SPOTLIGHT / CELEBRATING THE SERVICE OF TEXAS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS pg. 15
VOLUME 5 . ISSUE 1
The impact of institutional giving: Natalie’s story pg. 22
HPU student leads teammates to better understanding of Christ’s love pg. 21
Missionary Adoption Program opens doors for expanded ministry pg. 28
TEXAS BAPTISTS EVENT CALENDAR Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
29
30
31
1 February
2
3
4
Introduction to Interim Ministry Training, Waco
Bivocational Pastor & Spouse Retreat, Lubbock Abide, Spicewood Renovación, Lubbock VBS Overview, Austin
5
6
Renovación, Lubbock
12
7
8
VBS Overview, Dallas
13
14
9
10
11
MinistrySafe Workshop, Tyler
15
16
VBS Overview, Lubbock
17
18
Go Now Discovery Weekend, Midlothian VBS Overview, Corpus Christi 19
20
21
22
Go Now Discovery Weekend, Midlothian
23
Worship Summit, San Antonio
24
25
Bivocational Pastor & Spouse Retreat, San Antonio [un] Apologetic Conference, Austin Renovación, San Antonio VBS Overview, Rio Grande Valley
26
27
Renovación,
San Antonio
5
6
28
1 March
Worship Summit, Plainview
Renovación, Tyler
7
8
14
9
10
BGCT Camp Day,
15
Everlasting Choir Celebration for Boomers and Beyond, Abilene
Leader’s Edge Summit, Houston
Childhood Ministry Certification Program, Dallas
Beach Reach, South Padre Island
16
17
Introduction to Interim Ministry Training, Dallas 21
22
23
Everlasting Choir Celebration, Plano
26
27
28 MinistrySafe Workshop,
18 Instrumental Convergence, Tyler
Intentional Interim Ministry Spring Update, Dallas
BOUNCE Spring Break Mission 2, Houston
20
11
BOUNCE Spring Break Mission 1, Houston
Beach Reach, South Padre Island
19
4
African American Leadership Workshop, Waco
Dallas
13
3
CLC Advocacy Day, Austin
Everlasting Choir Celebration for Boomers and Beyond, Woodlands
12
2
24
25
Leader’s Edge Summit, Houston
29
30
31
1 April
Hispanic Preaching Conference, DFW
Woodway
Visit texasbaptists.org/events for more info and to register for an event today.
TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE / VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 1 / JANUARY 2017
F E AT U R E S
Texas Baptists gather in Waco for 131st Annual Meeting Photos: Annual Meeting experience Missionary Adoption Program opens doors for expanded ministry in Brazil and beyond SPOTLIGHT
Providing hope, help, training and care through institutions Hendrick Breast Institute and The Hope Fund save patients, change lives Single father discovers joy in new beginning through Buckner HPU student leads teammates to better understanding of Christ’s love The impact of institutional giving: Natalie’s story En Español: Evidencia de la esperanza, la ayuda, el entrenamiento, y el cuidado por medio de nuestras instituciones
TING CELEBR A of ice the Serv TISTS P A B TE X A S IONS INSTITUT
p 15
IN E VE RY ISSU E
Event Calendar Letter from Executive Director Impact: Texas Baptists News Staff Spotlight: Texas Baptists Leadership Team Resources
P U B L I C AT I O N T E A M
Joshua Seth Minatrea, Director of Communications Kalie Lowrie, News Director Jeremy Honea, Art Director Jordan Parker, Multimedia Specialist Brittany Thomas, Communications Assistant
You are receiving a free copy of Texas Baptists Life because of your generous support of the Cooperative Program. To subscribe, call 214.828.5232 or email subscriptions@texasbaptists.org.
JANUARY 2017
3
Hello Texas Baptists!
Baptist church partners with a BBC Church and,
At the very heart of who we are and what we do as a
for one indigenous Brazilian missionary working
cooperative family of churches are evangelism and missions. Every Sunday, I have the chance to preach in a Texas Baptist church and each week the heartbeat of evangelism and missions is confirmed. For a while now, we have been thinking and praying about a specific or unique role we, as Texas Baptists, might be able to have in the field of missions beyond our borders. Most of our churches support the work of international missions in one way or another. They give to international mission offerings supporting missionaries overseas. Some churches are able to send their own missionaries to various parts of the world in
together, they provide the monthly financial support among the 147 unreached people groups in 10,000 villages along the Amazon region. The cost of this monthly support would be approximately $300 per month for each of the two partner churches, totaling $600 in monthly support to the indigenous missionary. Read more about this new opportunity on page 28. We have agreed to partner with them in this endeavor, believing it to be a very effective and efficient use of both human and financial resources. We are also pleased to have Jair Campos, a Brazilian member of our Texas Baptists staff, help us lead in this new venture.
which they have contacts or connections. These are all
So, if you have interest in this exciting venture, please
good, and we hope and pray for their success.
visit texasbaptists.org/map and we'll trust the Lord for
However, a new opportunity was presented to Texas Baptists by the Brazilian Baptist Convention.
success and increase. Blessings,
They have asked us to walk alongside them in an opportunity called "Missionary Adoption Program." A very brief explanation would be as follows: A Texas D AV I D H A R D A G E E XECU TIVE DIRECTOR
4
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
GREATER AUSTIN FEBRUARY 24-25, 2017 AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH
7016 RIBELIN RANCH DR
AUSTIN, TX
78750
ADDRESSING CURRENT WAYS TO REMOVE OBSTACLES TO EVANGELISM
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
LEE STROBEL
MARK MITTELBERG
DEBATE BETWEEN
MIKE LICONA
(CHRISTIAN)
MATT DILLAHUNTY (ATHEIST)
Topics include: “The Unexpected Adventure,” “Confident Faith: 20 Arrows of Truth” and many more. Visit texasapologetics.org to see a list of all the topics and to register online.
CONFERENCE RATES
ADULT RATES
early bird through February 9
$35
beginning February 10
$45
STUDENT RATES
early bird through February 9
$20
beginning February 10
$30
texasapologetics.org
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15
IMPACT: TEXAS BAPTISTS NEWS SUMMIT ATTENDEES LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN When Jason and Maggie Whitt shared about the impact of special needs ministry during the Childhood and Family Ministry Summit on August 12, they spoke from their personal experience parenting their 7-year-old daughter, Camille. "It is important for the awareness to be heightened for families of children with special needs,” Whitt shared. “This will raise the awareness of the entire church." The Childhood and Family Ministry Summit, hosted by First Baptist Church in Arlington, prepared 375 leaders in how to become better teachers, ministers and parents.
