bonnie shaw
A small church’s guide to making a big impact in their community
by Bonnie Shaw on January 13, 2021 in news
“If you are faithful in the little He will be faithful in the lots”...
Guía para una iglesia pequeña hacer un gran impacto en su comunidad
by Bonnie Shaw on January 13, 2021 in news
"Si se es fiel en lo poco, Él será fiel en lo mucho...
Texas Baptists welcomes Jennifer Howington as new Preschool and Children’s Ministry Specialist
by Bonnie Shaw on January 5, 2021 in news
“Jennifer's reputation for excellence in ministry and her relational skills are the perfect fit to lead us forward in childhood ministry among our Texas Baptist churches...
Building up a strong foundation for Hispanic churches
by Bonnie Shaw on December 21, 2020 in great commission
“Christ had a system. He had his disciples that he trained himself, and they went out and trained other people. And that’s the approach that I believe God has led me to,” ...
Edificando un fundamento firme para iglesias hispanas
by Bonnie Shaw on December 21, 2020 in great commission
"Cristo tenía un sistema. Él tenía a Sus discípulos que Él mismo entrenó, y entonces ellos fueron y entrenaron a otros. Y, ese es el enfoque al que Dios me ha llevado...
Go Now Missions sends students out to serve over Christmas break
by Bonnie Shaw on December 16, 2020 in news
"We got to serve right in our backyard in Fort Worth and partner with brothers and sisters in Christ who came from different backgrounds and languages...
Texas Baptists hospital chaplain among first to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Houston
by Bonnie Shaw on December 15, 2020 in news
On Wednesday, Dec. 16, Texas Baptists-endorsed chaplain and River Ministry missionary Silvia Briones will be one of the first people in Texas to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. ...
BSM’s Evangelism Challenge prepares students for off-campus ministry
by Bonnie Shaw on December 7, 2020 in great commission
As the 2020 Fall semester started at The University of Texas at El Paso, the Baptist Student Ministry staff met together to evaluate how their ministry would look different as the COVID-19 pandemic drastically modified life on campus...
Ideas for COVID-friendly holiday celebrations
by Bonnie Shaw on November 23, 2020 in great commission
As the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays draw near, churches are thinking of new and creative ways to share the holiday spirit in a way that is pandemic-friendly and safe for all those who participate...
New officers elected for 2020-2021 at 135th Annual Meeting
by Bonnie Shaw on November 17, 2020 in news
Three new convention officers were elected during the Monday, Nov. 16 Business Session of the 135th Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas...
Texas Baptists en Español Launching Service looks forward to future Hispanic ministry
by Bonnie Shaw on November 16, 2020 in news
“It was an intentional focus, not just to change the name, but to have an intentional strategy. ...
2020 African American Worship Rally encourages community and boldness
by Bonnie Shaw on November 16, 2020 in news
“Keep being a bold witness. Keep telling people about the goodness of Christ,” ...
Longhorn BSM begins the school year with a new building and 48 hours of prayer
by Bonnie Shaw on November 12, 2020 in news
“It was the first time either of them, I think, intentionally prayed on their own...
Baylor BSM push-up challenge results in fellowship and salvations
by Bonnie Shaw on November 9, 2020 in news
"...Just invite them into your life, just do life with them, play sports and go from there.”...
Micah 6:8 Conference encourages love and unity in divisive times
by Bonnie Shaw on October 29, 2020 in news
“Our congregations need to be on the frontlines, because we see passages [like Micah 6:8] that say ‘do justice, love mercy.’”...
New churches reach growing and changing communities across Texas
by Bonnie Shaw on October 27, 2020 in vol 8 issue 4
Church starting is a valuable way to reach the ever-growing population of Texas. See how two church starts are reaching out to their new communities...
Texas Baptists welcomes Bill Noe as new Collegiate Strategist
by Bonnie Shaw on October 26, 2020 in news
The Texas Baptists Collegiate Ministry Team is pleased to announce that Bill Noe has joined the staff as the new Campus Strategist. Noe previously served as the National Collegiate Ministries Specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources...
