News

Christian Life Commission will host Advocacy Day on March 3-4, equipping believers for public policy engagement and celebrating 75 years of ministry.

The February meeting of the Texas Baptists Executive Board was held on Feb. 17-18 in Dallas, TX. Board directors heard ministry reports and passed recommendations related to the NAMB/Texas Baptists church planting arrangement, the continued practice of welcoming churches that affirm traditional Baptist beliefs, the creation of a Texas Baptists Insurance Program and more. 

On Feb. 17, during the Evangelism Strategic Planning Committee meeting, Texas Baptists’ Evangelism director, Oza Jones, signed a memorandum of understanding with Pete Kelly, CEO of Apartment Life. The partnership helps Texas Baptists churches to identify and send missionaries to Apartment Life’s communities.

The Executive Committee of the Texas Baptists Executive Board heard a feasibility study and voted to launch a Texas Baptists captive insurance program during its Monday afternoon meeting in Dallas.

The Texas Baptists Center for Cultural Engagement has released an “explainer” resource aimed at helping churches navigate the changing immigration landscape.

Discipleship & NextGen’s Preschool & Children’s Ministers Retreat encouraging attendees to be resilient, in community and support one another. 

Texas Baptists is providing funds to Baptists in California to support ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts among churches and communities due to the wildfires spreading in that state.

A four-person Texans on Mission team is in California working to multiply ministry of churches and chart a long-term relief effort in the area devastated by raging fires.

The Texas Baptists Center for Cultural Engagement welcomed Carlos Francis as the new director of African American Ministries. Francis transitioned from his prior position as the director of Young Adult Ministries. He assumed the position on Oct. 7.

The Texas Baptists Center for Ministerial Health welcomed Olga Harris as the new director of Counseling Services. Harris transitioned to the role from her prior position as a private practice LPC. She assumed the new position on Aug. 19.

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.

In July, we posted an article about a change in the overtime rules put out by the Department of Labor. To summarize, in April, the DOL passed a new overtime rule that raised the minimum weekly salary to qualify for exemption from overtime from $684 per week to $844 per week or the equivalent salary of $43,888 per year.

The Texas Baptists Center for Missional Engagement welcomed Clinton Lowin as the new director of its Missionary Adoption Program (MAP) and Church Planting Centers. Lowin transitioned from his prior position as the minister of missions at First Baptist Church Tyler. He assumed the position on Nov. 19.

The Texas Baptists Center for Missional Engagement has welcomed Noe Treviño as its new director. Treviño transitioned from his prior position as director of the Missionary Adoption Program (MAP). 

In October, Texas Baptists’ Office of Cooperative Program Ministry announced the winners of its 2024 Baptist Educators Serving Texans (B.E.S.T.) Award. 

2,030 messengers and visitors gathered in Waco Nov. 10-12 to take part in the 139th Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). The theme, drawn from Luke 4:18-19, focused on “His Kingdom Agenda.”

On Sunday evening, Nov. 10, the African American Fellowship Worship Rally took place at Carver Park Baptist Church in Waco. The rally is one of several held in conjunction with the opening of the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting.