Big Changes Continue at Baptist Progress

By CHRIS DRIVER
Baptist Progress Editor

​After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to resign as the editor/team lead of the Baptist Progress. It was not an easy decision. As I said when I was asked to take over the position during the transition, I love the BMA of Texas. I love our churches. I love our people. I love what God is doing in and through us across the state of Texas. And I love telling those stories. So, to step down from a position that has let me express my love for the BMA of Texas is a difficult thing.

But the hard truth is, the job of editor/team lead for the Baptist Progress deserves more than I can give. As much as I loved getting to serve you in such an important role, it is not what God has called me to do long-term. Over the last month, God has (not-so-gently) reminded me that He called me to plant churches across west Texas. That is my Ephesians 2:10. And as much as I love the Baptist Progress, it was an overwhelming distraction to that calling.

My greatest hope in this transition is that my time at the Baptist Progress, while short lived, was important and impactful. I feel like our Baptist Progress team made some great improvements and important changes that will help it continue to serve the departments and churches of the BMA of Texas for generations to come. I am so thankful to everyone who believed in me and gave me a chance to be part of such a wonderful and important ministry of the BMA of Texas. I truly believe God was in my hiring and I truly believe He is in my resigning.

What makes this decision not only bearable but actually exciting is the opportunity it presents for the Baptist Progress team to exercise their giftedness in service to the Baptist Progress and to the churches of the BMA of Texas.

Morgan Standifer

We are excited to announce that Morgan Standifer has accepted the team lead position. She has served faithfully in the Department of Missions for a year and a half. She will be taking over leadership of the Baptist Progress team. Morgan grew up in the BMA attending Pathway, Waxahachie. She has also served as a summer missionary and Ministry Assistant at Daniel Springs Baptist Camp from 2017-2023. She is currently a member at First, Blooming Grove, where she leads a college Sunday morning Bible study and helps with their children’s ministry.

Missions Director Heith Mitchell is actively engaged in filling the role of monthly publication editor. In the meantime, I will continue to fill that role to ensure the Baptist Progress makes it into your hands each month. I will also continue to write articles as well as host the Making Progress podcast as part of a regular role for the Baptist Progress.
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As anyone in ministry knows, transition is never an easy thing. And more often than not, it is not a linear thing either. Getting to where you need to go requires change and many of those changes require adjustments. But if you are willing to stay the course, all the efforting and struggling will lead you to the place you need to be. The Baptist Progress is not all the way there yet. But it is definitely in good hands and continues to move forward toward a bright, stable and exciting future.

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