MAP and TXB Missionaries

The second week of Advent, we reflect on the peace that the Messiah brings. The Prophet Isaiah spoke about the prospect of receiving good news of peace from messengers to Zion. We know that the angels brought the good news of peace to the shepherds.

As we ponder on the meaning of this, we are reminded that the church is the bearer of good news to a world in need. We proclaim the message of peace found in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

Last week, I shared some statistics with you about the state of the Great Commission in the world. As you pray during this season for international missions, please include our Texas Baptists Missionary Adoption Program (MAP) and Texas Baptists missionaries.

MAP is an innovative and effective plan for advancing God’s mission. These missionaries are supported by a partnership of four entities: (1) a local church in Texas or the U.S.; (2) Texas Baptists; (3) a national Baptist convention in another country; (4) and a local church in another country.

Traditional missionary sending strategy from North America has consisted of training, commissioning and sending North American disciples who learn the language, the culture and move their families to another context. And we are so grateful for those who answer that call! These missionaries continue to receive support from our Texas Baptists churches.

In addition, the MAP strategy relies on national Baptist conventions to identify national disciples who already know the language and the culture to be trained and commissioned in evangelism and church starting. Thus saving precious time and resources. National believers do the work. National conventions give oversight. Texas Baptists support through prayer and giving.

Currently, our Texas Baptists churches have adopted and support 75 missionaries in 17 countries, some of which work among unreached people groups. Many of the partnership agreements with national conventions, like the ones we signed at the Annual Meeting in Waco, include MAP as a primary element of collaboration.

In fact, the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has asked to partner with us in Southeast Asia. We are currently working together to bring the good news of peace to those who have not heard yet!

Collaboration and strategic partnerships are essential for churches to live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. That’s what the GC2 initiative is all about.

I am pleased to announce to you that as Noe Treviño, who previously directed MAP, has now become director of the Center for Missional Engagement, we have added a new MAP director to our team.

Dr. Clinton Lowin will now serve as director of MAP and Church Planting Centers. Clinton comes to us from First Baptist Church Tyler, where he served as minister of missions. He has also served in various roles at Wayland Baptist University, including as executive director/campus dean of Wayland’s San Antonio campus. He has also served overseas. We are blessed to have him on board.

I invite you to pray, continue to give to the Cooperative Program and consider participating in the support of missionaries through the MAP program. Thank you for what you already do!