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Members of the Texas Baptists family have long been kingdom-focused. When agendas compete, it's not mine or yours that matters; it's only that of Jesus. Read as Texas Baptists Student Ministry, African American Ministries, Church Health & Growth and more help churches and students to live out “His Kingdom Agenda” each day.
WAVE STUDENT CONFERENCE SEES FIFTY SALVATIONS AND ‘HUNDREDS OF LIBERATIONS’ DURING SAN ANTONIO MEETUP Volume 12 — Issue No. 2 WEST TEXAS A&M BSM WELCOMES NEW STUDENTS: PRAYS FOR REVIVAL
By Jessica King
By Jessica King
CONNECTING ALL GENERATIONS IN CHRIST: LONGBRANCH COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH IN MIDLOTHIAN
ART OF
‘GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH US YET’ EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH IN WACO’S REPLANT STORY By Jessica King
‘DIOS NO HA TERMINADO CON NOSOTROS TODAVÍA’ LA HISTORIA DE EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH EN WACO
CONCLAVE ENCOURAGES CHURCH LEADERS TO OVERCOME SILOS, RALLY ALL GENERATIONS TO REACH THE NEXTGEN FOR CHRIST By Jessica King
By Jessica King
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Texas Baptists family,
Whether you are reading this among the crowded halls of the Waco Convention Center during the 139th Texas Baptists Annual Meeting, elsewhere across the state or beyond, I want to thank you for picking up (or clicking on) this special edition of Texas Baptists Life magazine.
Throughout these pages, you will hear and see the story of what God is doing through the collaborative efforts of the churches, partners and staff of this remarkable convention. Make no mistake, Texas Baptists family, the kingdom of God is advancing!
So much has happened since we last gathered during the summer of 2023 in McAllen, TX, for our Family Gathering.
Months after presiding over that meeting as Convention president, I was honored to be nominated by the Executive Director Search Committee and voted executive director by the Executive Board, ultimately beginning my time of service on Nov. 30, 2023.
What a year it has been!
I am excited and ready to experience all that God has in store for us as we gather this November 10-12 in Waco, where I will deliver my first report as your executive director.
The theme for this year’s meeting, based on Luke 4:18-19, is “His Kingdom Agenda.”
Jesus’ ministry agenda is to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the captives and recovery of sight for the blind. In times of competing agendas, there is no better agenda than that of Jesus. His agenda should be our agenda.
At this year’s Annual Meeting and through these stories and reports, I invite you to reflect on one agenda: not mine, not yours, but Jesus’ kingdom agenda. Only his agenda is worthwhile and long-lasting!
Thank you for your kingdom partnership and focus and for the opportunity to serve. I cannot wait to see what God will do through Texas Baptists in the coming days!
Querida familia Bautistas de Texas,
Sea que leen esto entre los aglomerados pasillos del Centro de Convenciones de Waco durante la Reunión Anual 139na de los Bautistas de Texas, o en otros lugares a través del estado y más allá, quiero agradecerles por recibir (o hacer clic) esta edición especial de la revista Texas Baptists Life.
A través de estas páginas, escuchará y verá la historia de lo que Dios está haciendo por medio de la labor entre iglesias, colaboradores, y el personal ministerial de esta extraordinaria convención. ¡No se equivoque familia, el Reino de Dios está avanzando!
Mucho ha sucedido desde nuestra reunión familiar en McCallen el verano pasado. Meses después de dirigir esa reunión como presidente de la Convención, fui honrado al ser nominado por el Comité de búsqueda
de director ejecutivo y nombrado director ejecutivo por la Junta Ejecutiva, finalmente iniciando mi tiempo de servicio el 30 de noviembre, 2023.
¡Qué año hemos tenido!
Estoy emocionado y listo para experimentar todo lo que Dios tiene para nosotros al reunirnos del 10 al 12 de noviembre en Waco, donde compartiré mi primer informe como su director ejecutivo.
El tema para la reunión de este año, basado en Lucas 4:18-19, es “Su agenda para el Reino”. La agenda del ministerio de Jesús es anunciar buenas nuevas a los pobres, proclamar libertad a los cautivos, y dar vista a los ciegos. En tiempos de agendas rivales, no hay mejor agenda que la de Jesús. Su agenda debe ser la nuestra.
En la reunión anual y a través de estas historias e informes, le invito a reflexionar en una agenda: no la nuestra, no la suya, sino la agenda de Jesús para el Reino. ¡Solamente Su agenda es digna y perdurable!
