Author: Russell Lightner

5 minutes with Caleb Turner

Caleb Turner became senior pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church this summer following the retirement of his father, Terry M. Turner, founder of the church. In the five years prior to his father’s retirement, Turner served in a variety of roles at the church, most recently as co-pastor for two years. Turner and his wife, Tamera, have three sons: Caden, 14; Cason, 10; and Camden, 6.

What is something you’ve been able to celebrate at Mesquite Friendship Baptist lately?

Exponential growth over the last few months. It’s a good problem to have. We ran out of parking. We are thinking through what to do in our building and in the area around us. We are grateful for an explosion of baptisms and attendance. We did two services for over 20 years. COVID brought us back down to one. Personally, I really like the atmosphere, the family feeling, of one service. When we went back to one service, we found there were people who had attended Mesquite Friendship for 10 or 15 years, went to two separate services, and did not know they were even part of the same church family. For as long as I can, I plan on knocking down walls and building a balcony before we go back to two services.

What have been some of the biggest challenges in your ministry lately?

Spiritual development. Just the discipleship process, finding ways to fully implement it churchwide. It’s a difficult thing to do. The more you grow, the more you have the desire to see people grow spiritually.

What’s one lesson you’ve learned to this point of your ministry you know you’ll never forget?

How to love people through your own adversity. One day I was having a hard time emotionally and somebody gave me a call from the church and needed to talk. Just learning how to balance the reality of where I am with pastoring people even when I am sometimes hurting myself.

What’s one thing you want to see God do specifically at Mesquite Friendship this year?

We have decided for the next six months to be more intentional in our approach to reaching the community. One thing I would like to see is the Lord saving more lost people. I’d like to see the Lord prepare us to be more receptive to folks who don’t look like us, think like us, dress like us, and to see a greater increase in the lost coming to be part of Mesquite Friendship.

How can the other churches of the SBTC be praying for you?

I was first called to preach at 22. My prayer was that the Lord would give me wisdom to lead. I knew I would be placed in positions where I might be the youngest person. I don’t think that’s any longer the case. Just wisdom, that’s been my continual prayer. Wisdom and that God would always be glorified in everything we do.

Pastor, wife leave familiar surroundings to plant church in Brazoria

Trading comfort for a new calling

After 40 years of service to the Lord, including 12 as a pastor, Rey Cantú was called by God to plant Iglesia Bautista La Esperanza in Brazoria, located in the building of a church that closed prior to the global pandemic.

Cantú said people did not understand why, after a long career in ministry, he and his family would leave everything behind to start over. Leaving Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida in Freeport, where he had served since 1982, seemed like a step backward to many.

But not Cantú.

“I am not here to progress, but for the gospel to progress,” Cantú said.

Nueva Vida was where Cantú experienced his first call to pastoral ministry. On multiple occasions, the church found itself without a pastor and church leaders asked Cantú if he would be interested in stepping into the lead pastor role. He declined the first two times, feeling it wasn’t in God’s timing for him to serve as the full-time pastor, but agreed to serve as the church’s interim pastor. However, after the position came open again, and after six months of prayer, Cantú sensed the Lord calling him to accept the full-time role—beginning a 12-year journey leading the church.

Cantú spent those years working hard for the Lord, watering the gospel seeds planted by the church with sweat, tears, and prayer. That hard work was slowed significantly when Cantú became ill with COVID. The virus hit him so hard, he was forced to spend three months in bed. What could have been a discouraging time instead led to a transforming experience with God.

Even as he struggled to breathe, Cantú often went out onto his porch to talk to the Lord. “You have given me another chance to live,” Cantú would pray. “What do you want me to do?” He began to feel a change was on the horizon, and he would tell God, “I am ready for any change.” He assumed that change would happen at his current church.

But the Lord had another plan—for Cantú to plant a new gospel work at a location that Nueva Vida had once helped, but which had since closed.

“I didn’t know anything about church planting, but I obeyed His call,” Cantú said.

“The SBTC conference opened doors for us to partner in the kingdom of God, as we learned there how they supported church planting.”

—Rey Cantú Tweet

Cantú hadn’t yet shared with his wife, Juanita, what he felt like God was calling him to until a trip to a church planting and revitalization conference hosted by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Juanita initially did not understand why they would leave an established ministry where they had worked so hard for so many years. Her heart changed during the conference, however, when several women who had been a part of church plants shared testimonies of how they’d seen God work even as He moved them from location to location.