Legacy Award celebrates lifetime of faithfulness for D.L. Lowrie and Charles R. Dooley
by Bonnie Shaw on October 22, 2020 in news
“It is not our purpose to impress people with the skillful work that we do as ministers, it is our purpose to please God in who we are and what we do.”...
Ministers find value in free financial education through the Center for Financial Health
by Bonnie Shaw on October 21, 2020 in great commandment
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:21...
Oza Jones Jr. named new director of African American Ministries
by Bonnie Shaw on October 19, 2020 in news
Oza Jones Jr. has been named the new Director of African American Ministries for Texas Baptists. Jones brings years of ministry experience to the position, including from his most recent role as African American Evangelism and Church Revitalization Specialist on the Great Commission Team. ...
HPU to host Micah 6:8 Conference
by Bonnie Shaw on October 16, 2020 in news
Howard Payne University invites the community to participate in person or virtually at the Micah 6:8 Conference on Monday, Oct. 26, and Tuesday, Oct. 27...
MAP stories: Bringing light to a dark city
by Bonnie Shaw on September 29, 2020 in map stories
“The gifts received on both ends of the partnership advance the Kingdom…They don’t just sponsor us, we really do partner together, and both sides benefit.”...
Serving in a season of need: CMBC of Desoto provides food and hope for their community
by Bonnie Shaw on September 24, 2020 in great commission
“People cannot hear the Gospel message when they are hungry...
Mary Hill Davis Offering helps minority students receive Christ-centered education
by Bonnie Shaw on September 22, 2020 in great commission
“I received the scholarship myself when I was in school. I remember that that experience was when I was first connected with Mary Hill Davis Offering, and that scholarship absolutely helped me when I went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). It helped a lot with the tuition,” Lorenzo Pena, director of Texas Baptists Cultural Engagement, said.
Pena received the Mary Hill Davis Ethnic/Minority Scholarship from 1977-1979, while he was receiving his master’s degree at SWBTS in Fort Worth. He remembers being interviewed by Joy Fenner, former executive director-treasurer of WMU of Texas, and being grateful for...
Encouraging generosity in times of uncertainty
by Bonnie Shaw on September 17, 2020 in news
“At first I wanted to stop them and say, ‘no, no, we don’t need your money,’ but they wanted to give and be a part of it”...
2020 Texas Baptists Legacy Awards to honor Charles R. Dooley and D.L. Lowrie
by Bonnie Shaw on September 1, 2020 in news
On Sunday, Oct. 11, Texas Baptists will present the 2020 Legacy Award to Charles R. “Chuck” Dooley, former church planter for Texas Baptists, and D.L. Lowrie, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Lubbock...
Mary Hill Davis Offering helps Intercultural Ministries reach every tribe, tongue and nation
by Bonnie Shaw on August 25, 2020 in great commission
With funding from the Mary Hill Davis Offering® for Texas Missions, Texas Baptists Intercultural Ministries has created four unique opportunities for outreach...
Aid for Beirut: caring for our Texas Baptists family overseas
by Bonnie Shaw on August 11, 2020 in news
Texas Baptists has partnered with Health Outreach to the Middle East (HOME) to provide relief for Lebanese citizens affected by the August 4 explosion in Beirut...
Texas Baptists support camps amidst pandemic challenges
by Bonnie Shaw on August 4, 2020 in news
“It's as if 2 Corinthians 9:12 is being lived out as Texas Baptists are 'supplying the needs of God's people...
Mary Hill Davis Offering® helps small churches make big impacts
by Bonnie Shaw on July 28, 2020 in vol 8 issue 3
See how the Mary Hill Davis Off ering® is helping small churches minister to their communities and keep their church building standing strong...
Hospital chaplaincy in the midst of a pandemic
by Bonnie Shaw on July 28, 2020 in vol 8 issue 3
Read how Texas Baptist chaplains are making a diff erence as they minister to hospital patients, staff and families aff ected by COVID-19...
2020 Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament awards announced
by Bonnie Shaw on July 23, 2020 in news
Though the event could not be held in-person due to COVID-19, students from churches around Texas competed virtually...
BOUNCE encourages student ministries to find the mission field in their own backyard
by Bonnie Shaw on July 1, 2020 in news
“You don’t want to be sitting at home doing nothing when there are people out there who need help.”...
