The Good, the Hard, and the Hopeful

This week marks ten years since I began serving full-time with the Baptist Bible Fellowship International. Ten years. That’s long enough to see patterns emerge, challenges repeat, and God’s faithfulness shine through it all.

In that decade, I’ve seen the best and I’ve seen some of the … let’s just say not-so-great. I’ve seen leaders united around the gospel and others not on the same page. I’ve watched people argue passionately about things that are, at best, secondary. I’ve seen entities struggle financially, not because of a lack of calling but because of limited resources. I’ve witnessed lapses of integrity among pastors and ministry leaders whose failures caused deep hurt. I’ve walked alongside pastors and missionaries who’ve faced dark and lonely seasons, some leaving the mission field, some resigning the pastorate, and others stepping away from the ministry altogether. I’ve grieved as churches closed their doors, as marriages crumbled under ministry pressure, and as rumors or half-truths spread faster than grace. Add to that a global pandemic that shook every ministry in ways none of us could have imagined.

And yet, through it all, I’ve also seen incredible resilience. I’ve watched pastors who refused to quit, churches that came back stronger, missionaries who persevered, and an unshakable sense that God is still at work in and through this Fellowship.

When I completed my doctorate, the topic of my dissertation was basically on the revitalization of the BBFI. That word revitalization still stirs something in me. Because I believe this Fellowship, with all its imperfections, still has a vital role in God’s global mission. Over these ten years, I’ve learned a lot, not just about systems and structures, but about people, perseverance, and the grace that holds us all together.

Here are ten things I’ve learned about the BBFI in the past ten years.

1. The BBFI Is Stronger Than Many People Think

If you only measured our health by attendance charts or giving reports, you might miss the bigger picture. Beneath the surface, the BBFI is full of faithful pastors serving in small towns, missionaries laboring in forgotten regions, and leaders mentoring others behind the scenes. The BBFI looks different today than it did a generation ago, but do not mistake it for weakness. The strength of this Fellowship has never been found in size or structure. It’s in the quiet faithfulness of God’s people who keep showing up, keep preaching, and keep loving their communities.

2. Integrity is Still Essential

I’ve learned that talent, strategy, and charisma, all of which are important, can never replace integrity. When leaders fail with integrity, the damage ripples across churches and across continents. But when leaders walk humbly, finish well, and lead with transparency, they lay the foundation for the future. Integrity isn’t flashy, but it’s powerful. It doesn’t trend on social media, but it endures. Our Fellowship’s credibility and its future depend on leaders who guard their hearts as carefully as they guard their churches. 

3. Leadership Matters More Than Ever

A common quote every ministry leader is aware of is, “Everything rises or falls on leadership.”  Most of the time, we have gotten this right, but not always. In our history, there have been leaders who lacked integrity and caused more harm than good, but I am thankful over the past ten years to have worked with three great men of God who served our Fellowship as president.

Healthy leadership produces healthy churches, and healthy churches strengthen the Fellowship. The future of the BBFI depends on developing and supporting leaders who are biblically grounded, emotionally healthy, and missionally driven. Leadership development isn’t optional. It’s essential. If there is going to be a future BBFI, it will be dependent upon godly, selfless, and sacrificial leadership. 

4. Change Is Not the Enemy—Compromise Is

Some fear change, but change is often the evidence of growth. The danger isn’t in adapting to new methods; it’s in abandoning timeless truths. The BBFI must continue to innovate without losing its identity—rooted in Scripture, committed to missions, and dependent upon God. The gospel never changes, but how we communicate it can and must. I’ve seen churches thrive by trying new approaches to ministry. If the pandemic taught us anything, it is the difference between essential and non-essential ministries. 

5. Communication Builds Trust

A lesson I teach often is, “People say no to what is confusing.” I’ve seen relationships hurt and bad decisions made simply because of miscommunication. Clear communication isn’t just a courtesy; it’s an act of stewardship. In ten years of working within the Fellowship, I’ve learned that clear communication builds connection. People want to know what’s happening and why. Transparency fosters trust. Even hard news, when communicated with honesty and grace, strengthens relationships rather than strains them. 

6. The Next Generation Is Watching

One of the greatest personal blessings of the past decade came during the years I was also teaching full-time at Mission University. I was able to invest personally in students I now see serving in local churches, planting new churches, leading worship in some of the most influential churches in America, and serving as missionaries all around the world.  Young pastors and leaders still believe in the BBFI when they see authenticity, humility, and a compelling vision. They’re not impressed by titles. They’re drawn to transparency. They don’t want to inherit an organization; they want to join a movement. If we listen to them, invest in them, and give them a place at the table, they will help carry this Fellowship into the future.

7. Unity and Collaboration Are Our Superpower

Psalm 133 reminds us, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Our strength is not in sameness but in shared mission. The BBFI shines brightest when our churches, missionaries, colleges, and other ministries align around one mission … the Great Commission. While I have seen how collaboration multiplies impact, I have also seen how competition divides it. When we choose fellowship over faction, we honor Christ and strengthen His church. 

8. Our History Is Sacred, but It’s Not the Finish Line

We stand on the shoulders of giants. We often hear stories of men like G.B. Vick, W.E. Dowell, Noel Smith, John Rawlings, and others. The stories of our founders inspire us, but they also challenge us to keep moving forward. Honoring their legacy doesn’t mean replicating their methods; it means continuing their mission. The same God who blessed our past is still writing new chapters through us. Legacy isn’t something we preserve. It’s something we pass on.

9. Encouragement Is the Fellowship’s Secret Sauce

I’ve seen pastors revived by a simple text message, missionaries encouraged by a note, and leaders renewed by gathering with friends who understand each other. I’ve watched others walk into a Fellowship meeting weary and walk out refreshed because someone took the time to pray with them. The BBFI was built on relationships, and those relationships remain our greatest resource. Encouragement fuels endurance. 

10. God Is Not Finished with the BBFI

If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t still be here. I’ve seen too many stories of grace, too many signs of renewal, and too many young leaders rising up to doubt it. The same God who birthed this Fellowship in 1950 is still building His church through it today. Philippians 1:6 says, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” The story of the BBFI isn’t finished, and by God’s grace, its next chapter might just be its best yet. 

Ten Years Later … 

After ten years, I’ve learned that the BBFI is not perfect, but neither am I. We are a family of flawed people trying to serve a flawless God. We’ve had our missteps and disagreements, but we’ve also seen God’s faithfulness again and again. The BBFI is not defined by its challenges but by the grace that continues to hold it together.

If you’ve been part of this Fellowship for decades or just a few years, you know it’s far from easy … but it’s worth it. It’s worth it because churches are still being planted, missionaries are still being sent, students are still being trained, and lives are still being changed.

The story of the BBFI is, ultimately, the story of God’s enduring grace. A grace that has carried us through seventy-five years and counting. And as long as Christ remains the center, the story isn’t finished yet.“

To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:21