Month: July 2024

Equip attendees encouraged to change the world through acts of obedience

PLANO—History could have been different.

Acts 16 records Paul’s desire to take the gospel into Asia and Bithynia during his second missionary journey. In both instances, Scripture teaches the Holy Spirit did not allow Paul to make those journeys.

Guided by a vision from the Lord, Paul instead went to Macedonia. While there, he shared the gospel with a woman named Lydia—who became what many scholars believe was the first convert in what is now modern-day Europe.

Believers who follow Paul’s lead by putting God’s plans before their own have an opportunity to change history today, according to Nathan Lorick, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Lorick spoke about Paul’s obedience and selflessness during the keynote address at the SBTC’s annual Equip Conference held Saturday, July 27, at Prestonwood Baptist Church.

“God can take any of us in this room—who are fully obedient, fully surrendered, and laying down our desires for the kingdom and for His glory—and do things that make us [say], ‘How in the world did that happen?’” Lorick said.

Lorick said SBTC churches can follow Paul’s example and, in doing so, experience the fulfillment of three truths set forth in the Acts 16 passage:

Obedience puts kingdom needs above personal desires;
Obedience brings clarity to our own mission; and
Obedience postures the lives of His followers in a way to be used by Him.

Paul’s obedience paved the way not only for the gospel’s arrival in Europe, but it started a chain of events that influenced the Baptist faith, ignited cooperative missional work, and started a church planting movement that continues today.

It was a timely message for Equip attendees who came from all over Texas to receive leadership training in a wide variety of ministry areas. This year’s conference offered more than 200 breakout sessions taught by leading ministry practitioners. It also included a Spanish track that included a keynote address delivered by Lázaro Riesgo, director of Spanish ministries at Sagemont Church in Houston.

“Our heart’s desire [as a convention] is that you are encouraged, equipped, and edified,” Lorick said, “but really deep down, our heart is that you will take back a heart of radical obedience to the Lord, fully surrendered, and say to Him … ‘God, whatever it is, would you allow me to exhaust my life so that your glory may be my reward?’”

Mobilizing to be on mission together

I remember it as if it were yesterday, stepping off the plane on the island of Cebu in the Philippines. It was hot and humid, yet there was an excitement with our team I had not experienced before. I had been the pastor of this church for a couple of years, and this was our first mission trip together. The next few days flew by, and we had some incredible experiences serving the Lord.

Leading mission trips for our church became both a passion and a priority. Over the remainder of my time pastoring, we led over 10% of our church overseas on mission trips every year. It lit a fire in us for missions and evangelism that ultimately would begin spreading in our local community.

I love mobilizing people to go on mission for the Lord. If you are a pastor, let me strongly encourage you to develop mission opportunities for your people. It will have a lasting impact on the ministry of your local church.

Many churches have mission strategies and opportunities already in place. If your church does, be intentional about leading those trips and taking as many as possible. For a lot of churches, the desire to go is there, but maybe the opportunities are limited. Some churches can send large teams and some only a couple of people. In either circumstance, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention can come alongside you and help you develop a strategy that provides mission opportunities.

In fact, we have a great missions mobilization strategy to do just that, assisting churches in mobilizing their people to the mission field. We have mission opportunities in India, Puerto Rico, and Nevada, and we are in the process of developing some other great mission avenues, as well. Mission trip grants are also available to SBTC pastors. If you would like more information, please contact Colin Rayburn, our missions mobilization associate, at crayburn@sbtexas.com. We would love to serve you in this way.

If you are a pastor, we lead vision trips to these mission opportunities. We would love to have you join us on one of these trips. I will personally be on some of them and would be honored to spend some time with you as you seek ways to mobilize your people. I love you and am honored to be on mission with you.

