Texas Baptists Life, Volume 11, Issue 2 by Texas Baptists

joy

world

Texas Baptists Life Magazine

PUBLICATION TEAM

JOSHUA MINATREA

Director of Communications

HEATHER PENNA

Senior Marketing Consultant

NEIL WILLIAMS

Multimedia Specialist

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CALEB ARNDT

Design Manager

LAUREN KENDALL Graphic Designer

You are receiving a free copy of Texas Baptists Life because of your generous support of the Cooperative Program. To subscribe or update your subscription preferences, visit txb.org/subscribe.

Contents Volume 11 — Issue No. 2 GO NOW MISSIONS APPOINTS 100 CHRISTMAS MISSIONARIES For many, the Christmas season includes a much-needed respite from life’s normal obligations. College students are no different. However, this year, more than 100 young people are opting to give up the comforts of home over winter break to go on short-term mission trips through Go Now Missions. Learn more about this unique opportunity to share the gospel and how you can support it. Read more on p. 24

Featured Articles 10

At a Glance 12

6 Special Feature: Guarneri begins time of service as Texas Baptists executive director 18 Around Texas 22 Social Spotlight

THE PASTOR’S COMMON EVENTS PROVIDE RESOURCES, ENCOURAGEMENT FOR EMERGING MINISTRY LEADERS

PAVE HELPING SAN ANTONIO CHURCH BUILD MOMENTUM

By Bonnie Hirschfield

By Teresa Young

24 Go Now Missions appoints 100 Christmas missionaries By Meredith Poe

26 Conclave NextGen sees growth, continued expansion By Teresa Young

28 Baylor BSM looks to new building to host expanding ministry 30 Hispanic Education Initiative, WinShape partnering to build disciple-makers By Teresa Young

SMALL-TOWN CHURCH EXPERIENCES BIG-TIME IMPACT FROM MINISTER HEALTH GRANT By Emily Ahrens

TEXAS BAPTISTS AND GUIDESTONE PARTNER TO PROVIDE FREE VIDEO RESOURCES ON MINISTERS’ COMPENSATION By Meredith Poe

32 La Iniciativa para la educatión hispana y Winshape colaboran para desarrollar discipuladores By Teresa Young

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By Bonnie Hirschfield

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MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

One of the great joys in my life has been the privilege of serving Texas Baptists in 2023 as Acting Executive Director. Planning and executing the Family Gathering in McAllen, working with convention committees, electing trustees and executive board directors, relating to institutions, promoting missions and ministry and supervising convention staff have consumed most of my energy. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to preach across our great state, and I look forward to continuing to do so. But on Thursday, Nov. 30, the torch is passing to Dr. Julio Guarneri, who will lead us as the 21st Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Dr. Guarneri truly has a pastor’s heart. He is full of love, grace and the Holy Spirit, and

Estimada familia Bautista de Texas, Uno de los más grandes gozos en mi vida ha sido el privilegio de servir a Texas Baptists en 2023 como director ejecutivo interino. Planificar y llevar a cabo la Reunión Familiar en McAllen, trabajar con comités de la convención, elegir fideicomisarios y directores de la junta ejecutiva, desarrollar relaciones con instituciones, promover misiones y ministerios, y supervisar el personal ministerial de la convención ha consumido la mayor parte de mi energía. También he disfrutado la oportunidad de predicar por todo nuestro gran estado, y anticipo seguir haciéndolo. El jueves 30 de noviembre la antorcha pasa al Dr. Julio Guarneri, quien nos dirigirá como el vigésimo primer director ejecutivo de la Convención Bautista General (BGCT) de Texas. El Dr. Guarneri verdaderamente tiene corazón de pastor, lleno de amor, gracia, y el Espíritu Santo, y una visión fresca para expandir la obra del ministerio y las misiones Texas Baptists.

has a fresh vision for expanding the work of Texas Baptists’ ministry and missions. Our focus is on building the Kingdom of God. Churches are being planted. People along the border and around the world are receiving ministry. College students are being saved on 137 campuses. The next generation of ministers is being prepared through theological education. Widows and orphans are being cared for through related institutions, disaster relief, the Cooperative Program and other special offerings. Texas Baptists churches, partners and ministry staff are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Together, we all share in the harvest! But rest assured, opposition to God’s work is real. Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus said the devil seeks only

Nuestro enfoque está en desarrollar el Reino de Dios. Se están plantando iglesias. Se está ministrando a las personas a lo largo de la frontera y alrededor del mundo. Estudiantes universitarios están siendo salvos en 137 recintos. La próxima generación de ministros está siendo preparada a través de la educación teológica. Viudas y huérfanos reciben cuidado por medio de instituciones colaboradoras, ayuda en desastres, el Programa Cooperativo, y otras ofrendas designadas. Iglesias Texas Baptists, colaboradores, y personal ministerial hacen una diferencia en las vidas de cientos de miles de personas. ¡Juntos compartiremos en la cosecha! Sin embargo, sabemos que la oposición a la obra de Dios es real. Satanás "ronda como león rugiente, buscando a quién devorar" (1 Pedro 5:8). Jesús dijo que el diablo solamente busca "robar, matar, y destruir" (Juan 10:10). El acusador usa información falsa e incorrecta para torcer nuestras metas y ambiciones

to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). The accuser uses disinformation and misinformation to twist the truth for his own goals and ambitions (Matthew 4:1-11) as “the father of lies” (John 8:44). In light of the knowledge of our adversary, and knowing how the devil targets God’s faithful servants and people of influence, I invite you to pray for Dr. Guarneri during this transition. The stakes are high, and we all need to be engaged, informed and invested in order to reach Texas and the world for Jesus. Thank you for your support this past year and for working and praying to help Dr. Guarneri be God’s servant-leader. The future is bright, and I am so excited about all that God has done, is doing and is going to do through you! Your servant in Christ,

(Mateo 4:1-11) como "el padre de la mentiras" (Juan 8:44). Teniendo en cuenta lo que conocemos de nuestro adversario, y sabiendo cómo el diablo acosa a personas de influencia y siervos fieles de Dios, le invito a orar por el Dr. Guarneri durante esta transición. Lo que está en juego es importante y todos debemos participar, estar informados, e invertir para alcanzar a Texas y el mundo para Cristo. Gracias por su apoyo durante este año, y por trabajar y orar para ayudar al Dr. Guarneri a ser un líder-siervo de Dios. ¡El futuro es brillante y me emociona todo lo que Dios ha hecho, está haciendo, y hace a través de ustedes! Al servicio de Cristo,

CRAIG C. CHRISTINA Associate Executive Director

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Dear Texas Baptists Family,

Guarneri begins time of service as Texas Baptists executive director

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by Texas Baptists Communications

Reflecting on the luncheon program led by First Baptist Garland’s minister of music and worship, Mark Hill, and music and worship associate, Clay Mobley, Guarneri pointed to the significance of the gospel message. “In the midst of the laughter and food we are reminded it’s all about Jesus, right? It’s about knowing Jesus, it’s about worshiping Jesus and it’s about proclaiming him. That’s what we’re about. I am excited to be a part of this team,” he said. Guarneri, who has spoken previously of his Texas Baptists roots, shared with ministry staff that he considers himself a product of Texas Baptists. He responded to the call to ministry at Congreso, was discipled and shaped by the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) in Corpus Christi, was a recipient of Mary Hill Davis scholarship funds, studied at Dallas Baptist University, and was encouraged, inspired and mentored by various BGCT staff throughout his ministry.

