IN FOCUS: Now is the time to focus on Hope 1:8

We have been reminded through Texas Hope 2010 that Texas is a vast multi-cultural state that is moving away from Christ more quickly than it is moving toward him. Religious diversity is a growing challenge, but not nearly as much as increasing secularity. Apathy appears to overshadow apostasy.

The goal of Texas Hope 2010 was to share the hope of Christ with every person in Texas. We tried to do this with the threefold emphasis of prayer, care and share. These continue to be foundational as we plan Hope 1:8, our concerted effort to formulate a strategy to implement Acts 1:8 before 2018.

How can we build on what we have learned about Texas from Texas Hope 2010 and define our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth? What are our resources? Who are our ministry partners? What is our plan?

I have met to discuss this challenge with more than 150 pastors and about 50 directors of missions in every region of our state during the past few months. The pastors were selected from the churches giving the strongest support through the Cooperative Program. Some of these meetings were held on the campuses of Texas Baptist institutions where they, too, were engaged in this conversation.

Several observations were obvious:

• The need is great.

• The situation is urgent.

• If we continuing doing what we are presently doing, we will fall further behind in our mission efforts.

• We can do more together than we can do by ourselves.

•God entrusted tremendous resources to Texas Baptists.

We have been reminded that starting new churches among unreached people in Texas must be a priority. For that to happen, we must identify these communities geographically, ethnically and culturally. New models are needed for these churches, and leadership training for the pastors must be as diverse as the groups we attempt to reach.

Innovation also is needed for missions beyond Texas. We live in a time of unprecedented opportunity. Travel and communication make our world more accessible. We must continue to pray for God to call out our best folks to be pastors and missionaries, but it is even more urgent for the entire church to be unleashed. The movement of the church in Acts was not a deployment of a handful of professional clergy but was an expansion by all the people of God (Acts 8:4).

The world has moved to Texas. Two hundred fifteen languages are spoken by folks living in Houston. International students are flocking to our universities. But Texans also are migrating throughout the world. Our companies are international. Texans travel and often move to the ends of the earth. Social networks link us globally.

I am convinced a Hope 1:8 strategy will not be discovered by denominational employees or seminary faculty. Churches will discover partners and resources for fulfilling Acts 1:8. We who work for the churches will try to network our Texas Baptist family as we become alert to kingdom opportunities.

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