Month: November 2017

The necessity of patience

“Lord, give me patience, and give it to me right now!”

Patience is a virtue that does not come naturally to most of us. We hesitate to pray for it, since we know it comes out of trials and suffering.

Cultivating patience is not easy, but it is a mark of spiritual maturity. Bearing with others’ weaknesses (Romans 15:1) is a characteristic of biblical leadership and good shepherding.

Patience, in its highest sense, can be defined as “the capacity to endure without complaint something difficult or disagreeable.” It is steadfastness despite adversity. Patience is not resignation or apathy but firmly believing God is sovereignly at work despite no visible evidence.

“Patience can persuade a prince and soft speech can break bones,” Proverbs 25:15 tells us.

This implies that one who holds the greater power in a relationship can be won over by a tiny thing called patience. Persuading a peer is one thing, but a prince? That’s another.

Every church goes through certain levels of crisis. When unity is undermined, conflicts surface. There will always be those who push back on every decision or question motives. Cultivating patience with others during these seasons requires gentleness, humility and faith.

I’ve seen this modeled throughout our ministry life by wise leaders. I have benefitted from it. Patience and kind words can minimize negative dynamics whether in personal relationships or a congregation. Even if disagreements exist, relationships can be maintained in the bond of peace.

Here are three things I have learned about patience:

1. Give the Holy Spirit time to work in people’s hearts.

We once experienced what I thought was the end of a close friendship over a church matter. The couple was angry and left the church, abruptly ending our relationship. A year or so later, we bumped into them at an event. To our surprise, they approached us and struck up a conversation. As we talked, it was clear that their anger had somehow been resolved.

I was relieved and was reminded that we are not called to fix people. We must do everything we can to make things right, but sometimes only prayerful waiting can bring healing. Rather than assume a relationship is dead, wait patiently and prayerfully for the Spirit to work. Our job is to examine our own hearts and wait patiently for God to work in theirs.

2. Give people time to process actions or policies they may not immediately support.

Usually the staff, elders and committees have planned and worked on a project for months. They have had time to ask all the hard questions, look at both sides of the issue and examine alternatives. Give others the same space. Give them time to question, time to pray, time to understand what a specific event or a recommendation means for the future, waiting upon God to do His work in the hearts of the people.

3. Give grace when you speak. Always.

Soft words can break hard hearts. This is the power of “soft speech.” It is disarming and sometimes unexpected, but always timely. “A soft answer turns away wrath,” Proverbs 15:1 says. The story of Abigail’s words to and David in 1 Samuel 25 is a classic example of this point. Abigail’s humble response to David’s anger over a soured relationship with Nabal won David’s heart and prevented bloodshed.

There are times when confrontations are necessary and hard truths must be communicated. However, patience and soft speech can make restoration, forgiveness and acceptance easier to find in the aftermath. Patience waits on God to work, claiming the promise of Isaiah 64:4, “God works on behalf of those who wait for Him….”

Sanchez urges unity at SBTC Annual Meeting

Dallas—Addressing more than 1,000 assembled in Criswell College’s Ruth Chapel for the Monday evening session of the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Juan Sanchez, pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, began by quoting the lyrics of Billy Joel’s 1989 “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”

Sanchez said Joel had it wrong in that humankind did “start the fire” by sinning.

“The world around us looks like a dumpster fire, completely and utterly out of control,” Sanchez asserted, turning to his text, Ephesians 4:1-6.

The church’s place, Sanchez said, is to display that “our God is wise.”

Often, the church disappoints and the world sees only bickering and in-fighting, Sanchez admitted, urging unity, the responsibility of those called by God.

Sanchez called local churches the “embassies of God’s government in heaven” or “King Jesus’ people.”

“Whether mega church or mini church, city church or rural church, whether new church plant or old established church, we are all part of the one body,” Sanchez said.

Unity negates competition. “There is not one church better than any other church. We aren’t going to fight about whether my church is better than your church; my church is bigger than your church,” he continued, reminding the pastors that, “First of all, it’s not your church. It’s Christ’s church.”

Calling Jesus the one president, one governor, one king, Sanchez exhorted his listeners to become faithful ambassadors of Jesus by proclaiming him. Christian unity is not “generic” or “warm and fuzzy,” but rather a unity rooted in one faith and one gospel.

“If you’re back here in 24 hours, I can guarantee you money you’re gonna hear a lot better preacher in Tony Evans. But I’ll guarantee you this, he doesn’t have a better gospel than I do,” Sanchez said.

No one has a better gospel or a better message.

