Resolutions 2019 RESOLUTION I Appreciation of Hosts WHEREAS, churches and members of Waco Regional Baptist Association have been gracious hosts for the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Waco; and WHEREAS, Texas Baptists as a whole desire to affirm the work of Baptists in the Waco area; BE IT RESOLVED that the messengers to the 2019 annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Waco express their appreciation to the churches and members of Waco Regional Baptist Association; and
Baptist Church in Lubbock, second vice president; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we express our appreciation to David Hardage, executive director, and to the men and women who work on the BGCT staff for their faithful labor on behalf of Texas Baptists; and
2019 RESOLUTION IV
2019 RESOLUTION III
WHEREAS Scripture has much to say about the importance of ministering to vulnerable children, especially those who are victims of family breakdown, including the following:
Gratitude for Executive Leaders--Steve Vernon and Jill Larsen WHEREAS Steve Vernon and Jill Larsen effectively served Texas Baptists for more than a decade in executive leadership roles; and
2019 RESOLUTION II
WHEREAS Dr. Vernon has served Texas Baptists as Associate Executive Director since October 29, 2008, and will retire January 2, 2020; and
WHEREAS, those serving as officers of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) have given their time and energy to lead Texas Baptists this past year; and WHEREAS they have diligently and faithfully served the offices to which they were elected; and WHEREAS the staff of the BGCT has faithfully served Texas Baptists during this past year; BE IT RESOLVED that the messengers to the 2019 annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Waco express our appreciation to the officers of the convention who have served during the past year: Michael Evans, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, president; Jason Burden, First Baptist Church in Nederland, first vice president; and Jason Atchley, Bacon Heights 8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we express our gratitude for their service in Texas churches.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we continue our prayerful and loving support to encourage these leaders in their work and leadership.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we express our gratitude to the members of the Committee on Annual Meeting and their important contributions.
Appreciation to Convention Officers and Staff
deep gratitude to Steve Vernon and Jill Larsen for their faithful service to Christ through Texas Baptists for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS he served as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas 20062007; and WHEREAS he served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Levelland before becoming Associate Executive Director; and WHEREAS Ms. Larsen served Texas Baptists as Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer from October 15, 2008, until July 31, 2019; and WHEREAS she previously served Texas Baptists as Controller/Assistant Treasurer (2004-2008); and WHEREAS she has served as a layperson in The Heights Church in Richardson; BE IT RESOLVED that the messengers to the 2019 annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Waco express our
On Helping Vulnerable Children in Texas
See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven (Matthew 18:10, CSB). Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:27, CSB). God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows (Psalm 68:5, CSB). The Lord protects resident aliens and helps the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked (Psalm 146:9, CSB). WHEREAS a quarter of a million Texas children may be in dangerous circumstances and thousands are in the foster care system, as illustrated by the following statistics from Texas Child Protective Services: -- Alleged victims of child abuse/neglect: 280,911 -- Confirmed victims of child abuse/neglect: 66,382 -- Families receiving preservation services: 30,378