5 minutes with Raymond Perry

Raymond Perry has pastored Trinity Friendship Baptist Church in Wylie since its founding in 2008, with the support of Mesquite Friendship Church, the SBTC, and the Dallas Baptist Association. Trinity Friendship started with 17 people, including the Perry family of five. Today, the congregation has grown to around 100, despite challenges including not only COVID, but also a 2016 hailstorm that destroyed the structure, necessitating a rebuild. Perry was also a founding officer of the SBTC’s African American Fellowship. Perry and his wife, Lois, have three adult children: William, 20, and Jordyn, 24, serve at the church, while Kathryne, 25, is stationed in the U.K. with the U.S. Air Force.

What is something you’ve been able to celebrate at Trinity Friendship recently?

Just prior to COVID, we were able to pay off our land and property. We currently own the 2.5 acres and 12,000 square feet on which our church sits. Owning the property frees up debt. We experienced a wilderness journey during the [2016] hailstorm. Having a place to call home sets us up to have a permanent footprint in Wylie for generations to come. City authorities and other pastors tell us Trinity Friendship is the first predominantly African American church in Wylie’s 130-year history.

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

Church planting is a challenge. Many people are raised in [established] churches that have a history. Having to establish a history, identity, ethos, can be challenging, especially in a mobile community. We are predominantly African American, but we also have Hispanic and Caucasian members. We want to establish a diverse identity in the community we serve. We’d like to be able to reach more, and not just African Americans, but all ethnicities who need to serve the Lord.

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

To the best of my ability to do things God’s way, and that leadership is vital. Selecting appropriate leadership is important [for] ministry. What God has taught me is it’s not just finding people—it’s finding the right person. You don’t select leaders to grow into a position. The leader must have the preexisting qualities to be in that position.

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

Trinity Friendship would like to see the economy improve so we can build a family life or children’s area, a kids zone. Construction costs have accelerated since COVID and there’s no end in sight. A kids zone would help us better serve the community. We would also like to start a Hispanic fellowship at Trinity and are praying for that.

How can the other SBTC churches be praying for you?

My request is that SBTC churches would pray not only for me and my family, but also for the people of God, for unity across the nation, and peace throughout the world.

‘Si hay algo que hacer, allí estaremos’

A pesar de los daños que sufrieron, iglesia de Houston tiende la mano a la comunidad tras las devastadoras tormentas

HOUSTON

Era un 16 de mayo, y en la parte norte de Houston había un clima espectacular. Pero en Texas, especialmente en primavera, el tiempo puede cambiar en un instante.

Esa tarde, se emitió de repente un aviso meteorológico, advirtiendo a los residentes que buscaran refugio de una tormenta eléctrica de rápido movimiento y potencialmente destructiva que se dirigía hacia la zona y que tenía el potencial de generar tornados. Poco después, vientos en línea recta de más de 160 km/h y un tornado se abalanzaron sobre la zona, sembrando el caos en la región. Según las noticias locales, las tormentas causaron inundaciones, árboles y tendidos eléctricos caídos, algunas muertes y casi un millón de hogares y empresas se quedaron sin electricidad.

Entre los lugares afectados se encontraba Bethel Baptist Church, donde, según su pastor, Jaime García, la tormenta arrancó parte del techo y dejó entrar la lluvia en el santuario, haciendo daños sustanciales, incluyendo todo el equipo de sonido y los instrumentos musicales.

García no es ajeno a las tormentas. Además de sus responsabilidades como pastor de Bethel, es un cazador de tormentas. Aquel día se encontraba en otra ciudad grabando video para un noticiero local. En cuanto se enteró del peligro que amenazaba a su comunidad y a su gente, regresó a su casa en Houston.

“Invitamos constantemente a nuestra iglesia a servir y amar a la comunidad porque puede que seamos la única Biblia que lean”.

—Jaime García Tweet

“Vi toda la destrucción y a la gente desesperada y asustada”, cuenta García, y señala que el drama no hizo más que intensificarse cuando se enteró de cómo las tormentas habían afectado a su iglesia y a los miembros de la congregación.

Sin embargo, no se amedrentaron.

Al día siguiente, los miembros de Bethel se movilizaron para limpiar y reparar la iglesia lo mejor que pudieron, y luego fueron a trabajar al servicio de la comunidad. El sábado siguiente, se reunieron para ayudar a la comunidad, yendo a las casas a cortar árboles y “tender una mano de amor”, dijo García.

