Welcome

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Welcome back to Waco! I have come to consider our Annual Meeting as a family reunion. It’s the one time of year that I get to catch up with peers and mentors from all over Texas. This is our opportunity to reconnect to friends, recharge our spiritual batteries, and engage with new people who share our eagerness to serve Christ.

I want to thank you for your investment of time and resources to be present with us as we conduct the business of the Convention, celebrate what God has done among us, and lay plans for the future of our work for the Kingdom. We serve a big God who has big plans for us. I get excited thinking about the impact we can have in our world as we work together for the common causes God has prepared for us.

Each Annual Meeting is the product of thousands of hours of diligent work by Texas Baptists staff and volunteers. Help me say “Thank You” to everyone who contributed to putting together this year’s gathering. As Texas Baptists, we are always building toward a glorious future with absolute dependence upon the strength and vision God grants us. I pray that you will come away from our gathering with a greater sense of how your participation with Texas Baptists is impacting the world. May future generations look back upon our time and thank God for our unwavering dedication in our service to Him and to each other.

May God greatly bless our time together here in Waco!

Jason Burden President of the BGCT

Dear Texas Baptists!

I well remember my first Annual Meeting as your Executive Director in Corpus Christi in November of 2012. On the morning I was to give my first report to you as your Executive Director I came down with an illness and was confined to our hotel room for about 24 hours. Fortunately, the illness didn’t last too long but I did miss giving my report. I’ll forever be grateful to Dr. Steve Vernon, our Associate Executive Director at the time, who willingly and capably filled in for me and gave a great report.

As we gather for this year’s Annual Meeting, I’m preparing to give my last report as your Executive Director. And, barring an unexpected illness, I plan to share my report with you on Monday night of our gathering at the Waco Convention Center. There’s so much to share about the good mission and ministry work that we are doing throughout our state and far beyond. I know you are joining me in praying for the Search Committee for the next BGCT Executive Director. That committee is led well by Dr. David Mahfouz, Pastor of FBC Warren. They are seeking God’s direction and will find the right, next leader.

During these days of transition, I’m glad you chose to attend this meeting in Waco. It is good to be together for fellowship, worship, and some business. Your Texas Baptist Convention is in a good place today. Thank you for making that possible. I’m hoping and believing that the best is yet to come for us.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you these past 11 years. I will always be a Texas Baptist!

Blessings!

On behalf of the City of Waco, I am pleased to welcome you to our continuously growing city. We are glad that you traveled to Waco for the Texas Baptist Annual Meeting, taking place November 13-15, 2022.

It is my hope that you will have a memorable time and visit some of the various attractions, restaurants, and shopping that Waco has to offer. The area around downtown and the Silo District continues to grow and thrive, with new shops and restaurants opening each week.

Waco offers many options for entertainment and fun. While you’re here, be sure to check out some of Waco’s most interesting attractions: Waco Mammoth National Monument, Cameron Park and Cameron Park Zoo, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum, Dr Pepper Museum, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, as well as all our other great attractions. Our downtown is one of the most walkable in the state, with shopping, restaurants, and entertainment just steps away from the Waco Convention Center.

Again, we are pleased to have you as our guests, and wish you and your group a wonderful time in Waco!

Sincerely,

Dillon Meek Mayor City of Waco