RALLIES TRAIN LEADERS ON REACHING BOOMERS
Texas Baptists took the Boomer Life message on the road this fall, with one-day rallies hosted by Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, North Fort Worth Baptist Church in Fort Worth and Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown. Altogether, more than 120 people came to discover how they can adapt their ministries to more effectively reach and minister to this diverse and exciting generation of aging adults.
TBMF awards $242,000 in ministry grants
TEXAS BAPTIST MISSIONS FOUNDATION
6
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
The Texas Baptist Mission Foundation has awarded $242,000 in grants to be used for ministry by Texas Baptists ministry staff in 2017. In August, the TBMF Council considered and approved 28 grant requests, funded by undesignated donor gifts, to be used for ministry projects by Texas Baptists, Texas Baptist Men and WMU of Texas.
Worship Summit held at ETBU Texas Baptists Music and Worship sponsored a Worship Summit October 27 on the campus of East Texas Baptist University, with over 70 in attendance. Designed for music and worship pastors to come together with others who share in the worship field, these events are also beneficial for church music majors, providing a day of discussion, round table topics and fellowship. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Doran Bugg, music and worship minister at First Baptist Dallas.
Renovación conferences encourage ministers to revive the evangelistic fire Four regional Renovación Hispanic Evangelism Conferences were held in 2016, with more than 2,500 Hispanic pastors and leaders being challenged, inspired and equipped to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment throughout Texas. The most recent Renovación conference was held in the Houston area at Crosspoint Church in Bellaire on October 28 & 29. “One of the highlights of the Houston conference was the coming together of Hispanic pastors and leaders from the three Baptist associations to celebrate a unified conference in the region,” said Joshua del Risco, evangelism lead and director of Hispanic evangelism. “From all indications, this event will serve as a catalyst to further evangelistic collaboration and work between the congregations in these associations.”
TEXAS BAPTISTS PARTNER WITH TEXAS BAPTIST MEN FOR LONG-TERM DISASTER RECOVERY Texas Baptists have entered into a new partnership with Texas Baptist Men to provide disaster relief and long-term recovery solely through TBM. Texas Baptists Disaster Recovery will now be known as Texas Baptist Men Long Term Disaster Recovery, with staff members Marla Bearden and Gerald Davis officing through TBM headquarters in Dallas. This new partnership strengthens the long-time relationship with TBM and Texas Baptists are excited about the direction moving forward by joining these two valuable ministries together to meet needs and share Christ to victims of disaster.
NINE CHURCHES RECOGNIZED FOR CP GIVING During Texas Baptists’ Annual Meeting in Waco, nine churches were recognized for their Cooperative Program giving. Since 1925, the Cooperative Program has provided the fuel to fund mission work in Texas, the United States and around the world.
Top-giving churches among ethnic congregations:
Top-giving churches based upon church size:
The Fort Bend Church, Sugar Land
Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler
Chinese Baptist Church, Houston
Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene
Northside Community Church, San Antonio
Bacon Heights Baptist Church, Lubbock
Vietnamese Baptist Church, Houston
First Baptist Church, Caldwell South Seminole Baptist Church, Seminole
Texas Baptists endorse first Native American Chaplain Texas Baptists have endorsed Joe Donnell as the first Baptist General Convention of Texas tribal chaplain, with responsibility to serve the indigenous people of North America. “Joe has been serving his people in a ministry capacity for a number of years, but at our recent conference, he expressed a desire to be affiliated with Texas Baptists,” said Bobby Smith, director of chaplaincy. “An endorsement by Texas Baptists will be beneficial to Joe, but even more beneficial to us as we launch an initiative to win the First Nation to Christ,” Smith said.
Dan Curry joins Texas Baptists as Area Representative In October, Texas Baptists welcomed Dan Curry to the staff as the new Area Representative for Area 9 from Fort Worth to Wichita Falls. Curry has served in ministry across Texas for more than four decades, with pastorates in Coahoma, Tahoka, and a longtime tenure of 24 years at South Oaks Baptist Church in Arlington.
To read more Texas Baptists news stories, visit texasbaptists.org/news. JANUARY 2017
7
Texas Baptists
gather in Waco for 131 Annual Meeting st
BY K ALIE LOWRIE NE WS DIRECTOR
8
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
Texas Baptists joined together for the 131st Annual Meeting Nov. 13-15 in Waco, focusing on “Celebrating
Service” through worship and business sessions, workshops and a variety of events with 1,157 messengers and 663 visitors in attendance. Messengers approved the 2017 Texas Baptists budget of $36.6 million, used to fund ministries, missions and institutional partnerships all focused on spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Monday’s business session, officers for 2016-2017 were elected, including Danny Reeves, pastor of
First Baptist Church in Corsicana, as president; Joseph Fields, pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Lewisville, as first vice president; and Jim Heiligman, pastor of First Baptist Church in Bryan, as second vice president. Reeves previously served as second vice president and this is the first time of service for Fields and Heiligman.
Keynote speakers included New York Times best-selling author Lee Strobel, professor of Christian
Thought at Houston Baptist University, and esteemed preacher and theologian Cleophus LaRue, Francis Landey Patton Professor of Homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary. President René Maciel, community life pastor at First Baptist Church in Woodway, moderated worship and business sessions. “This Gospel is to be proclaimed to everybody, even if only received by some,” said LaRue during his Monday evening address.
Executive Director David Hardage shared about new Texas Baptists initiatives during his report on
Monday evening. He introduced several staff members overseeing key ministry areas. Leonid Regheta joined the staff this year as Director of Project:Start, a refugee resource center serving 30,000 refugees in the Dallas area of Vickery Meadow. Leighton Flowers was introduced as Director of Apologetics and Youth Evangelism, providing churches with information on how to contend for faith in an ever-changing culture through regional [un]Apologetic conferences featuring national leaders in apologetics such as Strobel, Mike Licona and Mark Mittelberg.
Hardage also highlighted a new partnership with the Brazilian Baptist Convention called the Missionary
Adoption Program (MAP) through which churches can co-sponsor an indigenous missionary in the Amazon along with a partnering Brazilian church. “It’s going to take more ways and more people to reach the world for Christ than what we are doing now,” Hardage said emphasizing the need for expanding ministries.
