SAN ANTONIO—One nail at a time, Pastor David Cavazos’ home nears completion.

Cavazos, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Oriente in San Antonio, has been building a house for his family since August 2009. Since he learned the construction trades from his father, he not only has handled the carpentry, but also has done the plumbing and electrical work.

Cavazos and his family lived in a 950-square-foot apartment in Baptist University of the Américas student housing—tight quarters for a family of seven with a small baby.

With the occasional help of volunteers, David Cavazos, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Oriente in San Antonio, has been building a house for his family since August 2009. (PHOTOS/Courtesy of David Cavazos)

“We had a newborn, and we felt embarrassed from time to time with our neighbors because they would hear our little one cry at night. Thank God they were such a nice family and understood our situation,” he said.

Cavazos’ older children began asking if the family would have to move after their father completed his studies. They had grown to like San Antonio and did not want to be uprooted.

Cavazos previously had served Connell Baptist Church in Fort Worth two years as a church planter and then had moved to La Blanca, near the Rio Grande, so his wife could help take care of a family situation. From there, the family moved to San Antonio, where Cavazos could further his education.

Once they secured land, Cavazos began to build a house, starting with setting the pier-and-beam foundation. The family moved in during April, but the house was far from completed. Only two rooms had sheetrock. There were no interior doors and no water heater.

“We had to bring in water to take a shower,” Cavazos said.

David and Dora Cavazos and their five children lived in a small student apartment at the Baptist University of the Américas until Cavazos built a house for his family.

Bit by bit, the family added a little more. Baptist General Convention of Texas funds enabled them to buy interior doors and two windows.

In recent weeks, a small group led by Pastor Baldemar Borrego of Iglesia Bautista Neuva Esperanza in Wichita Falls helped Cavazos hang drywall someone had left for him at South San Filadelfia Baptist Church in San Antonio.

“I never found out where it came from. They just told us it was there, and I could come and get it,” he said.

The 1,500-square-foot house still has uncovered plywood for flooring. It also needs doorknobs, interior paint and cabinets. The exterior needs siding.

“Right now, I just paint the outside over and over to keep the rain from hurting the wood,” Cavazos said.

Anyone interested in helping with the building project can contact Cavazos at cavazos313@yahoo.com

BELTON—After Tropical Storm Hermine dumped rain on Central Texas, students from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor helped business and home owners in the area clean up in the storm’s aftermath.

UMHB Student Body President Tommy Wilson and Shawn Shannon, Baptist Student Ministry director at UMHB, coordinated two days of volunteer work involving students in cleanup efforts.

“We’re giving a lot of help as far as cleaning and repairing, and we’re also building relationships,” Wilson said. “Some believe that UMHB and Belton are two different entities. To me, being a part of one means being a part of the other. This demonstrates in a physical way that we want to be a part of the community. … We’re fellow Beltonians.”

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor senior Christian studies major Edwin Robinson assists with pulling off sheetrock at a flood-damaged home in Salado.

More than 30 students and faculty members turned out for the first day of volunteer service. Some were sent to businesses in downtown Belton, some helped at the First Assembly of God Church in Belton, and others went to First Baptist Church of Salado to assist homeowners in that community.

Freshman Bethany Jenkins heard about the damage and wanted to help in any way she could.

“I really felt God calling me and telling me to serve not only those that are in other countries, but also those that are in our own backyard,” she said. “I’m really glad we’re able to help out.”

Local businesses and homeowners also were happy to have the extra hands for all the work needed.

The Scott & White Hospice Thrift Store in Belton flooded with about 48 inches of water. Even as cleanup was taking place at the store, donations already were arriving, staff member Amy Mesecke said.

“You feel overwhelmed when you have so much to do. We have two trailers full of donations, so it’s great to have the extra help to keep us going,” Mesecke said. “We have volunteers that come on a regular basis, but this in the first time we’ve had such a large group come out and help at one time.”

It definitely lifts your spirits.”

