Month: June 2025

SBC DALLAS 2025: Messengers affirm resolutions celebrating CP, Baptist Faith & Message centennial anniversaries

DALLAS—The bedrock on which the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention was formed more than a quarter century ago includes an unapologetic adherence to the inerrancy of God’s Word and a tireless commitment to cooperate with Southern Baptists worldwide.

The first is expressed today through a commitment to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the statement of faith affirmed by millions of Southern Baptists worldwide and more than 2,800 SBTC churches. The latter is fueled by the Cooperative Program, the primary giving model by which Southern Baptists fund missions.

This week at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, messengers passed resolutions recognizing the 100^th anniversary of the BF&M and the Cooperative Program.

Fueling ministry, fueling mission

According to information provided by the SBC, Southern Baptists have given more than $20 billion through the Cooperative Program throughout its history. SBTC churches have given $562 million through the Cooperative Program.

Those funds have supported international missionaries serving in some of the harshest mission fields on the planet, church planters in North America, students attending one of the SBC’s six seminaries, and so much more.

“For 100 years, the Cooperative Program has fueled the ministries and mission of Southern Baptists,” said Nathan Lorick, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. “This means of partnership has helped advance the gospel to the ends of the earth like nothing else ever has. I am so grateful for the generosity of SBTC churches for continuing their partnership through the CP.”

In May, Lorick joined 72 other leaders representing various Southern Baptist state conventions and entities in signing a Declaration of Cooperation thanking Southern Baptist churches for a century of generous giving, commending “all who promote, support, and renew their commitment to the Cooperative Program among our family of churches, mission boards, seminaries, entities, local Baptist associations, and state conventions.”

During the June 10 recognition at the SBC Annual Meeting, messengers resoundingly affirmed the Cooperative Program resolution. Leaders said the Declaration of Cooperation urging continued faithfulness to the Cooperative Program would soon be made available online for Southern Baptists to sign digitally.

The SBTC has made the Cooperative Program’s anniversary a point of emphasis in 2025. It has encouraged churches to pray for record giving this year while also planning a Cooperative Program Sunday on Oct. 5 to underscore its importance and impact. The SBTC has also asked churches and individuals to share how the Cooperative Program has impacted their lives on social media using #cp100story.

Theological clarity, biblical unity

On Wednesday, June 11, messengers enthusiastically approved a separate resolution celebrating the Baptist Faith and Message on its 100^th anniversary.

The resolution notes the 25^th anniversary of the BF&M’s latest update in the year 2000. The BF&M 2000 is “a faithful summary of biblical doctrine in the Baptist tradition … consistent with the broader stream of historic Christian orthodoxy as articulated in the early creeds of the church,” according to the resolution.

A video briefly outlining the BF&M’s history was played for messengers featuring Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mohler called the BF&M “the foundation of our cooperation.” Mohler was among four men recognized for their work on the statement’s update in 2000, a group that also included Chuck Kelley, Richard Land, and Fred Luter.

The resolution also came with a warning, citing Ephesians 4:14 and Titus 1:9: “A church that ceases to affirm, teach, and model sound doctrine will inevitably drift away from the truth and be carried about by every wind of worldly doctrine that blows through the church.”

“We steadfastly affirm, promote, and unite around the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) as a sufficient statement of our doctrinal identity,” the resolution concluded, “and as the grounds of our cooperation for the sake of theological clarity and biblical unity.”

SBC DALLAS 2025: Hispanic Baptists celebrate unity, purpose

DALLAS (BP)—Hispanic Baptists from across the country gathered at First Baptist Church in Dallas on June 8 for the 2025 Hispanic Celebration hosted by the Red Bautista Hispana Nacional (National Hispanic Baptist Network). The evening, which welcomed about 500 Hispanics, was filled with worship, encouragement and a renewed commitment to gospel work.

David Inestroza, director of communications for the network, officially launched its mission, “Unidos Para Su Gloria: Para Que Todos Sepan” (“United for His Glory: So That Everyone Knows”), calling for a $450,000 fundraising initiative over the next two years to support gospel outreach. The “Para Que Todos Sepan” initiative aims to connect churches, share resources and celebrate what God is doing among Hispanics.