During Tuesday’s morning worship and business session, messengers voted to approve two motions
regarding how and for what reason a church may be removed from harmonious cooperation with the churches of the Convention. The first motion, brought to the floor by Steve Wells, pastor of South Main Baptist Church in Houston, set in place a procedure to consistently address churches considered to be outside of harmonious cooperation. The procedure granted the Executive Board the authority to remove a congregation outside of harmonious cooperation with a two-thirds vote.
The second motion, brought to the floor by Craig Christina, pastor of Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in
Dallas, reaffirmed Texas Baptists’ longstanding historical position on biblical human sexuality and marriage, specifically within the context of considering whether or not churches are within harmonious cooperation. The motion stated, “because of the historical and biblical positions of the BGCT as stated in multiple resolutions, motions, and actions, that any church which affirms any sexual relationship outside the bonds of a marriage between one man and one woman be considered out of harmonious cooperation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.”
Many workshops were standing room only, addressing pressing topics such as the end of religion, the
future of Christian higher education, the historicity of the Gospel, refugee assistance and 5-point Calvinism. Woven throughout the annual gathering was a common thread of cooperation, with an emphasis on the necessity of partnership to reach the state of Texas and beyond with the Gospel through commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. During his address, Hardage noted he preaches in different Texas Baptists congregations each week and, while each church is uniquely different, “one thing remains the same. Our pastors are diligently preaching the Gospel. Thank you, churches. Thank you, pastors. God bless you.”
JANUARY 2017
9
131st Annual Meeting of Texas Baptists
“It’s going to take more ways and more people to reach the world for Christ than what we are doing now,” Executive Director David Hardage said, emphasizing the need for expanding ministries.
10
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
131st Annual Meeting of Texas Baptists
NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS
Joe Fields, 1st vice president, Danny Reeves, president and Jim Heiligman, 2nd vice president
JANUARY 2017
11
131st Annual Meeting of Texas Baptists
12
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
131st Annual Meeting of Texas Baptists
“This Gospel is to be proclaimed to everybody, even if only received by some.” – Cleophus LaRue
JANUARY 2017
13
BOUNCE Student Disaster Recovery offers middle school, high school, and college students the opportunity to make a difference in the world by impacting communities through disaster recovery and community rehabilitation. Through a BOUNCE pre-packaged mission experience,
students are mobilized for challenging mission service and encounter God through inspiring times of worship. For information on 2017 Summer Missions, BOUNCE over to texasbaptists.org/bounce.
2017 SUMMER MISSION TRIPS Mission 1 June 12-17 Dallas, TX
Mission 2 June 19-24 Bartlesville, OK
Mission 3 June 26-July 1 Baton Rouge, LA
Mission 4 July 10-15 Jennings, LA
Mission 5 July 17-22 Waco, TX
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating the service of Texas Baptists Institutions
Natalie Rodriguez, raised at Texas Baptist Children’s Home, shows a childhood photo with her sister. Read Natalie’s story on pages 22-23.
16
PROVIDING HOPE, HELP, TRAINING AND CARE THROUGH INSTITUTIONS
21
Steve Vernon, associate executive director, shares how Texas Baptists institutions have impacted millions around Texas through their services.
18
HENDRICK BREAST INSTITUTE AND THE HOPE FUND SAVE PATIENTS, CHANGE LIVES Leaders of the Hendrick Breast Institute in Abilene have seen God move in mighty ways through assistance provided with The Hope Fund.
20
SINGLE FATHER DISCOVERS JOY IN NEW BEGINNING THROUGH BUCKNER Hector Flores is a single dad of four with a new beginning through support including parenting classes, shoes and clothes for his children and a new home — all of which he received through Buckner International services.
HPU STUDENT LEADS TEAMMATES TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST’S LOVE Howard Payne University student athlete Chad Anders encountered God during his time at HPU and now is a leader on campus, sharing the hope he has found with his teammates and friends.
22
THE IMPACT OF INSTITUTIONAL GIVING: NATALIE’S STORY Read about Natalie Rodriguez’s journey from a foster child at Texas Baptist Children’s Home to now studying to become a nurse through Scott and White Nursing School at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
24
EN ESPAÑOL: EVIDENCIA DE LA ESPERANZA, LA AYUDA, EL ENTRENAMIENTO, Y EL CUIDADO POR MEDIO DE NUESTRAS INSTITUCIONES Read the Spanish translation of Steve Vernon’s overview of the impact of Texas Baptists institutions on millions around Texas. JANUARY 2017
15
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
Providing HOPE, HELP, TRAINING
& CARE through institutions BY STE VE VERNON , A S S O C I AT E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R
or. A young rb a H rl ea P of g in with the bomb It bega n in 1941, r the wa r effort in fo ed ft ra d s a w s exa wa r, deployed fa rmer in West T to t en w , rs ea y o ined for tw ea rly 1942. He tra ted in Alaska, then ea tr s a w e H . ed d s woun in to Alaska a nd wa tment a nd reha b ea tr ve si n te ex d a ally h California, a nd fin Temple, Texas. a ry Ha rdinM ol ho sc s l’ ir g lla stood the Ha rdin-Baylor. In nea rby Belton ry a M of y it rs ve ni the U at Baylor College, now wounded soldiers g n ti si vi s a w s ie tr minis One of the college hool, a native of sc e th t a n a om w e ng ng fa rmer met th the hospital. A you ou y he T . rs to si vi e as one thos nd relocated a d ie rr Okla ho ma City, w a m , ve lo soon they fell in ily that bega n m fa young woma n a nd e th of ct u d as. I a m a pro back to West Tex ists institution. pt a B s a ex T a y b d long ago, facilitate r University, lo y a B to y a w a t as I wen wife, Donna. y m et The story continued m I re he T ptists institution. a nother Texas Ba ape my mind a nd sh ed lp he e er th s ssor The Christia n profe ren to Baylor. My ild ch e re th nt se e W l. hea rt for ministry. s Baptists hospita a ex T a t a y er rg dad had bypass su Texas Baptists a ow n is t a h w in e born My gra ndkids wer fa mily have been y m of es liv e th nd hospital. My life a Texas Baptists. of s n io ut it st in e th shaped by 16
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
I thought of those memories on Monday night of the
Annual Meeting this year, as I read the names of 27 Texas Baptists institutions. Represented on the stage were some of the finest Christian men and women in our state. Their commitment to the Kingdom of God through their institutions tells the story of Texas Baptists. Each of these institutions can tell thousands of stories like mine. In any given year, the institutions of Texas Baptists touch millions of lives.
