News & Stories

Southern California churches have been praying in the midst of the devastating fires in their area, and the answer to a specific Sunday evening prayer has been noticed and appreciated by others in the community. Rand Jenkins, Texans on Mission’s chief strategy officer, participated in the Sunday evening prayer service at Highlands Church north of downtown LA.

Trucks and trailers rolled out of Texans on Mission headquarters in Dallas Wednesday morning for support of California churches responding to devastating wildfires. Shower/laundry units are on the way. A semi-truck load of supplies also left Dallas with masks, water filters, Tyvek suits, Bibles, cots and gloves.

A four-person Texans on Mission team is in California working to multiply ministry of churches and chart a long-term relief effort in the area devastated by raging fires. "The situation here is heavy," said Rand Jenkins, a member of the team. "We're striving to find a way to multiply efforts to meet needs in the name of Christ."

One year sometimes stands out among all the years that preceded it. Texans on Missions had such a year in 2024, said Mickey Lenamon, chief executive officer. “We’ve had great years of service in the past,” Lenamon said, “but last year stands out for the cumulative impact accomplished in helping people and leading them to Christ.”

Texans on Mission volunteers are helping combat the cold with hot meals as they help feed 800 people at a temporary shelter at Fair Park in Dallas.

Texans on Mission volunteers served more than 80,000 meals in Israel in 2024. TXM works in partnership with Israel’s Emergency Volunteer Project, which provided more than 800,000 using equipment and facilities TXM helped develop. “We now have 10 feeding trailers/units, each with a generator, that can be deployed anywhere,” said JohnTravis Smith, TXM associate executive director.

Texans on Mission assembled a “dream team” of volunteers to bring Christmas — and its Christ-focused message — to the Rio Grande Valley Dec. 13-19. “This year’s annual Christmas in the Rio Grande Valley really featured a dream team of volunteers,” affirmed Sabrina Pinales, TXM’s director of missions and discipleship.

Hurricane Helene recovery continues, and Texans on Mission volunteers are doing what they can to help in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Working with North Carolina Baptists On Mission, TXM and 121 Community Church in Grapevine are serving families by rebuilding homes and providing assistance where it's needed most.

Mission trips often reveal contrasts — differences between things at home and those far away. Mikey Osborne and his family saw Christmas differently on a recent trip to Uganda. “It was pretty humbling to see kids get excited over things I wouldn’t normally even buy,” Osborne said. “It's an awakening to see a different perspective on gifts. It's easy to think you’re going to Africa to fix things, but I feel like Africa was kind of fixing me.”

On the night of Friday, Nov. 8, Abel Kent had one thing on his mind: Asking his girlfriend Katelin “Kat” Weikel to marry him. The pair were both sponsors of youth from Providential Baptist Church in Pearland attending Royal Ambassadors Campout and Missions Mania, a youth discipleship event at Latham Springs Camp and Retreat Center in Aquilla. Abel had picked the venue purposefully.

A man donated $10,000 to Texans on Mission after profiting off rare trading cards he found in a dumpster 25 years ago.

A life on mission must begin somewhere. For several University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students, it began this December with Texans on Mission in North Carolina. “For a few years, I’ve wanted to go on a mission trip,” sophomore Dani Rye said. “When I saw the global outreach stuff at UMHB, this looked like an awesome opportunity. I wanted to go and serve people. It seemed like a good experience to get out of your comfort and help people who need it.”