored by society.

We have such wonderful organizations that defend the orphans and support our aging, such as Baptist Child & Family Services, Buckner Children and Family Services, Children at Heart Ministries, South Texas Children’s Home Ministries, Baptist Community Services, Park Place Towers/Continental/Ware Memorial, Baptist Memorials Center, Valley Baptist Health Center and Buckner Retirement Services. I am so proud of how our Cooperative Program giving through our churches reaches beyond our church walls and impacts lives all across the world.

However, God also called us to help the oppressed. It has been a blessing for our associational office to be a drop-off location for donations made to assist the Sacred Heart Relief Center in McAllen. This center ministers to those who have crossed the border to escape oppression. To witness our churches helping the oppressed in such an overwhelming way has touched my heart. When we help the oppressed, we are fulfilling God’s call on his church, and we are furthering the kingdom of God.

I am thankful to be a part of the Texas Baptist family as we together do more than we could ever do alone, and we do it all for the glory of our Lord, who has commanded us to do good. Let us as Texas Baptists and as associations of churches continue to meet the needs of others as God has instructed us and let us never stop learning to “do good.”

Remember, God has called you to serve, but God has not called you to serve alone. Let us be your advocate, your resource and your prayer partner as you fulfill your calling. Until next time, please visit our website www.bivocational.com.

Richard Ray is executive director of the Bivocational/Small Church Association and director of missions for the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area. You can reach him at [email protected].