Inestroza introduced a new website and recognized leaders in Hispanic ministry, including pastor Amaury Santos, vice president candidate for the Red’s executive committee, and pastor Vernig Suarez, candidate for president. Both ran unopposed June 9.

“We ask you to pray, give, and participate, not just attend,” said Richard Aguilar, director-treasurer of the network’s board.

The First Baptist Dallas Español worship team led attendees in praise, setting the tone for a night of unity and inspiration. A video greeting from Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, highlighted the church’s ongoing support for Hispanic ministry, which launched in 2023.

SBC President Clint Pressley greeted the crowd, thanking them on behalf of the Southern Baptist Convention. “Our theme this year is ‘Holding Fast,’” Pressley said. “I pray God blesses your efforts to reach the lost with the gospel.”

Charles Grant, associate vice president for Convention Partnerships with the SBC Executive Committee, also offered words of encouragement and thanks.

“Your giving helps support over 3,500 international missionaries and strengthens Baptist work across the country,” Grant said. He also recognized the efforts of Bruno Molina and others who have built bridges between ethnic groups to advance gospel work. Grant encouraged continued collaboration and representation of Hispanics in SBC leadership.

Jonathan Santiago of Send Relief reminded attendees that gospel ministry includes meeting physical needs.

“Our mission is to feed the hungry, care for the immigrant, and support widows and orphans, all in partnership with the local church,” Santiago said.

The event also highlighted women’s ministry and education. Clara Molina announced workshops and emphasized the ministry’s partnership with Mission:Dignity, a ministry of GuideStone Financial Resources supporting retired Southern Baptist ministers. Gus Reyes of Dallas Baptist University recognized a generous $10,000 donation, providing 10 Hispanic students with $1,000 scholarships from Christian Book.

Bruno Molina honored Rudy Gonzalez of DBU with a standing ovation for his leadership and service.

SBC Executive Committee President Jeff Iorg spoke on the importance of Hispanic representation. “Many of you are here because missionaries reached your families,” Iorg said. “Partnership means doing ministry together and sharing leadership.”

Iorg encouraged Hispanic Baptists to pursue roles of leadership and influence across the SBC.

Bruno Molina closed with a message from Hebrews 10, urging attendees to “hold fast” to their faith and mission.

“God calls us to collaboration, not competition,” Molina said. “Being Hispanic and Christian in this time is no accident. It’s a calling.”

The evening concluded with a prayer from Enmanuel Roque, leader of state representatives, asking God to bring unity, protection and revival to churches and communities across the country.

SBC DALLAS 2025: At this high-profile meeting, one team considers its job well done when ‘people don’t notice us’

DALLAS—When tens of thousands of Southern Baptists come to town for their annual meeting, it takes hundreds of local Southern Baptists working behind the scenes to ensure essential services are provided.

Many of those behind-the-scenes workers are from Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches.

“It takes a ton of volunteers to run one of these annual meetings, some bodies on the ground who know the lay of the land [and who] can help recruit people to meet the specific needs,” said George Schroeder, lead pastor of First Baptist Church in Fairfield.

Schroeder is chairman of this year’s Local Encouragement Team, formerly known as the Local Arrangements Committee. He, a volunteer himself, leads a team of 12 volunteers, including three representatives from local institutions, who in turn recruit many other volunteers to support the children’s day camp, registration, ushers, greeters, the prayer room, and information booths for messengers and guests.

In the case of registration support, volunteers help the registration committee by stuffing thousands of messenger bags and doing other tasks that allow registration committee members to focus on helping messengers obtain their credentials.

The convention’s day camp for children has trained and paid childcare workers, but again, volunteers enlisted by the encouragement team do the behind-the-scenes work that allows the frontline workers to focus on the kids.

Schroeder formerly served the SBC Executive Committee and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Even as an insider, he never noticed how many people were serving behind the scenes.

“I realize now how many people it takes who aren’t being paid, and who, in many cases are paying their own way,” he said. “I didn’t realize it when I worked for the Executive Committee. You don’t notice how much work they’re doing.”

Keeney Dickenson, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Crockett, is the committee member assigned to manage the convention prayer room. Among other things, this involves making sure the room is equipped with resources for those who wish to pray in groups or alone. Many of these resources are provided by SBC entities, but this year Dickenson has raised funds to allow him to provide a copy of his book about the pastoral prayer life of Charles Spurgeon to volunteers.

