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Baptist Progress
​
September 2025 Issue
​Vol. 112 | No. 9

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Texas Students Head Back to School with New Laws

By CHRIS DRIVER
Baptist Progress Editor
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The Ten Commandments will be displayed in classrooms
Back to school always comes with new rules, expectations and experiences for students. Each year it is almost always a new grade and new teachers. Sometimes it is a new school or campus. But this year Texas students are all adjusting to several new laws that are impacting them in more personal ways than ever before. 
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read more...

Ministry Spotlight: Your Church Friend, Angela

By CHRIS DRIVER
Baptist Progress Editor
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Angie and Nita
For almost 15 years, Angela Northcutt – loving known to most as Miss Angie – has been sending cards to her church family. It might be a well-timed “Happy birthday,” “Get well soon”, “Praying for you”, or a God-inspired “Thinking of you” but when it is opened the recipient will know they have been remembered and they will know they are loved. “God helps me make people feel good.” That is Angie’s simple motivation for her ministry. Being born with Down’s Syndrome has not stopped Angie from knowing, loving and serving Jesus throughout her life.

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A Word from Your Missions Office

By HEITH MITCHELL
Executive Director of Missions
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It is the season for all 25 of the local BMA associations to have their annual meetings. I look forward to seeing so many of you at these meetings. The overlap means that it isn't possible to be at all of them every year. I want to encourage you to attend your local association. I want to encourage the many churches outside of a local fellowship to try one out near you.
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​read more...

Your Priceless Gifts

By JASON CURRY
​President, TBHC
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As we step into a brand-new fiscal year, I cannot help but pause and say thank you. Our churches have stood with us from the very beginning, and because of your faithfulness, children’s lives are being changed every single day. When I look back, one thing stands out: our staff’s commitment. They do not have to work at TBHC, yet they show up day after day, giving their lives away to glorify God by caring for children. Their investment mirrors yours—sacrificial, steadfast and rooted in love.

​read more...

Answered Prayers: Jacksonville College
Celebrates Record Enrollment

By ASHLEY BRISTOW
Assistant to Jacksonville College President
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Last spring, our Dean of Students, Shawn Moore, called on the Jacksonville College community to join a 20-day prayer challenge focused on Fall 2025 enrollment growth. Today, we are thrilled to report: the Lord has answered in a powerful way! 

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Jaguar Athletics are Making Their Mark

By JACOB ROWLAND
Jacksonville College Athletic Director
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Our fall seasons are off to a great start with soccer, E-sports and cross country already having competitions. The Jaguar men’s soccer team is currently 1-2 in conference with a recent victory over Texas Southmost College. The women’s team is 1-1 in conference and took down the Texas Southmost team as well. 

​read more...

Where to Begin when Undergoing
a Church Building Project

By JERRY FULTON
BMLA Director
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When a congregation grows and/or decides to relocate and finds itself embarking on building new facilities, it is an exciting time. There are ten steps to follow throughout the construction process.

​read more...

Opening Doors for Church Growth

By ANGELA RICE
Coordinator of Short-term Missions, BMA Global
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When we think about mission work, it’s easy to imagine faraway places, long-term commitments, and a select few called to the field. But at BMA Global, we believe that every follower of Christ has a part to play in the Great Commission—and short-term missions is one of the most effective ways to participate in God’s work around the world.

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Short Term Mission, Long Term Vision

By LUIS ORTEGA
Costa Rica, BMA Global
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Every year Costa Rica hosts many teams from various Christian associations and organizations from the United States that may come with good intentions but unhealthy practices that could potentially hinder the spread of the gospel and church spiritual growth locally. What if the national partner has a major role in either avoiding or allowing this situation? Allow me to elaborate…

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Here and There: A Vision for Missions

By GARY LONGSTAFF
Pastor, Grandview Baptist Church Springfield, MO
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As pastors, most of us know what it’s like to balance income and expenses. But when it
comes to missions, how do we see it—an expense or an investment? I imagine most of us would quickly say “investment,” but do we truly feel that way when the time comes to give? We often tell our congregations, “You can’t outgive God” when it comes to supporting our local church. But do we live by that same principle when giving to missions and other worthy ministries?
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​read more...

The Internet as Today's Mission Field

By EMILY BRANTLEY
Lifeword, lifeword.org
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When Lifeword began in 1965, our voice traveled the airwaves, reaching people with the hope of Jesus through radio broadcasts. At the time, radio was the most effective medium for mass communication—and we used it to its fullest, believing that no matter the tool, the message must be clear: Jesus saves. Over the decades, the tools have changed. We’ve embraced print. We stepped into television. And today, we find ourselves fully immersed in the digital age, proclaiming the gospel through the internet and social media.

