Month: November 2025

‘He is the one who causes the growth’

After refocusing on core principles, FBC Lavon
has experienced an exciting turnaround

Executive board affirms commitment to mobilize SBTC churches to reach Europe with the gospel

LUBBOCK—The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention has taken steps to deepen its commitment to reversing the growing trend of lostness in Europe.

During its Oct. 29 meeting, the SBTC Executive Board approved a $556,000 grant to strengthen its ministry partnership with the International Mission Board. The grant will be used over the next three years to support IMB’s “Everyone Equipped” initiative in Europe.

The scope of the initiative would provide IMB personnel in Europe with coaching, mentoring, and accountability training in an estimated 20 cluster groups from 102 regions. Additionally, it would provide Great Commission training for local believers and funding for a one-time affinity-wide gathering for all IMB field leadership.

“This will not be just a series of trainings, but the development of a culture of coaching, mentoring, and accountability for our workers and local partners,” according to information provided from IMB to the Executive Board. “We trust that as we focus on the Word in the power of the Spirit, the Lord of the harvest will answer our prayers for multitudes of maturing disciples, leaders, churches, and missionaries across Europe.”

In 2023, the SBTC launched a new mission focus—to mobilize churches to multiply disciple-making movements in Texas and around the world. Part of that strategy includes its ministry partnership with the IMB called Reach Europe. In May 2025, 33 pastors and association leaders traveled on a vision tour of Europe to identify opportunities for SBTC churches to mobilize alongside local churches on what IMB considers the most lost continent on the planet.

SBTC churches are already being mobilized through Reach Europe. This past August, members from more than 20 churches traveled to Prague to minister to and encourage approximately 200 missionary children. Additionally, more than a handful of SBTC churches have already stated their intention to travel to Europe in the near future to work with local churches to strengthen them and widen their gospel reach.

Additional Reach Europe vision tours are planned for 2026.

New board officers selected

Wes Hinote, senior pastor of Old River Baptist Church in Winfree, was chosen to serve as board chairman at the Oct. 29 meeting. He replaces Steven Gaither, who is stepping down from the position after announcing he has accepted the call to serve as the new executive director of Highland Lakes Camp and Conference Center.

James Jordan, executive pastor at First Baptist Church Forney, was selected to serve as the board’s vice chairman, filling the role left vacant by Hinote. Averri LeMalle, senior pastor of The Church at Jersey Village, was elected secretary.

Latest Richards endowment recipients announced

Board members learned the latest recipients have been selected for the Jim and June Richards Endowment for Kingdom Advance.

The endowment’s purpose is to support individuals or organizations which promote kingdom causes through religious ministry consistent with the doctrinal statements of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. It was established by the Southern Baptists of Texas Foundation in 2021.

Richards, the convention’s founding executive director from 1998 through 2021, said he and his wife made the decisions for this year’s recipients after much prayer and consideration. Those recipients are:

The National Hispanic Baptist Network, led by former and longtime SBTC staff member Bruno Molina. Richards said he was excited when Molina accepted the role as the NHBN’s executive director, adding, “He is in a strategic position to influence millions for the cause of Christ.”
The La Chapelle Church Planting Network, a movement that has started numerous churches in Montreal, Canada—one of the largest unreached places in North America. “June and I have a special place in our hearts for Montreal,” Richards explained, noting that David Pothier, pastor of La Chapelle Church, has labored to bring the gospel to that area “with integrity and sacrifice.”
The June Richards Scholarship Endowment at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, which will be disbursed to support other women to faithfully fulfill the roles to which God has called them as Mrs. Richards has done in her own life. “June—my wife and ministry partner for 52 years—is a Proverbs 31 woman,” Richards said. “She served with me when I was a pastor, church planter, director of missions, and at the SBTC. Her prayers have impacted untold numbers of lives.”

Richards now serves as executive director emeritus. The SBTC grew from 120 churches to more than 2,600 churches during his tenure. Prior to coming to Texas, he pastored for 21 years in Louisiana and then served as an associational executive director in Northwest Arkansas.