“You don’t have to be a Tony Evans; you don’t have to be a John Piper; you don’t have to be an Adrian Rogers; you don’t have to be a W.A. Criswell. All you’ve got to be is a faithful gospel preacher,” Sanchez said.

“I don’t care if you’re a traditional Baptist or a Calvinist Baptist, I don’t care if you’re old fashioned Baptist or new-fangled Baptist,” he said. “We have the same faith because we have the same message. We have the same Lord.”

Sanchez reminded the audience of their mutual adherence to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. “If you can affirm that, we can work together.”

Sanchez’s next comments evoked laughter: “If you have professed faith in Jesus Christ, you and I are brothers. You have a Puerto Rican in your family. You have African Americans in your family. You have Asians in your family. And yes, [your family] has got a lot of white people, but that’s okay. Don’t worry. We’ll catch up,” he announced to loud laughter.

“Whether you’re pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib or no trib, you all share the same eternal hope. Whether you are pre-mil[lennial] or post-mil[lennial], a-mil[lennial], or, like my wife, pan-mil[lennial] (she thinks everything is just going to pan out), we all have the same eternal hope,” Sanchez said, adding that walking in unity demands humility, “confessing our pride, admitting our spiritual poverty.”

“We live in a divided world but we should not live in a divided church,” Sanchez continued, calling “humility” the key to unity. “We must not fight against each other. We must fight for each other.”

Sanchez, Crutchfield and McKinley elected by acclamation to SBTC offices

DALLAS—Two pastors—Juan Sanchez and Josh Crutchfield, and a laywoman, Joyce McKinley were elected to office by acclamation Nov. 14 at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

Meeting at Criswell College in Dallas, Sanchez was nominated by Steve Washburn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pflugerville who referred to the pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin as “a great friend to Austin pastors.”

Sanchez received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, and the M.Div., Th.M. and Ph.D. in systematic theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“In addition to training pastors in Latin America, Juan is also a council member of the Gospel Coalition and co-founder and president of Coalicion, a network of Hispanic pastors and leaders throughout Latin America,” Washburn said, adding that Sanchez previously had served as recording secretary of the SBTC. Sanchez was appointed in 2016 to the faculty of Southern Seminary as assistant professor of Christian theology. He is the author of two books released in 2016, 1^st Peter for You which he co-authored with R. Albert Mohler, and First Peter: Living Well on the Way Home.

Jared Wellman, pastor of Tate Springs Baptist Church in Arlington nominated Louisiana native Joshua Crutchfield for vice president, noting that Crutchfield was saved at age six and called to the ministry at age eight.

“Josh sat in these very seats,” Wellman said, referring to Ruth Chapel in which the convention was convened. Noting that Crutchfield received B.A. and M.Div. degrees from Criswell College, Wellman said Crutchfield has won awards in preaching, pastoring, Old Testament studies and New Testament studies while in school, as well as the Paul Pressler Distinguished Service Award after graduating.

Crutchfield pastors First Baptist Church of Madisonville, having also served in San Saba and Trenton, both of which experienced significant growth under his leadership, Wellman said.

Johnnie R. Bradley, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, introduced Joyce McKinley as the nominee for secretary. A licensed marriage and family therapist, McKinley earned a bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University and a master’s degree from Liberty University.

McKinley worked with children, youth and married couples for 20 years at Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church before leaving with her husband, Alton, to begin a church plant, Rowlett Friendship Church.

Bradley praised McKinley’s “commitment, tenacity and insightfulness” in ministry.

Lino calls pastors to humility

If God can speak through a donkey he can speak through the men he has called to pastor churches and lead their congregations to maturity in Christ. The comparison made by SBTC President Nathan Lino in his message at the annual convention was not intended to insult but the bring into stark relief the humility required for effective preaching.

With the devastation leading up to the Nov. 13-14 annual convention – a hurricane that destroyed communities and a murderer who destroyed a congregation — Lino called pastors to remember the purpose of preaching. Drawing from Ephesians 4:7-16, he said God’s gifts to believers, when used in concert, are designed to build up the body and mature a congregation into the fullness of Christ. And a pastor’s preaching is among those gifts.

“The greatest gift is to become more and more like Jesus Christ – not one day when we die and go to heaven, but here and now in this world that is under the curse of sin,” Lino said.

It should amaze no one that the God who chose to speak through Balaam’s donkey also chose to speak through weak and sinful humans.

“God wants to display his glory in this world. He wants to maximize his glory in this world and he says in his word his glory is most maximized when he displays it through the weakest creatures. And he chose us to preach,” Lino said. “Just think about that.”