Gracias por su colaboración y enfoque en el Reino y la oportunidad de servir. ¡Anticipo ver lo que Dios hará a través de los Bautistas de Texas en los días por venir!
JULIO GUARNERI, PH.D. Executive Director
txb.org/julio
Sight
wave student conference sees
fifty salvations
and ‘hundreds of liberations’ during san antonio meetup
by jessica king
Baylor BSM receives Mabee Foundation challenge grant for new campus ministry center
The Texas Baptist Missions Foundation (TBMF) announced that the Mabee Foundation has awarded a $1.3 million Challenge Grant toward the construction of the new Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) Center at Baylor University.
TBMF President Jerry Carlisle spoke about the significance of the financial gift.
“This Mabee Challenge Grant is a strong endorsement of the BSM Center at Baylor project. Over the past 75 years, the Mabee Foundation has made strategic grants totaling over $1.5 billion for impactful buildings; their process encourages increased generosity in every project,” Carlisle said. “We are grateful to partner with this Kingdom-focused organization.”
Texas Baptists is donating $35,000 to ministry partner Texans on Mission, formerly Texas Baptists Men, to support feeding efforts related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
According to Julio Guarneri, Texas Baptists executive director, and Irene Gallegos, director of Hunger and Care Ministries for Texas Baptists, gifts given to the special humanitarian aid and crisis relief fund in the days ahead will be directed to Texans on Mission feeding units in the U.S. and other partners in the Middle East.
“When you give to the Hunger Offering specifically for humanitarian aid and crisis relief, we will send that support through Texans on Mission specifically for the disaster relief from Hurricane Helene and Milton, and then through Baptist World Aid and their response and in the partnerships that they have working in the Middle East,” said Gallegos.
Gallegos said the general Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Relief fund allows donors to participate in showing Christ’s love to those in need, whatever the crisis.
September board passes increased budget, clarifies call for next season of ministry
The September meeting of the Texas Baptists Executive Board was held on Sept. 23-24 in Dallas, TX. Board Directors approved the 2025 proposed budget, elected officers, heard ministry reports and considered 25 unique recommendations during the busy two-day business meeting.
West Texas A&M Baptist Student Ministry celebrates 104 of ministry and looks ahead to the future with new building project
On May 4, West Texas A&M Baptist Student Ministry (WTAMU BSM) in Canyon, TX held a gathering celebrating 104 years of reaching, equipping and mobilizing students for the sake of the gospel on West Texas A&M University’s campus. WTAMU BSM alumni, including current BSM staff, local pastors and West Texas A&M President Dr. Walter Wendler, spoke of their experience with the BSM and their appreciation for how God continues to use the ministry to bring salvation to college students.
Support West Texas A&M BSM by giving at wtbsm.com
CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES
First Baptist Church West
Northview Baptist Church, Lewisville
Oza Jones is transitioning from his role as the director of African American Ministries to the director of Evangelism. Oza Jones
Olga Harris has joined the Center for Ministerial Health as the new director of Counseling Services. Olga Harris
Noe Treviño
Noe Treviño is transitioning from his role as the director of MAP, Minister of Missions and Texas Baptists Missionaries to the director of the Center for Missional Engagement.
Bennye Bryant
Bennye Bryant is transitioning from her role as the accounting manager/ payroll specialist to the director of Women in Ministry Network.
Cory Liebrum is transitioning from his role as the Youth and Family Ministry specialist to director of Discipleship & NextGen. Cory Liebrum
Lubbock Area Association
Hendrick Health Calallen Baptist Church, Corpus Christi
Does your church or pastor have an anniversary coming up? Let us know at news@texasbaptists.org
Jennifer Howington
Jennifer Howing is transitioning from her role as the Childhood Ministry specialist to associate director of Discipleship & NextGen and Childhood Ministry specialist.
Carlos Francis is transitioning from his role as the director of Young Adults Ministry to the director of African American Ministries. Carlos Francis
GEAR UP FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING IN WACO
Download the Texas Baptists
Bypass the paper program at signature events and stay up-to-date on news and other important information.
Union Baptist Association
September 13, 2024
We had a great time hosting Dr. Julio Guarneri for a local meet-and-greet! What a good time for conversation, delicious food, prayer, and focus on how@TexasBaptists churches can work together to fulfill the Great Command and Great Commission.
