Houston—A Different City Since We Last Gathered

The last time the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention met in Houston, we were celebrating the beginning of our 10th year of ministry. Here we are seven years later meeting in a very different city.

Houston has become the most ethnically diverse city in the United States. There are more than 300 ethno-linguistic groups. Projections are that Houston will be number three in population, surpassing Chicago, when the 2020 census is taken. While Houston has many wonderful Bible practicing churches, entire segments of the city are without the presence of a New Testament church. Reach Houston is an effort to plant churches where they are needed.

Many existing churches are plateaued or declining. Within a few short years some of those churches will close their doors. The SBTC has a Revitalization Plan that can work for any church that will work it. No plan works itself. Any church can rebound, if the people are willing. God wants his church to thrive.

Church planting and revitalization are the two approaches to Reach Houston. One primary tool fuels both approaches: personal evangelism. Church plants are a result of reaching people with the gospel. Revitalization takes place because new people are brought into the kingdom and then discipled in the church. Both approaches depend on the planter/pastor being a personal, intentional gospel witness.

As you read in the TEXAN about missions and ministry in the churches and by the SBTC staff, you see how God is blessing the work we do together. From Beaumont to Dumas, Texarkana to Odessa, in the Borderlands and rural areas, there are opportunities for all of us to advance the gospel. For the next five years, let’s all pray for Houston. Let’s all give a little time to minister in Houston. Please continue to give through the Cooperative Program so we can Reach Houston. A portion of your Reach Texas State Missions Offering will go to Reach Houston. We are in this together.

On Nov. 10 at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston a recommendation will be made to the messengers that we return to Houston in three short years to have another annual meeting. If the proposal is approved, we will celebrate 20 years as a convention in the city where we were birthed. By God’s grace we will be hearing at that time how thousands have been birthed into God’s family because of Reach Houston!