“It’s been so exciting to watch you. All of you are doing just incredible things for the kingdom of God. I am honored to pray with you, to dream with you and then to work together for the sake of the kingdom, for the sake of the king,” said Guarneri. Christina thanked staff for their support as he served as acting executive director beginning Jan. 1 until Guarneri’s start, calling the opportunity “one of the great joys” in his life.

Christina called on Oza Jones, director of African American Ministry, and David Miranda, director of Ministers Development and Missional Network, to pray over Guarneri and his wife as staff gathered around the couple. Guarneri is scheduled to meet with Lubbock-area pastors at a luncheon on Dec. 15, with other similar gatherings to follow.

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GARLAND–Julio Guarneri began his time of service as executive director of Texas Baptists with an all-staff luncheon hosted by the First Baptist Church in Garland, TX, on Thursday, Nov. 30. Craig Christina, associate executive director, introduced Guarneri. “It takes a special person…it takes a person of conviction to say this is who we are, and this is what God’s calling us to be and do.” “You have a humble spirit. You are full of grace and love and compassion, but you also are clear about who you are, and we love that about you,” Christina said. Guarneri, addressing convention staff for the first time as executive director, expressed gratitude on behalf of him and his wife, Monica. “We are just honored and elated at the opportunity to serve the Lord in this way,” he said. “We have felt your love…you have expressed your support for me in this new role and I really am grateful for that.”

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Pastor Helps

Pastoring is not easy, and it’s even more difficult when it’s done alone.

Promoting “harmony of feeling and concert of action” among Texas Baptists churches continues to be a key component of the now 137-year-old charge drafted by the authors of the convention’s constitution and passed by messengers to that first annual meeting in Waco in 1886.

Through The Pastor’s Common, PAVE church revitalization strategy, Minister’s Financial Health and a new GuideStone partnership, Texas Baptists pastors are being equipped and encouraged for collaborative ministry.

We are more together.

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Throughout this magazine spotlight, you will find stories offering hope and stories offering help for people just like yourself - church leaders among whom closer cooperation is a must if we are going to reach the entire state for Christ.

The Pastor’s Common events provide resources,

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encouragement for emerging ministry leaders

By Bonnie Hirschfield, contributing writer

you're not alone in your ministry.

Discipling through preaching

During the labs, attendees learned how to enhance their preaching abilities and deliver impactful sermons from four speakers. During Gibson’s session, entitled “Planning,” he encouraged attendees to think of discipleship through a wider lens. He reminded them that the message during worship is the time that the most people in the church hear from Scripture. “Think in broader terms for discipleship, not just a one-on-one view,” he said. “What does it mean to disciple people through our preaching?” He reminded pastors to plan their sermons around themes that their church needs to hear, keeping in mind the unique needs of the congregation. Gibson encouraged pastors to not fill the calendar with sermons that simply reflect the time of the year, such as summer or Labor Day, but that have an intentional message tailored to the church’s needs.

“Are these events that influence our calendar for preaching what our listeners need in order for them to become the people that God wants them to become?” he asked. Todd Still, dean of George W. Truett Theological Seminary, echoed the importance of preaching for each church’s unique congregation during his session entitled “Preaching Through Romans.” “It does no good to simply speak if no one’s listening, so find ways to connect with the people that God has entrusted to you,” he said. In addition to Gibson and Still, attendees to the Dallas preaching lab heard from Yancey Arrington, teaching pastor at Clear Creek Community Church in Houston, and Andrew Hébert, lead pastor of Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview. Speakers at other preaching labs included: Steve Bezner, senior pastor at Houston Northwest Church in Houston; Taylor Sandlin, senior pastor at Sugar Land Baptist Church in San Angelo; Matthew Kim, professor of Practical Theology at Truett Seminary in Waco; Robert Creech, professor of Christian Ministries and director of Pastoral Ministries at Truett Seminary in Waco; Kevin Flowers, pastor of Alamo Community Church in San Antonio; Chris Johnson, senior pastor of First Baptist Church San Antonio in San Antonio; and Matt Homeyer, senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Emerging pastors ‘not alone’ in ministry

The Pastor’s Common also hosted an Apprentice Retreat on Sept. 11-12 at First Baptist Richardson in which seventy-two millennial pastors gathered to be equipped by seasoned church leaders.

Miranda explained that the number 72 was intentional as it mirrored the number of disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10. "There is a myth that pastors aren't being called anymore. God has called and continues to call shepherds to tend his sheep in every generation,” Miranda said. “The Pastor's Common aims to connect and strengthen pastors in this generation.” During the retreat, pastors heard from 12 speakers in large groups and broke into smaller groups for times of discussion and fellowship. Each small group was led by a speaker, giving attendees time to ask them individualized questions about ministry. The labs and the retreat are all a part of The Pastor’s Common’s goal to equip and encourage pastors and help them feel more connected to other ministers across Texas. “The goal is to strengthen the church,” Miranda said. “Pastoring is not easy, and it’s even more difficult when it’s done alone. So, we want to improve the pastoral experience through connectivity and resourcing and providing a friend to them.” During the preaching labs, Miranda emphasized this mission, reminding the ministry leaders in attendance that their ministry is making an impact in their communities. “Your ministry matters. A lot of times, it feels like you don’t realize the effect you're having,” he said. “I want you to look around the room and see that you’re not alone in your ministry. We’re here to encourage you and to be that friend for you in that time of need.” Learn more about, connect with and support The Pastor’s Common at thepastorscommon.com.

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“Intentional planning makes for purposeful preaching,” Scott Gibson, David E. Garland chair of preaching at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, told attendees during the Art of Preaching Lab held at the Texas Baptists offices in Dallas on August 31. The lab was one of three held across Texas, with the other two sessions held in Houston and San Antonio. Collectively, the labs drew 162 attendees, including lead pastors, youth ministers and other church leaders. David Miranda, director of Ministers Development and Missional Network, and a team of volunteers coordinated the preaching labs, which were hosted by The Pastor’s Common. 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 explained that the labs were held to create a space for ministry leaders to continue honing their skills and growing in the roles the Lord called them to serve in. “Preaching is an art. It’s a calling but also a practice we work on developing. And we get better by being intentional about what we prepare to deliver,” he said.

