Month: March 2024

SBC Executive Committee president/CEO candidate Iorg recalls Texas roots

ABILENE—The message of a Four Spiritual Laws tract shared at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo transformed a 12-year-old boy whose life was filled with chaos.

The son of a violent alcoholic father, the boy’s mother had fled for her life across four states to hide out in Abilene. Her second husband also struggled with addiction and two more children were born into the family.

Neither parent had any interest in the gospel or church, though both had come from Christian families. The boy had gone by an assumed name, but that caught up with him when his Little League team advanced to state competition. Confrontation over his name not matching his birth certificate required to prove his age added to his identity crisis as he realized other people did not live like his family.

His mother decided her son needed religious instruction, dropping him off for Sunday school at Elmcrest Baptist Church in Abilene. On the day he went to the fair, the church name was on an exhibit booth and he wondered why they were taking a survey. Burtis Williams recognized him and asked if he’d like to answer a few questions.

That’s all it took for the boy to participate. Williams’ final questions were easy to answer: “Do you know for certain you have eternal life?” and “Do you know you’ll go to heaven when you die?”

“When he shared the gospel with me and told me God had a plan for my life that would give me purpose and meaning, and not only that, but I’d get to go to heaven, I prayed to receive Christ the month before I turned 13.

“And that changed everything,” said Jeff Iorg, who, if approved on March 21 by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, will become its president and CEO.

Iorg’s decision to follow Jesus began a journey from convert to disciple to intern to associate pastor at Elmcrest Baptist Church, where longtime pastor, T.C. Melton—an ardent supporter and longtime consultant for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention—shepherded the young man for over a decade and remained “a mentor, supporter, and friend all the rest of my life,” Iorg added in an interview with podcaster Chad Harms.

Iorg went on to serve as a children’s pastor, church planter, state convention executive director, and president of Gateway Seminary. No stranger to the SBTC, he frequently has addressed its annual meetings and training conferences in evangelism and church health, as well as a convention staff retreat.

Looking back over his life, Iorg told Harms that Elmcrest Baptist Church taught him what it means to be a man, a leader, and how to get ready for marriage. Doctrine, church polity, soul-winning, and money management were a part of “10 fantastic years.”

“I’ve said many times—Jesus saved my soul,” Iorg said, “but Elmcrest Baptist Church saved my life.”

Pastor que respondió al llamado de Dios en su niñez, está invirtiendo en la comunidad hispana del este de Texas

El poder de un Sí

Fernando Mangieri hizo un compromiso de por vida para servir al Señor después de responder a dos preguntas que a la mayoría de los niños de su edad nunca se les pide:

“¿Estás dispuesto a morir por Jesús? ¿Estás dispuesto a dejarlo todo por Él?”.

Mangieri, que entonces tenía 9 años, respondió a esas preguntas, formuladas por unos misioneros que ministraban a los niños en un retiro, con un “sí” definitivo.

En ese momento, Mangieri dice que empezó a sentir una fuerte necesidad de compartir a Cristo con los demás, no sólo a su alrededor, sino en todo el mundo. Esa es la base de la misión a la que Dios le ha llamado hoy como pastor del campus de Green Acres Baptist Church en Español.

Green Acres en Español comenzó el 17 de septiembre de 2023, con un puñado de personas y un estudio bíblico en el campus principal de la iglesia. El número de asistentes creció rápidamente, y en poco tiempo el grupo se trasladó a un auditorio más grande y comenzó a planificar el lanzamiento de un servicio de adoración que se convertiría en un campus de habla hispana.

Seis meses después del lanzamiento, alrededor de 250 personas asisten a los servicios dominicales. Alrededor de 30 personas han sido bautizadas, respondiendo al lema de la iglesia de “Transformar vidas con la verdad de Jesús” y sus valores fundamentales de conectar a las personas con Jesús y su iglesia, crecer a su semejanza y multiplicarse para expandir el reino.

“Dios nos llamó a comenzar una congregación saludable que pueda impactar Tyler y el este de Texas con un enfoque multicultural y multigeneracional,” dijo Mangieri.

“Cuando Dios tiene un plan para tu vida, Él lo va a cumplir.”

—Fernando Mangieri Tweet

Poniendo su ‘sí’ a prueba

Mangieri nació y se crió en Argentina y creció en cuna de pastores. Su padre ha sido pastor por 60 años, sus tíos y sus tres hermanos también son pastores.

