12 ISSUE NO. 1
BOUNCE student volunteers contributed 2,640 hours of labor helping Houston and Katy, TX, residents bounce back from disaster. p. 8
12 ISSUE NO. 1
BOUNCE student volunteers contributed 2,640 hours of labor helping Houston and Katy, TX, residents bounce back from disaster. p. 8
JOSHUA MINATREA Director of Communications
HEATHER PENNA Content Manager
CALEB ARNDT Design Manager
NEIL WILLIAMS Sr. Multimedia Specialist & Coordinator
LAUREN KENDALL Graphic Designer
MARITZA SOLANO Production 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/subscription.
As back-to-school season arrives, we are looking back at just a few of the awe-inspiring ways God moved through student missions and ministries this past spring and summer including BOUNCE student disaster recovery, Congreso, Beach Reach and the Baylor BSM. All across Texas, students are coming to Jesus, growing in their faith and living it out by sharing Christ and showing love to others.
By TXB Communications
12 10 16
By Bonnie Hirschfeld
By TXB Communications
By TXB Communications
Pave
Learn more at txb.org/pave
Dear Texas Baptists family,
What a whirlwind these past nine months have been! This November, in addition to celebrating our 139th Texas Baptists Annual Meeting in Waco, TX, I will celebrate my one-year anniversary as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. It is a blessing and privilege to steward this convention of churches into the future as we pursue his kingdom agenda for our state, nation and world.
This edition of Texas Baptists Life magazine spotlights just one way your church, by giving to the Cooperative Program, is expanding God’s kingdom, and that is through year-round student missions and ministry. We believe it is wise stewardship to support next-generation ministry and mission mobilization significantly.
Through BOUNCE Student Disaster Recovery, led by David Scott, 199 participants from 10 churches completed 11 construction projects over Spring Break in Houston and Katy, TX. Not only did students hang drywall, paint and install flooring, but they
¡Los últimos nueve meses han sido un verdadero torbellino con tatas cosas sucediendo al mismo tiempo! Este noviembre, además de celebrar nuestra 139a Reunión Anual de los Bautistas de Texas en Waco, TX, celebraré mi primer aniversario como director ejecutivo de la Convención Bautista General de Texas. Es una bendición y un privilegio ser administrar esta convención de iglesias hacia el futuro mientras seguimos la agenda de su reino para nuestro Estado, Nación y el Mundo.
Esta edición de la revista Texas Baptists Life destaca sólo una forma en que su iglesia, al dar al Programa Cooperativo, esta expandir el reino de Dios, y eso es a través de todo el año por medio misiones estudiantiles y ministerio. Creemos que es una gestión sabia apoyar de una manera significativa la movilización de los ministerios y misiones de la siguiente generación.
A través del ministerio BOUNCE Ministerio estudiantil que se enfoca en ayudar a comunicades a recuperarse después de un desastre natural, dirigido por David Scott, 199 participantes de10 iglesias completaron 11 proyectos de construcción durante las vacaciones de primavera en Houston y Katy, TX. Los estudiantes no sólo colgaron paneles
also hosted spiritual conversations with residents and developed a love for missions that will last a lifetime. BOUNCERS also helped communities bounce back from disaster in Claremore, OK, and other destinations this Summer.
While BOUNCE is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Congreso is celebrating its 60th! Earlier this year, I told more than 1,500 students and leaders at that conference that their identity is in Christ—they are loved, forgiven and called by God for his good purpose. Produced by Congreso Coordinator David Gonzalez, Congreso saw 49 students accept Jesus and 28 surrender to ministry.
Beach Reach, another Spring Break student ministry opportunity, saw God move in amazing ways as a record 276 individuals professed faith in Jesus. I am grateful to Joe Osteen, Beach Reach coordinator, for his leadership of more than 1,256 students who provided van rides, served pancakes and prayed for the lost on South Padre Island. In addition to serving through Beach Reach,
de yeso, pintaron e instalaron pisos, sino que también realizaron conversaciones espirituales con los residentes y desarrollaron un amor por las misiones que durará toda la vida. Este verano estudiantes participando en Bounce también ayudaron a las comunidades a recuperarse del desastre en Claremore, OK, asi como otros lugares.
Mientras BOUNCE celebra su décimo aniversario este año, Congreso celebra su ¡60º Aniversario! A principios de este año, le dije a mas de 1.500 estudiantes y líderes en esa conferencia que su identidad está en Cristo: son amados, perdonados y llamados por Dios para su buen propósito. Liderado por el Coordinador del Congreso, David González, el Congreso vio a 49 estudiantes aceptar a Jesús y 28 entregarse al ministerio. Beach Reach, es otra oportunidad de ministerio estudiantil durante las vacaciones de primavera, Dios se mostró de manera asombrosa, un récord de 276 personas que hicieron profesión de fe. Estoy agradecido a Joe Osteen, Coordinador de Beach Reach, por su liderazgo de más de 1,256 estudiantes que proporcionaron camionetas, paseos, sirvieron desayunos y oraron por los perdidos en la Isla Del Padre. Además de servir a través de Beach Reach, más de 170 estudiantes
more than 170 college students were commissioned to serve this summer through Go Now Missions.
Finally, Baylor BSM, which reaches more than 6,000 students each year through its campus ministry, is getting closer to beginning construction on its new ministry center. You can read about the parcel of land Baylor University graciously conveyed to Texas Baptists as the future site of the Baylor BSM Center and learn how you can support the construction of this 12,000-square-foot facility.
I am so thankful for the way Texas Baptists churches come together to support these and other student mission and ministry opportunities. I hope you will join me in praying for the many educators in our Texas Baptists churches, the universities and seminaries with whom we relate and the students across the state who sacrificially give of their time and energy to be the hands and feet of Christ throughout the year. We do so much more together.
universitarios recibieron el encargo de servir en este verano a través de las Misiones Go Now.