Dios también abrió las puertas para que la iglesia distribuyera alimentos proporcionados por una organización de ayuda de Mississippi mientras se restablecía el suministro eléctrico. Los miembros de la iglesia instalaron un punto de distribución en su gimnasio para dar comida, artículos de limpieza y de aseo a los afectados por la tormenta.

Aunque sufrieron, García dijo que las tormentas brindaron una gran oportunidad para que Bethel cumpliera su misión: amar a Dios, amar a la gente y servir a los demás.

“Eso es parte de lo que somos”, dijo García. “Si hay algo que hacer, estaremos allí para servir y mostrarles el amor de Cristo”.

Hasta ahora, Bethel no ha podido reparar su edificio porque el seguro sólo cubrió parte de los daños. Por eso, los miembros de la iglesia están intentando recaudar los fondos necesarios para reconstruir la iglesia lo antes posible. Mientras tanto, Bethel sigue reuniéndose en el edificio de los jóvenes para alabar al Señor y compartir el evangelio de Jesús.

“Con toda esta experiencia, la iglesia está creciendo en su fe. Nuestro deseo de adorar a Dios no cambia”, dijo García. “No tenemos las comodidades de antes, pero Dios no ha cambiado”.

García ha servido como pastor de Bethel durante 25 años, 13 como pastor de jóvenes y 12 como pastor principal. También es el director de Unique Student Ministries, que se dedica a equipar y discipular a los jóvenes en la evangelización a través de una conferencia que acoge a 400-500 jóvenes de las iglesias de la zona cada año.

Él dijo que familias han acudido a su iglesia porque han perdido sus alimentos, y han expresado con lágrimas en los ojos su profunda gratitud, no sólo por lo que se les está dando, sino también por la voluntad de la iglesia de servir en una parte de la comunidad en donde muchos rehúyen ayudar debido al alto índice de criminalidad.

“Invitamos constantemente a nuestra iglesia a servir y amar a la comunidad”, añadió García, “porque puede que seamos la única Biblia que lean”.

‘If there’s something to be done, we’ll be there’

Despite suffering damage of its own, Houston church reaches out to hurting community following devastating storms

HOUSTON

It was May 16, and the northern part of Houston was experiencing spectacular weather. But in Texas—especially in the springtime—the weather can change in an instant.

That evening, a weather advisory was issued suddenly, warning residents to seek shelter from a fast-moving and potentially destructive thunderstorm headed toward the area that had the potential to spawn tornadoes. Soon after, straight-line winds of more than 100 mph and a tornado barreled into the area, throwing the region into chaos. According to local news reports, the storms caused flooding, downed trees and power lines, some deaths, and nearly a million homes and businesses were left without power.

Among the places affected was Bethel Baptist Church, where, according to Senior Pastor Jaime García, the storm ripped off part of the roof allowing rain to pour into the sanctuary—causing extensive damage, including to sound equipment and musical instruments.

García is no stranger to storms. In addition to his duties as Bethel’s pastor, he is a storm chaser. That day, he was in another city recording video for a local news affiliate. As soon as he heard about the danger threatening his community and his people, he returned home to Houston.

“I saw all the destruction and people who were desperate and scared,” said García, noting that the drama only intensified once he learned how the storms had impacted his church and members of the congregation.

And yet, they were not deterred.

“We are constantly inviting our church to serve and love the community, because we may be the only Bible they will read.”

—Jaime García Tweet

The next day, Bethel members mobilized to clean and repair the church as best they could, then went to work serving the community. The following Saturday, they came together to help the community by going to homes to cut down trees and “extend a hand of love,” García said.

God also opened doors for the church to distribute food provided by an aid organization from Mississippi while the power was being restored. Church members set up a distribution site in their gym to distribute food, cleaning supplies, and toiletries to those impacted by the storm.

Though hurting themselves, García said the storms provided a great opportunity for Bethel to fulfill its mission: to love God, love people, and serve others.