Pave helping San Antonio church build momentum

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By Teresa Young, contributing writer

Despite being a vibrant part of the San Antonio community for 102 years, Saint Luke Baptist Church appeared to some to be dying. Declining membership and a changing neighborhood demographic were not painting a hopeful picture, and Pastor Joe Barber knew something had to change if the church’s ministry was to continue. “The church has been reluctant to change … and the younger generations have moved out of the neighborhood around us,” said Barber, who celebrated 18 years as pastor in October. “The church elders and core members were stuck.” An email from Oza Jones, director of Texas Baptists African American Ministries, gave Barber a glimmer of promise. Jonathan Smith, director of the convention’s Church Health Strategy, was working with churches just like Saint Luke through his office’s PAVE church revitalization program. “When I learned about PAVE, I decided to go learn more. I refused to pull the plug on [Saint Luke],” said Barber, who serves bivocationally as a substance abuse counselor. “It was like CPR to revive us. The program, for me, has been a godsend.”

After attending the spring workshop, Barber left with an armful of resources and ideas to bring renewal to the Saint Luke congregation. He chose to tackle one immediately: a new idea about celebrating baptisms to build excitement among church membership. But Barber had one additional concern: the church had not had any baptisms in quite some time. “Pretty soon, the Holy Spirit moved,” said Barber. A family came to join the church with a member who was a candidate for baptism. Barber’s congregation followed the PAVE suggestion and interviewed the individual beforehand, then played the video just prior to their baptism. Church staff also videoed the baptism, and the whole congregation got involved. “That started an energy in the church where folks were getting excited about baptism,” Barber said. “Now we’re on a run for about 20 weeks straight of baptisms. Now the focus is discipling them all and how we’re going to do that.” Smith said he was encouraged by how the simple change made an impact.

“I'm convinced that baptism is one of the best evangelistic tools for the modern church,” said Smith. “Some people share the gospel of Christ with more people on their baptism day than they will the rest of their lives. Part of the power of the three-week baptism plan is for people to tell their story of redemption, coupled with the symbolic act of baptism” Barber said he also took Smith’s advice to involve church members of different ages, building buy-in among the young people in everything from strategic planning to community outreach efforts. “It took all the stress off of me as a pastor and forced me to form teams made up of youth, middle-agers and seniors, basically three generations all looking at the life of the church. It’s starting to bring energy as well,” said Barber.

“I’m excited for what it’s doing for our church. We’re coming up with fresh new ideas. It has really turned this ship around where we are looking at doing some different things.” Among those is involving the growing population of young people at each service, which has led to more young people visiting and joining the congregation. Saint Luke is also planning to revive its community clinic that suffered during the COVID pandemic. They have continued Wellness Wednesdays, opening the church for mental health counseling, prayer, an emergency food pantry and more. “Pastor Barber's church in San Antonio is a beacon of hope in a difficult area of town,” Smith noted. “Saint Luke's ministry to the least of these is incredibly inspiring.”

Barber has enjoyed sharing ideas and encouragement with other PAVE pastors, and he’s excited to see the church membership slowly rising, hitting an average of 60 with 100 on some peak Sundays. “It’s been a tedious process, but it’s so rewarding now as you see results, slowly but surely,” Barber said. “It’s been surprising to me and exciting to my old deacons to see the impact of these small changes. We hadn’t had any baptisms in a long time, and we worried that we were dead. When the deacons started seeing that, it revived them as well. Now, they’re excited about how to get others here and how to disciple them. Learn more about, connect with and support PAVE church revitalization strategy at txb.org/pave.

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That [baptism] started an energy in the church where folks were getting excited about baptism

Small-town church experiences big-time impact from minister health grant By Emily Ahrens, contributing writer

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W ith a population of just over 2,200, Hale City might not be the biggest town in Texas, but for the 30 members of Iglesia Bautista del Carpentero it is home, and the people there are family. Victor Hernandez, Iglesia Bautista del Carpentero’s pastor, spends his days dedicated to putting together sermons and maintaining the church grounds. He retired from the local school district as a custodian and bus driver and has a heart for sharing Christ with others. His wife Lourdes is his right hand when it comes to organizing events and other things at the church. But for a small church in a small town, a pastor’s compensation can be a challenge. Hernandez, who is not eligible to receive Social Security, lives off of his pension from working more than 20 years at the local school. While it can be difficult for pastors like Hernandez to make ends meet, Texas Baptists’ Center for Ministerial Health is providing some much-needed support.

Easing financial pressures through generosity

The Minister’s Financial Health Grant, offered by the Minister Financial Health Team, is an opportunity for church leaders to support their ministers with the financial support needed to continue in ministry. Many times, pastors are doing what they can to get by but lack financial security. Through the grant, if the church or pastor raises up to $2,500, Texas Baptists will match that amount. These funds can be used for the pastor’s personal financial needs, such as paying off debt,

supporting their retirement funds or taking a much-needed vacation. Marcy Sanchez has been the treasurer of Iglesia Bautista del Carpentero for the past five years. He was reviewing the budget after hearing about the Minister’s Financial Health Grant and knew they had to do something for Hernandez. He brought it up to the rest of those in attendance at their business meeting. The church is paid for, and they don’t face too many expenses, even though their budget is small. “Our biggest expense is the insurance for our church at nearly $3,500 a year,” Sanchez shared. “So I knew we had to take the rest of our budget to give back to Victor who gives us so much.” In the past, churches have collaborated with other organizations or foundations to raise the funds needed for the grant. But for the members of Iglesia Bautista, they gave from their own pockets – the church budget – to raise the maximum matching amount from the convention’s grant. In addition to the financial support from the grant, pastors also receive courses on financial literacy, such as making the most of your ministerial income.

Quiet determination and consistency inspires faith community

According to Sanchez, no matter what day you drive by the church, the grounds are immaculate. If he decides to drop by and go see Hernandez throughout the week, he’s always knee-deep in preparing the next message for the next service.

Through this close friendship and seeing Hernandez’s commitment to God firsthand, Sanchez’s faith has been strengthened, too. “He’s very knowledgeable when he’s preaching – he takes it very seriously,” he said. Though the church’s membership may be relatively small, the impact its membership had on Pastor Hernandez’s life was anything but. Through the gift from his congregation and Texas Baptists, Hernandez and his wife can experience some breathing room financially and enjoy quality time together with a little less stress. Together, both church and pastor are healthier.

Recharging for the future

Pouring into Hernandez provides the recharge he needs to keep going – and to help the church to keep its eyes on the future. “We’re really trying to focus on the youth,” Sanchez said. “We want to support these children growing up in the church and make sure that the church will go on – and those children will take over the church and bring their children to the church.” More than half of pastors are concerned about providing for their family and their financial security. Through the Minister’s Financial Health Grant, Texas Baptists hope to help ease that heavy burden. Learn more about, connect with and support Minister's Financial Health at txb.org/mfh.

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Together, both church and pastor are healthier.

Texas Baptists and GuideStone partner to provide

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free video resources on ministers’ compensation

By Meredith Poe, contributing writer

It is our

mission to

enhance the financial

security and resilience of those

who serve the Lord

excited to collaborate with Texas Baptists to deliver educational videos and ministerial resources that provide answers and guidance to common financial and tax-related questions and issues that are specific to pastors and ministers.” View videos, learn more and support Minister Financial Health at txb.org/mfh.