Finalmente, el Ministerio Estudiantil Bautista de Baylor, que llega a más de 6.000 estudiantes cada año a través de su ministerio universitario, está cada vez más cerca de comenzar la construcción de su nuevo centro ministerial. Puedes leer acerca del terreno que la Universidad de Baylor gentilmente entregó a los bautistas de Texas para ser el futuro sitio del Ministerio Estudiantil Bautista de Baylor y también para que conozcas cómo puedes apoyar la construcción de estas Instalaciones de 12,000 pies cuadrados. Estoy muy agradecido por la forma en que las iglesias bautistas de Texas se unen para apoyar a estos y otras oportunidades de ministerio y misión estudiantil. Espero que se unan a mí en oración por todos los educadores en nuestras iglesias bautistas de Texas, las universidades y seminarios con quienes se relacionan y los estudiantes de todo el estado que sacrifican su tiempo y energía para ser las manos y pies de Cristo durante todo el año. Hacemos mucho más juntos.
JULIO GUARNERI, PH.D. Executive Director
baylor
BOUNCE spring break students are
By Texas Baptists Communications
Eleven construction projects were completed by 199 participants from 10 churches this past spring break through BOUNCE student disaster recovery, a ministry of Texas Baptists.
Projects included hanging drywall and insulation, painting, installing flooring, demolition and other miscellaneous construction in Houston and Katy, TX.
Residents there continue to recover from the devastating effects of Winter Storm Uri and Hurricane Harvey, which hit the area in 2021 and 2017, respectively.
David Scott, director of BOUNCE, estimated the student volunteers or “bouncers” contributed 2,640 hours of labor over two work days.
LOVE FOR MISSIONS THE ‘BIG WIN’ WITH STUDENTS
Though the results were largely tangible, some transcended the temporal.
During their service at multiple sites across town, students recorded 16 spiritual conversations, nine gospel presentations and one decision to follow Christ.
Scott noted the importance of seeing young people grow in missions when serving others beyond the church's walls.
“The thing for me is seeing those kids, seeing that love for missions and ministry cultivated in their lives,” Scott said. “That’s the big win.”
“We have the opportunity to create kids that are going to be missional for life,” he said. “The opportunity to be missional is all around you.”
JESUS ‘WORTHY OF THAT SACRIFICE’
Like Scott, Jones spoke to the importance of instilling a heart for missions in his students.
“We have so many hearers of the word but not doers,” he said. “I want my youth ministry to be marked by that, by doers.”
While it was initially difficult to recruit students for service over spring break, Jones noted it was just the right time for his group to serve.
“I’m convicted that serving Christ rarely comes with convenience,” he said. “Rather, it is sacrificial. If you give God just three days of your spring break, God is going to bless that.”
Jones saw his students give up their comforts to help others in need.
“I want to teach these students you are going to have to give things up to follow Christ,” he said. “Christ is worthy of that sacrifice.”
MORE MISSIONS, MORE ‘KINGDOM WORK’
Bouncers tallied 42 acts of kindness in Houston and Katy, TX, and additional groups returned to the city later in the year to complete even more projects.
On the final night of First Stockdale’s BOUNCE trip, before heading back home, Jones told his students the mission experience would always stand out.
“You will never forget this trip because what you have done is eternal; it is kingdom work,” Jones told them.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, BOUNCE offers student ministry leaders the opportunity to mobilize middle school, high school and college students to participate in challenging mission service and worship. Learn more and register at txb.org/bounce.
"We have the opportunitytocreate kidsthataregoingto bemissionalforlife."
"We get to communicate our Father’s heart to these people."
By Texas Baptists Communications
Ten days of intensive ministry to college students on South Padre Island yielded the highest number of professions of faith in recent memory.
Through Beach Reach, a spring break outreach ministry organized by Texas Baptists, 1,256 volunteers provided van rides, served pancakes and prayed for the lost. As a result, 276 individuals accepted Jesus.
The number of gospel conversations and shared prayers also increased over the previous year, according to Joe Osteen, Beach Reach coordinator and BSM regional director for East Texas.
Osteen attributed the increases to the Spirit of God and preparations made.
“We just really saw God move and students be available and ready and willing,” Osteen said.
“We’ve been working to grow and establish an evangelistic culture statewide,” he said. “We’ve been working to have some shared tools and language, prioritizing personal evangelism.”
“I think that was on display at Beach Reach this year with how prepared our BSM students were.”
Forty-four groups consisting of Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) students and leaders, churches from across Texas and beyond and ministry partners like Texans on Mission (formerly TBM) converged on the island to support the two-week effort.
Osteen noted that students gather on the island each spring for various reasons, including to relax, blow off steam and party. He described the environment in which Beach Reach volunteers minister as dark.
“We serve pancakes right outside one of the biggest clubs on the island. We get to meet them where they are and shine the light of Jesus in a dark place,” he said.
“Meeting them where they are provides such great opportunities to share the gospel.”
marked new high in professions of faith
Undergirding the entire Beach Reach effort is an intentional student-led prayer ministry held in the sanctuary of Island Baptist Church. The South Padre Island congregation has graciously provided facilities and supported Beach Reach for years.
As volunteers give van rides and serve pancakes, navigators in those vans share prayer requests through social media accounts. Students in the church's prayer room read those requests and lift them in prayer from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day.
Osteen said the Beach Reach training stresses the importance of prayer.
“We see in scripture the tremendous priority Jesus places on prayer,” Osteen said. “What we have found at Beach Reach is the more we can pray while others are going, how powerful that is.”
Across the two weeks, Beach Reach participants prayed with 9,198 people.
Volunteers provided 16,027 safe van rides, served 15,362 pancakes, held 11,795 gospel conversations and reported 94 recommitments. Island Baptist Church and Beach Reach leaders also baptized 79 individuals on the beach.