God graciously “divvied up” all the spiritual gifts and has given one to every Christian – even the newest church member. The most awkward or least intelligent person is endowed with an “essential piece to your congregation’s growth in godliness.”

Pastor should recognize that every believer, equipped with a spiritual gift, is to have a role in the congregation’s spiritual growth. And although only some are given the gift of teaching, as pastors that gift benefits the entire congregation when used effectively.

Pastors should guard themselves from taking pride in their role but should humbly and purposefully prepare every sermon for the edification of their congregations. Pride will lead a pastor to preach to impress, Lino said. The temptation is to preach to people who are not in the room – a former seminary professor, a preaching hero, the congregation they wish they had or the people in the community the pastor wishes would attend.

Pastors who preach out of a sense of pride will ultimately find preaching a chore and a burden, and their congregations will become the collateral damage of such misguided thinking Lino said.

Failure to spiritually mature is to remain spiritually childish. And believers who do not mature in their understanding of Scripture and of Christ are susceptible to the lies of Satan and are tossed about like an unmoored boat on a raging sea.

Drawing an analogy from current headlines, Lino said, “A child is gullible, impressionable, naïve. A child is vulnerable to predators grooming them.”

The “predator of predators” is Satan and his attacks are relentless and unceasing.

But effective preaching, when approached in humility, will encourage church members to know Christ better through their understanding of God’s Word Lino said. And the natural progression of knowing Christ better is to love him better and to become like him. God designed us to become like whatever we love and worship.

Lino, pastor of Northeast Houston Baptist Church, admitted the task of sermon preparation is difficult and time consuming. And while other pastoral obligations demand attention, nothing is more important than proper preparation for the teaching of God’s word.

“The temptation is there to forget God’s glory is brilliantly radiating through a church when the chief of sinners, who is you, stands up there and God can speak to people through you,” Lino said. “God is displaying his glory through your teaching ministry right now if you are preaching faithfully.”

REVIEW: “Murder on the Orient Express” is packed with ethical dilemmas

Hercule Poirot is the world’s best detective, and easily the most popular one, too. With a knack for solving impossible cases – as well as a flamboyant mustache – Poirot attracts attention wherever he goes.

Detective work, though, can be tiring, and Poirot needs a vacation. So he takes a multi-day train ride on the scenic Orient Express, confident that he will get a little rest and relaxation.

But little goes as planned. First, a rich single woman begins hitting on him. Then, a pushy passenger makes a shocking business proposition. And – wouldn’t you know it? – someone is murdered, just as the train derails.

Suddenly, our reclusive hero is pushed back into the spotlight, as he must determine which of the remaining 13 passengers committed the crime. He also must find the bad guy before he (or she) strikes again.

Murder on the Orient Express (PG) opens this weekend in a retelling of Agatha Christie’s popular novel. It is set in 1934 Europe and stars Kenneth Branagh (Dunkirk, Valkyrie) as Poirot and a host of well-known names as the passengers. The cast includes Penélope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man), Michelle Pfeiffer (Dark Shadows), Johnny Depp (the Pirates of the Caribbean series), Josh Gad (Frozen) and Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). Branagh doubles as the director.

Despite the impressive cast, Murder on the Orient Express is only an average film. The first third and last third of the film are interesting enough, but the middle third is so slow that a man behind me in the theater fell asleep and began snoring. The caffeine from a Dr. Pepper was the only thing that spared me.

Still, the movie does toss some thought-provoking ethical questions our way.

Let’s examine the details:

Warning: spoilers!

Violence/Disturbing

Several men fight in a restaurant. We see the murdered man’s body, but it’s not too graphic; he is clothed, with blood on his torso. We also hear theories about the murder. Later, someone gets shot in the arm. A lady puts a gun to her head and pulls the trigger, but it’s not loaded. We also see a non-graphic flashback/recreation of the murder, but we don’t see the body or any blood.

Sexuality/Sensuality

We see a prostitute in a restaurant and we hear the word “prostitute” twice. A train worker implies he is after romance/sex on the trip. A lady acknowledges she is “husband shopping,” but she seems to want a one-night stand, too.

Coarse Language

I counted 13 coarse words: d—n (4), h-ll (4), GD (2), misuse of “God” (3).

Other Positive Elements

Hercule Poirot is a model detective. There is right and wrong in the world, he says, and nothing in between. Although, by the end of the movie, he begins doubting his own beliefs. He also carries in his luggage a black-and-white picture of a woman (his deceased wife?).

After the avalanche derails the train, a passenger says that events are “in God’s hands.”

Other Negative Elements

No doubt, Poirot is a brilliant detective, but he also thinks too highly of himself. He even claims that when someone is murdered, “there are two people who will know: your God and Hercule Poirot.”