Student ministry switches from international to local missions work due to COVID-19
by Bonnie Shaw on June 25, 2020 in press releases
Approximately 20 middle school and high school students from First Baptist Church Plano will be volunteering at two local Plano residences, providing assistance and doing repairs on the homes as part of “BOUNCE Back Home Day of Service.” ...
Ministers Financial Health Grant allows pastor to focus on his congregation
by Bonnie Shaw on June 15, 2020 in news
"....we looked at time and family, and everything that God gave us.”...
Revitalizing collegiate ministry in San Antonio
by Bonnie Shaw on June 8, 2020 in news
“We want San Antonio to be a place of hope and to be a light in Texas.”...
Go Now Missions prepares for different locations, same mission
by Bonnie Shaw on June 1, 2020 in news
#missionnotcanceledgonow...
River Ministry missionary adapts during COVID-19 to meet needs and pray
by Bonnie Shaw on May 12, 2020 in covid 19
"I want them to know that everyone can pray...
Drawing encouragement from one ministry assistant to another
by Bonnie Shaw on May 11, 2020 in covid 19
"I thought they might be overloaded right now, and I wanted to let them know they were being prayed for.”...
Texas Baptists churches and pastors unite to support other pastors
by Bonnie Shaw on May 1, 2020 in covid 19
"It is a great way to impact Kingdom work around our state...
An expanding network of Collegiate Ministry
by Bonnie Shaw on April 29, 2020 in vol 8 issue 2
“If we can connect with students now...it can change the world.”...
College ministries in Waco unite to bring students hope and prayer
by Bonnie Shaw on April 24, 2020 in news
"We needed a space where people could come together to voice concerns and feel heard,” ...
Cowboy church finds Easter fellowship during social distancing
by Bonnie Shaw on April 17, 2020 in covid 19
"What Satan meant for harm, God used for good.”...
Meeting rising needs in Conroe
by Bonnie Shaw on April 14, 2020 in covid 19
"For the homeless to stay healthy, they need to stay clean...
Ministering to soldiers at the heart of the outbreak
by Bonnie Shaw on April 8, 2020 in covid 19
“The best thing we have is prayer and unity,”...
Ministry through hospital chaplaincy during COVID-19
by Bonnie Shaw on March 27, 2020 in covid 19
"...we are called to join God in responding to these tragedies with compassion and love,”...
Ministerio por medio de capellanía en hospitales durante la pandemia del COVID-19
by Bonnie Shaw on March 27, 2020 in es covid 19
"...somos llamados a unirnos a Dios al responder a estas tragedias con compasión y amor,”...
Packing the parking lot: FBC Kaufman holds drive-in worship service
by Bonnie Shaw on March 25, 2020 in covid 19
FBC Kaufman held its first-ever drive-in worship service in response to the new public gathering restrictions brought on by the spread of COVID-19...
La PIB de Kaufman celebra un servicio de adoración por radio y en el estacionamiento
by Bonnie Shaw on March 25, 2020 in es covid 19
La PIB de Kaufman celebró su primer servicio de adoración por radio y en el estacionamiento en respuesta a las restricciones sobre las reuniones públicas que fueron emitidas como consecuencia de la propagación del COVID-19...
Transforming what spring break means on South Padre Island
by Bonnie Shaw on March 24, 2020 in news
In the second week of March, thousands of college students descended on South Padre Island for Spring Break. Over 600 of these students were part of Beach Reach, a Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) mission trip that happens every year to share the Gospel and minister to the physical needs of both the spring breakers and the South Padre locals. ...
Iglesias encuentran maneras cómo conectar, servir, y adaptarse en medio de la propagación del coron
by Bonnie Shaw on March 23, 2020 in es covid 19
Algunas ideas que ministerios e iglesias Bautistas de Texas están implementando para compartir el amor de Dios durante estos tiempos de desafío...
Churches find ways to connect, serve and adapt amidst coronavirus spread
by Bonnie Shaw on March 20, 2020 in covid 19
Some ideas that Texas Baptists ministries and churches are implementing to share God’s love during these challenging times...
