The undersigned Texas Baptist pastors as initial signatories and those who will join with them wish to make public our concern for social justice in Texas focused on policing policies.
We affirm that most law officers in Texas are well intentioned, trained professionals who seek to do all in their power to treat persons fairly and with equal justice, risking their lives daily to do so.
We express our concern that urgent and widely known social justice concerns call for a Texas legislative review of police training and practices, especially the use of unnecessary force in encounters with African Americans. We acknowledge that the death of George Floyd has focused the attention of all informed persons of good will on this singular issue. Indeed, it has created an unprecedented focus on this problem that calls for both religious and government leaders to attend to the matter with renewed urgency.
We observe that the members of our own congregations have expressed their intense individual concern in unprecedented numbers and with unmatched intensity. They wish us to address this issue both in pulpit and in practice. In heretofore unsurpassed numbers they wish to see change.
In light of this, we the undersigned indicate our solidarity with thousands of persons in the 5,400 Texas Baptist churches, including 900 African-American churches, along with educational and institutional leaders of a number of Baptist universities, hospitals, schools, and eleemosynary institutions.
In this solidarity we call on the State of Texas to take legislative action in its 2021 session to review and as necessary legislate consistent policies binding on all law enforcement entities under its legislative oversight to prohibit the excessive use of force in police policies, especially the use of choke holds, that police be so trained, and that police be required by legislative law to report peers who use such abusive practices.
At the same time, we express our respect for and confidence in those thousands of police officers who daily act justly, fairly, and humanely in the discharge of their duties.
President of Baylor University, Waco
Vice President and Provost, Baylor University, Waco
Pastor, First Baptist Amarillo
Holder of the George W. Truett Endowed Chair of Preaching and Evangelism at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Seminary
Pastor, Trinity Baptist, San Antonio
Pastor, First Baptist, Waco
Dean, Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Pastor, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas
Pastor, South Main Baptist Church, Houston
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Arlington
Regent, Baylor University
President , Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene
Pastor , First Baptist Church, Onalaska
President , Cornerstone Family Ministries
Pastor for Students , First Baptist Church, Abilene
Truett Seminary, Baylor University
Senior Pastor , Cliff Temple Baptist Church, Dallas
Minister , The Church Without Walls, Houston
Senior Pastor , Meadowbrook Baptist Church, Waco
Transition Pastor , Lake Shore Baptist Church, Waco
Associate Dean of Diversity , Grace College, College Station
Rev. , Northwestern Theological Seminary
Rev. Dmin. , First Baptist Church of Plano
Pastor , South Garland Baptist Church
Associate Pastor , First Baptist Church, Granbury
Director of Online Certificate Program , Truett Seminary, Baylor University
Interim Classic Worship Pastor , First Baptist Church, Maryville, TN
Minister Prayer Lead , The Church Without Walls, Houston
, Westside Baptist Church
Church Start Strategist , The Baptist General Convention of Texas
Senior Pastor , Cornerstone Baptist Church, Arlington
Associate Minister , Westside Baptist Church
Associate Pastor , First Christian Church, Denison
Executive Director, Publisher & Editor , Baptist Standard
Area 5 Representative , Texas Baptists
Pastor , Vernon Baptist Church
Chaplain, Colonel, USAF (Ret.) , Retired Chaplain
Pastor , Rock Quarry Baptist Church
Church and Community Strategist & Executive Research Assistant , Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
Pastor/Founder , The Rhema Life Fellowship Church, Plano
Minister to Children , Calvary Baptist Church
Senior Pastor , Full Faith Primitive Baptist Church, Waco
Pastor , Macedonia Baptist Church
LTC , U.S. Army, Retired
Pastor , Toliver Chapel Baptist Church, Waco
