Month: August 2023

Support pours in after death of NAMB Next Gen leader Pruitt’s son

ROCKWALL, Texas (BP)—Messages of condolences and prayer support came forward for Shane Pruitt and his family July 25 following the death of his son.

“Titus Praise Pruitt, our precious boy, went home to be with Jesus at 12:50 AM this morning,” Pruitt, National Next Gen director for the North American Mission Board, posted online.

“We are heartbroken, but also joyful. Joyful about him being home in Heaven with Jesus. Joyful that he will never again experience seizures, or a wheelchair, or medicines, or crying, or pain, or surgeries or suffering. Joyful that he is finally fully healed and fully alive. Joyful that he is getting to do so many things for the very first time like walk, run, sing, and worship the King face to face.”

Clay Smith, senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., was among those replying with support.

“Praying for you. So sorry to read of your loss. Grateful for the eternal mercy and grace of Jesus,” he said.

“May the Lord grant you great peace and the assured hope of the wholeness of his resurrection,” added Malcolm Yarnell, professor at Southwestern Seminary.

“I am so sorry … praying,” said Todd Gray, Kentucky Baptist Convention executive director.

NAMB President Kevin Ezell flew to Texas early this morning (July 26) to be with the Pruitt family and gave a statement to Baptist Press.

“In his short time here on earth, Titus endured great suffering but brought so much joy to those around him,” Ezell said. “His smile and personality lit up the room. Shane and Kasi gave him a home filled with love, faith and laughter. They are grateful Titus suffers no more, but the whole family will miss him terribly. Please keep the Pruitts in your prayers.”

“Shane Pruitt is one of my closest friends,” Nathan Lorick, executive director for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, told BP. “His love for the Lord and his family is an incredible example of how to live a life full of integrity.

“I can’t imagine the pain the Pruitts are going through, but I know others will see Jesus in how they walk through the loss of their precious son, Titus. I sincerely ask you to join me in praying for Shane, Kasi and their kids as they grieve the loss of Titus Praise Pruitt.”

Four of Shane and Kasi Pruitt’s six children joined their family through adoption. One of the children, named Praise, had lived practically his entire life in a Ugandan hospital due to health complications before coming home with the Pruitts in the spring of 2015.

Their son was given a new first name, Titus.

Shortly after Titus arrived at the Pruitt home, Kasi wrote about how God used her son to “constantly remind me that this life is but a moment, and a fleeting one at that. I pray for healing for our boy all the time, but the amazing reality is that one day healing will happen for Titus.

“It may or may not be in my timing but one day, either on this earth or in eternity, it will happen, and it will happen completely.”

Pruitt, a frequent speaker at student camps and other events, pointed to Titus over the years as an example and source of strength.

“Without a doubt the strongest and most resilient person I know,” he posted March 13 on his son’s return home after another surgery.

On Instagram, Kasi Pruitt reflected on her son’s life.

“The brightest light, biggest smile, most swag, and the absolute strongest person I have ever known. He experienced great suffering with great joy,” she wrote.

“… Being his Mom for the last 10 years has been nothing but a privilege!! He has made everyone in the Pruitt Pack better.”

Shane Pruitt said the same in his post on July 25.

“Please continue to pray for our family and especially our other kiddos as we have to learn a new normal without our Titus. We will be forever grateful for the 10 years the Lord gave us with him.”

Puerto Rican Baptists brace for hurricane season

As we enter the Atlantic hurricane season, Southern Baptists are intentionally preparing at-risk communities to navigate the perils of natural disasters and their aftermath.

In Puerto Rico, many are weary from the past decade of nearly 20 back-to-back tropical storms.

Families hardly have any time to recover from the physical loss and emotional trauma before another storm breaks on their shores. This perpetual state of exhaustion is pervasive, so Send Relief and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief partnered together to hold a preemptive disaster response training for almost 250 Spanish-speaking trainees, as well as 10 coaches, this month.

“Volunteers here were extremely enthusiastic about the training,” said Send Relief Crisis Response Director Coy Webb. “It greatly strengthens the ability of Puerto Rican Baptist churches and trainees to be equipped to respond when crises arise in this new hurricane season.”

Last year during Hurricane Fiona, hundreds of trained Puerto Rican Baptists partnered with Send Relief teams to deliver food, water, laundry services and temporary roofing to those impacted, and these teams are prepared to replicate last year’s projects in the wake of the current earthquake, flooding and storm predictions.

Over the last three years, Send Relief, in partnership with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, has been able to train more than 800 volunteers in crucial project management for mass feedings, mobile kitchen maintenance, chainsaw response, debris clean-up, flood recovery, roof tarping, initial damage assessment and—most importantly—spiritual and emotional care.

“I’m excited that Send Relief had the opportunity to partner with local churches to offer them and strengthen local believers in their efforts to provide real help and hope to those suffering and devastated by disasters,” Webb continued. “As we minister, it enables us to demonstrate the love of Christ as 1 John 3:18 teaches us to – both ‘in actions and in truth.’”

Pray for Puerto Rico and the disaster response teams in place to be given extra measures of peace and comfort as they re-enter hurricane season.

Serving the Lord faithfully, regardless of title or position

My family is serving on mission as a part of a church plant. I have no title or staff responsibilities. I am essentially a layperson seeking opportunities to help my church reach our community and support our pastor’s vision. It is such an honor to join others in this journey.

One of the greatest joys of my job as executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention is being able to connect with laypeople all across our state. These saints can be found in churches in every corner of Texas. I always love when one of these servants comes up to me when I’m speaking at their church and tells me of a story in the Texan that meant a lot to them. I love hearing their stories and their passion for the church they attend.

