txb. Issue 4 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 life

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1 txb. Issue 4 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 life

2 Hello, Texas Baptists! Our Texas Baptists method of officing, doing ministry and relating to our constituents has been changing during these past few months. Let me highlight some of these new areas as I ask you to always be in prayer for us, so that together we can impact Texas with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We no longer office at 333 N. Washington Ave. near downtown Dallas and next to the Baylor Hospital complex. As you may already know, after three years of prayerful discussion and negotiation, we sold our building to Baylor University for their use as a new Louise Herrington School of Nursing. We now office at 7557 Rambler Road, about five miles further north. Also, our entire Christian Life Commission (CLC) staff is now living and serving in Austin. For years, we had CLC staff in both Austin and Dallas, but now they are one unit carrying out our great work for Texas Baptists in Austin. During this past legislative session, this change proved to be advantageous. In addition, our Historical Collection, directed by Dr. Alan Lefever, is now in a newly refurbished building in downtown Waco. This building was given to us and renovated for us by Baylor as a part of our sale agreement. Having the Historical Collection in Waco places it in close proximity to the many additional materials on both Baptists and Texas housed in the Baylor library system. Plus, it puts them only two hours from our Texas Baptists museum located in the old church at Independence. (A visit to Independence is worth your time and effort, especially if you are a Baptist and a Texan.) Also, we have an additional staff member now doing work and ministry for us in San Antonio: Elizabeth Biedrzycki. In addition to this work, she is seeking to create greater synergy with and between all of our Baptist entities in South Texas, of which there are many. Finally, we have re-established the Office of Cooperative Program Ministries. This work is now very capably led by Dr. Chris Liebrum. Please invite him to come to your church and inform/educate your members on the practice and power of Cooperative Giving. You will not be disappointed. Other changes have occurred and, as Texas keeps changing, I m certain more adjustments will be forthcoming. Stay tuned. We are praying for you. Sincerely, David Executive Director Texas Baptists 2 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life

3 txb.life Where life and faith are just a click away. table of contents 4-8 Event Calendar 9-12 Featured Events 13 faith Eating together 14 innovation Lessons from a London learning lab 15 great commandment From brokenness to redeemed profile Meet your Connections Ministry 18 culture An expression of love at Christmas txb.life Magazine Editors and Writers Joshua Minatrea, Associate Director of Communications Kalie Lowrie, Publications Manager Rachel Hendricks, Web Content Manager Leah Reynolds, News/PR Manager txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

4 event calendar NOVEMBER SUN 1 MON 2 TUE WED THUR FRI SAT Hispanic Leadership Conference DALLAS, TX Fiesta Ring SAN ANTONIO, TX Annual Meeting FRISCO, TX Thanksgiving Hunger Offering 5th Sunday This year at the Annual Meeting, we ll examine Baptist distinctives and share the reasons we choose to be Baptists. Together we ll explore our deep roots and celebrate our living legacy through inspiring worship, enlightening workshops and educational exhibits. Kathy Hillman 2015 TEXAS BAPTISTS PRESIDENT MEMBER OF COLUMBUS AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH, WACO 4 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life

5 DECEMBER event calendar SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT Retirees Retreat DALLAS, TX Christmas Open House TEXAS BAPTISTS DALLAS OFFICE Christmas Eve Christmas New Year s Eve It was a special treat for my husband and me to drive down to Dallas last Christmas and be a part of the Christmas Open House at the Texas Baptists Building. It was great to be able to visit with the staff on a personal basis while we were there. We are looking forward to going again this year at the new location. Come and join us! Rynell Novak EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER MEMBER OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DENTON txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

6 event calendar JANUARY SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT Collegiate Leadership Summit WACO, TX Preschool and Children s Ministers Retreat GRANBURY, TX Childhood Ministry Certification Program GRANBURY, TX Children s Worship University LEWISVILLE, TX Abide SPICEWOOD, TX [un]apologetics Conference MCKINNEY, TX 31 Hunger Offering 5th Sunday Abide was an experience that I will never forget. Lives were changed and hearts touched. That s what happens when children belonging to God give their all to Him in worship. Dylan Mathis BSM STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR 6 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life