Dickenson’s team also provides prayer requests related to the convention’s annual meeting, as well as those from Southern Baptists serving around the world. Prayer room volunteers will be praying for those who made decisions for Christ during the Crossover pre-convention evangelism push. The 2025 prayer room also has provided prayer activities for children.

“We’ve developed a wordsearch puzzle and fact sheet that sends them around to different booths and entities, so they develop their own prayer list in the exhibit area,” Dickenson said. “I’m excited about getting some of the children involved.

“I’m hoping we can create some momentum in people’s prayer lives in their walk with the Lord as they pray,” he added.

Dickenson and Schroeder are among the few team members who don’t live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Even so, they have enlisted members of their churches and families to help.

But the “local” in the committee’s name is significant because the convention has no resources to pay for the required number of volunteers’ travel and housing expenses. Being within a local commute also allows a large area church—this year, it’s Cross Church in North Richland Hills—to commit to enlisting a substantial number of volunteers.

George Clark, a layman and deacon at Cross Church, as well as being an encouragement team member, is helping his church provide all the ushers for the Dallas meeting. The ushers are focused on all kinds of messenger needs and, most visibly, they are the ones who collect the ballots when messengers vote during business sessions.

Still, the work of the team is not high profile, important as it is.

“My hope is that everything runs in a seamless way, and people don’t notice us,” Schroeder quipped. “If that happens, we’ll know that we did the job we’ve been trying to do well.”

SBC DALLAS 2025: Prayer meeting attendees cry out for fresh flow of God’s presence

DALLAS—On the eve of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, some 7,500 people packed into an auditorium at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to ask God for a fresh movement of His Holy Spirit.

Nathan Lino, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Forney, led the time of corporate prayer at the request of D.J. Horton, president of the SBC Pastors’ Conference and senior pastor of Church at The Mill in Spartanburg, S.C.

“Tonight, we want to invite you into an experience of prayer, an experience of worship, and an experience of preaching,” Horton said.

Recording artists Shane & Shane, joined by the praise team and worship choir from Horton’s church, led worship. Shane & Shane launched into their rendition of Psalm 34, followed by “Is He Worthy?” and “Worthy of It All,” with the massive crowd singing along.

After reading Psalm 40:1-3 aloud, Lino asked the congregation to read the on-screen passage to themselves slowly.

“Would anyone like for God to incline to them tonight? And to hear your cry?” he asked.

As for the psalmist, David, “God drew him up from the pit of destruction out of the miry bog and set his feet upon a rock,” Lino said, adding that David received fresh anointing from the Lord, who put a song in his mouth. David’s heart was filled with fresh faith about what the Lord could do.

“Lord, as we draw near tonight, would you please draw near to us?” Lino prayed. He called for the same fresh anointing, faith, and relief God had given David, imploring Him to “use this time for your glory and for our good.”

Praying the names of God

Lino invited the audience to stand for a time of praise and thanksgiving beginning with an acknowledgment of the Lord as Jehovah Rapha, the “Lord who heals,” and Jehovah Jireh, the “Lord who provides.” He asked the crowd to first silently, and then audibly, recall times of God’s healing and provision. Sustained silences fell, followed by the low murmurings and softly spoken prayers of thousands of voices. Choruses of “God, you’re so good” and “I love you, Lord,” prompted by Lino, filled the room afterward.

Seated, the congregation entered into a time of personal consecration based upon Matthew 5:3-6, calling for humility, repentance, and surrender.

“We live for the Lord Jesus. We live for the glory of His name. We live for the mission of Jesus,” Lino said. With heads bowed, some couples leaned toward each other, praying before again standing and joining Shane & Shane in a chorus of “You’ve Already Won.”

Asking the audience to form small groups, Lino called for brief prayer for unity and for the Lord to save and baptize more people through SBC churches. Todd Kaunitz, lead pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview, led the groups in praying for SBC churches to return prayer to its rightful place in worship services.

“Every major revival we have seen in America has come out of churches returning to becoming houses of prayer,” Kaunitz said.

