Students are making a kingdom-impact

Last week, I shared with you some of the exciting things God has been doing through chaplaincy, church starting and the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering. We praise God for that. This week, I want to share with you what God is doing through students during spring break.

Last week, about 1,000 BSM students used their spring break to serve in Brownwood, McAllen, Honduras, San Antonio, Galveston and South Padre Island (Beach Reach).

Beach Reach is a Texas BSM ministry that serves spring breakers and the city of South Padre Island by providing free rides in church vans and serving pancakes. This provides an opportunity to pray and have spiritual conversations with college students from around the state and beyond.

Beach Reach takes place during both spring break weeks. During Week One, 5,549 free rides were provided, 9,003 pancakes were served, 5,024 spiritual conversations took place and BSM students prayed with 5,545 people. As a result, God led 49 students to recommit their lives to Christ, 206 to make a first-time profession of faith in Christ and 35 individuals to be baptized!

We are thankful for the BSM students who served with such dedication and for the BSM state leadership, including Mark Jones, Bill Noe, Joe Osteen, Brenda Sanders, Beth Smith, Ginger Bowman, Gary Stidham, Nathan Mahand and Eric Bean, who work so hard to facilitate this ministry. Additionally, we are thankful for Texans on Mission who provide and cook the pancakes every night. Pray for all these as Week Two is taking place now.

While hundreds of college students serve at Beach Reach, hundreds of middle and high school students serve through our BOUNCE student disaster recovery ministry. During Week One of spring break, 170 students worked to help Camp La Junta in Hunt, Texas, rebuild after the devastating floods on July 4 last year.

The students laid new sod, planted trees, dug holes for new fencing and did siding work on some of the buildings. Through this labor of love, 17 students surrendered to ministry and missions, one student trusted Christ as Savior and Lord and together they raised $800 to support a MAP missionary. Week Two is going on now with another 190 students serving at the same place.

We are thankful for the leadership of Noe Treviño, director of the Center for Missional Engagement; David Scott, director of BOUNCE; and Leah McMullen, Community Ministry specialist. Additionally, we congratulate them for a very special recognition from the Governor’s office!

BOUNCE has been named a recipient of the 42nd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, one of the State of Texas’ highest honors recognizing exemplary volunteer service. BOUNCE received the Rebuild Texas Disaster Impact Award for 2026, which recognizes organizations that do an exceptional job of utilizing volunteers to meet the needs of Texas communities during all phases of disaster–mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

What an incredible kingdom-impact students are making these two weeks through their service to others, and what a great disciple-making experience it is for them. All of this is possible because churches cooperate together for the sake of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission!

A couple of things that are coming up are (1) a resource for your church to join Baptists in Texas and around the world in praying for 49 days for the Great Commandment and the Great Commission to be lived out (from the day after Easter through Pentecost Sunday) and (2) a 13-week Bible study resource from GC2 Press that explores “GC2 Strong: A Great Commandment & Great Commission Awakening” to be released for summer use. Stay tuned!

Finally, we have the Texas Baptists Golf Classic coming up on April 20 at the Dallas Athletic Club. This is an opportunity for fellowship with other pastors and members of Texas Baptists churches. There are still a few spots available, so register today! Hope to see you there.

Thanks for the partnership. Together we are doing more!