STCH Ministries
October 10, 2024
We had an amazing time at Conclave this week! Huge thanks to @TexasBaptists and FBC San Antonio for the warm welcome and for hosting such a fantastic event. The interations were incredible - so many meaningful conversations and new connections! Thank you for making it easy to connect with others, allowing us to better serve our communities and share God's love. We're excited for the future ahead! #Conclave #TexasBaptists #STCHMinistries #MoreTogether
Tamiko Jones
September 7, 2024
Sound Mind, Steady Heart: Women & Mental Health conference led by @TexasBaptists Women's Ministry and sponsored by the Mary Hill Davis Offereing for Texas Missions has been a time of learning, reflectopn and fellowship. #iamtexasmissions #wmutx #mhdo24 #ProjectHelp #wearetexasmissions
Oza Jones
September 15, 2024
What a great day of ministry! I was able to celebrate the 40th year Pastor & Wife anniversary at The "Exciting" Singing Hills BC with the Living Legend Dr. Howard Anderson Sr. I was also honored to share the Word for my friend and brother Pastor Ryan Range and Judea BC celebrating 62 years of ministry. @TXB_African American Ministries @TexasBaptists
Larry E Floyd
September 14, 2024
Great day at the Unapologetic Conference! @TexasBaptists we are greateful for your partnership. First Baptist Church of El Paso thank you for your amazing hospitality and servanthood to host this conference. El Paso Baptist Association, EPBA
Jonathan Smith
September 30, 2024
Man what a great day starting #PAVE Central Texas today at FBC Round Rock. 31 pastors gathered in cohorts to begin a year long journey toward church health and growth. Thankful for your faithfulness to the Cooperative Program and Mary Hill Davis offering to make it all possible. #TXB #TexasBaptists
Tag Texas Baptists on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn for a chance to be featured in our next magazine.
The Art of Preaching Lab provides resources, relationships and creative ways to lead
By Jessica King
very Sunday, we want to create something that changes someone,” Wes Hamilton, lead pastor at Hulen Street Church in Fort Worth, told attendees during The Art of Preaching & Teaching Lab held at the Texas Baptists office in Dallas on August 6. The lab hosted 65 attendees, including lead pastors, youth ministers and other church leaders.
David Miranda, then director of Millennial/Gen Z Ministers Network, and a team of volunteers coordinated the preaching lab, which was hosted by The Pastor’s Common. Launched by Miranda in 2019 in collaboration with David Foster, Jordan Villanueva and Abraham Quiñones, The Pastor’s Common is a Texas Baptists ministry dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging ministry leaders to be heard, resourced and find community.
Miranda said the labs’ purpose is to create a space for unity among pastors and leaders, and also offer resources that will bless their church or ministry.
“Pastors tend to be autocritical because there is so much stress and identity tied to [preaching],” said Miranda. “We want to alleviate and mitigate any type of self-inflicted wounds from the pulpit and just show them that we’re all in this and know there’s no real expert, we’re all learning at the same time.”
LEADING A MINISTRY IN UNIQUE WAYS
During the lab, attendees learned how to strengthen their preaching abilities and improve church health from three keynote speakers. Wes Hamilton kicked off the day with a message on creative preaching that encouraged attendees to bring clarity to their sermon’s text in an unexpected or surprising way.
"Ultimately the greatest thing that will change the heart of man is the Spirit of God, not my words"
“Creativity is an ability we all possess. We all possess this ability because we were made in the image of a God who is a creative God,” said Hamilton. “While we are all creative like God is creative, we will never create like God does. God creates something from nothing; we only create something from something.”
Hamilton suggested that because a pastor’s source material, scripture, never changes, creative preaching is “nothing more than finding fresh ways to say ancient things.” He provided attendees with four points on how to use creativity to serve a church congregation: ‘stay in the box,’ ‘take your time,’ ‘make it safe,’ and ‘embrace the suck.’ While these tools are helpful in presenting scripture creatively, Hamilton warned attendees to not let creativity overshadow God’s Word.
“Creativity is always helpful but it’s never essential [because] God’s Word never comes back void,” said Hamilton.
Meghan Hendrickson, BSM director at Dallas Baptist University, said she gleaned a fuller understanding of generosity as it pertains to ministry from Hamilton.
“God invites us to be generous not only with our finances, but also with our time, our prayers, our relationships and our creativity. I had never considered creativity as an act of generosity, but that is so true,” said Hendrickson. “I'm walking away encouraged to continue pursuing creativity in my own life of ministry, and to create space to encourage others to exercise their own God-given creativity in ministry.”
Hendrickson is scheduled to speak at the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting taking place Nov. 10-12 in Waco, TX.