Prayer for pastors

Lino asked the pastors and their wives in attendance to stand, welcoming Bill Elliff, founding pastor of Summit Church in Little Rock, Ark., to pray for them.

“How many of you pastors would say … ‘I’m dog tired’?” Elliff asked, reminding all that “everything flows from the presence of the Lord”—direction, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore.

“I’ve gotten old enough that I just believe that when we pray, God answers. He does stuff,” Elliff said. “I believe if you ask the Lord for a fresh flow of His presence in your life, it would bring you what nothing else can bring.”

Elliff urged attendees to surround the pastors, lay hands on them, and pray for them fervently. Groups quickly formed and voices filled the room.

His voice cracking with emotion, Elliff implored of God, “Lord, we need you. … We need you desperately … daily … deeply. … We don’t have a single plan or idea or scheme that works without you. Be kind to us as you have always been. Your presence is what we need.”

SBC DALLAS 2025: SBTC churches get creative to deliver the gospel to the Metroplex during Crossover

DALLAS—The elderly woman drove by slowly, then turned her car around and entered the parking lot at Inglewood Baptist Church in Grand Prairie on Saturday. Church members there were offering something she knew she needed.

Prayer.

Inglewood was among the 80 or so churches that participated in Crossover Dallas, a weeklong evangelistic outreach held each year just prior to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. Across the Metroplex, churches held outreaches ranging from the traditional (block parties) to the unique (pickleball), partnering with the North American Mission Board to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At Inglewood, smiling curbside volunteers held signs stating, “Let us pray for you,” and ministered to people in approximately 30 vehicles. The church also hosted a block party nearby, complete with two bounce houses, yard games, and hot dogs.

More than half of Inglewood’s 100 or so attenders—average age 70—helped with the Crossover outreach. NAMB volunteers from other states pitched in, too.

“She just needed somebody to pray for her,” Inglewood Pastor Ricky Guenther said of the woman who had lost her son. “If we had just had her come through, it would have been worth it.”

Pickleball with a purpose

In Crowley, Redeemer Community Church parlayed its popular sports ministry into a pickleball outreach with a purpose. Dexter Laureano, pastor of the largely Filipino American congregation, said the church’s sports ministry began with recreational basketball on Tuesday nights. Adding open play pickleball on Saturday afternoons before a 5 p.m. Bible study made for a natural progression.

Redeemer’s Crossover event began with worship and praise in the gym, followed by a message from Laureano in which he presented the gospel. He encouraged those who had not already done so to follow Jesus, and to those already saved, he urged “sincere witnessing.” He also introduced the man who led him to Christ in 2012, Rodel Chiu.

Chui and fellow pickleball coach Sherrie Panter then teamed with Laureano to offer basic pickleball instruction, followed by group play. After a break for a traditional Filipino meal of sizzling skewered barbequed pork, egg rolls, and pancit (noodles) prepared onsite in a food truck owned by Redeemer members, participants enjoyed more pickleball.

Why pickleball? Saturday’s crowded gym provided the answer, with Chiu noting how the sport’s popularity lends itself to evangelism opportunities.

“It’s the fastest growing sport. People want to learn it,” Laureano said. “It’s not gender exclusive. Couples, kids, all can play.”

‘You literally exist for Jesus’

Food trucks offering coffee, shaved ice, and tacos dotted the parking lot of Cross Church’s North Richland Hills campus, where nearly 250 students and leaders from 11 churches flocked to one of two Crossover student rallies. Another student rally was held Friday night at First Baptist Church in Rockwall.

At Cross Church, groups clustered around outside tables or engaged in energetic games of nine-square on the asphalt or human foosball in an enormous inflatable. A massive inflatable obstacle course beckoned, as did a smaller castle. Later that afternoon, students headed to the worship center, where they competed for gift cards in a warmup game led by Cross Church Student Pastor Daniel Simmons.

Christian rap artist Dillon Chase of R.A.G.E. Ministries got the crowd moving—literally—as dozens rushed near the stage to dance and sing while Chase, with his daughter Melia as DJ, belted out favorites like “Do It Scared.” Hearkening to his time in Japan on mission, he taught the group Japanese lyrics and shared how Jesus saved him when his family fell apart. Chase’s younger daughter, Sami, hopped on stage to show her dance moves, as well.

