BORGER, Texas (BP)–Three Baptist associations, representing 101 churches in Texas and Arkansas, have voted at their annual meetings to affirm their support of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The Palo Duro Baptist Association, a group of 21 Baptist churches in the Texas panhandle, approved the resolution during its annual meeting Oct. 10 at First Baptist Church, Borger, Texas.
A resolution of gratitude for the work of the SBC was approved by a voice vote with one or two individuals in opposition. Another resolution supporting the SBC’s Baptist Faith and Message statement of beliefs was approved by a show of hands with one vote in opposition.
The messengers expressed concern about any activities or recommendations that would divert financial support away from the ministries and missions of the SBC. A recommendation before the Baptist General Convention of Texas would nearly defund all six Southern Baptist seminaries, the Executive Committee of the SBC, and totally defund the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
“Be it finally resolved that these messengers express their gratitude toward God for the 75 years of the Cooperative Program and its provision for the financial needs of the work of the state, national and international ministries in a cooperative and harmonious spirit,” the resolution states.
Messengers to the Van Zandt Baptist Association met at First Baptist Church of Edgewood, Texas, and voted to reaffirm their belief “in the Southern Baptist Convention, Cooperative Program, International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, and our six seminaries in their training and equipping of men and women for ministry from all over the world.”
The Van Zandt Baptist Association includes 23 churches and five mission churches.
In Arkansas, the North Arkansas Baptist Association with 57 churches voted to affirm the Baptist Faith and Message at its annual meeting.
“We are proud to be a part of the Southern Baptist Convention and we support the work of our president, James Merritt,” said Royce Sweatman, associational missionary. “We believe Satan is at work trying to bring down the work of the SBC. We encourage each church to pray for our president during the next year and to continue to support the SBC.”
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