 Community Ministries and Community Missions are endeavors to assist churches in becoming more effective in community transformation. The name of the team has changed to more accurately reflect the efforts of churches to have Local Transformational Missions.
No matter the name, missions continues to be the demonstration and declaration of the Good News of Jesus Christ. In practice we see real and tangible transformation in the lives of church members as they are on mission in their local community mission field. And we see transformation the lives of people with whom the church has opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ. There are countless ways your church can encounter God’s Glory. Because each church and each community is different, we’ll help your church develop the 20/20 vision you need to start focusing on your community. Transformational Missions resources can include consultations and site visits, conferences and workshops, printed “how-to” materials, and direct coaching. We are available to serve your church and to connect you to key resources so that you can start new ministries or enhance your current mission and ministries. Please call on us at 888-244-9400!
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Consulting – Coaching – ConnectingLocal Transformational Missions' focus is in the following areas: Helping Churches – Be On Mission
Baptists go on mission the world over. It’s what we do. It’s what we’re known for. We can be on mission locally and globally at the same time as we are on mission for Christ in our own community. Today, God is bringing people from around the world to our communities. Our Great Commission is to be on mission in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the rest of the world (Acts 1:8). Changing Communities
Churches are constantly challenged by the changing needs of their communities. Texas Baptists can see many opportunities to follow the biblical mandate to feed the hungry, provide water for the thirsty, to clothe the naked, and to seek justice while spreading God’s Word (Matthew 25). Our challenge is thinking beyond the walls of our churches to being on mission in our neighborhoods and communities bringing God’s Shalom for the church and the community. Transforming Lives
Texas Baptists can look at their community’s specific needs and the church’s strengths. The church can develop a mission strategy and an action plan that is focused on transformation of the lives of people in need and in the lives of those who are serving.
Meet the Local Transformational Team This newsletter is dedicated to local Transformational Missions. Our goal is simple: to engage churches to be on mission in their local communities. It is entitled “A Glimpse of Glory” and will highlight where God is at work by capturing moments in the ministries and lives of Texas Baptists that portray God at work and reflects “as it is in Heaven”. We pray that this will encourage and inform you so that together we will give praise and glory to our God. Click here to view Glimpse of Glory archives!
Contact: Tomi Grover, tomi.grover@bgct.org or 214.887.5428 Community Needs AssessmentThe Community Needs Assessment is traditionally used effectively to develop strategic planning in most associations in Texas and is easy to use by congregations with little or no guidance. The BGCT, however, can offer assistance in training congregations and processing the findings for use in new ministry efforts. Contact: Gerald Davis, gerald.davis@bgct.org or 214.828.5392 The Local Transformational Missions team would like to make you aware of some Missions and Ministry Opportunities around the state of Texas. We have received these opportunities from Missions Centers and Churches from around the state. The list is not an exhaustive list of every opportunity so therefore we would like to know of the opportunities in your area so that we can make the list more comprehensive. Send us an email identifying the opportunities and we will update this list with opportunities in your community, church or mission center. Contact: Gerald Davis, gerald.davis@bgct.org or 214.828.5392 Deaf and Special Needs Ministries
Every Sunday, people search for a church that will share the gospel in ways that only those who are deaf, blind or handicapped (developmentally disabled) can appreciate. Texas Baptists have 17 deaf congregations and hundreds of “hearing” congregations that provide interpreted services for the deaf. Deaf families have particular needs that your congregation can address, and interpreted services are just one example of how these needs are met. The BGCT also sponsors a Deaf Youth Camp while their pastors enjoy the Deaf Pastors’ Retreat. Each summer, the Texas Baptist Conference of the Deaf gathers families from across the state for a time of fellowship, inspiration and ministry support. Then in the fall, interpreters gather for the Interpreter’s Training Retreat at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment.
