Baptists Set to Gather in Waco

When the annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) takes place in mid-November in Waco, hundreds of Baptists from around the state will bring their zeal for the Gospel and their diverse perspectives and interests as gifts to share with one another and to contribute to the collective work of the church. And as a longtime partner with the BGCT, Baylor will be ready to welcome them.

Scheduled for Nov. 16-18 at the Waco Convention Center, the BGCT’s annual meeting represents an opportunity for Baylor to strengthen its ties with the BGCT and reach out to attendees, who are voices of influence in their home churches and local communities.

“Baylor and the Baptist General Convention of Texas have been partners in missions, ministry and education for over a hundred years,” said Mark Newton, director for church engagement at Baylor. “Our partnership exists with our students, alumni, and faculty and staff. Baylor ministerial students have received hundreds of thousands of dollars of financial aid from Texas Baptists, and many of our Texas Baptist churches are led by Baylor and Truett Seminary alumni, either as staff members or lay leaders.”

According to Jeff Johnson, Texas Baptists convention president, the theme of the 2014 convention will be “Live the Difference,” based on 1 John 2:6.

“What does abiding in Christ look like in practice?” Jefferson said. “How are we as Texas Baptists called to implement our relationship with Christ in a way that will transform our great state? It is my hope that this annual meeting will spark answers to these questions and more.”

While Baylor is not hosting the convention’s official events, a variety of activities across campus will be offered as a means of extending a welcome to Texas Baptists and engaging them in the life of the University. Planned events include walking campus tours, an open house at Truett Seminary, the Friends of Truett dinner at the Baylor Club in McLane Stadium and a special “On Topic” with President and Chancellor Ken Starr on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Additionally, Baylor will be among other Baptist agencies, organizations, ministries and schools, colleges and universities represented at booths at the convention site.

Newton noted that the partnership between Baylor and the BGCT has many aspects, with the BGCT playing an important role in Baylor’s governance through its appointment of regents to serve on Baylor’s governing board. This year, Dr. Dennis Ray Wiles, pastor of First Baptist Church of Arlington, was elected to serve on the Baylor Board of Regents as a representative of the BGCT.

“Baylor continues to train our students to be servant leaders in our churches, our communities and throughout the world,” Newton said. “Baylor continues to partner with the BGCT in mission opportunities, the Texas Hunger Initiative, local missions in Waco, and each and every week as Baylor students and alumni share the love of Christ in local churches. We look forward to celebrating this partnership together, face to face, at the annual meeting in November.”