Texas Baptists’ Bounce Student Disaster Recovery to transition to Texans on Mission

DALLAS — Texas Baptists’ BOUNCE Student Disaster Recovery will now be under a new home with Texans on Mission partners. The youth mission experience was founded in 2014 and has mobilized thousands of students to volunteer through disaster recovery mission experiences across Texas over spring break and summer trips. Beginning in August, Texans on Mission will now lead youth-group disaster recovery trips for the convention. The shift expands the ability of churches to send their youth on mission trips after disasters in Texas and beyond. The transition of student disaster recovery to a trusted ministry partner came amidst the convention's ongoing effort to realign and rightsize ministry offerings around a strategic vision to equip churches for Great Commandment and Great Commission faithfulness. 

“We are thankful for our Texans on Mission partners and the opportunity to continue providing opportunities for churches and students to engage in disaster relief experiences,” said Julio Guarneri, executive director of Texas Baptists. “In our desire to be effective and efficient, we realize Texans on Mission can take this ministry to the next level since they are experts in the field and continue to build upon the foundation that was laid through BOUNCE.”

Since 1967, TXM volunteers have responded to every major disaster in Texas and most disasters across the country. In recent years, the ministry has significantly expanded its student-related efforts to include opportunities like hands-on projects at congregations, as well as mission trips.

“Texans on Mission is proud to be the disaster relief ministry arm of Texas Baptists,” Mickey Lenamon, chief executive officer for Texans on Missions, said. “Together, we are mobilizing Christ-followers of all ages to meet needs and share God’s love after disasters. This move expands our partnership to deploy students to serve throughout the state and beyond. As a result of their faithfulness, God will transform lives.”

Texans on Mission already has scheduled four mission opportunities for students to serve in Texas in 2027 and is looking at a fifth. Most opportunities are empowering youth to respond to the widespread needs created by back-to-back Hill Country floods in 2025 and 2026.

“Right now, Texans are hurting,” Lenamon said. “Our volunteer relief teams have responded. Now we’re ramping up our long-term recovery teams. Students from Baptist churches across the state soon will be rebuilding houses as they rebuild lives in the name of Christ.”

For more information about youth mission opportunities through Texans on Mission, church leaders can contact missions[at]texansonmission.org. 

For 12 years, David Scott has faithfully led BOUNCE with Texas Baptists. This fall, he will be retiring from ministry with the convention. Scott developed the youth service program to help students understand the value of mission service to cultivate a love for missions and ministry in their life. Under his leadership, Scott developed strong networks across the state and served in numerous communities impacted by disasters in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. 

“We are thankful for David’s vision to launch BOUNCE and the meaningful ministry that has occurred under his leadership,” said Noe Trevino, Missions Strong team director. 

In April, BOUNCE received the Rebuild Texas Disaster Impact Award as part of the 42nd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. The statewide award was a high honor and recognized the mobilization of volunteers to meet needs in Texas communities. 

While youth disaster relief and recovery experiences are transitioning to Texans on Mission, new opportunities for youth missions experiences are in development through the Texas Baptists Missions Strong Team. Leah McMullen, Community Ministries specialist, will lead this new effort for youth missions experiences. 

“We believe it’s very important to mobilize students for service in these formative years so they can learn more about loving God, loving others and serving through missions,” said Trevino.