How can our institutions touch so many? Educational
institutions teach and shape thousands of students each year. Our seminaries prepare hundreds to minister in the name of Christ in churches, Christian
2017 TEXAS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONAL FUNDING $8,322,380
Educational Institutions
organizations and
Baptist University of the AmĂŠricas
Baptist Student
Baylor University
Ministries. Our
Dallas Baptist University
medical centers
East Texas Baptist University
and hospitals care
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
for the physical
Hardin-Simmons University
and spiritual
Houston Baptist University
needs of
Howard Payne University
thousands upon thousands each year. Human care institutions care for children in Texas and across the world, meet the needs of those affected by disasters, support children and families who are struggling, and care for the
Logsdon Seminary San Marcos Baptist Academy University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Wayland Baptist University Valley Baptist Missions Education Center
Advocacy/Care Institutions $2,705,000
aged and mentally and physically challenged.
Baptist Child and Family Services
Baptist Community Services, Amarillo
Texas Baptists institutions manage endowments to support
the needs of other institutions and ministries that touch lives. Institutions provide communication that tells the story of our important work. They provide for refugees and provide housing for those who would minister in unreached areas. In the process, millions of lives are touched with the Gospel.
Several years ago, I was visiting with a friend who was
Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Baylor Scott & White Health Buckner International Children at Heart Ministries Hendrick Health System
comparing what happened in Texas to the Baptist work in the
Hillcrest Baptist Health System
northwest United States. Baptist work started in both areas at
South Texas Children's Home Ministries
around the same time. A veteran pastor who had spent his career ministering in the Northwest made an observation. The reason
TOTAL
$11,027,380
Baptists are so strong in Texas and not as strong in the Northwest is that the work of the convention was accompanied with the creation of institutions.
As I think of our Texas Baptists forebears, I give thanks for
dedicated Baptists who made a difference through institutions. People like Baylor, Buckner, Wayland, Robnett, Byars, Simmons, Hardin, Guajardo, Rivera, Groner and others had a vision to minister to the needs of Texas through the institutions to which they gave their lives.
You are a part of that as you give to Texas Baptists through
the Cooperative Program. As a product of that legacy, I give thanks. JANUARY 2017
17
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
Before they turned on the office computers
or answered a phone that first day of work at the Hendrick Breast Institute in Abilene, the staff lined a hallway and prayed with Hospital Chaplain Bruce Lampert. Breast Institute Registry Coordinator Melissa Boyd and her staff listened as Lampert spoke to them of the gentle power within the scarred hands of Jesus Christ. “That same power exists in your hands,” Lampert told them. “And, just as the aroma permeates the air around us, the work you do here will be far-reaching.”
Boyd sees that morning as the beginning of
a powerful ministry that would save the lives of countless women and impact not only patients, but also families and the Breast Institute staff as well. “The anointing set the tone,” said Boyd, who had big dreams and hopes for the endeavor, “and God made it bigger than I even thought it could be.”
From that first day of business in October
of 2014, the innovative program began offering a
Hendrick Breast Institute and The Hope Fund save patients, change lives
multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer care,
BY JANER A NARON , HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER
with goals of improving clinical outcomes and survival rates, reducing patient costs and variation of care, and optimizing the patient experience. Some patients are referred by their family physician or obstetrician/gynecologist, Boyd said, adding that many find the Breast Institute as a result of hearing about The Hope Fund at Hendrick. The Hope Fund is an initiative that provides financial assistance for mammograms and breast care treatment for women without insurance or access to care. Elyse Lewis, coordinator of women’s health and
community initiatives at Hendrick, said the program is aptly named because of the hope it offers to patients and their families. “The Hope Fund bridges the gap in service in our community for women who aren’t otherwise able to access the care they need,” Lewis said. By whatever means these patients come to the Breast Institute, Boyd said, she and her team are blessed to walk beside them through “a very hard time in their lives.” But the staff does much more than that. 18
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
In regular, standing-room-only case conference
they may be at risk. “We look for every opportunity,”
meetings, each patient’s case is reviewed
Boyd said. “We constantly ask ourselves, ‘Now, how
anonymously by multiple physicians, surgeons,
can we get this done? How can we meet this need?’”
nurses, nurse navigators, radiologists, oncologists
and other clinical professionals who discuss options
which is accredited by the National Accreditation
and best recommendations for each patient. The
Program for Breast Centers, has made truth of both
In two years, the Hendrick Breast Institute,
result, according to Boyd, is that patients have a large team combining their knowledge, experience and compassion for each case. “Our service provides a network that puts the patient at the center of care,” said Boyd, who added that she and her team serve as patient advocates by facilitating access to financial resources, providing education to help the patient and family understand diagnoses and treatment options, coordinating appointment scheduling when needed, identifying and removing barriers to care, and serving as liaisons to patients, physicians and hospital staff.
Through a unique system of combined work and
collaboration, the Breast Institute furthers its support to anyone with a breast health issue. “In this work,” Lewis said, “we really do see people becoming the hands and feet of God.”
Lampert’s and Boyd’s words, impacting patients and
families across the Texas Midwest. Boyd and her
A key component to the success of the program
lies in the personal attention given to each patient
team at the Breast Institute have daily reminders
by the nurse navigators. Along with Boyd, Imaging
that the reach of their work is immeasurable. Boyd
Nurse Navigator Andrea Wilson, LVN, and Breast
said she feels the hand of God every day as she
Cancer Nurse Navigator Makenzie Turner guide their
interacts with patients and their families.
patients through the entire process of care. “Once a
patient comes to see us, Andrea starts the process of
Boyd has saved for many months on her answering
imaging,” Boyd said. “She will help the patient with
machine, have cemented her sense of purpose in
scheduling their radiologist appointment, reminds
her job. “This lady wasn’t our patient, but she had
them of their appointments and will go with them
bilateral mastectomy,” Boyd said. “Then, she heard
to the appointment if they want. She helps them
about us and called to ask if we could help her with a
understand their treatment options, and becomes
prescription for special post-surgical garments.” On
their friend and advocate.” In the cases of cancer
the voicemail, the patient asks Boyd if she can help
patients, Turner does the same. “Makenzie stands in
her, if she can tell her where to go for the prescription
the gap for them,” Boyd said. “She gives them such a
and the process for being fitted. “Of course we helped
positive experience through her guidance that they
her!” Boyd said. “Then, we went with her for her
become family.”
fitting, and when she walked out of the curtain, there
were tears of joy because she was walking with her
An additional service provided to patients
Some sweet memories, including one message
is genetic screening through a program called
shoulders pulled back and with dignity.”
