October 29, 2001
Institutions show wide scope of BGCT ministries
___By Ferrell Foster
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--A parade of flags, banners and signs portrayed the scope of Baptist General Convention of Texas ministries through the 23 institutions affiliated with the statewide body.
___Adoptive and maternity services, educational ministry, elder care, chaplaincy, child and family services, health care and student ministry placards were carried around the arena of the Dallas Convention Center Monday evening, Oct. 29, at the BGCT annual session.
___BGCT messengers stood and applauded the 23 institution presiden
___Last year, the 23 institutions ministered directly to about 2 million people, Bruce said.
___Craig Turner, who became president of Hardin-Simmons University in June, said he received a letter addressed to his office two weeks after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. The person expressed sympathy of behalf of other Germans for the national tragedy. She attended HSU in 1958 and 1959 and said: "It changed my life. I went back a Christian, a different person."
___"The impact we have on students is tremendous," Turner said.
___During a string of other presentations, Texas Baptists heard of several ways in which the BGCT is impacting lives.
___Charles Pruett, president of the Baptist Church Loan Corp., announced that through December 2002, his agency will provide loans to churches at 1 percent below the prime rate. At the current prime, that puts the loan rate at 4.5 percent.
___The Baptist Church Loan Corp. "is ready to do its part with loan interest rates," Pruett aid. "Do your part" by starting a new church and "financing it through us."
___Don Guthrie, pastor of First Baptist Church in San Antonio, told how Texas Baptist Financial Services has helped his church finance building projects. The church has sold $4.2 million in bonds, most to church members.
___Guthrie said Ivan Potter, president of Texas Baptist Financial Services, has become like a member of the church. Potter has provided wise, patient and compelling help in the financing process, he said.
___Lynn Craft, president of the Baptist Foundation of Texas, said that organization has an impact on lives through the institutions for which it manages funds.
___Crystal Halo told of how the Baptist Youth Ranch in Luling, supported through the foundation, has changed her life. She had "been through a lot in life" and "used to look for trouble" before going to the ranch.
___"I am different because the grace of God changed me," Halo said. She learned to get control of her life through her work in horse training on the ranch. "God has been working with me since I came to the ranch."
___Convention messengers also heard from the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas on Monday evening. President Antonio Estrada said Hispanic Baptist people have dreams, goals and objectives. "We are giving 10 percent more to the Cooperative Program for the glory of God."
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