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Meet your area representative
GET TO KNOW YOUR AREA REPRESENTATIVE : TIM WATSON
Area Representative Director, Service Area 7
After 25 years as a full-time pastor, Tim Watson felt God leading him to expand his ministry beyond the walls of a single church. Watson wanted to support the spiritual, emotional and even physical health of pastors so they would be able to lead strong, healthy churches. In order to do this, Watson became a Texas Baptist Area Representative in 2013 and now spends his time traveling around East Texas to support pastors.
Watson represents Area 7, which is in East Texas. It has about 550 Texas Baptist congregations. In addition to being an area representative, Watson is also the Area Representative director and provides leadership and guidance to eight other representatives as they assist pastors in their areas.
As an area representative, Watson sees himself as a pastor to pastors. His job is to care for pastors in the good times and the hard times.
“We empathize and identify with the local pastors, and I love this role because I get to be a good listener and an informal counselor and pass along wisdom,” Watson explained. “Every pastor needs a pastor and a friend.” Furthermore, Watson connects pastors with Texas Baptist resources, such as counseling, Church Architecture, the Center for Financial Health, and more. He also helps pastors network and connect with one another. Recently, Watson led a two-day retreat for ten young pastors to give them rest and to introduce them to one another.
“They have the same struggles as anyone else, and they need someone to step in. And that’s the real value of Texas Baptists and our denomination is that we have the time and resources to do that,” Watson said.
Watson earned his Master of Divinity and Doctorate in Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. During his 25 years of pastoring, he has led four different churches. Even though it is no longer his full-time occupation, Watson is currently serving as an interim pastor at First Baptist Church in Woodville. It is his sixth interim pastorate.
Watson is also the proud father of three children: Kelley, Taylor and Karson and is also a grandfather to Caroline Grace.
At the end of the day, Watson wants his pastors to know that he is there to serve them as they pursue God’s calling for their churches.
“We want to always remind pastors that Texas Baptists and area representatives exist for the pastors and the churches,” Watson said. “The churches don’t exist for us, we’re here to help them fulfill the Great Commission and reach their God-given potential.”
Texas Baptists have nine area representatives serving around the state to connect with our churches. To find your area representative, visit txb.org/areareps or call 214.828.5111.
TEXAS BAPTISTS LEADERS TAKE PART IN TEXAS RALLY FOR LIFE PROGRAMS
AUSTIN—The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission (CLC) coordinated the first-ever Celebration Worship and Prayer Service, held in conjunction with the Texas Rally for Life, at Hillcrest Church in Austin on Jan. 25. Following the service, Executive Director David Hardage and President Michael Evans addressed the crowd at the Texas Rally for Life on the steps of the Capitol, where over 20,000 were in attendance. Hardage brought greetings on behalf of Texas Baptist churches and read from Psalm 139:14 as he shared that God is the creator and giver of life.
Evans led a closing prayer. “We gathered here today in order to rally for life,” Evans prayed. “We have come from all over the state of Texas to stand for the unborn. We know that life is right. God, we thank you for that.”
ANDERSON—Texas Baptist Institutional Legacy Day recognized Baylor University for 175 years of exemplary Christian higher education. The recognition, which took place during a worship service at the historic Anderson Baptist Church on Jan. 26, honored the faith and commitment of Baylor leadership, both past and present. It also celebrated the partnership between the university and Texas Baptists. Baylor President Linda Livingstone was present to accept the award from Texas Baptist Associate Executive Director Craig Christina. Worship was led by three students from Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and Todd Still, dean of Truett Seminary, delivered a sermon from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 about faithfulness.
WARD HAYES New CFO/Treasurer for Texas Baptists
DALLAS—Ward Hayes was elected to serve as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO)/ Treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The Executive Board approved the nomination of Hayes, a Texas Baptist pastor, by a ballot vote on Feb. 18 during the board meeting.
“I am excited to see what God will do in the opportunity to meld ministry and missions through this position,” Hayes said following his nomination. “I know from the business standpoint that Texas Baptists have many strengths to share. Also, from the church perspective, I understand the needs of cooperation and the things we can do together that we can’t do apart.”
Hayes has served as pastor of Valley Grove Baptist Church in Stephenville since 2013 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1993. In his new position, Hayes will provide administrative support and direction for the BGCT Executive Board staff operation in the areas of budget, finance, accounting, information systems, building and support, convention planning and related resource support.
