English
Korean
Spanish
It is hard to believe it has been 10 years. My hair was darker, my waist line was smaller and my energy level was higher in 1998. Those are the few negatives of the past 10 years. Almost everything else has been an awesome, God-sized blessing. Seeing a fellowship of churches expand to “Reach Texas” and “Touch the World” has been the joy of a lifetime. God brought it about.
I will not recount all of the growth congregationally or financially. You have heard the figures. It has been phenomenal. The power of the Holy Spirit in the churches and in our joint efforts has been evident. Someone said to evaluate your ministry you need to ask the “It’s a Wonderful Life” question: “What difference have you made and what would it be like if you had not made a contribution to life?”
I can tell you that Texas would be less evangelized today without the SBTC. Hundreds of pastors and churches would have been less encouraged and assisted in their ministries. Over 400 new church starts would not have had the support they enjoyed. The SBC would not have been able to educate some seminarians or send all of the missionaries they have. The list could go on showing the value of the SBTC. Whatever has been accomplished, we give God all the glory.
November 10 and 11 we will gather at Houston’s First Baptist Church to celebrate 10 years of ministry together. Throughout the TEXAN you will find the pre-convention activities that will interest you.
Also, you will find listed luncheons, dinners and other exciting events that take place during the two days of the convention. As usual we will be praying, singing, preaching, hearing testimonies and doing a little business on the side. Plan to be a part of this historic occasion.
POST-IKE HELP NEEDED
There is one burden that tempers my thrill of the annual meeting. The devastation of Ike has decimated a number of churches. There are pastors who lost their homes, church buildings, even their congregations. Others have suffered damage and will struggle through the on-coming months to recovery. Ike’s destruction rivals Katrina within the affected area.
I appeal to you to do several things:
?Please pray. God is able to sustain and strengthen those who have gone through this tragedy.
?Secondly, consider being an answer to your own prayer by giving. You can send a designated gift above your regular Cooperative Program gift. Just mark on your giving form “Disaster Relief.” We want to be able to do more in assisting people in need.
Finally, workers are in short supply. Volunteers are needed. It will be months before some semblance of normal is reached. If you are trained in DR or would like to be, please contact the SBTC office toll-free at 1-877-953-7282. Your efforts will bless the saints and help reach the lost.
See you in Houston.