Al Curley III, youth and young adult pastor at Cornerstone Church in
Arlington, spoke of crafting a message to serve the congregation intergenerationally by being intentional to find common interest or insight for multiple generations in the church.
“The beautiful thing about intergenerational preaching is that it doesn’t put one generation in front of the other, we’re all on the same playing field and your job as the preacher is to get the different generations to look at one another in empathy, sympathy and adoration … for the goal of cooperation and collaboration for the advancement of the kingdom of God,” said Curley.
Curley presented to attendees Holly Catterton Allen’s definition of intergenerational: comprehensive mutuality, equality and reciprocity that makes individual and collective transformation more likely. He taught attendees that intergenerational ministry and preaching work hand-in-hand to find and communicate ways for every generation to engage in conversations about Jesus and faith relationships.
Curley told attendees that in order for their churches to survive, they need to be having conversations about Jesus outside of the physical space of the church and intergenerational preaching can achieve that.
“People are growing and declining at the same time and it takes place throughout the duration of their lives. So no matter how old you are, you haven’t arrived and no matter how young you are, there’s something I can learn from you,” said Curley. “I think that’s by God’s design that we can learn from one another, no matter how young or old we might be.”
Nathaniel Ledyard, a student leader at Lake Church in Arlington’s college ministry attended the lab
alongside his college minister to learn more about pastoral ministry. He said he found Curley’s talk on intergenerational preaching particularly impactful, inspiring him to encourage community within his ministry.
“I think I’m going to try to make it very apparent that, to further the kingdom, we need community just as God has called us to have,” said Ledyard. “This was my first time attending but it’s definitely been a very big eyeopener seeing other peoples’ perspectives on leading and teaching and how to best serve a community.”
Jason Paredes, lead pastor at Fielder Church in Arlington, concluded the lab with a message on “The Role of Prayer and Power of Preaching.”
“The most important thing you can do is pray, not prepare your sermon, because ultimately the greatest thing that will change the heart of man is the Spirit of God, not my words … so that your faith won’t rest on the wisdom of men but on the power of God,” said Paredes.
Paredes encouraged attendees to look to Mary and Martha’s story in Luke 10 as an example of the role of prayer in a move of the Holy Spirit. He suggested that sitting at the feet of Jesus and waiting on his instruction is where life change will happen.
“Prayer isn’t what I’m supposed to do before the work, prayer is the work,” said Paredes. “The amount of time you linger at the feet of Jesus, that’s what’s going to make the difference.”
To learn more about, connect with and support The Pastor’s Common, visit thepastorscommon.com.
‘God is not through with us yet’
By Jessica King
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Waco temporarily closed its doors for the safety of its congregation, but had considered the possibility of permanent closure because of its dwindling numbers and lack of a lead pastor.
When the holiday season approached, the church decided to gather for a Christmas service. In hopes of finding someone to come preach a sermon, a deacon at Emmanuel reached out to Truett Seminary, who connected him with Marcelo De Oliveira, who gladly accepted.
“I was going to Truett at the time and I went and preached that sermon, and Charles McLain, one of the deacons at the church who contacted me, at the end of the service said ‘Well, are you free this coming Sunday?’ I said ‘Sure,’” said Oliveira. He returned to preach the following Sunday.
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH IN WACO’S REPLANT STORY
REPLANT INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
In late January 2021, after several more weeks of being invited back to preach at Emmanuel, Oliveira said he and the church were in agreement that he should stay and pastor their congregation. Oliveira led the church through an intentional replant process. Since then, the church body has grown from 17 members in 2020 to 72 active members today. He said the church’s inspiration to replant came from the Holy Spirit.
“God, for sure, is the one who inspired us. His Spirit, his life, being brought to life as a church,” said Oliveira.
One member, who Oliveira said had a profound impact on his ministry, told him prior to her passing that before his arrival, the church was constantly urged to shut down, that there was nothing left of it. But, she was encouraged by his faith that the church would be restored. She told him she believed that his proclamation of that faith to the congregation spurred them on to believe the same.
“[She said] ‘You are the first pastor … that in the service from the pulpit, you said ‘I believe in this church and I believe God will bring us back,’” said Oliveira. “I would say that God is bringing us back because He’s not through with us yet.”
A HEART FOR REACHING PEOPLE
Involving themselves in international missions through prayer and financial offerings, Oliveira said the church has developed a heart for reaching the people in their neighborhood.