Pero a los 8 años, Mangieri comprendió que crecer en una familia de pastores no le salvaría. Fue entonces cuando su maestra de escuela bíblica le guió para que reconociera su propio pecado y recibiera a Cristo. Su encuentro con los misioneros tuvo lugar al año siguiente, lo que le impulsó al servicio del Señor.

En el 2000, Mangieri se trasladó a Juárez, en Chihuahua, el estado más grande de México. Sus años en Juárez marcaron una época importante en su vida: estudió en el seminario, sirvió en iglesias locales y conoció a su esposa, Marcela. Allí tuvieron dos de sus tres hijos.

En Juárez fue también donde se puso a prueba el “sí” que había dado al Señor muchos años antes. En un momento dado, algunos narcotraficantes empezaron a lanzar amenazas de muerte contra él y su familia mientras servían a la gente de la ciudad. Desesperado, Mangieri clamó al Señor. La respuesta que recibió de Dios fue en forma de preguntas, las mismas que le hacían de niño:

“¿Estás dispuesto a morir por Jesús? ¿Estás dispuesto a dejarlo todo por Él?”.

“Sí, Señor”, recuerda Mangieri reafirmando su respuesta a Dios, “estoy dispuesto a morir por ti. Señor, todo lo que tengo es tuyo”. Entonces recordó el Salmo 46:10: “Estad quietos y conoced que yo soy Dios; seré exaltado entre las naciones …”.

Cuando Mangieri y su familia aprendieron a esperar y descansar en la presencia de Dios en medio de la preocupación y la persecución, Él les abrió una puerta para servir en la Convención Bautista de Virginia. Fue evidente para la familia que Dios estaba obrando, ya que se les concedió milagrosamente la residencia estadounidense en 48 horas.

“Cuando Dios tiene un plan para tu vida, Él lo va a cumplir”, dijo Mangieri.

Del 2008 a 2018, Mangieri fue plantador de iglesias y catalizador en Virginia, desarrollando iglesias y líderes. Después de una década de servicio allí, Dios comenzó a plantar en los corazones de Mangieri y su esposa una nueva visión para el ministerio. Comenzaron a orar y a buscar la dirección del Señor, rechazando varias ofertas de ministerio antes de aceptar un llamado para servir como pastor asociado en español en una gran iglesia en el área de Dallas.

Allí permanecieron cuatro años, hasta que Mangieri sintió que el Señor lo llamaba a volver a plantar iglesias. En poco tiempo, Green Acres en Tyler se acercó para preguntarle si les ayudaría a iniciar una obra hispana en el este de Texas.

Un llamado más fuerte que la comodidad

Dejar la estabilidad de una iglesia fuerte y bien establecida por la incertidumbre de comenzar una desde cero, no tenía sentido para muchos, dijo Mangieri. Pero para él, dejar la comodidad por la posible incomodidad formaba parte del compromiso de su infancia de entregarlo todo a Jesús.

“Estábamos cómodos, felices y sirviendo con fuerza donde estábamos”, dijo Mangieri, “pero mi deseo de plantar iglesias era más fuerte que la estabilidad y la comodidad”.

Ninguno de los que Dios había llamado a la obra de plantación en Tyler estaba solo. Green Acres buscó orientación y apoyo de Send Network SBTC, una asociación de plantación de iglesias entre la Convención de los Bautistas del Sur de Texas y la Junta de Misiones Norteamericanas. Send Network SBTC proveyó recursos y entrenamiento para ayudar a Mangieri a convertirse en un plantador de iglesias certificado y comisionado. Ahora ayuda a la red a evaluar a posibles plantadores como parte de su equipo de evaluación.

Green Acres en Español desea ser lo que Mangieri llama una iglesia “glocal”, con la visión de alcanzar no sólo a su comunidad local, sino a personas de todo el mundo. Para ello, la iglesia sabe que debe multiplicar los líderes, por lo que recientemente ha puesto en marcha un instituto bíblico para la formación de líderes.