ETBU trustees approve two master’s degree programs. East Texas Baptist University’s board of trustees at their regular fall meeting approved curriculum for two new graduate programs—the Master of Arts in Religion degree and the Master of Education degree.   The Master of Education program will begin in summer 2011, and the Master of Religion program will begin in the 2011 fall semester, pending approval by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The board elected current officers to another year of service —chairman, Tom Lyles of Lindale, a member of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler; vice chair, Sam Moseley, attorney and member of First Baptist Church in Marshall; and secretary, Ray Delk, hospital administrator and member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall.

Baylor chief ranks high on health-care list. Joel Allison, president and chief executive officer of Baylor Health Care System, has been included on Modern Healthcare magazine’s list of “100 Most Powerful People” in health care for the seventh year. At No. 23, Allison is the highest-ranked Texan on the list in terms of influence in the health-care industry, including both the public and private sector. Allison was nominated for the honor along with nearly 56,000 other health-care leaders from around the country. The final ballot—which included 300 nominees—drew more than 800,000 votes by Modern Healthcare readers.

BCFS family violence program receives grant. A Baptist Child & Family Services program in Del Rio to provide services to victims of family violence has received about $95,000 from the Texas Health & Human Services Commission family violence program’s special projects fund to sustain its work for the next two years. BCFS launched its Val Verde Family Violence and Victims’ Services program last year in response to community requests after Del Rio’s only domestic violence shelter closed. The grant will allow BCFS to continue providing services to abuse victims, as well as launch a community awareness campaign aimed at preventing future violence.

• Brad Borstadt has resigned as pastor of J-Bar-C Cowboy Church.

• Will Easter has resigned as minister of children/preschool at First Church in Joshua.

• Georgia Gaddy to Corinth Church in Cisco as youth director.

• Richard Koons has resigned as pastor of First Church in Ovilla.

• Josh Lake has resigned as minister of music at First Church in Joshua.

• Charles Moore to Westwood Church in Tyler as pastor.

• Ben Morris to Living Proof Church in Grandview as minister of music.

• Tim Penney to Lake Leon Church in Eastland as minister of music/youth.

• Nathan Presley has resigned as minister of youth at First Church in Joshua.

• Sean Torrence has resigned as youth pastor at First Church in Ovilla.

• Bill Ulrey to Friendship Church in Albany as pastor.

• Scott Whitson to Southwest Metroplex Associa-tion as director of missions from Cross Timber Church in Burleson, where he was pastor.

• Gary Yates to College Heights Church in Plainview as associate pastor of education.

• Baylor University will be the site of the “Fantastical” church music conference Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 in Waco Hall. Award-winning Christian musician and Baylor graduate David Crowder will lead the conference. Nearly 30 presenters and musicians will lead workshops, concerts and panel discussions. Among them will be Jars of Clay, Louie Giglio, Rob Bell, Francis Chan and Charlie Peacock. In addition to ideas generated druing discussion, participants will go home with new songs to be used in worship, organizers said. Registration is from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, with the first session beginning at 6:30 p.m. If tickets still are available at the door, they will cost $199 for individuals, $189 for groups of five or more and $179 for students. Meals and lodging are not included. For more information, call (256) 737-7565.

• East Texas Baptist University will hold homecoming activities Oct. 8-10. The Tiger football team will play Louisiana College at 6 p.m. Saturday. For a full schedule of activities, see www.etbu.edu.

• James and Angela Roberts have been appointed by the International Mission?Board to serve as strategy coordinators in Europe. He previously was student minister at South Oaks Church in Arlington, and the couple served as houseparents at Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock. He presently is student minister/campus minister at First Church in Temple. They have two daughters—Ella, 7, and Macie, 4.

• The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has launched a pre-engineering program in conjunction with the engineering degree program at Baylor University. It allows students to complete the first three years of course work in Belton, and then transfer to Baylor for the final two years of their degree requirements. Upon completion, students will have earned two bachelor degrees—one from each university.

• Mike Hammack has been appointed executive director for institutional advancement at Hardin-Simmons University. He has worked on the university’s development team since 2007.

• Baptist Child & Family Services has named Ashley Krimmel assistant vice president of program development. She joined BCFS in 2004, most recently working as director of annual fund development and marketing.

• Max and Debbie Underwood of Colleyville were honored as Baylor University’s Parents of the Year during halftime of the Baylor-Buffalo football game. Both are Baylor graduates and are involved in a number of university organizations. Their son, Brad, is a Baylor graduate, and their daughter, Emily, is a senior at the university. The Under-woods are members of Bear Valley Community Church in Colleyville.

