Texas Baptists Committed to Religious Freedom 2003 TBC Annual Convocation
July 11–12 — San Antonio

On July 11-12, 2003, Texas Baptists will gather to focus on the theme, “Texas Baptists Committed to Religious Freedom” our annual TBC convocation in San Antonio, Texas.

The convocation will feature program leaders who will expand on the theme religious freedom and the importance preserving this important Baptist principle.

A banquet will begin the convocation 6:00 p.m., Friday, July 11, at the Marriott Plaza San Antonio. Our featured banquet speaker will tentatively be Senator Jeff Wentworth who will focus on the current legislative threats to religious freedom Texas.

Other featured speakers will be Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee, Washington, D.C.; Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, Washington, D.C.; Suzii Paynter, director of the Christian Life Commission Citizenship and Public Policy division;Mark Newton, pastor of First Baptist, San Marcos; John Petty, pastor of Trinity Baptist, Kerrville; John Ogletree, pastor of First Metropolitan Church, Houston; and Javier Elizondo, interim academic dean of Hispanic Baptists Theological School in San Antonio.

Congressman Chet Edwards will be our guest speaker for our breakfast on Saturday, July 12 at 7:00 a.m. Edwards was recognized for his defense of religious liberty when he received the 2003 Associated Baptist Press Religious Freedom Award. The honor is given annually to individuals who ABP’s directors believe have made unique contributions to the defense and advancement of religious freedom. Edwards states, “I consider my efforts in behalf of church/state separation to be the single most important cause I will ever have in public service. Religious freedom is the first freedom, and if it is put at risk, all the others— freedom of speech, association, etc.— are endangered.”

Both of our featured speakers were selected based on their long time stand for religious freedom and not their party affiliation. We are a non-partisan group and made an effort to invite a candidate from each party. However, due to unforeseeable circumstances it is possible that one or the other may have to be replaced with a speaker of lesser political stature. This is only a consequence of the busy and fast changing schedules of these elected officials.

Banquet and breakfast reservation forms and a program outline can be found on pages 10 & 11. There is not a fee for the convocation, but the Marriott Plaza’s room rate is $89 per night. Make reservations via e-mail to Vicky Trusdle at trusdle@txbc.org. The $89 room rate will be extended through Saturday evening for those who wish to stay over. The cutoff date for the guaranteed rate is June 23, 2003.

June 2003