“That’s part of who we are,” García said. “If there’s something to be done, we’ll be there to serve and show them the love of Christ.”

So far, Bethel has not been able to fully repair its building because insurance only covered part of the damage. So, church members are trying to raise the funds to rebuild the church as soon as possible. In the meantime, Bethel continues to meet in the youth center to praise the Lord and share the gospel of Jesus.

“With all this experience, the church is growing in its faith. Our desire to worship God does not change,” García said. “We do not have the comforts of before, but God has not changed.”

García has served as Bethel’s pastor for 25 years—13 as youth pastor and 12 as senior pastor. He is also the director of Unique Student Ministries, which is dedicated to equipping and discipling students in evangelism through a conference that hosts 400 to 500 young people from area churches each year.

He said families have come to their church because they have lost all their food, and they have tearfully expressed their deep gratitude, not only for what they are being given, but also for the church’s willingness to serve in a part of the community where many shy away from helping due to the high crime rate.

“We are constantly inviting our church to serve and love the community,” García added, “because we may be the only Bible they will read.”

‘A great encouragement’: SBTC DR Hurricane Beryl response continues in Southeast Texas

SOUTHEAST TEXAS—The man’s bruised face said it all. A limb had flown back, striking him hard as he used a chainsaw to cut up a tree felled by the EF2 tornado that ripped through Jasper County on July 8 in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.

“We had eight tornadoes in our area on that date,” veteran Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief chaplain Wayne Barber said. “Not all hit the ground.”

The disaster—as disasters tend to do—provided opportunities for spiritual and physical assistance.

Eight tornadoes, nine salvations

Almost immediately after the tornadoes, Barber and other SBTC DR volunteers from Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jasper moved into the community, joining their neighbors to see who needed help. Soon, other SBDR crews would come to the area to help.

Barber, among those who responded, approached the man struck by the limb and they began talking.

“What would you do if that limb had taken your life?” Barber asked the man and his friend who was there to help.

“He didn’t know what to say,” Barber later recalled.

After Barber presented the gospel, both men prayed to trust Christ as their Savior. Seven more salvations ensued over the next few days as SBTC DR chaplains ministered to survivors.

The Hillcrest Baptist SBTC DR volunteers were in the right place at the right time to minister quickly following the storms. Hundreds of SBDR teams from Texas and other states hurried to Southeast Texas soon after Beryl made landfall between Corpus Christi and Galveston as a category 1 storm about 4:30 a.m. on July 8, striking a region already inundated by pre-hurricane rains.

SBDR crews set up mass feeding units and shower/laundry trailers to serve immediate needs. Chaplaincy, chainsaw, and mud-out crews followed, their work overseen by SBDR incident management teams and unit leaders, also known as “white hats.”

As is typical in such situations, neighbors and community members also pitched in to help those affected.

“It’s the biggest mass deployment since Hurricane Harvey,” Stice said of the ongoing effort. “ … There’s still work to be done.”

A coordinated effort

Much work has been done by SBTC DR teams in addition to other Baptist DR teams from Texas and across the nation.

“Our SBTC DR teams, together with others, have served from Spring to Conroe, down into Houston. We’ve had work orders from Cleveland, Livingston, Jasper, and elsewhere,” Stice said. “We’ve fed folks in Wharton … and we’re still at it helping survivors recover.”

Stice explained that SBTC DR serves in such situations as part of a larger coordinated effort among state Baptist DR teams, whose units deploy in strategic locations to avoid duplicating efforts. Feeding teams often work in conjunction with workers from the Red Cross and Salvation Army, who distribute food prepared by the Baptists.

Such was the case in Wharton, where an SBTC DR mass-feeding kitchen and a shower/laundry trailer operated until the site closed July 14. SBTC DR teams prepared more than 15,000 meals, in addition to providing showers and laundry services, logging a total of 1,100 volunteer hours.

Among other tasks, SBTC DR continues to operate a HAM radio communications network to help coordinate the overall response. SBTC DR and out-of-state Baptist DR partners are still responding to chainsaw needs in Spring, Texarkana, Huffman, and Jasper.