Desde el principio, la iglesia se ha esforzado por llegar a su comunidad. Cuando se preparaba para su lanzamiento, organizó un evento para repartir mochilas y útiles escolares, que atrajo a unas 3,000 personas. Tienen planes para impartir clases de inglés y organizar un programa de recuperación en español. Dios también ha abierto las puertas para que Mangieri hable sobre el ministerio de la iglesia en una popular emisora de radio local, y aparece una vez al mes en una conocida cadena de televisión hispana compartiendo palabras de reflexión.

“Queremos ser la iglesia de la ciudad y el pastor de la ciudad”, dijo Mangieri. “Dios nos está permitiendo ser de impacto para transformación de la comunidad hispana al tener una presencia fuera de las cuatro paredes para presentarles a Cristo”.

Pastor who answered God’s call at a young age is investing in East Texas Hispanic community

The Power of YES

Fernando Mangieri made a lifelong commitment to serve the Lord after answering two questions most children are never asked:

“Are you willing to die for Jesus? Are you willing to leave everything for Him?”

Mangieri—9 years old at the time—answered those questions, posed by missionaries speaking to a group of children at a retreat, with a definitive “yes.”

At that moment, he says he began to feel a strong need to share Christ with others not only around him, but around the world. That’s the foundation of the mission to which God has called him today as he serves as campus pastor for Green Acres Baptist Church’s Español campus.

Green Acres en Español began on Sept. 17, 2023, with a handful of people and a Bible study that met on the main church campus. The number of attendees rapidly grew, and before long the group moved to a larger room and began planning to launch a worship service that would become a full-fledged Spanish-speaking campus.

Six months after launching, around 250 people are attending Sunday services. About 30 people have been baptized, responding to the church’s motto of “Transforming lives with the truth of Jesus” and its core values of connecting people to Jesus and His church, growing in His likeness, and multiplying to expand the kingdom.

“God called us to start a healthy congregation that can impact Tyler and East Texas with a multicultural and multigenerational approach,” Mangieri said.

“When God has a plan for your life, He’s going to fulfill it.”

—Fernando Mangieri Tweet

Putting his ‘yes’ to the test

Mangieri was born and raised in Argentina and grew up in the cradle of pastors. His father has served as a pastor for 60 years, his uncles are pastors, and his three brothers are pastors, as well.

But at age 8, Mangieri came to understand that being raised in a family of pastors would not save him. That is when his Bible school teacher guided him to recognize his own sin and receive Christ. His encounter with the missionaries happened the next year, propelling him into the Lord’s service.

In 2000, Mangieri moved to Juarez, located in Chihuahua—the largest state in Mexico. His years in Juarez marked a significant season in his life: He studied at seminary, served in local churches, and met his wife, Marcela. They had two of their three children while living there.

Juarez was also where the “yes” he gave to the Lord many years earlier was put to the test. At one point, drug traffickers began lobbing death threats toward him and his family as they ministered to the people of the city. In desperation, Mangieri cried out to the Lord. The answer he said he got back from God came in the form of questions—the very same ones posed to him as a child:

“Are you willing to die for Jesus? Are you willing to leave everything for Him?”

“Yes, Lord,” Mangieri recalls reaffirming to God, “I am willing to die for you. Lord, everything I have is yours.” He was then reminded of Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations ….”

As Mangieri and his family learned to wait and rest in God’s presence amid worry and persecution, He opened a door for them to serve Baptist churches in Virginia. It was evident to the family that God was at work, as they were miraculously granted U.S. residency within 48 hours.

“When God has a plan for your life, He’s going to fulfill it,” Mangieri said.

From 2008-2018, Mangieri was a church planter and catalyst in Virginia, developing churches and leaders. After a decade of service there, God began to plant in the hearts of Mangieri and his wife a new vision for ministry. They began to pray and seek the Lord’s direction, turning down several ministry offers before accepting a call to serve as associate Hispanic pastor at a large church in the Dallas area.

They remained there four years—until Mangieri sensed the Lord calling him back into church planting. Before long, Green Acres in Tyler reached out to ask if he would help start a Hispanic work in East Texas.

A calling stronger than comfort

Leaving the stability of a strong and well-established church for the uncertainty of starting one from scratch didn’t make sense to many, Mangieri said. But to him, leaving comfort for potential discomfort was part of his childhood commitment to give everything to Jesus.

“We were comfortable, happy, and serving strongly where we were,” Mangieri said, “but my desire to plant churches was stronger than stability and comfort.”

