Annual meeting session to sound call to reach unengaged people groups

IRVING—The closing session of the SBTC annual meeting Nov. 14-15 at the Irving Convention Center will include a call for Texas churches to help engage the estimated 3,600 unengaged people groups worldwide.

In August, the SBTC’s Executive Board voted to give $1 million in surplus funds for international missions through the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. During that meeting, the board also called on Southern Baptist churches in Texas to engage 1,000 of the unreached groups.

That gift followed International Mission Board President Tom Elliff’s call last summer for Southern Baptist churches to actively participate with the IMB in helping reach the world’s unreached peoples.

Elliff will speak to SBTC messengers on Nov. 15 by video streaming. Messengers will also hear from missionaries and from SBTC President Byron McWilliams of Odessa and Executive Board Chairman John Meador of Euless.

Those attending will find in each chair that night an IMB Embrace commitment card with information about engaging an unengaged people, said Chad Vandiver, SBTC missions associate.

“Once we receive their commitment we will give them the Next Step commitment card and we will be available to talk with them about future training opportunities and how we can equip and empower them to embrace and reach an unreached people group,” Vandiver explained.

For more information, visit call2embrace.org or call the SBTC missions office toll-free at 877-953-7282 (SBTC).

Dever: ‘9 Marks @9‘

Also, Pastor Mark Dever of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and founder of 9Marks Ministries, will preach the closing sermon on Tuesday night. Preceding the Tuesday night service at 4:45 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom, Dever will engage in a dinner/dialogue with Criswell College humanities professor Barry Creamer on the topic: “Would Calvin Use an EvangeCube? A Dialogue on Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.” Tickets are $10 and may be reserved at sbtexas.com/criswell or at the Criswell booth.

Following Tuesday night’s sermon, 9Marks Ministries will host a “9Marks @ 9” Q&A session with Dever and other panelists at the convention center.

Bible Conference Nov. 13-14
This year’s SBTC Bible Conference will focus on “impacting the Next Generation” Nov. 13-14 at the Irving Convention Center.

Bible Conference President Terry Turner, pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, said the conference theme will be based on Deuteronomy 7:9-10: “So realize that the Lord your God is the true God, the faithful God who keeps covenant faithfully with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, but who pays back those who hate him as they deserve and destroys them. He will not ignore those who hate him but will repay them as they deserve!”

Concerned that many young adults are not remaining faithful to local church involvement, Turner said, “We’re doing everything we can to equip pastors, parents and churches to be able to make a difference in the lives of young people, as well as being able to manage our families and making the family a strong nucleus.”

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 with worship by the choirs of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Euless. Speakers include Kurt Bruner, pastor of spiritual formation at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall and John Meador, pastor of First Baptist Church of Euless.

The Monday morning session begins at 9:20 a.m. Speakers will be Steve Stroope, pastor of Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, and Jim Richards, SBTC executive director.

John Trent, president of Strong Families, will be featured at this year’s Ministry Café at 11:30 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. with music by Gina Cooper.

Trent has authored and co-authored more than a dozen books, including “The Blessing,” “The Language of Love,” “Heartshift,” “Breaking the Cycle of Divorce” and “The 2-Degree Difference.” Cost for the meal is $5 and reservations may be made online at sbtexas.com/AM11 or by calling 817-522-2500.

A women’s luncheon featuring Tammie Head from Houston’s First Baptist Church will be offered as well.

The afternoon session resumes at 1:15 p.m. with H.B. Charles Jr., pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., and Alistair Begg, senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, whose Scottish brogue is heard internationally on the Truth for Life broadcast. The Southwestern Chamber Chorale led by Tom Song will provide music for the closing session.

Serving along with Turner are Alex Gonzales, pastor of Hickory Tree Baptist Church in Balch Springs, as first vice president, and Scott Gray, pastor of Sycamore Baptist Church in Decatur, as second vice president.

Crossover DFW
Ethnic churches in the Irving area, as well as Criswell College in Dallas and First Baptist Church of Euless, will host evangelistic block parties on Saturday, Nov. 12, as a part of the SBTC’s Crossover 2011 evangelistic effort preceding the state convention meeting the following week.

Volunteers from area churches and messengers attending the annual meeting are encouraged to participate.

“Block parties are still a great way to get the community to visit a church,” explained SBTC evangelism associate Jack Harris. Some block parties are held at non-church locations while others utilize the church’s parking lot, he added.

Hispanic churches planning to participate include Primera Iglesia Bautista and Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida in Irving as well as Primera Bautista in Grand Prairie, and The Crossroad Church in Irving. First Baptist Church of Euless will be assisting in the effort with leadership from Ed Kho, minister to Asian communities.

Also, Criswell College is sponsoring a block party outreach near the campus, 4010 Gaston Ave. in Dallas.

“These events continue to be great opportunities to reach the local community,” Harris added. “While folks are enjoying themselves, you can share the gospel in a very relaxed setting.” Contact Harris at 817-614-4453 to volunteer at one of these events.