The laypeople who faithfully serve the Lord in our churches are really the backbone of the SBTC. Each week, they are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission. They give of their time and sacrificially tithe to reach Texas and impact the world. I want to say a special thanks to all of you who serve the Lord without a title or position. You simply do this out of an overflow of your love for Jesus. I am grateful for you utilizing your gifts for the kingdom and for coming alongside your pastor to reach your community. I also want to thank you for being a part of the SBTC.

One of my favorite events the SBTC hosts each year is the EQUIP conference. It is coming up in August at Sagemont Church in Houston. The reason I love this event so much is because it is geared toward equipping laypeople. There are a ton of conferences and seminars for pastors and staff leaders, but EQUIP is planned with the lay leader in mind. We will connect with lay leadership from churches across Texas and come together for an incredible day of equipping and encouragement. If you want some practical tools to help in the area you serve, make plans to be at EQUIP. I hope to see you there.

I love you and it is an honor to serve you as you serve Jesus!

Building back better

Generosity—expressed through labor and good stewardship—helps Central Texas church rebuild after 2022 tornado

ess than a year after an EF-3 tornado destroyed First Cedar Valley Baptist Church, the Central Texas congregation has built back better thanks to good stewardship of God’s resources and the generosity of God’s people.

After the April 12, 2022, tornado struck, the building suffered so much structural damage it had to be torn down. About all that was left of the building was its slab foundation and a large cross that was anchored to it.

Tears trickled down Pastor Donnie Jackson’s face as he viewed the aftermath. He had grown up in the church and saw a lifetime of memories destroyed.

But First Cedar Valley—located 11 miles west of Salado—pushed on. That Easter, the church held outdoor services on the bare slab less than a week after the tornado. Efforts to rebuild had already begun.

‘God’s people came through’

Almost immediately after the storm, Jackson received “tons of phone calls.”

“I was there [at the church property] daylight to dark fielding so many phone calls,” Jackson said. “I could not remember everyone who had called. So many churches. So many people.”

The church was insured, Jackson said, and the insurance company advanced funds quickly as a partial settlement so reconstruction could begin. The property was soon cleared of downed trees and debris. A church member and proprietor of a commercial building company arranged for onsite storage for whatever could be salvaged by volunteers and workers.

By early May 2022, that church member’s crews had erected a temporary air-conditioned building that would seat 78 so the church could hold services indoors. A week or so later, construction on the new permanent facility began.

As manpower assembled from inside and outside the church, donations poured in as well, Jackson said.

“It was unbelievable how the churches and others stepped forward,” he said.

“People poured out their love for us. Ours is a story of how God used people. So many helped us in so many ways. God touches the hearts of people. This has been such a blessing to us as a church and to me as a pastor.”

—Donnie Jackson Tweet

Substantial checks arrived from other congregations. Old friends, acquaintances, and even strangers contributed. A contractor who specializes in large-scale commercial electrical work offered to supply not only the inside electrical work but also outdoor lighting and parking lot poles—items not included in previous bids from others.

When it came time to sign the contract, Jackson was astonished to note the charges. “It was all zeroes. We didn’t owe a dime,” the pastor said. “These are the kind of people God sent our way. … God’s people came through.”

The church has literally built back better, Jackson said, noting that 14 feet has been added to the back of the worship center that now seats 250. Sunday school and office space also was expanded. While the old building was around 8,000 square feet, the new facility is 10,000 square feet with another 25,000 square feet of concrete parking.

Space isn’t the only thing increasing.

Attendance, which had begun to rise after Jackson assumed the pulpit full time in March 2020 and suffered a decline during COVID, is climbing again. More than 65 regularly attend, and special Sundays like Easter and Mother’s Day draw more than 100. Younger families are coming. Almost every Sunday brings new visitors.

“I will be baptizing five over the next few weeks,” Jackson said. Referring to his own pre-pandemic health issues, Jackson said he intends to continue leading the church. “As long as the Lord allows me to keep on keeping on, I will. It’s in His hands. Even our next breath is in His hands. Whatever He allows me to do I will do.”

“The tornado put our little village on the map. ... it’s a blessing to see your people grow so much in the faith. We went through it together.”

—Donnie Jackson Tweet

‘We packed it out’

Remarkably, construction progressed at such a pace that the church began to occupy the new facilities on Dec. 23, 2022. The official dedication was held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, almost one year to the day of the tornado.

Gov. Greg Abbott, who had come to Cedar Valley to offer support in the immediate aftermath of the tornado, attended the dedication, as did first responders, area dignitaries, and representatives from other churches.

“We invited the churches that helped us and had been praying for us. Many had sent funds or made donations of chairs and other items,” said Jackson. “We held [the dedication] on a Saturday so these pastors and their members could attend and not take away from their worship services. Everybody was invited to be a part of it. … We packed it out.”

The cross from the former building is in the new building, as are an 1800s-era Bible and a commemorative plate inscribed with a Bible verse. The items survived the tornado unscathed and are now in the new main foyer. Another larger cross, damaged during the storm and repaired, hangs in the worship center.

“People poured out their love for us. Ours is a story of how God used people,” Jackson said. “ … So many helped us in so many ways. God touches the hearts of people. This has been such a blessing to us as a church and to me as a pastor.

“The tornado put our little village on the map,” he added. “Besides the additional numbers of people coming, it’s a blessing to see your people grow so much in the faith. We went through it together.”