In the midst of those testimonies, Juanita thought, “I have not suffered compared to these women.” Then she offered her “yes” to the Lord.

Said Cantú: “The SBTC conference opened doors for us to partner in the kingdom of God, as we learned there how they supported church planting …. That’s where we saw God’s hand and His plan evolving.”

Upon returning from the conference, Cantú shared the new calling on his family’s life with Nueva Vida’s deacons. Together, they prayed and spent the next six months preparing the church for the transition. That included restoring the decaying building where the new church plant would be located. Other pastors in the area—many of whom Cantú knew through serving as president of the Gulf Coast Baptist Association’s Hispanic Fellowship—committed to pray and even offered to help with getting the new church off the ground.

Six months after they began renovations, Iglesia Bautista La Esperanza held its first service on Sept. 28, 2022. Two families were in attendance that day. Since the beginning, Cantú and his wife have made it their mission to visit homes in areas of Brazoria with the greatest needs. As a result of that work, God has continued to bring families and people from different backgrounds and cultures to experience Him moving in their lives. About 40 people regularly attend the church.

“God has been very generous with us,” Cantú said, noting many of the miraculous provisions that have helped La Esperanza do ministry. In one instance, a couple of neighboring churches provided not only supplies for a vacation Bible school, but a van to transport children.

La Esperanza opens its doors at 5 a.m. on Mondays for prayer, Wednesday evenings for Bible study, and Sundays for children’s and youth Bible classes in English, as well as a bilingual worship service. Cantú said the church seeks to be a beacon of light for Brazoria, proclaiming the hope they can find in Jesus. In a population of 3,000 people and 800 Hispanics, mostly Catholic, they have been able to share that light.

“There is a lot of brokenness, broken families that are hurting,” Cantú said, “but we pray that God will allow us to have a good relationship with the [community] and the families that attend the church who have not given their lives to Christ yet.”

Putting prayer back into its proper place

his past fall, God began to stir in my heart to host prayer retreats for pastors who are hungry for Him to move in a fresh way both personally and in their churches. This summer, we hosted two retreats with the support and assistance of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

Both of these retreats—each an incredible 48 hours dedicated to prayer—were at capacity, with a waiting list of pastors desiring to attend. In these days together, we set time aside for personal spiritual renewal, repentance, and reflection. Each pastor was given uninterrupted time to personally commune with the Lord in prayer and the Word. God used that time in a powerful way, because we know the spiritual health of a pastor will directly impact the spiritual health of the church.

The retreat also included a corporate prayer meeting at the host church. The first retreat was held at New Beginnings in Longview where I serve, and the second at First Baptist Church Forney, where Nathan Lino is the senior pastor. This night of prayer not only served as a model for how to lead a prayer meeting, but also as a time to experience the power of God’s presence in a corporate setting. Additionally, we received some practical teaching from Lino, Fielder Church Lead Pastor Jason Paredes, SBTC Executive Director Nathan Lorick, and myself on personal prayer habits, preparing for a prayer meeting, and how to design an impactful prayer service.

Here are a couple of my takeaways from the retreats:

Personal prayerlessness is not an issue of time, but pride.

If we are too busy to pray, then we have bought into the lie that we can lead our ministries without the power of the Holy Spirit. What I have learned is if I am not careful, I will spend the majority of my time preparing the ministry but not the minister. This causes me to lead from a place of anxiety, exhaustion, and frustration. But when I prioritize personal prayer, it allows me to lead from an overflow of the Spirit’s work in my life. When my personal prayer life is vibrant, it impacts my whole congregation.

Corporate prayer must become the activity of first importance.

Throughout the book of Acts, you see that prayer was the highest priority within the local church. Every great movement of God through the early church was born out of corporate prayer. As we have elevated programs and strategies, we have programmed and strategized prayer out of our churches. Corporate prayer has now been minimized to brief moments in our ministries rather than the fuel that propels its movement. As a result, we are seeing declining attendance, fewer conversions and baptisms, and—most alarmingly—congregations lacking Holy Spirit power.