Osteen, who first led a BSM team to Beach Reach in 2013, was grateful to see the highest volunteer turnout since he began providing coordination for the spring break outreach four years ago.
“It’s a really beautiful picture of God meeting people where they are by sending his people to go and meet them,” he said.
“We get to communicate our Father’s heart to these people. We get to see people and love them well, get them home safe. For many, it's a conversation about a different life, about hope in Jesus.”
Learn more about Beach Reach at beachreachspi.org and Texas Baptists' Center for Collegiate Ministry at txb.org/college.
"You are loved by the Father. That’s who you are."
By Bonnie Hirschfeld, contributing writer
Congreso, I came to tell you that your identity is in Christ. You are loved, you are forgiven and you are called,” Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri told the crowd on the final day of Congreso 2024.
More than 1,500 students and leaders from across the state and beyond attended the three-day conference organized by the Texas Baptists evangelism team and held at Waco’s Extraco Events Center
Long billed as one of the largest Hispanic youth evangelism conferences in the U.S., Congreso 2024 marked 60 years of training and equipping students through worship, fellowship and ministry.
With an emphasis on biblical teaching, discerning God’s call and the importance of higher education, the three-day weekend saw 49 students give their lives to Christ and 28 respond to the call to ministry.
Drawing from 1 Timothy 1:15-16, the theme for this year’s event was “¿Quien Soy Yo?” (Who Am I?). Guarneri delivered three messages telling students they are loved, forgiven and called by God.
In his Friday evening message, “I Am Loved,” Guarneri told students they are not defined by their sin or religious performance but by God’s unconditional love for them.
“Often the world teaches that we are either our successes or our failures,” he said.
“Today, I want to tell you that you are not your failures or your accomplishments. You are not the things that the world wants to measure you by. I came tonight to tell you that you are loved by the Father. That’s who you are,” Guarneri said.
Guarneri’s Saturday night message, “I Am Forgiven,” addressed Christ’s perfect work on the cross and the freedom available to students because of it.
His third message, delivered on Palm Sunday, was entitled “I Am Called” and encouraged students that they are not only saved from something but saved for something, God’s eternal purpose of redeeming the world to himself.
Guarneri, who himself surrendered to ministry at Congreso 42 years prior, urged attendees to pray and seek out the purpose God has for their lives, reminding them that God’s plan does not end at salvation but goes beyond it.
“God’s purpose doesn’t end with him forgiving us and giving us a new identity. God’s purpose for us extends beyond ourselves so that others can experience God’s love and forgiveness,” he said.
He closed by encouraging students to take what they learned at Congreso and go out into their communities.
“Whatever happens here is not just going to stay here; it’s going to make a difference in our communities and into eternity,” he said.
Each session ended with an invitation for students to accept Christ into their lives, rededicate their lives to the Lord or answer a call to ministry. Chris Benites & Co. from Freedom Church in Fort Worth, TX led session worship.
As David Gonzalez, current Congreso coordinator, concluded the event, he called his wife and 15-month-old son onstage. Reflecting on his own time at Congreso as a teenager, he challenged students to think about how they would be spiritual leaders in the future, saying that he had no idea as a student that he
challenges students to find identity in Christ
would one day be leading the event.
“No matter what age God has called you, you’re never too young,” Gonzalez said. “You’re going to be the spiritual leaders who are going to lead my son one day.”
Gonzalez, joined by Texas Baptists en Español Director Rolando Rodriguez, recognized former Congreso coordinators who were instrumental in supporting the event throughout its 60-year history.
Frank Palos, Gus Reyes and Gabriel Cortes were introduced, and gifts of appreciation were presented for their service. Guarneri prayed over the honorees whose ministry represented 30 years of Congreso leadership.
In addition to the main sessions, students attended Saturday morning workshops on topics including apologetics, mental health and sharing your testimony. Age-specific guidance including a “Pathways to College” course was offered to older students.
As part of their emphasis on higher education, Congreso organizers gave away 20 scholarships to students who demonstrated outstanding academic performance with a highway GPA and application that showcased their exceptional achievements, ambitions and contributions.
An additional offering was taken to further fund the scholarships.
More information about Congreso can be found at txb.org/congreso. Follow Congreso on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
6 0mo Congreso pregunta '¿Quien soy yo?' desafía a los jóvenes a encontrar su identidad en Cristo
Por Bonnie Hirschfeld
Congreso, vine a decirles que la identidad de ustedes está en Cristo. Son amados, perdonados, y llamados", compartió Julio Guarneri, director ejecutivo de Texas Baptists con la multitud el último día de Congreso 2024.
Más de 1,500 jóvenes y líderes de todo el estado y más allá asistieron a la conferencia de tres días organizada por el equipo de evangelismo de Texas Baptists, celebrada en el Centro de Eventos Extraco en Waco.
Caracterizada como una de las conferencias de evangelismo para jóvenes hispanos más grandes en los Estados Unidos, Congreso 2024 celebró 60 años de entrenar y equipar a jóvenes por medio de la adoración, el compañerismo, y el ministerio.
Con énfasis en la enseñanza bíblica, discernir el llamado de Dios, y la importancia de la educación superior, 49 jóvenes entregaron sus vidas a Cristo y 28 respondieron al llamado al ministerio durante los tres días del evento.
Basándose en 1 Timoteo 1:15-16, el tema para el evento de este año fue "¿Quién soy yo?". Guarneri predicó tres mensajes afirmando a los jóvenes el ser amados, perdonados, y llamados por Dios.
En su mensaje del viernes en la noche, "Soy amado", Guarneri explicó que no es nuestro pecado ni el desempeño religioso lo que nos define sino el amor incondicional de Dios.
"A menudo, el mundo enseña que somos definidos por nuestros éxitos o nuestros fracasos", dijo.
"Hoy, quiero decirles que ustedes no son sus fracasos ni sus logros. No
son las cosas que el mundo usa para medirlos. Vine esta noche para decirles que son amados por el Padre. Eso es quiénes son", dijo Guarneri.
