September 2026 - TEXAN Online

Every year, I have the honor of meeting with church planters who are walking through the process of launching their churches. They are excited, nervous, and anxious, yet faithfully following God’s call on their lives. To hear the stories of how God led them to that point is humbling and contagious. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to remind them that the generous giving of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches through the Reach Texas State Missions Offering and the Cooperative Program allows us to come alongside them on their journey.

While church planting is one powerful example of what we can accomplish together, it is certainly not the only one.

One of the most unique, effective, and powerful ministries we have at the SBTC is Disaster Relief. The people who wear yellow hats and shirts are volunteers who willingly rush into moments of disaster and crisis to show the love of Christ. They serve selflessly for many hours to meet people’s needs during some of life’s hardest moments. These volunteers are able to go and serve because of the generosity of SBTC churches that give faithfully.

The impact of cooperative giving extends far beyond Texas as well.

A couple of months ago, I met with about 200 missionaries who are giving their lives to take the gospel to difficult places around the world. We have a partnership in this region and are mobilizing churches to come alongside these warriors for Christ. We are able to send pastors and mission leaders from local churches on vision trips at a discounted rate simply because of the generosity of SBTC churches giving through Reach Texas and the Cooperative Program.

These are just a few snapshots of the countless ways your generosity is making a difference.

I could spend many pages sharing examples like these of the impact of Reach Texas and Cooperative Program giving. SBTC churches that partner with us through these giving channels are helping advance God’s kingdom here in Texas and around the world.

May I humbly ask your church to consider leaning in even more through these opportunities to give? There is so much more we can accomplish when we partner together in a unified effort to see the gospel advance. I am deeply grateful for the consistent and generous giving of SBTC churches. In fact, this year we have received the largest Reach Texas offering in our history. I believe God will continue to bless our efforts as we work together to make Christ known.

I love you and I am humbled to serve you!

Messengers prepare to celebrate a cooperative ministry that has been ‘Built on the Rock’

In Matthew 7:24, Jesus said, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Those words are the foundation of the theme of this year’s Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Annual Meeting, “Built on the Rock.”

The meeting, scheduled for Oct. 26-27 at First Baptist Church Forney, provides an opportunity to gather and celebrate what God has done through the cooperative work of SBTC churches. Annual meeting messengers will not only reflect on God’s faithfulness, but prayerfully chart a course forward as the SBTC mobilizes its churches to multiply disciple-making movements in Texas and around the world.

The schedule of events will once again include the president’s message, which will be delivered by Caleb Turner, senior pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church. Biblical challenges will be delivered by JR Vassar, lead pastor of Church at the Cross in Grapevine, and Moisés Gómez, lead pastor of Ekklesia Comunidad Bíblica in Irving. Send Network SBTC—the convention’s church planting ministry partnership with the North American Mission Board—will host a commissioning service for planters and their families, and a president’s lunch panel will once again be held on the final day of the meeting.

Over the past few years, the SBTC has identified three pathways by which its churches are mobilized: through resourcing churches, networking leaders, and advancing mission. In conjunction with those efforts, a series of dinners will be held Monday night for many of the SBTC’s networks. Dinners will be held for the Executive Pastors and Administrators Network; Missions Mobilization; Shepherds Collective (senior pastors); Women’s Ministry; Worship Leaders; Black Church Network; and for the Asian Fellowship.

Messengers will also be invited to connect at a reception after proceedings conclude on Monday night.

Turner to be nominated for second term as SBTC president

Judd Frazier, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Kemp, has announced his intention to nominate Caleb Turner, senior pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, for a second term as president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention at its annual meeting in October.

Turner has been Mesquite Friendship’s senior pastor since 2023, having previously served as the church’s equipping/teaching pastor, assistant pastor, and co-pastor.

“I have had the joy of knowing Pastor Caleb Turner for several years. During that time, he has become a trusted friend, a faithful mentor, a constant source of encouragement, and an outstanding example of Christlike leadership in ministry,” Frazier said. “His leadership has been exceptional, and his integrity and character speak for themselves. For these reasons, it is my honor to nominate my friend and brother.”

Turner has served as a trustee for the North American Mission Board, and he was also the youngest and first African American to serve as chairman of the SBTC’s Executive Board. In June, Turner preached the convention sermon at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

After graduating from John D. Horn High School in Mesquite, Turner attended the University of Oklahoma on a track and field scholarship. Prior to graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, working with its Special Operations Command while stationed at Hurlburt Field in Florida. He was also stationed at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan for a time.

While in Florida, Turner served several churches in youth and children’s ministry. Upon completing his active-duty commitment, Turner attended Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago, earning a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies.

Mesquite Friendship gave $181,650 through the Cooperative Program in 2024 and $152,120 in 2025.

Turner and his wife, Tamera, have three children: Caden, Cason, and Camden.

Meals & Events

Meal registration is required at sbtexas.com/am26.

Sesión en Español

Domingo, 25 de octubre

5:30-6:45 p.m. – Sesión en Español

Compañerismo (Fellowship)

7-8:30 p.m. – Sesión en Español

Culto de Celebración (Celebration Service)

Lunes, 26 de octubre

10-11:55 a.m. – Talleres en Español en General

(En Español Breakout)

10-11:55 a.m. – Talleres En Español para Mujeres

(En Español Women’s Breakout)

12-2 p.m. – Almuerzo En Español (En Español Lunch)

At a Glance

Monday Evening 6:30-8:20 p.m.

+ Send Network Church Planter Recognition

+ Message by SBTC President Caleb Turner
Senior pastor, Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church

Tuesday Morning 9-11:55 a.m.

+ Message by JR Vassar
Lead pastor, Church at the Cross, Grapevine

+ SBTC Executive Director’s Report Nathan Lorick

Tuesday Afternoon 2-4:10 p.m.

+ Message by Moisés Gómez
Lead pastor, Ekklesia Comunidad Biblica, Irving

ANNUAL MEETING MEALS

Monday, Oct. 26

4:30-6:15 p.m. – Networking Dinner Breakouts

8:30-10 p.m. – Welcome Reception

Tuesday, Oct. 27

7:30-8:45 a.m. – SBTC Disaster Relief Taco Truck

& Seminary Breakfasts

12:15-1:45 p.m. – President’s Lunch

Annual Meeting 101

Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches gather each year at the annual meeting, sending messengers to encourage one another and direct the convention’s cooperative efforts. Messengers establish the annual meeting agenda, hear ministry reports, and vote on the budget, resolutions, motions, and officers—shaping the future of our cooperative ministry. Each SBTC church can send up to 10 messengers to the annual meeting.

Resolutions

The 2026 Resolutions Committee will receive proposed resolutions from Tuesday, Sept. 1, until Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A proposed resolution must include your name, church membership, phone number, and email address. Please review the format of previous SBTC resolutions at sbtexas.com/resolutions. All proposed resolutions must be emailed to resolutions@sbtexas.com.

Additionally, only SBTC ministries and approved exhibitors may hand out material to the messengers.