Texas Baptists met together in Houston for our 124th annual meeting. Even though the number of messengers was down, the events surrounding the meeting drew a diverse crowd. City Reach set records for participation and results. The Under-35 Stream brought 250 guests and messengers, many who attended a state convention for the first time. Three hundred participants stayed for the G-5 Conference for a theological conversation about Calvinism and 21st century leadership issues.
The BGCT and Union Baptist Association worked with ministry partners, including Bill Glass Champions for Life, for City Reach. Glass wrote: “This weekend was a historic one for us, and the largest event we have ever conducted. We could not have done it without the help and active participation of the BGCT! We sent over 1,000 teammates into 14 correctional facilities. … A preliminary count shows this combined effort resulted in over 5,700 decisions for Christ among inmates, and over 2,700 of these were first-time! We are also excited about our partnership with the BGCT in our follow-up efforts as well.
“In addition, our former NFL athletes shared with over 8,000 school students in Houston in 22 different school programs. As a result of this program, there were at least three interventions in the lives of troubled students who … were seriously contemplating suicide. Only heaven knows how many other kids made life-changing decisions as a result of these programs.”
The final report for City Reach in Houston included:
• Total attendees: 19,214
• Total churches participating: 214
• Total rededications: 1,134
• Total professions of faith: 1,917
About 250 individuals under the age of 35 participated in the annual meeting, a number of them as messengers. Sunday night, about 100 of them gathered for a time of fellowship that was affirming and encouraging for participants. One hundred ninety participated in the Stream general sessions, and 95 in the breakout sessions on topics such as human trafficking, arts and worship, Texas Hunger Initiative, living missionally and creation care.
The Under-35 general sessions offered spiritual formation, worship through song and telling God’s story as it has been seen in the long history of Baptists, in the lives of today’s under-35 Baptists and in Scripture. On Monday, 45 of them worked at the Houston Food Bank and boxed 21,600 pounds of beans.
David Lowrie, Carolyn Strickland and Bobby Broyles led the meetings with dignity and grace. Reports, including the one from the Future Focus Committee, were discussed in breakout sessions and enthusiastically received. Texas Hope 2010 was clearly the focus in the exhibit hall, the breakout sessions and in the general sessions. David Lowrie and George Mason delivered stirring messages that challenged us to unity and sharing the hope of Christ.
I am grateful that God allows me to be a part of Texas Baptists.
Randel Everett is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.