Month: April 2026

The gospel is available and at work!

A little over 15 years ago, I was a struggling seminary student. Money was tight, my family was growing, and financial opportunities were limited. In other words, I was broke. 

I’ll never forget talking to my mother during a commute via the train from my home to downtown Chicago. As I exited my stop and made my way onto the street, there was a man panhandling. Out of all the people leaving, he asked me for money. I told him the truth: “I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything to give you.”

My mom heard this exchange and told me, “Son, you always have something to give.” She then quoted Acts 3:6: “Silver and gold have I none: but such as I have, I give thee ….” It was such a poignant reminder. Although I may not have had any spare change, I would always have Christ to share.

In Acts 3, Peter and John have an encounter with a man who was born lame. The man begs for money, but Peter and John don’t have any. However, instead of ignoring the man’s pleas, they mimic their master. The Bible says they look at the man and say to him, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

This miracle does not just change this formerly crippled man’s temporary situation; it drastically shifts his eternal trajectory. We must not be short-sighted when eternity is within view. These two disciples remind us not to dwell on what we don’t have, but to rejoice in who we do have—Jesus. 

"My aim here is to encourage those of us who can experience burnout from trying to think outside the box. Look inside the book! The gospel is available and at work."

Caleb Turner Tweet

Every year, I am grateful for the Empower Conference and what it means for our convention. It’s great to see friends. I enjoy the speakers, breakouts, and worship. And there’s nothing like free swag from the booths. 

However, the intent behind this conference, which was held in late February, is to reignite and remind believers that the gospel is the greatest tool available. There is no other catalyst for conviction and conversion than to shine light into the darkness of this world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must preach Christ and Him crucified! 

We do not need to always look for the latest and greatest church trend. New lights, new buildings, and new music are well and good. However, new stuff bereft of new creations is no more valuable than a whitewashed tomb. 

My aim here is to encourage those of us who can experience burnout from trying to think outside the box. Look inside the book! The gospel is available and at work.

Excitement builds as SBTC churches prepare for outreach trainings

The FIFA World Cup is coming to Texas this summer, with the event expected to attract more than 1 million soccer fans from around the world. Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches are preparing to greet these fans with Lone Star State hospitality—and the gospel.

To facilitate this effort, the SBTC has scheduled a pair of trainings—on April 18 at Lamar Baptist Church in Arlington and April 25 at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston—to help churches develop and execute an outreach plan. Tony Mathews, the SBTC’s senior strategist for Missional Ministries, recently spoke to the Texan about the exciting opportunities that exist to share Jesus with soccer fans from around the world.

Why is there so much excitement around this opportunity involving the FIFA World Cup coming to Texas?

Tony Mathews: There is so much excitement because the World Cup is bringing the nations to our backyard. For a limited time, people from every corner of the globe will be in Texas, and churches have a rare opportunity to share the hope of the gospel face-to-face with those who might never walk into our buildings on a normal Sunday.

Although the World Cup is several months away, why is there an urgent need for churches to begin preparing now?

TM: Churches need to prepare now because the World Cup will bring a massive, time-limited wave of people and ministry opportunities that require trained volunteers and clear plans in place before kickoff. I am deeply grateful for our team and for everyone who has invested time, prayer, and creativity into planning and preparing to equip others for this moment. Their work behind the scenes is laying the groundwork for effective ministry when the world comes to Texas.

In addition to the trainings, what other tools are being developed for this effort and how can they be used?

TM: In addition to in-person trainings, we’ve created a simple, practical tool that any believer can use on the streets, at fan zones, or during conversations with guests. The key resource is a gospel tract called GOAL. This familiar soccer term is used as an acronym for a gospel presentation. It provides a clear, easy-to-follow explanation of the gospel with Scripture references. Volunteers can hand it out while talking with fans, walk through it one-on-one in a brief conversation, or leave it with someone as a follow-up reminder of the hope found in Christ.

What kind of impact can a unified outreach like this have?

TM: This unified outreach effort allows SBTC churches to reach people with a clearer and more consistent gospel witness together than they could alone. It strengthens congregations as they prioritize evangelism, grows members’ confidence in sharing their faith, and can spark new ministry momentum that lasts well beyond the World Cup.

Want your church to impact the nations with the gospel during the World Cup? Check out sbtexas.com/soccer.