After worship led by Cross Church’s North Fort Worth praise team, Shane Pruitt, NAMB national next gen director, delivered a powerful message from Colossians. Pruitt noted that among 8.5 billion people on the planet, one overwhelming question looms: What is my purpose?

“You literally exist for Jesus,” Pruitt said. “We are not created to follow our heart. We need Jesus to give us a new heart. … We may be big sinners, but Jesus is a bigger Savior.”

Fourteen trusted Christ at the rally, according to Simmons.

Jokes for Jesus

Across the Metroplex, North Garland Baptist Fellowship provided yet another unconventional Crossover outreach.

“Welcome to the North Garland Comedy Club!” exclaimed Jason Earls, the church’s pastor, who is also a stand-up comedian. About 175 people consisting of members and guests filled the worship center, which had been transformed by replacing rows of chairs with tables accented with LED candles to mimic the ambiance of a private venue.

Announcing that he had brought in three of the best nationally known comics “within driving distance,” Earls launched into what became two hours of side-splitting, clean humor.

The three guest comics included Reggie French, who started the hilarity with jokes about his recent diabetic diagnoses: “I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. I never did drugs. Now I am done in by a honey bun.” Alluding to his youth, he admitted that his family was poor—“Not dirt poor, but we were dusty.” The lineup also included Isaac Witty and Trey Mark, the latter fresh from a gig on a cruise line.

The energy onstage, the power of humor, and a series of gift card giveaways kept the audience in a festive mood. “I am the pastor of this church. I like to give something to people who visit my house,” Earls said near the end of the event. That final gift was an explanation of the gospel.

“If Jesus saved me, He can save you,” Earls said. “I’m not perfect … but a perfect God called me. I had to make a decision.”

Ending on a heavenly high note

First Baptist Church in Murphy, which has participated in the SBTC’s Regenesis church revitalization process, capped off a week of Crossover events with Summerific Sunday on June 8. This year, the church expanded its usual seasonal outreach by collaborating with Crossover to include a week of door-to-door evangelism and four nights of outreach at two local parks.

Church communications director Megan Phillips, daughter of Pastor Ben Phillips, coordinated events. She praised the assistance of NAMB volunteers who energized the work as the week progressed. A record 146 children, plus their families, participated in this year’s park outreaches, she said. All heard the gospel.

Filling the pulpit on Sunday at First Murphy was the pastor’s longtime friend, Tarvoris Uzoigwe, an apologetics and evangelism associate with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Uzoigwe, or “Coach Tee” as he is known, started his message with videos in which he shared the gospel with two young men. The first, former Arkansas State basketball player Rakeem Dickerson, prayed to receive Christ. The second young man, whom Uzoigwe met at a skateboard park, did not.

Within 11 months of those videos, both young men had died: Rakeem from a blood clot and the second in a motorcycle wreck. Their funerals occurred on the same day, Uzoigwe said. Only one was in heaven, he added.

Citing the example of Judas Iscariot, Uzoigwe said, “Judas repented … but he did not believe.” Similarly, people can believe but not repent, for “even the demons believe.”

Neither does proximity to Jesus guarantee salvation, Uzoigwe added. Who walked more closely with Jesus than Judas?

“Check your symptoms,” Uzoigwe said, referencing the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16. Uzoigwe cautioned against emphasizing religion over relationship with God. Disconnection, distraction, disbelief, and a lack of discipleship too often interfere with spiritual growth.

As his sermon concluded, Uzoigwe provided an evangelistic object lesson, asking for a volunteer from the audience to help. Ayden, a young man who had been attending the church a short time and who had assisted throughout the Summerific week, jumped up. Following instructions, he grasped Uzoigwe by the forearm, after which Uzoigwe did the same to him while saying, “The reason you are getting to go to heaven is not because you are holding onto Jesus, but because Jesus is holding onto you.”

Moments later, as Uzoigwe issued an invitation to trust Christ, Ayden walked forward again. He had never trusted Jesus, but today he decided to begin trusting Him. As Uzoigwe and Ayden knelt together, students and young adults spontaneously left the pews and surrounded the pair for several minutes as the congregation sat in hushed, prayerful awe.

There could be no better way to end the church’s Summerific week than with a salvation—which is the heart of Crossover.