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Texas Baptists Ministers Financial Health is partnering with GuideStone to provide a new series of video resources on ministers’ compensation. The videos cover a range of topics and are designed to help churches understand common tax and financial-related questions and issues for ministers. “These videos are tools to help churches understand tax implications and develop compensation packages for church leaders to provide adequate income,” said Tammy Tervooren with Ministers Financial Health. “The videos are short and created to be easily accessible, putting some of these complex terms around ministers' compensation into a more simplified presentation.” The videos are free to churches, pastors and ministerial staff as an educational resource and can be accessed via the Ministers Financial Health webpage or directly through the GuideStone website. Several videos are already available, with more scheduled to release over the next two months. Current videos already posted to the website explore differences between “lump sum” packages and the “salary-and-benefits” approach and the unique dual tax status of “ministers for tax purposes” as defined by the IRS. "The financial resources provided by GuideStone are geared specifically for the unique financial challenges and opportunities ministers face," said Dowell Loftis, director of the Center for Ministerial Health. “For churches and pastors, learning how to best manage the money God has blessed them with is good stewardship.” Ministers Financial Health provides a variety of other financial education and support resources. In the area of ministers’ compensation, Tervoreen shared they are happy to direct churches to GuideStone for expert guidance. “It is our mission to enhance the financial security and resilience of those who serve the Lord,” said Dr. Hance Dilbeck, president of GuideStone. “We are

AROUND TEXAS

Texas Baptists en Español leads chapel service in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month

“God is still calling”: Residency program at FBC Burleson helps young ministers discern call, be equipped for ministry

Albert Reyes, president and CEO of Buckner International, delivered an address, and Texas Baptists Legacy Award recipient and longtime pastor Dorso Maciel greeted ministry staff remotely. Rolando Rodriguez, director of Texas Baptists en Español, organized the event, and Josue Valerio, director of the Center for Missional Engagement, closed the service in prayer.

ur church feels challenged to call out the called. That is my heart,” said Ronny Marriott, pastor of First Baptist Church Burleson. For the past six years, FBC Burleson has been helping the next generation to discern God’s call and providing a space for them to grow in their chosen field. Marriott estimates 20–30 young ministers, most under the age of 35, have completed the two-year residency program since it began.

WMU of Texas celebrates 143rd birthday

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n October 3, WMU of Texas celebrated its 143rd birthday. Staff encouraged others to wear WMU t-shirts, write a note of support to missionaries who had birthdays the same month, and pause to pray at 1:43 p.m. for missionaries serving in Texas. More than 80 unique ministries are being funded in 2023 through gifts through WMU of Texas' Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions®.

TBM deploys specialized feeding team to meet needs in the midst of war in Israel

rained TBM volunteers headed to Israel Sunday after the nation erupted into warfare. The volunteers will provide meals to Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas surprised Israel with a barrage of at least 2,200 rockets Oct. 7 as well as ground troops invading southern Israel. Israel responded by shooting missiles into the Gaza, where Hamas is based. TBM volunteers, working in a secure location, will cook meals for Palestinians and Israelis in affected neighborhoods.

Guarneri elected executive director, 2024 budget approved in September executive board meeting

he September meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) Executive Board was held Sept. 18-19 in Dallas. During the meeting, the board elected Julio Guarneri, lead pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, TX, to serve as the next executive director of Texas Baptists. The board also approved the 2024 budget, elected officers and approved additional business.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Julio Guarneri elected next BGCT executive director Wayland BSM sees salvations, recommitments during student orientation

he first Monday night worship of the year for the Wayland Baptist University Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) started off with the highest attendance JR Dunn had seen in his three years serving there. “It was buzzing, it was loud, and the students were responding really well to the worship and the message,” Dunn said. The worship service was a culmination of the amazing ways the Lord had been moving at the Wayland BSM over the past week. Before the first day of school had officially begun, 19 students had already accepted Christ through the BSM.

DALLAS—Julio Guarneri, lead pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, was elected to serve as the next executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) on Tuesday, Sept. 19, during a regularly scheduled meeting of the BGCT executive board. The election follows the Executive Director Search Committee’s announcement of his candidacy on Sept. 3. A ballot vote was taken towards the end of the board’s Tuesday session. The vote was preceded by an executive session in which board directors asked questions of the candidate and engaged in discussion. The results of the vote were 55 for and 12 against. Guarneri is the twenty-first executive director of the BGCT in its 137-year history.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES 175 yrs

First Baptist Church Plano

170 yrs

New Hope First Baptist Church

155 yrs

First Baptist Church Lufkin

140 yrs

Primera Iglesia Bautista Laredo

140 yrs

Telephone Baptist Church

140 yrs

Primera Iglesia Bautista Dallas

105 yrs

West Union Missionary Baptist Church

79 yrs

Does your church or pastor have an anniversary coming up? Let us know at news@texasbaptists.org

Tim Fuller welcomed by Center for Church Health as new African American specialist for Evangelism The Texas Baptists Center for Church Health this month welcomed Dr. Timothy Fuller as the new associate director of Evangelism, African American specialist. Fuller transitioned to the role from his prior position as Ministry Specialist with Texas Baptists African American ministries. He assumed the new position on Aug. 1. “I am excited to work in Evangelism. My goal is to educate, equip and empower churches to declare, demonstrate and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Fuller. “We as disciples are the ‘salt of the earth and light of the world;’ in order for the church to make an impact, we must first make contact.” Fuller brings more than 15 years of leadership and education experience to this new position.

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First Baptist Church Corsicana

Cooperative Program Office announces

2023

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Baptist educator award recipients

By Texas Baptists Communications

The Texas Baptists Office of Cooperative Program Ministry announced recipients of its 2023 Baptist Educators Serving Texans (B.E.S.T.) Award on Thursday, Oct. 26. The B.E.S.T. Award is given annually to honor a teacher or administrator who lives out their faith in the service of students. Recipients must be an alumnus of a Texas Baptists educational institution, a member of a Texas Baptists church and serve in a Texas public school.

The B.E.S.T. Award recipients for 2023 are: Liz Hagins

Lori Rapp

a graduate of the Baptist University of the Américas and high school Spanish teacher in La Grange ISD

a graduate of Baylor University and middle school instructional coach in Midway ISD

a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and superintendent in Lewisville ISD

Dori Ballard

Darby Isereau

Judith Ozuna

a graduate of East Texas Baptist University and PK-2 tech educator and instructional technologist in New Boston ISD

a graduate of Houston Christian University and elementary school teacher in Cleveland ISD

a graduate of Howard Payne University and high school principal in Early ISD

Jimmy Pogue

Mark Fitzwater

Sarah Silva Wallace

a graduate of HardinSimmons University and high school English teacher and student council sponsor in Abilene ISD

a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and director of Media Services and Tiger Media in Belton ISD

a graduate of Wayland Baptist University and elementary principal in Plainview ISD

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE CLASSROOM

Bruce McCoy, director of the Office of Cooperative Program Ministry, extolled the contributions of the educators chosen. “Texas Baptists celebrates these graduates, who live out their Christian character daily in their classrooms and schools through the love and support they show to their students,” McCoy said. As “salt and light” in the classroom, these educators are being the presence of Christ to many children who may never step foot inside a church. McCoy noted that of the more than 350,000 public school educators in Texas,

approximately 6-8% are graduates from the nine universities who receive financial support through the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program.