“I am probably the greatest detective in the world,” he says.

He’s also the most confident one.

Life Lessons

Scripture says “your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23), and Murder on the Orient Express details that lesson on the big screen. Of course, not every killer will be caught on this side of eternity, but God will judge all of us someday – as even the film acknowledges.

The movie also shows us how deception can cast a wide net, entangling multiple people. Tragedy, too, can impact dozens of people, as the plot makes clear.

Worldview

We live in a society that questions authority. God, though, says the government – and by extension the police – exists to protect citizens and to avenge evil,“For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer,” (Romans 13:3). Police and detectives are God’s instrument (Romans 13:1).

Hercule Poirot’s role in Murder on the Orient Express is to find the wrongdoer. Yes, he is a fictional character, but there are thousands like him in real life. They deserve our respect and prayers.

Murder on the Orient Express also raises the question: Is it OK to take the law in your own hands? The film provides its own answer, but is it based on Scripture?

Poirot, too, faces an ethical conundrum at the end.

Family-Friendly?

Murder mysteries aren’t for kids. But this one is probably OK for many teens.

What I Liked

The scenery – the Orient Express train winds its way through snow-capped mountains — and the plot twists. I had never read the book, so I truly didn’t know “who done it.” Additionally, for a murder mystery, it is light on language and violence.

What I Didn’t Like

At times, the movie has the feel of a local dinner theater; the middle of the movie moves awfully slow. At other times, the film is just plain silly; Pfeiffer’s overly dramatic character is a prime example.

Thumbs Up … Or Down?

I thought I would really enjoy Murder on the Orient Express. I didn’t. It has its moments, but it’s mostly a thumbs down.

Discussion Questions

It is ever OK to take the law in your own hands? If yes, then when? If not, when why not?
One character says, “Sometimes the law of man is not enough.” Do you agree?
Did you agree with Hercule Poirot’s actions at the end? Why or why not?
Examine the impact of a tragedy in your life. Did it cast as wide a net as did the one portrayed in the film?

Entertainment rating: 2 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Murder on the Orient Express is rated PG-13 for violence and thematic elements.

GuideStone offers two seminars on church security in Texas; tips to ensure your church is ready

DALLAS—With church security front-of-mind for pastors and other church leaders in the wake of the tragedy at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, many churches of every size are re-evaluating their security protocols.

The tragedy in a small South Texas town helped shed light on an unfortunate truth: Violence can strike any church in any town.

“The idea of ‘it can’t happen here’ has been shattered with the Sutherland Springs tragedy,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “Churches and ministries need to take precautions that make sense given their profile, location and local needs.”

GuideStone and Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company are offering two seminars for Texas churches who are interested in learning about implementing best practices for volunteer church safety and security teams, protecting kids in the ministry environment from predators, improving the volunteer screening process, and understanding active shooters and protecting the congregation. Space is limited; the cost is $15 per person and covers the cost for lunch and a copy of the detailed Church Safety & Security Guidebook, a 240-page guide that will equip your church with action steps, information and checklists to implement a safety and security plan for a variety of scenarios.

The two events are:

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 14 at the First Baptist Church Lubbock, 2201 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas 79401. To register, visit GuideStone.org/CSSCLubbock
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 16 at the Great Hills Baptist Church, 10500 Jollyville Road, Austin, Texas 78759. To register, visit GuideStone.org/CSSCAustin

Additional handouts available at the meetings are available to any church for free by visitingGuideStone.org/Security.

Many church security experts recommend the iceberg approach to their church security: Ten percent of a church’s security should be seen, while 90 percent is below the surface. This helps keep the church from feeling like a fortress designed to keep people out. The visible elements — lighting, security cameras, locks on doors, designated safety patrols, etc. — remind the congregation that measures are in place without being overwhelming. The behind-the-scenes elements help make sure the church can prevent, respond to and recover from a threat quickly.

Additionally, any church that can should have a uniformed police officer patrolling the facilities, Hawkins said.

“This can help provide visible protection while also introducing police as positive role models and encouraging positive interactions with children, youth and the church community,” Hawkins said.

Visible security is key.

“It’s like locking your car doors at the mall or your home at night — it provides an important deterrent and may keep those with malicious intent out,” said Gaelen Cole, senior manager of risk and compliance for GuideStone’s Property and Casualty^® area.

Churches are often considered soft targets. This means that they appear vulnerable to attack, with few hard defenses to keep aggressors out. Visible security is an important way to harden the perception of the church’s vulnerability to those who would cause harm.