MyGeneticsTree, in which patients can complete
a free assessment online. The 15-minute question
asked. Patient impact is only half the story. Working
and answer assessment collects and evaluates the
at the Breast Institute has changed the lives of the
patient’s history and risk of Hereditary Breast and
staff, too. In Boyd’s heart and in her mind, no job
Ovarian Cancer Syndrome. Afterwards, there is
could ever match the one she has now. “I couldn’t tell
follow up by the Breast Institute Team, which may
you what I make an hour. I really have no idea,” Boyd
recommend more testing or genetic counseling.
said, pointing to the open door of her office. “My
rewards come through that door.”
Boyd said her team also helps with personalized
“How can you not see God’s hand in that?” Boyd
plans and prevention strategies for those who find JANUARY 2017
19
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
Single father discovers joy in new beginning through Buckner BY CHEL SE A Q. WHITE , B U C K N E R I N T E R N AT I O N A L
Center and volunteer opportunities. “It’s
built by teams working through
June was hot, dusty and cramped. Tattered
so rare for a man to come forward and
Buckner Domestic Missions.
bed sheets tried to block the blazing South
admit that he needs help, especially in
Texas sun coming through the small
Hispanic cultures,” said Brambila. “We
has been transformed,” Brambila said. “We
square windows. As a single parent with
could see that he was determined to help
believe he is doing it, Buckner is just part
four children, it’s hard to find time to keep
his children.”
of it. But he’s the one who’s determined to
up with the housework.
change his present and, in effect, change
the market at the Hope Center. The Flores
Hector Flores’ home in the middle of
Flores has been a single dad of four –
The following day, Flores went to
Hector Jr., 14, Rene, 11, Sandy, 7, and Tania,
family also attended a Buckner Shoes for
6 – for the past five years, officially. He
Orphan Souls® back-to-school distribution,
used to live in a tiny, trailer-like home
where children each received a new pair
that he slowly assembled by himself in an
of shoes. “I came to life,” Flores said. “I
attempt to give his children a safe place
felt more youthful. When you go for help,
to live. Unofficially, he’s been a single
because Buckner brings shoes and clothes
dad for eight years since his ex-wife left
and many things, you start thinking, those
for Mexico without telling him. Raising
are new things, they are not little things;
four children alone is hard but not being
they are big things, incredible things, the
able to work because the youngest isn’t
things Buckner does.”
school-aged made it even harder. A trained mechanic, he did odd jobs when he could but struggled to make ends meet.
Flores heard about Buckner
International from his neighbors in Peñitas. He caught Ricardo Brambila, director of the local Buckner Family Hope Center, one day in the parking lot. Flores explained his situation and asked if Buckner could help. Brambila told him about the classes offered at the Hope 20
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
“Hector’s life in the past nine months
his future for his kids.”
NEW HOME, NEW BEGINNINGS
During a three-week span last
summer, Flores’ old house was torn down and a new and improved one was built in its place. More than 100 members of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Austin spent a week putting up the walls and siding of the house. They painted, installed sinks and toilets, and set up beds in each of the rooms.
FATHERHOOD 24/7
of the build, church members prayed over
Flores enrolled in family coaching
At an emotional ceremony at the end
and classes at the Family Hope Center
the home and the family. They presented
to become a better father. He completed
Flores with a Bible and the key to his brand
the Fatherhood 24/7 Initiative course,
new home. “I am very grateful first to God
which teaches men about their identity,
and to all the people who have helped me;
discipline, and how to leave a legacy in
since I met them I've had enough support,”
their families. Since Flores completed
Flores said. “I am going to be a good father
classes and family coaching, he earned
now thanks to [Buckner]. Now that we
enough points to qualify for a new home
have a new home, the children and I will live better.”
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
HPU student leads teammates to better understanding of Christ’s love B Y C O B Y S A U C E , H O WA R D PAY N E U N I V E R S I T Y
the opportunity to play baseball in a new
place, spiritually, he was a few years ago.
for Christ when he enrolled at Howard
locale. “The thing about Athletes in Action
“I tell them they don’t understand what
Payne University, he says Christ was
is that it incorporates discipleship and
they’re missing,” he says. “There’s so much
waiting for him there. “You can come to
ministry into athletics,” Chad says. “Every
more to life. The answer to the questions
HPU and find things you never even knew
day we would wake up and do discipleship
they have is Christ.”
you were looking for,” says the senior and
training. We would be in the Word for
four-year member of the Yellow Jacket
about an hour or more, breaking down
a lot of deep conversations with other
baseball team.
passages.”
athletes on campus. “If you’re not actively
pursuing Christ every day, you’re going to
Though Chad Anders wasn’t searching
Chad didn’t attend church regularly
Chad says his heart was hardened
Chad says he’s been blessed to have
growing up. After the death of his stepfather
from past experiences but, about a week
be longing for that,” he says. “I feel like as
during Chad’s freshman year at HPU, he
into the camp, he had a tough conversation
long as I plant the seeds of faith, God will
found himself even farther from God. “I
with himself. “I could either be the cool
grow them.” HPU, Chad says, is a great
focused on what would make me happy,”
guy, play baseball and blow everything
place to grow in faith. “Without HPU and
he says. “I turned to a lot of different
else off,” he says, “or I could open my heart
without the BSM and FCA, I wouldn’t
worldly pleasures for fulfillment. I was
and mind and see what God is trying to do
be where I am today,” he says. “You can
never satisfied and never happy. I knew
in my life. So I did that.” A few weeks later,
come to Howard Payne and do four years
there had to be more to life.”
on July 16, 2015, he fully committed his life
here and leave the same person you were.
to Christ. “From that moment, I started
Or you can come with an open heart and
his brother, Robert Anders, who serves
living for Him,” Chad says.
open mind and let God work through you
as assistant baseball coach at HPU, urged
and leave the exact person He wants
him to connect with Athletes in Action.
campus, Chad immersed himself in
AIA is a Christian organization with the
furthering the Kingdom of God. He
mission of helping “sports-minded people
now serves as president of the campus’
think and live Biblically at the intersection
Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is on
of sport and Christianity.” A team from
the Baptist Student Ministries leadership
AIA was headed to Rochester, New York,
team, through which he ministers to other
for the summer and Chad seized upon
athletes on campus. Some are in the same
Following Chad’s sophomore year,
When he arrived back on the HPU
you to be.”
