Texas Baptists churches are at work strengthening churches to fulfill the Great Commandment and Great Commission every day in Texas and beyond. I wanted to share a story with you about a person who was recently impacted by your church’s gifts to the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program.

Mike Vasquez, senior pastor at First Baptist Church Hondo, was already considering church revitalization before learning more about Texas Baptists’ church revitalization strategy at an associational meeting.

He joined a Pave cohort and began the process in March. The first principle of Pave Vasquez instituted at FBC Hondo was the baptism plan. At first, he said, he struggled with spreading the celebration over a few weeks, but he saw enthusiasm impacted his congregation quickly.

The plan involves a three-part celebration: the first week the church announces the baptism coming the following week. The actual baptism is then celebrated, preceded by a video of the person sharing their recorded testimony. The third week, the testimony video and the baptism video are shown, giving another opportunity for celebration.

Since implementing the baptism plan, the church has had four individuals come forward for baptism, with others lined up for baptism in the coming weeks.

Vasquez said he has also taken steps to grow the church’s discipleship efforts by beginning a Monday morning men’s Bible study group that is already being multiplied.

Vasquez said the Pave manual that Jonathan Smith, Church Strong Team lead, has recently published for participants has been a helpful resource throughout the process.

This kind of impact only happens through local churches making a difference right where they are. Thank you for your generous gifts through the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program. Because of your gifts, we are able to strengthen churches to fulfill your calling to love God, love others and make disciples.