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“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
— Psalm 133:1
In April, Ashley and I traveled to Alpharetta, Ga., to attend the annual Southern Baptists of Texas Convention executive board retreat. There were close to 100 people there, including spouses.
We began the evening with dinner at the North American Mission Board. NAMB President Kevin Ezell and his wife, Lynnette, attended the banquet. Kevin shared with our group some of what is happening in missions in the U.S.
Then we toured the facilities before dessert, and wow, I was impressed. It is a beautiful and practical building. Everywhere you look, there is a reminder of what NAMB is all about—reaching North America with the good news of Jesus Christ. On one wall there was a graphic that said, “11,000 churches planted since 2010.” That is amazing. It truly is remarkable all the good we can do when we join with other Christ followers and become part of a movement that is so much bigger than ourselves.
I serve as president of the SBTC, and I am honored to do so. My term ends at the end of October. As you know, the SBTC is a state convention (the best in my humble and accurate opinion!) that is part of the larger Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America. I know the SBC has a negative vibe with many in our country. There have been mistakes made and sins committed by some in leadership that are reprehensible. I am thinking particularly of the number of sexual abuse cases committed by clergy or those in leadership positions.
"To know that our church had a little part to play in the 11,000 new Bible-believing churches planted in our country since 2010 gave me so much joy."
I was inviting one of my neighbors to visit our church recently, and she pointed out she once was a Southern Baptist and had a horrible experience. She called it the worst five years of her life. I responded to her that I was so sorry and then shared with her that 98% of pastors in the SBC are like me and simply trying to serve the Lord and people and who are innocent of those horrible crimes committed against our fellow man.
One church can accomplish so much when it is united with other like-minded followers of Jesus. To know that our church had a little part to play in the 11,000 new Bible-believing churches planted in our country since 2010 gave me so much joy.
I encourage you to link arms with others in the SBTC who have a heart for Jesus and reaching the nations. You can do so much more united with others than you can separated and trying to do everything on your own. We are stronger together!