• Mark Denison, pastor of First Church in Conroe, presented the fall convocation address at Howard Payne University.

Anniversaries

• Howard Batson, 15th, as pastor of First Church in Amarillo, Sept. 12.

• Clif Abshier, 15th, as pastor of First Church in Bishop, Oct. 1.

• Preston Highlands Church in Dallas, 120th, Oct. 3. A lunch and afternoon service commemorating the congregation’s past, present and future will be held. Former pastors and staff are invited to be a part of the program. People planning to attend the lunch are asked to notify the church at (972) 248-6296. Jeremy Johnston is pastor.

• Calixto Morin, 10th, as pastor of Primera Iglesia in Marlin.

Deaths

• Charlie Jones, 90, Aug. 19 in Votaw. A pastor for 54 years, he served churches in Louisiana, Ohio and Arkansas, as well as First Church of Wild Peach in Brazoria; Victory Church in San Augustine and Wild Country Church in Ace. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Leola, to whom he was married 54 years. He is survived by his wife, Anice; son, Johnny; daughter, Charlene Boggus; sister, Christine Brink-ley; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

• Wilma Barrentine, 93, Sept. 8 in San Angelo. After her husband’s retirement from military service, they became Southern Baptist Mission Service Corps volunteers, serving the next 10 years in Texas, Oklahoma, Washington, Canada and Senegal. After their service, they moved to Baptist Memorials in San Angelo and joined First Baptist Church. She taught Sunday school there until a short time before her death. Serving in a variety of places, she taught Sunday school almost 80 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, in 1994. Also preceding her in death were her sisters, Gladys Whitaker, Alleene Fearnow and Pauline Wharton; and her brother, Grady Fair.

• B.J. Martin, 92, Sept. 12 in Pasadena. A graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary, he was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Howard Payne University. He was pastor of churches in McCamey, Hamlin, Ballinger and Childress, and he served 26 years as pastor of South Main Church in Pasadena. After eight years as the vice president of church relations at Houston Baptist University, he retired and was named South Main’s pastor emeritus in 1988. He served as a trustee of Howard Payne University, Baylor University, Houston Baptist University, Hendrick Memorial Hospital, Memorial Baptist Hospital in Houston, the Baptist Standard, Baylor College of Medicine (42 years), the Sunday School Board and the Foreign Mission Board. He was chairman of the trustees of the Baptist General Conven-tion of Texas Executive Board and the Southern Baptist Conven-tion’s Annuity Board. He is survived by his wife, Marylyn; sons, Bill and Sid; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

• Stacy Blair, 56, Sept. 17 in Dallas. A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, he was one of the world’s leading trumpet players. A performer in more than 50 countries, he was the winner of the Maurice Andre International Trumpet Soloist Competition in Paris, and twice won the International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition. Legally blind, he had more than 160 trumpet concertos memorized. He was the trumpet soloist with the concert band and Cowboy Band while a Hardin-Simmons student. He performed in concert with more than 16 symphony orchestras including the Israel Philhar-monic with Leonard Bernstein conducting, and with the Boston Pops. He also played at two National Prayer Breakfasts, and in 1984, he worked with the Billy Graham Crusade in Amsterdam. He was the recipient of the HSU distinguished alumni award in 2007. He is survived by his twin brother, Steve, and older brother, Ed.

• Eudora Braswell, 84, Sept. 21 in Gainesville. She was a graduate of what is now East Texas Baptist University as well as Howard Payne University. She taught school in Valley View, Woodbine, Lindsay and Era, and she retired in 1991 after 23 years with the Texas Youth Commis-sion in Gainesville. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Gainesville. She was a 1995 golden anniversary honoree at Howard Payne University. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, James Braswell, in 1996, and her sister, Martha Chandler. She is survived by her second husband, Robert Renfro; sons, James Jr., Jonathan and Billy Braswell; daughter, Becky Davis; stepsons, Marty and Paul Renfro; stepdaughter, Sue Lowry; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren

Events

• Al Fike, Michael Smalley and Carolyn Murray will perform “A Comedy of Love” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1. The comedy performance will be held in The Brick, a basement performance venue at The Heights Church in Richardson. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth. They are available at (972) 238-7243.

• A community rally called “The Jesus Test” will be held at Brownfield’s Coleman Park Oct. 8-10. Robert Barge will be the speaker and Flight Plan will lead the music. It will begin after the football game on Friday night and at 7:30 p.m. the next two days. Six churches are participating.

• First Church in Onalaska will hold a homecoming celebration Oct. 24. Bobby Smith will preach, followed by a meal and a classic car display. In preparation for the homecoming, revival messages will be brought by Steve Vernon Oct. 10 and Andy Pittman Oct. 17. Don Wilkey is pastor.

• Primera Iglesia Mexicana in Brownsville will celebrate 101 years of service to the community Oct. 13-16. Evangelistic events will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with Raul San Martin preaching. Saturday’s celebration will begin at 4 p.m. For more information, call (956) 546-4843. Leocadio Baltazar is pastor.

• Crossroads Association in Big Spring is sponsoring the erection of a replica of the tabernacle constructed by Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. The tabernacle is the precise size and layout described in the Bible. It will be open for tours Oct. 22-31 from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. The interactive exhibit has seven stations to educate visitors on the various facets of the tabernacle. Contributions of $5 per person or $20 per family are suggested. The tabernacle will be erected on South Highway 87 next to the Buffalo Fina.

• A benefit catfish fry will be held from 11 a.m until 2 p.m. Oct. 23 at First Church in Granite Shoals to benefit Joseph’s Food and Clothing Pantry, a ministry of the church. Funds are being raised to construct a building to meet increased demand for the ministry’s services.

Revivals

• Marlow Church, Cameron; Oct. 3-6; evangelist, Robert Barge; music, Gary Newman; pastor, Wayne Kirk.

• First Church, Somerville; Oct. 3-7; evangelist, Darren Donaldson; music, Bob Morris; pastor, Corby Brizendine.

DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board overwhelmingly rejected a study committee’s proposal to change how the BGCT handles messenger-seating challenges at its annual meeting.

At the 2009 BGCT annual meeting, Kyle Henderson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Athens, recommended a process to deal with messenger-seating challenges in advance of the annual meetings.

The proposal grew out of concern related to an anticipated challenge involving messengers from Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth. The Southern Baptist Convention had cut ties with the church on the basis of its perceived acceptance of homosexual members.

The anticipated challenge was defused last year when Broadway Baptist decided at the last minute not to send messengers to the BGCT annual meeting.

In recent weeks, the church voted to approve a statement indicating it was severing its relationship with the BGCT.

Specifically, Henderson proposed an amendment to the bylaws that would require any messenger challenging the seating of another messenger to contact that messenger’s church at least 18 days before the annual meeting. He also proposed that a statement of intent to challenge the seating be presented to the BGCT credentials committee at least one week prior to the meeting.

Henderson’s proposal was referred to the BGCT Executive Board, and the board created an ad hoc study committee chaired by Bob Fowler of Houston.

The committee felt Henderson’s proposal would be inappropriate, because it mandated a church respond to allegations made by any messenger.

However, he noted, the committee saw merit in providing some advance notice of a messenger-seating challenge.

The study committee modified Henderson’s proposal, recommending an amendment to the BGCT bylaws that would have said, in part: “Any messenger intending to challenge the seating of another messenger should verify the grounds upon which such a challenge is being made. At least two weeks in advance of the convening of a meeting of the convention, the challenging messenger should present the challenge to the Committee on Credentials, including steps taken to verify the basis of the challenge. …

“The Committee on Credentials shall provide a copy of the information it has received from the challenging messenger to the challenged messenger and to that messenger’s church. Challenges may also be presented to the Committee on Credentials any time prior to the presentation of its report to the assembled messengers. However, adequate time should be afforded the committee to consider a challenge, including time to communicate with the challenged messenger and the messenger’s church and to permit an appropriate response to be received.”

The study committee also added an additional statement: “The Committee on Credentials shall determine, based upon the information provided it … and upon its further consideration, whether to exclude a challenged messenger or messengers from the roll to be presented in its report to the assembled messengers.”

