Weekly Update

Since Pave launched in May 2022, 125 pastors have joined cohorts. Eighty-five percent of Pave pastors reported "significant revitalization progress" after year one of Pave. Sixty-eight percent of Pave pastors are reporting an increase in baptisms in their first year of Pave.

This month, I have been conversing with our leadership team, partnering agency and ministry staff about our mission theme for the next couple of years or so.

This is staff week at the Texas Baptists offices in Dallas. Twice a year, we gather all of our staff from around the state, and we meet for three days to worship together, hear reports of what God is doing, encourage one another and plan as teams.

All of us are affected by the new school year. Change of routine for families. Morning traffic patterns. And ministry cycles beginning again.

My wife and I experienced two very different kinds of events last week, but both of them had something in common. 

As we approach the end of July, many are beginning to prepare for back-to-school. We are thankful for the many educators in our Texas Baptists churches, and we pray for a successful upcoming school year.

Recent news headlines and social media content have ranged from interesting to unusual to outright heart-breaking. While these sources can be challenging, I continue to be excited about is what God is doing through Texas Baptists churches and institutions this summer. 

I write to you from Monterrey, Mexico, where I am preaching the evening sessions of the National Baptist Convention of Mexico.

We continue to be mindful of those in Houston and surrounding areas who were affected by Hurricane Beryl. We pray for comfort, provision and recovery. 

Happy Fourth of July! Whether you are celebrating with a grill out around friends and family, serving the community through a church event or spending a quiet and relaxing day at home, I pray God’s richest blessings on you.

One of my favorite things about summer in the years I served as pastor was the number of people I saw born into the family of God.

As I look at the social media posts of churches conducting their VBS, I smile with nostalgia. I remember attending VBS as a child with fondness. Among my memories is the reciting of pledges at the worship rally. 

I pray you are having a blessed summer and that your church is engaged in sharing Christ’s love in word and deed through summer events.

June is here! Churches are having VBS, students are heading to camp, and groups are departing on short-term mission trips. What an exciting time! 

What a privilege it is to be part of the body of Christ. The Bible tells us that speaking the truth in love contributes to the growth and maturity of Christ’s body. We strive to be about that.

What an incredible privilege and what a weighty responsibility this promise of Jesus is to us, his disciples. The promise of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power brings confidence to our witness. We do not take this task on our own strength and ability.

At the onset of his ministry, Jesus declared at his hometown synagogue in Nazareth His mission. 

One of the most encouraging aspects of ministry is when someone tells you they are praying for you. Not only is it nice to know that someone cares enough to lift you up in prayer, but it is also powerful to experience God’s presence and blessing.