None of those God had called to the planting work in Tyler were alone. Green Acres sought guidance and support from Send Network SBTC—a church planting partnership between the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and the North American Mission Board. Send Network SBTC provided resources and training to help Mangieri become a certified and commissioned church planter. He now helps the network evaluate prospective planters as part of its evaluation team.

Green Acres en Español desires to be what Mangieri calls a “glocal” church—one with a vision to reach not only its local community, but people around the globe. To do that, the church knows it must multiply leaders, which is why it recently began a Bible institute to develop leaders.

From the very beginning, the church has worked hard to reach out to its community. As it prepared to launch, it held a school supply drive that attracted nearly 3,000 people. Plans are in the works to offer classes to teach people to speak English, as well as hosting a recovery program in Spanish. God has also opened doors for Mangieri to talk about the church’s ministry on a popular local radio station, and he appears once per month on a well-known Hispanic television station.

“We want to be the church of the city and the pastor of the city,” Mangieri said. “God is allowing us to be impactful for the transformation of the Hispanic community by having a presence outside of the four walls to introduce them to Christ.”

Helping yourself so you can help others

After pastoring in a fog of clinical depression for several months, I came very close to walking away from the church I was pastoring and the ministry altogether. I had been pastoring for 22 years at the time and was burned out and fed up—mostly with myself.

At first, I was determined to figure it out and fix it myself. Fortunately, I instead sought counsel from my family physician and a local therapist who worked together to help me get healthy again.

Because most ministry leaders are not mental health professionals, we are typically unsure of how to help people—including ourselves—through dark seasons. Here are four lessons I learned through my experience that I pray will be helpful to you both personally and professionally:

1 Don’t self-diagnose

When I realized the dark clouds in my head had set in for too long, I naively asked my wife, Janet, if she thought I was clinically depressed. It occurred to me the next day that this question put both of us in awkward positions since neither of us was a mental health professional. So, I did something radical for a pastor—I asked a professional for help.

Our family physician asked me a few questions about my thoughts, feelings, sleep, concentration, eating, work routines, etc. He then diagnosed me with clinical depression, prescribed some changes in my routine, and some medication that I took for almost a year—all of which were very helpful.

2 Let others pastor you

Understandably, the perceived stigma of depression makes it harder for ministers or their family members to seek ongoing help within the community we serve. Just don’t let the stigma become an excuse to ignore your mental wellness.

During that season of depression, I met monthly with a therapist, three to four times a year with my physician, and quarterly with a handful of deacons who called themselves the Pastor Support Team. These deacons just wanted to know how I was doing personally, not professionally. Deacons have been a part of God’s plan for pastoral wellness since the day they showed up to help in Acts 6.

It is humbling to be on the receiving end of pastoral care, but it is not humiliating. Jesus surrounded me with caring, qualified people who were helping me get healthy again. He and His people will do that for you, as well, if you simply ask for help.

3 Trust the Lord for healing

Satan has a plan for your life, but so does Jesus, who has already won the battle for your soul. God obviously allowed Peter to go through a sifting and refining process (Luke 22:31-32) so he could grow in both strength and humility, both of which he would need later.

Jesus is the hero of your story and mine. The same God who called us promises to finish what He started, so let’s trust Him together.

4 Help someone else

I am so glad I did not hastily run away from my problems. Little did I know that right around the corner would be my favorite season of ministry as a pastor, then as a pastor-advocate at GuideStone for people like you in the ministry.

Pastor, please get healthy for the sake of your family and ministry, as well as for yourself and the kingdom. Self-care is not self-centered—it is strategic for pastors and ministry leaders. And once you have gotten healthy, help other pastors who may be experiencing similar struggles.

What’s your story? I’m willing to be made willing!

Before 1984, I was a carnal Christian. I had been a believer since I was 12, but I didn’t want to get involved in people’s messes because it was hard. I remember the moment when God began to change me, and it prepared me for so many things in the days to come.

A lot happened that year. I had begun a speaking ministry and was teaching First Place [a Christian fitness and discipleship program] at Houston’s First. I was on church staff at the time, but nobody knew what our family was going through. My husband, Johnny, had to declare bankruptcy in his forklift business earlier in 1984 after struggling to keep it open for years. The economy was tough and Texas was hit hard. It was a very tough time in which God brought me to the end of myself.