FOCUS ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Since its inception in 1886, Christian higher education has remained a focus of Texas Baptists. Per its constitution, the object of the convention reads in part “to awaken and stimulate among the churches the greatest possible activity in evangelism, missions, Christian education and benevolent work and enterprises.”

One winner from each of the nine universities that relate to Texas Baptists was selected.

Today, approximately 800 new public educators are prepared for teaching and administration each year through Texas Baptists universities. The B.E.S.T. Award, started in 2020, aims to recognize the substantial impact of Texas Baptists universities on the public school system, celebrate educators and administrators who live out their faith to students served and remind churches that their Cooperative Program giving prepares tomorrow’s educators for the mission field of the classroom. Visit txb.org/best to learn more about the award and view past recipients.

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

Josias Hernandez

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT

John Litzler

Oza Jones

Oct 21, 2023

Nov 8, 2023

@Texas Baptists This is my pastor, Russell Dixon. He’s one of the kindest, faithful, and hard-working people I know. Better than that, he genuinely and truly cares about everyone. #PastorAppreciationMonth #pastorappreciation

Julio Guarneri

Jason Burden Oct 22, 2023

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

Nov 1, 2023

@TXB_African American Ministries Signing Day! I am So excited to sign my friend and brother Pastor Maurice Gardner who pastors Ivy Lane Missionary Baptist Church! We are looking forward to this Kingdom partnership!

@DallasBaptistUniversity Preached chapel at Dallas Baptist University today. Delightful time of worship. Dynamic student body. Great leadership Adam Wright Wendell Wright #servantleadership Texas Baptists

@Texas Baptists Glad to see good friends at the GTBN Annual Meeting. We’re going to miss Ernest Howard Dagohoy with Texas Baptists, but celebrate his move to become president of Central Philippine University!

Tag Texas Baptists on Facebook, X or Instagram and use #gc2 for a chance to be featured in our next magazine.

Singing Men of Texas Oct 28, 2023

@Texas Baptists Good to have SMOT participation at Texas Baptists Handbell Festival in San Antonio this weekend!

Texas Baptist Men Oct 2, 2023

@Conclave We are excited to be at Texas Baptists Conclave today, sharing about how your church can partner with TBM to bring help, hope and healing to those in need. If you're here, swing by! #youthministry #Texas

A movement of God’s people.

@TexasBaptists

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

Join us as we praise God for all that he is doing through Texas Baptists. Every post is a celebration. Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. Together, we are sharing Christ and showing love.

Go Now Missions appoints 100 student missionaries to serve near and far during Christmas break By Meredith Poe, contributing writer

o Now Missions, a ministry of Texas Baptists that mobilizes university students to share the love of Christ around the world, has appointed 100 student missionaries to serve and share the gospel during Christmas break.

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

“The Christmas season is a unique opportunity to share the gospel,” said Brenda Sanders, Go Now Missions consultant with the Center for Collegiate Ministry. “People are thinking about the gospel more this time of year, and we can tell the real meaning of Christmas.” A total of 11 teams will serve for various lengths of time between Dec. 10 through early January. Students use their time off for winter break to go on mission. Some teams will serve in Texas, reaching people locally in Arlington, Houston, Round Rock and McAllen, while other teams will serve nationally and internationally in Florida, New York, Jamaica, North Africa and South Asia. Students will serve in a variety of ways, like assisting with outreach and ministry programs, building homes and beds for those in need, and sharing the gospel with people from around the globe. “For many students, [these trips] are the first time they actually share the gospel,” said Sanders. “So many times I see them come back and realize if they

can do it in this other place, they can do it here where they live … They become disciples that make disciples.” Go Now Missions has been commissioning student missionaries since 1946, and they have sent Christmas missionaries since 2003. In total, 13,455 student missionaries — including those who will serve this winter — have been sent around the globe since the beginning of Go Now.

KNOWING GOD EVEN MORE Abigail* from Highlander BSM at McLennan Community College in Waco has served on several missions throughout Texas, as well as three times internationally. “[On a prior trip] I learned that having the heart of Christ means dealing with a broken heart sometimes,” she shared. “It means feeling sorrow when people choose to reject God … It means feeling sorrow when His children are hurt.” This year, Abigail will be serving in South Asia. “I want every person to hear and know the Gospel, and I believe that sharing this with people across the world will help me tremendously in sharing back home. I am looking forward to having my beliefs challenged so that I can know God even more and know efficient ways to share who He is,” she said.

SUPPORTING CHRISTMAS MISSIONARIES Texas Baptists churches are invited to support Christmas missionaries through prayer — a prayer calendar will be emailed in early December through the Go Now Missions newsletter. Churches and individuals can also give to help send a specific student missionary or to a general missions fund. Depending on location and season, missions cost, on average, between $550 and $3,700. Students work to raise a majority of the funds needed to go on mission by enlisting Partners in Mission and through other fundraising efforts. Their trips are also funded in part through local churches that support BSM, the Mary Hill Davis Offering® for Texas Missions and the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation. School supplies and clothing are also being gathered by the team that will serve in Jamaica. The materials will be distributed while on mission in that country. To contribute, email Go Now Missions for a list of needed items. “Ultimately, our heart and goal is that students have the opportunity to meet a physical need and verbally share the gospel,” said Sanders. “That is the goal in everything we do.” To learn more about Go Now Missions visit, gonowmissions.com *Name changed to protect identity of student missionary

world

"I want every person to hear and know the Gospel."

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

joy

Conclave NextGen sees growth, continued expansion DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

By Teresa Young, contributing writer

hile the Conclave NextGen conference underwent a remodel back in 2018, this year’s event saw breakthroughs in both attendance and connection opportunities that Texas Baptists ministry leaders believe brought it to a whole new level. “We had more children’s ministry workers than we have ever had. We tripled the number from 2021 to 2022 and then tripled again this year,” said Cory Liebrum, youth and family ministry specialist at Texas Baptists. “This is significant enough that we really feel Conclave can be one of the main trainings you can send your whole NextGen leadership to.”