Fowler noted the “should” language in the committee’s proposal, saying the change was “aspirational in nature,” providing a more orderly process while preserving the right of any messenger to challenge the seating of another messenger.

“Our committee does not view these changes as critical to the success of the convention, but we do believe these changes would improve the process,” he said.

Van Christian, pastor of First Baptist Church in Comanche, noted he appreciated the original intention of the proposal, but he was concerned the recommended change violates the BGCT constitution and bylaws. The only requirement for a messenger currently is that he or she must be duly elected by an affiliated church, he noted.

But the proposal would put the credentials committee in the position of determining whether a church is in good standing with the convention, Christian said.

The credentials committee only should consider the constitutional requirement, reserving the assembled convention’s right to accept or reject messengers, Fowler agreed.

Royce Measures of Pasadena noted the convention is composed of elected messengers, and the convention only exists for two or three days a year. “To be able to challenge messengers before there is a convention is contradictory,” he said. “It is moving from being messengers to being delegates.”

Fowler acknowledge the complexity of references to messengers, noting they become prospective messengers when elected by a church, they become registered messengers when they sign in at the annual meeting, and they become seated messengers when the convention takes that action.

BGCT Executive Director Randel Everett noted the convention is dealing with two related but distinct issues—seating of messengers and determining whether a church is affiliated.

Noting he could speak only as an individual board member and not for the study committee as a whole, Fowler agreed the recommendation could have unintended consequences.

“We are not in a parliamentary or constitutional crisis at this time,” he said.

With additional reporting by Editor Marv Knox

DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting needs an extreme makeover in focus and format, the chair of a study committee told the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.

Only 502 churches sent messengers to the 2009 annual meeting in Houston, said Kyle Henderson, chair of the committee appointed to study ways to increase participation at the event. The number of eligible churches sending no messengers to the annual meeting grew from 3,722 in 2006 to 3,836 in 2009.

“We can’t stay here. We’re got to do something different,” said Henderson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Athens.

Noting he has attended state convention annual meetings for about 25 years, he pointed to the lack of young church leaders present in recent years.
“I used to be the youngest guy at the meetings,” he said. “And I kind of still am.”

The study committee Henderson chairs developed a report and series of recommendations to be considered by messengers at the 2010 BGCT annual meeting in McAllen.

“We believe we are at the beginning of a great new adventure,” the report states. “We believe that our gatherings will be kingdom meetings that will influence the world. We believe people will look forward to these events, that they will be equipped and encouraged, and will leave with a sense of purpose of mission.

“We believe that there should be a sense of urgency in pursuing this renewed vision of our annual meetings. The gap between the number of churches attending and the possibility of churches attending has grown too large to ignore. We believe we must respond now.”

The study committee recommends two measurable goals focused on the number of churches participating in the annual meeting rather than the number of people in attendance—double the percentage of participating churches by 2013 and involve every Texas Baptist church at least once every five years.

Key recommendations include:

• Showcase one area of ministry each year. Focus on a different theme annually, rotating between five key areas—evangelism/missions, education/discipleship, advocacy/care, Baptist identity and Baptist community.

• Gather the Texas Baptist family. Every fifth year, for the Baptist community emphasis, schedule “The Gathering”—a three-day event that would bring together Texas Baptist ethnic groups and interest groups. Schedule the 2013 meeting in summer to appeal to vacationing families, and then evaluate the change.

• Involve institutions in innovation. Consider a multi-site event in 2017 using video simulcast technology, involving as many Texas Baptist institutions as possible.

“Many people have called for the use of technology, simulcast broadcasting and regional meetings. We believe we need to make the commitment to innovate in this area,” the report says.

“Through the use of our education institutions who frequently use this technology, we believe that we can have a creative, productive, life-changing event that could be a model for the future. It would take work, but we can do it.”

• Plan beyond the current year. Coordinate and plan the annual meeting starting 18 months in advance of the event to secure speakers, gather resources, facilitate institutional cooperation and build momentum.

• Add value. “People go to learn. They want to hear the best information, the best speakers and the most innovative approaches,” the report says.

