- Baptist Press - https://www.baptistpress.com -

Welcome to Houston, SBC

[1]

 

 

Welcome to Houston, one of the most exciting cities in the world and a great place to learn why residents of our state believe everything is bigger and better in Texas.

A TOP-TIER CITY
Did you know that in January, the New York Times ranked Houston seventh on its list of forty-three places to see in the world, the only American city in the top ten and ahead of more exotic sounding locales like Istanbul, Casablanca, and Paris?

While this may sound farfetched if you only know us as the gas and energy capital of the world, let me point you to some of the appealing offerings of our city so you can visit them in person in June and decide for yourself.

If you like restaurants, museums, theater districts, art districts, and shopping, you are going to love Houston because we are widely regarded as top five in the country in all of these categories. By the way, delicious cuisine from literally anywhere in the world is available here, but be sure you try our TexMex and Texas BBQ.

SO MUCH TO SEE
If international culture is your interest, you will love our ethnic diversity. Depending on what part of the city you are in, the sights and sounds may leave you convinced you are anywhere from Mexico City to Cairo to Kenya to Beijing.

[2]

We are home to NASA, some of the best sports venues in the nation, and a world-class zoo. The Houston Ship Channel, once considered one of the leading man-made wonders of the world because engineers brought the waters of the Gulf of Mexico fifty miles inland so ships could sail right into our city, is a must see and offers free boat tours.

History buffs love to visit the San Jacinto Monument and battlefields where on March 2, 1836, General Santa Anna and the Mexican Army surrendered to the man who would become the first president of the Republic of Texas, General Sam Houston, the namesake of our city.

THE HEART OF TOWN
While downtown in the heart of our city, you might want to visit the viewing deck on top of the Chase Tower, which gives you a panoramic view of our city, or go for a stroll around the Discovery Green, a large park and outdoor concert venue right in the middle of refurbished downtown with trendy loft apartments, modern skyscrapers, and countless coffee shops.

And don’t leave downtown without going down into the tunnel system, a seven mile, ninety-five city block, subterranean city filled with restaurants, coffee shops, and stores.

It’s also worth a drive through the Texas Medical Center, widely regarded as the world’s best. You will find towering hospitals that go on for blocks and blocks, forming their own skyline and confusing tourists about which set of skyscrapers in the distance is actually downtown Houston.

And living in this eclectic and diverse city, you will find some of the friendliest people you’ve ever met. Here in Houston you are always just one “howdy” away from experiencing help and hospitality.

A CITY IN NEED
But amid all the unique and exciting things our city has to offer, I pray you will have eyes to see the spiritual condition of Houston. We may be in the heart of the Bible Belt and home to many churches, but spiritually, we are falling far short of keeping pace with the explosive population growth of our metropolitan area. More than two million more people are expected to move to Houston in the next twenty years.

We struggle with spiritual strongholds as well. We are ranked number one in America for human trafficking. We are the largest city in America with a gay mayor. We are home to the largest Planned Parenthood clinic in the Western Hemisphere. With large numbers of immigrant populations moving to our city, religions like Islam (with over eighty mosques), Hinduism, Buddhism, and African spiritism have become commonplace and are rapidly gaining ground. We have vast areas of poverty. Brokenness and darkness abound.

SOUL-WINNING FERVOR
Yet our hope in the Lord’s promises is sure. In Malachi 1:11, He said, For My name will be great among the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name in every place because My name will be great among the nations, says Yahweh of Hosts.

That includes Houston. God is at work here in our bustling city making His name great. Our role is simply to find where He is working and join Him. So, when you come to our city in June, would you come with eyes to see, a heart of compassion, and a soul-winning fervor? Ask the Lord to help you see what He is doing in this megacity.

As you explore Houston, would you pray for Satan’s grip to be loosed, revival in our churches, new churches to be planted, and for spiritual awakening among Houstonians? Would you hand out tracts and engage people with the Gospel? Consider coming early for Crossover and Loving Houston.