TOGETHER: Two events need prayer & support

Posted: 3/16/07

TOGETHER:
Two events need prayer & support

Two events just ahead need your prayers and support.

First, please pray for the Missions Exchange gathering at Truett Seminary in April. About 100 invitations have gone out to representatives of the churches, institutions, associations, mission organizations and staff who relate to the BGCT. We want to encourage greater collaboration on the part of all our partners in this convention as we engage our Texas resources—people and money, passion and experience, organizational strength and creative energy—to touch Texas and the world. The results of this conversation will be publicized and will be used to shape the program and activities of the annual meeting in Amarillo this fall so that all Texas Baptists can be involved in this mission synergy.

Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

Please pray God will be present at this Missions Exchange and the participants will be truly attentive.

Second, a call has gone out to Baptists across North America to gather in Atlanta Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2008, for the celebration of the New Baptist Covenant. Baptists will be challenged to hear and follow Jesus’ agenda: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).

We Baptists are nothing if we are not Jesus people. We want to be about his work.

The other thing that excites me is that this will be the first time the rich heritage of American Baptist life in both its African-American and Anglo expressions will be celebrated in one place at one time. Anglo Baptists separated in 1845, largely because of differing views regarding slavery. The African-American Baptist experience moved along in a separate manner and flourished in a most remarkable way.

Baptists don’t agree on everything. But we do agree that we ought to be about what Jesus was about. On that we can speak with a strong and united voice. And can’t you just imagine how glorious the times of worship will be!

The two criticisms I have heard about this call to Atlanta revolve around the fear that it will be a partisan political event. I have been assured that strong Baptists who are both Republican and Democrat will be heard in prominent fashion at this meeting. The topics on which all will speak will be in regard to the issues related to the Jesus agenda and not partisan politics.

The other criticism has revolved around concerns regarding President Clinton’s involvement and his widely publicized misconduct during his time as president. I recall viewing a pastors’ conference at the Willow Creek Church in Chicago where Clinton repented and expressed sorrow for the harm he had brought to his family and the country. He asked for their prayers.

We Baptists believe in repentance, sorrow for sin, forgiveness, grace and the opportunity to serve Christ again. My mother was from Arkansas, and no one hoped more for Clinton’s presidency nor was more disappointed by his behavior. We can identify with her pain. Can we also pray that God will redeem brokenness and bring usefulness to all our lives?

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and see if we can’t help people across America see that he is the One who has called us to follow him, and his invitation extends to everyone.

We are loved.

Charles Wade is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.