October 29, 2001

People should 'get a good look at Jesus'
through Texas Baptists, Wade says
___By Scott Collins
___For Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--Texas Baptists must accept a "challenge worthy of our lives," Charles Wade told messengers to the annual session of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Oct. 29.
___Wade, executive director of the BGCT, introduced the convention's new mission statement, which calls for the BGCT to be "the presence of Christ in the world."

BGCT ANNUAL MEETING: Little controversy in BGCT business Messengers approve $47.5 million budget Glazener says BGCT must 'shine and serve' Historical Society hears about 'chapel cars' Changes approved for HBU, Buckner Institutions show wide scope of BGCT ministries Light Up Dallas leads hundreds to Christ Partnership Missions helping start churches in Minnesota-Wisconsin Messengers hear report on Missions-sending committeee Motions on 2000 BF&M, giving forms fail Houston Pastor Bob Campbell new BGCT president Wade: Texas Baptits should let people 'get a good look at Jesus' WMU board approves objectives SBTC ANNUAL MEETING: SBTC marks fourth year, approves $8.9 million budget

___The mission statement, he explained, comes from the words of Jesus, who told his followers, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
___To illustrate the kind of commitment this mission requires, he cited the willingness of rescue workers in New York City to risk their lives by charging into falling buildings the morning of Sept. 11. "More 300 of these brave heroes died in fulfilling their mission. But thousands were saved because they were there."
___It is that kind of willingness to be present in the face of challenge that Wade called Texas Baptists to exhibit.
___Jesus met the disciples' fear with a challenge, Wade said. "This is just like God. He comforts, to be sure, but he calls us forward. Indeed, you could say that he comforts by calling us forward.
___"Here is the challenge worthy of our lives: 'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' That means we are to go into the world as Jesus came into the world--sent," Wade said.
___"We are on mission. God sent Jesus to be the first missionary of the gospel," he continued. "God sent him from heaven to earth to save a rebellious and needy people. In the same way, Jesus sends us into the world."
___As Christians go into the world, they do so "in the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot, never have been able to, do the work of God in the world in our own power. We are Holy Spirit people or we are not his people."
___Being the presence of Christ in the world under the power of the Holy Spirit also means Texas Baptists must follow Jesus' example of sacrifice, Wade asserted.
___"Our assignment is to be the presence of Christ in the world in such a way that people get a good look at Jesus. We want them to be drawn to him. We grieve that those who love their own righteousness, or won't make up their mind about who Jesus is, or have given their soul to evil will turn away. But we do not quit loving. We keep pointing to Christ, proclaiming his gospel and being open every day to his work in us, cleansing and shaping and growing us up to be like him."

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