In addition to uniformed police, visible security measures include:

Greeters. Greeters are the first line of defense. During services or activities, post greeters at all unlocked entrances. They not only welcome everyone but also they serve as important eyes and ears when it comes to threats. Train greeters in threat recognition and response; local law enforcement or security experts can help.

Safety and security patrol. In addition to greeters, it’s wise to have a trained team patrol your property and parking lot during active hours. Sixty-four percent of violence at churches is outside — in parking lots or on church grounds. Having a designated, trained, visible patrol can help deter opportunistic offenders.

In fact, the same day as the Sutherland Springs mass shooting, national media reported a woman and her friend were shot and killed in her car in the parking lot of a Catholic church in Fresno, California, allegedly by her estranged husband. Sadly, Cole notes, domestic violence can spill over to churches easily.

Cameras. Ideally, your cameras are connected to a system that records activity in all key areas of your church. However, even if your ministry can’t afford a full surveillance system, visible cameras, even if inoperable, are better than nothing. This deters behavior that would otherwise take place in secret: theft, assault, abuse, vandalism, etc.

Lighting. Like cameras, lighting — both interior and exterior — eliminates opportunities for secret activities. This measure is a relatively inexpensive way to make your ministry less of a target for assaults, theft and the like. Make sure exterior lighting is on a timer or motion sensor so that it’s sure to be on after dark.

Trimmed hedges. Again, this is a measure against concealment. Thieves will use hedges to conceal their attempts to break in.

Cole noted that behind-the-scenes work includes preparation, training and planning that complements or undergirds the visible elements.

Developing an effective plan includes:

Assessing threats. Work with local law enforcement and church security and risk management experts to assess the threats to the church or ministry. These will not only consider criminal threats but also weather-related, political and environmental threats as well. This will help address all the areas of need as a plan is developed.

Planning the work. Put together a team to craft the overall plan. This team should include the church’s leadership, qualified and skilled volunteers, and any security or law enforcement experts that the church can work with. Decide who is responsible for doing what, and divvy up the work so it’s not too much of a burden on one person. Set deadlines and goals to help keep things moving along.

Working the plan. An unrehearsed, unused plan is virtually worthless. Fully implement all the elements of the plan, and make sure that key players are trained and put through drills regularly. Make sure the congregation knows their parts, too. Otherwise, panic can take over in crisis situations.

Reviewing annually. Make sure that you keep your plan updated to address new or changing threats. Don’t let it get stale.

I”m grateful to have been your president

Thank you for granting me the privilege of serving as SBTC president the past two years.

I only did so by Christ’s grace and yours.

This is the 20-year anniversary of our SBTC. We will celebrate the milestone at our 2018 annual meeting in North Houston—poetic in location since that is where we constituted as a convention in 1998.

As I wrap up my presidency at a key moment in the life of our convention, I leave office with supreme confidence in the staff’s commitment to the principles that ensure a future filled with potential for the SBTC. Dr. Richards and his staff are convictionally committed to a high view of the Scriptures and the local church. Their overwhelming priority is evangelism, discipleship, church planting, church revitalization and church leadership development. The finances of our convention are squeaky clean and definitely ordered by these priorities. Dr. Richards walks with God; his major heart surgery happened while I’ve been president and I saw firsthand that his trust in the Lord runs deep. He is still filled with passion for our convention. He is very intelligent. He has a gift for making great hires and leading our leaders. His humility is seen in his openness to new ideas and having his own ideas challenged. He has the heart of a pastor, for pastors. As incredible as our first 20 years have been, our next 20 are filled with even greater potential because the convictions and priorities of our organization are in biblical order. I am glad the congregation I lead is an SBTC church.

You can expect 2018 to be a year of great celebration in the SBTC as we mark 20 years. Glory to God, what a run it has been. We must take the time to celebrate all that has happened because in doing so we are celebrating our Lord and his great work. I pray 2018 is an Ebenezer year for us as we look back over the last 20 years and look ahead to what our future holds.

May the Lord continue to grant us favor for the next 20.

Abbott and Pence reinforce importance of faith to victims of church shooting

FLORESVILLE, Tx.—A reported shooting incident at a nursing home a half mile away, chilly temperatures and the threat of rain did not deter an estimated 2,500 or more area residents and over 100 media representatives from attending the community prayer event the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 8 in Floresville, not far from First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs where 26 people were killed the previous Sunday.

They gathered at the outdoor facility of Floresville Independent School District where several of the slain children attended school.