I want to encourage pastors to attend one of our retreats. The next retreat will be held at New Beginnings in Longview on Oct. 10-12. Limited spots are available, so register now at PastorPrayerRetreat.org. Let’s humble ourselves and prioritize prayer like never before, anticipating the great things God will do in us and though us!

Lone Star Scoop • August 2023

Former SBTC president Turner retires from Mesquite Friendship

MESQUITE After 32 years of faithful ministry at the church he founded, Terry M. Turner stepped down as pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist at the end of June 2023. The congregation celebrated Turner’s 32nd anniversary as pastor with a special church service on Sunday, June 25.

At the service, Alex Gonzales, SBTC church health and leadership associate, presented Turner with a gift from the convention. Daniel Alemán Jr., mayor of Mesquite, announced the street leading into the church’s property will be named Dr. Terry M. Turner Drive by the city.

Turner was further honored by his church with the title of pastor emeritus.

The prior evening, Turner and his wife, Nancy, were celebrated at a banquet at the church. Tony Mathews, SBTC senior strategist of missional ministries, spoke at the event.

Turner spent a decade as pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in his hometown of Guthrie, Okla., before moving to Dallas to attend Dallas Theological Seminary. While there, he earned two master’s degrees and a Doctor of Ministry. He was recruited by Town East Baptist Church to start Mesquite Friendship as an outreach to the African American community in Mesquite. With his wife, who earned a Th.M. from DTS and a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Turner has served the church and community well.

The Turners have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Turner’s son Caleb succeeded him as pastor of Mesquite Friendship on July 1. As pastor emeritus, Terry Turner will remain involved in marriage and bereavement counseling at the church while continuing to pursue writing projects and genealogy research.

—Jane Rodgers

Bowman accepts call to lead SBC prayer effort

NASHVILLE Kie Bowman has been tapped to lead a prayer assignment given to the SBC Executive Committee (EC).

“Our scope in the prayer assignment is enormous and so are our possibilities. With nearly 50,000 churches, and over 6,000 missionaries on the field in North America and around the world, we have a lot to pray about,” Bowman said.

The additional ministry assignment given to the EC in 2021 instructs it to, “Assist churches through elevating the ministry of prayer [and] provide strategic leadership to lift up and promote coordinated prayer for spiritual awakening, ministry effectiveness, and the completion of the Great Commission.”

In addition to creating prayer resources, Bowman says he intends to “host training events and powerful prayer gatherings led by recognized SBC prayer leaders.”

Bowman retired in March 2023 from Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, where he served for 26 years. The Alaska native has written seven books and contributed to 13 others.

—Baptist Press

Busy summer brings blessings for SBTC DR

SBTC DR volunteers have spent a busy summer serving the Lord. Summer storms led SBTC DR to send volunteers to Winona, Hardin and Jefferson counties, Amarillo, Hawkins, Winnsboro, Spring, and Perryton. Volunteers also deployed to Bloomburg and Rotan, N.M., following tornadoes.

Additionally, SBTC DR completed work overseas in partnership with the Ukranian Baptist Union, associations, and churches, serving 12,000 refugees in shelters. SBTC DR provided eight loads of food shipped into Ukraine, helped purchase a vehicle to transport supplies into Ukraine, and helped provide $50,000 of generators for Ukraine.

“God has truly blessed the ministry of SBTC DR volunteers,” SBTC DR Director Scottie Stice said, adding that reports from the border, where West Brownsville Baptist and Pastor Carlos Navarro are actively ministering, have also been a blessing.

“On July 9, Carlos officiated funerals for two Venezuelan immigrants who were tragically killed by a driver who drove through a group of immigrants,” Stice said. “Carlos was able to bless the families of these migrants and reported 21 professions of faith at the funerals.”

—Jane Rodgers

Invest & Release

CrossCreek’s approach aims to multiply disciples, churches, leaders

rossCreek Church member Kyle Phillips, 67, grew up in a church heavy on community but light on Bible study. She accepted Christ as a teenager and a decade later, expecting her first child, fell in love with God’s Word.

“When I realized what I was missing, I was just like a sponge,” Phillips said. She and her husband, Jim, came to CrossCreek (then First Baptist Colleyville) 35 years ago. When Senior Pastor Craig Etheredge and Spiritual Development Pastor Glenn Underhill started the Grow Series discipleship training at the church in 2017, she was among the first recruits.

