Moving Forward in Progress

By MORGAN STANDIFER
Baptist Progress Team Lead

This year marks 114 years of Baptist Progress informing its readers of the happenings in and around the BMA. From its inception, the Baptist Progress has encouraged the importance of growth and progress. In the first issue editor S.H. Slaughter writes, “Baptist Progress stands for an onward movement, progress, development in every department of our work.” Slaughter’s initial vision for progress is one that we still strive for today, 114 years later.
 
During those years, many changes have been made in the name of progress. Just this past year the Baptist Progress has seen both advancement and growth. Baptist Progress came under the care of the missions department and we have built a team of talented and creative men and women who help make the paper possible each month. With rapidly changing means of mass communication, the Baptist Progress now offers new ways to receive the stories and news that connects all of us together.
 
Our new digital issue includes a couple of new and exclusive features. One of those features: you can now receive the Baptist Progress by text message. In today’s world our emails quickly become cluttered and overwhelming. That is the main reason we now offer text messaging. It is a way you can receive the current issue sooner. Another feature that we offer alongside our digital issue is our Making Progress podcast. Making Progress discusses the current issue while also helping the physical paper come to life through meaningful conversations with our hosts and their guests.
 
We are also excited to announce our new ladies podcast, Grace in Progress. This podcast is all about women and ladies’ ministries, with a theme that goes hand in hand: growing in grace and moving forward in progress.
 
One of the biggest changes from this year is the introduction of a new church subscription plan. The cost for this new plan is based on your church’s average attendance. With the new plan your church members will receive an email or text issue of the Baptist Progress. In addition, your church will receive a bundle of printed issues, based on your church’s average attendance, delivered straight to your church.  This plan was created with you in mind! We wanted to offer a cost-efficient way for you to receive Baptist Progress, while also making it possible for more people to read, watch or listen to the stories and updates happening around the BMA of Texas. Several churches have already made the switch, and some are in the process of switching. Because of this new plan we are excited to share that since June 2025 our subscriptions have increased by 400 new subscribers. Thank you!
 
Though there have been many new elements added to the Baptist Progress, we still offer the same services that have helped your church for years. We still believe in equipping and developing current and future leaders of the church, which is why we offer training and teaching in practical ways of ministry leadership. In February we put together the first ever Table: Ministry Leadership Gathering event where church leaders and volunteers came together to learn more about specific ministries. We are also looking forward to our annual Intentional Interim Training happening in July.
 
However, all this progress is for nothing if it was not for you, our faithful readers, listeners and viewers. Our mission is to honor God’s work through the BMA of Texas by telling its stories, equipping current and future leaders for ministry, and fostering Christ-centered unity across all generations and cultures. Our vision is to see God’s work revealed through storytelling that strengthens churches, equips leaders and transforms communities. We want to be a media group that strives for connection with our churches and leaders. We want to develop new creative ways to communicate stories to families across all generations and cultures. However, if we want to continue what former editor S.H. Slaughter envisioned, we need your help. As we celebrate progress, we are also reminded that progress requires partnership.
 
The Baptist Progress has been able to grow and adapt over the past 114 years because of faithful readers, churches and supporters who believe in the importance of sharing the stories of God’s work through the BMA of Texas.

To celebrate this milestone, we are asking for a special 114th Anniversary Offering in June. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to help continue the work of developing and communicating stories that connect, encourage and equip believers across the BMA.
 
These funds will help support the continued growth of the Baptist Progress, including expansion of our digital outreach, producing meaningful podcasts, strengthening our storytelling efforts and ensuring that churches and individuals can continue to stay informed and encouraged through this ministry.
 
I humbly ask you to prayerfully consider making a financial gift toward this anniversary offering. In the past, we have asked for $1 for every year the Baptist Progress has been in service. This year we are asking for $114 as we celebrate 114 years of service! However, every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue moving forward in progress and serving the churches and ministries of the BMA of Texas.
 
Will you prayerfully consider supporting the Baptist Progress as we continue moving forward together?
 
Offerings may be mailed to: Baptist Progress, P.O. Box 2085, Waxahachie, TX 75168.

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