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Welcome to this special SBC annual meeting edition of the TEXAN. It is truly a joy to welcome you to a quality publication that uplifts the Lord Jesus and ministers to Southern Baptists. Our desire is to report the news, inspire the hearts of God’s people to be on mission and to provide information. God has blessed us with a tremendous staff and we are privileged to have them working with us.
Let me share with you a quick recounting of what has happened with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention over the last four and one half years. Starting with 120 congregations in Houston, Texas, in November 1998, the convention essentially doubled each year in the first three years of existence. In 2002 over 200 congregations affiliated. At the first of June, 1312 congregations were a part of the SBTC. Financially, the story is the same. Each of the first four years the churches gave millions above the budget to enable the SBTC to do more for Jesus in Texas, North America and around the world. From a $900,000.00 budget in 1999 to Cooperative Program receipts of over $13 million in 2002, the churches gave because they had confidence in the SBTC. In 2001 when one state convention cut funding to SBC seminaries and other important ministries, the SBTC stepped up and gave over $1.3 million out of in-state surplus to help. We are unashamedly a confessional fellowship. Churches are in theological agreement. This is not conformity, nor adherence to a creed, but a confessional statement. Our commitment is have a minimal in-house staff. Missions and evangelism is the largest segment of the budget. The Cooperative Program is the giving vehicle that funds ministry and missions. The SBTC is the only state convention that gives away more than it retains in Cooperative Program dollars. Continue to pray for us as we seek to represent Jesus and Southern Baptists in Texas. |