As of July 24, volunteers headquartered at Spring Baptist Church have logged nearly 3,000 volunteer hours, completing chainsaw and roof-tarping jobs. A single SBTC DR chainsaw team working out of Hillcrest Baptist Church has contributed 1,624 volunteer hours to complete more than 70 chainsaw jobs in the Kountze/Jasper area. Another SBTC DR team and a crew from Louisiana Baptist DR have worked in Lumberton out of Calvary Baptist Beaumont’s North Campus.

Arkansas disaster relief chainsaw teams are laboring in Texarkana, while Alabama and South Carolina crews have joined SBTC DR to work in Huffman, logging more than 6,000 volunteer hours.

By the grace of God

For Robert Frank, a maintenance staffer at Spring Baptist Church, the efforts of SBDR to assist his mother will never be forgotten.

Mary Frank, 76, has lived in the same Spring house since childhood. The massive pecan tree that once graced her half-acre yard was large when she moved in at age 12. Mary recalled climbing the tree often as a kid.

At the end of the storm, Robert—who lives in the family home and helps his mom care for the place—left to check on the Spring Baptist Church campus. Then he received an unexpected phone call from home.

“The tree fell and I can’t see my car,” Mary exclaimed. Shortly after this, neighbors arrived to cut the tree away from the car and clear Mary’s driveway.

“That more than 80-year-old tree had been leaning toward the house. It should have fallen on the home,” Robert said. “By the grace of God, that tree fell onto a narrow 10-foot space between the house and the fence.”

Robert put in a work order request to SBDR teams headquartered at the church, and a DR crew from the Tennessee state convention came to finish cutting up the tree, leaving only its stump.

“They did an awesome job,” Robert said. As a bonus, Mary loved the company, he added. “Miss Jane, the lady [who showed up with] the crew, talked with her. They gave her a Bible. It was a great encouragement.”

To contribute to Hurricane Beryl relief efforts and/or learn how to receive DR training and become a credentialed SBTC DR volunteer, visit sbtexas.com/disaster-relief/.

Being a pastor’s wife is a team sport!

I have been a minister’s wife for 37 years—the first 30 in youth ministry and the past seven as a senior pastor’s wife. I still feel like a newbie at this whole pastor’s wife gig. It is a gift to be called to this role, one that brings many blessings but also unique challenges and plenty of questions.

How do I find my role in an established church? Am I expected to be a part of everything that goes on at our church? I am a co-laborer with my husband, so how do I handle criticism of him, myself, or other aspects of our church? Where can I get answers to these and other questions?

Not long after becoming the wife of a senior pastor, I attended the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Pastor Wives Retreat. What an impact this event had on me. It showed me how important it is to be connected to other pastor wives.

At the retreat, I sat at a table with other wives from my area, and we spent time sharing answers to specific ministry questions. It was so encouraging to hear I was not the only one feeling lonely at times and to know I could talk about struggles or ask questions in a safe place. It was also amazing that, inevitably, someone would share something I could apply to my own experience.

We decided to start a text group to stay connected and, six years later, that group is still going strong. We share prayer requests, funny stories, challenges, even pastor wife memes. These seemingly simple gestures have walked our little group through hilarious situations, job changes, heartbreaking life and church events, joys and celebrations, answered prayers, and so much more. Also, each year at this retreat, my circle of fellow wives has grown and new text groups and Facebook friends have formed. Through it, God has met a need in my life and many others.

So what are some of the benefits of being connected to other wives of senior pastors?

"Sharing moments of joy and laughter with friends can help make the weight of our journey easier to bear and just more fun."

—Susan Gobert Tweet

Emotional support

Being the wife of a pastor can sometimes feel isolating. Together, we can share experiences, challenges, and encouragement, or just offer a listening ear to hear each other’s concerns.

Shared wisdom

Experienced pastor wives can offer valuable advice and insights on how to handle various aspects of church life and family dynamics. New pastor wives remind us we still have things to learn from one another in these ever-changing times.

A prayer network

Having a group of women who understand the unique challenges of ministry—and who can pray specifically for one another—is powerful.