7 FEBRUARY event calendar SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT Go Now Discovery Weekend MIDLOTHIAN, TX VBS Material Overview TULIA, TX VBS Material Overview AUSTIN, TX Hispanic Evangelism Conference SAN ANTONIO, TX VBS Material Overview ROCKPORT, TX Hispanic Evangelism Conference SAN ANTONIO, TX VBS Material Overview ALBA, TX At last year s Hispanic Evangelism Conference, we had a very good spirit. God s will was preached and that was very impactful. The number one thing we re always looking for is reaching the lost and impacting the community and that s what the HEC is all about. Olga Rodriguez MEMBER OF LIFE CHURCH, SAN ANTONIO txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

8 event calendar MARCH SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT Children s Worship University LEWISVILLE, TX African American Leadership Workshop WACO, TX BOUNCE Spring Break SAN MARCOS/WIMBERLEY, TX Childhood Ministry Certification Program DALLAS, TX Beach Reach SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX Beach Reach SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX BOUNCE Spring Break SAN MARCOS/WIMBERLEY, TX Disaster Recovery Spring Break Trip BLANCO & WIMBERLEY, TX Instrumental Convergence TYLER, TX Every year our students connect with God while serving others through participation in the BOUNCE program. I am grateful for not only how organized and fun BOUNCE is, but how it challenges my students to connect with God s story of bringing restoration and hope to a lost and hurting world. BOUNCE has been one of the most consistent life-changing events in my ministry. Walker McWilliams YOUTH MINISTER AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, LUFKIN 8 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life

9 featured events Great Commandment Events to serve and love others Christmas Open House The new Texas Baptists Dallas office is opening its doors to celebrate Christmas with the surrounding Baptist family. Come for refreshments and a Christmas photo opportunity! Texas Baptists Dallas office; December 10. texasbaptists.org/openhouse Disaster Recovery Spring Break Trip This Disaster Recovery trip provides an opportunity for churches and individuals to spend their spring breaks on mission, helping to clear debris and rebuild homes in Blanco and Wimberley after a massive flood struck the Texas towns this past spring. Blanco and Wimberley; March texasbaptists.org/disaster Hunger Offering 5th Sunday Texas Baptists are working together with many Baptist partners in Texas and around the world to show Christ s love and generosity by meeting immediate hunger needs and helping people escape the devastation of poverty. The Texas Baptist Hunger Offering seeks to empower those in need by funding relief and development projects that are holistic and sustainable. November 29, January 31. texasbaptists.org/hungeroffering txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

10 featured events Great Commission Events to train and develop church staff and leaders Annual Meeting Deep Roots Living Legacy, this year s annual meeting for Texas Baptists, will focus on Baptist Distinctives. This is a time for church ministers and Baptist leaders from around the state to come together for fellowship and learn more about Texas Baptists ministries. Elected messengers will also vote on convention business. Dr Pepper Arena, Frisco; November texasbaptists.org/annualmeeting Childhood Ministry Certification Program The Childhood Certification Program is designed to equip leaders in the preschool, children s and family ministry areas of their church. First Baptist Church, Granbury; January 20. texasbaptists.org/childhood Children s Worship University Children s Worship University offers practical classes for children s worship and children s choir leadership of contemporary, blended and traditional churches of any size. Classes are led by expert clinicians and are creative, challenging and inspiring. It is also a time to network with leadership from other churches throughout the state. FBC Lewisville; January texasbaptists.org/cwu Instrumental Convergence This event is led by an experienced clinician and is designed for all instrumentalists from contemporary or traditional churches of any size. This one-day training offers master classes, reading sessions, massed playing and more. Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler; March 19. texasbaptists.org/ic 2016 Preschool and Children s Certification Program Preschool and Children s Ministers Retreat This retreat is a time for preschool, children s and family ministers to be together for education, information and spiritual renewal. Granbury Conference Center, Granbury; January texasbaptists.org/childhood PRESCHOOL & CHILDREN S MINISTERS RETREAT [un]apologetic Conference This evangelistic apologetics conference addresses current ways to remove obstacles to evangelism. First Baptist Church McKinney; January texasapologetics.com 10 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life