Contact: Gerald Davis, gerald.davis@bgct.org or 214.828.5392 Restorative Justice MinistriesClick here for a list of Hospitality Houses and their contact information. |
Texas Baptist churches are getting smart on crime by focusing ministry efforts on the offender and family, the victim and family, as well as the criminal justice professional and family. This holistic approach is known as restorative justice because it seeks to restore broken relations and establish a sense of “shalom” in the community. Prison ministries range from direct evangelism to worship to discipleship. Curriculum and resources are available from Inmate Discipler Fellowship, that is operates in more than 450 correctional facilities in the U.S.. IDF makes available discipleship curriculum for the individual or group study and can provide training and connections with reputable organizations for first timers. 2nd National Conference on Restorative Justice
For educators, academics, practitioners, faith leaders, policymakers, judges, community leaders, and all concerned citizens. To be held at the University of Texas at San Antonio–Downtown Campus in the beautiful San Antonio, TX May 13-15, 2009. The conference is a joint venture involving several universities, justice system agencies, restorative justice practitioners, and the faith community. To learn more click here. Contact: Tomi Grover, tomi.grover@bgct.org or 214.887.5428 Poverty Ministries of Relief and EmpowermentPoverty ministries may be as simple as establishing a benevolence ministry that may include a food pantry and clothes closet, or as complex as a mission center that serves as a “full service” center. Real help includes immediate relief as well as life and family empowerment. It is important to “give a man a fish,” but it is perhaps more important to “teach a man to fish”, and thus give a real sense of empowerment and fulfillment. Help ranges from simple “how to” pamphlets and ministry ideas to assistance in developing a holistic approach to meeting human needs is available to your church. Contact: Gerald Davis, gerald.davis@bgct.org or 214.828.5392 Literacy MissionsLiteracy missions are a great way to reach unchurched people, especially the more than 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in Texas. Training, certification and resources are available for English as a Second Language or conversational English, adult reading and writing, as well as tutoring children and youth. Family Literacy is a new initiative that allows for ministry to the whole family. Another new initiative is English as a Foreign Language that will become an essential tool for global missions, especially those countries closed to traditional Christian missionaries. Literacy ConneXus is the new name for literacy in Texas and reflects 50 years of literacy missions in collaboration with the Center for Literacy at the Baylor School of Social Work. Contact: Lester Meriwether, lester@literacyconnexus.org or 817-455-5442 Recreation and Sports MinistriesRegardless of church membership size or the facilities a church may have, recreation is an effective tool for meeting the spiritual, social and physical needs of all age groups and families, when properly planned and led by skilled leadership. Whether it be SPORTS, CRAFTS, MUSIC, DRAMA, CAMPING & RETREATS, FITNESS or SOCIAL activities, all have the potential of drawing spiritually lost and unlisted people to the church as well as strengthening the church fellowship and developing leadership. These activities are also effective tools as churches extend their ministries into the mission fields at home and abroad. Contact: Bob Raus, Bob.Raus@bgct.org or 817.271.1397
Immigration and Refugee MinistriesMinistry to internationals, immigrants, migrants and refugees are as varied as the nations. How does your church respond to the needs of undocumented immigrants without violating state and federal immigration laws? Is it a violation of faith and Scripture not to minister? How should your church begin a ministry to internationals? ISAAC has been established to assist churches in ministry opportunities to immigrants, both documented and undocumented. Don’t break the law or be afraid. We can help. To learn more about Immigration from a Biblical Perspective please click here to see the attached document from the Christian Life Commission. Contact: Richard Munoz, richard.munoz@bgct.org or 214-828-5196 This ministry offers women the basic skills necessary for self-sufficiency. Volunteers provide one-on-one mentoring relationships based on a commitment to share Christ’s love. The ministry takes on various shapes but the end result is the same – transformed lives and families. It is truly a “hand up, not a hand out.” By visiting the WMU of Texas website you can find the site nearest to you and discover ways you can be involved in supporting an existing site or beginning a new site. Contact: texascwjc@bgct.org or 214-828-5150 The purpose of Christian Men’s Job Corps , a ministry of WMU, is to provide a Christian context in which men in need are equipped for life and employment; and a missions context in which men help men. Participants in CMJC experience a new direction in life through the support of a mentor, involvement in Bible study, and an opportunity to grow through life and job-skills training. This faith-based ministry to men utilizes the resources of a community network that provides a broad range of opportunities to meet each man’s needs. Two sites currently operate in Texas with more in the development stages. Contact: texascmjc@bgct.org or 214-828-5150 |