As summer draws to a close, the Church Ambassador Network of Texas (CAN Texas) continues to strengthen the Church’s presence and influence throughout the state by cultivating meaningful relationships with governing officials, public servants, ministry leaders, and community partners.
Over the last month, the Texas team had significant opportunities to demonstrate a central principle of the Church Ambassador Network: government is a mission field, and relationships create opportunities for Kingdom impact.
Serving Those Who Serve Texans
At Sam Rayburn Lake in east Texas, local churches partnered with CAN Texas to host Summer Splash, an appreciation event serving more than 120 employees of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
CAN Texas Executive Director Bryan English welcomed attendees, shared Scripture, and opened the gathering in prayer. DFPS employees then enjoyed a day of food, recreation, fellowship, and encouragement For public servants who routinely encounter some of the most challenging circumstances facing Texas families, the event offered something simple but meaningful—the opportunity to be seen, valued, and encouraged.
Through initiatives like Summer Splash, CAN Texas is helping churches build trusted relationships with public servants while demonstrating the love of Christ through tangible service.
Cultivating Strategic Relationships
CAN Texas also continued expanding relationships with leaders across government, business, education, ministry, and other spheres of influence through participation in City Gates Nexus in Central Texas.
Senior Director Doug James connected with key leaders, including former Health and Human Services Commissioner Cecile Young and Deputy Education Commissioner Lindsey Stringer.
Discussions provided valuable insight into issues affecting Texas families and communities, including education trends, student outcomes, school choice, and emerging opportunities within the state’s education landscape.
These relationships help CAN Texas better understand the challenges facing public leaders while identifying opportunities for the Church to become a trusted and effective partner.
Strengthening the Mission & Expanding Kingdom Collaboration
Dallas Baptist University hosted the annual CAN Texas retreat, bringing together team members and partners from across the state and even Greg Baker, CAN’s Founding Director and Noah Meyers, CAN’s Director of Church-State Partnerships, for vision casting, leadership development, and ministry training.
The gathering provided an important opportunity to strengthen alignment around the mission while fostering connections among ministry leaders, strategic thinkers, and partners who share a commitment to Kingdom impact. As CAN Texas expands its reach, continued investment in leadership, relationships, and collaboration is helping ensure the ministry remains unified, focused, and positioned for long-term impact.
Additional meetings in Dallas and Fort Worth advanced opportunities for collaboration among churches, ministries, and national partners.
At Bonton Farms in South Dallas, CAN Texas leaders along with Greg Baker and Noah Meyers connected with Daron Babcock of Stand Together Foundation, Paul Chapman of Restore Hope and Ernie Gray of Find Help. They explored opportunities for multi-state ministry collaboration. The team later visited Prestonwood Pregnancy Center to learn more about its work serving women and families before concluding with a strategy session at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alongside ministry leaders and members of the CAN Steering Committee.
Across these conversations, a consistent theme emerged: God is connecting leaders and organizations with complementary strengths and a shared desire to see the Church bring transformational influence to government and communities across not only Texas but well beyond.
Looking Ahead
CAN Texas remains committed to helping churches engage government with a ministry mindset—building authentic relationships with governing officials, encouraging leaders in their calling to serve, and equipping churches to become trusted partners and problem solvers within their communities.
Through appreciation events, leadership development, strategic partnerships, and one-on-one relationships, doors continue to open for meaningful Kingdom influence across Texas.
CAN Texas is grateful for the pastors, churches, ministry partners, investors, and public servants who make this work possible. Their partnership is helping expand a relational model of ministry capable of strengthening communities and transforming lives throughout the Lone Star State.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
