Articles by Texas Baptists Communications

Texas Baptists is providing funds to Baptists in California to support ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts among churches and communities due to the wildfires spreading in that state.

​BGCT and NAMB have established a renewed church-starting agreement, providing eligible Texas Baptists churches with access to NAMB funding and Send Network resources.

2,030 messengers and visitors gathered in Waco Nov. 10-12 to take part in the 139th Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). The theme, drawn from Luke 4:18-19, focused on “His Kingdom Agenda.”

The Center for Missional Engagement hosted their annual Missions Team Banquet on Nov. 11 at the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting, highlighting and celebrating BOUNCE. Attendees heard from Scott Stevens, vice president of Texas Baptist Missions Foundation and former BOUNCE coordinator, and a panel of ministers on the impact of BOUNCE. 

“We’ve had conversations about the role of women in ministry for the past 35 years, perhaps even longer… We are trying to listen to each other and to have a representative sample of the views based on biblical interpretation in the Texas Baptists family,” Julio Guarneri, Texas Baptists executive director, said to attendees of a special panel, entitled “Biblical Perspectives on Women in Ministry,” at the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting.

During the Tuesday morning business and worship session of the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting, messengers considered two motions and one resolution, filled the remaining Convention officer positions, heard the President’s Address and worshiped and prayed together.

At their annual banquet held Monday in Waco, Texas Baptists Intercultural Ministries celebrated the work happening in diverse churches across the state. Referring to the Convention’s overall theme of “His Kingdom Agenda,” Intercultural Ministries Director Mark Heavener opened the event by thanking the various congregations present.

“It’s powerful for me to see everything y’all are doing around the state. Being a support to your spouses in ministry is so important, but you’re also doing your own ministries and making a huge impact. And I’ve loved traveling around and seeing that,” Monica Guarneri, wife of Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri, said at the Minister Spouse Fellowship at the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting.

The third worship session of the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting took place on the evening of Monday, Nov. 11. Messengers and guests gathered at the Waco Convention Center for worship, preaching, prayer and ministry updates.

Julio Guarneri, executive director of Texas Baptists, gave his report to the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting messengers and guests during the evening worship session on Monday, Nov. 11. He shared an update from the study group comprised of Texas Baptists staff, pastors, lay people and institutional leaders who had been working over the past year to clarify Texas Baptists’ calling and values.