Friendship and fellowship

Having fellowship with those who share this unique role facilitates deeper friendships and meaningful connections, allowing us to be authentic and real.

Shared laughter and joy

Sharing moments of joy and laughter with friends can help make the weight of our journey easier to bear and just more fun.

The SBTC has several ways for the wives of pastors to connect. I encourage you to join the SBTC Pastor’s Wife Facebook group or plan to attend the next Pastor Wives Retreat. Whatever you do, don’t wait to get connected!

Central Texas pastor finds community, support through Young Pastors Network

‘They take you to the feet of Jesus’

HEWITT

For Michael Visy, senior pastor of Grace Church Hewitt, connections make the difference. Through a series of divine connections, he has found friendship, encouragement, and accountability via the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Young Pastors Network.

The Maryland native was on staff at Grace Church Waco when a non-denominational church in Hewitt, its attendance declining, closed its doors. The cornfields once surrounding that church, nine miles south of Waco, had given way to neighborhoods full of families, with many adults commuting to Waco or nearby Temple for work. The members of the former church didn’t want to sell the property and see it become just another development.

Instead, they gifted 6.5 acres and buildings to Grace Church Waco to start a new work. Grace Church Hewitt was born in 2018.

“They said they didn’t want a school or park or another apartment complex to go in. They wanted the gospel preached in that location. They wanted a church,” Visy said, adding that representatives of the closing church found Grace Church Waco through connections with the SBTC. Dick Wooten, pastor of the former church, is the father of Bryan Wooten, teaching pastor of Remedy Church in Waxahachie. Bryan and fellow Remedy teaching pastor Aaron Clayton contacted Grace Waco about the Hewitt opportunity.

“They see me as a person, not a pastor. A friend. And they are great guys to hang out with. They help you press into Christ.”

—Michael Visy Tweet

Dick Wooten has since become a friend and encourager to Visy. In addition to some 30 from Grace Waco who came south to help the new church plant, around eight to nine from the elder Wooten’s former congregation ended up joining Grace Hewitt. Wooten himself stayed. He preaches from time to time at Visy’s invitation.

“He has been really encouraging to me, especially seeing us through a very rough first year,” Visy said of Wooten. “He said, ‘Michael, I’m retired. I just want to love on people, invest in them, care for them.’”

Visy added that “having a seasoned guy in his 70s” to walk alongside him in ministry has been a blessing. Visy asked Wooten to share recollections of the church at Grace Hewitt’s fifth anniversary.

“I wanted the congregation to see that God was faithful to His people and His church long before we were in this building,” Visy said. Now in his 30s, Visy was only 26 when he became pastor at Grace Hewitt.

“I was fresh out of seminary, newly married. Why in the world would you want to follow a 26-year-old?” he recalled mentioning to the congregation back then.

“We’re not following you. We’re following the Lord,” members replied.

Today, Grace Hewitt is thriving, running around 150 with members and regular attenders, children, and visitors, demonstrating steady growth despite population mobility in its “suburban-rural” setting.

“Hewitt is a family-centered community,” said Visy. He and his wife, Michelle, have become parents to Harper, 4, and Gus, 2, during their time at the church.

“There are a lot of kids running around our church,” Visy said. “And there’s only one full-time staff person: me,” he added with a chuckle.

Finding a pastoral community

Visy has likewise found encouragement and friendships through YPN, an organization of pastors 40 years old or younger and mentors. Visy said he has been involved in YPN since its founding by Spencer Plumlee, pastor of First Baptist Mansfield.

Within the YPN, Visy has developed a core group of four fellow pastors in his region with whom he meets regularly. Among these is Drake Osborn, Grace Waco pastor of teaching and liturgy. Bracken Arnhart, pastor of Hope Church in Robinson, is another YPN member with whom Visy is close, as is Matt Byrd, pastor of Wellspring Church in China Spring.

“We’re all kind of young, all in the same theological world,” Visy said. “[We thought], ‘Let’s hang out and encourage one another.’ …We get together once a month.”

