Partnership agreements at Annual Meeting

The countdown for presidential elections is finally behind us. We pray for those elected and our country in general as we move forward, trusting in God’s sovereignty and pursuing His kingdom.

The countdown for our Texas Baptists Annual Meeting has increased pace from weeks to days, and soon to hours! I am so excited and full of anticipation! We are praying for God to do great things among us as we gather.

I hope you are making plans to join us in Waco Nov. 10-12 for these days of worship, preaching, fellowship, business, networking and learning. Two weeks ago, I mentioned some things you can expect in my weekly update.

During my first report to the convention as executive director, I plan to share about a process we have called “Clarifying the Call.” The result of this work has been a strategic focus for our ministry as Texas Baptists in this next season, including clarity of our GC2 initiative.

I will share the missional theme for the next season of ministry, seven values that will guide us and what we are calling the “GC2 Pathway.” These items are the result of prayer, discussion and work with our study team.

The GC2 initiative is two-fold, with one aspect serving the churches and the other providing strategic partnerships for the churches. At the end of my report, we will recognize eight strategic partners. We will sign new partnership agreements with some and with some, we will sign renewal agreements.

These eight entities represent our desire to provide connections for our churches at the North American and International levels. It should be noted that these eight organizations are not our only kingdom partners. We currently have approximately twenty-five national and international partners (not to be confused with our twenty-four Texas Baptists institutional ministries).

It is also important to note that our partnerships with the SBC’s North American Mission Board and International Mission Board have not changed. Almost half of our churches who give through the Texas Baptists Cooperative Program choose to give, and often generously, to either the SBC Cooperative Program or NAMB and IMB.

Many of our Texas Baptists churches participate with NAMB and IMB beyond their Cooperative Program giving. These two mission boards, along with the Baptist World Alliance, remain our biggest partners in North America and globally.

We also recognize that many of our churches are seeking additional or alternative opportunities for cooperative partnerships. We cherish the opportunity to partner with like-minded entities, often national Baptist conventions, for the sake of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

There is too much lostness in Texas and the world to think that one entity can reach them all. The task of making disciples of all nations is urgent, and it requires strategic partnerships.

As we prepare for the annual meeting and as I pray for you, I join the Apostle Paul in saying, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:4-5 NIV). I hope you are praying too!

See you in Waco, y’all!