SBC DALLAS 2025: SBTC pastor among bivos honored at annual meeting

DALLAS—Mitchell Armstrong is a heavy equipment mechanic. He works out of a service truck and spends 90% of his time outside in the sun working on farm equipment, skid steers, forklifts, and the like. It’s the epitome of manual labor, equal parts hot and hard.

He’s also a husband and father to seven kids—ages 16, 12, 10, 9, 5, 4, and 2. There aren’t enough letters on a keyboard to begin to spell out all the responsibilities involved in that. It’s a role that keeps him plenty busy.

And when he isn’t toiling under a tractor or chasing children around all the places children run, he pastors Trinity Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, a short drive from his home in Iowa Park. Trinity has small groups and a worship service on Sunday morning. They’re beginning a new Bible study on Sunday nights, and they also host a prayer meeting on Wednesday nights. In between, he makes hospital and home visits when he can and does as much member care and visitor follow-up as possible on a tight schedule.

Mitchell Armstrong is a bivocational pastor, and this is the life.

“It is one of the most challenging yet joyful things I’ve ever done,” Armstrong said

On Monday, Armstrong was among a group of pastors recognized from the stage during the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors Conference held in advance of the SBC Annual Meeting. He appeared alongside Nathan Lorick, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Each bivocational pastor’s name was called, and as the recognition ended, it was announced that each would receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel through Signature Tours.

For the SBTC, it was a fitting recognition: more than half of its 2,800-plus churches are led by bivocational pastors.

“Bivocational pastors carry two callings with one heart,” said Shane Kendrix, who serves as the SBTC’s regional associate in Northwest Texas, an area that includes Armstrong’s church. “They faithfully serve both the church and the world, proving that ministry isn’t confined to the pulpit, but lived out wherever God calls you.”

Armstrong is still in awe of God’s calling on his life. He was saved in January 2020 shortly after accepting an invitation from a co-worker to attend a Bible study. Two months later, as COVID was disrupting life across the globe, Armstrong began to experience his own life-changing moment—sensing God’s call for him to pastor.

For Armstrong, it didn’t make sense. The whole world was shutting down, he already had a full-time job and a family of eight at that point, and he didn’t have any formal ministry education. Nevertheless, he began faithfully following God’s call, enrolling in online ministry courses and accepting opportunities to preach and teach at nearby churches.

At one point, that included leading his grandfather’s adult Sunday school class at First Baptist Church Iowa Park. As Armstrong stood at the front of the class and taught God’s Word, he looked into the eyes of people who had prayed for his salvation many times before at the request of his grandfather.

“Isn’t that amazing?” Armstrong said. “It’s so awesome how God works.”

In October 2023, while attending a work training in Tennessee, Armstrong was contacted by FBC Iowa Park’s lead pastor, Josh Fields. Trinity Baptist Church in Wichita Falls was interested in Armstrong submitting a resume for their pastor position that was soon to be vacant when their current pastor retired. At that point, Armstrong was focused on finishing his theological education first, but he walked through the door God seemed to be opening. A couple months later, in January 2024, Armstrong was called to be Trinity’s pastor.

Fields said Armstrong “has gone from being a friend to a gospel partner.”

“I’m thankful to the Lord that Mitch has been able to begin fulfilling his calling … and I look forward to seeing how God continues to use him in the years to come,” Fields said. “Even though he no longer sits in the pews of [our church], he is a brother in the gospel and our mission remains mutual—to make disciples.”

Bivocational pastoring is a fulfilling calling, Armstrong said, that isn’t without its challenges. Spare time is rare, and the work can often feel isolating with little margin to connect with other pastors. At the same time, working outside the church gives him opportunities to share Christ with people with whom he might not otherwise have contact. And being stretched thin, he finds, only gives God more opportunities to show what He can do in any circumstance.

“When you’re a bivocational pastor, you see God do things in ways you didn’t think were possible,” Armstrong said. “He will show you a way in a way that keeps you humble. He opens doors. He gives you the time. Just when you think it can’t be done, He makes a way. … He does things in His time and He puts things together and it happens and all you can say is, ‘Wow, God is awesome.’”