Pastor , First Baptist Church of Rosebud
Lead Pastor , First Baptist Church, Temple
Lead Pastor , Highland Baptist Church, Waco
Rev., D. Min , Bethel A. M. E. Church San Antonio
Pastor , Heights Korean Baptist Church, Harker Heights
Pastor , West Point Baptist, Galveston
Associate Pastor , Bear Valley Community Church, Colleyville
Reverend , The Church Without Walls, Houston
Pastoral Associate , DaySpring Baptist Church, Waco
M.Div., LMSW , Truett Seminary Alumni, Baylor University, Waco
Retired Baptist Pastor , Retired
Asst. Dean - Director of the Truett Church Network , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Rev. , First Baptist Church, Llano
Pastor to College and Young Adults , First Baptist Church, Abilene
Rev. , Peace of Christ Church, Round Rock
Rev. , Peace of Christ Church, Round Rock
Young Adults Pastor , The Woodlands First Baptist
Student , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Member , Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
Preacher/Reverend , Family Affair Ministries
Pastor , Bible Way Baptist Church
Pastor , Mt. Cannan Baptist Church, Paris
Baylor University, Waco
Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
Interim Pastor , Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Tyler
Manager, Spiritual Care , CHI St. Joseph Health, Bryan
Pastor , South Union MBC of Marlin
Senior Pastor , FBC, Mt. Enterprise
Pastor/Director of Church Relations , Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church/Stark College & Seminary, Corpus Christi
Lead Pastor , Calvary Baptist Church , McAllen
Sr. Pastor , Iglesia Bautista Melrose, Houston
Baptist Student Ministries Director , Houston Baptist University
Associate Pastor , Agape Baptist Church
Dean, School of Christian Studies , Wayland Baptist University, Live Oak
Senior Pastor , Houston Northwest Church
Sr. Pastor , ANF Church, Garland
Senior Pastor , Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Richardson
Lead Pastor , Northwood Church, Keller
Associate Pastor , First Baptist Church of El Campo
Program Coordinator of the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching , Baylor University, Waco
Chaplain/Pastor , Baylor University, Waco
Kerygma Minister , The Church Without Walls, Houston
Retired , Retired
DMin. , Baptist General Convention of Texas
Associate Pastor , First Baptist Church of Amarillo
Truett Seminary/ Toiver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Waco
Minister , Baylor University, Waco
Founder , Lodestar Ministries
Dr. , East Texas Theological Seminary, Tyler
Field Personnel , Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, San Antonio
Pastor , Greater Vision Community Church, Killeen
Worship and Media Pastor , First Baptist Plano
Minister , The Church Without Walls, Houston
Mission Team Leader , Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
Senior Pastor , Destiny Pointe Christian Center, Arlington
Director of African American Ministry , Texas Baptists
Member , Trinity Baptist Church
Senior Pastor , Living Word Fellowship Church, Dallas
Pastor , Highland Baptist Church, Denton
Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults , Ebenezer Third Baptist Church, Austin
Pastor , Beulah Land Church
Rev. , Harris Creek Baptist Church, Waco
Senior Pastor , Greater Corinth Baptist Church
Student , George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Rev. , First Baptist Church, McGregor
Co-Pastor , Central Christian Church, Waco
Rev. Dr. , First Baptist Church, Longview
Pastor , Community of Life Church, Dallas/Ft. Worth
Member , Trinity Baptist Church
Lead Pastor , The Message Church of San Antonio
Student , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Minister , At Large
Administrative Pastor , Second Baptist Church, Baytown
Lead Pastor , First Baptist Church, Midlothian
Pastor , North Fort Worth Baptist Church
Rev. , (Retired)
First Baptist Church, Valley Mills
Pastor , Preston Highlands Baptist Church, Dallas
Truett Seminary, Baylor Univesity, Waco
Member , Trinity Baptist Church
Business Administrator , First Baptist Church, Bryan
Senior Pastor , First Baptist Church, Abilene
Senior Pastor , First Baptist Church, Corpus Christi
Pastor , Seventh & James Baptist Church, Waco
Rev. , Movement, Fort Worth
Graduate Student , George W. Truett and Dallas Theological Seminary
Pastor , Sugar Land Baptist Church