“The pastor picked the pilot group. He needed people who would turn and teach others,” Phillips said.

The Grow Series, a 21-week intensive three-book study authored by Etheredge, emphasizes knowing God and making disciples. Etheredege notes a high percentage of the church’s adults have participated in Grow Series groups and gone on to disciple others—even outside the church.

For Phillips, the series was transformative, and she has led 18 women’s groups since 2017. Of the 61 women who have participated with her, nearly half have gone on to lead groups of their own.

“The Grow Series is duplicable,” Phillips said. While she prefers the group dynamic, she has also done one-on-one discipleship using the program, as she has done with Ann.

Kyle and Jim met Ann and her husband on a cruise and struck up a friendship. One day, Ann admitted she struggled with anxiety. “I have no peace,” she said.

“I just listened and prayed,” Phillips recalled. After the cruise, Ann and Kyle stayed in touch. Eventually, Kyle phoned her friend and reminded her of that longing for peace. Would Ann be interested in studying the book of John? The answer was yes, and Kyle sent Ann a copy of the small booklet Explore, a precursor to the Grow Series that focuses on Christ.

The ladies completed Explore together over the phone, and Ann asked Kyle if they could do another study together. Ann also began attending church with her husband. During the second week of the Grow Series, Ann asked Jesus to be her Savior.

She has since been through all three books and is now discipling a friend.

“I never want to stop investing in people,” Phillips said.

“Our process is the ‘hub and spoke’ approach. Our goal is to create hubs in key locations where they will spin off multiple churches.”

—Craig Etheredge Tweet

‘Investing in leaders and raising them up’

Underhill and Etheredge say the same. Etheredge came to CrossCreek as pastor 16 years ago and soon brought along Underhill, who also serves as executive director of DiscipleFIRST, a training organization affiliated with CrossCreek.

“When I first came and brought Glenn, there wasn’t a disciple-making philosophy of ministry at CrossCreek,” Etheredge said. They saw the need to develop a firmer foundation.

“For three years, we didn’t preach about discipleship. We just did it,” Etheredge explained. “We were investing in leaders and raising them up.”

As an outgrowth of the emphasis on discipleship, CrossCreek also embraced church planting. To date, the church has sponsored 16 disciple-making church plants in such locations as New York City, Israel, Canada, Burkina Faso, Pennsylvania, and Zambia—with plants in Nevada and Montana soon to follow.

“Our process is the ‘hub and spoke’ approach,” Etheredge said. “Our goal is to create hubs in key locations where they will spin off multiple churches.” Already, the pastors are seeing generational growth as “first-gen” plants are producing second- and even third-generation plants.

“Our philosophy is to invest and release, not attract and retain,” Etheredge said. “The CrossCreek residency program, launching officially this fall, will be built around making and deploying disciple-making leaders.” Paid residents will undergo training, work in the church, assist with plants, and serve in various ministries from youth work to guest services to adult programming.

‘Embracing the lifestyle of a disciple’

DiscipleFIRST arose as an outgrowth of the pastors’ emphasis on discipleship. In 2013, they held a conference for CrossCreek leaders, bringing in like-minded speakers. Pastors heard about the event and asked to attend.

Etheredge and Underhill soon developed materials as demand for the conferences increased. With attendees flying in from across the country, DiscipleFIRST began hosting conferences in cities such as Atlanta, Birmingham, and Houston.

The Grow Series developed from these events, and Etheredge and Underhill gradually replaced speakers with written material based on the intentional way Jesus developed His disciples.

Underhill describes the Grow Series as a fourfold pathway to discipleship that begins with Explore for the “irreligious and disengaged,” followed by other books designed, as their titles suggest, to help people learn how to Walk with God, Reach Their World, and Invest in a Few.

“We want to see them embrace the lifestyle of a disciple forever,” Underhill said. “Then they are ready to multiply.”

Etheredge offered the example of Zach, a high-level business leader on a corporate fast track. Underhill discipled Zack and a few other men. He invited Zach on a mission trip to Zambia, where Zach realized they were “fulfilling the Great Commission right now.” He left the corporate world, came on staff at CrossCreek, and discipled others, including Ben, who is now the DiscipleFIRST director of ministry partnership.