Gig ’em for Jesus

As College Station plant marks one-year anniversary, God has exceeded all expectations

Brandon Sweeney may be new to church planting, but he is not new to ministry.

Sweeney, 41, has been in ministry for 17 years. A native of Ohio, he has served God in North Carolina (where he met his future wife, Ashantae, at church), Atlanta, Houston, and now College Station. The Sweeneys, with three children in tow, planted Salt City Church in Aggieland in March 2024.

“We have made it just over a year,” Sweeney said of Salt City, which meets in a local elementary school.

God has exceeded all expectations at Salt City, Sweeney said. “This is so beyond us,” he said of his multigenerational, multiethnic congregation which started with a core group of 40—including his family and people he recruited in College Station to join him.

Launch day at Salt City attracted more than 200, including many well-wishers and community members. By January 2025, attendance was around 180, and then it mushroomed to nearly 400 in the spring. The church began community groups, a Sunday kids ministry, and an outreach called Salt the City.

With only 400 chairs available at the school and limited parking, Salt City is already considering adding a service—a happy problem to have.

“People have come and stayed and joined,” Sweeney said.

“Our church took off and grew so fast. I still can’t believe we planted a church. We are amazed at what God is doing."

—Brandon Sweeney Tweet

The pastor credited the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, including the church-planting-focused Send Network SBTC, for invaluable help throughout the planting process, including funding assistance. Through Send Network SBTC, Sweeney partners with Cameron Whitley of Westlake Atascosita, which is not only Salt City’s sending church, but a church plant itself.

Sweeney also meets monthly with mentor Chris Millar, pastor of The Well in San Marcos. Millar texts Sweeney weekly, asking how to pray for him and the church. “He is always available for me to call,” Sweeney said.

The SBTC provided a grant to help with Salt City’s VBS outreach last summer. Not vacation Bible school—but a single day they call “Very Big Sunday” that serves as a community outreach featuring food, a game truck, and opportunities to connect relationally.

“Our church took off and grew so fast,” Sweeney said. “I still can’t believe we planted a church. We are amazed at what God is doing.”

Stop before you go

If I’m in a car, I prefer to be in the driver’s seat. This is more of a confession than a boast. I want to know where I am going, what the most efficient route is, and most of all, I want to be in control.

Our driving preferences are a direct reflection of our personalities. Patient people drive patiently; obnoxious people drive … you get the point. I obviously have a driven personality, which is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse.

Most ministry leaders I know are driven, which is exactly how God designed them. The original disciples were no different, which is why they were likely frustrated when they were called to come and then wait. They were commissioned to go, but likewise commanded to stop.

Three years after Jesus called the 12 to come and follow Him, He commissioned them to go and make disciples. You can imagine how excited they were immediately after the resurrection, ascension, and Great Commission to change the world. You can also imagine how less-than-excited they were about being instructed to wait indefinitely for the Holy Spirit in the upper room. How would you feel if you were suited up to play a baseball or football game only to be sent back to the locker room immediately after the national anthem was sung?

While reading about Jesus’ baptism in Mark 1, I noticed He was directed to do the same thing three years earlier. His baptism was His ordination and commissioning service, which was immediately followed by a 40-day trip to the desert with the devil.

John the Baptist had recently announced that Jesus was the Messiah and now was preparing the way by baptizing Him. God the Father then affirmed Jesus publicly by opening the heavens and sending the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Then the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness.

Jesus knew when to drive and when to be driven, when to speak and when to listen, when to stop and when to go. Some people are better speakers than listeners, yet we can all learn from His example of stopping to listen before we run enthusiastically in the wrong direction.

I have found at least four upsides to waiting before you go:

1. Waiting on God stewards our limited time and energy.

2. Waiting builds unity instead of frustration.

3. Waiting acknowledges the sovereignty of God in our lives and ministries.

4. Waiting is practicing submission to the Holy Spirit, who bears the fruit of the Spirit.

Allow yourself to be driven by the Holy Spirit rather than by your own ambition or the agendas of others in your life and ministry. When navigating change, take time to wait on the Lord, as well as other leaders. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him (Psalm 37:7).

And before you go out and turn the world upside down, first wait prayerfully in the upper room.

