Sergio Ramos will join Texas Baptists to further develop and direct the emerging network of Great Commission and Great Commandment, or GC2, churches and ministries in Texas and beyond.
At the May meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board, Executive Director Julio Guarneri asked the board to affirm the intention to give this initiative a clearer definition and structure.
“As part of this process, an executive director’s appointed task force was affirmed by the board to engage in giving shape to the network. Additionally, the board affirmed the hiring of a staff member to direct this process,” Guarneri said in his weekly update to Texas Baptists.
These actions were needed in light of increasing inquiries from out-of-state churches, Guarneri explained at the May meeting.
The recommendation passed also allowed for a new staff position to explore ways to add structure to the movement.
In his new role, Ramos will develop and implement a plan to build a network of churches and ministries in North America to connect and collaborate on kingdom projects.
He also will serve as a liaison for pastors and leaders within and outside of Texas “who are interested in collaborating on mission projects, such as church starting, in North America and around the world. The director will engage pastors and church leaders in the various ministry and mission opportunities offered by the BGCT and encourage them to financially support the work of the BGCT and/or specific GC2 projects,” Guarneri also noted in his weekly update.
Called to serve
Ramos, who will assume his new role on Sept. 1, said he is looking forward to fulfilling his simple call to serve by relating to like-minded ministry leaders through Texas Baptists.
“I have always been, as a minister, someone that has done his diligence in every area that the Lord allows me to be a part of, to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. But I truly believe that for us to do that, we need to establish a greater collaboration, and that deals with intentional relationships,” said Ramos. “So, what excites me is how we can connect all the pieces together to genuinely fulfill the Great Commission.”
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Before joining Texas Baptists, Ramos served at Buckner International for 16 years, holding 12 different positions during his tenure, including regional director for international operations in Russia, Albania, Peru, Dominican Republic and Honduras, and director of executive initiatives. He concluded his time at Buckner International as the church engagement, institution and denomination initiatives director.
Ramos is a product of Texas Baptist schools. He graduated from Valley Baptist Academy in Harlingen, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from East Texas Baptist University, a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a second master’s degree in leadership from Dallas Baptist University. He is working to complete his doctorate in cross-cultural competency from Southwestern Seminary.
Ramos’ strengths
Guarneri praised Ramos’ extensive ministry service, skillset and cross-cultural capacity.
“Brother Ramos brings a wealth of experience as a local church pastor, having served multiple churches in various pastoral roles. He also served in a strategic way on staff with Tarrant Baptist Association, as a key personnel member for Worldconnex, and most recently as church engagement, denominations and institutions leader with Buckner International,” Guarneri said.
“Sergio possesses natural gifts and skills in interpersonal relationships, networking and developing strategic partnerships. Having worked internationally and cross-culturally, Sergio Ramos is competent in relating to leaders and churches of various cultural backgrounds and with national leaders in various countries.”
As he begins his service, Ramos will work closely with the GC2 Study Group to clarify Texas Baptists’ relationship with more than 70 churches outside the state’s boundaries, explore how future GC2 churches and ministries will relate to the BGCT, and develop a user-friendly onramp for more like-minded churches and ministries to join.
“It’s exciting to be a part of an organization that I’m a product of,” said Ramos. “I feel like I’m coming home.”
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