In just a few months we will celebrate our 10th year anniversary as a state convention. It seems like only a few days ago we began this journey. It has been an incredible experience to say the least. Let me reflect upon some of the most memorable markers along the way.

The huge crowd packed out the auditorium of the Woodforest Baptist Church in Houston for the constituting session in 1998. The Spirit’s presence was electrifying. We went away from the inaugural convention with total dependence upon God’s providence.

The first year was full of decisions. We chose rental space in Las Colinas, Irving, Texas. Judy Van Hooser moved to Texas to serve as the first full-time employee other than myself. Ronnie Yarber continued on in varying capacities as needed to assist me in ministry. By the year’s end we had several employees, double the number of churches and had settled crucial internal issues.

The number of affiliated churches doubled in both 2000 and 2001. Churches gave with confidence. The SBTC budget was exceeded annually. Ministries began to take shape. SBTC church planting became a pacesetter in SBC life for efficiency and accountability. Over the next three years the SBTC was able to expand to service over 100 different church ministry areas while keeping our pledge of no big bureaucracy. A building was constructed that is attractive yet not ostentatious.

Churches have affiliated at a rate of one every two days over the last four years. Two thousand sixty churches are currently affiliated with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. The proposed 2009 Cooperative Program budget calls for 55% to be sent to the Southern Baptist Convention for national and international ministries. These statistics are simply indicators of lives impacted and the gospel presented to the glory of God.

The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention remains unique as a state convention. We are unashamedly a confessional fellowship. Affiliating churches not only contribute financially, but they affirm their agreement with a doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith and Message Statement (2000).

This provides parameters for fellowship. Constitutional prohibitions on female senior pastoral service and condoning homosexuality set the SBTC apart from

almost all state conventions. By codifying specific beliefs it allows the churches mutual accountability.

The SBTC is repeatedly on record by resolution noting the right to life of the unborn. Two specific exceptions we have never affirmed in our stand against abortion are “mental stress of the mother” or fetal deformity. We will not knowingly partner with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist World Alliance or any other organization that cannot affirm our high view of scripture.

The SBTC define high view of Scripture is: the supernatural character of the biblical miracles which occurred as factual events in time and space, the historical accuracy of biblical narratives which occurred precisely as the text of Scripture indicates, and the actual authorship of biblical writings as attributed by Scripture itself.

What we belief is the bedrock of our convention. Affiliation parameters have neither narrowed nor broadened. This has not changed. The SBTC still stands for biblical inerrancy and Baptist distinctives.

The future is bright. If approved by the messengers at the annual meeting in November the SBTC staff will add field ministry strategists. They will provide associations assistance in their ministries and give churches a local contact for services. They will improve communication and enhance our personal touch to Directors of Missions, pastors and church staff.

There are many metro areas in our state that are underchurched. Some heavily populated regions are without a strong gospel witness. Your staff has a ten year goal to help start new churches in these un-evangelized and under-evangelized places by employing a new approach. Church planting has always been a priority with the SBTC. We are taking it to another level.

Time and space does not permit me to talk about the Ezekiel Project. Positive results are already being seen. Disaster Relief is a premier ministry, recognized across the SBC. The list could go on. Suffice it to say that God has been pleased to bless the SBTC!

This issue of Texas Baptist CROSSROADS provides a timeline of our history and serves as a reminder of the faithfulness of our churches and our Lord. Take time to thank God for these blessings. If God gives us ten more years before Jesus comes, may we be found faithfully serving him.