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‘Who’s Your One’ campaign leads to 41 coming to faith at FBC Henderson
Pastor David Higgs wasn’t sure if 2021 was the best time to launch a major evangelism strategy at his church, First Baptist Church of Henderson. After all, the world was still undergoing a pandemic and some members of his community were still hesitant to attend public events. In hindsight, the timing probably couldn’t have been better. After attending a “Who’s Your One” evangelism training at Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview with his entire staff, Higgs led his church to participate in the effort that aims to challenge each member of a church to pray for and share the gospel with at least one person they know. Three hundred church members signed up to participate, and the church recently reported that 41 people have come to faith so far as a result of the campaign. “We achieve more if we get all the people of God to do all the work of God. The more people we can get engaged in evangelism, the more we will reach,” Higgs said. “It reminds me that God does reward our evangelistic efforts.” —NAMBGiving through SBTC increases in 2021
As it closed the books on 2021, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention celebrated giving numbers that were up across the board. In 2021, $40.6 million was given through the SBTC, with $13.88 million staying in the state to reach Texas and $26.72 million sent outside the state to impact the world. Of those figures, $27.2 million was given through Cooperative Program efforts while $13.3 million was given through special offerings. Both of those figures represented a 12.66 percent increase. “It’s incredible what SBTC churches are doing to reach Texas and impact the world together,” SBTC Executive Director Nathan Lorick said. Receipts for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering were up about 8 percent ($8,812,458); Annie Armstrong Easter Offering giving was up 18.5 percent ($2,902,492); and Reach Texas giving was up almost 30 percent ($1,604,411). —Texan StaffPastor, founding SBTC board member Sutton dies at 79
William “Bill” Blaylock Sutton, who served as pastor of multiple churches until his retirement in 2021 and served on SBTC’s Executive Board in its formative years, died from complications of pneumonia Feb. 2. He was 79.
A longtime resident of McAllen, he most recently pastored Trinity Baptist Church, helping a 75-year-old church relocate from a landlocked urban site to 10 acres along prime frontage property donated by a deacon. Prior to what he considered a “nine-year interim pastorate” at Trinity, Sutton was the longest-tenured pastor of First Baptist Church of McAllen, where he served from 1986 to 2008 and was named pastor emeritus upon his retirement in 2008.
Other pastorates included North Hopkins Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, Texas; First Baptist Church of Pine Hills in Orlando, Fla.; and Windsor Park Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Ark.; as well as associate pastor of Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Ala.
Sutton is survived by his wife of 54 years, Martha; and sons William Blaylock Jr., Richard Bryan, and Stephen Davis. The Suttons additionally have eight grandchildren.
—Texan Staff
Creekstone Church moves into permanent building 5 years after being planted
Creekstone Church, planted in Keller in 2016, moved into its own building in North Richland Hills recently, providing its members with a permanent location and much-needed space. The congregation held its first service in its new building Feb. 6. Kason Branch, the congregation’s lead and founding pastor, said the new building is a result of “the faithfulness of our God.” “The journey over the last five years, in church planting years, this was quick,” Branch told members during the first service. The church has experienced 47 baptisms over the past five years. “The Lord has given our church a practical gift. It’s not a gift to be wasted or shown off,” Branch said. “… He has a purpose and a plan for our church and he has given us this church that we may stay on mission for him, reaching people for Christ and doing good works in his name. He has blessed us.” —CreekstoneChurch.orgPause Retreat for bivo pastors set for Amarillo
A Pause Retreat for bi-vocational pastors is scheduled for March 18-19 at the Courtyard Amarillo Downtown. There is no cost to attend this event, which is sponsored by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
Speakers will be Will and Ali Heath and Alex Gonzales. Mr. Heath will speak about navigating conflict. He is the founder of Sherpa, a coaching company that helps ministries steward seasons of pastoral transition.
“Bi-vocational pastors make up the majority of pastors across the Lone Star State and country,” said Gonzales, who serves as a ministry associate with the SBTC. “Like countless pastors, they are spread too thin mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Therefore, we try to network with bivo pastors across the state as well as offer a retreat once a year for them and their wives thanks to the generosity of SBTC churches that give to the Cooperative Program.”
Space for this event is limited. To register, visit sbtexas.com/pause.
—Texan Staff
