Weekly Update

Four highlights of our upcoming Annual Meeting

Oct 24, 2024

It is hard to believe that we are approximately two weeks away from our Texas Baptists Annual Meeting taking place Nov. 10-12 in Waco. I am excited and ready to experience all that God has in store for us as we gather.

Partnering to serve those in need

Oct 16, 2024

If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed that over the last two to three weeks I have lifted up prayers, as I am sure you have too, for those affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton, for peace in the Middle East, and for relief efforts by Christian organizations and churches.

The priority of church starting in Texas and beyond

Oct 10, 2024

Monica and I had the privilege of attending the Texas Baptists Church Starter’s retreat in Galveston last week.

Telling the story all day long

Oct 3, 2024

This week, I’ve had the opportunity to preach at First Baptist Corpus Christi, attend our Church Starter’s retreat in Galveston and speak to young adults at First Baptist Edinburg. God is doing great things!

September Executive Board meeting: God’s hand at work

Sep 27, 2024

This week, your Texas Baptists executive board met. It was an encouraging time of hearing exciting ministry reports and making important decisions moving forward. 

Executive board, convention and leadership: three prayer points this week

Sep 19, 2024

Next week, our Executive Board will be meeting for its regular September meeting. It is sobering to remember that a year ago, during its September meeting, the board voted to hire me for the role of Executive Director/CEO.

How God is moving at Texas Baptists universities

Sep 11, 2024

This past week has been a busy week on the road for me, preaching in churches, preaching chapel at one of our universities, speaking to seminary students and speaking at a Hispanic Men’s Retreat.

Why our Pave ministry is so critical

Sep 5, 2024

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.

Equipping and mobilizing church laity for God’s mission

Aug 28, 2024

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.

He has done great things

Aug 22, 2024

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.

He is in control: Pastor’s Common and Lamar BSM updates

Aug 14, 2024

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

God is faithful; His plans are perfect

Aug 7, 2024

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

Learning for the sake of godly living

Jul 31, 2024

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.

Enlarging the tent, expanding the kingdom

Jul 24, 2024

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. 

A sketch of Hispanic Baptist work in Texas

Jul 17, 2024

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

Advancing together with ‘en Español’ ministries

Jul 10, 2024

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. 

An Independence Day prayer

Jul 4, 2024

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.

This is what we are about

Jun 26, 2024

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.