Baptist Progress
Once Upon a Time the East Texas Baptist Convention Became the BMATBy EMILY SIMPSON
Baptist Progress Editor 
Minute book from the second
and last East Texas Baptist
Convention annual meeting.
If you’ve spent any time getting invested in a story, series or even sports, at some point you’ve most likely run across an origin story. It’s hard to become familiar in a subject and not wonder where it all began. For the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas, its origins reveal simple, humbling and fascinating truths about the foundation of our association.
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Equipping the Saints: February Training Strengthens BMAT Pastors and Church LeadersBy CHRIS DRIVER
Baptist Progress Writer 
Dr. David Erickson speaks on behalf of Jacksonville College, host of first
The Table: Ministry Leadership Gathering
The last week of February was a busy and fruitful week for pastors and leaders of the BMA of Texas as the fifth annual Pastor’s Conference and the first ever Table Ministry Leadership Gathering each offered pastors and leaders from across the state a chance to be encouraged, equipped and refreshed.
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A Word from Your Missions OfficeBy HEITH MITCHELL
Executive Director of Missions 
If you missed the BMA of Texas Preaching Conference or The Table Training Workshop this month, you really missed out and we missed you. Both were such a blessing. Thank you, Round Prairie, Fairfield for being amazing hosts of the conference year after year. Thank you, Jacksonville College for hosting the training in such a special way. Each speaker at both conferences prepared and did such a good job. The staff of your Texas BMA Missions did a great job bringing both together. We enjoyed serving and giving back to you and your church.
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From Time to Time Part 3By JASON CURRY
President, TBHC 
For 115 years, this ministry has been shaped by faith, faithfulness and moments both ordinary and extraordinary. In the months ahead, I’ll be sharing stories from across that journey in a series called From Time to Time—stories that may surprise you. We may not be the ministry you think we are, we are so much more.
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Bachelor's in Business Degree Coming SoonBy DAVID ERICKSON, PH.D.
President, Jacksonville College 
Jacksonville College is on track to launch a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration for Fall 2026. This new program continues the college’s strategic effort to transition from primarily enrolling associate-level students who study for one to two years to primarily enrolling bachelor-level students who study for three to four years.
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Why Participate in the Association?By PHILIP ATTEBERY
BMA Theological Seminary President 
Why should I participate in the work of an association? Although there are pragmatic reasons, the most essential reasons are biblical. First, the Lord has a desire to receive “glory in the church by Christ Jesus” throughout all generations (Ephesians 3:21). So, until Christ returns, believers should be faithfully involved in a biblical church. Second, the Bible records how early churches worked together in matters of missions, theology, benevolence, and shared literature.
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Walking with Pastors in BoliviaBy GERSON ORELLANA
ChangeMaker in Panama 
My name is Gerson Orellana, and I have served in church planting and pastoral accompaniment across different contexts in Latin America, including Costa Rica, the Peruvian Andean highlands, and Panama. Within this ministerial framework, during the month of December, I undertook a pastoral accompaniment visit to Bolivia, with the purpose of listening and walking alongside pastors and leaders from our association, creating spaces for dialogue and support amid the everyday challenges of ministry.
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The Dirt StoryBy CLINTON MORRIS
Church Planter 
This story belongs to all of us—Clinton and DeAnna, and our kids Max, Paxton, Bear, Cat, Fox, and Owl.
For a long time, our ministry felt like seed in a pocket–good seed, prayed over seed, seed with a clear destination–but never quite finding the right soil to receive it. We knew what we were called to do. We knew the kinds of people God had placed on our hearts. We knew the rhythms of presence, hospitality, and long obedience that had shaped our ministry for years. What we didn’t have was dirt that would let those things take root and stay. read more... |
HomeBy CANDRA BARNETT
Missionary to Romania 
A few years ago on furlough, I was walking through Conway’s historic district, admiring some of the old, well-kept houses with beautiful yards full of giant flowering bushes and trees. In my heart welled up a desire that I unsuccessfully tried to ignore. I wanted a house and a beautiful yard with bushes so huge they obviously were planted long ago. I thought about planting such bushes in my own yard back in Romania in front of my rented duplex, but I quickly came to the realization that such bushes take years to get to the size I admired, and we were moving in just a few short months.
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From Fear to Faith in El SalvadorBy EMILY BRANTLEY
Lifeword, lifeword.org 
In El Salvador, there was a time when the streets Josue Yair Guzman called home echoed with the sounds of fear. Gang violence ruled the neighborhood, turf wars drew invisible lines through city blocks, and families learned to live cautiously—always aware that danger could erupt without warning. For many young people growing up in that environment, the future felt limited, even predetermined. Survival was the goal. Hope felt fragile.
