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Another convention has come to a close. Once again, God showed His favor. This annual meeting set a record for the most registered attendees at 1,776. This is remarkable when you consider the economic difficulties we face and the decline of interest in some denominational circles.
I am thankful to God for the number but I am also thankful to God for the warm and obedient spirit of His people. There were many highlights. You can read reports of God’s work during the annual meeting throughout this issue of the TEXAN. Perhaps the high moment of the convention came for me during the closing session.
Participants at the Nov. 15 evening session made their commitment public to reach the unreached. A challenge was offered to “Embrace the Unengaged.” About 3,800 people groups in the world do not have a church, an evangelism strategy or in many cases they have never heard the name of Jesus. Leaders from 126 churches took the first steps on a journey to embrace the unengaged. It was amazing to see people express their willingness to do whatever God would have them to do. The atmosphere was a spiritual mountaintop for all who witnessed it.
The SBTC staff is ready to assist any church, association, or group of churches that would like to be involved in embracing the unengaged. The SBTC has an emphasis on India, but we will facilitate missions anywhere in cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board.
Prayer started the planning process for the 2011 SBTC Annual Meeting. Prayer saturated the sessions. Prayer was the key that unlocked the presence and power of the Lord as we gathered in Irving. “Praying and Going” became more than a theme. It became a spiritual battle cry.
We have been stirred to reach the ends of the earth with the gospel. Praise the Lord! Yet, there is much work to be done in Texas. We cannot lose sight of our Jerusalem. There are 25 million people in our state. The majority of them are without Christ. Christianity has lost influence in our nation. We no longer see the cultural influence that was once predominant in so many areas. We must reach our Samaria (those who live close to us but differ from us) in North America.
Giving and going together will be the way we can accomplish it. Giving is not enough. There are not enough paid missionaries to do the work alone. Going is not enough. A local church trying to reach Texas is not possible, much less reaching the world. Giving and going is not enough unless we do them together. Together we can reach Texas and touch the world.
The 2011 Southern Baptists of Texas Convention is over but the passion burning in the hearts of God’s people has just begun. Let’s keep giving and going together.