“It’s becoming like a mission field, so to speak, and I think it’s coming into the hearts and minds of the people who are in the church, that they prayed and they sent offering and prayers and love and cards to missionaries around the world and now God placed them here and their new mission field is their neighborhood,” said Oliveira. “This is encouraging us to grow back up and to see God working.”
Lee Williams, Texas Baptists’ Church Starting strategist for Central Texas, said the church is expecting growth due to their adopted heart for evangelism in their community.
“It's becoming a younger congregation, so we’re expecting some potential future growth due to the fact that they have such a heart for the community and a heart for evangelism, and because of that, it’s drawing fresh faces and perspectives and opportunities to their church,” said Williams.
Williams said upon first meeting with Oliveira about Emmanuel’s replant, he was encouraged by his heart for the next generation and meeting people where they are. He said Oliveira’s passion for people has played a significant role in Emmanuel’s regrowth.
“To replant, a church has to be willing to rethink everything about their vision, strategy and implementation of that strategy,” said Tom Howe, associate director for Center for Missional Engagement at Texas Baptists. “Everything has to be on the table.”
According to Williams, other churches looking to replant could learn from Emmanuel how to do this well; how to bring some positivity, and fresh perspective and opportunities, trying new things in their replant process, without dwelling on what the culture once was.
“You could tell his heart was for sharing the love of Christ and introducing people to Christ,” said Williams. “Because his passion was more for the people instead of for the preaching, I really think that’s what’s helped Emmanuel become as great as it is.”
UPCOMING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY
On Sept. 15, Emmanuel celebrated its 94th anniversary and with it, the revitalization of its church body. The church held a celebration service on that day and celebrated four new believers that were baptized on Nov. 10.
“Baptism always represents life, new life, transformation of life. A life that was going one direction but has turned around and is now going in a different direction,” said Oliveira. “To the church it means ‘Hey, God is at work here in this place.’ It also means to the church, ‘Hey, God is using us and our church to reach out.’ So it means to us as a church, God is not through with us yet.”
God has also cultivated an international body within the church. Today, fourteen different countries and eleven nationalities are represented at Emmanuel – four countries in Asia, five countries in Africa, two countries in South America and three countries in Central America. The church also shares their space with the Waco Chinese Church.
Looking forward to celebrating 94 years, Oliveira said it has been particularly special to the older generations of the church as they reflect on their 90th anniversary in 2020.
“When we had our 90th anniversary, they were like ‘Well, this is it’ and now we’re four years beyond it and we are already beginning to plan and pray for our 100th anniversary,” said Oliveira. “[So], they’re already able to see ‘hey, the church will stay here beyond us and it's okay and we can plan and leave this legacy and the church will not die with us.’”
CULTIVATING NEW LIFE AND FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION
Williams said sometimes replanting a church just means it needs “a facelift and fresh opportunity,” to continue to have life and create new life within it.
One way Emmanuel plans to cultivate new life within their church is by working with Texas Baptists to get some translation equipment to be able to host trilingual services. This way, the Waco Chinese Church, Emmanuel and Spanish speakers in the community can come and worship together.
“If there’s an opportunity for a church to replant, versus being closed down completely, again that means we still have a mission to fulfill,” said Williams.
Replanting is a great way to fulfill the great commission, he said, without losing one of our great Baptist churches.
To learn how the Center for Missional Engagement can support your church replant, visit txb.org/churchstarting.
‘Dios
no ha terminado con nosotros todavía’
LA HISTORIA DE EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH EN WACO
Por Jessica King
En medio de la pandemia del COVID-19 en el 2020, Emmanuel Baptist Church en Waco cerró sus puertas temporeramente por la seguridad de su congregación, pero consideró un cierre permanente debido al deterioro en asistencia y el no tener pastor.
Cuando se acercó la temporada navideña, la iglesia decidió reunirse para un servicio de Navidad. Esperando encontrar a alguien que predicara, un diácono de la iglesia se comunicó con el Seminario Truett, donde lo conectaron con Marcelo De Oliveira, quien aceptó con alegría.
“Estudiaba en Truett en aquel tiempo y fui y prediqué el sermón, y Charles McLain, el diácono que hizo contacto conmigo, me preguntó al final del servicio: ‘Bueno, ¿puedes venir el domingo que viene?’ Le dije: ‘Seguro’”, dijo Oliveira.
Regresó a predicar al domingo siguiente.
