UBA Annual Meeting
Thanks so much to the members of FBC, Huntington. That church did a fantastic job hosting our first ever Sunday night Annual Meeting. We had a great crowd, I’m pretty sure the largest since I’ve been here, a wonderful meal and sweet fellowship together. We also appreciate Joe Lightner who delivered a strong message from Psalm 55. Thanks to all the pastors who work so hard not only in their church but also within our association of churches. We are blessed to be able to work together for the future of the gospel in Unity Baptist Association. I’m tired today, but I’m happy.
Here is my written report for our 2023 Annual Book of Reports:
It has been an exciting year as we have seen the Lord at work in many ways. You can read on other pages in this Book of Reports how God has been moving through churches in our association. I want to highlight a few things and then look to our future.
The mission trip to Vermont was a wonderful experience for all 33 who were able to go. We had great participation and we continue to see our partnership with Baptist churches in the state of Vermont continue to grow. I expect us to take as many as 3 different trips to Vermont in 2024 and we may have over 50 participate in these trips. With the number of evangelicals in Vermont more than doubling in the last decade, we are confident that the Lord is at work and we want to join Him.
Our School of Ministry continues to grow as we do our best to help those currently in ministry and raise up a new crop of vocational ministers. Pray for men to respond to the call of the Spirit to enter ministry. We need more pastors, more youth leaders, more music leaders every year. I believe the Lord will fill pulpits, let’s be faithful to call out the called.
We have several churches going through the process of revitalization with us and more that are applying solid principles of church renewal. There seems to be a growing desire in our churches to reach new people, evangelize our communities, and disciple believers for the sake of the gospel. The work of the church, at its most basic, has not changed. Preach the Bible, evangelize the lost, disciple, encourage, fellowship, worship, and pray together. These principles will never change.
We remain committed to the work here in Unity Baptist Association. We believe that the Lord is going to do some amazing things through our association of churches over the next decade. I am thinking about what God’s dreams are for us in the next decade. Would you pray with me as we begin to look at what God wants to do as we approach 2030?
I believe we could be central in God’s work in East Texas. We could see the hand of God extended through us to reach across Texas, the nation, and the world. We have the resources to become an influential player in the next decade of the church. I want to echo the mantra that rose out of the Haystack Prayer Movement in the 1800’s: We can, if we will.
So pray with me. Let’s seek God’s face. Whatever He leads us to, I’ll go. Will you go with me?