FOR TODAY
On a day-to-day basis, we focus on preparing, belonging and serving as commanded by God. Here’s how we do this:
Preparing through FBC Weslaco
The Bible teaches us that we should, “have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:10. To this end, every believer prepares to live out God’s purpose. In carrying out God’s instruction, FBC Weslaco provides worship services, classes and workshops designed to help Christians of all ages prepare to follow the Lord more fully. Such preparations come from Bible studies and small groups, worship, sharing and stewardship, prayer and devotion, sharing faith with others, and understanding the Bible.
Belonging at FBC Weslaco
Belonging means far more than church membership at FBC Weslaco. We want everybody to come to a relationship with Jesus Christ. As a fellowship, we have a responsibility to encourage others in the Body of Christ and extend the love of Christ to non-believers. We are not our own [1 Corinthians 6:19]. We belong to God and are part of His invisible Church. As a local expression of the Body of Christ, we stand shoulder to shoulder, united in a common faith and covenant. Through belonging at FBC Weslaco, people will develop a deeper relationship with Jesus, connect with a small group within our church body and ultimately let their love of Christ lead them to help others in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and throughout the world.
Serving at FBC Weslaco
As our relationship with Christ deepens, so will our desire to serve Him by serving others [Matthew 25:34-37]. The Holy Spirit Himself stirs up this desire and reveals the area and scope of ministry most effective for each believer. FBC Weslaco is dedicated to helping people realize their spiritual gifts, abilities, personality and experience, and thus help find opportunities for ministry and service. We want everybody to succeed in ministry, celebrate their accomplishments and ultimately share their ministry with God’s Kingdom through evangelism.
IN THE NEAR TERM
On January 6, 2008, our church called Steven Parker to be our pastor. We ask you to pray for him as he works to lead us in a shared walk with Jesus Christ, helping us work toward building one family of faith. Steven is committed to lead us in the following directions:
Expanded Spanish language outreach
Many persons in Weslaco either only speak Spanish, or speak English only as a second language. We are already reaching out to those persons with a bilingual staff and two Spanish language worship services, and by establishing nine Spanish speaking churches in our area – four in the last two years alone. But we feel that is not enough. We expect both to continue to expand our efforts to establish and support mission churches, and to expand our Spanish services.
Expanded outreach to Winter Texans
A large number of Winter Texans spend September through April in Weslaco. These persons effectively double our church family during these months. They have needs which must be met, and many are eager to serve Christ as part of our congregation. Many of these individuals will carry the message of Christ to their friends and family when they return to their permanent homes. We expect that our Body of Christ will continue to attract these people in ever larger numbers, and that with their assistance and leadership we will be able to develop programs to better minister to their needs, assist them in carrying the Gospel to their hometowns, stay in closer contact with their Christian friends whom they have met in our area, and better communicate their needs to our attention.
Expanded Latin American missions
Weslaco is located only a few miles north of Mexico. Many of the town’s citizens have family members and close friends who live in Mexico – relationships which “open doors” and lead to further helpful contacts. As a result, FBC Weslaco represents an unusually good portal for staging missions throughout Latin America. We expect Christ will lead us to use these gifts to even greater benefit in carrying out His great commission.
Larger facilities
We presently feature five worship services each Sunday – three in English and two in Spanish. Two of the English services are almost full and the other three services are expanding. Our sanctuary and our family life center are used almost every evening; our offices are fully occupied. We have grown at the rate of at least six percent per year over the past decade. Conservative forecasts indicate this rate of increase will double over the next few years. If this happens, our membership will double about every five years. Clearly, if we keep growing we are going to need a much bigger church home.
IN THE LONGER TERM
We believe Jesus is directing us in the following direction:
- To become the most effective and influential Body of Christ in our region.
- To become one of the strongest voices proclaiming the Gospel of Christ throughout South Texas, Mexico and the rest of Latin America.
- To become a sterling example of how to successfully integrate Spanish speaking and English speaking persons into one body – taking full advantage of the inherent synergy which comes with a multi-cultural, bilingual congregation.
- To become a significant source of training and support for Pastors in Latin America.
- To become a model of outreach and support to persons living in a “home away from home” so that they may become more effectual as leaders in their permanent congregations.
We would like to hear from you if you feel we are missing an opportunity or if you feel we should go in a better direction. You can talk to us at our church offices, or you can click here.