El mensaje de Guarneri del sábado en la noche, "Soy perdonado", trató con la obra perfecta de Cristo en la cruz y la libertad disponible por medio de ella.
Su tercer mensaje, predicado el Domingo de Ramos y titulado "Soy llamado", exhortó a los jóvenes a no solamente ser salvos de algo sino ser salvos para algo—el propósito eterno de Dios de redimir al mundo para Sí. Guarneri, quien respondió al llamado al ministerio en un Congreso hace 42 años, urgió a los participantes a orar y
discernir el propósito de Dios para sus vidas, recordándoles que el plan de Dios no termina en la salvación sino que se extiende más allá.
"El propósito de Dios no termina al perdonarnos y darnos una nueva identidad. El propósito de Dios se extiende más allá de nosotros mismos para que otros puedan conocer el amor y perdón de Dios", dijo.
Concluyó exhortando a los jóvenes a llevar lo que aprendieron en Congreso a sus comunidades.
"Lo que sucede aquí no se permanece aquí; hará una diferencia en nuestras comunidades y la eternidad", dijo.
Cada sesión concluyó invitando a los jóvenes a entregar sus vidas a Cristo, rededicar sus vidas al Señor, o
responder a un llamado al ministerio. Chris Benites & Co. de Freedom Church en Fort Worth, TX dirigieron las sesiones en adoración.
GONZÁLEZ:
PARA SER LLAMADOS
Al concluir el evento, David González, actual coordinador de Congreso, llamó a su esposa e hijo de 15 meses a la plataforma. Reflexionando en su propia jornada en Congreso durante su adolescencia, desafió a los jóvenes a pensar en cómo ser líderes espirituales en el futuro, diciendo que no tenía idea cuando era joven que un día dirigiría este evento.
"La edad que tienes cuando Dios te llama no importa, nunca eres demasiado joven", dijo González. "Ustedes serán los líderes espirituales de mi hijo algún día".
González, junto al director de Texas Baptist en Español, Rolando Rodríguez, reconocieron a coordinadores anteriores de Congreso, instrumentos al respaldar el evento durante sus sesenta años de historia.
Frank Palos, Gus Reyes, y Gabriel
Cortés fueron presentados, y recibieron regalos de aprecio por su servicio. Guarneri oró por ellos, cuyo ministerio representa 30 años de liderazgo en Congreso.
Además de las sesiones principales, los jóvenes participaron en talleres durante la mañana del sábado en temas incluyendo apologética, salud mental, y compartir su testimonio. Se ofreció dirección específica para la edad incluyendo el curso "Un camino a la universidad" para jóvenes mayores.
Como parte de su énfasis en la educación superior, los organizadores de Congreso otorgaron 20 becas a jóvenes de evidente desempeño académico sobresaliente, con un promedio general y una solicitud que demostraron sus excepcionales logros, ambiciones, y contribuciones.
Se recibió una ofrenda adicional para financiar las becas.
Puede encontrar más información acerca de Congreso en txb.org/congreso. Siga a Congreso en Facebook e Instagram para información y noticias.
By Texas Baptists Communications
Baylor University conveyed to Texas Baptists the deed for a parcel of land set to house the new 12,000-square-foot Baylor Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) Center in a ceremony held Thursday, April 18, in Waco, TX.
The property, over an acre in size, is located at the intersection of Daughtrey Avenue and 4th Street, directly adjacent to the university campus.
During the ceremony, which was hosted in the University’s Hurd Welcome Center, Baylor President Linda Livingstone and Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri signed and exchanged documents to finalize the transfer of the future Baylor BSM site.
"What a significant milestone we reached,” Guarneri said. “This action demonstrates the administration's and the university's commitment to fostering the spiritual life of students on the Baylor campus and to a continued strong partnership between our two entities.”
“We are very grateful for this gift and believe it is an investment in the kingdom of God and in eternity,” he said. “We are committed to being good stewards of this trust."
In accordance with a 2023 agreement between the related institutions, the University agreed to convey the land to Texas Baptists once an initial fundraising threshold of $3 million was met.
Jerry Carlisle, president of the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation (TBMF), notified President Livingstone in March that the campaign milestone had been achieved. Upon notification, officials worked to finalize the transfer, which culminated in handshakes and smiles at the Thursday afternoon signing.
“Today begins an exciting chapter
in the long relationship between Baylor University and the Baptist General Convention of Texas as Baylor officially conveys a parcel of land to the BGCT for construction of a new Baptist Student Ministries Building,” Livingstone said.
“The BSM center will provide another sacred space on our campus for Baylor students to grow spiritually, know God and make him known globally,” she said. “It is an honor to join Dr. Julio Guarneri for this special ceremony that upholds Baylor’s Christian mission and distinct place in higher education and further strengthens Baylor’s historic ties to Texas Baptists.”
Mark Jones, director of the Center for Collegiate Ministry with Texas Baptists, attended the signing and spoke of the Baylor BSM’s emergence and the movement of God taking place on the University campus.
“Five years ago, Baylor and Texas Baptists reaffirmed the place of Baptist Student Ministry as having priority status as a student organization at Baylor,” Jones said. “BSM leadership, working with Baylor leaders as well as numerous pastors and volunteers from local churches, has seen a historic movement of God among Baylor students.”
Jones pointed to initiatives like FM72, a four-day prayer and worship experience on campus, and Pathway, a freshman-focused discipleship initiative, as examples of God’s movement.
“The momentum of this movement of God is having an immediate impact on the experience these students have at Baylor as well as a generational impact that will be seen for years to come,” he said. “A new building for the Baptist Student Ministry will be a vital place for training, worship and
leadership collaboration."
The Missions Foundation, the group tasked with coordinating the fundraising effort for the expanding campus ministry, set the total cost of the capital campaign at $7 million. An additional $2 million is also being sought to provide an operating and maintenance endowment for the expanding campus ministry.
