HOUSTON (BP)—Gregg Matte, pastor of First Baptist Church in Houston, will be nominated as president of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors' Conference during the June 17-18 gathering in New Orleans.

Gregg Matte, pastor of First Baptist Church in Houston.

John Bisagno, pastor emeritus at First Baptist Houston, said he was "deeply honored" to announce his intent to nominate Matte, his successor at the church.

"Pastor Gregg's unparalleled leadership at Houston's First is only a foretaste of a glorious conference in our beautiful city," Bisagno said, referring to next year's Pastors' Conference in conjunction with the SBC annual meeting.

Before Matte arrived at First Baptist in 2004, he founded Breakaway Ministries, the largest college Bible study in the nation, at Texas A&M University.

He earned a master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Texas A&M. In 2011, he became the first pastor to receive the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M.

Matte and his wife, Kelly, have two children, Greyson and Valerie.

DALLAS—The world is moving to metropolitan areas, and Dallas-area churches are seeking to reach unevangelized people with the gospel, pastors and laypeople learned on a recent mission tour of Dallas Baptist Association.

The association's research, conducted in conjunction with the DFW Diaspora Alliance, found about 270 ethnolinguistic groups live in Dallas County.

Jeni Knighten leads Hope 4 Refugees ministries in Dallas, sharing the gospel with refugees from Myanmar. (PHOTO/George Henson)

The association of churches includes 65 international churches, not counting Spanish-speaking congregations. Those congregations reach at least 62 language groups other than English or Spanish, and people from at least 49 countries.

"The missions frontiers are no longer geographically distant. They are culturally distant, living right in the shadows of our steeples. Missions is no longer just about crossing jungles and oceans and deserts. Missions is now about crossing the streets in our neighborhoods," said Scott Coleman, director of church planting for the association, echoing ideas he attributed to missiologist and author Ray Bakke.

The Hope 4 Refugees ministries headquartered at the New World Apartments ministers primarily to refugees from Myanmar, including Karen, Kareni and Burmese people groups. Jeni Knighten and Beka Petty founded the ministry in 2009. Both gave up full-time jobs to serve refugees who were struggling to adjust to life in the United States.

Knighten described visiting hungry children whose families had no food in their apartment and later discovering $2,000 in food stamps in the parents' possessions, but they were unaware how to use them.

Hope 4 Refugees serves families who are Christian, Buddhist, Animist and Muslim.

In addition to daily Bible study, Backyard Bible Clubs, Vacation Bible School and a youth camp held at Mount Lebanon Baptist Encampment, the ministry also helps with English as a Second Language, legal matters and health concerns.

"Our whole goal is to get them to be self-sufficient, so we take them the first time for a sonogram or to the WIC office, and then it is up to (the refugee family). It is hard to draw the line between helping and enabling, but we do try to draw that line," Knighten said.

The ministry needs volunteers for ministries ranging from transportation to helping children with homework to showing refugees how to do common tasks such as changing a tire, she noted. The ministry also needs financial gifts, household items, clothing, toiletries and toys, she added. To donate or volunteer, call (214) 538-2694.

At another stop on the mission tour, participants visited Pastor Seth Simisi of Africa Community Church, who said his congregation of about 95 is made up of refugees from five countries and even more cultures. Both the African church and the Myanmar congregation meet at Gaston Oaks Baptist Church.

Tour participants also visited a mosque in Richardson, where the imam outlined Muslim core beliefs, affirmation of one God, one religion (Islam) and one human family. He told the group, most of whom had not previously been in a mosque, Muslims considered Jesus a Muslim prophet but not the Son of God.

Afterward, Jalil Dawood, pastor of the Arabic Church of Dallas, answered questions prompted by the imam's presentation.

Dallas Baptist Association designed the tour to give pastors exposure to some of the cultural diversity within Dallas and Rockwall counties so they might begin to think of ministry and missions opportunities, Coleman said.

Pastor Gordon Moore of Galloway Avenue Baptist Church in Mesquite said the tour accomplished that objective for him.

