Posted: 10/26/07
Texas Baptists launch young leaders network
By John Hall
Texas Baptists Communications
AUSTIN—The Baptist General Convention of Texas recently started a young leaders network in an effort to encourage Baptists younger than 40 in their efforts to strengthen churches.
The Texas Baptist Young Professional Leaders Network has had 160 people connect with it in its first five months of existence. Many of the members are connected through Facebook, an online social networking site popular with college students and recent graduates.
The group is scheduling a series of dinners around the state where 20-something young adults gather to discuss Baptists beliefs and reasons they are Baptists. Then they brainstorm ways they can strengthen Baptist churches.
“Demographics indicate that significant numbers of people 18 to 34 are leaving the church, but many young people are drawn to historic Baptist principles,” said Alexis Cooper, who is helping form the network. “This growing group of talented professionals has the potential to be the spark that ignites a revival across the state that could radically change the world around us. And we’d like to see that God-given potential realized.”
The network is focused on developing and empowering lay leaders and building connections between young adults. As a result of early discussions with these young adults, some of them plan to attend the New Baptist Covenant Celebration in Atlanta, Ga., together in January 2008.
“When we come together, we learn from each other,’ Cooper said. “Hopefully, we take what we learn and use that to strengthen the ministry of our congregations.”
For more information, call (888) 244-9400 or e-mail Alexis.Cooper@bgct.org.
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