Political dignitaries in attendance at the community prayer meeting included Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Ted Cruz, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and several area congressmen.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott extended sympathy to the families of the victims, calling the Sutherland Springs tragedy inexplicable, yet confirming that “there is only one source that has the answers, and that is God almighty.”

Calling the evening’s community prayer service “righteous and rightful,” Abbott proclaimed Sun., Nov. 12 as a day of prayer across Texas, expressing his hope that Texans would unite to pray for the injured, the families who had lost loved ones and the communities affected by the “horrific, inexplicable evil.”

“Even though anguish and sorrow hang over the community, we will not be overcome by evil. Together we will overcome evil with good. You all have already shown that,” Abbott encouraged the crowd, describing his experiences with the affected families Sunday afternoon and with the community at a Sunday night prayer vigil.

“Love will conquer evil. You left me inspired. Hours before that [vigil] your community saw the very face of evil. Hours later, you reflected the very grace of God. You are a demonstration of God’s grace across this entire world,”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott

“Love will conquer evil. You left me inspired. Hours before that [vigil] your community saw the very face of evil. Hours later, you reflected the very grace of God. You are a demonstration of God’s grace across this entire world,” Abbott said.

Abbott told of visiting victim Chris Workman at Brooke Army Medical Center. Workman was wounded in the back in the same location that Abbott himself was injured in 1984, the accident that left him in a wheelchair. Abbott said he told Chris’s mother he was pleased to meet “another future governor of Texas.”

Of his own accident, Abbott admitted to questioning God yet affirmed that “God did not give up on me,” assuring the families that while “nothing can prepare you for the loss or pain,” God will “continue to reach out and connect with you” to help you “find the way forward.”

The governor closed by reading Psalm 62, assuring the crowd that the “communities affected by this tragedy will never be shaken as long as we build our fortress on the rock of God,” before introducing Vice President Pence.

The Vice President thanked Abbott for his inspiring words and leadership, adding that he and his wife, Karen, were “deeply humbled” to be here in the company of not only Abbott, but “the lieutenant governor [Dan Patrick], our attorney general [Jeff Sessions], Sen. [Ted] Cruz, Congressman [Henry] Cuellar and Congressman [Will] Hurd,” saving his highest praise for the victims and families: “you honor us with your presence.”

“Words fail when saints and heroes fall,” he added, offering personal condolences, and the sympathies of the nation, acknowledging the contributions of community members and faith leaders.

“Your testimony of Christian love is inspiring the nation,” Pence said, adding a message of support from President Trump: “The American people are with you.”

Describing the tragedy as the “worst mass shooting in a place of worship in American history,” Pence called the attack “unspeakable,” reminding the audience that only a “few miles away,” the congregation of First Baptist had come together last Sunday “to join hearts and hands in worship and prayer,” before the killing of 26, including nine children, victims whose “cherished names” will live forever in the hearts of friends and family and be “enshrined in the hearts of every American.”

Pence specifically mentioned victims such as 16-year-old Haley Krueger, who had planned to be a neonatal nurse, high school sweethearts Shani and Robert Corrigan whose son had died a year before and the Holcombe family who lost eight members.

“To the families of these and to all of the fallen we extend the deepest sympathies of the first family, our little family and all the American people. The Bible tells us that the Lord is close to the broken hearted.”;

Vice President Mike Pence

“To the families of these and to all of the fallen we extend the deepest sympathies of the first family, our little family and all the American people,” Pence said, adding that the “Bible tells us that the Lord is close to the broken hearted.”

Pence said when visiting the wounded, he “assured them of our prayers,” mentioning Zach [Poston] whose grandmother died [shielding him] yet who also himself “saved a little girl from stepping into harm’s way.”

Pence described walking into David Colbath’s hospital room, surprised not only to learn that Colbath had held his men’s Bible study in the room but also asked the Pences and Abbotts if they would pray with him.

“We’d be honored,” Pence had replied, his voice cracking as he added, “I was not prepared when David bowed his head and prayed for us.”

Pence also mentioned meeting James and Hailey McNulty, whose mother, Tara, was killed: “two of the brightest kids I have ever met, with bright futures before them.”

“We were inspired by the resilience and faith. So we mourn with those who mourn and we grieve with those who grieve. We do not grieve like those who have no hope. For our faith gives us hope,” Pence said. “And heroes give us hope.”

The Vice President praised first responders, medical personnel, Stephen Willeford and Johnny Langendorff, who pursed the shooter, calling them “Texas heroes” who likely saved the lives of other Americans.

Abbott also alluded to the heroism of Willeford who rushed to the scene from his neighboring house to engage the shooter, reminding the crowd that Texans come together in times of tragedy: “It’s what we do.” Cheers and applause erupted as the Governor thanked God “there was a neighbor who helped save lives on that tragic day.”