"We're trying to get our church involved in all types of missions, from local and state missions, to projects even further abroad. It was helpful for me to see what is going on, especially as it pertains to ministry toward refugees," he said.

BROOKESMITH—When worshippers gather at the Heart of Texas Cowboy Church, all they ask for is shade in the summer and a roof over their heads when it's raining. But something more permanent than a tent would be welcome.

Volunteers from neighboring churches helped make that possible. Seventeen men from six other Heart of Texas Baptist Network churches helped put the roof on a building Pastor Dearl Hardy believes will contribute to the church's growth.

The congregation began meeting in an abandoned church in Early and moved to its current site last year. Since the move, the congregation has met in a tent.

"We've been under the tent through the drought and the winter," Hardy pointed out. "That's the good thing about the cowboy church. They're just country folks who don't really care about a building. They just want to praise and worship."

Located about five miles from the marker that designates the geographic center of the state, Hardy points out his congregation is both well-named and well-situated.

"We target the working cowboy," Hardy said. "If we can get him, we'll also get the rodeo people, the horse lovers, the cow lovers, the country music lovers and just plain country folks."

The congregation has drawn as many as 87 worshippers on a Sunday morning and even managed to get about 35 under the tent when it was 110 degrees last summer and 10 degrees in the dead of winter.

"They get up to feed their animals anyway, so they're already out in it," Hardy explained.

Many enjoy sitting under the tent with the sides rolled up in the middle of a field. The congregation already baptizes two people a month on average, but Hardy believes more growth will occur when the church moves to the building. The church attracted quite a few visitors Easter Sunday, and many left with a promise to return when the building is completed, he noted.

The building will have doors that roll up on the sides, an important feature since it won't have air conditioning or heat—or even a floor, for that matter.

Still, Hardy believes now that volunteers have built it, visitors will come.

"There's a lot of people out there hungry to hear the word," he said.

That's why other churches in the network were ready to help the fledgling congregation take the next step.

"I was really proud of the turnout," said Don Fawcett, network missionary for Heart of Texas. "We had a very spirited group of volunteers, and the fellowship was great despite it being the hottest day we had this year."

Workers volunteered because they realized they were helping with a project that held implications for the kingdom of God, he noted.

"I think sometimes, in this day and age, it's a little difficult for people to see beyond the needs of their own church. So, this was great to get this kind of participation, and I know the people at the cowboy church greatly appreciated the help," he said.

DALLAS—Students from First Baptist Church in Carrollton, First Baptist Church in Winnsboro and First Baptist Church in Seguin took top honors in Texas Baptists' Bible Drill and Speakers tournaments recently.

Rachel Mathes of First Baptist Church in Carrollton won the youth Bible drill competition. Joshua Acock of First Baptist Church in Winnsboro won the high school Bible drill competition. Lauren Mandaville of First Baptist Church in Seguin won the youth speakers' competition.

Hannah Mabry of First Baptist Church in Stephenville and Taryn Smith of First Baptist Church in Allen tied for second in the youth Bible drill. Sherissa Blender of West Main Baptist Church in Alice placed second in the high school Bible drill. Megan Baranski of First Baptist Church in Allen earned second place in the speakers' competition.

Mathes, Acock and Mandaville advance to compete in national Bible drill and speakers' tournaments this summer.

"The level of commitment and discipline shown by the students who participate in Bible drill and speakers' tournament is very impressive," said David Adams, who coordinated the state Bible drill. "But there was something that impressed me even more at this year's state competition. I was in the 'getting-ready rooms' with a group of drillers and also a group of speakers. In both cases, they prayed for Jesus to be honored, regardless of the scores they received. Texas Baptists can be proud of their students."

Wes Wilkinson, associate pastor of youth at First Baptist Church in Carrollton, noted Mathes and the other participants from the church worked hard in preparing to compete, and each did extremely well. The Scripture passages they memorized will continue to be with them as they make decisions in their lives, he said.