“We intentionally do not say one word about it in worship. … We want people to be invited into the process by someone God has placed on their hearts.”

—Glenn Underhill Tweet

Organic and unstoppable

With the Grow Series as the curriculum, discipleship at CrossCreek and in its plants is largely organic, Underhill emphasized.

“We have worked hard not to make it programmatic,” he said. “We intentionally do not say one word about it in worship. … We want people to be invited into the process by someone God has placed on their hearts.” As such, it can be hard to keep track of how many are discipling others.

In fact, the Grow Series has grown far beyond CrossCreek and DiscipleFIRST. Etheredge and Underhill admit they often hear of others outside the church using the material.

“We may never know this side of heaven,” Etheredge said of the numbers of those who have used the Grow Series. They do know more than 7,000 pastors and leaders have undergone face-to-face training. Factor in those who have attended webinars or used the publications and the number swells.

DiscipleFIRST now hosts 15-20 in-person trainings throughout the country annually, Underhill said, adding that it partners with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention as well as other Southern Baptist state conventions.

The SBTC was among DiscipleFIRST’s earliest partners, sponsoring and promoting conferences for Texas pastors and publishing Etheredge’s first book, Bold Moves, which details seven methods to make a church into a disciple-making congregation.

“The SBTC helped fan the flame,” Etheredge said. “We are very thankful.”

For more information on the Grow Series and DiscipleFIRST materials, visit disciplefirst.com.

25 years of answered prayer with Terry Turner

In November, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention will mark 25 years
of answered prayer at its Annual Meeting at Cross City Church in Euless.
Each month leading up to the meeting, the Texan will feature a brief conversation with past SBTC presidents about how they have seen God answer their prayers for the convention over the past quarter century and how they are praying God will bless the convention moving forward. This month, we feature past SBTC president Terry Turner (2011-2013).

What were some of your earliest prayers for the SBTC?

Praying for sound doctrine led me to affiliate our church with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) over 20 years ago. I observed how false interpretations of Scripture were invading Baptist life. In addition, some in the church world were changing and becoming inconsistent regarding biblical inerrancy and infallibility. With the rise of false doctrine, many teachers and preachers, who shifted with every wind of doctrine, were becoming the norm.

How have you seen God answer some of your prayers regarding the convention?

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and SBTC opened a door. This was an exciting time for preachers like me who were called to start new congregations across Texas and the nation. The SBC, state conventions, and local associations provided the guidance, support, and financial backing needed to accomplish church growth. Praying for racial inclusion meant people from all nations would need to be considered if our convention was going to look like heaven. I watched how prayers were answered as African Americans and other ethnic groups gained leadership positions across the spectrum in SBC life. We have come a long way in this area.

During your service as president, how were you praying for the convention?

Praying for humanitarian efforts has been a source of joy in many hopeless situations as I prayed for our convention efforts to relieve the suffering of those hit by tragedy. With delight, I have led our church to support the Cooperative Program for 32 years of this ministry. We have considered the world’s needs for clothing, food, water, and shelter, along with the destruction created by natural disasters which frequently disrupt the lives of entire towns, cities, and states. I am thankful for our disaster relief volunteers who serve as first, second, and third responders to meet the needs of victims of calamity.

What is your prayer for the next 25 years of the SBTC?

In recent months, the rhetoric in our nation surrounding racial equality has been disturbing to the point of destroying the faith of many regarding convention work. I pray for biblical unity among all Southern Baptists, especially for the SBTC because of the kingdom-building ministries I have grown to love. How “can two walk together, except they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3). May we always pray for spiritual unity, because prayer has made a difference in the continuation of sound doctrine despite all the attempts to change our biblical belief systems. Therefore, it has been my consistent prayer that the SBC, state conventions, and local associations would lead the way in race relationships because racial inequality and hatred are at the root of much sin in the church and America. “For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:20).

Serving the Lord faithfully, regardless of title or position

My family is serving on mission as a part of a church plant. I have no title or staff responsibilities. I am essentially a layperson seeking opportunities to help my church reach our community and support our pastor’s vision. It is such an honor to join others in this journey.

One of the greatest joys of my job as executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention is being able to connect with laypeople all across our state. These saints can be found in churches in every corner of Texas. I always love when one of these servants comes up to me when I’m speaking at their church and tells me of a story in the Texan that meant a lot to them. I love hearing their stories and their passion for the church they attend.