Traditionally focused on training and fellowship for those in youth ministry, Conclave added breakout session tracks for those working in preschool ministry, children’s ministry and family ministry. The aim, Liebrum said, is to create a cohesive continuum of programs for young people from birth through college age and beyond. Jennifer Howington, childhood ministry specialist at Texas Baptists, partnered with Liebrum to lead these efforts. “There has been a lot more focus in churches about reaching the family, and if you have different people doing those responsibilities, the ministry can start to operate in a silo. The family coming in might have an eighth-grader, a fourthgrader and one in pre-K, and those are in different areas of the church,” explained Liebrum of the shift. “If the leaders aren’t communicating and working together on the same page, it will just confuse and frustrate families. There are a lot of resources out there that can help do that for our churches.” New additions to the 2023 event, held October 2-3 at Dallas Baptist University, included a pastor’s track that Liebrum said was comprised of more than 30 senior pastors. The event also featured a new networking luncheon for childhood ministry leaders and a luncheon for those new to childhood or youth ministry to network and hear from experienced leaders. The event also saw the “On Your Own” fellowship reprised, giving those who may be the only leader attending from their church a chance to connect and network as well. “[Pastors] were able to hear from a few of our breakout and keynote speakers in a more intimate format to talk about leadership, family and NextGen ministry and how to approach that side of it in their churches,” Liebrum said, noting that the event also served a dual purpose for some attendees. “Most of our churches don’t have the resources to do some kind of staff leadership retreat, and we heard from a few churches that they use Conclave as a staff retreat of

sorts. It gives them a few days away from the office to be together and experience some corporate worship together and then attend the breakouts most related to what they are dealing with. I think we’ll see that continue to grow.” Keynote speakers for the two-day event included Doug Fields with Download Youth Ministry; Kara Powell from the Fuller (Seminary) Youth Institute; Shane Pruitt from the North American Mission Board; and Robert White, pastor at Freedom Church in Bedford. Nick Gainey of Rockwall led worship.

"I felt like I was being poured into for 8-plus hours straight each day." LEAVING FEELING SEEN, HEARD AND POURED INTO The event was a source of encouragement and education for one attendee, a brand-new volunteer youth director from Carrollton. “I felt like I was being poured into for 8-plus hours straight each day. From the main session’s worship and speakers to the breakout sessions with everyday pastors and leaders, I did not once feel like I was the odd one out. I knew the person next to me in every room I was in knew how I felt,” said Josh Munoz of Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana. “The Conclave experience left me feeling surrounded. Surrounded by like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ who also had the same desire for their youth. I left Conclave feeling seen. I left feeling heard.” The experience was similar for Lori Brown, family pastor at First Baptist Church in Plainview, who attended the event alongside her husband Donnie

– director of Spiritual Life at Wayland Baptist University – and son Josh, youth minister at First Baptist Church in Shallowater. “I attended breakouts focused on family ministry. It was great to have so many options and I am so glad they addressed some topics that we are currently dealing with in our culture,” said Brown. “And it's always great to connect with other family ministers and share ideas!”

A TIME FOR CHURCH LEADERS TO BE SERVED Liebrum said Conclave hit a home run in several areas. “We just wanted to create a balanced atmosphere of education, training, challenging, learning for those who want to know what’s happening, and we have those in youth ministry that have been coming for years. There is a balance between that and taking care of their souls as well,” he said. “We heard from a lot of leaders just how great it was to be in the worship and teaching and not be called out to care for others. This was a time for them to be served. If we can help challenge them, and they can be fed and replenished by worship and conversations, it’s a success.” Save the date for the 2024 Conclave NextGen conference on Oct. 7-8 at First Baptist Church, San Antonio. Learn more and make plans to attend at conclavenextgen.org.

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

A COHESIVE CONTINUUM OF CHURCH MINISTRY SUPPORT

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

Baylor BSM looks to new building to host expanding ministry

inistry on Baylor’s campus is growing. It’s growing through the BSM and through the unity of the local churches,” Will Bowden, director of Baylor University’s Baptist Student Ministry (BSM), said. The BSM on Baylor University’s campus has seen tremendous growth in the past five years. Powerful ministry is happening daily through discipleship training, prayer nights and other fellowship opportunities. In order to meet the growing ministry’s needs, a new BSM building is being built on Baylor’s campus. The BSM currently does not have its own facilities and is housed in the spiritual life building on campus, which is shared with other ministries and offices.

BUILDING A SPACE FOR PRAYER, DISCIPLESHIP The new building will be a 12,000-squarefoot hub for students to attend discipleship training, worship nights and fellowship opportunities. It will have a designated space for prayer, large communal spaces, pickleball courts, a coffee shop and more. The exterior renderings show a red brick building that is bright and airy, matching the exterior of other campus buildings. “We want it to be a place where students want to gather on a daily basis,” Mark Jones, director of the Texas Baptists Center for Collegiate Ministry, said. “As the ministry has grown, it no longer fits its current space. The ministry prioritizes prayer, discipleship and equipping students to engage the campus and the world with the gospel.”

Per an agreement approved by Baylor University Board of Regents and Texas Baptists Executive Board, Baylor will gift the BSM land on the corner of 4th Street and Daughtrey Avenue once an initial $3 million has been raised. The total capital investment will be approximately $7 million. Texas Baptist Missions Foundation is taking the lead in fundraising for the new ministry facility. The Missions Foundation connects individuals and their resources with the work of Texas Baptists to fulfill the Great Commission and obey the Great Commandment. Prior to the Baylor BSM, The Missions Foundation also oversaw fundraising for new BSM buildings at Texas Tech University and The University of North Texas. “TBMF is the fundraising arm, and we’re in the process of talking with donors and friends of Texas Baptists who want to make this vision a reality,” Eric Wyatt, vice president of TBMF, said.

ACTIVE MINISTRY ON BAYLOR’S CAMPUS The Baylor BSM’s ministry impacts hundreds of students each week. The student leadership team oversees groups that serve intercultural students, minister in downtown Waco and host events across campus. Pathway, a discipleship ministry led through a partnership with BSM and local churches, has 340 students who meet weekly in small groups. Upperclassmen are trained to disciple freshmen and lead them in Bible studies. It is one of the BSM’s fastest-growing ministries and is done in partnership with the

local churches, which connect students to the program. The BSM also coordinates FM72, a 72-hour prayer revival that takes place annually in the heart of Baylor’s campus. Churches from across the city take part in the event, hosting worship sessions, preaching and praying with students. “The prayer movement at Baylor and within this generation is so big,” Bowden said. “We’ve been emphasizing it more than ever before. And at this new building, we can all pray together and have a dedicated space for continuous prayer.” Bowden emphasized that prayer is at the heart of everything the BSM does, as is collaboration with Waco churches. He hopes the new building will also be a way for the churches to have a continued presence on campus. It will provide a space for ministers to meet with students individually or in small groups. The building will also host the BSM’s weekly Thursday dinners, training for mission trips, worship services and other ministries. “Bright days are ahead for the Baylor BSM,” Jones said. “We are blessed to have a strong BSM that allows churches to have a point of contact on the campus. The new building will allow the legacy of the BSM at Baylor to continue to raise up students to impact the campus and minister across the globe.” Learn how to support the BSM at Baylor building campaign at baylorbsm.com or by contacting the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation at missionsfoundation@txb. org or 214.828.5343.

