Hello, Texas Baptists!
I’m sure I do not say this often enough, but please allow me this means to express my gratitude to you for the privilege and opportunity of serving as your executive director. It is an honor.
Part of what I truly enjoy is being in a different Texas Baptist church every Sunday. I’m given the joy of meeting many wonderful pastors, staff members and church leaders who truly desire to see God do great and mighty things in and through them and their church.
Celebrating with Life Church
On Aug. 11, I attended the Sunday morning service of Life Church in San Antonio. It was Victor Rodriguez’s last Sunday as pastor after 21 years. On Aug. 1, he became our Texas Baptists’ Hispanic evangelism consultant serving on our Great Commission Team.
Life Church celebrated in wonderful fashion the ministry of Victor and his wife, Olga. This church has been a leader in baptisms for many years in Texas and nationally among Baptist churches. Victor’s and Life Church’s passion has been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the people of south San Antonio.
Texas Baptists represented well
The entire service was led by Frank Palos, a longtime friend of so many of us and former BGCT staff leader in stewardship. The worship team of Life Church did a fantastic job leading us in English and in Spanish. They are a very talented and dedicated group of musicians and leaders.
Dr. Gus Reyes, executive director of the Texas Baptists’ Christian Life Commission, spoke about Pastor Victor and what he has meant to the Reyes family. Dr. Leighton Flowers, director of evangelism for Texas Baptists, shared some of what Victor will be doing in his new role and assured Life Church that their pastor would be making an even greater impact for the kingdom.
Tom Revilla, Central Texas church planting consultant, sang two beautiful songs. Tom was on staff at Life Church with Pastor Victor at one time.
Roland Lopez of the San Antonio Baptist Association thanked Life Church and Victor—in Spanish—for their effective ministry in San Antonio.
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It was a blessed day for Life Church, the Rodriguez family and for Texas Baptists.
Two new young leaders now are at the helm of Life Church, and the future is very bright for them.
My joy in representing Texas Baptists
I was grateful for the opportunity to share with the church for a few minutes about the scope of our cooperative work as a convention.
Every Sunday as your executive director is different and unique because every church is different and unique. The Sunday I was able to spend at Life Church is an example of the many opportunities I have to represent you.
I so enjoy affirming the work, mission and ministry of the local church. I am grateful for the chance to encourage church leaders and churches.
If I have not been to your church, please know I’d love to do so and would welcome the invitation.
Pray for Life Church & the Rodriguezes
As you read this, please take a moment to pray for Life Church and Victor and Olga as they all enter new chapters of life and ministry.
Our Texas Baptist family is very blessed to have Victor now serving on our staff. He will lead our Hispanic congregations to focus on evangelism, and he will lead this effort well.
The day after his last Sunday, Victor was already in Dallas for our “Staff Week,” followed by conducting training in Houston and Lubbock later in the week. He has hit the ground running, and the future is very bright.
I encourage you to contact our Great Commission Team and schedule an evangelism training event in your church as soon as possible. Leighton Flowers, Victor Rodriguez, Oza Jones and Eric Hernandez will be thrilled to come to your church, and you will not be disappointed.
Texas Baptists are in the disciple-making business, and disciple-making begins with telling someone about Jesus. Like Pastor Victor and Life Church, may you and your church give life to many more as you tell others about Jesus.
David Hardage is the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The BGCT and Baptist Standard are independently-related partners.
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