Seeing needs, meeting needs

Three years ago, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention engaged in a multiyear ministry partnership with the Convention of Southern Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico. The goal of the partnership is for the SBTC to help plant new churches and strengthen existing ones in the Puerto Rico convention.

As part of that effort, the SBTC invited pastors and church leaders on a vision trip to the Caribbean island to see the work that has been done, the work that is needed, and the local partners with whom they would be working. The vision trip was funded, in part, through grants provided by Reach Texas funds.

Cameron Crow, First Baptist Church Farmersville’s student pastor, was among those on the trip. He said the vision trip involved becoming familiar with the island, engaging with multiple churches and ministry partners, and assisting with a retreat for Puerto Rican pastors and their wives. Crow caught the vision and has since led two more trips to Puerto Rico—leading teams of students to serve through opportunities with local churches and ministries working with the North American Mission Board and Send Relief.

Crow said the trips have allowed his students to cultivate an appreciation for different cultures, practice evangelism within a diverse context, and witness firsthand how Send Relief strategically uses the Cooperative Program to impact people with the gospel. Additionally, Crow said several students have discerned a calling to missions through FBC Farmersville’s Puerto Rico trips, refining their focus toward specific mission fields and ministries.

“It is inspiring to witness God’s powerful movement through His church in reaching the unreached people of Puerto Rico,” Crow said. “Our [church’s] long-term vision is to establish a meaningful partnership with a church in Puerto Rico, supporting their efforts to reach the lost and fostering their growth into a vibrant and healthy congregation.”