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

By Bonnie Hirschfield, contributing writer

Hispanic Education Initiative, WinShape partnering to build disciple-makers

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

By Teresa Young, contributing writer

athan Escamilla did not study mathematics at Texas Tech University, but he’s become quite the expert in multiplication over the past few years. As manager of partner development for the southwest region of the WinShape College Program, Nathan has been a major player in a partnership with the Hispanic Education Initiative (HEI) of Texas Baptists en Español which is equipping college students to serve Hispanic churches across the state. “Our focus is on Matthew 28:19 – go therefore and make disciples of all nations. That’s our focus at WinShape and it’s a big focus at HEI, investing in future generations,” noted Nathan, a native of Lubbock. “We touch on leadership development and also focus on discipleship with the idea that young people can be leaders in their church from their campus or in their vocation.” WinShape accomplishes this through Discipleship Intensives, three- or five-day trainings aimed at preparing college students to learn how to lead small groups in their churches and on their campuses. Nathan’s role is to develop and recruit for these

trainings across four states, with Texas trainings held in Dallas, San Antonio and El Paso. He believes heavily in the success of the program, noting several Texas Baptists university students have attended and returned to their campuses to begin making a real impact in discipling their peers as well as serving at their Texas Baptists churches.

INCREASING ACCESS But up until 2020, the WinShape College Program had seen no Hispanic participants, and that’s where Rolando Rodriguez, director of Texas Baptists en Español, entered the picture. “WinShape reached out to Rolando, and he asked me to help find some students for the program, which I saw as a great opportunity for discipleship and leadership development for the HEI. I reached out to young adults I knew that were studying in college and serving in their church, and HEI helped compensate some of their cost for WinShape,” said Nathan.

BRIDGING THE GAP Nathan says the partnership is especially important because the vast majority of Texas Baptists Hispanic churches are led by bi-vocational pastors, meaning many of them do not have the financial resources to pay for students to receive special training. But the investment in students has paid dividends on several fronts. “We’re able to work together so HEI is able to help support these churches that cannot afford to pay a pastor fulltime, but they can send young adults to these trainings to learn how to be leaders in the church,” said Nathan, noting that since 2020, HEI has helped 81 students receive WinShape training. “Many of these students have gone back to their churches and campuses to disciple and start small groups. Maybe the church doesn’t have a college pastor, but (these students) have volunteered to start a small group and do a Bible study, and those have grown and grown.”

ROLANDO ECHOES HIS BELIEF IN THE PROGRAM’S VALUE. “By investing in these students, we are ministering, discipling, mentoring and developing leaders that will impact the generations that are coming behind them. Our churches do not need more members; our churches need more disciples of Jesus, and this is what this program is about: making disciples that make disciples,” said Rolando.

PREPARING FOR IMPACT Nathan’s own desire to make disciples led him to earn a master’s degree in theological studies at Dallas Baptist University in 2020 and immediately begin a Ph.D. in higher education. He completed his coursework and is now preparing to write his dissertation. “I always had a passion for higher education. I’m a first-generation college student myself, and working in student ministry has shown me the importance of church related to higher ed,” he said, noting that the lack of mentorship during his college years spurred him into ministry. “A lot of times the church can be a big factor (in retention) because it goes back to the community through small groups, which keeps them grounded and encourages them to stay in college. The role of the student pastor helps keep those students engaged. “I just hope to help be a voice at the table and help other young people navigate and graduate college. I am a firm believer that if you educate a community, you elevate a community,” added Nathan. With the WinShape training through HEI, Nathan said, another piece of the retention puzzle is laid down. In a time when 75-80 percent of young people quit attending church after high school, the investment in training helps Hispanic students not only stay in college but also stay engaged in their churches, build community and grow future leaders. “It also helps them feel valued when they see their pastor sees something in them and wants to invest in them,” noted

Nathan. “If you think about the disciples, they were teenagers to young adults. So we want to encourage them that you may be 19, 20 or 21, but you can make a difference in your church and college campus.”

FULFILLING THE MISSION Just this past summer, 16 students from six Texas Baptists Hispanic churches attended the WinShape training through HEI, and already three small groups have been started out of those efforts. Two of those students are attending the WinShape internships offered to graduates to help lead trainings in Orlando and learn even more leadership skills. For Rolando, the reports of multiplication coming from across the state have proven the Hispanic Education Initiative to be successful in its effort to “fulfill the mission, vision, values and priorities affirmed by Texas Baptists” and apply an intentional, comprehensive strategy to ensure church growth continues into the next generations. “The HEI goal is to encourage believers to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37) We hope to develop ‘Ambassadors for Christ.’ (2 Corinthians 5:20),” said Rolando. “Because of the significant growth of the Hispanic population in Texas, higher education for Hispanic youth is essential to the future wellbeing of the state and Baptist congregations. “Texas Baptists, through their congregations, institutions, associations and Compañerismos have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help encourage and assist Hispanic students toward the pursuit of higher education.” Learn more about, connect with and support the Hispanic Education Initiative at txb.org/hei

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

At the time, Nathan was working in another field and serving as a volunteer student pastor at a Texas Baptists church plant in Grand Prairie. He saw the students from his own church attend WinShape and return with a new fire to serve in the student ministry. After helping recruit once more in 2021, WinShape approached Nathan to join their staff, and he took the opportunity to join the effort. He attended a training at the WinShape Foundation’s home in Georgia – where it was started in 1984 by Chick-fil-A founder and CEO Truett Cathy – and now offices in Dallas. Though Nathan’s work involves working with churches of all denominations to recruit for the Discipleship Intensives, he loves the partnership with HEI as both a product of a Texas Baptists church and an active member now, serving as a lay student leader at El Buen Pastor Christian Church in Fort Worth with his wife, Sarah.

La Iniciativa para la educación hispana y WinShape colaboran para desarrollar discipuladores

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

Por Teresa Young

athan Escamilla no estudió matemáticas en la Universidad Texas Tech, pero se ha convertido en un experto en multiplicación a través de los años. Como director de desarrollo de colaboradores para la región del suroeste del Programa Universitario WinShape, Nathan ha jugado un papel importante en la colaboración con la Iniciativa para la educación hispana (HEI, siglas en inglés) de Texas Baptists en Español la cual equipa a estudiantes universitarios para servir en iglesias hispanas por todo el estado. "Nuestro enfoque es Mateo 28:19 – vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones. Ese es nuestro enfoque en WinShape y es un gran enfoque en HEI, invertir en generaciones futuras", compartió Nathan, natural de Lubbock. "Tratamos con desarrollo de liderazgo y también enfocamos en el discipulado con la idea de que los adultos jóvenes pueden ser líderes en sus iglesias desde su recinto universitario o en su vocación". WinShape alcanza esto por medio de Intensivos de discipulado, entrenamientos de tres a cinco días dirigidos a preparar a

estudiantes universitarios a aprender cómo ser líderes de grupos pequeños en sus iglesias y recintos. El papel de Nathan es desarrollar y reclutar para estos entrenamientos por cuatro estados, con los entrenamientos llevados a cabo en Texas en Dallas, San Antonio, y El Paso. Él cree firmemente en el éxito del programa, indicando que varios estudiantes universitarios Texas Baptists han participado y regresado a sus recintos para hacer un verdadero impacto al discipular a sus compañeros así como servir en sus iglesias.

