IN FOCUS: Is this a post-denominational world?

I have just participated in the centennial celebration of the Hispanic Convencion in San Antonio. More than 4,000 people gathered for this historic event, including around 3,400 messengers. Almost 800 youth gathered for separate activities. We heard stories of the past 100 years and plans and dreams for the future. No one even suggested we were living in a post-denominational world.

The president, Victor Rodriquez, applauded the work of the churches during Texas Hope 2010 and challenged them to begin focusing on Acts 1:8. As I observed the large number of Texas Baptist Hispanic leaders and enjoyed the hospitality of a predominately Hispanic megacity, San Antonio, I realized these were not the leaders of tomorrow; they are our leaders today.

I’m often asked about challenges we face in a post-denominational world. Some assume universal agreement that the age of denominations is past. Such assumptions often come from parachurch leaders or independent church pastors who have questioned the effectiveness of denominations for decades.

What can we do together that we cannot do alone? We have ongoing ministries, including our seven universities, childcare institutions, chaplains and student ministries on 120 university campuses across Texas. The BGCT provides ministry resources and training for all aspects of church life. Our educational partners offer training from literacy to Ph.D. programs. Our networks send missionaries around the world.

This past year, Texas Baptists sponsored events that brought the hope of Christ to thousands across our state, including:

• City Reach Houston, surrounding our annual meeting—6,389 decisions for Christ, including 3,047 professions of faith.

• Congreso, 7,000-plus Hispanic youth met at Baylor University—2,702 decisions, including 2,002 professions of faith.

• Youth Evangelism Conference—4,500 teens, with 502 decisions of which 452 were professions of faith.

• Super Summer schools end this week—3,300 registered, and the number of decisions have not been tabulated.

• Camp Fusion—242 gathered, representing 17 intercultural Texas Baptist churches; 14 professions of faith, an additional 36 recommitments; seven language groups present.

This sample of BGCT events does not include Camp Exalted for African-American youth and the African-American Fellowship, which are yet to take place, plus evangelism conferences across Texas. Nor does it attempt to capture the prayer, care and share events of our churches throughout Texas Hope 2010.

Even before Hurricane Alex made landfall, Texas Baptist Men and Baptist Child & Family Services placed their disaster relief teams to assist communities in danger. Texas Baptist churches made preparations to offer shelter and assistance.

Texas Baptists face the same challenges that confront our churches and institutions. We live in an increasingly secular world. Budgets are smaller, and expenses are growing. Yet observing God at work in new and meaningful ways among our family reminds us we face unprecedented opportunities.

Randel Everett is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.