Carlisle, along with TBMF vice presidents Steve Massey and Eric Wyatt, also attended the signing. He expressed his appreciation to President Livingstone, Baylor University and the donors who helped realize the deed conveyance.
"The Missions Foundation is profoundly grateful for the generous donors who want to see a permanent platform for Texas Baptists to share the gospel on Baylor's campus,” Carlisle said.
“We look forward to gathering the remaining $4,000,000 in gifts for the construction of the building, as well as $2,000,000 to endow the operation of the building."
Will Bowden, director of the Baylor BSM, was also present for the ceremonial transfer. In January, Bowden gathered students and leaders to pray over the property and share the vision for the new facility.
The Baylor BSM is one of 137 campus ministries coordinated by Texas Baptists. Additional information about the Baylor BSM, including renderings of the new facility, is available at baylorbsm.com.
To learn more and make a gift to support the campaign, visit the Baylor BSM website at baylorbsm.com or contact the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation at missionsfoundation@ txb.org or 214-828-5343.
"A generational impact that will be seen for years to come."
More than 170 students were joined by family and friends on May 19 for a service commissioning them into mission endeavors for the summer and beyond through Texas Baptists’ Go Now Missions.
The service capped off a weekend of training and orientation held on the campus of Dallas Baptist University, led by Sending Team Chair Jeff Turner of Aggie BSM at Texas A&M University and Brenda Sanders, Go Now Missions lead for Texas BSM. Following a time of worship led by David and Miranda Wall, the service opened with words of encouragement and a prayer from Dr. Bob Garrett, retired professor of Mission at DBU.
Guarneri calls Texas Baptists to remain ‘stubbornly focused’ on kingdom agenda
Executive director Julio Guarneri outlined a rousing vision for the convention’s future during his Monday evening address at the May meeting of the Texas Baptists Executive Board. The session was broadcast from the campus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton.
In his sixth month as executive director, Guarneri spoke of God’s kingdom agenda, a new clarified calling process and team, Texas Baptists’ historical identity and commitments, denominational developments impacting the churches of the convention, the implications of these and other changes and five action items for the convention’s short-term future.
Lee Baggett, missionary and founder of Manos Hermanas, and Charles H. Whiteside, a committed educator and servant leader across numerous Texas Baptists ministries, were recipients of the 2024 Texas Baptists Legacy Award. The awards were presented during a worship service on June 2 at historic Independence Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas.
As members and guests of the “Exciting” Singing Hills Baptist Church in Dallas gathered for a time of joyful celebration during their morning worship service on Feb. 25, they offered a time of praise and thanksgiving to God for the great work He has done in their church and community over the past 40 years.
While looking back and looking ahead, their founding pastor, Dr. Howard E. Anderson, Sr., encouraged the congregation to reflect on three foundational truths about the design of “Christ’s Church in the world” during his sermon. Speaking from Matthew 16:13-20, he emphasized that the Church is Christ’s idea, Christ’s institution and Christ’s instrument.
Clay Jacobson
Clay Jacobson is transitioning from his role as the Church Starting strategist for Area 4 to the director of the Cooperative Program.
Gabriel Cortés
Gabriel Cortés joined the Theological Education team as the new director of Hispanic Education.
Kevin Abbott
The Center for Ministerial Health welcomed Kevin Abbott as the new Area 5 representative and director of Pastoral Health Networks.
First Baptist Church, Yoakum
Grace Temple, Waco
Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
First Metropolitan, Houston
Does your church or pastor have an anniversary coming up? Let us know at news@texasbaptists.org
Lee Williams
The Center for Missional Engagement welcomed Lee Williams as the Church Starting strategist for Area 6.
Scott Stevens
The Texas Baptist Missions Foundation welcomed Scott Stevens as new vice president.
Tim Watson
Tim Watson continues to serve as the director of Area Representatives and Area 7 representative but will now also serve as the director of Associational Relations.
Thank you Elijah Brown and team for speaking at our staff chapel, sharing about the work of the Baptist World Alliance, and for the fellowship. We are thankful for our partnership in the gospel as Texas Baptists #GreatCommission #greatcommandment
The Texans on Mission State Feeding Unit rolled out to Houston this morning to serve meals after residents lost power due to Hurrican Beryl. The shower and laundry unit also deployed. Other teams are on standby as needs are evaluated. #hurricaneberyl #hurricane #houston #texasstrong
J. McCoy
21, 2024
Say a prayer, if you would, for the two dozen women attending the WELL Summer Cohort. They're studying Bible study preparation and delivery, worldview and culture, trends in ministry to women, and they've read three books in preparation. So thankful to FBC Midland for hosting us!
Marriott
We didn't win but we had a great time at the @TexasBaptists golf tournament. Thank you Dr. Cory Hines, Dr. Dale Meinecke, and Donald Skiles for carrying me.
30,
Had a great time preaching at a Filipino church this morning. The Biblical Community Church in Mesquite is a @ TexasBaptists Church. They started 3 years ago and they are doing great. They support the Cooperative Program and the Hunger Offering.
Liebrum July 7, 2024
@TexasBaptists Grateful to my friends Aaron Myers & Norman Flowers for hosting an amazing Lead Camp for the second summer at Highland Lakes Camp & Conference Center.
Tag Texas Baptists on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for a chance to be featured in our next magazine.
By Teresa Young, contributing writer
Pastor Felix Treviño knew the metric stating a healthy church should have one baptism for every 15 people in average worship attendance per year, but the First Baptist Church of Mathis simply was not seeing God move in that way.
Treviño assumed the pastorate at First Mathis in August of 2023. When he arrived, the church was running about 30 in attendance and was not effectively reaching their changing community of around 5,000.
Despite being a 25-minute drive from his Calallen home, he took on the challenge of leading the struggling congregation because he sensed the people there were open to change.