Executive Committee expresses support for Credentials Committee’s work

Following the meeting, the SBTC Executive Committee released the following statement:

“We had an amazing annual meeting at Southcrest Baptist Church followed by a great Executive Board meeting as we celebrated what we are seeing God do through our network of churches, including our growing partnership with the IMB in Europe and the many ways our churches are advancing the mission in Texas and beyond. We also wish to express our appreciation in support of the Credentials Committee’s work in faithfully applying our governing documents and look forward to the results of our constitution and bylaws review committee that will begin work in November.”

Reunión Anual 2025: Oración y testimonios poderosos marcan una exitosa sesión en español

LUBBOCK—Más de cien pastores, líderes y miembros de iglesias hispanas se reunieron del 26 al 27 de octubre para celebrar lo que Dios está haciendo a través de sus congregaciones durante la sesión en español de la Reunión Anual de la Convención de los Bautistas del Sur de Texas (SBTC, por sus siglas en inglés).

El evento dio inicio el domingo 26 con un tiempo de compañerismo y comida. El director ejecutivo de la SBTC, Nathan Lorick, se unió al grupo para compartir unas palabras de aprecio y ánimo hacia las iglesias.

“Estoy muy agradecido de que estén aquí”, expresó. “Sepan que la convención está para caminar con ustedes. Doy gracias a Dios por todo lo que Él ha hecho a través de los eventos, retiros y el trabajo de SBTC en Español. Ha sido fenomenal. Pero queremos que sigan caminando con nosotros, porque necesitamos plantar más iglesias en todo Texas, y contamos con ustedes”.

Haciendo más juntos

Esa misma noche, los asistentes se reunieron para un tiempo de adoración —dirigido por el pastor Diego Manosalva y el pastor Jonathan Reyna junto a su esposa Karla— y enseñanza bíblica. El mensaje principal fue predicado por Bruno Molina, director ejecutivo de la Red Nacional Bautista Hispana.

Su sermón, titulado “El Compañerismo Transformador” y basado en Hechos 2:41–47, destacó que los creyentes forman parte del equipo de Dios y que las obras preparadas por Él se cumplen en comunidad.

Molina explicó que la iglesia primitiva perseveraba en cuatro áreas esenciales:

Doctrina: escuchar, aprender y maravillarse ante la Palabra de Dios
Comunión: cultivar relaciones a través de la oración, la celebración y el servicio mutuo
Partimiento del pan: compartir la vida cristiana y recordar el sacrificio de Cristo
Oración: mantener una vida constante de comunicación con Dios

“Yo no creo en los milagros —dependo de ellos”, afirmó Molina, subrayando que la cooperación y la oración son la base de una iglesia viva. “Podemos hacer mucho más juntos que separados. La colaboración es el antídoto contra el individualismo expresivo”.

Durante el servicio hubo un tiempo especial de oración por plantadores de iglesias y sus esposas, dirigido por Luis González, director de SBTC en Español, junto a Luis López, pastor de Forney en Español y líder catalizador de plantación de iglesias hispanas para Send Network SBTC. Más de una docena de parejas de plantadores pasaron al frente y fueron rodeados por pastores de todo el estado para interceder por ellos, pidiendo fortaleza y provisión para su llamado.

Rivera es honrado por su legado ministerial

Durante la sesión, Michael Gonzales presentó el Reconocimiento al Legado Ministerial al pastor José “Joe” Rivera, de la Primera Iglesia Bautista en Grand Prairie, por su servicio fiel y compromiso con el evangelio.

Rivera, nacido en Monterrey, México, y criado en Texas, ha servido por más de 25 años en esa iglesia, donde pastorea desde el 2008. Junto a su esposa Nancy, con quien lleva 28 años de matrimonio, ha dedicado su vida a servir a Dios y a su comunidad con humildad y entrega. También ha sido activo en la Convención Bautista del Sur, la SBTC y diversas juntas y ministerios locales.