"Rachel's great," he said. "She's very consistent. She's always here. She has a very sweet heart."

David Rose, pastor of First Baptist Church in Winnsboro, said the congregation was thrilled to hear Acock won first place. His family is passionate about Bible drill and the importance of Scripture memorization. Joshua worked hard memorizing Scripture for the competition.

"The church is really proud," Rose said. "They gave him a standing ovation Sunday morning."

Brice Mandaville, pastor of First Baptist Church in Seguin and father of Lauren, said his daughter had been preparing for this year's speakers' competition since placing second in last year's contest. She based her speech on beauty from the inside on an experience with a childhood friend who went through significant burns.

"The church is thrilled," Mandaville said of his daughter's achievement. "I told them Sunday morning. They were all thrilled and congratulated her."

Participants in the Bible drill competition must locate Scripture passages within seconds. They also memorize passages of Scripture and recite them. Speak-ers use Scripture to speak about relevant issues.

"One of the great things about Bible drill is that you know many of the verses and passages will stick with these students for a lifetime," Adams said.

"And the skills learned navigating the Bible will always be important for navigating life's challenges. My 20-something sons were pretty good at Bible drill during their elementary years, and when they left for college, I was glad they had learned their way around the Bible years before. God's truth went with them when I couldn't. I'm fairly sure they could still whip me in a Bible drill, too."

• Brent Anderson has resigned as pastor of Seth Ward Church in Plainview.

• Roy Ford to Siloam Church in De Kalb as interim pastor.

• Reed Redus to First Church in Amarillo as associate pastor.

• Luke Smith has resigned as pastor or Calvary Church in Gainesville.

• Sam Yancy to Gravel Hill Church in De Kalb as pastor.

• Texas Baptist layman Fred Roach will receive the Texas Baptist Elder Statesman Award at a June 3 presentation at Independence Baptist Church in Independence. Roach, a member of The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, is a former president of Texas Baptist Men and vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and he has served on numerous denominational boards and committees. He and his wife, Gloria, served as co-chairs for the Mission Texas emphasis, raising more than $20 million to help start 2,000 churches in Texas in the late 1980s. Events begin at 10 a.m., with Sunday school, taught by Ed Rogers, retired pastor and denominational leader from Georgetown. During the 11 a.m. worship service, Independence Association President Bill Pitts of Waco will present the Elder Statesman Award. Bill Pinson, BGCT executive director emeritus, will preach. A church picnic will follow, and guests are asked to bring a dessert.

• Texas Baptist universities conferred degrees in recent graduation ceremonies. Howard Payne University awarded 150 bachelor's degrees and four master of education in instructional leadership degrees. Dallas Bap-tist University conferred 365 baccalaureate degrees, 275 master's degrees and five doctorates. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor presented 291 baccalaureate degrees, 42 master's degrees and 16 doctoral degrees. Hardin-Simmons University awarded 238 bachelor's degrees, 55 masters' degrees, and presented the first graduate of its doctor of ministry program. At East Texas Baptist University, 147 students received bachelor's degrees, and 18 earned a master's degree. Baptist University of the Américas awarded 26 bachelor degrees and six associate degrees. BUA's Baptist Bible Institute awarded 120 diplomas and certificates, and its Latina Leadership Institute presented certificates to six students. Wayland Baptist University students earned 82 bachelor's degrees and 35 master's degrees. Baylor University conferred 1,790 bachelor's degrees, 36 master's degrees and 36 doctorates.

• Erin James-Brown, a recent master of divinity graduate of Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon Seminary, is the winner of the Addie Davis Award in Preaching. The national award is presented by Baptist Women in Ministry. The award recognizes an outstanding woman in ministry. While attending HSU, she was the teaching pastor at Cross Point Fellowship in Abilene. She will receive the award in conjunction with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly in Fort Worth June 20.

• Darrell Watson, distinguished professor of chemistry at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, has been named a Piper Professor for 2012 by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. He is one of only 10 Texas professors selected for the award which recognizes superior college teaching. The awards is $5,000. He has taught chemistry and directed student research at UMHB 31 years.