“They wanted to rebuild and give back to the community,” he said. “It was predominantly an Anglo church originally, but they are in a mostly Hispanic area, and they wanted a younger, bivocational pastor with more of a missional mindset. Being a church planter, that transitioned well for me.”
Treviño signed up to attend a PAVE workshop offered by Texas Baptists’ Center for Church Health. In February, he joined a cohort to work through PAVE principles of church revitalization with other pastors in similar situations.
Within a month, the church began to see results!
“When we left the cohort, [director of Church Health and Growth] Jonathan Smith said, ‘Don’t microwave the brisket. You can’t rush this process, but there were things you can do already,’” Treviño recalled. “We had one woman who wanted to be baptized, so we implemented the plan for baptism that Jonathan had shared with us.”
Smith’s baptism plan included three phases: show a video of the woman answering three questions about her salvation the week before her baptism, baptize her the following week, and then show a celebratory video of her baptism one week later.
Treviño modified the plan to fit his congregation and made sure the woman being baptized was comfortable with it. “She’s a new member of the church,” Treviño said, “and since then, our church has been really ecstatic about seeing growth happen.”
Treviño said no one in the church
could remember when the baptismal waters at FBC Mathis had been stirred. A 2017 Facebook post from the church was the last instance of a baptism they could find, meaning it had been at least 2,429 days since their last baptism.
The new baptism sparked a flame across their small community.
“Using the baptism allowed us to promote that the church was alive and
active again,” said Treviño. “We shared the video on Facebook and with local community groups, the area Baptist association shared as well, and that helped people to get excited about what God was doing.”
The church is already planning the next such celebration. Treviño’s sermon on obedience to God stirred something within a man who had been attending for about a year and was seeking truth.
“One man came up and said he wanted to surrender to Christ and be baptized as well. There’s impact already,” said Treviño. “He had been searching for a while and had grown a lot in the past few months. Seeing that really pushed him to make that commitment.”
While that first baptism was a catalyst, Treviño said additional growth has occurred as he’s implemented many familiar church planting techniques in addition to the baptism emphasis since his arrival.
He contacted many community leaders, including the Mathis Economic Development group, and expressed the church’s interest in getting involved. They’ve participated in a local parade and a Trunk or Treat event that attracted around 2,000 community members, connected with the local school district to deliver Bibles and met with area business leaders. Already, the church attendance has grown to around 60.
“We went big on social media and utilized that free resource to reach the younger generation. We have a basketball court in our parking lot, and we share that with a youth team in our neighborhood, so we’re starting to connect with the community and meet the physical and spiritual needs of people here,” said Treviño.
As a bivocational pastor, Treviño works full-time as a firefighter for the local refinery. He’s also a firearms instructor who regularly holds church security trainings. He and his wife Sara also operate one of the largest outdoor markets in South Texas, attracting more than 100 vendors and food trucks every other month.
Still, they are committed to seeing the church in Mathis grow, as nearly the entire family serves in some capacity. Son Ryan, a senior who will attend Wayland Baptist University in the fall, leads worship and plays guitar. The Treviños also have a sophomore, Zach, an eighth-grade daughter, Skylar, and a senior niece who lives with them.
“We’re excited about the process, and we haven’t even started scratching the surface of what we want to do. The most beneficial thing about PAVE is the structured process. For someone bivocational like me, I need that structure and the accountability of my cohort group,” he says.
Learn more at txb.org/pave
By Teresa Young, contributing writer
Hobbs, NM—The Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission (CLC) joined other pro-life partners on April 3 to dedicate a new ultrasound machine at the Legacy Pregnancy Resource Center in Hobbs, New Mexico.
The placement of the machine was coordinated through the Psalm 139 Project, an ongoing ministry initiative of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention. Texas Baptists paid the costs for the machine and related training for Legacy Center staff.
Janet Waldrop, director of the Legacy Center, expressed her appreciation for the partnership, which has been a year in the making. She introduced Legacy Center staff, volunteers, board members, city and county commissioners and Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb.
"The result of this [donation] is that lives are saved and hearts are changed."
Miles Mullen, vice president and chief of staff for the ERLC, explained the donation's importance not only to the Legacy Center but also to the nationwide fight for life.
“The result of this [donation] is that lives are saved and hearts are changed. So when a mom and a dad hopefully see that baby on the ultrasound machine, upwards of 80 percent, by some measures, choose life,” Mullen said. “That is not only a preborn life saved, but it’s also the changing of the hearts in a culture that tells them that a preborn child is not worth anything.”
Mullen noted that, despite being overturned by the Dobbs decision, Roe v. Wade had a lasting impact on American culture.
“Yes, the law has changed, but we’ve had 50 years of inculcating people and the culture, and that’s not going to change except for places like the Legacy Center,” he said. “That’s where the frontlines of the pro-life movement are.”
Mullen added that the donation is unique because it was provided to a pregnancy resource center not in the same state as the Baptist state convention providing its funding. He noted that since Texas had passed laws severely restricting abortions, women have naturally fled to bordering states with less restriction.
Realizing this trend and wanting to be part of the solution, Texas Baptists stepped up, Mullen said. He is hopeful the effort will become a model for other states to follow.
‘NEW
Dr. Katie Frugé, director of the Christian Life Commission and the Center for Cultural Engagement at Texas Baptists, added her own excitement for the opportunity she first learned about two years ago. She credits the prompting of the Holy Spirit with leading her to open the conversation with then-Texas Baptists Executive Director David Hardage, who, she said, loved the idea.
“We are neighbors and partners,
and we want to lock arms with people who share that commitment to growing a culture of life. State borders are invisible lines people cross all the time, so we are all in the same mission work serving the people of God,” said Frugé. “I’m thankful to meet here and see this come together. Sometimes, some of the most exciting kingdom work happens when we let the Holy Spirit run with it and are open to imagination and new opportunities.”