• Move business discussion out of the general sessions. Schedule breakout sessions for detailed discussion of business. “The process of representative governance means that most of the decisions have been made in a deliberative way by the time they reach the convention,” the report says. “This system still allows for broad final input, while not dominating the main sessions of the meeting.”

• Abolish resolutions. “Few things have taken as much time and produced as few results as the process of resolutions,” the report says. “We tend to argue, put our worst foot forward and then produce statements of which the churches are largely unaware.”

• Lengthen the meeting to three days. “We think Texas Baptists need more time together,” the report says. “It is also a historical reality that our meetings have been much longer and were much better attended when they were longer.”

• Shorten individual presentations. Increase the number of presenters.

• Schedule a local ministry event. “We could help the cause of evangelism if we left the places we visit better than we found them,” the report says.

• Make time for fellowship. Schedule time for informal networking. Increase the time available in the exhibit halls.

• Look outside. “Reach outside of Texas Baptist life to bring fresh insights and draw an increasingly diverse crowd,” the report says.

The committee also suggests the convention give consideration in the future to moving to locations outside downtown areas, to where lodging would be more affordable, and consider a mid-week schedule, rather than beginning on a Monday.

DALLAS—Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting in McAllen next month will consider whether to allow Houston Baptist University to elect non-Baptists to its board of trustees.

The BGCT Executive Board voted overwhelmingly Sept. 28 to recommend the state convention revise its agreement with the university, allowing HBU to elect a minority of non-Baptist Christian trustees.

HBU has related to the convention by special agreement since 2001. That agreement allows HBU to elect 75 percent of its own trustees, with the BGCT electing the remaining 25 percent. All trustees HBU elects must be Baptist but not necessarily from BGCT-affiliated churches.

Under the proposed revised agreement:

• Up to one-third of the trustees elected by HBU—one-fourth of the total board—could be non-Baptist Christians.

• An additional one-third of the HBU-selected trustees—one quarter of the total board—would be required to be from BGCT-affiliated congregations, including churches dually aligned with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

• The remaining one-third of the HBU-selected trustees—one-fourth of the full board—would be required to be Baptist but not necessarily related to BGCT-affiliated churches.  

• One quarter of the board would continue to be elected by the BGCT, with all those trustees required to be members of BGCT-affiliated churches.

Ed Seay, chair of the trustee board and pastor of First Baptist Church in Magnolia, noted HBU is the only evangelical university in the Houston—soon to be the nation’s third-largest city.

“There are other sincere, Bible-believing, God-honoring evangelical Christians who want to partner with us,” Seay said, noting HBU would benefit from those connections. “It does not in any way diminish our Baptist identity or connection.”

In board discussion, Charlotte Young of Dimmit, a member of the education subcommittee of the institutional relations committee, expressed confidence in the current leadership of HBU, but she noted concern regarding what could happen in 20 to 30 years.

The preamble to the university’s bylaws, adopted in 1974, provides the confessional statement that will remain in place beyond any current administration or roster of trustees, Seay noted.

“Our preamble is the anchor that will keep us tied to biblical fidelity,” Seay said, noting the preamble to the university’s governing document explicitly states the school’s biblical commitment and its adherence to orthodox Christian doctrine.

Ed Jackson of Garland noted the decision is “all about dollars” and HBU’s desire to expand its pool of potential donors. He expressed concern about the precedent it would set for other BGCT institutions.

“This will put pressure on every one of our institutions to do the same thing,” Jackson said. “It’s a slippery slope, and this is a huge step.”
Marshall Johnston of Aransas Pass, a member of the education subcommittee of the institutional relations committee, expressed his support for the motion, noting a steady decrease in Texas Baptist budget support for institutions in recent years.

“It is all about the money. But if we want to maintain control, we need to pony up,” he said.

BGCT President David Lowrie of El Paso likewise expressed his support for the motion.

“It may be an opportunity for us to broaden our influence within the evangelical community rather than diminishing our influence,” he said.

In an interview after the board meeting, Seay emphasized the change stipulates the maximum number of non-Baptists that could become trustees, but he could not foresee reaching that number. Currently, only two trustees on a 36-member board are members of churches not affiliated to the BGCT, he reported. At least five are members of a church dually aligned with the BGCT and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

“I think this can be a win/win for the kingdom, for the university and for the BGCT,” he said.

DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted to recommend a $38 million 2011 budget—$3 million less than the approved 2010 budget, a 7.3 percent reduction.

Messengers to the BGCT annual meeting in McAllen will consider a budget based on $35.85 million in Cooperative Program receipts and a projected $2.15 million in investment income.

Assuming $2.95 million from the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions and additional income from conference fees, product sales, funds from the North American Mission Board and other sources, as well as an expected $1 million draw on reserve funds, the BGCT anticipates $48 million in revenue—about $4 million less than the amount expected in 2010.

This marks the third consecutive year the BGCT Executive Board approved a budget recommendation reduced from the previous year.
The proposed budget includes no salary increases for employees and no change in retirement contributions, which were decreased last year.

Jill Larsen, BGCT treasurer and chief financial officer, reported year-to-date receipts are running about 10 percent behind the same time last year.

The $38 million 2011 budget recommendation includes:

• $7,448,387 for evangelism/missions, a $463,100 decrease from the 2010 budget.

• $3,030,307 for education/discipleship, a $336,701 decrease.

• $1,499,517 for advocacy/care, a $148,606 decrease.

• $1,697,966 for the executive director’s office, including Texas Baptist Men and the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, a $156,967 decrease.

• $18,047,278 for areas related to the associate executive director’s office, a  $1,420,446 decrease. That includes $14,714,733 for institutional ministries, down more than $1.26 million. The proposed budget eliminates funds for Buckner Adoption Services and Buckner Retirement Services, totaling $95,000, and decreases support for Valley Baptist Missions Education Center from $110,000 to 11,000.

• $6,276,545 for financial management, down $474,180.

Larsen reported the BGCT has 277 employees, compared to 406 in 2006. The employee total includes 72 in Baptist Student Ministries, compared to 94 in 2006.

Larsen projected total church-directed Cooperative Program giving—including funds forwarded to the Southern Baptist Convention and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship—to exceed $53 million.

Larsen anticipates $1,725,000 in worldwide giving for Texas Baptist initiatives and partnerships. The board approved ongoing support from worldwide missions giving for missions mobilization, River Ministry/Mexico endeavors, Texas Partnerships, Baptist World Alliance, intercultural international missions, Texas Baptist Men international missions, student missions, world hunger promotion, western heritage churches, Baptist University of the Americas and the Hispanic Education Task Force.

New items include $100,000 for Mary Hill Davis Offering promotion, $60,000 for Baptist Bible Institutes, $15,000 for evangelism language materials and $100,000 for the Hope 1:8 initiative, an emphasis on Texas Baptists sharing their faith locally, regionally and globally.

The number of Texans living in poverty increased 11 percent in 2009 to nearly 4.3 million, including nearly 1.8 million children, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

More than one in every four Texas youth are impoverished, and Texas holds the nation’s sixth highest rate of poverty at 17.3 percent.

Ferrell Foster, associate director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas advocacy/care team, said the increase of poverty throughout the state demands a response from Christians statewide. Christ calls believers to care for the poor.

“This should be a wake-up call for all Texas Baptists,” he said. “We simply cannot ignore this kind of need in our midst and still call ourselves serious followers of Christ. Jesus’ command to love our neighbors must ring in our ears.”

In recent years, the state convention has encouraged increased efforts toward meeting the needs of the poor. Texas Baptists gave more than $900,000 to the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger in 2009, setting a record. Giving to the offering is up 4 percent in 2010.

Churches have increased food distribution efforts in their communities. Some have expanded their food offerings, while others started providing food for the first time.

Through the Texas Hunger Initiative—a partnership between the Baylor University School of Social Work and the BGCT—Texas Baptist congregations are seeking to end Texas hunger by 2015.

To that aim, Texas Baptists increased efforts to provide for hungry children last summer, filling a gap by serving meals to youth who receive free or reduced-price lunches during the school year.

Jeremy Everett, director of the hunger initiative, hopes the census figures will help draw attention to Texans who need assistance. While poverty is increasing, it can be fought if people will respond collectively and wisely, he stressed.

“Poverty and hunger are at an alarming rate in Texas,” he said. “We’re pretty much at a crisis state.”