The laypeople who faithfully serve the Lord in our churches are really the backbone of the SBTC. Each week, they are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission. They give of their time and sacrificially tithe to reach Texas and impact the world. I want to say a special thanks to all of you who serve the Lord without a title or position. You simply do this out of an overflow of your love for Jesus. I am grateful for you utilizing your gifts for the kingdom and for coming alongside your pastor to reach your community. I also want to thank you for being a part of the SBTC.

One of my favorite events the SBTC hosts each year is the EQUIP conference. It is coming up in August at Sagemont Church in Houston. The reason I love this event so much is because it is geared toward equipping laypeople. There are a ton of conferences and seminars for pastors and staff leaders, but EQUIP is planned with the lay leader in mind. We will connect with lay leadership from churches across Texas and come together for an incredible day of equipping and encouragement. If you want some practical tools to help in the area you serve, make plans to be at EQUIP. I hope to see you there.

I love you and it is an honor to serve you as you serve Jesus!

Building back better

Generosity—expressed through labor and good stewardship—helps Central Texas church rebuild after 2022 tornado

ess than a year after an EF-3 tornado destroyed First Cedar Valley Baptist Church, the Central Texas congregation has built back better thanks to good stewardship of God’s resources and the generosity of God’s people.

After the April 12, 2022, tornado struck, the building suffered so much structural damage it had to be torn down. About all that was left of the building was its slab foundation and a large cross that was anchored to it.

Tears trickled down Pastor Donnie Jackson’s face as he viewed the aftermath. He had grown up in the church and saw a lifetime of memories destroyed.

But First Cedar Valley—located 11 miles west of Salado—pushed on. That Easter, the church held outdoor services on the bare slab less than a week after the tornado. Efforts to rebuild had already begun.

‘God’s people came through’

Almost immediately after the storm, Jackson received “tons of phone calls.”

“I was there [at the church property] daylight to dark fielding so many phone calls,” Jackson said. “I could not remember everyone who had called. So many churches. So many people.”

The church was insured, Jackson said, and the insurance company advanced funds quickly as a partial settlement so reconstruction could begin. The property was soon cleared of downed trees and debris. A church member and proprietor of a commercial building company arranged for onsite storage for whatever could be salvaged by volunteers and workers.

By early May 2022, that church member’s crews had erected a temporary air-conditioned building that would seat 78 so the church could hold services indoors. A week or so later, construction on the new permanent facility began.

As manpower assembled from inside and outside the church, donations poured in as well, Jackson said.

“It was unbelievable how the churches and others stepped forward,” he said.

“People poured out their love for us. Ours is a story of how God used people. So many helped us in so many ways. God touches the hearts of people. This has been such a blessing to us as a church and to me as a pastor.”

—Donnie Jackson Tweet

Substantial checks arrived from other congregations. Old friends, acquaintances, and even strangers contributed. A contractor who specializes in large-scale commercial electrical work offered to supply not only the inside electrical work but also outdoor lighting and parking lot poles—items not included in previous bids from others.

When it came time to sign the contract, Jackson was astonished to note the charges. “It was all zeroes. We didn’t owe a dime,” the pastor said. “These are the kind of people God sent our way. … God’s people came through.”

The church has literally built back better, Jackson said, noting that 14 feet has been added to the back of the worship center that now seats 250. Sunday school and office space also was expanded. While the old building was around 8,000 square feet, the new facility is 10,000 square feet with another 25,000 square feet of concrete parking.

Space isn’t the only thing increasing.

Attendance, which had begun to rise after Jackson assumed the pulpit full time in March 2020 and suffered a decline during COVID, is climbing again. More than 65 regularly attend, and special Sundays like Easter and Mother’s Day draw more than 100. Younger families are coming. Almost every Sunday brings new visitors.

“I will be baptizing five over the next few weeks,” Jackson said. Referring to his own pre-pandemic health issues, Jackson said he intends to continue leading the church. “As long as the Lord allows me to keep on keeping on, I will. It’s in His hands. Even our next breath is in His hands. Whatever He allows me to do I will do.”

“The tornado put our little village on the map. ... it’s a blessing to see your people grow so much in the faith. We went through it together.”