East Texas Baptist University students involved with ETBU Cares, the ongoing ministry to nearby Lee Elementary School, encouraged kindergarten through fourth- grade students as they walked and raised more than $4,000 for the school. ETBU senior Jacqueline Ramos poses with an elementary school teacher during the walk-a-thon.

• Gary Huckabay has been named associate executive director of Children's Emergency Relief International. He will oversee the organization's operations and build new partnerships.

• Texas Baptist Ministry Assistants celebrated the organization's 25th anniversary at its recent meeting. Officers elected include president, Yvonne McBryde of Golden Triangle Association; vice president/programs, Beck Powers of South Park Church in Houston; vice president/publicity, Linda Bright of South Central Area; and secretary/treasurer, Candy Carroll of Lubbock Area Association.

• Betty Broome, executive assistant to the president at Howard Payne University, was honored with the Yellow Rose Award by the university's woman's club. At the same meeting, Lillie Davis, a crosscultural studies major from Lampasas, received the Yellow Rose Scholarship.

• Rebecca Brown, director of international student services, is Dallas Baptist University's staff member of the year.

Anniversaries

• Donna Shaw, fifth, as preschool/children's minister at Birdville Church in Haltom City, June 1.

• Aaron Walden, fifth, as worship leader at Birdville Church in Haltom City, June 3.

• Ron Segers, 30th, as pastor of Victory Church in Marshall, June 10. A lunch will follow the morning service.

Death

• Joe Garvey, 80, May 15 in Young County. A public school teacher and principal, he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Graham, where he was the Sunday school director 13 years, a deacon, a Sunday school teacher and a choir member. A Hardin-Simmons University graduate, he served the school as a member of HSU Board of Development from 1994 to 1996, the HSU Board of Trustees from 1996 to 2005, as HSU Athletic Board chairman from 1997 to 2005 and as a member on the HSU Board of Development in 2006. Garvey was also a cattle rancher and investor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrl. He is survived by his son, Joe Dale Jr.; sister, Gladys McGlothlin; and four grandchildren.

Retiring

• Dennie Lambert, as pastor of Gravel Hill Church in De?Kalb. He served the church 30 years.

Heavenly voices partnered with the gospel message led to a multitude of life-changing decisions during a April 23-May 4 Singing Men of North Central Texas mission trip to Ukraine and Crimea.

More than 8,800 people heard the gospel through preaching and singing as they attended eight Singing Men concerts in seven cities. Nearly 4,000 people embraced the hope of Christ during the concerts in Odessa, Nikolaev, Kherson, Evpatoria, Sevastopol, Simferopol and Yalta.

"God gets all the credit, but we are so grateful that he chose to use each of us in this wonderful mission in Ukraine," Derrel Thompson, minister of music and education at Valley Grove Baptist Church in Stephenville, wrote on a blog about the trip. "We cannot say thank you enough for your support. This victory report is as much about you as it is about us. And it is all about God and his amazing work all around us."

The mission trip was the second of three trips by the Singing Men of Texas to Ukraine, which the group has adopted as an area of evangelist emphasis. The trips are collaborations between the Singing Men groups across the state, Woman's Missionary Union of Texas, Michael Gott International and the Baptist General Convention of Texas music and worship team.

"Everywhere we went, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the preached word and the prayers of those back home drew hundreds to Christ," said Tim Studstill, director of the BGCT music and worship team.

"It was so moving to look into the faces of thousands so hungry for the message of hope and salvation that the gospel brings.  We were blessed to be vessels of that message and a part of what God is doing in Ukraine."

Many of the Ukraine concerts were standing-room-only. At one venue, people had to be turned away because the facility was too full. The Singing Men ministered through music for about an hour during each gathering. Each concerts was followed by an evangelistic message from Michael Gott, who has shared the gospel around the globe as an evangelist.

God used the choir's efforts in conjunction with the spoken gospel presentation like a symphony to touch people's hearts, Gott said.

"I've tried to be a student of effective evangelism, and in almost all cases great music precedes effective preaching," he said. "That's exactly what you have with Don Blackley and the Singing Men of North Central Texas. This is a choir who sings with a purpose and not for performance.

"All the songs that they sing have words written in Russian put on a large screen.  So that when I stand to preach, I feel that the audience of a thousand people has already heard the message of Christ. Because they've heard it sung with excellence, it makes it possible for me to preach with greater confidence."

Ukrainians were extremely appreciative of the Singing Men's efforts, leaders said. That included people who were not Christians.

"Well, you definitely got a nine for the technical level, but it should be a 10 for your praiseworthy efforts," wrote one audience member on a comment card. "Thank you for having the faith in people to spread happiness because you believe that it's the right thing to do. Time definitely well spent. I enjoyed your concert despite being an atheist."

Ukrainian Christians promoted the choir's tour and invited people to attend as an opportunity to share the gospel with their friends and neighbors. Local believers also are following up on all the documented decisions made during the concerts.

"We cannot overlook the witnessing by the local Christians, the tremendous prayer support we had both in America and in Ukraine, and the fact that God in hgis sovereignty has chosen to work in the former Soviet Union today in a remarkable way," Gott said. 

A combined Singing Men of Texas choir will minister in Ukraine Sept. 23-Oct. 4. Individuals still are needed to help with the trip by greeting people who attend the concerts and distributing Bibles and evangelistic materials. Financial support also is needed. For more information, contact Studstill at (888) 244-9400.

CIUDAD RIO BRAVO, Mexico—Pedro Munoz sees God working in the organic congregations he's helped start. People are accepting Christ. Families are being reunited. Students are becoming agents of peace in their schools.

It's an amazing time of ministry, said Munoz, who serves as a River Ministry coordinator for Texas Baptists. But recently, a seed of doubt crept into his mind. He wondered whether he is doing what God would like him to do. He asked God for confirmation.

Three days later, the affirmation Munoz needed arrived in the mailbox. He found an envelope postmarked from the Baptist General Convention of Texas and addressed to him. Inside, he read messages he believes were directed by God.

"I opened it up and there it was: God's miraculous answer," he wrote in an e-mail. "I was pleased to read the three messages received from real people from Texas. I don´t know who they are, but one thing I'm certain—they were God's writers, synchronized by him to let a Mexican pastor and a just-almost-3-year-old church in Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico know: 'Congratulations, you're heading in the right directions. Never surrender and press forward. You're my children.'"

The notes were written by people who had attended the BGCT annual meeting in October. People were asked to write notes of encouragement and prayer for people who serve on the mission field. The messages to Munoz were signed by "Tigue," Danny Logan of Amarillo and BGCT Church Starter Jair Campos.

Mexico mail sometimes can be unreliable in delivering letters from the United States, explained River Ministry Director Daniel Rangel. While some people may argue the mail system took its time with the letters, Rangel believes it arrived exactly when God wanted. For pastors and church leaders in Mexico facing difficult ministry environments, notes of encouragement are treasured.

"All of them question their calling because of the situation," Rangel said. "Notes of prayer, notes of encouragement from Texas Baptists have a great impact. They make all the difference."

To become a prayer partner with a congregation along the Texas-Mexico border, call Rangel at (888) 244-9400.

IRVING—After hearing about needs of another congregation in their community, members of First Baptist Church in Irving took action.

During a workday, members of First Baptist Church in Irving participated in a variety of projects, including taking out several hundred pounds of asphalt from the parking lot to install a new flowerbed. (PHOTOS/Courtesy of First Baptist Church in Irving)

More than 100 members of First Baptist spent a Saturday participating in a workday at Calvary Baptist Church—helping with building repairs, cleaning, painting and landscaping.

"There was a lot of work to be done and a long list of things that needed repair and improvement," said John Durham, pastor of First Baptist in Irving. "The list included new flooring, new painting, new landscaping, cleaning, organizing, hauling away old things and small repairs."