We are stronger when we are unified

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

— Psalm 133:1

In April, Ashley and I traveled to Alpharetta, Ga., to attend the annual Southern Baptists of Texas Convention executive board retreat. There were close to 100 people there, including spouses.

We began the evening with dinner at the North American Mission Board. NAMB President Kevin Ezell and his wife, Lynnette, attended the banquet. Kevin shared with our group some of what is happening in missions in the U.S.

Then we toured the facilities before dessert, and wow, I was impressed. It is a beautiful and practical building. Everywhere you look, there is a reminder of what NAMB is all about—reaching North America with the good news of Jesus Christ. On one wall there was a graphic that said, “11,000 churches planted since 2010.” That is amazing. It truly is remarkable all the good we can do when we join with other Christ followers and become part of a movement that is so much bigger than ourselves.

I serve as president of the SBTC, and I am honored to do so. My term ends at the end of October. As you know, the SBTC is a state convention (the best in my humble and accurate opinion!) that is part of the larger Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America. I know the SBC has a negative vibe with many in our country. There have been mistakes made and sins committed by some in leadership that are reprehensible. I am thinking particularly of the number of sexual abuse cases committed by clergy or those in leadership positions.

"To know that our church had a little part to play in the 11,000 new Bible-believing churches planted in our country since 2010 gave me so much joy."

Danny Forshee Tweet

I was inviting one of my neighbors to visit our church recently, and she pointed out she once was a Southern Baptist and had a horrible experience. She called it the worst five years of her life. I responded to her that I was so sorry and then shared with her that 98% of pastors in the SBC are like me and simply trying to serve the Lord and people and who are innocent of those horrible crimes committed against our fellow man.

One church can accomplish so much when it is united with other like-minded followers of Jesus. To know that our church had a little part to play in the 11,000 new Bible-believing churches planted in our country since 2010 gave me so much joy.

I encourage you to link arms with others in the SBTC who have a heart for Jesus and reaching the nations. You can do so much more united with others than you can separated and trying to do everything on your own. We are stronger together!

‘Too close not to care’

Reach Puerto Rico is emblematic of the SBTC’s goal of mobilizing churches through strategic partnerships

Senior Pastor Donald Schmidt can offer plenty of reasons he is leading Lewisville’s Lakeland Baptist Church to get involved in the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Reach Puerto Rico initiative.

Seven out of 10 of the island’s 3.5 million residents identify as Catholics, underscoring the need for most Puerto Ricans to hear the true gospel of Jesus Christ. There is only one Southern Baptist church for every 47,000 residents—so the need to plant new congregations in this U.S. territory is urgent. Puerto Rico, Schmidt adds, offers an easy first missions step for church members who are not quite ready to travel across the globe.

But there’s another reason Puerto Rico is so compelling to Lakeland Baptist Church.

“Puerto Rico is too close not to care,” Schmidt said. “The people of Puerto Rico need the gospel, and it’s very affordable and accessible for us to play a small part in what God is doing there.”

“Puerto Rico is too close not to care. The people of Puerto Rico need the gospel, and it’s very affordable and accessible for us to play a small part in what God is doing there.”

—Donald Schmidt Tweet

In November 2022, the SBTC executive board (of which Schmidt is a member) voted unanimously to enter into a multiyear partnership with the Convention of Southern Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico. The mission there, as it is with all of the SBTC’s strategic partnerships, is to offer resources, tools, and training to strengthen existing churches while also planting new ones. It’s a mission that’s happening through the SBTC’s partnership with the Nevada Baptist Convention and also through a newly developed partnership with the International Mission Board in cities across Europe.

Lakeland will head to Puerto Rico this summer with plans to work with Iglesia Bautista Sin Paredes de Guayama and its pastor, Luis Soto. Lakeland members plan to replicate activities they already do in their own backyard in Lewisville—sharing the gospel via door-to-door outreach and making the name of Jesus known through sports activities and service projects.

It’s just one more way Lakeland is being faithful to Jesus by fulfilling the Great Commission.

“Above all, our church desires to be who Jesus commands us to be and to do what Jesus commands us to do,” Schmidt said. “My prayer to God is that He will use our efforts in Puerto Rico to spread the gospel, bring many people to salvation, connect the unchurched with Pastor Luis’s congregation, and encourage our church to live more faithfully on mission.”