—Donnie Jackson Tweet

‘We packed it out’

Remarkably, construction progressed at such a pace that the church began to occupy the new facilities on Dec. 23, 2022. The official dedication was held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, almost one year to the day of the tornado.

Gov. Greg Abbott, who had come to Cedar Valley to offer support in the immediate aftermath of the tornado, attended the dedication, as did first responders, area dignitaries, and representatives from other churches.

“We invited the churches that helped us and had been praying for us. Many had sent funds or made donations of chairs and other items,” said Jackson. “We held [the dedication] on a Saturday so these pastors and their members could attend and not take away from their worship services. Everybody was invited to be a part of it. … We packed it out.”

The cross from the former building is in the new building, as are an 1800s-era Bible and a commemorative plate inscribed with a Bible verse. The items survived the tornado unscathed and are now in the new main foyer. Another larger cross, damaged during the storm and repaired, hangs in the worship center.

“People poured out their love for us. Ours is a story of how God used people,” Jackson said. “ … So many helped us in so many ways. God touches the hearts of people. This has been such a blessing to us as a church and to me as a pastor.

“The tornado put our little village on the map,” he added. “Besides the additional numbers of people coming, it’s a blessing to see your people grow so much in the faith. We went through it together.”

‘Investment in ministry is just glorious’

Fairdale Baptist Church in Hemphill is sending its dollars—and people—to assist a nearby Hispanic congregation

Years ago, leaders at Fairdale Baptist Church recognized a couple of noteworthy things related to their budget:

1. They knew they needed to formally create a reserve fund to tackle any big-expense emergencies that might arise, such as the church’s air conditioning going out (which, in Texas, definitely constitutes an emergency).

2. They recognized the church had been carrying a large sum of money totaling in the low six figures in its general reserve fund that was going unused each year.

Fairdale addressed the first issue as many churches do—by creating a reserve fund and contributing to it. But the church chose to do something unique to address the second issue and, because of it, Fairdale is having a kingdom impact by making a gospel investment in other churches in the region.

Rather than continuing to leave the money sitting dormant in its own account, Fairdale opted to invest those funds with the Southern Baptists of Texas Foundation—a ministry partner of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention that, in turn, works with churches in areas including investments, stewardship assessments, church lending, and financial consulting. Fairdale’s decision to work with the foundation, however, came a twist: the church opted not to keep the interest earned from its investments, but instead directed the foundation to pass it along to support other Hispanic churches in the area, including a church with which it already had a relationship—Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana in Jasper, about 40 miles southwest of Hemphill.

“The biggest thing we talked about was, as a church, we’re not in the business of being a bank. We have to be about working for the Lord, and we saw those funds just sitting there that could easily be used to help ministry efforts elsewhere.”

—Fairdale Pastor JR McDonald Tweet

“The biggest thing we talked about was, as a church, we’re not in the business of being a bank. We’re not in the business of just holding funds here that wouldn’t be used,” Fairdale Pastor JR McDonald said. “We have to be about working for the Lord, and we saw those funds just sitting there that could easily be used to help ministry efforts elsewhere.”

Primera’s pastor, Enrique Perez, said his congregation is relatively small, full of people who work hard and want to reach people for Christ in their community. Like so many other congregations, COVID significantly impacted the church. Perez said he tries to stay connected to those who were attending regularly before the pandemic but have not quite made it back yet. At the same time, he and the church strive to connect to new people in the community.

“We want Christ to be known in our community,” Perez said. “The only way to do that is to reach people where they are.”

That’s why Fairdale’s gospel partnership with Primera has meant so much. Perez said Fairdale has supported Primera’s work since his arrival there in 2005. That partnership is measured not merely in dollars, but in human capital. Each year, Fairdale sends a group of its members to Primera to help put on vacation Bible school.

"You talk about returns in the stock market, but when it comes to kingdom work, investment in ministry is just glorious. That really excites us."

—JR McDonald Tweet

Meanwhile, interest funds from Fairdale’s investment with the foundation are added to a fund that Primera will use to construct a new building to replace its aging facility. Even as it saves for the future, Primera continues to pour into other gospel work. Perez said his church sent 250 Bibles to two churches in Mexico earlier this year and a few months later provided funds to a gospel partner to provide sandals and Spanish Bible tracts to the mountainous region in Oaxaca.