Modeling the Great Commission at the Hispanic Evangelism Conference
by Bonnie Shaw on March 3, 2020 in great commission
“I believe that every Sunday people should be coming to the Lord. But people won’t come unless they’ve been invited.”...
Creating a passion for missions
by Bonnie Shaw on February 26, 2020 in great commandment
Kirkwood and Stewart wanted to find a mission opportunity that would lead to a long-term relationship for the church to maximize the impact they could have in that area...
African American Leadership Workshop to address church in the 21st century
by Bonnie Shaw on February 20, 2020 in news
The African American Ministry of Texas Baptists will host the African American Leadership Workshop (AALW) at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University on March 6-7. ...
Missions team welcomes new director of Multi-Housing and House Congregations
by Bonnie Shaw on February 18, 2020 in news
The Texas Baptists Missions Team is excited to announce that Paul Atkinson will be stepping into a new role as Director of Multi-Housing and House Congregations. ...
Lilly Endowment renews $1 million grant to boost financial health for pastors
by Bonnie Shaw on February 3, 2020 in news
Texas Baptists will receive $1 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to continue the expansion of the Center for Financial Health, a ministry dedicated to promoting the financial health of pastors...
Ama Al Señor Con Toda Tu Mente: La importancia de la apologética
by Bonnie Shaw on January 30, 2020 in great commission
Eric Hernández, especialista en apologética, explica la importancia de la apologética y el aprender la lógica de la fe...
Church Refocuses on Local Evangelism
by Bonnie Shaw on January 30, 2020 in great commission
A new emphasis on neighborhood evangelism has led to spiritual growth for the congregants of First Baptist Church of Allen...
Loving the Lord with your mind: The importance of apologetics
by Bonnie Shaw on January 30, 2020 in great commission
Eric Hernandez, apologetics lead, explains the importance of apologetics and learning the logic of faith...
Institutional Legacy Day honors Baylor University for 175 years of Christian education
by Bonnie Shaw on January 29, 2020 in news
Texas Baptists Associate Executive Director Craig Christina presented the award to Baylor President Linda Livingstone. ...
Replanting conference focuses on giving old churches new life
by Bonnie Shaw on January 23, 2020 in news
On Jan. 10-11, approximately 50 people from around the United States gathered at Houston’s First Baptist Church to attend “Am I a Replanter?,” a conference centered on nation-wide church replanting. ...
Upcoming Hispanic Evangelism Conference focuses on the Great Commission
by Bonnie Shaw on January 22, 2020 in press releases
On Feb. 21-23, the Texas Baptists Hispanic Evangelism Team and Asociacion Bautista Latino Americana (ABLA) will join together to host a Hispanic Evangelism Conference (HEC). ...
Missions team announces new leadership
by Bonnie Shaw on January 15, 2020 in news
The Texas Baptists Missions Team is excited to announce that two of their current staff members will be stepping into new leadership roles...
Sharing the blessing: how one couple is providing college ministry for generations
by Bonnie Shaw on January 8, 2020 in great commandment
We have been greatly blessed and desire that others be blessed by coming to faith in Jesus Christ...
Debra McCammon celebrates 10 years of ministry to prisoners’ families
by Bonnie Shaw on December 16, 2019 in news
“We never run out… In fact, in the first three or four weeks of starting here, God taught me this is His ministry, not mine, and I just need to keep it open and He’ll provide the rest.”...
Top giving Cooperative Program churches celebrated at 2019 Annual Meeting
by Bonnie Shaw on November 27, 2019 in news
During the 2019 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting, nine churches were given special recognition for their giving through the Cooperative Program. ...
Creating a missional culture for global disciple-making within the church
by Bonnie Shaw on November 19, 2019 in annual meeting
Phillip Nation, director of Advancement and Global Impact Churches at the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), started his Tuesday morning workshop at 2019 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting by posing a question. “What would it look like to create a culture for global disciple-making?” he asked...
Learning to disciple new believers effectively
by Bonnie Shaw on November 19, 2019 in annual meeting
A person would never leave a newborn baby to fend for itself, said Clayton Bullion, director of Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) at Tarleton State University, likewise, new believers should not be treated that way. ...
