Hello everyone,
Attached is the quarterly update from the State Office and the Executive Board. This quarter’s update is written by John Collier, who is now serving as our State Office Coordinator; please continue to support him in that role as you have supported me. It has been my honor and privilege to serve in that role, and I look forward to exciting times in the future for our churches and our association.
As always, feel free to send along any questions you may have about any of this information or other ways we can help your church or district.
Blessings,
Marcus
Marcus Brewer
Moderator
Texas State Association of Free Will Baptists
P.O. Box 2716
Bryan, TX 77805-2716
(979) 774-3125
Quarterly Update:
September 19, 2023
Greetings from the State Office and the Executive Board of the Texas State Association of Free Will Baptists. Even though it certainly does not feel like it, the calendar tells us that summer has drawn to a close. If you ask me, it didn’t come a moment too soon! And for Texas Free Will Baptists, summer is not only hot, it is busy. Most of our district associations have a quarterly meeting toward the beginning of summer. The Texas State Association meets in June. The National Association of Free Will Baptists convenes in July. Some of our associations have a summer youth camp. Many of our local churches hold a Vacation Bible School. Many of our families take their summer vacations. I’m getting tired again just thinking about it! But here we are in September. Kids are back in school. We are settling into our routines again. Life can get back to normal, whatever that looks like for you.
This is my first opportunity to send you a quarterly update from the State Office. For over 20 years, Marcus Brewer has faithfully served our association as the State Office Coordinator, many of those years alongside his role as Moderator of the association. This is a role that has changed and grown over the years, and Marcus has done an incredible job. As a Texas Free Will Baptist, you should thank God for Marcus and the work he has done. I certainly do. But Marcus has asked to give up this role and the Executive Board asked me to step into it. I am honored to do so.
I will do my best to get a newsletter of some sort out to you each quarter. I want to keep us on the same page. We are a big state and it is sometimes easy to feel isolated and left out of the things going on statewide. None of likes that feeling. The other side off that coin is that you need to let us know what is going on with you and your church and association. If you have an event or announcement to share, feel free to send it to me at the state office. You can also send these types of items to Kyle Howell at The Texas Challenge (www.texaschallenge.net). At the bottom of the page is a link where you can submit stories, photos, and story ideas.
But that is not the only thing I want you to reach out to me about. I want to be a resource for you as a church leader or for your church or association. Is there something I can pray for you or with you about? Please let me know! Do you need advice or counsel, or maybe just an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on? I don’t have all the answers, but I can connect you to someone who can help. Are there resources you are looking for? Give me a call. I’ll help you with your search. Do you need someone to preach at a particular service? If I am available, it would be my honor. If I’m not your cup of tea, I will help you look for the right preacher. It is my desire to be a servant to our churches and pastors.
One of the things I will be trying to do is to travel around the state and attend our associational meetings and some of our churches. Please remember, I also pastor a church, so my availability is limited. As of right now, I plan to attend the East Texas District Association meeting on October 7, 2023 at the First FWB Church in Henderson. I will also be attending the West Fork District Association meeting on November 4, 2023 in Wichita Falls. If you are part of either of those associations, please come out. I would love to catch up with you. In addition to these association meetings, I will be preaching at Quest Church in China Spring (Waco) on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
I do want to mention that the role of State Office Coordinator is a severely part-time position. Without a question, there is more work to be done than there is budget to accomplish the work. If you or your church would like to make a special gift to offset the costs of travel, you can give a designated gift through your local church to the state office for State Office Coordinator expenses. It is my goal to represent the Texas State Association of Free Will Baptists broadly across our denomination. For example, I plan to attend the Free Will Baptist Theological Symposium next month on the campus of Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma. It is my intention to meet with students there to introduce them to the need for workers in our Texas churches. Your support makes these opportunities possible.
It is an honor to serve the churches, pastors, and members of the Texas State Association of Free Will Baptists. Feel free to call or email anytime. I will respond. If you have questions or concerns that need to be addressed, please let me know. If it is appropriate, I can address those issues in future updates. When more appropriate, I will address them privately. I love you all and I am praying for you. Thank you for the work you do for the Kingdom, your community, and your denomination.
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