BELTON—After Tropical Storm Hermine dumped rain on Central Texas, students from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor helped business and homeowners in the area clean up the damage caused by the storm. The Scott & White Hospice Thrift Store in Belton found its building filled with about 48 inches of water, said Amy Mesecke, a staff member at the thrift store.

“We had a total store loss. It took us about five days to get everything out and spray it down and get it cleaned,” Mesecke said.
Belton wasn’t the only town affected by the massive amounts of water. Salado, Nolanville, Temple and Holland also reported major damages from the flooding. Holland was without water for days, and homeowners in Salado were left with large amounts of mud and debris to be cleaned up.
UMHB Student body President Tommy Wilson and Shawn Shannon, Baptist Student Ministry director at UMHB, coordinated two days of volunteer work involving students in cleanup efforts.
“We’re giving a lot of help as far as cleaning and repairing, and we’re also building relationships,” Wilson said.
“Some believe that UMHB and Belton are two different entities. To me, being a part of one means being a part of the other. This demonstrates in a physical way that we want to be a part of the community. … We’re fellow Beltonians.”

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor senior Christian studies major Edwin Robinson assists with pulling off sheetrock at a flood-damaged home in Salado.

More than 30 students and faculty members turned out for the first day of volunteer service. Some were sent to businesses in downtown Belton, some helped at the First Assembly of God Church in Belton, and others went to First Baptist Church of Salado to assist homeowners in that community.
Freshman Bethany Jenkins heard about the damages and wanted to help out in any way she could.
“I really felt God calling me and telling me to serve not only those that are in other countries, but also those that are in our own backyard,” Jenkins said. “I’m really glad we’re able to help out.”
Local businesses and homeowners were also happy to have the extra hands for all the work needed.  Even as cleanup was still taking place at the Scott & White Hospice Thrift Store, donations already were arriving.
“You feel overwhelmed when you have so much to do. We have two trailers full of donations, so it’s great to have the extra help to keep us going,” Mesecke said.
“We have volunteers that come on a regular basis, but this in the first time we’ve had such a large group come out and help at one time. It definitely lifts your spirits.”

DALLAS—A recent e-mail appeal from six former Baptist General Convention of Texas presidents encouraging attendance at the state convention’s annual meeting in McAllen and an announcement regarding a new blog devoted to historic Baptist principles marked the first—but not the last—efforts of Texas Baptists Committed to reconnect with Baptists in the state, said Michael Bell, chairman of the group’s board of directors.

“Texas Baptists Committed is alive and well,” said Bell, pastor of Greater St. Stephen First Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

Some Texas Baptists had wondered if the organization—formed two decades ago to resist a “fundamentalist takeover” of the BGCT—was alive at all after its executive director, David Currie, stepped down last year and the board closed its San Angelo office.

At the high point of its influence, Texas Baptists Committed mobilized thousands of messengers from churches around the state to attend BGCT annual meetings and elect a series of officers endorsed by the group—including the state convention’s first Hispanic, African-American and female presidents. In recent years, Texas Baptists Committed experienced financial hardship and endured questions about its continued reason for being.

While Texas Baptists Committed wants to retain its “edge” in speaking out regarding historic Baptist principles, Bell said, the organization now primarily wants to be a resource to help Baptist churches in the state.

“We have evolved. This is a new day,” he said. “This is the next level.”

The organization wants to be a positive voice in encouraging the BGCT and Texas Baptist churches, Bell insisted.

“We don’t think we are running away from our roots,” he said. “Different times call for a different approach. This is a new day, and we want to approach issues and challenges in a way consistent with the current context.”

Texas Baptists Committed has set up a blog site, http://texasbaptistscommitted.blogspot.com, but the organization will be more than just an Internet presence, Bell insisted.

The board is involved in a “thoughtful process” searching for an executive director, he said, and the Texas Baptists Committed offices probably will be somewhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“David Currie served Texas Baptists well, contrary to the preachments of some,” Bell insisted. “We don’t run away from the positive things he has done. We are not going to fail to recognize our past and the gigantic, monumental contributions he made. But David Currie is not part of our leadership, and he is not on our board.”

A complete roster of the Texas Baptists Committed board is posted at http://www.txbc.org/TBC/BoardofDir.htm.