Frugé expressed her appreciation to the Legacy Staff and committed to praying for their ministry.
Craig Christina, associate executive director for Texas Baptists, thanked and encouraged the Legacy Center and expressed excitement about partnering with the Hobbs nonprofit. While Texas Baptists regularly supports pregnancy resource centers in Texas, he said the gift was an opportunity to support prolife efforts beyond the state’s borders.
The dedication ceremony closed with a prayer from Jim Fry, church administrator at First Baptist Church in Hobbs, thanking God for the blessing of technology and the difference the ultrasound will make for future clients of the Legacy Center.
“We pray that women would be impacted by what they see and hear,” said Fry. “It’s not just a thing but a living human being you are knitting together inside these women.”
To learn more about the CLC visit texasclc.org.
“We don’t just want to reach people for the Lord; we want to develop them for the Lord too.”
By Meredith Poe, contributing writer
More than 200 pastors and church leaders gathered in Querétaro, Mexico, to receive training in discipleship, pastoral leadership, church planting and evangelism during a fall session this past year.
The training was organized and led by River Ministry and Mexico Missions, a ministry of Texas Baptists that seeks to connect affiliated churches to specific mission projects along the Texas/Mexico border and the interior of Mexico.
Mission projects tend to focus on three priorities—evangelism, leadership development and family—and current areas of ministry on the Mexican side of the border include Juárez, Matamoros, Cd. Acuña and Piedras Negras.
“In this area, same as in Mexico City and Guadalajara, seminary students receive all the standard training in doctrine and theology, but they often do not receive training in church planting, revitalization or other areas like this,” said Mario Gonzalez, director of River Ministry and Mexico Missions.
“We have people who are experts, and we are bringing this training to them.”
Gonzalez held a training last fall that was focused primarily on caring for the congregation.
“I was helping prepare pastors for what to do when they need to counsel people—not professional counseling but in specific situations in ministry. For example, hospital ministry, conflict resolution and knowing when to refer people to professional help … basically how to pastor their congregation.”
This February, Josue Valerio, former director of the Center for Missional Engagement, returned to Querétaro to hold additional training on discipleship.
“We want to help create missional leaders— leaders that are shaped by the mission of God, loving Him, loving our neighbor and sharing
Christ,” said Valerio.
“We don’t just want to reach people for the Lord; we want to develop them for the Lord too,” he said. “We went over how you start the discipleship process, just spending time with people, living the word of God in front of them.”
Valerio compared the work they are doing with pastors in Mexico to train tracks: “The tracks sit on dirt and gravel and rocks … those represent the word of God and teaching. One rail represents the cognitive part and the other rail symbolizes the practices and ministry, which is the area we’re trying to grow. Then, the logs that unite them represent systematic reflection—what is God teaching me? What needs to change?”
Valerio worked to model for pastors not only what they should be doing in discipleship but also what they shouldn’t do. The pastors spent one-onone time working through different discipleship scenarios together to understand the process better. Valerio also talked about evangelism and the stages of church planting.
River Ministry and Mexico Missions invites Texas Baptists churches that have Spanish-speaking leaders and programs to consider partnering to provide future training sessions in the most populous Mexican cities and along the Texas/Mexico border.
“We are always looking for people who can bring a particular skill set. For example, technology or sports … we have a few missionaries who are teaching how to use these things for ministry and evangelism,” said Gonzalez.
Valerio emphasized the importance of training being contextualized to Hispanic culture. “It’s more than just speaking the language or having a translator,” he said.
Churches interested in partnering can email Leah McMullen, ministry assistant for River Ministry, at leah.mcmullen@txb.org for more information.
By Teresa Young, contributing writer
Once Scott Patz and his wife Angela agreed that God was leading them to move to Texas from Orlando, Florida, the long-time pastor began the usual process of putting out resumes and seeking open positions. In early 2023, the couple settled in College Station to be near family.
While his wife quickly found work at a Christian school nearby, Scott encountered a little more difficulty.
“I was sending out my resumes, but I really didn’t know too many people in Texas and no one in College Station,” said Scott. “I started working at a Christian bookstore while I was looking.”
While at work one day, Scott met a local pastor who mentioned that he found his current church through Texas
Baptists’ Minister Connection and explained the process. Scott reached out to Texas Baptists’ Center for Ministerial Health for assistance.
“He set me up on Minister Connection in May 2023, and in two months’ time, I had talked to a few churches and even preached at one,” he said. “While that one turned out not to be a good fit, I wanted to help them out, so I kept preaching while we both looked. I tried to set up the next pastor and prepare the church for them as well.”
In July, Scott first heard from First Baptist Church in Van Vleck, a town of about 2,000 located 90 miles west of Houston. While he admits the church was not originally on his radar since it is two and a half hours from his home
in College Station, the Patzes decided to check it out anyway.
“We went through an interview on Zoom, and they had questions for me. In September, they called me to preach, and I accepted the position in October,” said Scott. “Really, it was about two months from getting connected on Minister Connection that it happened.”
His time at FBC Van Vleck has been a whirlwind. Scott came on board just before the busy holiday season, followed by winter activities and, most recently, his first Easter Sunday there. Running around 40-50 members when he arrived, the church has grown a bit to around 65.
Scott says he has enjoyed the sweet congregation and being able to build
"I was getting the word out there, but it wasn’t until the Minister Connection that it really came through."
long-term relationships in the small community. He is excited to plug in and make even more connections toward ministry. He credits the ease and efficiency of Minister Connection with allowing him to find this ministry opportunity.
“I was getting the word out there, but it wasn’t until the Minister Connection that it really came through. I view it all in God’s timing,” he laughs. “I appreciate the program very much, and I’ve been very blessed through it. I would recommend it to anyone; it definitely gets the word out quicker.”