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ReCharge '25: A Pastors & Leaders Retreat

By HEIDI SORRELS
BMA of America Church Strategy and Training
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Pastors, church leaders, and spouses—we know ministry can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting, isolating and sometimes pretty relentless. If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a fresh wind and some fellowship, we want to personally invite you and your spouse to step away for a few days at the ReCharge Leadership Retreat, Sept 29-Oct 1.
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Preparing Harvest Workers for the Harvest

By MELINA BAKER
BMA Theological Seminary Bookkeeper
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In my role as the bookkeeper here at the seminary, I have the opportunity to participate in registration each semester, and I must say, Fall 2025 has been exciting. With 102 willing harvesters preparing for their missions, we are seeing a 39 percent increase in enrollment from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025. 
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Sunbeam Report

By DERA MOY
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Texas Sunbeams gathered on July 19, 2025, in the Jacksonville College Student Union Building. The theme verse was Psalm 34:8: “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” Those attending were greeted at registration with a “Sweet Welcome” of breakfast and crafts. Attendees from five churches included eight Sunbeams, nine sponsors, four Galileans and three visitors.

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New Baptist Progress Podcast: Making Progress

By MORGAN STANDIFER
BMA Texas Missions/Baptist Progress Systems
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The Baptist Progress has a new way to get your BMA of Texas news to you. In July, we debuted our new podcast, Making Progress. Our podcast hosts are Baptist Progress Editor Chris Driver and the BMA of Texas Director of Missions Heith Mitchell. Each month they are also joined by a special guest to help discuss some special articles featured in the Baptist Progress. 

​read more...

Membership Petition Process for BMA of America

By CHARLES JOHNSON
BMA of America President
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Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! In recent years, the BMA of America has found it necessary to change our process of accepting new churches into our associational fellowship. While we want to include all local assemblies of like faith and order who desire membership, we also want to ensure new prospects fully agree with us both doctrinally and in principles of operation.

​read more...

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2025 BMA OF TEXAS MEETING
WHEN: Nov. 17-18, 2025
WHERE: Pathway Baptist Church, Waxahachie

2026 BMA OF AMERICA MEETING
WHEN: April 21-22, 2025
WHERE: Antioch Baptist Church, Conway

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PASTOR—First Missionary, Terrell is seeking a bivocational pastor. contact Bro. Buddy Sadler at 469- 410-0468.

YOUTH/OUTREACH MINISTER—LakeRidge, Lubbock is seeking a full-time Youth and Outreach Minister. This position will lead the church’s ministry to youth and college-age students, take the primary leadership role in the church’s sports outreach ministry, and oversee all other aspects of the church’s outreach. To find out more about the church and position, go to mylakeridgebaptistchurch.org/jobs. Interested candidates can inquire about the position by emailing [email protected].

YOUTH MINISTRY LEADER—First, Palmer is seeking a full-time youth ministry leader. For more information, email Pastor Gary Southard at [email protected].

PASTOR—Cross Roads, Winnsboro is seeking a pastor. Send resume to Mack Jordan, 1314 CR 4970, Winnsboro, Tx 75494 or call 903-629-3609. ​

SENIOR PASTOR—Calvary Baptist Church, Ennis is an established, loving congregation seeking a senior pastor to replace retiring pastor. Send resume to: Calvary Pastor Search Committee, PO Box 1402, Ennis, TX 75120; email questions to [email protected], or call 903-629-3609.

PASTOR—Davis Street, Sulphur Springs is seeking a full-time pastor. Resumes can be sent to [email protected] or 427 Gilmer Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.

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TURNER HARPER is the new pastor of First, Flynn.

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Baptist Missionary Association of Texas

BAPTIST PROGRESS
Chris Driver, Editor
P.O. Box 2085
Waxahachie, TX 75168
972-923-0756
​www.baptistprogress.org

​BAPTIST MISSIONARY LOAN ASSOCIATION
Jerry Fulton, Director
PO Box 425
Waxahachie, TX 75168
972-923-0758
www.bmla.org

​
BMA OF TEXAS MISSIONS
Heith Mitchell, Director
PO Box 73
​Waxahachie, TX 75168

972-923-0757
www.bmatexasmissions.org
TBHC
Jason Curry, President
PO Box 309
Waxahachie, TX 75168

972-937-1321
www.tbhc.org
​
JACKSONVILLE COLLEGE
David Erickson, President
​105 B. J. Albritton Drive
​Jacksonville, TX 75766

903-586-2518
www.jacksonville-college.edu
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​USPS: 043120 • ISSN: 005-5751
Published every third week of the month by the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas

Chris Driver, Editor
[email protected]
P.O. Box 2085 • Waxahachie, Texas 75168 972-923-0756 (office) • 972-923-3534 (fax)

www.baptistprogress.org
​

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