REPLANTAR INSPIRADO POR EL ESPÍRITU SANTO
A fines de enero, 2021, después de varias semanas de predicar en la iglesia, Oliveira y la iglesia acordaron que debía permanecer como pastor. Oliveira dirigió a la iglesia a través de un proceso intencional de replantación. Desde entonces, la iglesia ha crecido de 17 miembros en 2020 a 72 miembros activos hoy. Dijo que la inspiración de replantar la iglesia vino del Espíritu Santo.
“Definitivamente, Dios nos inspiró. Su Espíritu, Su vida, nos revivió como iglesia”, dijo Oliveira.
Un miembro que hizo gran impacto en su ministerio le dijo antes de morir que, antes de su llegada, la iglesia constantemente insistía en cerrar sus puertas, que no quedaba nada más por hacer. Sin embargo, la fe de Oliveira la exhortó a que la iglesia fuera restaurada. Ella creyó que la proclamación de esa fe del pastor para la congregación los movería a creer lo mismo.
“Me dijo: ‘Eres el primer pastor que en el servicio desde el púlpito dice: Creo en esta iglesia y creo que Dios nos puede ayudar a regresar’”, dijo Oliveira. “Me gustaría decir que Dios nos ayudó a regresar, pero Él no ha terminado con nosotros todavía”.
UN CORAZÓN PARA
ALCANZAR PERSONAS
“Al participar en misiones internacionales por medio de la oración y las ofrendas, la iglesia desarrolló un corazón por alcanzar a las personas en la comunidad”, dijo Oliveira.
“Se convirtió en un campo misionero, y creo que los que están viniendo a la iglesia, al orar y enviar ofrendas y escribir postales a los misioneros alrededor del mundo, han entendido en sus mentes y corazones que Dios los ha colocado aquí, y su comunidad es su campo misionero”, dijo Oliveira. “Esto nos ha exhortado a crecer y ver a Dios obrar”.
Lee Williams, estratega para la plantación de iglesias de los Bautistas de Texas para el Centro de Texas, dice que la iglesia espera crecer debido a un nuevo corazón por evangelismo en su comunidad.
“Se ha vuelto una congregación más joven, por lo que esperamos cierto crecimiento futuro debido al hecho de que aman la comunidad y el evangelismo. Por eso, están abiertos a personas, perspectivas,y oportunidades nuevas para la iglesia”, dijo Williams.
Williams dijo que, cuando se reunió con Oliveira para hablar de replantar la iglesia, fue exhortado por su corazón por la próxima generación y por encontrarse con las personas donde están. La pasión de Oliveira ha jugado un papel importante en el crecimiento de la iglesia.
“Para replantar, la iglesia tiene que estar dispuesta a pensar de nuevo todo acerca de su visión, estrategia, e implementación de esa estrategia”, dijo Tom Howe, director asociado para el Centro de interacción misional de los Bautistas de Texas. “Todo tiene que estar sobre la mesa”.
De acuerdo con Williams, otras iglesias buscando replantar pueden aprender de la iglesia Emanuel cómo hacerlo bien; cómo pensar de manera positiva y tener una perspectiva y oportunidades frescas, tratar cosas nuevas
en el proceso, sin pensar en lo que la cultura de la iglesia era antes.
“Era evidente que su corazón era compartir el amor de Cristo y apuntar a las personas a Cristo”, dijo Williams. “Debido a que su pasión era más por las personas que por la predicación, creo que eso ayudó a la iglesia ha hacer el cambio”.
ANIVERSARIO VENIDERO
El 15 de septiembre, la iglesia Emmanuel celebraba su 94 aniversario, y con ello, la revitalización de la iglesia. La iglesia pospuso el servicio de celebración de ese día para celebrar a cuatro nuevos creyentes que serán bautizados el 10 de noviembre.
“El bautismo también representa vida, vida nueva, transformación de toda la vida. Una vida que iba en una dirección y que ha dado media vuelta y ahora se dirige en una dirección diferente”, dijo Oliveira. “Para la iglesia significa: ‘Dios está obrando en este lugar’. También significa: ‘Dios nos está usando para alcanzar a otros’. Eso es lo que significa para nosotros. Dios no ha terminado con nosotros”.
Dios también ha cultivado un cuerpo internacional dentro de la iglesia. Hoy, catorce países y once nacionalidades diferentes están representadas en
la iglesia—cuatro países en Asia, cinco en África, dos en América del Sur, y tres en América Central. La iglesia también comparte su espacio con una iglesia china de Waco.
Al anticipar celebrar el 94 aniversario, Oliveira dijo que ha sido particularmente especial para las generaciones mayores de la iglesia al reflexionar en el aniversario 90 que celebraron en 2020.