Capacitación y enseñanza

El programa del lunes 27 incluyó talleres enfocados en liderazgo, carácter y misión.

Terry Coy ofreció una perspectiva histórica sobre el poder transformador del evangelio en su taller “El Legado de la Cruz”.
David Ramírez habló sobre “Carácter antes que carisma”, exhortando a los líderes a priorizar el ser antes que el hacer.
Arlene Sanabria dirigió una sesión para mujeres titulada “Mi Parte en el Plan de Dios”, ayudándolas a descubrir su propósito en el reino.
Clara Molina enseñó “Testificando en medio del dolor”, animando a las mujeres a compartir su fe en tiempos de sufrimiento.

Un testimonio impactante

El programa del sábado concluyó con un almuerzo y un tiempo de testimonio dirigido por Luis González, quien compartió cómo ha visto la mano de Dios sostenerlo a él y a su familia a lo largo de su vida y ministerio.

González relató momentos en los que el Señor se mostró fiel: desde su llamado al ministerio, pasando por retos de salud que requirieron cinco cirugías, hasta el milagro del nacimiento de sus hijos después de un tiempo de oración y espera.

También compartió la historia de su hijo menor, Josué, quien partió con el Señor después de ocho meses de vida debido a una condición médica desde su nacimiento. Durante ese tiempo, Dios usó la vida de Josué para cumplir un propósito eterno: fortalecer la fe de sus padres, abrir puertas para compartir el evangelio en el hospital y ministrar a otras familias en medio del dolor.

“Dios nos permitió ver Su poder en nuestra debilidad”, dijo. “Nos sostuvo con una fuerza sobrenatural para seguir sirviendo, predicando y pastoreando en la Iglesia Bautista Lamar en Arlington”.

González exhortó a los pastores y líderes a buscar unidad, a no guardar silencio en tiempos difíciles y a apoyarse mutuamente en el cumplimiento de la misión.

AM25: Prayer, powerful testimonies mark Spanish sessions

LUBBOCK—More than a hundred pastors, leaders, and members of Hispanic churches gathered Oct. 26-27 to celebrate what God is doing through their churches during the Spanish session of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Annual Meeting.

The event began Sunday, Oct. 26, with a time of fellowship and food. SBTC Executive Director Nathan Lorick joined the group to express his appreciation and encouragement to the churches.

“I am very grateful you are here,” he said. “Know that the convention is here to walk with you. I thank God for all He has done through the events, retreats, and work of SBTC en Español. It has been phenomenal. But we want you to continue walking with us, because we need to plant more churches throughout Texas, and we are counting on you.”

Doing more together

On Sunday evening, attendees gathered for a time of worship—led by Pastor Diego Manosalva and Pastor Jonathan Reyna and his wife, Karla—and biblical teaching. The main message was delivered by Bruno Molina, executive director of the National Hispanic Baptist Network and former SBTC associate.

His sermon, titled “Transforming Fellowship” based on Acts 2:41–47, emphasized that believers are part of God’s team and that the works prepared by Him can only be accomplished in community.

Molina explained the early church persevered in four essential areas through:

Doctrine: listening, learning, and marveling at the Word of God;
Fellowship: cultivating relationships through prayer, celebration, and mutual service;
The breaking of bread: sharing Christian life and remembering Christ’s sacrifice; and
Prayer: maintaining a constant life of communication with God.

“I don’t believe in miracles—I depend on them,” Molina said, noting that cooperation and prayer are the foundation of a living church. “We can do much more together than apart. Collaboration is the antidote to expressive individualism.”

The service included a special time of prayer for church planters and their wives led by Luis González, director of SBTC en Español, along with Luis López, pastor of Forney en Español and Hispanic church planting lead catalyst for Send Network SBTC. More than a dozen planter couples were accompanied by pastors from across the state in a time of intercession, asking for strength and provision for their calling.

