Articles by Guest Author

I have always had a special love and passion for children. When I first heard about this mission trip to Ukraine in December, I immediately felt called to go. I saw no better way to spend my break than to share Jesus with orphans.

Today was so fun! I intentionally put myself in a position that I would be uncomfortable so that God could use me.

As many gather with loved ones this Christmas season, Texas Baptists remember those who may be in need. Refugees are one group of people who often struggle in America.

The Texas Baptists were awarded “Highest Number of Baptisms” in the country for the third year in a row by the North American Missions Board for the 2017 calendar year. The recorded number of baptisms was 25,451.

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.

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!

By Abby Hopkins

On the desert side of the Andes Mountains sits a city with more than 100,000 residents who have migrated in search of better jobs and living conditions or an escape from domestic terrorism. Still, Collique, Peru, offers harsh living conditions, including low annual rainfall and mountainous terrain.

Operación San Andrés, a Hunger Offering-supported ministry, serves this community by caring for its children. It provides nutritious meals and educational enrichment consistently to children enrolled in its programs.

On Nov. 27, the Hunger Offering is partnering with Operación San Andrés and the Texas Baptist Mission Foundation for #GivingTuesday 2018. On that day, every donation given to the Hunger Offering will go directly toward OSA.

The goal is to raise $10,000, and we want you involved! One percent of donations will be used to feed children that might otherwise experience malnourishment.

By Abby Hopkins

Hurricane Harvey destroyed Jessie’s floor. Jessie is diabetic, in a walker, and without a family. One day, she heard a knock on her door, but had to drag herself across the floor to answer.

Mission Centers of Houston was there to repair her flooring, but found her with scratched, bloody legs and sent her to the emergency room. MCH executive director Jeff Chadwick said Jessie could have died, but the hospital amputated her leg, sending her home to find new carpet and freedom.

“When you do that for someone who thinks they’re the lowest, that makes all the difference,” Chadwick said.

Since Harvey, Union Baptist Association’s MCH has served families in northeast Houston through the NE Houston Disaster Recovery Network. This summer, MCH continued to receive and deploy teams to assist in the essential long-term recovery ministry.

Chadwick said MCH ramped up its food distribution, taking a box truck of food to those in need. The flooding affected more than 40,000 homes in northeast Houston alone.

“I’ve learned how God can provide in the most creative ways,” Chadwick said. “I’m getting to the point where I just know it’s coming.”

Por Jaclyn Bonner y Abby Hopkins

La educación es un proceso valioso en el crecimiento y desarrollo durante los años fundamentales de nuestra vida, mas a pesar de ello no siempre es accesible. Al comenzar un nuevo año escolar, muchos no pueden pagar el costo de la educación.

Sin embargo, un ministerio de la Ofrenda contra el Hambre de los Bautistas de Texas en el Condado de Hidalgo une al educado y al analfabeta en sus comunidades por medio del servicio y el sacrificio con el fin de ayudar en las necesidades de educación de refugiados e inmigrantes.

La Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos descubrió que el condado de Hidalgo tiene una de las tasas de concentración de pobreza más grandes del país. La alta tasa de población, aunada a la tasa de alta pobreza, han creado la necesidad de apoyo para la educación, ya que la población analfabeta de latinos y refugiados que no habla inglés no puede costearse recursos o clases educativas.