The workday not only made a difference on the building and grounds at Calvary Baptist Church, but it also brought renewed vision to the congregation while increasing their ability to make an impact on the community.

More than 100 members of First Baptist Church in Irving participated in a workday at Calvary Baptist Church—helping with building repairs, cleaning, painting and landscaping. (PHOTOS/Courtesy of First Baptist Church in Irving)

"We were amazed to see the number of people who chose to give of their time to help," said Daniel Litchford, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. "It was incredible to see so many people who were willing to do so much work and to do it joyfully. It was a great encouragement and example. During the workday, many people also offered to help in other ways in the future."

Leaders from both churches emphasized their common goal of working together and bringing glory to God.

"Our greatest hope is that the name of Jesus would be enlarged," Durham said. "We not only wanted to help Calvary Baptist for the short term, but we are committed for the long haul with them.

"We want them to know that we are not only in the same city, but also in the same kingdom with them. Our campuses and staffing are very different, and we are even in different state conventions, but we are pressing the gospel forward together."

First Baptist Church in Irving members Erica Valenta and Arianne Weber help with service projects at Calvary Baptist Church in Irving. (PHOTOS/Courtesy of First Baptist Church in Irving)

First Baptist Church supports the Baptist General Convention of Texas, while Calvary Baptist is affiliated with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. However, Durham sees both churches as having the same overarching goal.

"We both desire to share the gospel with our city and want to see light penetrate the darkness," he said.

Anthony Ball, missions director at First Baptist Church in Irving, agreed.

"This is what the body of Christ is supposed to look like—brothers and sisters in Christ, laboring together to serve one another and love each other through humility, as a family," Ball said. "We want Jesus Christ to be glorified and want to live out John 13:35, when Jesus tells us that we will be known as his disciples if we love one another.

"From this massive work project, we hope that Calvary Baptist Church will be able to spend their future time and resources sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the apartment complexes and homes in their vicinity. At the end of the day, we want the city of Irving to see that Bible-believing, Christ-worshipping churches work together to accomplish a singular purpose—to share the love of Christ with those around us."

DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted to transfer to Baylor University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor ownership of Old Baylor Park, the original site of the two schools.

During Line Camp, Baylor University freshmen visit Old Baylor Park at Independence, the original location of Baylor and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted to transfer ownership of Old Baylor Park to the two universities. (PHOTO/Baylor Marketing & Communications)

Baylor and UMHB requested the property to maintain and improve the Academy Hill site in Independence. The transfer does not include property or buildings on the nearby site of historic Independence Baptist Church or the Texas Baptist Historical Center/Museum.

The board unanimously approved the measure, proposed by the board's administrative support committee based on a recommendation from the BGCT treasurer's office.

If both universities were to cease to exist, the property would revert to the BGCT. If either school offered the property for sale to any buyer other than the other school, the BGCT holds right of first refusal to purchase the property for $1.

The Republic of Texas chartered Baylor University at Independence in 1845. The coeducational school officially separated into male and female departments in 1866.

Twenty years later, the men's department relocated and merged with Waco University, and it retained the Baylor University identity. The women's department relocated to Belton and became Baylor Female College, now known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Baylor University transferred Baylor Park to the BGCT in 1965. In recent years, Baylor and UMHB have held programs for students at the site, and both universities have expressed a desire to restore the columns—the only remains of the original school structure—and upgrade the walking paths, restrooms and other amenities.

In their request to the BGCT, Baylor and UMHB expressed a desire "to maintain and improve the Academy Hill site in order to preserve the site and educate our students regarding the history of the universities, Texas history and the vital role Texas Baptists have had on the educational, religious, cultural and historical richness" of the state.

"Transferring the property to BU and UMHB would shift the financial burden of maintenance, restoration and potential liability concerning the property from the convention to the two universities," the request stated.