December of that year, our pastor, John Bisagno, preached a sermon on the will, and I remember exactly where I was sitting in the church as clearly as I remember the day I accepted Jesus. He said, “ … If you are not willing for Him to do the work that needs to be done [in your life], you can pray this prayer today: ‘Lord, I’m not willing, but I’m willing to be made willing.’”

I prayed that prayer that morning and said, “Lord, that’s where I am. I’m not willing, but I’m willing to be made willing. Please don’t let it hurt too bad.” As a kid, I knew if God got every part of you, He would send you to China or Africa, because I’d heard so many missionaries speak. As an adult, you learned to have control of your life, and God had totally stripped all control from me. I was ready to hear that message that morning, and He literally changed everything about me from the inside out. I wouldn’t have been able to go through the different traumas we went through if He had not done that.

“When God got ahold of me and got me totally for Him, He changed up all my lists of things [I thought] I wouldn’t be able to do for Him.”

—Carole Lewis Tweet

But the traumas did come. Johnny was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 1997 and lived almost 17 years after that. Those years were such a blessing. Our daughter, Shari, was hit and killed by a drunk teenager in 2001. God has given me grace to pray often for the salvation of the woman who hit her. We also lost our permanent home—along with everything we owned—to Hurricane Ike in 2008. So, people come to me who are suffering from things like I’ve been through, and God has been faithful all the way. He does not take it lightly when His children suffer, so everything I’ve gone through has prepared me not only to teach Bible study, but to share with the women God brings my way. I absolutely love everything I do. I love my life.

When God got ahold of me and got me totally for Him, He changed up all my lists of things [I thought] I wouldn’t be able to do for Him. Those are the very things He has me doing, and I love it. I love whatever He gives me to do. Now I consider mentoring the women He sends my way a primary calling. I never trashcan anybody. I always see results. Sometimes it takes years, but it is so worth investing our lives in the lives of other people. It’s just amazing; you seem to know when He sends you somebody.

Through the events of my life and through the people He’s sent to me, God has given the outlines for 15 of the 17 books I’ve written. I never ever felt worthy, but I can tell you—if I had not made that decision that morning in December of 1984, I would’ve never directed First Place for 30 years. I would’ve never written the first book. God has plenty of people He can call, but that day He spoke to my heart, and I said, “As scared as I am, I want you to do it.”

So, what’s my story? I recently spoke to a group of women after a kind introduction that told a little about my life. When
I stood up, I told them that my word for 2024 is “new.” I’m 82 this year and told them, “I am so excited that everything is going to be ‘new at 82.’” My verse for the year is Isaiah 40:31: “Those who trust in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.”

Want to share a story of what God is doing in your life or your church?

Share your story here

EMPOWER 2024: Apoderados emphasizes reaching the nations at annual gathering

EULESS—They sang it and they prayed it: “Put in me the same mind that was in Christ … make me a servant for your glory.”

That was the heart cry of the more than 400 people who attended Apoderados Feb. 23-24 at Cross City Church. Apoderados, a conference held each year in conjunction with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Empower Conference, seeks to encourage, equip, and inspire Hispanic believers to evangelize their communities.

This year’s conference emphasized world missions and how followers of Jesus can fulfill the Great Commission locally, nationally, and globally.

Apoderados kicked off with a dinner for pastors and their wives Feb. 23. Charles Grant, the Southern Baptist Convention’s associate vice president for convention advancement and relations, thanked those in attendance for their support through Cooperative Program giving and encouraged Hispanic churches to continue to advance the gospel mission.

“It is not all up to us,” Grant said, “because we have the help and power of the Holy Spirit.”

Chuy Avila, interim pastor of Cross City en Español and an SBTC church planting associate and catalyst, also spoke at the dinner and encouraged the attendees. Referencing 1 Corinthians 12:6, Avila reminded the pastors and their wives that Christians celebrate and suffer together as members of the body of Christ. Avila also led a time of prayer for pastoral families that have been going through delicate health problems.

Additionally, Julio Arriola, director of Send Network SBTC—a church planting partnership between the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the SBTC—shared statistics of how God is moving in Texas through that effort.

