Texas Baptists from around the state will gather Oct. 29-31 in Corpus Christi for the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting to gain inspiration and encouragement in ministry as they see and hear how congregations are "living out hope," the meeting's theme.
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And for the first time, the gathering's audio and video will be linked to remote sites—First Baptist Church in Midland, Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown and Wayland Baptist University in Plainview—allowing people in other locations to interact with the program during certain periods.
Featured speakers include Samuel Rodriguez, senior pastor of New Season Christian Worship Center in Sacramento, Calif., and president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; David Kinnaman, president of Barna Research Group; and John Trent, president and founder of The Center for Strong Families.
Texas Baptists on the program include BGCT President Jerry Carlisle, pastor of First Baptist Church in Plano; Michael Evans, pastor of Bethelehem Baptist Church in Mansfield and president of the African-American Fellowship of Texas; Chris Seay, pastor of Ecclesia in Houston, and his father, Ed Seay, pastor of First Baptist Church in Magnolia; and Kyle Henderson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Athens.
In business matters, messengers will consider a $33.85 million 2013 Cooperative Program budget to fund missions and ministry efforts through the convention. Another $4 million is proposed to come from investment income, as well as individual donors. The 2013 worldwide portion of the BGCT budget is anticipated to be $2.1 million.
Messengers also will elect officers. Carlisle announced he will not seek another term. Current First Vice President Jeff Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Commerce, will be nominated for president. Second Vice President Byron Stevenson, pastor of The Fort Bend Church in Sugar Land, will be nominated for first vice president. Woman's Missionary Union of Texas leader Kathy Hillman of Waco will be nominated for second vice president. Other nominations for the positions may be made from the floor of the meeting.
For more information about the annual meeting, including the schedule, places to stay and other details, visit ww.texasbaptists.org/annualmeeting.
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