JANUARY 2017
21
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
THE IMPACT OF INSTITUTIONAL GIVING: Natalie’s Story BY K ALIE LOWRIE , NE WS DIRECTOR
22
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
always encouraged me and told me I
I apply every year and they keep believing
can do anything and God will be there
in me.”
no matter what.” She also built strong
relationships with her foster sisters, with
through a Christ-centered program has
as many as eight girls living in the house
been an uplifting experience for Natalie.
at any given time. While they may not be
Through weekly chapel services, prayers
related by blood, Natalie counts many of
before classes and testimonies from
the girls as her sisters.
instructors and classmates, Natalie has
found constant affirmation of the Lord’s
Following her high school graduation,
Pursuing education to become a nurse
Natalie moved away from TBCH and
calling on her life. “Being a nurse is so
enrolled in a local college to receive training
important to me,” she said. “I know this is
to become a medical assistant. She worked
what I am called to do and that God has
for seven years as a medical assistant
constantly been with me. I love serving my
and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to
patients. Not only am I helping them – they
minister to her patients. While she saw
are helping me.”
Texas Baptists have invested in her in
great worth in her work, Natalie had a
multiple, life-changing ways. At the age
bigger dream of becoming a nurse and was
at Baylor Scott & White, another Texas
of one, Natalie was placed in the foster
unsure how it would be possible to afford
Baptists institution, and is giving back to
care system, where she grew up living in
nursing school.
those who have invested in her life in so
multiple homes with her younger sister.
many ways. She has also found continued
Then, in 1996, she and her sister were
to meet with the Executive Director of
encouragement from her family at Texas
brought to the Texas Baptist Children’s
TBCH, who she saw as a father figure
Baptist Children’s Home. “Through my
Home. During her first few months, she
because he had always been very
trials and tribulations as a child, they have
tried to adjust to new surroundings but
supportive of her. After sharing with him
always provided for me,” she said. “I can
was very overwhelmed and unsure about
about her dream to become a nurse, the
stop by there any time and they will keep
the permanency of her new home. “I heard
director suggested she take two classes on
pushing forward with me. I went to visit
about Jesus daily, but I was so upset,”
her own and then come back and he would
TBCH recently, and I was discussing with
Natalie said. “I wasn’t ready for someone to
help her find funding for more school.
another set of foster parents about the
actually be there for me.”
challenges I was facing at the end of the
Since Natalie Rodriguez was 12,
One day, she made an appointment
She enrolled as a student at the
Now, Natalie works as a student nurse
Scott and White College of Nursing at
semester. Right there, they pulled me aside
Christmas play followed by a candlelit
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and
and prayed over me. I’ve had that as a kid
service. Having previously heard about
soon found out wonderful news.
and I’ve had that as an adult and it doesn’t
the significance of Jesus’ birth, that
Through connections with Texas
evening, for the first time, she truly
Baptists, the director was able to help
understood how He was her Savior. “I felt
Natalie apply for and become the
a rush over me and I felt God telling me,
recipient of the Roger Hall Opportunity
‘I am going to be there for you no matter
Scholarship, awarded to students
where you live, no matter what happens,’”
attending Texas Baptist universities
she said. “That’s when I decided to accept
who are the products of children’s
Him in my heart. I told everybody the
homes. “I don’t know how I would
next day, and since then my life has been
be paying for school if it wasn’t
dramatically different.”
for Texas Baptists,” Natalie said.
“I feel so blessed and happy.
That December, Natalie was in a
The next few years at TBCH were
filled with joy and growth for Natalie.
There are not many foster kids
Her foster parents, Mom and Pop Toner,
who get to go to college, let
were a constant source of encouragement
alone nursing school.
and strength. “I’ve never had anyone who cared about my emotional and academic needs like they have,” she said. “They’ve
get any better than that.”
WATCH a video of Natalie's testimony online at texasbaptists.org/life. JANUARY 2017
23
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
Evidencia de
, A D U Y A A L , A Z N LA ESPERA , O T N E I M A N E EL ENTR
O D A D I U C L E Y estras instituciones
por medio de nu
IADO JECUTIVO A SOC ON , DIRECTOR E BY STE VE VERN
24
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
SPOTLIGHT / TEX AS BAPTISTS INSTITUTIONS
Comenzó en el 1941, con el bombardeo de Pearl
año. Nuestros seminarios preparan a cientos
Harbor. Un joven campesino en el oeste de Texas fue
para ministrar en el nombre de Cristo en iglesias,
reclutado el servicio militar a principios del 1942. Él
organizaciones cristianas, y Ministerios de
entrenó durante dos años, fue a la guerra, fue enviado
Estudiantes Bautistas. Nuestros centros médicos
a Alaska, y fue herido. Fue tratado en Alaska, luego
y hospitales cuidan de las necesidades físicas
en California, y finalmente tuvo tratamiento extenso
y espirituales de miles y miles cada año. Las
y rehabilitación en Temple, Texas.
instituciones de cuidado humano se encargan de
Cerca de Belton, estaba la escuela para
niños en Texas y a través del mundo, suplen las
señoritas Colegio Mary Hardin-Baylor, ahora la
necesidades de aquellos afectados por desastres,
Universidad de Mary Hardin-Baylor. Uno de los
sostienen a niños y familias en dificultades, y cuidan
ministerios universitarios visitaba soldados heridos
por los envejecientes y personas con necesidades
en el hospital. Una joven de la escuela, natural de
físicas y mentales.
la ciudad de Oklahoma, era una de las visitantes.
El joven soldado conoció a la joven estudiante y
administran donaciones que respaldan las
pronto se enamoraron, se casaron, y regresaron al
necesidades de otras instituciones y ministerios que
oeste de Texas. Yo soy el resultado de esa familia
tocan vidas. Instituciones proveen la comunicación
que comenzó hace mucho tiempo, facilitada por una
que relata la historia de nuestra importante obra.
institución bautista de Texas.
