“Who is my neighbor?”

That’s the question a lawyer asked Jesus, which prompted the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. It’s also the question Christians should ask themselves as they seek to reach their neighbors with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

According to a 2015 article in New York magazine, 1 out of 3 Americans have never spoken to their next-door neighbors. In light of this, SBTC Director of Missions Shane Pruitt believes many Christians miss out on the gospel opportunities right at their own doorsteps. Added to this is the fact that more and more people from other countries are moving to Texas, making neighborhoods fields ripe for harvest.

And that is where the annual state missions ministry offering of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention can help. The Reach Texas offering, which runs from September through August each year, helps fund evangelistic endeavors in the Lone Star State.

“The Lord has brought the nations to Texas,” Pruitt said. “We believe the Lord is using the Reach Texas Missions Offering to literally impact the world because every penny goes towards church planting, evangelism, missions, and disaster relief right here in Texas. If we reach Texas, we’ll touch the world.”

The statewide challenge goal for 2016-2017 has been set at $1.45 million, and the Week of Prayer and Emphasis is September 18-25. Resources to promote the Reach Texas Offering in your church, including videos, bulletin inserts and Bible study curriculum are available for download at sbtexas.com/reachtexas. Churches can also order printed copies of this year’s prayer guide at the website.