11 featured events VBS Material Overview The material overview is an opportunity for Vacation Bible School directors, leaders and decision makers to review VBS material. FBC Tulia; February 6. Woodlawn Baptist Church, Austin; February 13. FBC Rockport; February 20. Lake Fork Baptist Church, Alba; February 27. texasbaptists.org/childhood VBS Material Overview Cultural Events to equip and support cultural groups African American Leadership Workshop This leadership workshop is designed to train and equip lay leaders and potential leaders in pertinent, key areas of ministry. Truett Seminary, Waco; March 4-5. texasbaptists.org/aam Hispanic Evangelism Conference Hispanic pastors and their leaders gather at the HEC with the objectives of inspiration, information and implementation of evangelistic principles and strategies that will transform the evangelistic DNA of the local church. Life Church, San Antonio; February texasbaptists.org/hec Hispanic Leadership Conference The Hispanic Leadership Conference trains and equips leaders to empower people in their own congregations to maximize their leadership potential. Dallas Baptist University, Dallas; November 6-7. texasbaptists.org/hlc2015 txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

12 featured events Students Events for youth and college-aged students Abide Abide is a prayer retreat for college students, high school seniors, and adults who work with college students. Participants experience quiet, still opportunities to connect with God and to pray for their campuses and the world. Highland Lakes Camp and Conference Center, Spicewood; January texasbaptists.org/abide Beach Reach Beach Reach is a mission trip for college students on which volunteers will spend their spring break engaging in spiritual dialogue with spring breakers and offering free pancakes and van rides. South Padre Island; March texasbaptists.org/collegiate BOUNCE BOUNCE is a pre-packaged mission experience that provides student ministry leaders a vehicle to mobilize their students to impact disaster-affected areas by being the hands and feet of Christ. San Marcos/Wimberley; March 9-12, texasbaptists.org/bounce Go Now Discovery Weekend Discovery Weekend gives college students a place to discover their next step in missions. Students will learn about summer mission opportunities, and Go Now Missions leaders will help guide them toward a mission position right for them. Midlothian; February 5-6. gonowmissions.com 12 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life

13 Eating Together Taylor Sandlin Pastor, Southland Baptist Church, San Let s eat. Those may be my favorite two words. Whether it s dinner with my family or Wednesday night supper at church, few things speak of the abundant life God longs to give us like sitting together over a delicious meal. Perhaps that s the reason Jesus primary commandment about Christian worship involved the commandment to eat together. Baptists generally believe Jesus left us with two ordinances for worship: baptism and the Lord s Supper. While we have brought baptism into the building, baptisms originally happened in public. The one thing Jesus told us to do when we gather together for worship was to share this meal and remember Him. Why do you think Jesus one command for worship involved eating together? I believe it s because Jesus knew that food speaks. If you see a cake with candles on top, what do we know without anyone saying a word? It s somebody s birthday. Exchange the candles for a little figurine of a man and a woman and what do you have? That s right, a wedding. Of course, food can speak in more intimate ways. I can t eat gumbo without thinking of my grandfather. When I eat gumbo, I don t just remember that dish was one of my grandfather s favorite foods, I also remember everything else about him. I recently had the opportunity to share the Lord s Supper with a small congregation in Laos. We did not have a translator with us, which meant I understood almost nothing that was said in the service. No translator was required, however, when the pastor broke bread and passed the cup. I already knew what was being said. We are a part of the family of God. We have a seat at God s table, not by our own doing, but by the grace of God made manifest through the sacrificial death of Jesus our Lord. Remember His body. Remember His blood. Remember His death but also His resurrection! Remember the life He has called us to live. Remember, eat and be filled. txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

14 Lessons from a London learning lab Joshua Minatrea Associate Director of Communications The London I d heard of was damp and dreary, but the London I experienced on the first Texas Baptists Learning Lab was anything but. I found the city awash in midsummer sunlight, broad rays bouncing off weathered stones and gilded storefronts, illuminating bustling faces full of energy and thought. There wasn t the slightest hint of a fog. My expectations proved to be amiss. And in a way, that s exactly why I was there. Fourteen of us men and women, young and not-so-young, pastors and lay leaders banded together from across the state to embark upon the 7-day voyage with the express purpose of learning. Through a series of interactive exercises from haggling for food outside Brick Lane curry houses to topping off Oyster Cards in the crowded overground to feeling the current of the Columbia Road flower market facilitators urged us to be open to change and imagine new and different possibilities for the Kingdom work we do. And the questions that arose are exactly the type of partnership between Texas Baptists and London-based Matryoshka Haus seeks to ask: What else? What else could church look like? How else might we approach mission and ministry? Who else is building and maintaining authentic community? What s more, what do these things look like in an increasingly post- Christian context? From a neighborhood greenhouse, Andy talked of measuring transformation; Chine at the 14 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life Evangelical Alliance shared her struggle to detoxify a brand and re-engage millennials online; Ian at Moot Community talked about going against the establishment as an espresso machine whirred in the entryway of his church s medieval sanctuary; from a Wapping cafe, Johnnie outlined Church Mission Society s efforts to equip pioneers; Johnny and the Earlsfield Friary community treated us to a magnificent feast with food sourced from their neighborhood co-op while Gav, a practicing pioneer, poured out his soul through quiet chords on a guitar; Thomason warmed us with blankets and spoke of hospitality from the backyard of her suburban home where families and students find short-term housing; Dave over a traditional English breakfast at a greasy spoon insisted we have to reach folks beyond the church walls in pubs and other places they frequent. Over and over again, our group witnessed amazing people applying creative solutions in specific contexts. Then, during an emotional debriefing, we were tasked with drafting a plan of action so that, upon our return, we could transition from students to practitioners and live on purpose, just like those we d watched. I thought London would be damp and dreary, but it wasn t. I m glad I took the trip to find out what else it could be. For more on the Texas Baptists/Matryoshka Haus partnership, contact Elizabeth Biedrzycki at elizabeth.biedrzycki@texasbaptists.org.

15 From brokenness to redeemed: Community transformation and the church Ali Hearon Hunger and Care Ministries Specialist, Christian Life When teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus declared to the Father, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Mt. 6:10). His prayer was an invitation for redemption but it was also a bit of a cliffhanger. How does a community go from brokenness to redeemed as it is in heaven? What does it look like for those words to become flesh? While I do not have a complete answer, I do believe the Lord has charged churches with a divine call to act as catalysts for this transformational process. Isaiah 58:12 says: Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. (NRSV) Here is a beautiful portrait of the Church. What would happen if every follower of Christ was known as a repairer and restorer of his or her street? Brick by brick, person by person, each church community contains a unique capacity to impact its surroundings in countless ways. By investing in relationships across denominational and cultural lines, adopting a local school, advocating for just laws and committing to prison ministry (to name a few), this legacy of hope and engagement could transform Texas and beyond. As Texas Baptists Hunger and Care Specialist, I have the privilege of having a front row seat as Texas Baptist churches delve into this journey of community transformation. One central way churches engage in this work is through the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering. The Hunger Offering rallies churches to overcome the cycle of poverty in Texas and around the globe. The Hunger Offering not only prioritizes immediate relief, but also lends support to ministries engaged in community development. Heaven is coming to earth in the love and work of numerous ministries, such as Christian Women s Job Corps in Texas and the Nepal Baptist s Skills Development program both equipping individuals with necessary tools to provide for their families. Supporting the Hunger Offering is one way to join hands across the Texas Baptists community to pursue holistic restoration for local and distant neighbors, but the story does not end there. It is time to dream together and see God s hope touch down in our streets. How can your church partner with our Lord s prayer? How can we put on the love of Christ in our communities to repair breaches and restore relationships? As we move together toward our unique and collective calling, please let me know if I can help by providing ministry ideas, connecting you with other churches and organizations, or encouraging you along your journey. txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

16 Meet your Connections texasbaptists.org/connections The Texas Baptists Connections Team is the primary connection point between pastors and the vast array of resources and ministries of Texas Baptists. Whether providing direct resources for pastoral leadership development or acting as a connecting guide to other resources provided by our ministries, this team is here to serve our pastors and their congregations. This team includes Area Representatives, Bivocational Ministry, Church Architecture, Church Starting, Counseling Services, Interim Services and Minister Connection, our online job posting site. What is the best plate of food in your area? Joe Loughlin DIRECTOR, CONNECTIONS joe.loughlin@texasbaptists.org (214) Alyssa Stiglets MINISTRY ASSISTANT, CONNECTIONS alyssa.stiglets@texasbaptists.org (214) Patti Adams MINISTRY ASSISTANT, CONNECTIONS patti.adams@texasbaptists.org (214) Clara Morales MINISTRY ASSISTANT, CONNECTIONS clara.morales@texasbaptists.org (214) BBQ from Pecan Lodge Enchiladas Chile Relleno at Matt s Hamburger and Fries at Coyote Bluff Franklin s BBQ The Ribs at Country Tavern Gringo s Tex Mex My Wife s Ceviche Bistro B in Dallas Cabrito Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy from Babe s The Texas Cuisine at Reata 16 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life Sirloin Steak from Texas Roadhouse