AUMENTAR EL ACCESO No obstante, hasta el 2020, el Programa Universitario WinShape no había tenido participantes hispanos, y ahí es donde Rolando Rodríguez, director de Texas Baptists en Español, entra en el panorama. "WinShape se puso en contacto con Rolando y le pedimos que nos ayudara a identificar estudiantes para el programa, una gran oportunidad para discipulado y desarrollo de líderes para

CERRANDO BRECHAS Nathan dice que la colaboración es particularmente importante debido a que la gran mayoría de las iglesias hispanas Texas Baptists son dirigidas por pastores bivocacionales, y muchos de ellos carecen de los recursos económicos para pagar para que sus estudiantes universitarios reciban este entrenamiento especial. Sin embargo, invertir en los estudiantes universitarios ha tenido resultados beneficiosos de muchas maneras. "Al colaborar, HEI puede apoyar a estas iglesias que no pueden pagar el salario de un pastor a tiempo completo, pero pueden enviar a estudiantes universitarios a estos entrenamientos para aprender a ser líderes en la iglesia", dijo Nathan, indicando que desde 2020 HEI ha ayudado a 81 estudiantes universitarios a recibir entrenamiento con WinShape. "Muchos de estos estudiantes han regresado a sus iglesias y recintos para

discipular y comenzar grupos pequeños. Tal vez la iglesia no tenga un ministro de estudiantes universitarios, pero (estos estudiantes) sirven como voluntarios para comenzar grupos pequeños o hacer estudios bíblicos, y esos han crecido".

ROLANDO COMPARTE SU FE EN EL VALOR DEL PROGRAMA. "Al invertir en estos estudiantes, ministramos, discipulamos, servimos como mentores, y desarrollamos líderes que harán un impacto en generaciones por venir. Nuestras iglesias no necesitan más miembros; necesitan más discípulos de Jesús, y este programa se trata de esto: hacer discípulos para hacer discípulos", dijo Rolando.

PREPARARSE PARA EL IMPACTO El deseo de Nathan de hacer discípulos le llevó a obtener un título de maestría en estudios teológicos en la Universidad Bautista de Dallas en 2020 e inmediatamente inició sus estudios de doctorado (PhD). Ya completó sus cursos y ahora se prepara para escribir su disertación. "Siempre he tenido pasión por la educación superior. Soy primera generación como estudiante universitario y el trabajar en el ministerio con estudiantes universitarios me ha demostrado la importancia de una iglesia conectada con la educación superior", dijo al mencionar la falta de mentoría durante sus años de estudios universitarios al ser parte del ministerio. "Muchas veces la iglesia puede ser un gran factor (en la retención) porque se trata de comunidad por medio de grupos pequeños, lo que los mantiene arraigados y los anima a perseverar en sus estudios. El papel del ministro de estudiantes ayuda a mantener a los estudiantes comprometidos". "Espero ayudar a abogar por y ayudar a otros adultos jóvenes a perseverar para obtener sus títulos universitarios. Creo firmemente en que, si educamos a la comunidad, elevamos la comunidad", añadió Nathan. "Con el entrenamiento de WinShape por medio de HEI", dijo Nathan, "colocamos otra pieza en el rompecabezas de la retención. En un tiempo cuando el 75 al 80 por ciento de los adultos jóvenes dejan

de asistir a la iglesia después de la escuela superior, invertir en el entrenamiento ayuda a los estudiantes universitarios hispanos a no solamente perseverar en sus estudios sino también a permanecer comprometidos con sus iglesias, al desarrollar comunidad y futuros líderes". "Además los ayuda a sentirse apreciados cuando ven que su pastor ve algo en ellos y desea invertir en ellos", observó Nathan. "Los primeros discípulos eran adultos jóvenes. Por eso queremos animarlos en que, aunque tengan 19, 20 o 21 años, pero pueden hacer una diferencia en sus iglesias y recintos".

CUMPLIR LA MISIÓN Este verano pasado, 16 estudiantes de seis iglesias hispanas Texas Baptists asistieron al entrenamiento de WinShape por medio de HEI, y ya se han comenzado tres grupos pequeños gracias a ese esfuerzo. Dos de esos estudiantes participan haciendo la práctica que WinShape ofrece para ayudar a dirigir entrenamientos en Orlando y aprender más acerca de destrezas de liderazgo. Para Rolando, los informes de multiplicación que vienen de todo el estado son evidencia de que la Iniciativa para la educación hispana está teniendo éxito en su esfuerzo por "cumplir la misión, visión, valores, y prioridades afirmados por los Texas Baptists" y al aplicar una estrategia intencional y completa para asegurar que continúe el crecimiento de la iglesia en las próximas generaciones. "La meta de HEI es exhortar a los creyentes a 'Amar al Señor su Dios con todo su corazón y con toda su alma y con toda su mente' (Mateo 22:37). Esperamos desarrollar 'Embajadores para Cristo' (2 Corintios 5:20)," dijo Rolando. "Debido al crecimiento significativo de la población hispana en Texas, la educación superior para adultos jóvenes hispanos es esencial para el bienestar futuro del estado y las congregaciones bautistas". "Los Texas Baptists, a través de sus congregaciones, instituciones y Compañerismos tienen la oportunidad y responsabilidad única de ayudar a exhortar y apoyar a estudiantes universitarios hispanos hacia la búsqueda de educación superior".

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

HEI. Me puse en contacto con adultos jóvenes que estudiaban en la universidad y servían en sus iglesias, y HEI me ayudó a sufragar parte del costo para WinShape", dijo Nathan. En aquel tiempo, Nathan trabajaba en otro campo y servía como ministro de jóvenes en una iglesia nueva Texas Baptists en Grand Prairie. Se ocupó de que jóvenes universitarios de su iglesia participaran de WinShape y regresaron con nuevo fervor para servir en el ministerio con estudiantes. Después de ayudar a reclutar una vez más en 2021, WinShape invitó a Nathan a ser parte de su personal ministerial, y él aprovechó la oportunidad para unirse al esfuerzo. Asistió al entrenamiento en las oficinas centrales para la Fundación WinShape en Georgia—donde comenzó en 1984 por el fundador de Chick-fil-A y director ejecutivo Truett Cathy – y ahora las oficinas en Dallas. A pesar de que la labor de Nathan incluye trabajar con iglesias de todas denominaciones para los intensivos de discipulado, le encanta colaborar con HEI como producto y miembro activo de una iglesia Texas Baptist, la Iglesia Cristiana El Buen Pastor en Fort Worth, donde sirve como líder de jóvenes con su esposa, Sarah.

When we cooperate, we do more together than we can alone. Just watch.

DECEMBER 2023 / TEX AS BAPTISTS LIFE

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In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the

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saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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Luke 2

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