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‘A lasting impact for the kingdom’
The past 20 years have brought staggering growth to Fate, a North Texas city located just north of Interstate 30 and east of ever-sprawling Rockwall. In 2000, Fate was home to about 500 people. By 2020, the population swelled to nearly 20,000, with city officials expecting that number to exceed 50,000 by 2040.
But when R.J. Nanny looked around First Baptist Church in Fate, he saw no such growth. On any given Sunday, 10-15 people—at most—would be in attendance. Nanny, the church’s pastor, knew God could use FBC Fate to impact His kingdom. He just didn’t know how.
So, Nanny turned to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, which had started a church health and revitalization process called Regenesis. It’s a process designed to help church leaders clarify their mission and network leaders walking through similar circumstances.
Nanny led FBC Fate through the eight-month process, walking away with a multiyear plan to lead the church toward health and effectiveness. Since completing the Regenesis process, Nanny said FBC Fate has seen its membership and average weekly attendance grow, and 30 people have been baptized.
“The resources, training, and mentorship we received through this initiative have been invaluable,” Nanny said. “[The SBTC’s] dedication to revitalizing churches like ours has equipped us to reach our community and make a lasting impact for the kingdom.”
SBTC REGENESIS cohorts
2022
2 cohorts (18 churches & 55 lay leaders)
2023
9 cohorts (69 churches & 259 lay leaders)
2024
11 cohorts (74 churches & 378 lay leaders)
“This wasn’t part of our church culture a year ago. The Spirit of Christ has been changing our church family’s attitude toward one another and our community as we’ve started to unify together to make disciples.”
In 2022—the first year of Regenesis—two cohorts met representing 18 churches and 55 lay leaders. That number jumped to nine cohorts (69 churches, 259 lay leaders) in 2023. This year, 11 cohorts representing 74 churches and 378 lay leaders began going through the process that, for some, will conclude next May.
In addition to the cohorts, the SBTC began hosting Regenesis One-Day gatherings in 2024. Thirteen One-Day events drew 139 churches and 235 lay leaders. All told, that’s 300 churches that have participated in Regenesis—roughly 10% of the total number of SBTC-affiliated churches.
More expansion is planned for 2025, including 15 more One-Day gatherings and the launch of Regenesis Español.
“We are witnessing signs of revival in many ways within these churches,” said Anthony Svajda, who oversees Regenesis for the SBTC. “Those that were once stagnant are now advancing their mission. Those that were once confused now have clarity. Churches that were once inward-focused are now turning their focus outward. It’s evident that God is actively working and building His church.”
The numbers don’t just speak for themselves. Pastors who are leading their churches through Regenesis are speaking up about how they’ve seen God use a revitalized focus to help build healthy cultures within their congregations.
Jason Points, lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Trenton, said he has watched the culture begin to change at his church since participating in Regenesis. One way that change has manifested, he said, has been through a group of women in the church who have started intentionally and strategically encouraging people in the congregation and the community.
“This wasn’t part of our church culture a year ago,” Points said. “… The Spirit of Christ has been changing our church family’s attitude toward one another and our community as we’ve started to unify together to make disciples who make disciples who love Jesus deeply.”
