Latest Updates
We continue to urge church leaders to heed federal, state, and local guidance including gathering restrictions, physical distancing, and shelter-in-place orders where applicable.
Executive Director David Hardage is sharing daily video greetings to the Texas Baptist family.
Texas Baptist event postponements and cancellations continue to be updated on this webpage.
Resources on multimedia streaming, online giving, church administrative functions, as well as free downloads of adult and child Bible Study materials and more continue to be posted.
Per a shelter-in-place order, Texas Baptist staff will continue to work remotely through at least Apr. 6. Staff can be reached via phone and email, and contact information can be found on the staff page. Visits to our physical offices continue to be discouraged as the Texas Baptist offices are currently closed.
Churches are encouraged to continue to pray for an end to the virus’ spread, for frontline workers in healthcare and first responders, for the healing of those who are ill, for our churches as they adjust and continue to minister, for those impacted by economic challenges, and for the lost that they may come to know Christ.
Event Updates
As of March 17, the following Texas Baptist events have been postponed (or canceled). Please contact the event coordinator if you need a refund.
- March 24-26 - Introduction to Interim Ministry
- March 26 - Welcome Pastor Day
- March 27-28 - PURSUE - WMU of Texas Annual Meeting & Missions Celebration (Canceled)
- March 27-28 - [un]Apologetic Evangelism Conference, Dallas
- March 27 - Pastors’ Wives Fellowship Dinner, San Antonio
- April 1 - MinistrySafe Church Safety Workshop, Abilene (Canceled)
- April 3-4, April 17-18, April 24-25 - Bible Drill & Speakers’ Tournament (Regionals - Canceled)
- April 3-4 - ReCharge - African American Evangelism Conference, West Texas (Canceled)
- April 9-11 - Congreso (Canceled)
- April 17-18 - Hispanic Preaching Conference (Postponed)
- April 19-22 - BGAV Pastoral Care Training (Rescheduled June 7-10)
- April 20-22 - Texas Baptist Educators Retreat (Canceled)
- April 20-22 - Introduction to Interim Ministry (Rescheduled June 8-10)
- April 23 - Worship Summit
- April 25 - Heaven on Earth, Dallas (Postponed)
- April 27 - Texas Baptist Golf Classic (Rescheduled June 22)
- through April 25 - all SMOT/SWOT concert
- May 1-2 - Hispanic Marriage Retreat (Postponed)
- May 2 - Bible Drill & Speakers' Tournament State Finals (Postponed)
- May 15–16 - Center for Financial Health Seminar (Postponed)
- May 16–17 - Center for Financial Health Training (Postponed)
- June 8-12 - Super Summer Session 1 - ETBU (Canceled)
- June 18-19 - Bible Drill National Invitational Tournament (Canceled)
Resources
Texas Baptist leaders compiled eight helpful suggestions for churches and ministry partners seeking to minister and care for congregations and communities during this time.
View Guide
Ben Hanna, Church Health Initiative director, compiled this prayer guide acknowledging the severity of this crisis while also affirming the sovereignty of our King.
View Prayer Guide
Learn about resources available to help your church successfully live-stream services to your congregation.
Learn more
Dave Lyons, Support Services and Information Technology director, compiled a list of useful resources for your church to navigate online giving.
Learn more
Texas Baptists churches now have exclusive access to 6 months of free online giving through GivingFuel, the same fundraising software used by convention staff. Effective immediately, churches may contact GivingFuel to receive no-cost access to their Pro Package - normally $59 a month.
Learn more
Baptistway Press is now offering free digital downloads of our quarterly Bible theme study, Faith > Fear.
Learn more
MinistryGrid released training to help churches prepare a pandemic response plan, specifically in regard to the coronavirus.
Learn more
Read more about what you should know, situation updates, and additional information from the CDC’s coronavirus disease website.
Learn more
Timeline
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Mar. 16 - Per CDC recommendation, all Texas Baptist events through Apr. 15 are postponed. Convention offices are closed, and staff are asked to work remotely. Resources on online giving, Bible study, preschool and children’s ministry are made available online.
Mar. 13 - Texas Baptists send special advisory on gathering restrictions, prayer, generosity, mobilization and more. Churches are urged to join in a day of prayer Mar. 15.
- Mar. 11 - A Spanish language COVID-19 Response page is launched, and a prayer guide for churches is published.
- Mar. 10 - Executive Director David Hardage issues additional guidance including information on travel, self-quarantine, office closure, event and staff safety, and more.
- Mar. 9 - Texas Baptist leaders convene first meeting of de facto coronavirus task force to discuss staff safety, ministry operations, and church support in light of virus spread.
- Mar. 6 - Texas Baptists launches COVID-19 Response webpage to provide updates and resources to churches and ministry partners, and sends special advisory with guide for churches.
- Mar. 2 - Various Texas Baptist ministries communicate COVID-19 impact on mission and vision trips in Texas, across the country, and around the world
- Feb. 27 - Texas Baptist leaders share COVID-19 information with Texas Baptist staff, post signage within offices and information to intranet
- Feb. 25 - CDC urges businesses, hospitals, and communities to begin to plan for COVID-19 community spread and disruption
Contact
Locate and contact your Texas Baptist area representative here, or call (888)244-9400 during regular business hours.
