Articles from November 2018

1 - 10 of 10 articles

Border Summit encourages Texas and Mexican Baptists to share the Gospel beyond borders or limits

by Kalie Lowrie on November 26, 2018 in News

More than 100 people joined together in Matamoros on November 17 to discuss the importance of ministry along the Texas/Mexico border at a Border Summit co-hosted by Texas Baptists and the Seminario Teológico Bautista Cosme G. Montemayor.

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Revitalizing a church and reimagining community outreach

by Kirsten McKimmey on November 26, 2018 in Great Commandment

Cooperation can be a catalyst for change and a powerful tool for community ministry. Recently, Texas Baptist Missions Foundation (TBMF) Vice President Jerry Carlisle connected a donor and a matching grant, with a new church start at just the right moment. Through connections with TBMF, the local association, church starting, and a partner church, The Church at Junius Heights is now equipped for ministry in the East Dallas community.

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Seeking asylum: The migrant caravan and the crisis along the border

by Kathryn Freeman on November 21, 2018 in CLC

In the book of Exodus, a caravan of Israelites set out from Egypt to their new home in Canaan. They faced many challenges on their journey. Some groups along the way met them with kindness, while others failed to offer any grace.

In Deuteronomy 23:4, God bans Ammonites and Moabites from entering the assembly because of their failure to meet the Israelites with food and water in the desert. In Deuteronomy 10, God reminds the Israelites of His love for the foreigner and commands them to love the foreigner because they were once foreigners in Egypt.

Obviously, America is not Israel, and the same prescriptions placed on followers of Christ do not apply to a sovereign nation. Still, we presently face our own caravans. We can apply biblical principles to our personal responses as we seek to think biblically and consider just policy solutions.

Before discussing policy reforms, it is important to understand some basics about the immigration system. As followers of Christ we should not to bear false witness in our speech. Over the last several weeks we have been bombarded with news stories about a “diseased” migrants, “invading hordes,” “terrorists,” and “drug dealers.” These news reports have sensationalized this issue to stoke fear on this side of the border.

This blog post includes basic facts about the process for seeking asylum in the U.S. and how some of those in the migrant caravan might be allowed to legally stay in the U.S. In a second post, I will include some policy ideas that enhance border security and improve the process for seeking asylum.

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Pass the plate this Thanksgiving season

by Ali Corona on November 16, 2018 in CLC

Sometimes it’s hard to remember goodness when hatred and violence abound. Richard Foster’s words remind me of God’s true heart: “Our God is not made of stone. His heart is the most sensitive and tender of all. No act goes unnoticed, no matter how insignificant or small. A cup of cold water is enough to put tears in the eyes of God. God celebrates our feeble expressions of gratitude.”

Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, is a day dedicated to these feeble expressions by giving back. Texas Baptist Hunger Offering donations that day will purchase meals for marginalized children at Operación San Andrés in Collique, Peru. The goal is to raise $10,000 for 5,000 meals.

I love the imagery of the Creator of the universe tearing up when a cup or plate passes from hand to hand -- with a smile, no doubt. It is like celebrating communion -- an act of worship and reverence for God. Heaven seems to meet earth in the simplest of places.

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BSM Director sees God’s provision through life-changing circumstances

by Guest Author on November 15, 2018 in News

On April 5, 2018, BSM Director Cody Shouse sat in Austin traffic on the way home from The University of Texas at Austin’s Longhorn BSM weekly Bible study. Unexpectedly, his car was hit from behind by another vehicle going 60 miles per hour, resulting in a serious accident.

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Learn how to support Operación San Andrés after Giving Tuesday

by Guest Author on November 14, 2018 in Hunger Offering

By Abby Hopkins

#GivingTuesday 2018 is fast approaching, and we hope you are getting excited! Although our goal is to raise $10,000 for Operación San Andrés, we want to let you know other ways you can continue to take part in the ministry’s work.

  • Knit baby blankets, stocking hats, prayer shawls, or anything else that will help people in Collique during cold and damp winters.

  • Are you in college or seminary? Intern with OSA. You can spend up to 8 weeks at their mission site in Peru doing special projects, and may be able to use it for college credit.

  • Do you work for a children’s mission organization? Hold a fundraiser or get your kids involved to help kids in Collique. Here are some ideas:

    • Collect school supplies and send them to OSA.

    • Contact OSA for specific names and photos of children who participate in the Educational Enrichment Program and pray for them by name with your organization.

    • Visit www.operacionsanandres.org to research more about the ministry and share what you find with the kids .

  • Go to Peru and serve with OSA in April or October on a mission trip.

  • Become a regular donor to the Hunger Offering or sign up for our newsletter to stay in-the-know.

  • Pray!

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New Hope Church celebrates 150th anniversary by giving back

by Analiz G Schremmer on November 13, 2018 in News

Usually, the person with a birthday receives presents. But when New Hope First Baptist Church in Cedar Park turned 150 years old, they decided to do things a little differently.

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Truett Seminary and Texas Baptists Offer Advanced Certificate of Ministry in Children's Ministry

by Texas Baptists Communications on November 9, 2018 in Press Releases

WACO—George W. Truett Theological Seminary and Texas Baptists have entered into a collaborative agreement between Truett Seminary’s Online Certificate Program and the Texas Baptists Preschool & Children’s Certification Program in order to create a Joint Certificate Program that will provide students with the opportunity to earn an Advanced Certificate of Ministry.

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310 travel with Singing Men of Texas to New York for music and ministry

by Analiz G. Schremmer on November 9, 2018 in News

The Texas Baptists Singing Men of Texas (SMOT) took a trip to New York last month with 310 participants to spread the Gospel and perform in concert at Carnegie Hall alongside contemporary Christian artist Steve Green.

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Texas Baptists to co-host Border Summit and continue ministry to refugees along border

by Kalie Lowrie on November 2, 2018 in News

Texas Baptists are involved in ongoing ministry along the border between Texas and Mexico through River Ministry missionaries. On Nov. 17, Texas Baptists will join with Mexican Baptists for a Border Summit symposium in Matamoros to discuss ways to respond to the needs along the border.

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