Keeping our eyes on Jesus

I write to you from Brisbane, Australia, where the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is celebrating its 23rd Congress. We are gathering with 3,400 Baptists from 130 countries to explore the theme of “Living the Good News.”

Through worship celebrations, Bible studies, breakout sessions and conferences, the BWA is advancing the 2033 Acts 2 movement. This initiative seeks to mobilize the whole of the Baptist family in prayerful pursuit of church renewal and holistic gospel witness in every language around the world. 

While there is much to share about the BWA Congress and what is taking place here, we confess that our hearts continue to be saddened by the tragic events of July 4th in our Texas Hill Country. Our thoughts and prayers have continued to be with the families, the churches and the communities that were affected.

In the last few days, I have had numerous conversations with pastors and other leaders regarding devastating floods that have caused so much loss. Almost every Texas Baptists staff member, TXB church staff member and many of my friends were either affected directly or know someone who was. At the same time, Texas Baptists churches have responded lovingly and generously.

One of the pastors with whom I’ve been speaking is Bobby Contreras of Alamo Heights Baptist Church. Beyond his role in the church, he serves as chaplain in his municipality. Several of the families in that community had children who attended Camp Mystic, some of whom are still missing. He has helped organize community counseling along with the school district.

Ross Chandler, pastor of FBC Marble Falls, shared with me here in Brisbane that one of the girls from his church lost her life, as did the fire chief in his city. While the grief and pain are still very real, FBC Marble Falls has organized efforts to train over 100 volunteers to do mud outs in the area.

The pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Kerrville, John Wheat, has made his church available as a place for volunteers to sleep as they partner with the mud out efforts of FBC Marble Falls. In addition, FBC Boerne, FBC Center Point and Comfort Baptist Church, among others, have supported search and rescue, first responders and other relief efforts. Read more about it here.

Olga Harris, director of counseling for Texas Baptists is organizing efforts to minister to those affected by these tragic events. To initiate a request, visit txb.org/counseling or contact Olga Harris at counselingservices@texasbaptists.org

Of course, Texans on Mission have been on the ground with chaplaincy and relief efforts from the very beginning. Mickey Lenamon and other Texans on Mission leaders were here in Brisbane as they were accepted into the membership of the Baptist World Alliance. Yet the leaders back home, along with the volunteers from our churches, have shown great compassion in action.

Texans on Mission remains our premier disaster relief partner organization. We are thankful for them, and we encourage you to both pray and donate to them. You may give your donations through our Missions Foundation page and designate it for “TXM Hill Country Disaster Relief,” and we will make sure it gets to them expediently.

Thank you for what you have already done in prayer, giving, mobilizing and perhaps in direct ministry. We continue to pray for this ministry of relief and restoration, which will be long-term.

On a separate but important note, in case you did not receive the advisory from our communications team regarding the previously announced grant to the Baylor School of Social Work, I include the link here.

Until next week, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. We rejoice with those who rejoice, and we mourn with those who mourn.