Church Health

Ethan Hollis, Stephen F. Austin (SFA) State University graduate and active member of First Baptist Church (FBC) Nacogdoches, grew up with inconsistent attendance in church and little understanding of the gospel, but after a friend invited him to youth group, he became more engaged with both.  

In the spring of 2023, Hannah Hopkins, a senior at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) and Texas Baptists’ 2024 Prestidge Endowment Music & Worship Scholarship recipient, transferred to the school with a passion to lead worship. She’d heard the original song “New Day” performed by Lampsato, ETBU’s worship band, and wanted to audition to be a part of the group.

When Nathan Adams joined First Baptist Church Hereford as their senior pastor in Nov. 2022, every area of the church was on a downhill trajectory. Adams was determined to get the church “thinking differently and on an uphill trajectory.” 

“I love seeing from the Pastor’s Coalition more of these churches get involved because it's not all about our church and what we're doing; it's about seeing the kingdom of God is growing and going forth into a community, and Jesus' name being known.”

“We’re no longer a 60 and older church, we’re actually a four-generation church, which is exciting but challenging that I’m preaching to the five-year-old in the room and I’m preaching to the 90-year-old,” said McNeal.

Congreso, I came to tell you that your identity is in Christ. You are loved, you are forgiven and you are called.

Pastor Felix Treviño knew the metric stating a healthy church should have one baptism for every 15 people in average worship attendance per year, but the First Baptist Church of Mathis simply was not seeing God move in that way.

The result was a moving two-day conference in which church leaders and laity were urged to share Christ and show love with an intentional focus, as Texas Baptists director of Evangelism Leighton Flowers explained, on “the soul of the person you are with.”

Church leaders and laypersons alike will have another opportunity to be equipped and encouraged to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

“We want to help women grow in confidence in their beliefs, to know and articulate Christian theology. Women’s ministry is drifting from being event-driven to formation-driven. Personal formation is becoming the emphasis among these ministries.”

“Conclave is unique because there is no other conference that we offer where you can get this kind of training for children’s, college, youth, parent and all NextGen ministries in one place.”

It’s a time to affirm, encourage, and walk alongside children as they begin a new year with a new classroom and teacher.