Our Future

As we approach the season of giving thanks, I'm so appreciative of the relatively few years I've been able to be a part of this organization. Our church - Cobden IL - was built the year before my family returned to Southern Illinois, and as is so often the case, that church body has thrown in with the Builders every year since. It's always a treat to see so many of the "old" friends from the legacy years of the team, but an additional thrill to see the new inductees from recent years' builds. In one of the quickest finishes ever, our 2025 build, Fulton Bridge in Hamilton AL, held their first service in the new building on Nov 2nd! And yes, we're expecting big things from that great group at our 2026 build.

We spent a lot of time leading up to Fulton Bridge talking about how BCBOT was looking at a massive change in organization. Fred Cross and Wes Ratliff, two of our elder statesmen, had determined the time was right for them to fade into the background and retire from regular leadership. Similarly, TJ Click and Ivan Crago stepped back from not only decision making but also the rigorous and time-consuming duties of planning, coordinating, and leading the actual construction. In each case, though painful, these are well-deserved "retirements". As such we spent a lot of breath and ink on making folks aware, petitioning our churches and our Lord. We still fully trust in Him to show us the direction to go to best glorify Him. We currently have a couple of leadership candidates who will be praying and deciding on their roles in the near future. Nevertheless, filling the vast trades and construction knowledge hole is a monumental task and we know it can't be done in our strength alone.

So what does this mean for 2026 and beyond? Only God knows! We know what has to be done, just not how it gets done. We need a compatible building project. We need a person or team who can coordinate with the prospective church to review plans, make materials lists, tweak designs, arrange equipment and supplies deliveries, ... all before anyone even arrives to swing a hammer. Then we need a person or pair to direct and supervise the stacking of the next Memorial Pile of Stones. Wears you out just reading, doesn't it? Even sometimes seems insurmountable. But that's the human perspective.

Baptist Church Builders celebrated our ceremonial 50th build this last year and it was such an amazing experience. We can't imagine that a group with this kind of legacy, serving others while serving God, using the talents He gave, can yet declare "Mission accomplished". Surely there will be a new iteration of the mission and we will gather once again in June for our annual family reunion. Yet we also know that ministries come and go and doing something just for the sake of itself is not God-honoring (and often ends up a mess, being done in human strength). We earnestly seek your prayers and communication about any ideas, candidates (for leaders or projects), and insights into His plans. What an honor it has been to be a part of this bunch, for however long it continues.

So as you look forward to activities with families and friends this Holiday season, as you pray around the table feast, take a moment to appreciate all the folks God has brought into your lives, taking captive every moment. And as you pray without ceasing through your daily routine, lift up the Baptist Church Builders of Texas. We love you, and we need you.

Remembering our past, reminding our future.