Articles by Jessica King

The February meeting of the Texas Baptists Executive Board was held on Feb. 23-24 in Dallas, TX. Board Directors approved three new task forces on the Cooperative Program (CP), prayer and the constitution and bylaws; as well as heard ministry reports, giving and insurance updates and considered 15 unique recommendations. 

During his report to the Executive Board on Monday, Feb. 23, Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri emphasized the importance of a renewed vision for cooperation, for Texas Baptists to be a reawakened people and to look toward a realignment for the mission.

Today marks, for many, the beginning of a 40-day period of reflection, contemplation and prayer leading up to Palm Sunday. Christians of different traditions observe it in different ways. Some do not. Yet we all look forward to celebrating Resurrection Sunday!

It is important to consider how cooperation has changed and what cooperation needs to look like if we are going to be effective in the future.

February is here, and it seems that most everyone is returning to normal after dealing with snow and ice in some parts of our state and country.

In an effort to better align Texas Baptists ministries to equip churches for Great Commandment, Great Commission faithfulness, convention leadership is realigning the Center for Cultural Engagement, effective February 1. The ministries under the center will be redistributed to other teams across the organization to provide churches with more direct access to church, minister, and missions resources. 

It has been an unusual week in Texas and other parts of our country due to extreme winter weather. I have watched how churches quickly prepared for ministry last weekend and beyond.

Last week was a busy and exciting week for me. We had our Texas Baptists staff week at the Rambler building in Dallas. Twice a year, all of our staff pause their travel and gather for worship, reporting and planning. It was a very meaningful time together!

Let’s get off to a good start this year. Let’s pray for those who don’t know Jesus in our state and beyond. 

I pray that in the midst of a busy, and perhaps hectic, Christmas season, you find time and make space for Christ’s presence. When the Messiah came to earth, the world was too busy and too distracted to notice. In fact, there was “no room available” for him!