Ellas proveen para refugiados y proveen techo para
aquellos que ministran en áreas no alcanzadas. En
La historia continuó cuando asistí a la
Las instituciones de los Bautistas de Texas
Universidad de Baylor, otra institución bautista de
el proceso, millones de vidas son tocadas con el
Texas. Allí conocí a mi esposa, Donna. Los profesores
Evangelio.
cristianos allí me ayudaron a forjar mi mente y
mi corazón para al ministerio. Nosotros enviamos
comparaba lo que sucedía en Texas con la obra en
a nuestros hijos a Baylor. Mi papá tuvo cirugía de
el noroeste de los Estados Unidos. La obra bautista
corazón abierto en un hospital de los bautistas
comenzó en ambas áreas alrededor de la misma
de Texas. Mis nietos nacieron en lo que hoy es un
fecha. Un pastor veterano dedicado a ministrar en el
hospital bautista de Texas. Mi vida y las vidas de mi
área del noroeste observó que la razón los bautistas
familia han sido forjadas por las instituciones de los
son tan fuertes en Texas y no tan fuertes en el
Bautistas de Texas.
noroeste es porque la obra de la convención estuvo
acompañada con la creación de instituciones.
Pensé en estos recuerdos el lunes en la noche
Hace varios años, visité a un amigo quien
durante la reunión anual de este año, mientras leía
los nombres de 27 instituciones de los Bautistas
Bautistas de Texas, doy gracias por bautistas
de Texas. Representados en la plataforma estaban
dedicados que hicieron una diferencia por medio
algunos de los hombres y mujeres cristianos más
de instituciones. Personas como Baylor, Buckner,
destacados en nuestro estado. Su compromiso al
Wayland, Robnett, Byars, Simmons, Hardin,
Reino de Dios a través de sus instituciones cuenta
Guajardo, Rivera, Groner, y otros tuvieron la visión
la historia de los Bautistas de Texas. Cada una de
de ministrar las necesidades en Texas a través de
estas instituciones comparte miles de historias como
instituciones por las cuales dieron sus vidas.
la mía. En cualquier año, las instituciones de los
Bautistas de Texas tocan millones de vidas.
por medio de los Bautistas de Texas a través del
Programa Cooperativo. Como producto de ese legado,
¿Cómo pueden nuestras instituciones tocar a
tantas personas? Las instituciones educacionales
Cuando pienso en los antepasados de los
Usted y yo somos parte de eso cuando damos
doy gracias.
enseñan y moldean a miles de estudiantes cada
JANUARY 2017
25
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
TEXAS BAPTISTS
LEADERSHIP The Executive Leadership Team, elected by the Executive Board and made up of David Hardage, executive director, Steve Vernon, associate executive director, and Jill Larsen, treasurer and chief financial officer, directs staff to carry out the Convention’s 130-year-old mission of awakening and stimulating among churches the greatest possible activity in evangelism, missions, Christian education and benevolent work. The Leadership Team, made up of Delvin Atchison, director of Great Commission Team, Josue Valerio, director of Missions Team, Gus Reyes, director of Christian Life Commission, Joe Loughlin, director of Connections Team, Bruce McGowan, director of Collegiate Ministry Team, Lorenzo Pena, director of Cultural Engagement Team and Rollie Richmond, director of human resources, ensures that the work of each ministry team fulfills the overall mission of the Convention.
26
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
WHAT WAS YOUR
FIRST David Hardage
Executive Director david.hardage@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5301
Job? Cotton farm worker in Sinton
Kim Patton
Executive Assistant to Treasurer/CFO kim.patton@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5311
A lifeguard in Hearne Joe Loughlin
Director, Connections Team joe.loughlin@texasbaptists.org 214.887.5475
Minister of Youth/Education at Mountain View Baptist Church in El Paso
Bruce McGowan
Director, Collegiate Ministry bruce.mcgowan@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5255
Working at McDonald's in Arlington
LaDonna Renfro
Committee Specialist ladonna.renfro@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5348
Gus Reyes
Director, Christian Life Commission gus.reyes@texasbaptists.org 512.473.2288
Working in cotton fields near Lamesa Working the concession stand at the local movie theater in Longmont, Colorado Selling shoes at Thom McAn A field maintenance worker at the Almeda Genoa Gas plant south of Houston An assistant at a doctor's office in Fort Worth
Jill Larsen
Treasurer/CFO jill.larsen@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5310
Assembling farm machinery in Happy
Delvin Atchison
Director, Great Commission Team delvin.atchison@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5109
Steve Vernon
Associate Executive Director steve.vernon@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5302
Bethany Frisch
Executive Assistant/ Executive Board Coordinator bethany.frisch@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5118
Working in the nursery at First Baptist Church in Oak Cliff Becky Brown
Executive Administrative Assistant becky.brown@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5301
A singing waitress while I was a student at Dallas Baptist University
Josue Valerio
Director, Missions Team josue.valerio@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5212
Paperboy for the Detroit News Lorenzo PeĂąa
Director/Mega Associations, Cultural Engagement lorenzo.pena@texasbaptists.org 214.828.5345
Cotton farm worker in Ballinger
Rollie Richmond
Director, Human Resources rollie.richmond@texasbaptists.org 214.828-5164 JANUARY 2017
27
MISSIONARY ADOPTION PROGRAM
opens doors for expanded
MINISTRY IN BRAZIL AND BEYOND BY K ALIE LOWRIE , NE WS DIRECTOR
Deep in the Amazon rain forest, in the midst of 10,000
missionaries prepare to go out into more villages in the Amazon.
unreached people groups, lies a community known as Livramento.
Translated in English, “deliverance” is a poetic title for the city
with the Brazilian Baptist Convention, missionaries like Rhuan
where God is actively delivering new believers out of darkness
to receive funding to continue ministry in the Amazon. The
and into light. Rhuan Kaique was delivered from a troubled
Missionary Adoption Program partners churches in the US with
adolescence to a lifetime of ministry by the faithful discipleship
churches in a host country to jointly sponsor a missionary. These
of the youth leaders at Passare Baptist Church. In 2015, Rhuan’s
missionaries will focus on evangelism, discipleship and church
church commissioned him as a missionary to Livramento, a place
planting. Local Baptist conventions will provide training, support
only accessible to locals.
and regular check-ins.