Texas Baptists messengers approve $35.1 million budget, re-elect slate of officers
by Bonnie Shaw on November 18, 2019 in news
All three convention officers were re-elected to serve for a second term during the Monday morning business session at the 134th Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Monday in Waco. ...
African American Fellowship Rally reminds attendees to trust the Lord with their struggles
by Bonnie Shaw on November 18, 2019 in annual meeting
A crowd gathered for the African American Rally at the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church in Waco to celebrate the beginning of the 2019 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting. ...
Expanding buildings to expand ministries
by Bonnie Shaw on November 11, 2019 in feature
Churches around the state are choosing to allocate new, bigger spaces to their service ministries. ...
Fostering love
by Bonnie Shaw on November 11, 2019 in feature
Read about how First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells is rallying around foster families in their community and why they believe this ministry is so important...
Texas BSM group assists in relaunch of University of Oregon collegiate ministry
by Bonnie Shaw on October 29, 2019 in news
Two Texas Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) mission groups went up to The University of Oregon in October to assist with the relaunch of the Northwest Collegiate Ministry (NCM) as part of the ongoing partnership between Texas Baptists and the Northwest Baptist Convention. ...
Texas Baptists welcomes Chris Walker as the first BSM Accountant
by Bonnie Shaw on October 29, 2019 in news
Chris Walker has joined the Texas Baptists Finance and Accounting team as the new Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) Accountant. ...
River Ministry missionary creates new campaign to bring God’s healing to Houston
by Bonnie Shaw on October 29, 2019 in great commission
To better help those in need, Texas Baptists River Ministry expanded the ministry away from the border and up to Houston...
Pastor Appreciation Month: Take time to show how much you care
by Bonnie Shaw on October 22, 2019 in faith
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. It is a great time to go above and beyond to make sure that your pastor is blessed and loved on by the church. ...
Conclave encourages collaboration and relational ministry
by Bonnie Shaw on October 18, 2019 in news
“We have the power of Jesus in us, and we have a generation in front of us that wants to change the world.”...
A mission-minded church: how a small church on the border is serving thousands of people
by Bonnie Shaw on October 14, 2019 in news
Pastor Alvaro Corrales will gladly give anyone who asks a tour of Primera Iglesia Bautista of Alamo...
Upcoming Conclave conference seeks to promote collaboration between family ministries in churches
by Bonnie Shaw on October 2, 2019 in press releases
Conclave, a one-stop conference for various family ministries hosted by Texas Baptists Great Commission Team, will take place Oct. 14-16 at First Baptist Richardson. ...
Texas Baptists welcomes Katie Frugé as Hunger and Care Ministries Specialist
by Bonnie Shaw on September 30, 2019 in news
Katie Frugé has joined the Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission (CLC) team as the Hunger and Care Ministries Specialist...
ReCharge Conference offers tools and training to church leaders
by Bonnie Shaw on September 12, 2019 in news
“If we begin to pour ourselves into people, old or young, imagine what 200 people at a ReCharge Conference could do if it only took 12 to turn the world upside down.” ...
New neighborhoods provide new opportunities in Amarillo through church planting
by Bonnie Shaw on September 9, 2019 in great commission
Brad and Sarah Newman knew they felt called to plant a church. They were already active members and family pastors in their own church, South Georgia Baptist Church, in Amarillo, TX. Furthermore, the Newmans had been involved with a church plant in Denver, where they had learned how to set up a new church. They began looking at options all over the country, waiting for God to call them somewhere. ...
[un]Apologetic conference focuses on evangelism and answering difficult questions
by Bonnie Shaw on September 6, 2019 in news
On Saturday, August 24, Central Baptist Church of Jacksonville, TX, opened its doors to host its first [un]Apologetic Conference to help its members and others in the area better understand and defend their faith. ...
Texas Baptists and Truett Seminary celebrate first graduate of joint certification program
by Bonnie Shaw on September 5, 2019 in news
Texas Baptists and George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University recently celebrated the first graduate of the Advanced Certificate of Ministry in Children’s Ministry, a joint certification program offered by the two institutions...