In her report to the board, Jill Larsen, BGCT treasurer/chief financial officer, noted Texas Cooperative Program receipts through the end of March totaled $9,215,988. That means first-quarter gifts amounted to 98 percent of budget, and they were 101 percent of year-to-date receipts for the same period last year.

In response to a motion made at the 2011 BGCT annual meeting, the board voted to designate one month each year to emphasize the work of Texas Baptist universities and seminaries.

The board asked the BGCT Executive Board staff to provide materials to support the emphasis and encouraged the schools to provide representatives who could visit churches during that month.

The recommendation approved by the board did not specify the month but left it open to the discretion of the university presidents, in consultation with BGCT executive board leaders.

In other business, the board:

• Adopted the Texas Cooperative Program budget as default classification for undocumented gifts received from churches, after the treasurer's office makes reasonable efforts to contact the church.

The BGCT allows churches to choose how to allocate gifts between the BGCT Cooperative Program and worldwide Baptist causes by indicating their wishes on a gift remittance form. However, some churches fail to indicate their preference.

The procedure approved by the board stipulates the steps of due diligence the BGCT finance and accounting staff should follow for processing gifts received with no supporting documentation.

Once those steps are followed, if the church still has not indicated its preference, the finance and accounting staff will write a letter to the best available address for the church stating the gift has been applied to "Cooperative Program—BGCT Texas."

Normal process will be for any adjustments requested by churches to be made for the current and prior year.

• Established the Mary Hill Davis State Mission Offering Fund at the Baptist Foundation, using money received from the estate of Bobbie Jean McAllister.

• Elected Bill Brian, attorney and member First Baptist Church in Amarillo, to fill a vacancy on the board of trustees at Baptist University of the Américas.

• Filled five vacancies on the BGCT Executive Board, electing Duane Perkinson, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Burkburnett; Ralph Balthrop, a member of First Baptist Church in Frisco; Mang Tiak, hospital chaplain and member of Greater Houston Burmese Christian Fellowship, a mission of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston; Pam Davis-Duck, a member of First Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston; and Michael Caraway, a member of Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo.

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico—Jose Angel could have left Juarez behind. No more listening to regular reports of violence between rival drug cartels. No more worrying about whether he and his family were safe. He even had a job interview in the United States.

But coming back from that interview, Angel knew he couldn't leave. More to the point, he believed God was calling him to stay.

With support from the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the efforts of people like Jose Angel, David Balyeat hopes to see the No Mas Violencia movement he started in Latin America spread along the Texas/Mexico border, particularly in cities such as Juarez. (FILE PHOTO/Ken Camp)

In a city physically and emotionally affected by dark tales of violence in recent years, someone must be a beacon of light, Angel said. That's exactly what God called Christians to be in communities, no matter the circumstances surrounding them, he noted.

"Our doctrine is good. Now is the time to live out what we believe, to live according to God with confidence," he said.

As counselors, Angel and his wife began putting their skills to work. They listened to friends and family of victims of the violence. Families who lost people in cartel-related gunfire. An 8-year-old girl who came home one day to find her mother had killed herself and must now raise her siblings.

The couple counsels 10 to 12 people a day, serving people who are shocked and confused, unsure what to do next and lacking hope. People need a relationship with Christ to rely on to carry them through such trying times, Angel said. He and his wife attempt to share the hope of Christ with every person they counsel.

The Angels have taken to the offensive in this expansive border town. The Baptist General Convention of Texas has helped the Angels by providing the No Mas Violencia curriculum, made possible by gifts to missions through the BGCT worldwide portion of the Cooperative Program and Mary  Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions. The couple has used the materials to teach young people how to be agents of peace in their communities.

Beyond fostering forces for peace, the Angels' efforts have seen the forming of congregations where they have used the No Mas Violencia materials. Young people begin by coming together to make a difference in their communities and in the process discover the hope of Christ—the only hope, Angel said, that can truly change Juarez.

"The light is in us and we are the light," he said. "Darkness cannot stay where there is light."