Executive Directors , Legacy Family Ministries, Waco
Bishop , New Hope Baptist Church
Chaplain/Pastor , Baylor University, Waco
Associate Minister of Missions/Benevolence , Cross City Church, Euless
Director, Connections Team , Texas Baptists
Senior Pastor , Burton Hill Baptist
Asst. Director, Office of Ministry Connections , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Dean and Professor , Baylor University, Waco
Truett Seminary, Baylor Univesity, Waco
Student Recruiting Coordinator , Truett in Houston
M.Div. , Truett Seminary Alum, Baylor University, Waco
Professor of Theology , Baylor/Truett, Waco
Chaplain, MDIV , VA Chaplain
Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care , First Lubbock
Director, Pastoral Care , Cook Children's, Houston
Executive Pastor , Meadowbrook Baptist
Coordinator , Fellowship Southwest, Austin
Executive Director/CEO , Highland Camp & Conf., Spicewood
Postdoctoral Research Fellow , Baylor University, Waco
Director Interim Church Services , BGCT
Pastor , College Heights BC
Associate Director, Online Certificate Program , Truett Seminary, Waco
Area Rep. Central Texas , Texas Baptists
Associate Pastor , M.M.B.C
Rev. , FBC West
Teaching Pastor , First Baptist, Temple
Pastor , Pleasant Bethany Baptist
Retired Pastor
D.Min. , Retired
Deacon , South Main Baptist, Houston
Area Representative , Texas Baptists
Reverend , The Church W/O Walls, Houston
Professor of Theological Studies , Wayland Baptist University, Live Oak
Coordinator of Ministry Education , Hendrick Medical Center, Abilene
Executive Director , Gaston Center
Pastor , St. James MBC, Odessa
Senior Pastor , FBC, Midland
Field Personnel , CBF
Pastor , 1st Baptist, Elm Mott
Minister of Worship , Westbury BC, Houston
Writer , Trinity Baptist, San Antonio
Pastor , Cowboy Church, Waco
Lead Pastor , FBC Lexington
Assistant Director, Center for Ministry Effectiveness , Truett Seminary, Waco
First Baptist, Waco
Senior Pastor , Bethlehem BC, Mansfield
Director of Multi housing/ House Congregations , BGCT
Pastor , Trinity Baptist, Kerrville
Dr. , Trinity Baptist
Interim Pastor , FBC, Galveston
Pastor , FBC, San Marcos
Lone Willow Baptist, Cleburne
Pastor , Brock Baptist Church, Brock
Asst. Pastor , Greater Vision, Killeen
Executive Director , BGCT
Former professor and pastor , Retired
Emeritus Professor of Religion , Wayland Baptist, Plainview
Campus Pastor , FBC, Hurst
Missionary , CBF
Pastor , FBC Mathis
Kerygma Coordnator , The Church W/O Walls, Houston
Minister of Young Adults , Trinity Baptist, San Antonio
Pastor , Agape Baptist Church, Ft. Worth
Layman, DFLM , The Church Without Walls, Houston
Layman, DFLM , The Church Without Walls, Houston
DMin , Retired Pastor
Chair, Board of Advocates , Truett Seminary, Waco
Mrs. , The Church Without Walls, Houston
Deacon , FBC Waco
Lead Pastor , Central Baptist, Buna
Chief of Church Engagement , Restore Hope, Arlington
Reverend , Retired, BGCT
Legacy Family Min., Woodway
Members , Trinity Baptist
Senior Pastor , Lakeshore Baptist Church, Weatherford
Student Pastor , Meadowbrook BC
Assistant Pastor , The Worship Place, Georgetown
Assistant Pastor , Community Baptist, Houston
Rev. , Truett Seminary, Waco
Associate Pastor for Youth , FBC Waco
Alum , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Senior Pastor , David Chapel Baptist, Austin
Second Vice President , Texas Baptists
Pastor-Resident Theologian , GSSF Church, Ft. Worth
Davis Coaching
Associate Pastor , Westside BC, Lewisville
Assistant Pastor , Victory Church, Dallas
Pastor for Adults , FBC Abilene
Professor of Christian Ministry , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Ministry Leader , The Church Without Walls, Houston
Associate Pastor of Students , Sugar Land Baptist
Church Pastoral Assistant , Greater Shiloh Baptist, Waco
Sr. Pastor , St. Luke Baptist, San Antonio
Emeritus Missionary , IMB, SBC
Executive Minister of Administration (Ret.) , FBC Arlington
Cross-Cultural Ministries Minister , FBC Arlington
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Profossor of Christian Scriptures , Baylor University, Waco
Assoc. Pastor for Community Life , DaySpring Baptist, Waco
Dr. , Retired Pastor
504 Coordinator , Newman Int. Academy, Cedar Hill
Preacher ,
Associate Pastor , Flatonia Baptist
DMin , IIM
Area Representative , Texas Baptists
Professor of Religion , GWU, Retired
