Weekly Update

This is a birthday week for Texas Baptists! On June 29, 1886, the first session of the Baptist General Convention of Texas was held. Before then, there had been up to five Baptist state bodies in Texas. Some had formed because of disagreements with the others.

It has been a couple of weeks since the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) held its annual meeting in Dallas, Texas. The Baptist General Convention of Texas was considered a co-host for this event along with GuideStone and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the two SBC entities in Texas, and the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas.

Texas Baptists begin the month of June with what we have called “Legacy Day.” On that day, we recognize Texas Baptists leaders who have made a lifetime contribution to Kingdom work. The event is held at Independence Baptist Church.

We are moving forward with an initiative we are calling GC2 Strong. It is based on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We want to see churches strengthened. Strong churches need strong ministers. Strong churches strengthen mission partnerships. GC2 Strong!

Our schools and our churches are shifting into summer ministry mode! It is an exciting time. Although we should be about the Great Commission year-round, the summer offers opportunities to engage with it in special ways.

Memorial Day weekend is here! Many celebrate graduations and the end of another school year. Others anticipate the beginning of summer, including VBS, mission trips, camps and perhaps even, vacation.

What a gift it is to enjoy fellowship with others in the church family! What a joy it is to spend time together with fellow church leaders from sister churches. What a reflection of God’s love it is when churches come together to worship, fellowship and cooperate for God’s mission.

This week, I find myself preparing for our executive board meeting on May 19-20 in Abilene.

As we continue to rejoice in the hope of the resurrection, we anticipate the celebration of Pentecost. We remember the coming of the Holy Spirit on the gathered disciples in the upper room and the launching of the global Christian movement.

In less than three weeks, I will be traveling to Memphis, Tennessee. I will join 71 leaders in signing a declaration of cooperation on the occasion of the Cooperative Program’s 100th anniversary.

We are in the middle of what is often referred to as Passion Week. We remember Jesus’ intention to go to Calvary. We reflect on his intense suffering and death. As we prepare for the glory of Resurrection Sunday, we remember there is no Easter without the Cross and the tomb.

Last week, I shared with you about ministry to the next generation. How important that is for the kingdom! It is equally important that we protect the children God has entrusted to us.

I hope and pray you are doing well during this season of preparation as we remember Jesus’ suffering, death and burial, and as we anticipate celebrating his resurrection from the dead.

Spring is in the air! Winds across Texas are fierce! Some parts of our state have been affected by wildfires. 

If you have been around evangelicals for at least a couple of decades, you will remember WWJD bracelets. Young people wore them to ask themselves, “What Would Jesus Do?” in guiding them to make good decisions.

As March has arrived, I pray that you are experiencing the best of God’s blessings. As we anticipate the arrival of Resurrection Sunday, we reflect on Jesus’ love and sacrifice for us.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, our BGCT executive board met.

I write to you from the Tampa Bay area where I am attending a meeting of Baptist state convention executive directors from across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Every state convention is different but we all agree about the importance of partnership.