While Juarez remains a violent place, statistics indicate the environment is improving somewhat. Overall crime is down 40 percent in Juarez. Murders have dropped from more than 3,100 in 2010 to slightly more than 1,900 in 2011. Still, the Citizens' Council for Public Security and Justice, a Mexican research group, lists Juarez among the world's most violent cities.

Angel remembers Texas groups working "arm-in-arm" with Mexican Baptists in their efforts to share the hope of Christ throughout Juarez. He considered them "like family" and enjoyed seeing them each year. They helped motivate Mexican churches focus on sharing the gospel. With Juarez struggling, the groups have stopped coming. He encouraged Christians in the U.S. to return, believing that together, Texas and Mexican Baptists can have a significant impact on the city.

"Now the situation is difficult. The time is here to prove the truth that God lives in us. I invite you to come and continue strongly and show strongly that God is powerful."

For more information about ways to pray for, send resources to and serve on either side of the Texas-Mexico border, call Texas Baptist River Ministry at (888) 244-9400.

WACO—Baylor University School of Social Work recognized Darla Bailey of Louisville, Ky., as the Baylor School of Social Work Honorary Alumna of the Year.

Bailey is founder of an innovative day health center for adults with disabilities—a previously underserved population in the Louisville area.

Darla Bailey

"Darla believes we are called to seek justice, and she has done it throughout her career for those who could not seek justice for themselves," said Diana Garland, dean of Baylor School of Social Work. "She is a prophetic voice in the sense of calling us to care for 'the least of these.' That's exactly what we want our alumni to be doing."

Bailey completed her undergraduate education in psychology at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas in 1987. In 1993, she went on to earn her Master of Social Work degree at the Carver School of Church Social Work, then in the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville.

During her time at Carver, Bailey's field practicum was held in a faith-based organization that hosted an adult day health program for seniors, a model Bailey would later say informed the concept for an agency serving a younger population of adults, ages 21-60, with disabilities.

Early in her career as a social worker, she discovered that there was no place for this population to be cared for if they did not have family who could give them assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Instead, they were sent to live in institutions or nursing homes.

So, in 1998—one year after Southern Baptist Seminary closed the doors of Carver School of Church Social Work—Bailey opened the doors of Kaleidoscope, a place of learning, activity, therapy and professional medical care during the day so that clients could live at home with their families and not in an institution.

With only a mailing list of 15 individuals in the area who might fit the program's criteria, it was a modest beginning. Two months after opening, however, the building was already at capacity with 17 participants, confirming Bailey's concern that the need for this type of agency was great. Her team began almost immediate renovation of the building, doubling its capacity to serve the local population.

Today, after its third expansion, Kaleidoscope Inc. serves approximately 150 families in the Louisville area.

Consistently seeking to improve the quality of life for adults with disabilities and their caregivers, Bailey has become known in the Kentucky State Legislature as a tireless advocate for the population group.

"Because Darla is unrelenting when she's on a mission, we've had a lot of success," said Kentucky State Sen. Julie Denton. "She has bonded with a lot of legislators, myself included. We trust her. We know that she knows what she's talking about and that she's there for one reason only, and it's the best interest of the people she serves."

With no enduring alma mater, Bailey recognized Baylor School of Social Work as a place where the integration of theological and social work education—the core of her Carver School legacy—lives on.

In 2006, Bailey, with the help of friends and other former Carver students, established an endowed scholarship at Baylor in honor of her former professor and founding dean of the Carver School of Church Social Work, C. Anne Davis. The Cora Anne Davis Memorial Scholarship assists Baylor graduate students who are pursuing a major in social work and demonstrate a commitment to the integration of Christian faith and social work.

"Darla's establishment of the scholarship in honor of Anne Davis said to the students in this place, 'You are my relatives,'" Garland said. "That claiming of the connection between our schools was just an incredible gift to us here at Baylor. We have been so glad to have her in our family." 

Bailey has served on the Baylor School of Social Work Board of Advocates the past three years.