THE GREAT FUTURE OF BGCT
By Noah Rodriguez

It was a great privilege to serve as the second vice-president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in 1999.  My grandparents were Baptist pioneers in Texas. I am a third-generation Baptist following my family heritage of involvement with Baptist convention work.

The time has come for positive change as we see our state convention survive the threats of fundamentalist take-over.

As we enter a new millennium, my first wish is to see our state convention grow in shared leadership with multiethnic groups.  Hispanics will exceed 30 percent of the total population in Texas and may become the largest ethnic group in the United States.

The future leadership of the BGCT needs to include Hispanic personnel in all levels of leadership.  I want a millennium with shared leadership, shared vision and shared cooperation.

My second wish is to see improved funding for our Hispanic Baptist school in San Antonio.  If we are to build a strong Hispanic leadership base, then we must continue to increase opportunities for education for the clergy and the laity. They need scholarships.

My third wish, and my greatest desire, is to establish goals and strategies to build the greatest mission work in the greatest mission field in the country, the state of Texas.

September 1999