Pastor Brent Gentzel: Leading Locally, Inspiring Globally with the FTT Vision
Dr. Brent Gentzel, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Kaufman, has spent 25 years shepherding his congregation with a deep commitment to evangelism, discipleship, and community transformation. Under his leadership, FBC Kaufman has doubled in attendance, launched a mission church, and opened a preschool serving low-income families. His ministry has always been marked by one theme: equipping the local church to live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
That passion now extends far beyond his local context. As a Great Commission Ally in the Finishing the Task movement, Pastor Brent has embraced the 2033 vision and is carrying it to pastors and churches around the world. From training pastors in Europe, to encouraging leaders in the U.S. and now Ukraine, he sees firsthand how the FTT message brings unity and inspiration.
Pastor Brent shared with us how he sees the 2033 vision spreading, and why it matters for his church and churches across the globe:
Together We Share in this One Good and Beautiful Calling
Everywhere I have gone with the Finishing the Task message, I have met pastors from churches both small and large, and in their eyes I see the same spark of excitement and encouragement. It is the joy of realizing that their local church is part of a much greater mission, connected with believers all over the world. The Great Commission was given to every church in every place, and together we share in this one good and beautiful calling. No matter our size, background, or language, whether someone has just stepped into ministry or has served for fifty years, the Spirit stirs the same fire in our hearts when we consider God’s global work.
The Great Hope of the Gospel Keeps Moving Forward
That matters, because under the surface of a world marked by political struggle, violence, and injustice, the great hope of the gospel keeps moving forward. The Church of Jesus Christ carries out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, often unnoticed by the world but always celebrated in heaven. For me, Rick Warren’s passion for the purposes of the church and his belief in the power of the local church to bring transformation have been a constant encouragement, especially in difficult days of ministry. In recent years, churches everywhere have begun to rally around the 2033 vision, to finish the task in this generation, or at least present our best effort to Christ as we celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the resurrection. I have seen it in pastor trainings across the globe, especially in Europe with German and Ukrainian pastors eager to see the Great Commission accomplished in their nations and beyond.
A Call for Every Christian to Give Themselves to the Great Commandment & theGreat Commission
This year, I celebrated my 25th pastoral anniversary at the church where I serve, and one of the great joys of this journey has been watching God keep that sense of hope alive through his people. In a world filled with hard news and sorrow, this vision shines as a beacon of hope and purpose, reminding us that God is with us and that we are part of His great and certain victory through the gospel. We all have a portion of this mission to pursue.
Most recently, the Lord led me to write a spiritual growth campaign, now a book entitled The Seven Loves, a straightforward call for every Christian in every church to give themselves fully to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in their lifetime. It’s been one way I could contribute to this movement.
You have a part to play, too. May God lead you and the church where you worship to join the global church in this moment. May His Spirit lead and empower you to do what you’ve been created to do in your generation.
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If you and your church would say, “I’m in!” for the cause of the Great Commission – sign up to be a Great Commission Ally here.
To learn more about Pastor Brent’s book The Seven Loves, visit the site here.
