News

Attendees of [un]Apologetic Evangelism Conference learned to defend their faith; respond and minister to loved ones engaged in deconstruction. 

Pastor Strong traveled to South Asia to train and commission regional pastors to finish well; spend time in prayer and spontaneous worship. 

The Texas Baptists Center for Ministerial Health welcomed Aaron Summers as the new coordinator of Pastorless Churches. Summers transitioned from his prior position as lead pastor at First Baptist Church Crowley. He assumed the position on Feb. 17.

Texas Baptists learn how to be radically obedient as they use their voice in government; celebrate 75 years of the CLC. 

Christian Life Commission will host Advocacy Day on March 3-4, equipping believers for public policy engagement and celebrating 75 years of ministry.

The February meeting of the Texas Baptists Executive Board was held on Feb. 17-18 in Dallas, TX. Board directors heard ministry reports and passed recommendations related to the NAMB/Texas Baptists church planting arrangement, the continued practice of welcoming churches that affirm traditional Baptist beliefs, the creation of a Texas Baptists Insurance Program and more. 

On Feb. 17, during the Evangelism Strategic Planning Committee meeting, Texas Baptists’ Evangelism director, Oza Jones, signed a memorandum of understanding with Pete Kelly, CEO of Apartment Life. The partnership helps Texas Baptists churches to identify and send missionaries to Apartment Life’s communities.

The Executive Committee of the Texas Baptists Executive Board heard a feasibility study and voted to launch a Texas Baptists captive insurance program during its Monday afternoon meeting in Dallas.

The Texas Baptists Center for Cultural Engagement has released an “explainer” resource aimed at helping churches navigate the changing immigration landscape.

Discipleship & NextGen’s Preschool & Children’s Ministers Retreat encouraging attendees to be resilient, in community and support one another. 

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.

A four-person Texans on Mission team is in California working to multiply ministry of churches and chart a long-term relief effort in the area devastated by raging fires.

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

The Texas Baptists Center for Cultural Engagement welcomed Carlos Francis as the new director of African American Ministries. Francis transitioned from his prior position as the director of Young Adult Ministries. He assumed the position on Oct. 7.

The Texas Baptists Center for Ministerial Health welcomed Olga Harris as the new director of Counseling Services. Harris transitioned to the role from her prior position as a private practice LPC. She assumed the new position on Aug. 19.

In the spring of 2023, Hannah Hopkins, a senior at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) and Texas Baptists’ 2024 Prestidge Endowment Music & Worship Scholarship recipient, transferred to the school with a passion to lead worship. She’d heard the original song “New Day” performed by Lampsato, ETBU’s worship band, and wanted to audition to be a part of the group.

In July, we posted an article about a change in the overtime rules put out by the Department of Labor. To summarize, in April, the DOL passed a new overtime rule that raised the minimum weekly salary to qualify for exemption from overtime from $684 per week to $844 per week or the equivalent salary of $43,888 per year.

The Texas Baptists Center for Missional Engagement welcomed Clinton Lowin as the new director of its Missionary Adoption Program (MAP) and Church Planting Centers. Lowin transitioned from his prior position as the minister of missions at First Baptist Church Tyler. He assumed the position on Nov. 19.