The church feels much the same from its perspective. Ross Eidlebach, who served as chair of the pastor search committee that called Scott to serve, said the church had successfully used Minister
Connection a few years earlier and went there first when they found their pulpit vacant again in September 2022.
“It was very instrumental in our process,” noted Ross, who said the Colorado Baptist Association first told them of the website. “I got on there and started looking at resumes and downloading some. We looked at a lot of resumes and weeded through them, contacted several and even had one come out.
“When we found Scott’s resume, we thought he might be good. One thing led to another and it worked out great,” he added. “God led us to the perfect person for our church.”
A program of the Texas Baptists Center for Ministerial Health,
Minister Connection is a web platform that allows both churches seeking ministers and ministers seeking churches to share information through listings. Ministerial Health staff review, screen and password-protect approved listings. Submissions take between five days and two weeks to approve, and then access to the web platform is granted.
Learn more about Minister Connection and how it can be a resource to you and your congregation at txb.org/ ministerconnection.
By Texas Baptists Communications
ARLINGTON, TX—Texas Baptists executive director Julio Guarneri presented a gift of $125,000 to Mission Arlington representative Andrea Wilson, FNP, to assist with the expansion of the Bob Mann Medical Clinic during a ceremony Wednesday, May 8, at the Mission Arlington campus.
The growing clinic provides quality healthcare and medical education at no cost to low-income residents of the greater Arlington area. Last year, the clinic saw 4,243 patients and provided medical services to over 12,600 people.
For many in the community who cannot afford insurance or out-ofpocket medical care, the clinic is one of few options for treatment.
“Watching the doctors, nurses and volunteers come together to take care physically and spiritually of all the patients — it is what Jesus would do,” said Tillie Burgin, founder and director of Mission Arlington.
Through the years, Burgin has seen those served by the clinic receive hearing aids, wheelchairs and crutches, and other expensive medical supplies they may not otherwise be able to obtain. For reusable medical supplies, individuals return them to the clinic so that others may benefit from their use.
“Everything we provide is free; we charge for nothing,” Burgin said. “One of the things we say is, ‘God gave, you give, we give.’”
Mission Arlington was founded in 1986 after Burgin and her family returned home from a decade of faithful
"...it's what Jesus would do."
service as international missionaries. From its inception, Mission Arlington was a collaborative effort between Texas Baptists, the North American Mission Board, First Baptist Arlington and the Burgins.
“God put this on our hearts. After spending 10 years in South Korea, God was speaking to me, ‘Why can’t I do [missions] in Arlington?’ This would not have happened had these entities not come together. With the support of churches too, it became a mission that looked a whole lot like the New Testament church … no one man could put this together,” said Burgin. “The resources being given to help us continue to grow is a statement to the community that Christ founded this place … we just thank you.”
In addition to the medical clinic, Mission Arlington has dozens of other ministries, including a dental clinic, counseling, the Christmas Store, Bible studies, after-school programs, summer camps, youth rallies, school supply donations and more.
Texas Baptists has long maintained relationships with key ministry partners like Mission Arlington that engage in hunger and community care outreach. Support for these ministry partners has
often come from Hunger Offering funds and Cooperative Program-supported Community Care grants.
Last year, 356 Mission Arlington congregations were supported by 100 different churches of like faith, and more than 7,000 volunteers served the community through the organization. Mission Arlington estimates more than 416,000 ministry touches and recorded more than 1,400 spiritual decisions in 2023.
“This gift allows Texas Baptists an opportunity to again partner with a ministry that has made a huge difference in Arlington meeting human needs, sharing the gospel in word and deed and allowing God's kingdom to be established,” said Julio Guarneri, executive director of Texas Baptists.
“My prayer is that it would be multiplied, that it would encourage generosity by others and that it would
meet the needs of the people who need access to this clinic. May they sense the love of God as they receive medical care,” said Guarneri.
Donations for the medical clinic expansion will provide additional non-reusable medical equipment, medicine and added personnel to accept more new patients and reduce patient wait times.
This one-time gift from Texas Baptists was drawn from non-Cooperative Program earnings on undesignated investments. More information about the clinic and ways to support it may be found online.
“We are so thankful for this gift because it expands the vision. The more of us that can partner together for the gospel, the more people will be saved. That is the one reason we do everything,” said Burgin.
Learn more at missionarlington.org
356
Mission Arlington Congregations supported by 100 churches
7,000
1,400 volunteers ministry touches spiritual decisions
416,000
On September 8-15, 2024, churches and individuals are encouraged to pray, promote, and support Texas Baptists ministries and missionaries serving and sharing the Gospel around the state.
The 2024 Texas Missions Prayer Guide will focus on eight ministries across the state. Visit iamtexasmissions.org to learn more, watch videos, download resources, or order offering materials for your church.
8
Women’s Build Project: Pray for the Women’s Build volunteers as they use the opportunity to build relationships to make a spiritual impact on the family and community through the build.
1
Special Friends Retreat: Pray for more churches to see the need for Special Needs Ministry, and pray for the health of the campers throughout the year.
Church Starting: Pray for more sponsors and partner churches to walk alongside new church plants as they receive training in leadership, prayer, and ministry.
3
Embrace Mentoring Program: Pray for the Embrace Mentors as they empower young women to fulfill their calling.
5
Missions Mania Camp: Pray that the Holy Spirit will begin preparing the hearts of the young boys and men who will be in attendance at Missions Mania for Royal Ambassadors.
Ethnic/Minority Scholarship Program: Pray for the students receiving the scholarship to be encouraged and equipped to serve in ministry after graduation. 6 |
Christian Men’s Job Corps: Pray for the participants of our Christian Job Corps sites to hear and respond to the Gospel message, follow in believers’ baptism, and that God will transform their lives as they surrender their whole selves to Him.
Apartment Churches: Pray Apartment Churches will have more Gospel conversations with people living in complexes and management companies will continue to be open to letting ministries use their common areas.