Posted: 10/31/03
BGCT to meet next week in Lubbock
By Ken Camp
Texas Baptist Communications
Messengers from many of the 5,700 congregations affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas will consider a proposed $45.8 million budget for 2004 and elect a full slate of officers when they meet Nov. 10-11 in Lubbock.
“Your Church–Advancing God's Kingdom” is the theme of the 118th annual session of the state convention to be held at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.
General business sessions of the BGCT will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 and from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 11. A missions emphasis program is scheduled at 7 p.m. Nov. 10.
Before and between general sessions, messengers and guests will have access to a wide range of special-interest conferences.
During business sessions, messengers will consider a recommended $45,800,960 total budget for next year, a 10 percent decrease from the 2003 budget.
The $39.77 million Cooperative Program portion of the budget is a 14 percent drop from the 2003 giving goal of $46,243,902, but it is in line with projected income for 2004, according to David Nabors, BGCT treasurer and chief financial officer.
More than half the $39.77 million recommended Cooperative Program giving plan is budgeted for institutional ministries, including $15 million for 23 schools, hospitals, child and family care ministries and homes for the aging. It also includes $3.8 million for collegiate ministries through Baptist Student Ministry programs on about 100 campuses and $3.4 million for theological education.
The proposed 2004 Cooperative Program budget includes $4.64 million for the BGCT Church Missions and Evangelism Section, including about $1.26 million for new-church support.
During the business sessions, messengers also will consider charter changes for Hispanic Baptist Theological School in San Antonio, authorizing the insititution to change its name to Baptist University of the Americas.
In other business, convention messengers will elect a new slate of officers. Bob Campbell, pastor of Westbury Baptist Church in Houston, is completing his second one-year term as president and is ineligible for re-election. First Vice President Rudy Camacho of Fort Worth and Second Vice President Debbie Ferrier of San Antonio also are completing traditional one-year terms.
Three nominees for top offices have been announced, including two denominational agency presidents and a past president of the Texas Baptist African American Fellowship.
Ken Hall, president of Buckner Baptist Benevolences, will be nominated for president by his pastor, Jim Denison of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. Hall has served as Buckner's chief executive officer 10 years. Previously, he was pastor of churches in Longview, Midland, Gatesville and Stephenville.
Albert Reyes, president of Hispanic Baptist Theological School, will be nominated for first vice president by his pastor, Charlie Johnson of Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.
Dennis Young, founding pastor of Missouri City Baptist Church near Houston, will be nominated for second vice president by Marvin Delaney, pastor of South Park Baptist Church in Houston.
This year's BGCT annual meeting features a streamlined schedule, with fewer reports in general business sessions. Instead, BGCT program areas will be highlighted in more than 50 “learning and sharing” breakout conferences that begin at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 10.
Workshops include an open forum with convention officers, a forum with leaders of WorldconneX, and topics such as “Rethinking Blended Worship: Diversity in a Changing Culture,” “Your Total Church Doing Total Missions,” “Making Smart Financial Decisions at Your Local Church,” “Strategies for Tomorrow's Church Leaders” and “No One Looks Good in a Legal Suit: Keeping Your Church Out of Court.”
The 123rd annual meeting of Woman's Missionary Union of Texas will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at First Baptist Church of Lubbock. “Tell the Generations” is the theme of the meeting.
The Texas Baptist Men Convention will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9, in the theater of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. “Men … Advancing God's Kingdom” is the theme of the convention, and key business includes the election of officers. Andy Andreason of McGregor is completing his term as president.
For more information about the annual session program, visit www.bgct.org.
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