COME TO EL PASO
FROM CO-CHAIR RUDY SANCHEZ

It has been 14 years since the Baptist General Convention of Texas held its annual meeting in El Paso. In 1985, my beloved friend, Dr. Charles P. McLaughlin, had a retirement celebration after many years as our director of State Missions.  Upon returning to El Paso this year, we will again praise our Lord for years of service by another faithful leader, our executive director, Dr. William Pinson.

It is my prayer that many will come to this important convention, but please allow me to graciously encourage my Hispanic brothers and sisters in the El Paso area to come and bring your families for such an historic event.

There will be great singing, great fellowship and even greater stories about what God has done among Texas Baptists.  We will celebrate another great leader, Dr. Charles Wade, who has been elected to follow Dr. Pinson as the next executive director of the BGCT.  Dr. Wade is known as a friend to Hispanics and has a great heart for all ethnic ministries. Do not forget to come to the Exhibit area where you can learn so much about the ministries in Texas and services that may benefit your family or church.

On Monday afternoon, Rudy Camacho, president of the Hispanic Baptist Convention, will nominate Clyde Glazener for president of the BGCT.  As Rudy Camacho said himself, his nomination of Glazener "proves our partnership with the BGCT."  Then, I hope you will come to vote for Lorenzo Pena, associational director of missions for El Paso, for first vice president of the BGCT.

Jimmy Garcia, ethnic missions coordinator for the BGCT, will be the speaker at the Texas Baptists Committed breakfast on Tuesday morning at the El Paso Hilton Airport.  To make reservations and for more information see page 15 of this newsletter.

Last, but not least, may I humbly ask for you to be partners in prayer for Abrazando El Paso. Texas Baptists from other areas of our great state are coming to El Paso to assist the El Paso association in ministry events prior to the convention.  "Abrazando" means to embrace, hug, or to put your arms around.  May we all pray for lives to be changed and people to come to our Lord during this special emphasis on November 6-7.

October 1999