17 Our Area Representatives (pictured below) are strategically located around the state to help your church whenever a need arises. Each representative has several years of experience serving on church staff. By building relationships with you, they can learn your needs and help connect you with the Texas Baptists resources and consultants to serve you best. AREA 1 AREA 2 AREA 3 AREA 9 AREA 8 AREA 6 AREA AREA 4 5 AREA 7 AREA 1 REPRESENTATIVE - PANHANDLE Charles Davenport charles.davenport@texasbaptists.org (806) AREA 6 REPRESENTATIVE - CENTRAL TEXAS Richard Mangum richard.mangum@texasbaptists.org (972) AREA 2 REPRESENTATIVE - WEST TEXAS Robert Cuellar robert.cuellar@texasbaptists.org (325) AREA 3 REPRESENTATIVE - RIO GRANDE VALLEY Noe Trevino noe.trevino@texasbaptists.org (361) AREA 7 REPRESENTATIVE - EAST TEXAS Tim Watson tim.watson@texasbaptists.org (903) AREA 8 REPRESENTATIVE - DALLAS ( INTERIM ) John Nguyen john.nguyen@texasbaptists.org (214) AREA 4 REPRESENTATIVE - SAN ANTONIO Fred C. Ater fred.ater@texasbaptists.org (210) AREA 9 REPRESENTATIVE - FORT WORTH Larry Vowell larry.vowell@texasbaptists.org (817) AREA 5 REPRESENTATIVE - HOUSTON Ernest Dagohoy ernest.dagohoy@texasbaptists.org (832) txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

18 An expression of love at Christmas By Jesse Rincones Executive Director, Hispanic Baptist Convention of The viral video begins with a college-age young man approaching a homeless man on the street. The pessimist in me assumes the young man and his video taping cohort are up to no good. I m expecting them to taunt the poor man, tape their escapades and replay it for their evil pleasure. I underestimated the power of love. The young men proceed to take the homeless man to a clothing store. There, they allow the man to choose a new pair of shoes, two pairs of jeans, several shirts and other clothes. The receipt on the video shows $151 in expenditures. Next, they rent a hotel room for the man for two nights. I haven t slept on a bed in two months! the man exclaimed. After showering, the man is taken to a barber shop for a fresh haircut. After a huge dinner at an expensive steak house, the evening is topped off with dessert. The transformed homeless man can t stop talking about what a great experience he just had. I can t think of this video without thinking about Christmas. The initial expression of Christmas embodied love and generosity: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Christmas is a yearly reminder to the church of God s expectation that the church live out the expression of Christmas all throughout the year through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13). The act of service in the video an expression of love took the greater part of a day, cost several hundred dollars, was captured in a micro-documentary, uploaded to a digital cloud and made available for the world to see. Not all expressions of love are so elaborate or complex. Not all are so well-planned and so well-resourced. Not all acts of service are recorded for posterity. A simple act of service can be expressed in a matter of seconds. Service could look like a stranger running to help a single mom who has her hands full with two children and their groceries. Often, love requires more time, like the encouraging visit at the bedside of someone in the hospital or nursing home. The loving choice to adopt, to care for a special needs child, and to persevere in marriage are expressions of love which last for a lifetime. You and I will have many opportunities to serve one another through love. Some opportunities will be spontaneous. Many will go unnoticed. Some may even be unappreciated. However, expressions of love are never wasted. The only wasted love is love left unshared. How will you share God s love in service with someone this Christmas and every day of the year? 18 WINTER 2015 / SPRING 2016 txb.life

19 txb.life Where life and faith are just a click away. A new publication for Texas Baptists, txb.life is available both in-hand and online. Full articles featured in this piece are accessible at txb.life. Join the conversation on this new website on topics like: txb.life WINTER 2015 / SPRING

20 If you are interested in receiving more copies of txb.life, please contact 7557 RAMBLER ROAD, SUITE 1200 DALLAS, TX FPO