“Cuando celebramos el 90 aniversario, pensábamos: ‘Bueno, hasta aquí llegamos. Y ahora, cuatro años después estamos listos para comenzar a planificar y orar por nuestro 100 aniversario”, dijo Oliveira. “Ya pueden entender que la iglesia permanecerá aquí después de nosotros y eso está bien. Podemos planificar y dejar este legado, y la iglesia no morirá con nosotros”.
CULTIVAR UNA VIDA NUEVA Y CUMPLIR LA GRAN COMISIÓN
Williams dijo que, a veces, la replantación de una iglesia significa que necesita renovación y una oportunidad fresca para continuar teniendo vida y creando vida en ella.
Una manera cómo la iglesia Emmanuel planifica cultivar vida nueva en la iglesia es al trabajar con los Bautistas de Texas para adquirir equipo de traducción para poder celebrar servicios trilingües. De esta manera, la iglesia china de Waco, la iglesia Emmanuel, y los que hablan español en la comunidad pueden venir y adorar juntos.
“Si hay oportunidad para que una iglesia se replante en lugar de cerrar sus puertas, eso significa que tenemos una misión que cumplir”, dijo Williams.
Replantar es una gran manera de cumplir la Gran Comisión sin perder una de nuestras grandes iglesias bautistas.
Para aprender más acerca de cómo el Centro para interacción misional puede ayudar a replantar su iglesia, visite txb.org/churchstarting.
Conclave encourages church leaders to overcome silos, rally all generations to reach the next-gen for Christ
By Jessica King
MMore than 700 children, youth, college ministers and pastors from across Texas and beyond gathered in San Antonio, TX, October 7-8 to attend Conclave NextGen for a time of worship, breakout sessions, training and networking, learning how to invest in and win the next generation for Christ.
CREATING BELONGING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN THE CHURCH
Jana Magruder, strategic initiatives director of Lifeway NextGen, opened the conference with a message on discipling the next generation and teaching “a counter-cultural identity message that helps kids and students know who they are because of who God is.” She challenged attendees to create relationships that build belonging in students so that they can better understand their identity in Christ.
“When we connect these two things together, belonging and identity, we are doing two really important things; number one, we are meeting the cultural need that this generation has to feel seen and known, and number two, we are answering the big cultural question that they have about who they truly are,” said Magruder.
Magruder gave attendees a tool to help create relationships in their church for kids and students to feel like they belong. She gave attendees the acronym ‘FLIP;’ making sure they have a friend, leader, influencer and pastor investing in them.
“Everyone is called to the urgent work of reaching the next generation,” said Magruder. “I want us as the church to fight for them because we want them the most because we know that the Father wants them the most… You have the most strategic seat in the church to lead this fight, and to rally every generation of your church and mobilize them around reaching [the next] generations.”
Attendee Lisetta Layer, preschool minister at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, said the idea of connecting next-gen leaders together in the church to help foster belonging stayed with her throughout the conference.
“The theme that I keep hearing in the breakout sessions and, in the main, keynote speakers is just the importance of working together, connecting the next-gen team across preschool, children's, youth and then further connecting that to families and even to our senior citizens … so that we are not just in a siloed ministry, but that we're really working together and ministering to the entire church as we minister in our [city],” said Layer.
GIVING YOUNGER GENERATIONS A SEAT AT THE TABLE
Over the two days, attendees had the opportunity to attend more than 30 unique breakout sessions on topics such as family ministry, evangelism, ministering to mental health, empowering volunteers, navigating social media and more. A specialized “Pastor’s Track” was offered for senior church leaders to learn from and form community with other pastors.
David Gonzalez, Congreso coordinator at Texas Baptists, led a breakout session on the first day titled “Bridging Generations: Expanding Church Outreach to Connect with a Diverse and Growing Church.” He explained that next-gen leaders can bridge the gaps between them and the next generations by empowering them to be involved in ministry and embracing the change that comes with it.
“[Students] want somebody to come tap on the shoulder and say, ‘I think you are capable of being in X, Y, Z ministry.’ And I think it's a step of faith in you taking the leap of faith and saying, ‘I'm going to put trust in you’ and loosen[ing] the reins just a little bit,” said Gonzalez. “Sometimes change has to be done for growth to happen … [So], bridging the gap is embracing change. We need to make sure that our younger generation also has a seat at the table,” said Gonzalez
JOINING GOD IN MINISTRY BY LOOKING TO THE CROSS
Mike Satterfield, founder of Field of Grace Ministries, concluded the first day with a message out of John 19:30, encouraging attendees that “it is finished.” He said the Greek word tetelestai meaning “it is finished”—is a word that helps us understand “the past completed act with present ongoing, permanent effect for all eternity.”
