ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓƵ

PLAINVIEW - ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓƵ Baptist University hosted Buckner International President Dr. Albert Reyes on Wednesday. Reyes addressed the student body in chapel and was part of a luncheon panel discussion.

"What do you think the world needs now?" Reyes asked students.

He described his childhood in the 1960s when the nation saw the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy in short succession.

"It was a tough time for our country," he said. "We had never seen this before."

Reyes said society turned to an answer that was sensationalized in Burt Bacharach's song "What the World Needs Now." Made popular by Aretha Franklin, the song states that love is the answer.

"Here we are, years later. I'm wondering if it worked," Reyes said. "If what our generation was saying the world needed then, once applied, are we better off?"

While love is good, Reyes believes what the world needs now is hope. That is the focus of a book he wrote, and the focus on Buckner International ‑- the tagline of which is "Hope shines here."

Reyes explained his journey that led him to the realization and writing of his book. It started when he took a sabbatical on which he wanted to write a book. He was advised to spend the sabbatical time researching his material then write the book later. As he narrowed his research focus, it became evident to him that missions were suffering from a two-team situation.

"We have a team that wants to focus on your spiritual needs. Then there is another team that wants to know if you have something to drink, to eat, clothes, a job," he said. "These teams don't work together and at times they throw rocks at each other."

Drawing from Luke chapter 10, Reyes explained that Jesus provided for both in the passage that is typically used for missions commissioning.

"Inside the commissioning is the idea of integrated, holistic ministry," Reyes said, pointing out that the holistic approach is the focus on Buckner International. He said providing peace to individuals; healing, both physical and emotional; and justice, in whatever form that is to those who need it, is the Biblical approach to missions. Combined, those things bring hope to people. Reyes said the process of investing in the lives of people and working to meet their needs is how to truly accomplish the mission of Jesus.

"I think what the world needs now is hope," he said. "We tried love and love is helpful, but hope is critical."

ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓƵ is participating in Buckner's Shoes for Orphan Souls shoe drive. If you are interested in supplying shoes for children around the world, contact Donnie Brown in ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓƵ's office of church and denominational relations at brownd@wbu.edu or by phone at 806-291-1168.

####