“About two years ago, this alliance between the SBTC and Send Network began, and in that time, about 90 churches have been planted, with the majority of the planters being Hispanic,” Arriola said. He emphasized that all of this has been possible because of the willingness of churches to invest in the kingdom, both through CP giving and as sending churches.

Eloy Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Baptist Network and pastor of Idlewild Hispanic Church in Tampa, Fla., brought an encouraging and challenging message based on Hebrews 12:1-3. He reminded pastors and their wives that life is like a marathon that requires attention to personal health, vigorous training, and a focus on the finish line. He also warned the audience of the importance of staying in their own lane as they run to the finish line, encouraging them to look ahead and not to the sides so they don’t lose focus.

Annel Robayna, Hispanic church mobilization strategist for the International Mission Board, spoke during the Apoderados’ general session on Feb. 24. Referencing the invitation of Psalm 117, he said, “All nations need to know that God has increased His mercy so that all nations will praise Him.” He concluded by inviting attendees to continue giving to cooperative efforts such as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, as it funds 3,600 missionaries around the world—including 65 who are Hispanic.

“Hispanics can do more,” he said. “God is calling us.”

Martin Gonzalez, a missionary who has served in Mexico and Nepal and who serves as an SBTC People Groups strategist in the Houston area, echoed those sentiments during a breakout session later in the day, saying, “It is more comfortable for us to reach people who speak the same language, but God has called us to reach the nations, and they are reaching us.”

A lunch panel on the final day of the conference focused on opportunities churches have to practice the Great Commission. Regardless of whether churches work toward that mission on a short or longterm basis, Bruno Molina—SBTC’s language and interfaith evangelism associate—said it is a responsibility of all believers.

“We are all missionaries and we must live as sent ones,” he said. “The SBTC can provide many opportunities to do so: helping, praying, and giving.”

Prioritizing spiritual growth over ministerial productivity

Remember Martha? She was industrious, illustrating the adage that no one works harder than someone trying to prove she’s the only one doing anything. She was a pioneer of competitive baking, petitioning Jesus to check the scorecard and note her lead over Mary.

And she was wrong, “worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:41) instead of focusing on the only thing that mattered—connection with the One who matters.

If she were alive today, Martha might have made a good women’s ministry leader—on the outside, anyway. Her sign-up process would be seamless, her Bible studies perfectly timed, and her events impeccably hosted. Her sister, Mary, likely would have been eagerly in attendance. And yet, sitting in a well-organized, color-coordinated room with perfect lighting, the observant attendee might start to wonder: “Are we missing something here?”

I am no stranger to Martha’s struggle. My humanness is apparent when I hyper-focus on “what” and “how” at the expense of “why” and “who.” Maybe you can relate. While I find this temptation to be especially present when performing in a leadership capacity, God has graciously led me to embrace a few consistent practices that are helpful in prioritizing spiritual growth over ministerial productivity.

"In ministry, as in Martha’s home—even amidst overcooked food and wrinkled linens—Jesus’ visit is worthwhile if we simply take time to listen at His feet."

Tiffany Collier Tweet

Schedule (a little extra) time to rest at His feet

The importance of rest is a consistent theme in Scripture and its practice goes beyond basic wisdom. In a practical sense, this looks like setting the alarm 30 minutes earlier on a particularly demanding day for a little more time to connect with the Lord. It looks like asking a kind sister for assistance with logistical matters as you step away from the busyness with a Bible in hand. It looks like a to-do list that is a little more delegated and a little less weighted to allow for spontaneous, much-needed “be still” moments amidst juggling logistical demands.

Learn from the Mary in your midst

While setting up a past event, I can still remember my frustration at fruitless attempts to hang a color-coordinated backdrop while an onlooker remarked at the peaceful nature of the setup. Far from her sentiment, my thoughts entertained fantasies of ripping the entire thing down. Her ability to find greater meaning in an aspect I found cumbersome and tedious was a sweet reminder that there exists a purpose behind the planning. Similarly, with a focus rightly on glorifying God, the misaligned details pale in importance to the ultimate outcome.

Embrace and extend grace

God’s grace allows for imperfections in the planning process. It extends to those seemingly less productive in our midst. It covers the occasional slip into legalism. When we find that perfectionistic tendencies compel us to idolize perfect planning, God’s grace is eager to cover us.

