Texas Baptists Urged to Follow the Great Commandment and Evangelize

By Pauline J. Chang, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, March 15, 2005

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)’s president, Bobby Welch, called on students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to evangelize the communities surrounding the Fort Worth Texas, campus, during the seminary’s evangelism drive late last month.

“How many of you believe that little line you keep saying and saying we do, ‘It is not all about me; it is all about Him. It’s all about Him, it’s not about me’?” Welch asked a group of 600 students and staff, according to Baptist Press. “Well then, why don’t you prove it? Prove it. Prove it’s not all about you, it’s about Him.”

Welch, who launched a nationwide effort to baptize and reach 1-million people last year, explained that evangelism is a commandment given by Christ.

Refuting popular notions of evangelism as a spiritual gift, he defied its proponents to find backing for their view in Scripture. Evangelism, he explained, is a commandment, like tithing and offerings.

“Peter got out of the boat,” Welch said, likening the disciple’s faith as recounted in Matthew 14:21-23 with the faith necessary to evangelize, according to BP. “Now that’s our problem. Too many of us won’t get out of the boat.

“You see, if we get out of the boat, the Lord is already committed to help us.... Get out of the boat and watch the Lord show up. He’s great at doing that and He’s waiting to do that today and every day of our lives.”

After his presentation, Welch went out to live the word by evangelizing in the community.