Baptistway Press changes name to GC2 Press, reflects commitment to Texas Baptists mission

Baptistway Press, the publishing branch of Texas Baptists, has become GC2 Press. This name change serves to better reflect the alignment of the press with Texas Baptists’ recently updated mission. GC2 stands for “Great Commission” and “Great Commandment,” a movement that was launched by Texas Baptists at the 2020 Annual Meeting as the convention strives to share Christ and show love.

“GC2 represents our convention. Unlike most publishers, we’re a part of a convention, so being aligned with their goals is exciting for us. GC2 represents the Great Commission and Great Commandment and reflects Texas Baptists’ mission and heart,” Bob Billups, publisher of GC2 Press, explained.

Billups said that seeing GC2 come into fruition at Texas Baptists has been exciting and something that has been years in the making. He praised the Executive Leadership for their vision and explained that the new GC2 Press is a commitment to the philosophy of the GC2 movement. David Hardage, director of Texas Baptists, expressed his excitement about the press embracing the GC2 mindset.

"As Texas Baptists continues to focus on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, it makes sense for this emphasis to be seen in our published materials,” Hardage said. “Therefore, GC2 Press will both show and tell who we are and what we do!"

The Baptistway Press started under the leadership of Bill Pinson, then executive director of Texas Baptists, and Bernie Spooner in the Sunday School Discipleship team, who discovered a need for material for churches. In 2000, Baptistway Press was started as a way to provide Bible study curriculum to adults, students and children. Now, 20 years later, Billups hopes that the GC2 Press rebrand will help emphasize the importance of New Testament pillars in the content that the publisher produces.

GC2 Press will also launch a new logo, which shows a speech bubble and a heart, signifying Texas Baptists’ mission to share Christ and show love.

Since its inception, the publisher has gained a reputation for solid biblical teaching and is currently used in 40 states and numerous countries around the world. Adult Bible studies have been translated into many languages, including Cambodian, Korean and Spanish.

Phil Miller, director of the Center for Church Health, the new home of GC2 Press following a ministry realignment, explained that the strong reputation of the press is something that has been earned through years of producing biblically-backed content and partnerships with strong writers. That will remain the same as GC2 Press transitions into its new name.

“It’s not changing the exceptional content or the quality of the writers, it’s still going to be educationally sound and biblically solid,” Miller said. “This just reflects our mission and Texas Baptists’ mission.”

In addition to providing Bible study materials, GC2 Press also publishes books written by current and former Texas Baptists convention staff. Billups hopes to expand this resource through publishing short, informational ebooks that provide training to churches and convention members.

Billups will continue to work closely with Marketing Specialist Stan Granberry and Ministry Assistant Nancy Feaster.

For more information about GC2 Press and to find materials for your church, go to gc2press.org.