“’Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life…,’” Pence added in quoting from John 15:13, praising the sacrifice of Joann Ward who died shielding her children.

“The faith in this community has inspired the nation.”

Pence also praised Sutherland Springs pastor Frank Pomeroy, who, while grieving the loss of his daughter, could still say to the world: “Lean on the Lord rather than your own understanding. I don’t understand, but I know my God does.”

“Whatever animated the evil that descended on that church Sunday, if the attacker’s desire was to silence the testimony of faith, he failed. The voice of faith, the witness of faith, in that small church in that small town now echoes across the world.”

Vice President Mike Pence

He insisted, “Whatever animated the evil that descended on that church Sunday, if the attacker’s desire was to silence the testimony of faith, he failed. The voice of faith, the witness of faith, in that small church in that small town now echoes across the world.”

Calling faith the “antidote to fear and despair,” Pence challenged Americans not to lose heart, echoing the sentiments of President Trump who said that Americans “come together as one nation and one people to support our fellow Americans.”

“No attack, no act of violence will ever break our spirit or diminish the faith of the American people,” Pence continued.

“Faith is now and always has been our source of strength and the summit of our national life. And I believe that faith has never been more important to the future of America,” Pence said, calling upon Americans to fill the places of worship to “overflowing” this Sunday and reminding all that we are “one nation, under God, indivisible,” and urging prayer for the country as well as for the “precious families of the fallen and injured,” before inviting his wife, Karen, to offer a prayer.

Asking God to help the grieving community to remember Jesus’ command to “let the little children come unto me,” she prayed they would cling to the image of all of “all of these beautiful children in your arms today,” adding “for all of the victims are children of God.”

Before departing with her husband and other political leaders, she asked God to hold the community in his hands. “Help these precious believers know how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ who conquered death.”

Southern Baptists of Texas serve Sutherland Springs families through prayer gathering

FLORESVILLE, Tx.—“We take care of our own,” stated former Texas preacher Frank Page, who stepped into the background Nov. 8, along with Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines and his wife, Donna, for three days to serve the hurting and grieved families distraught over the Nov. 5 massacre of half of the congregation of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.

From the most well-known Southern Baptist leader, SBC President Steve Gaines of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn. who arrived Tuesday, to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Field Ministry Strategist Mitch Kolenovsky who was on the scene Sunday, the extended Southern Baptist family demonstrated servanthood by visiting the injured congregants and praying for area folks affected by the tragedy.

In the hours following the Sunday morning shooting by a deranged atheist from New Braunfels who eventually took his own life, local ministers accepted the offer of the SBTC to host a community-wide prayer meeting at Eschenburg Field in Floresville, setting local pastors free to minister to the flock of the targeted church and their extended family of God. SBTC’s Ted Elmore who serves as prayer coordinator and associate in Pastor/Church Relations coordinated the event at the request of local Southern Baptist pastors.

A reported shooting incident at a nursing home a half mile away, chilly temperatures and the threat of rain did not deter an estimated 2,500 or more area residents and over 100 media representatives from attending the community prayer event Wednesday evening at the outdoor facility of Floresville Independent School District where two of slain children attended school.

Political dignitaries in attendance at the community prayer meeting included Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Congressman Henry Cuellar and Congressman Will Hurd.

The Vice President thanked Abbott for his inspiring words and leadership, adding that he and his wife, Karen, were “deeply humbled” to be here in the company of not only Abbott, but “the lieutenant governor, our attorney general, Senator Cruz, Congressman Cuellar and Congressman Hurd,” saving his highest praise for the victims and families: “you honor us with your presence.”

“Words fail when saints and heroes fall,” he added, offering personal condolences, and the sympathies of the nation, acknowledging the contributions of community members and faith leaders.

“Your testimony of Christian love is inspiring the nation,” Pence said, adding a message of support from President Trump: “The American people are with you.”

Pence insisted, “Whatever animated the evil that descended on that church Sunday, if the attacker’s desire was to silence the testimony of faith, he failed. The voice of faith, the witness of faith, in that small church in that small town now echoes across the world.”

Asking God to help the grieving community to remember Jesus’ command to “let the little children come unto me,” Karen Pence prayed they would cling to the image of all of “all of these beautiful children in your arms today,” adding “for all of the victims are children of God.”

Page, who serves as the president of the SBC Executive Committee, quoted from John 10:10, telling the crowd, “Three days ago you saw the work of the evil one to steal and to kill and to destroy, but in a moment you’re going to hear about life,” referring to the gospel invitation offered by SBC President Steve Gaines of Memphis.