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Association of Baptist Students: Building Faith and CommunityBy WHITNEY SPARKS
Baptist Progress Writer 
Do you remember starting a new life straight out of high school and saying goodbye to family and friends? Leaving home at 18 to pursue an education can be exciting but also overwhelming.
Adjusting to college life can often cause students to feel lonely or disconnected. A large university can especially feel daunting for a student who grew up in a small town. Imagine walking on the campus of Texas A&M University where more than 70,000 students are currently enrolled. read more... |
Dear Churches of the BMA of AmericaBy CHARLES JOHNSON
BMAA President 
Greetings, fellow BMA churches. Plans are underway for the 77th annual association meeting of the BMA of America. The dates are set for April 21-23, and we will be meeting in Conway, Arkansas, in the facilities of our gracious hosts Antioch, Conway and Central Baptist College.
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From the Locals, District Auxiliary Reports Near YouBy SARAH LOW
Texas WMA Editor 
Liberty District
Liberty WMA met Jan. 10, 2026, at Camille Acres, Longview. President Johnnie Ross opened the meeting with remarks about the beautiful inheritance our Lord and Savior has for us, and the importance of leaving a Godly inheritance for our children, such as love, forgiveness and grace. read more... |
In Loving Memory
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
-John 11:25-26 CSB 
Elmer Sarratt, 98, of Dallas, passed away Mar. 2, 2026. Bro. Elmer served 47 years as a pastor to many churches across the state. A memorial service was held on Mar. 9 at Grove Hill Funeral Home, Dallas.
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BMA of AMERICA & WMA MEETING
WHEN: April 21-22, 2026 WHERE: Conway, Arkansas—Antioch (BMA), Central Baptist College (WMA) SOAR WHEN: July 1-3, 2026 WHERE: Embassy Suites Hotel, Norman, Oklahoma BMA of TEXAS ANNUAL MEETING WHEN: Nov. 16-17, 2026 WHERE: New Harmony, Tyler |
PASTOR—Calvary, Ennis is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Send resume to Calvary Pastor Search Committee, PO Box 1402, Ennis, TX 75120 or to [email protected].
PASTOR—First Missionary, Terrell is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Contact Buddy Sadler at 972-563-6000 for more information. PASTOR—Opelika Missionary, Brownsboro is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Email [email protected] for more information. The church is located at 10972 CR 3520, Brownsboro, TX 75756. PASTOR—Hubbard Chapel, Quitman is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Send resume to Bill Smart, [email protected]. Call 903-593-2123 for more information. The church is located at FM 778 and CR 2590, near Quitman. PASTOR—Ebenezer, Huntsville is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Send resume to Bobby Wells, to [email protected]. The church is located at 1451 FM 1791, Huntsville, TX 77340. PASTOR—Mt. Calvary, Carthage is seeking a full-time pastor. Resumes can be sent to [email protected] or 4180 FM 1970, Carthage, TX 75633. Call 214-926-8893 for more information. PASTOR—Cross Roads, Winnsboro is seeking a pastor. Send resume to Charles Busby, 1314 CR 4870, Winnsboro, Tx 75494 or call 903-629-3609. PASTOR—Caney Baptist Church, Streetman is seeking a full-time/bi-vocational pastor. Send resume to Bobby Bonner, PO Box 25, Fairfield, Texas 75840 or [email protected]. Call 903-390-3372 for more information. The church is located at 438 FM 833W, Streetman, Texas 75859. PASTOR—Fifth Street Baptist Church, Levelland is seeking a full-time pastor. Send resume to, PO Box 1212, Levelland, Texas 79339 or [email protected]. Call 806-893-1485 for more information. PASTOR—Old Home Baptist Church, Joaquin is seeking a full-time pastor. Call Ricky Martin at 936-280-9743 for more information. PASTOR—Rose Hill Baptist Church, Mineola is seeking a full-time/bi-vocational pastor. Send resume to Rose Hill Baptist Church, Attn. Pastor Search Team, 1420 CR 2460, Mineola, Texas 75773. PASTOR—Bethel, Orange is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Send resume to Bethel Baptist Church, 2906 Western Ave, Orange, Texas 77630. YOUTH MINISTRY LEADER—First, Palmer is seeking a full-time youth ministry leader. For more information, email Pastor Gary Southard at [email protected]. |
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Baptist Missionary Association of Texas
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USPS: 043120 • ISSN: 005-5751
Published every third week of the month by the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas Morgan Standifer, Team Lead [email protected] P.O. Box 2085 • Waxahachie, Texas 75168 972-923-0756 (office) www.baptistprogress.org Periodical postage paid at Waxahachie, Texas 75165 and at additional mailing offices SUBSCRIPTION PLANS AND RATES: Click here to see our subscription plans and rates. |