While Scripture does not tell us what Martha did after Jesus reminded her of the importance of His presence, I like to imagine that she abandoned baking bread and neglected ironing tablecloths to join her sister on the floor. In ministry, as in Martha’s home—even amidst overcooked food and wrinkled linens—Jesus’ visit is worthwhile if we simply take time to listen at His feet.

With the help of Regenesis, Central Texas church positions itself for massive population swell

When Pastor Stephen Ammons learned a massive semiconductor plant would be built nearby, bringing thousands of jobs and, in turn, other industries, he knew Meadowbrook Baptist Church needed to address the opportunity.

That plant, as well as an automobile manufacturing facility built about an hour to the west in Austin, has led some to project that this community of 5,500 will double in size over the next five years and reach 30,000 residents by 2030.

Though the semiconductor plant isn’t expected to open until later this year, Ammons said the community is already experiencing the effects. Foundations are being poured for nearly 700 new homes in Rockdale, Ammons said.

“We’re already seeing the growth from this plant coming in,” Ammons said. “My wife works at the school, and she said almost every day there’s somebody coming and enrolling their kid in school.”

Meadowbrook “had been coasting, definitely in the plateaued stage” for many years, Ammons said. Visitors would come, but it didn’t lead to much growth.

“People in the community knew about Meadowbrook,” he said, “but that was about it.”

He recalls telling church leaders, “We’ve got this influx of people coming, and if we don’t change, if we don’t refocus, if we don’t prepare now before they get here, we’re going to be playing catchup for years in trying to reach these people.”

“We decided to go into the Regenesis program so that, as the community is starting to grow, we would be ready for whatever God’s going to do.”

Stephen Ammons Tweet

Refocusing through Regenesis

So Meadowbrook turned to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Regenesis program, which resources churches with tools to help them move toward health and renewal.

“We decided to go into the Regenesis program so that, as the community is starting to grow, we would be ready for whatever God’s going to do when we hit this massive growth in our community,” Ammons said.

The church has been sending a team of four leaders to meet with other churches during the Regenesis eight-month cohort process for revitalization. Those leaders have been considering how the church’s gifts and talents can be used to meet community needs, as well as examining what the church is doing well and how it can improve.

Meadowbrook averages 80 people on Sundays and has space to accommodate twice that many easily, the pastor said. “We own an entire city block, so we’ve got massive amounts of property to expand and grow when needed.”

The church has been considering ways to get its name out into the community and let people know they care, Ammons said. In their Regenesis meetings, they discussed simple ways to advance the church’s mission. Prayer came up as a key strategy. So at the city’s Christmas parade a few months ago, Meadowbrook got permission to set up a prayer booth.

“We had a tent, a table, a few flyers about the church,” Ammons said. “The main purpose was if someone needed prayer, we could pray for them.”

Some people from the church gave out Bibles at the prayer booth, and as people walked up, church members asked how they could pray for them. A preteen boy said he didn’t attend church anywhere and asked for prayer for his mother’s heart problems.

“We had a couple that came up and said they had a neighbor across the street whose mom had been in the hospital. We prayed for that. We had about a dozen people come up and let us pray for them,” Ammons said. “It was absolutely fantastic.”

Since the Rockdale community struggles with poverty, Meadowbrook has been thinking of ways to minister in that regard. The pastor said about 50 homeless people are nearby, some living in the woods behind a large retail store. Senior adults who barely have enough income for themselves are raising grandchildren.

“We had a grandma come in with her grandson and she didn’t have clothes for him,” Ammons said. “As they were leaving, I looked at the hem of his jeans, and it was a good four inches above his heel.”

When the pastor told the congregation about the need, he estimates about eight trash bags full of new and used clothing were donated. Now the student can attend school without the burden of clothes that don’t fit.

“Because of that, they’ve actually been coming to the church regularly.”

Many churches are not aware of the resources—such as Regenesis—available to them through the SBTC, Ammons said.

“We have gotten a lot of help from the SBTC,” he said. “ … We’re able to get advice. … We’re not in this struggle alone.

“There are tons of resources that our Cooperative Program funds are paying for if we’ll just reach out and ask.”

SBTC DR’s rapid response to largest wildfire in Texas history continues

PAMPA—James Greer, director of missions for the Top O’ Texas Baptist Association, knew the situation was getting dire as wildfires erupted across the Texas Panhandle at the end of February.