“I cannot put into words what [Fairdale’s partnership] has meant,” Perez said. “It’s just amazing. Fairdale is the most mission-minded church in our area. If there’s another church that has a bigger heart, I’m not aware of it.”

Milton Hamilton, a Fairdale deacon, is among those who have helped with Bible schools and other outreaches at Primera. He and his wife, Rosemary, have become so invested in Primera’s mission, they recently decided to answer a call from the Lord to leave Fairdale—where they have been members since the mid-2000s—to join the Hispanic congregation. They are learning how to speak Spanish and plan on making the transition this summer.

“They’re a small congregation … but they’re just sweet, loving Christian people,” Hamilton said. “I told JR, ‘God is calling Rosemary and me to a foreign mission field, but it’s only 40 miles away.’”

That’s a different kind of investment, but a kingdom investment nonetheless. The significance of the financial and human investment in congregations other than its own has energized Fairdale, McDonald said.

“We’re actually investing in ministry,” he said. “That to me sounds like a winning scenario for investment. You talk about returns in the stock market, but when it comes to kingdom work, investment in ministry is just glorious. That really excites us.”

Setbacks? Call them setups for a comeback

After seasons of adversity, FBC Vidor cuts ribbon on recovery center for women

he story of the Women’s Care Center, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Vidor and its non-profit partner, Main Street Ministries, is one of perseverance and faithful pursuit.

When the ceremonial ribbon was cut in front of the center on June 4, it marked the latest point on a timeline that stretches back more than a decade. That chronology includes two historic storms, a global pandemic, and more God moments than one can count.

But first, the specifics: the center will provide a safe, sober-living environment that can house up to 10 to 12 women at a time. Those women will spend their days working through a 12-step recovery program to help with substance abuse issues, receiving support, guidance, and Biblical counseling, and—most importantly—hearing the saving message of Jesus Christ.

During a ceremony at the church prior to the ribbon cutting, FBC Vidor Pastor Terry Wright challenged his congregation to commit to loving and serving the women God will bring to the center. “Lord,” he prayed, “we commit to having the compassion you have, the love you have, and the desire you have to see lives changed.”

About 13 years ago, Wright was invited by Nathan Lorick, SBTC’s evangelism director at the time who now serves as its executive director, to join a group of pastors on a vision trip to Florida. The group visited First Baptist Church of Leesburg and its pastor, Charles Roesel, who led the church to start a number of ministries aimed at meeting practical needs that would open doors to sharing the gospel in the community. Among those ministries was a women’s shelter funded partially by a thrift store.

Upon returning home from the trip, Wright challenged leaders in his church and at Main Street Ministries to pray about starting a similar ministry to serve not only Vidor, but Southeast Texas and beyond. The church already owned a 12,000-square-foot building donated by James Moore, a deacon from nearby First Baptist Church of Groves, who gave an additional $65,000 to help renovate the building for ministry purposes. Soon after, God began to provide leadership to start a center for women, and a thrift store was opened to help provide funding.

Progress, however, was halted in 2017 with the arrival of Hurricane Harvey, which put more than half of the city of Vidor under water. In 2019, work was slowed by Tropical Storm Imelda, and the following year brought the COVID-19 pandemic that once again hindered efforts to open the center. A rare freeze in 2021 caused pipes to burst in the building that would house the center, leading to yet another remodeling project.

“It just seemed like there were so many catastrophes, but God is so good in His timing. He always sees the big picture, and His timing is perfect.”

—Cara Freeman, FBC Vidor’s director of women’s ministry Tweet

“It just seemed like there were so many catastrophes,” said Cara Freeman, FBC Vidor’s director of women’s ministry, “but God is so good in His timing. He always sees the big picture, and His timing is perfect.”

What felt like discouraging delays at the time opened other doors of opportunity, including allowing time for the hiring of Women’s Care Center Program Director Gena Rogers. Rogers’ personal testimony includes watching family members struggle with substance abuse. She will be joined at the center by a couple of other employees, as well as volunteers from the church who will be called upon to minister to the women who come to the center.

“We pray that God uses the Women’s Care Center to change the lives of women and their families,” Rogers said. “We want them to have a personal relationship with God and give Him all the glory.”