Saturday, February 7, 2009

Hispanic Baptist leader won't seek another term

No fourth term for Hispanic Baptist president
By Marv Knox, Editor, Baptist Standard February 06, 2009

WICHITA FALLS—The Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas will pass the torch of leadership at its annual meeting this summer, President Baldemar Borrego said, announcing he will not seek an unprecedented fourth term.

Borrego, Convencion’s leader since 2006, considered and then rejected proposing a constitutional change that would allow him to serve yet another year, he said.

“Several leaders throughout the state of Texas approached me to ask me if I would consider a fourth term for the presidency,” Borrego said. In response, he reviewed Convencion’s constitution and consulted other officers.

“We have reached an agreement that it would be very difficult and confusing for our messengers to the annual meeting to change the constitution,” he noted.

“Even though the support of two-thirds of the messengers (the proportion needed to amend the constitution) could be reachable for my support, I decided we need to seek a peaceful and harmonious convention,” Borrego said. “We want to concentrate all our efforts on reaching our goal—a truthful unity among the Hispanic Baptist congregations.”

Borrego has been a Texas Baptist pastor and previously hosted a radio program, “Jesus is the Answer.” As Convencion president, he has traveled extensively across the state, speaking to Hispanic compañerismos, the fellowship groups of Texas Baptist Hispanics.

Before serving as president, he was first vice president of Convencion and president of the Hispanic Ministers’ Conference. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Convencion is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Borrego affirmed the Hispanic convention’s involvement in Texas Hope 2010, a BGCT endeavor to share the gospel with every person in the state and to alleviate hunger statewide by Easter 2010.

“We have in front of us a great challenge from our BGCT executive director, Randel Everett,” he said. “We need to concentrate to accomplish the task that brings Texas Hope 2010.

“I believe this project can and will bring a spiritual awakening as never seen before in the Baptist family—not only in Texas, but also around the world.”

Referencing the potential for conflict if Convencion’s constitution were amended to allow him a fourth term, Borrego noted: “We need to avoid any distraction that can stop us from doing what has to be done. Sensibility and flexibility can help us be in one accord for the honor and glory that we can bring to the Lord when all his people work together with a kingdom mind and we are able to put aside any personal agenda.”

For the balance of his tenure as president, Borrego said, he intends to “promote unity and to dignify the pastoral image.”

He announced a new Convencion ministry project in the Panhandle—remodeling a retirement home in Pampa for Bernardino Hernandez, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Petersburg.

The project is slated for March 10-14, Borrego said. Improvements include installation of five windows and two doors, some sheetrock work and electrical improvements.

For information about the project, contact Borrego at (940) 337-2091; Baldemarbj@aol.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or 1602 14th Street, Wichita Falls 76301.

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