“It was in John 19… that I learned Jesus tasted bitter vinegar, completely sour, so we can taste the best victory in being completely saved. I’ve been bought with a price, I’m no longer my own. I have been set free,” said Satterfield.
Satterfield encouraged attendees to lay down everything hindering them from resting in Jesus’ words, “it is finished,” and join him where he is already leading their ministry.
“Tetelestai teaches us that you cannot add to what God has already perfected and completed. It is finished. Stop trying to help God when all you have to do is join him where he's already at work,” said Satterfield.
DISPLAYING THE FRIENDSHIP OF JESUS AND NOT DOING MINISTRY ALONE
Kicking off day two, Justin Whitmel Earley, lawyer, speaker and author of three books, including ‘Made for People – Why We Drift into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of Friendship,’ shared a message on “the holiness and the importance of friendship in ministry.”
He referenced Genesis 2-3, encouraging attendees that they were made for people, and John 15:13-16, teaching attendees that Jesus confirms this idea by showing us what it means to be a friend.
“Jesus is demonstrating here, not just how to be the best friend that you can be, he is also showing that one way to summarize the gospel is that God has taken the lonely, broken people and made them friends again; friends with God, and thus friends with the world,” said Earley.
Earley challenged attendees, saying that friendship is at the center of “what the gospel calls us to,” and encouraged them to allow themselves to be fully known and loved by someone so
they can fully know and love others in ministry.
“If the call of the New Testament, think of Ephesians 5:10, ‘to be imitators of God.’ Well, if Jesus is friendship made flesh, then to become more and more like him is necessarily to become more and more like a friend,” said Earley. “So, go into your ministry knowing you were made for people, don’t do it alone and put the friendship of Jesus on display.”
Returning attendee Daniel Salgado, student ministry intern at First Baptist Church in Tyler, said Earley’s message encouraged him not to do ministry alone but to seek community as he continues to serve students.
“[My biggest takeaway is] that you cannot do ministry alone and that you need someone to be with you who can call you out,” said Salgado. “Seeking community and having people pour into me is going to allow me to pour into my students and teach them how they also need community with their walk with Christ, too.”
Investing in holistic church health Bobby Contreras, pastor at Alamo
Heights Baptist Church in San Antonio, led a “Pastor’s Track” breakout session on pursuing holistic church health by investing in spiritual, physical, mental/ emotional, financial and relational health. He held an open discussion on these five areas, allowing pastors to speak into each other’s lives.
“Healthy pastor, healthy family equals a healthy gospel community,” said Contreras.
Contreras encouraged pastors that “using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade,” (Eccl. 10:10). He challenged them to use Conclave as an opportunity to “sharpen the blade” so that they can return to their ministry “more intentional and more biblical in how we are leading and how we're living within our ministry context.”
Contreras gave pastors resources, including pastoral and church health reports from the Baptist Health Foundation and social media pages for scripture intake, such as ‘The Daily Gaze.’ He invited Olga Harris, director of counseling services at Texas Baptists, to give a short presentation
of the counseling options available for pastors and their families.
“I want you, and Texas Baptists wants you in your ministry context for the long haul… so what we do now matters,” said Contreras.
BEING A VESSEL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Ed Newton, lead pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, concluded the conference with a message out of 2 Kings 4 that charged attendees to empty themselves before the Lord daily so they can be used as vessels by the Holy Spirit to carry out the Great Commission.
“The oil of heaven flows with empty vessels,” said Newton. “The thing that we should be longing for… ‘Anything in me that causes me to be filled with my dreams, my desires, my demands, my wants, whatever has filled me with me, empty me of [of it], and fill me with you.’”
Newton told attendees that to live in the “overflow of Heaven,” they must abide in Jesus daily.
“Your daily commitment, every day, John 3:30, ‘You must increase, I
must decrease,’” said Newton. “Your daily checklist; every day, put on the full armor of God; your daily covenant, you’ve got to remind yourself who you are in Christ Jesus… be first with Jesus and [then] ‘Come, follow me,’ (Matt. 4:19).” Conclave NextGen 2025 is scheduled to take place on October 6-7 at First Baptist Church Arlington. The annual two-day event is made possible by faithful giving through the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program and support from the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation and the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions.
To learn more about Conclave NextGen, visit conclavenextgen.org.
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