IN FOCUS: A year later, looking back & ahead

A little over a year ago, I began the journey of serving as acting executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Randel Everett had moved to First Baptist Church in Midland, and the executive committee of the BGCT Executive Board asked me to serve. I took on the responsibility gladly and willingly. Now, one year later, David Hardage comes to lead us. In this final column for me in this role as acting executive director, allow me to take a look back and a look ahead.

This has been an amazing year. We have celebrated the hope of Christ and focused on his direction from Acts 1:8. Let me thank the staff for their work and their support. This is a smaller, leaner staff than we have had in some years. At one time, there were more than 400 people working for Texas Baptists through the Executive Board. We now have a staff of about 270, including our campus missionaries who serve at the Baptist Student Ministries across the state. Please know these are some of the most highly committed and deeply dedicated people it has been my privilege with which to work. They are gifted experts who are giving themselves for the cause of Christ. As a Texas Baptist pastor for 30-plus years and as one who has the opportunity to work for Texas Baptists, let me say a word of thanks and affirmation to this staff.

Now a look ahead: As David Hardage comes, we are poised to take the next steps in reaching our world for Christ. We look forward to his leadership and his vision for this collection of churches called Texas Baptists.

God has done and will continue to do remarkable things through the work of Texas Baptists. The people, churches, associations and institutions that make up this convention accomplish much. The challenge is to do more. There are billions of people in this world who do not even have an opportunity to hear about our Lord. We are commissioned to tell them.

Please join me as we pray for the days ahead.

• Please pray for Dr. Hardage and his leadership.

• Please pray for the staff of the BGCT as we work for the kingdom of our Lord.

• Please pray for the institutions of this convention, the associations, the churches and the people that partner to do the work of Christ.

• Pray in all that is done, God will lead us, and we will join him in what he already is doing.

The Apostle Paul was such a missionary of hope for the kingdom of God. The last verse in chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians is an example of Paul's hope and a challenge for us: "Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Let it be in all of us.

–Steve Vernon is associate executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.