Greer quickly contacted Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief Director Scottie Stice to inform him that the convention’s quick response unit (QRU) housed in Pampa had been activated. Volunteers staffing the mobile food truck had already begun preparing hundreds of meals for first responders by Feb. 27.

After analyzing the paths of multiple wildfires and their proximity to nearby shelters, Stice and Greer coordinated the Pampa QRU’s move the following day to nearby Canadian, in Hemphill County, so it would be closer to where it would be needed most.

This is sometimes how disasters go. SBTC DR’s decision to locate equipment and units at key spots throughout Texas once again proved practical, facilitating rapid response.

Additionally, a shower and laundry unit has set up operations at First Baptist Church in Canadian.

“We’re not centralized at one yard or one warehouse with our units and equipment,” Stice said. “The system works for us. We can get to places fast.”

Five wildfires thus far have burned 1.3 million acres and are only partially contained as of March 4, according to published reports. The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County is by far the largest, to date burning 1.1 million acres with only 15% contained as of March 3. The wildfires are the largest in Texas history.

In addition to the Pampa QRU, where volunteers have now prepared more than 1,000 meals, SBTC DR assessors, chaplains, incident management team members, and clean-up and recovery volunteers have arrived in the area and begun work.

“Our first assessors were onsite over the weekend,” Stice said, adding that recovery teams from First Baptist Church in Melissa and First Baptist Church in Pampa were already clearing debris and preparing to help homeowners sift through ashes.

“Teams have also started cutting up the frames of mobile homes destroyed by the fires,” Stice said.

SBTC DR volunteers in the area will be relieved by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams from New Mexico and Arkansas, Stice added. Send Relief is also transporting donated hay from Kentucky to the area to help care for 65,000-plus cattle impacted by the disaster.

5 minutes with Deron Biles

Deron Biles has served as pastor of Sunnyvale First Baptist Church for two years following a two-and-a-half-year stint as its interim executive pastor. He previously spent 15 years teaching preaching and pastoral ministry on the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Biles pastored other churches for 15 years, served on staff at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, and now serves on its executive board. He and his wife, Jaye, have four sons and six grandchildren.

What is something you’ve been able to celebrate at Sunnyvale FBC recently?

There are countless reasons I feel blessed of the Lord to serve as pastor. … The staff members with whom I serve are gifts to our church and a blessing and encouragement to me. [One thing] the Lord has done recently in our church for which I give Him praise is the growth of our Hispanic ministry, Sunnyvale Español. We’ve seen God bless and grow this work under the leadership of Pastor David Galvan. By God’s grace and through fellowship, joint ministry and missions projects, and occasional bilingual services, we’re seeing God doing awesome things.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your ministry lately?

Transitioning back into the pastoral role, leading a church through COVID, building a core team, and waiting on God’s timing. There are many things I am believing God for right now. In my own mind, I’d love to see those already in place, but the Lord is teaching me to wait on His timing. The church needs to see clear leadership from me that is guided by God’s hand and in submission to His will.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned to this point of your ministry you know you’ll never forget?

Ministry is about people. We are called by God to serve His people and to serve with His people. They take priority over schedules, programs, or plans. Even programs done with excellence, if they don’t meet the needs of the people we serve, are misspent. We are called to see people, be with people, equip people, love people, appreciate people, care for people, and learn from people. … People are not an interruption. They must be the focus.

What’s one thing you’d like to see God do specifically at FBC Sunnyvale this year?

At the top of my list is an effort we have just launched in evangelism and discipleship. I am praying God stirs a passion for evangelism, equips us with tools, and provides many opportunities to share our faith with others. We recently introduced a gospel tract that one of our staff, Frank Harber, and I co-wrote. We’ve asked our people to pray for opportunities to share this intentionally with others or simply to [leave] it in strategic places. A discipleship plan will follow.

How can the other SBTC churches be praying for you?

When I first began serving as pastor here, some people asked me how they could pray for me. I shared with the church a list of 10 ways I was asking them to pray for me: [That I would have] a pastor’s heart, an elder’s wisdom, a preacher’s eloquence, a priest’s intercession, a scribe’s carefulness with His Word, an overseer’s administrative skill, a prophet’s courage, a shepherd’s humility, a teacher’s insight, and an evangelist’s heart for the lost.