Director, Christian Education , New Faith Church
Pastor , Brazos Meadows Baptist, Hewitt
Pastor , Second Baptist, Corpus Christi
Pastor , Spring Creek Baptist
Supporter/Friend of church , Trinity Baptist
Student , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Field Coordinator , CBF Texas
Founding Senior Pastor , Community MB Church, Desoto
Interim Associate Pastor of Outreach and Pastoral Care , Austin Baptist Church
Deacon , Trinity Baptist
Associate , NPBC; Hurst, TX
Pastor , Marlboro Heights MBC
Professor of Christian Ministry , Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Senior Pastor , Antioch Church, Houston
Pastor , Cowboy Church, Waco
Pastor , First Baptist Church, Decatur
Truett Seminary, Baylor University, Waco
Dr. , First Baptist Churck, Burleson
Pastor of Missions , Sugar Land Baptist
Rev. , TruettSeminary MDIV, Waco
Campus Minister , Westpark Spring Hospital, Houston
Minister ,
Student Minister , First Baptist Church, San Marcos
Pastor , DaySpring Baptist Church, Waco
Lead Pastor , NJMBC-Bryan
, The Church Without Walls, Houston
Alumni , Truett Seminary, Waco
Assistant Director, Center for Ministry Effectiveness , Baylor School of Social Work, Waco
Member , Trinity Baptist, San Antonio
Deacon , Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
Member , Sherer Hill Baptist, San Antonio
Deacons , Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
Colonel, US Air Force, Retired , Trinity Baptist, San Antonio
Member , Trinity Baptist, San Antonio
Member , Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
Associate Executive Director , Texas Baptists
Member, Trinity Baptist Church , Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio
Pastor , Canaan M.F.B.C., San Antonio
Rev/ Director Parking Lot Ministry , Cornerstone Baptist, Killeen
Associate Minister , Cornerstone Baptist, Killeen
Baptist Student Minister , UH BSM, Houston
Director of College Ministry , FBC Arlington
Senior Pastor , Second Baptist, Lubbock
Associate Pastor , Community MBC, DeSoto
Pastor , Greater St Paul’s BC, Houston
Senior Pastor , St. John BC, Houston
Rev., Dr. , FBC Hamilton
Chaplain (Lieutenant) , United States Navy
Senior Pastor , Nehemiah Community, Houston
Assistant Professor of Sociology , UMHB, Belton
Director of Adult Spiritual Formation , DaySpring Baptist, Waco
Minister for Discipleship , South Main Baptist. Houston
Associate Pastor of Music and Worship , FBC Waco
M.Div, Minister of Youth , 7th& James Bapt. Church, Waco
Interim Pastor , FBC Mont Belvieu
Lead Pastor , FBC Lorena
Minister of Admin. for Communications , South Main Baptist, Houston
Senior Pastor , Kingsland Church, Katy
Pastor
Senior Pastor , Baptist Temple
Worship and Care Pastor , Harris Creek
Pastor , Westbury Baptist
Worship Pastor , FBC Athens
Field Personnel , CBF, Fort Worth
Lead Pastor , South Hills Baptist, Fort Worth
Senior Pastor , FBC San Antonio
Senior Pastor , West Univ. Baptist, Houston
Baylor University, Waco
Pastor , Mosaic Fellowship, Belton
Pastor of Students , Center Point Church, N. Richland Hills
Pastor , Pilgrim Rest MBC, Corpus Christi
Sr. Pastor , Iglesia B. Nueva Luz, San Juan
Pastor , FBC White Deer
D.Min., Pastor , FBC Hale Center
Lead Pastor , Coryell Community Church
Pastor Emeritus, ThD , First Arlington
Pastor/Founder , Grace Celebra Fellowship, Dallas
Lead Pastor , The Hills, Grand Prairie
Pastor , FBC of Dimmitt
Assistant Professor of Practical Theology , Baylor University
Pastor , FBC Crawford
Director of Spiritual Formation , Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene
CP Specialist , Texas Baptists
Vice President Mission & Ministry , Baptist Health System
Pastor , First Denton
Missions Team , Texas Baptists
Director of the Missions Team, D.Min. , BGCT, Dallas
Director, Center for Financial Health , Texas Baptists
Pastor to Adults , FBC Abilene
Pastor , Grace BC Ben Wheeler
Publisher, BaptistWay Press , Texas Baptists
Area Four Representative , Texas Baptists
Pastor , White Oak Church
Pastor , First Baptist Church, Lewisville
Pastor , FBC, Center
Small Groups Pastor , BCF Church, Brownsville
Sr Pastor , Trinity Church, Katy
Pastor , Memorial Baptist, Port Arthur
Pastor , Red Oak, Longview
BSM Director , San Antonio BSM
Retired , Texas Baptists
Pastor , Southlake Baptist, Waxachachie
Pastor , FBC Bandera
Reverend , The Church Without Walls
Coordinator , TX BWIM
Senior Pastor , IBVictoria en Cristo