Rivera honored for lifetime of service

During the session, the Ministerial Legacy Recognition Award was presented by Michael Gonzales to José “Joe” Rivera, pastor of First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, for his faithful service and commitment to the gospel.

Rivera, born in Monterrey, Mexico, and raised in Texas, has served faithfully for more than a quarter century at the church, where he has been pastor since 2008. He and his wife of 28 years, Nancy, have dedicated their lives to serving God and their community with humility and commitment. He has been active in the Southern Baptist Convention and the SBTC, as well as various local boards and ministries.

Teaching and training

The program on Monday, Oct. 27, included workshops focused on leadership, character, and mission. Terry Coy, who offered a historical overview of the transforming power of the gospel, spoke about “The Legacy of the Cross.” David Ramirez spoke about “Character Before Charisma,” encouraging leaders to prioritize being over doing.

Arlene Sanabria addressed the women in attendance, speaking about “My Part in God’s Plan” and guiding them to discover their purpose in the kingdom of God. Clara Molina’s topic, “Testifying in the Midst of Pain,” encouraged women how to share their faith during times of suffering.

A powerful testimony

Saturday’s program concluded with lunch and a time of testimony led by Luis González, who shared how he has seen God’s hand sustain him and his family throughout his life and ministry. González recounted moments when the Lord proved Himself faithful—from his call to ministry, through health challenges that required five surgeries, to the miracle of the birth of his children after a time of prayer and waiting.

He also shared about the life of his youngest son, Josué, who departed to be with the Lord after eight months of life, facing a medical condition since birth. During that time, God used Josué’s life to fulfill an eternal purpose: to strengthen his parents’ faith, open doors to share the gospel in the hospital, and minister to other families in the midst of pain.

“God allowed us to see His power in our weakness,” González said. “He sustained us with supernatural strength to continue serving, preaching, and pastoring [during our time at] Lamar [Baptist] Church in Arlington.”

González encouraged pastors and leaders to seek unity, to not remain silent when going through difficult times, and to support one another on the path to fulfilling their mission.

Five minutes with Eduardo Salazar

A licensed professional counselor and LPC supervisor, Eduardo Salazar founded a private counseling practice in Northwest Houston in 2005. Five years later, he began serving at Champion Forest Baptist Church as care and counseling pastor. Salazar and his wife, Ashley, have been married more than 26 years and are the parents of four daughters.

What’s one thing you have been able to celebrate through your ministry recently?

We launched Celebrate Recovery last fall under the leadership of our biblical counselor, Scott Riling. CR is a Christ-centered ministry helping people deal with life’s hurts, habits, and hangups. Through CR, we love our community, help people find hope through the gospel, and [facilitate] healing through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in a support group setting.

What are some of the greatest needs that Christian counseling can help with?

Presence (Matthew 18:20) and prayer (James 5:13-16). In our technologically advanced world, we are increasingly connected online and disconnected in-person. The COVID shutdown brought more division and disunity. Artificial intelligence will bring more independence from others, less personal interaction, more isolation, and increased loneliness. Christian counseling provides one opportunity to meet with another person face to face in a confidential environment. Together we seek God’s truth through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16), prayerfully trusting our spiritual and mental health to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

What are you praying will happen over the next year through your church’s counseling ministry?

Because of the nature of our counseling ministry, much of what we do focuses on making—or more specifically, maturing—disciples and strengthening the church. I pray that over the next year God has His way with our counseling ministry—helps us grow disciples, strengthening our local church and the larger church (the greater kingdom)—as we meet people where they are in their brokenness. I pray we will speak truth in love as the people we counsel find God’s peace, comfort, and hope. I pray those who experience healing become disciple-makers, and in turn help others grow by sharing the life change and spiritual transformation they experience through the gospel.

What’s one thing you have learned to this point of your life and ministry you know you will never forget?