While working in this new mission field, he met Elieuma.
Through the Texas Baptists Missions Team's new partnership
MAP joins Texas Baptist churches with Brazilian Baptist
Rhuan built trust with her family and began to lead them together
churches, in support of national missionaries, taking the Gospel
in Bible study. Elieuma was captivated by the message of Jesus and
to 147 unreached people groups living along the Amazon. “We are
prayed to receive Him. She began to intercede for her family in
a missions people,” Texas Baptists Executive Director Dr. David
prayer and demonstrate her faith at home. The Holy Spirit acted
Hardage said. “You want to talk about efficient missions. This
and everyone in Elieuma's family gave their lives to Christ. Her
seems, to me, to be a great way to go about doing it. I think this
family began to share Christ with their friends. Through their
could spread all over the world, but our first partnership will start
faith, 17 people from their community received Christ and were
with our long-time, dear friends in Brazil.”
baptized in one day.
The community of Livramento is being transformed by
workers obedient to live out the Great Commission in Brazil. So many more stories like Rhuan’s are waiting to get started as
28
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
To find out how your church can join in this new partnership, contact Jair Campos at jair.campos@texasbaptists.org or 713.494.2841. You can also visit texasbaptists.org/map for more information.
FREE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM RESOURCE 52 SUNDAYS IS A QUICK AND EASY-TO-USE RESOURCE TO ENCOURAGE A YEAR OF PRAYER AND GIVING FOR CP MISSIONARIES AND MINISTRIES 52 SUNDAYS I NCL U D E S :
• A 60-second story about a different missionary or ministry for each Sunday in 2017 • PowerPoint Slides • Bulletin Inserts FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS FREE RESOURCE OR ON THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM, VISIT TEXASBAPTISTS.ORG/CP.
DISPONIBLE EN ESPAÑOL Texas Baptists supports missions and ministries across Texas, North America and around the world through the Cooperative Program. This resource is produced by Texas Baptists in partnership with The Southern Baptist Stewardship Development Association.
RESOURCES EXPLORE MISSION PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR CHURCH IN VANCOUVER Do you want to build relationships with churches in other cities? The Texas Baptists Missions Team is taking a trip to visit partner churches in Vancouver, Canada. Church leaders will get the chance to catch the vision of the ongoing work of career church planting missionaries there. This is a great opportunity to preview the work and culture of a city with which your church could build partnerships. For more information, contact Gloria Tillman, Missions ministry assistant, at 214.828.5182. texasbaptists.org/vancouvervisits
ATTEND A REGIONAL CHURCH SAFETY WORKSHOP Sexual abusers look for places where the barriers of protection are lowest, where people are more trusting, and where fewer hurdles exist between service applicants and children. The first step toward “raising the bar” is to better understand the problem. Learn more about steps your church can take by attending a Church Safety Workshop, led by MinistrySafe founder, expert and attorney Greg Love.
CONNECT WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AT CLC ADVOCACY DAY Come join our Christian Life Commission staff in Austin during the 85th Legislative Session for Advocacy Day February 28March 1, including workshops on the top issues facing the Texas Legislature in 2017 and an opportunity to visit with your elected officials. Featuring keynote speaker Vincent Bacote, associate professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. For more information, contact Kathryn Freeman, director of public policy, at 214.828.3193. texasbaptists.org/advocacyday CLC
Advocacy Day
Regional workshops will be available in Tyler, Waco, Midland, Lubbock, Dallas, San Antonio and more. These 5-hour trainings will be offered at no cost to you and your church staff, with the option to purchase a meal if desired. Visit texasbaptists.org/ ministrysafe for more details.
RECEIVE HELP PICKING YOUR VBS CURRICULUM FOR THIS SUMMER There are a lot of Vacation Bible School curriculums, and sometimes it can be hard to choose the best one for your church. Come to one of our VBS overview workshops across the state to explore the various VBS options available and receive training. For more information, contact Diane Lane, childhood discipleship specialist, at 214.828.5287. texasbaptists.org/vbs
30
TEXAS BAPTISTS LIFE
CONNECT YOUR COLLEGE STUDENT WITH A LOCAL BSM Do you have students at your church who are headed to college in the fall? Make sure that they’re ready for that transition by visiting texasfreshmen.com. This site connects college freshmen with the BSM at their university and with local churches in the area. For more information, contact Collegiate Ministry Team at 214.828.5250. Go to texasfreshmen.com for more information.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Join the conversation
ONLINE texasbaptists.org/life
READ more stories from our institutions showing the impact of Texas Baptists cooperation and ministry around the state and beyond. From the Uyechi family’s foster-to-adoption story, made possible through STARRY, to a student profile of Josh Fuentes, a working minister in Corpus Christi who was able to pursue his master’s degree from Logsdon Seminary through the South Texas School of Christian Studies, each of the 10 stories featured online demonstrates the life-changing impact of our Texas Baptists institutions.
WATCH a video testimony from Natalie Rodriguez, a nursing student at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, detailing the radical impact Texas Baptist Children’s Home had on her life, beginning at 12 years old. You can also read her full story on pages 22-23.
WATCH a video highlighting the outstanding speakers, worship, workshops and fellowship that took place during the 131st Annual Meeting in Waco in November.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO For more than 130 years the Baptist General Convention of Texas has helped churches fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Today, we are more than 5,300 churches working together in harmonious cooperation to share the Gospel and love others. The ministry of the Convention is organized into five teams: Great Commission Team, Missions Team, Christian Life Commission, Connections Team and Collegiate Ministry Team. These teams inform and inspire churches through events, resources, consultations and more. In addition, we proudly partner with 27 education, advocacy and human care institutions around Texas. Through gifts to the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program, you and your church enable missions and ministry across the state and around the world. Because you give, love is shown, the Gospel is shared and lives are transformed. Learn more about affiliation at texasbaptists.org/affiliate. JANUARY 2017
31
NONPROFIT ORG U.S.POSTAGE P
A
I
D
SAN ANTONIO, TX PERMIT NO. 1517
7557 RAMBLER ROAD, SUITE 1200 DALLAS, TX 75231
If you are interested in receiving more copies of Texas Baptists Life, please email subscriptions@texasbaptists.org.