MAP Stories: The Carpenter Family
by Bonnie Shaw on August 28, 2019 in map stories
In August 2015, Aaron and Nichole Carpenter and their children uprooted their lives in Alabama to move to the Pacific Northwest to plant a church. With little idea of where they would go, they began researching, and prayerfully settled on Tacoma, Washington as their new home and the location of the church plant. ...
Passing the chalk: Advice from experienced teachers to teachers starting their first year
by Bonnie Shaw on August 27, 2019 in great commission
As the new school year began, a fresh batch of teachers entered into schools around the country, nervous and excited for their first year of teaching. Though they have studied, student taught and prepared all summer, many of them still have lingering questions of what to expect...
After-school program provides church with new ministry opportunities in the community
by Bonnie Shaw on August 27, 2019 in great commission
First Baptist Church of Monahans has been actively involved in after-school ministry for five years. Judy Braswell, minister of Children, Education and Missions, began the ministry, and she continues to run it with a passion to this day. ...
Beyond the bars: new ministry focuses on the forgotten members of the prison system
by Bonnie Shaw on August 26, 2019 in great commandment
Correctional officers and other employees of the prison system have often been overlooked by ministry efforts for years, despite the fact that they are in desperate need of Jesus’ love and mercy. Jim Young, coordinator of Restorative Justice and former prison chaplain, saw this problem and began looking for unique ways to minister to these officers.
He said, “What I saw was we were doing a lot of things for the inmates… but [we] would walk right by the officers and not even say ‘hello.’”
New ministry efforts for correctional officers
Young and other members of Texas Baptist Men (TBM) began speaking to the correctional...
How your church can get involved with local schools
by Bonnie Shaw on August 22, 2019 in great commission
Partnering with schools is a great way for churches to get plugged into the community and serve other people. Below are five tips that churches and Texas Baptists staff have suggested for connecting with your local schools...
Regional motorcycle retreat in Kerrville aims to foster community and worship
by Bonnie Shaw on August 22, 2019 in news
The first Light Up the Hills Regional Motorcycle Retreat will be hosted in Kerrville, TX on Sept. 13 and 14. This retreat will provide Christian riders a chance to gather together and be encouraged through a motorcycle rally approach. It is free to all participants. ...
Texas Baptists partnership with the National Mission Board of Brazil continues to grow
by Bonnie Shaw on August 9, 2019 in news
A small group of Texas Baptists stood in one of the various Baptist rehabilitation centers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, listening as a young man passionately recounted his salvation from a life of drug addiction through his newfound faith in Jesus Christ...
BOUNCE offers exciting new church planting opportunities for students
by Bonnie Shaw on August 8, 2019 in news
In addition to providing invaluable physical help to hurting communities, this Texas Baptists ministry of junior high, high school and college-aged students is expanding to provide support to budding churches as well. ...
Project:Start partners with local clinic to provide school supplies for refugee children
by Bonnie Shaw on August 8, 2019 in news
When the staff at the Women’s Health Specialists of Dallas began planning their next office event, they knew they wanted it to be more meaningful than a happy hour or luncheon...
How to organize a school supplies drive for your church
by Bonnie Shaw on August 8, 2019 in great commission
Rosa Bailey provides some tips that she has learned about how to organize an amazing school supply drive...
ETBU BSM helps students grow in faith
by Bonnie Shaw on August 8, 2019 in great commission
"...students at ETBU are able to engage in a holistic education that not only engages their minds, but also grows them in their relationships with Jesus...
Not just another summer camp: Super Summer equips students to share
by Bonnie Shaw on July 26, 2019 in great commission
“Super Summer is not just another camp...It’s camp on spiritual steroids.”...
Family ties: God’s plan for one Go Now missionary in South Asia
by Bonnie Shaw on July 24, 2019 in great commission
Though she originally only wanted to go for two weeks, Connor felt God tugging on her heart to go for the whole summer. ...
African American Fellowship Conference focuses on strengthening one another
by Bonnie Shaw on July 19, 2019 in news
The week, which included worship, more than 30 seminars, special luncheons, and officer elections, centered around working together with fellow pastors, WMU Sisters Who Care, and AAF members. ...