Visy also serves on the YPN leadership team. “It consists of a dozen of us from all over the state, representing churches of different sizes and dynamics from West Texas, DFW, Houston, Austin, South Texas,” he said.

He credits YPN connections for assisting him in his role as pastor. “Guys in the state have helped me with logistical pieces of ministry: bylaws, member care things, church discipline matters. … How do we do this? Having other friends in other churches in other parts of the state in other contexts is invaluable,” Visy said, adding, “They help with everything.”

Of YPN support, Visy said, “They see me as a person, not a pastor. A friend. And they are great guys to hang out with. They help you press into Christ. … They are true friends who take you to the feet of Jesus.”

Sometimes, it’s the little things

Each month, we keep our eyes open looking for ways God is moving in our churches across the state. That’s what this Leading Off page is all about—as you read each month’s issue, we want to start you off with something to encourage you.

Though a relatively new feature, we’ve already highlighted churches with members helping their neighbors recover from deadly storms and a dispatch from our ever-busy Southern Baptists of Texas Disaster Relief team.

Jesus is using His people to do big things. Count what follows as a small one—with the potential to have a huge impact.

Parkhills Baptist Church in San Antonio is asking its members to use technology for something good. Each Sunday, on the church’s rotating video announcements that scroll prior to the beginning of the worship service, Parkhills encourages members to pick up their phones and text an encouraging message to someone—anyone—who could use a pick-me-up.

The point, as posted on the church’s Facebook page, is simple: “Let’s share the love of Jesus and make someone’s day a little brighter. It doesn’t take much to make a positive impact on someone’s life, and a simple message of kindness can go a long way.”

We often talk about planting seeds, and SBTC churches all over the state are finding creative and effective ways to do just that. We think this one is worth adding to your toolbelt.

You never know how God is going to use a simple message of love to lift up the spirits of His people—or even draw people to Himself for the first time.

What encouraging thing is happening at your church that you wouldn’t mind sharing with other churches across the state? Email jlarson@sbtexas.com.

Fire engulfs historic sanctuary at FBC Dallas

DALLAS (BP)—The historic sanctuary at First Baptist Church Dallas burned Friday evening, July 19. The cause of the blaze is not yet known. The Victorian-style, red brick sanctuary building was erected 1890 and is a recognized Texas Historic Landmark.

According to media reports, Dallas Fire and Rescue received a call at 6:05 p.m. Friday evening regarding a building on fire in downtown Dallas. Firefighters responded and within 15 minutes of the first call, a second alarm was requested. Then around 7:30 p.m., the scene was upgraded to a three-alarm fire. A fourth alarm was called in around 8:15 p.m. The Dallas Morning News reported that “more than 60 units were dispatched to respond to the structure fire.”

The church released a statement on X at 9:34 p.m. saying the primary fire was extinguished but firefighters were still working at the scene.

First Baptist Church Dallas has an indelible history within the Southern Baptist Convention having been pastored by former SBC presidents George W. Truett and W.A. Criswell. Currently led by Robert Jeffress, First Baptist Dallas reported a membership of nearly 16,000 in 2023. The church currently worships in a state-of-the-art facility, which opened in 2013, adjacent to the historic sanctuary.

Jeffress posted on X Friday night asking for prayers for the church saying “We have experienced a fire in the Historic Sanctuary. To our knowledge, no one is hurt or injured, and we thank God for His protection. He is sovereign even in the most difficult times.”

The historic sanctuary was home to First Baptist Dallas’ contemporary service each week, called the Band-Led Service. There was a special VBS service scheduled for this Sunday, June 21. The church hosted its annual Vacation Bible School this week.

“We are grateful that no life has been lost that we know of even though we just had 2,000 children and volunteers on campus for Vacation Bible School earlier in the day,” Jeffress said in a statement to Baptist Press. “As tragic as the loss of this old sanctuary is, we are grateful that the church is not bricks and wood but composed of over 16,000 people who are determined more than ever before to reach the world for the gospel of Christ.”

The church campus consists of multiple buildings across a six-block footprint in downtown Dallas.