God is so, so good

I was a crime reporter when I began my journalism career about 25 years ago. Each morning, I would travel to our local police and sheriff’s departments and thumb through the previous day’s call sheets and the jail census. I would walk the hallways, interviewing deputies and detectives. Most of the stories I would unearth were bad news—at least for somebody.

By God’s grace, I have a much different calling today. Each morning when I arrive at my office, I have one main focus: to find and then tell the stories of what God is doing across the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

Each year, there are always a few stories we tell that stand out to me. As we put the wraps on 2025 and look ahead to all that we anticipate God will do in 2026, here’s a look back at a few of those stories:

‘Running toward the hopeless’ (Issue 2)

Every follower of Jesus loves a transformation story. Even if we don’t completely connect with a person’s past, we know what it’s like, as Colossians 1:13 says, to be delivered out of the dominion of darkness and transferred into Christ’s kingdom. This story, published in the spring, had lots of that. It opens by introducing readers to a man named David—described by many as “scary,” but who ended up giving his life to Christ through the ministry of Port Arthur City Church. The church’s pastor, Julian Martinez, had his own messy past. But since Jesus redeemed his life, the pastor spends his time trying to point everyone he can to salvation. 

‘My life is in His hands’ (Issue 3)

As a parent, this story sent my emotions on a ride. Joshua Nostrand was only 14 years old when he went into cardiac arrest for eight minutes while at youth camp. While moments like that are some parents’ worst nightmare, what happened next was as heart-warming and inspiring as it gets. After surviving the emergency, Joshua recovered, gave all glory to God, and began using his life to tell others about Jesus. “This whole experience,” he said later, “has helped me grow in the gospel.” Amen and amen. 

‘Man, we can do something’ (Issue 4)

In May, a group of pastors and church leaders went on a vision trip as part of the SBTC’s Reach Europe initiative, a ministry partnership with the International Mission Board. While they walked in some of the world’s most beautiful and historic places, many on the trip were also surprised to hear how lost Europe is. In fact, the IMB considers it the most lost continent in the world. Meeting pastors on the frontlines of the spiritual battle was special, but hearing reports that several SBTC churches have since returned (or are planning a return) is downright exciting.

‘SBTC churches get creative to deliver the gospel to the Metroplex during Crossover’ (Issue 5)

Each year in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, an event called Crossover is held to saturate the host city’s streets with the gospel. This year, with the meeting being held in Dallas, SBTC churches joined congregations from across the nation to tell people about Jesus. Churches held block parties and did door-to-door evangelism. One church held a pickleball camp. Another hosted a Christian comedy club, weaving the gospel story into an evening of laughs. And the best part? More than 700 people made decisions to follow Jesus during Crossover.

You can find these stories and more at the Texan’s online print archive: texanonline.net/print-archive.