“As the nation is watching, may they hear words of life and life abundant,” Page prayed. “We know it is found through Jesus Christ.”

He encouraged families who lost loved ones by sharing, “Southern Baptists are going to pay for the funerals of those in the church because we want to take care of our own.” The North American Mission Board in coordination with the SBTC has offered to cover that cost using funds pledged by an anonymous donor.

When his time came to deliver a message about that abundant life alluded to by Page, Memphis area pastor Steve Gaines spoke on behalf of nearly 50,000 Southern Baptist churches scattered across America, telling the audience, “If you live long enough you will go through a storm, sickness, tragedy or losing a loved one. Looking over to the Pomeroys seated next to his wife, Gaines said the only explanation for the horrendous shooting is in recognizing the world is filled with sin.

He preached extemporaneously from the Sermon on the Mount which tells of “the greatest man who ever lived” delivering “the greatest sermon ever preached.”

Gaines said, “Jesus was telling these precious people he dearly loved that storms are going to come, the rain is going to fall. Storms come. Winds blow. They slam against your life,” he said, adding, “That’s exactly what happened at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs—a storm slammed against their church. They lost half of their congregation of 50 people worshipping the Lord when all of a sudden from the outside bullets were flying at just the right level as people were falling.”

Having spent three hours hearing that storm described by the Pomeroys, Gaines described them as “the salt of the earth, some of the godliest people I have ever met. Thank God for this shepherd who loves his sheep.”

Looking over to the several dozen grieving relatives of the victims, Gaines quietly said, “But out of this storm, Jesus Christ will work in all of the lives of the family members.”

Offering further comfort, he added, “I don’t know what last thing those people saw, but I do know the moment their spirit and soul left their body they saw the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. They won’t be able to come back to us, but you can go to them,” he said, urging the entire crowd to build their lives upon the rock of Jesus Christ and his truth found in Scripture.

“How can this tragedy in any way lead to anything good?” Gaines asked. “What if you gave your heart to Jesus Christ? Offering a gospel invitation, the Tennessee pastor told the audience that “Christianity is not a religion by which you work your way up to God.”

He thanked God “that for the last forty years I’ve not preached of a dead man. He came out of the grave! Jesus Christ is alive right here in Sutherland Springs and where we are tonight.”

SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards quoted Romans 8:31-39 to describe how God conquered death. He prayed specifically for Frank and Sherri Pomeroy, asking God to use their close friends to minister and bless them and a support group of pastors “to help them through this valley.”

“May all believers be emboldened to share the gospel—the only thing with the power to end this type of violence—and give God the glory.

Six local church and school leaders led listeners through scriptural principles drawn from Hebrews and I Peter to inspire their prayers.

Jim Helmke of Floresville, a Lutheran layman and retired businessman, thanked God for the lives of those who were slain, citing Heb. 11:4.

Sherri Bays, superintendent of Floresville Independent School District, had in mind the many young students who are struggling to make sense of this tragedy, reflecting on Heb. 11:17-19.

“Help us to remember that during the saddest and troublesome times of our lives that you are here to carry us through,” prayed Bays. “Be with us Lord to feel your presence. Help us not to succumb to doubt, but help us to have faith that your will be done.”

Scott Jones, pastor of First Baptist Church in Stockdale, appealed for strength for those who remain “to run the race set before us,” in praying Heb. 12:1.

River Oaks Baptist Church Pastor Paul Buford of Sutherland Springs sought the Holy Spirit’s help in looking to Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” described in Heb. 12:2.

“We need you to guide us on the path that we take from here,” asked Buford. “And we know what has happened can’t be erased and won’t be forgotten but we will look to you and our faith will not be shaken.”

Josh Walters of First Baptist Church in LaVernia prayed the prayer of the apostle Peter recorded in I Peter 5:7, to seek God’s strength for the families to cast their cares upon God, “knowing he cares for you.”

Scott Pomeroy, student pastor at Oak Hills Community Church in Floresville and brother of the Sutherland Springs pastor, asked the Holy Spirit to “comfort all of us in need,” drawing from I Peter 5:10-11.

Following the service, Frank Pomeroy told the TEXAN that the 26 parishioners killed did not die in vain because their testimonies are shining the light to a dark world in need of Christ.

“Some of them—I can guarantee you—they would say if one person, anywhere in the world would come to know Christ by this it was worth it so I would say if you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that’s what you need to do and one soul coming to Christ makes this all worthwhile.”

For more information on the prayer gathering see related article on further remarks of Vice President Pence and Governor Abbott.