The simplicity and power of the ministry of fellowship and prayer. At Champion Forest we say, “If we know, we go.” As soon as we learn someone from our CF family is hospitalized, our care and counseling ministry leads the charge on visiting them in hospitals all over the Houston area. We remind them God loves and is with them. We pray with them for strength, perseverance, peace, and divine appointments to share their faith in Christ with others as we pray God uses modern medicine to heal them.

How can the churches of the SBTC be praying for you and your ministry?

Pray I would joyfully surrender daily to God’s call to seek Him, love my wife, lead our four daughters, and be made more into the image of Christ as a servant-leader. Pray our care and counseling team would … steward well the favor and influence God has given us to build and maintain relationships with people in our community. Pray that God makes us ready as we guard our hearts and minds against the attacks of the enemy and resist temptation from our flesh. Last, pray we would pick up our cross daily, live in freedom, and [claim] ultimate victory from sin to serve in Jesus’ name.

Through war and wandering, God continues to make us strong

I came to the United States in 2007. I was born in Congo and raised a family in that country. Throughout my life our country fought civil and tribal wars. We would take a break, a year, two years, and the war would start again. That’s my life.

I remember our village being attacked when I was a little boy. When I grew up and married and had my own family, we moved from our region, South Kivu in eastern Congo, to southern Congo, which is called Katanga. We lived there from 1983 until our people were attacked by the government in 1998 because they said we were Rwandese and not Congolese. Our tribe had moved from Rwanda in 1875, and now they said we could no longer live in Congo.

In 2004, we had to move to Burundi and lived in a United Nations refugee camp. Just two months later, rebels from Congo, along with those in Burundi, joined together to attack our transit camp because of our tribal identity [Tutsi]. In one hour, that attack killed 164 people in the camp, though my family was safe. From 2005 until 2007, we went through the process of gaining refugee status in the U.S.

My family was Christian, and my father was a deacon in our church. He was most influential in leading me to follow Jesus when I was 15. By the time I came to the U.S., I was a deacon as well. I was welcomed in an American church here. I couldn’t speak any English, so we had an interpreter for three years, using headphones to understand the sermons.

Within those three years many families from my part of Africa had arrived, and they were also listening to an interpreter at church. That’s when I felt I should do something to help these people, something so that everyone who was coming can fit in and can feel welcome and understand everything. From there, I talked to our pastor and said, “I feel a calling to do something so I can help these new people,” and he was OK with that. In 2010, we started meeting in my house. We started with 25 people that day. Thank God, right now we have about 250 people in the church [El Shaddai Rise Church, Austin].

But those first years were very hard. For the first 11 years of our church I was a volunteer pastor, driving for rideshare services and helping in nursing homes. And 100% of our church members were refugees, so they weren’t able to support the expenses of a church. Since I was the one who got here before them, I helped them with knowing how to buy a car, drive a car, find a job, and then to sometimes give them rides to their jobs. This was in addition to doing church stuff. Now we still have people coming into our church who are new to this country, but we also have a lot of people who are able to help them with their needs.

I am blessed with a wife, Antoinette, eight grown children, and 18 grandchildren. They are my right hands in the church. I have a son who is in charge of playing piano in the church, and my family does all the instruments and sound system. I have another two who are teaching Sunday school and two others who work the cameras. My daughter is the one leading the worship. It is a great blessing to have my family helping with our church.

Our church has multiplied as well. In 2018, I had a connection back in Nairobi, Kenya, and we were able to start another church there. Earlier this summer, in June, I went to visit that church and to evangelize in East Nairobi, East Kenya, which is at the border with Tanzania, in a community called Maasai. The Maasai are still really behind in [having opportunities to hear] the gospel, so when I was there, I sent people from the church in Nairobi. They went there twice to evangelize, and when I was there, we went there and started two churches in two areas. The church we started in Kenya has now started two additional churches among the Maasai.

I know how God is so, so powerful to make you strong in circumstances like I’ve faced. What I just told you about our tribe, the situation that we’ve been in since I was born until now, it’s a generation, but we are strong in God and God keeps making us strong. Our community, wherever we are, we serve the Lord, even if we just grow in that situation.