The Baptist General Convention of Texas has scored a coup for its annual meeting this fall in Amarillo.

One of the speakers will be Rick Warren, whose book The Purpose-Driven Life has sold 20 million copies. He'll preach to the convention Oct. 29 on the subject of cooperation in mission work.

Mr. Warren is one of the top evangelical leaders in the world. That owes to his book sales, the growth and influence of the Saddleback Church he pastors in California and the attention he and his wife Kay have brought to poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa.

"We feel like he can encourage our pastors and churches to greater efforts in missions ministry, both in an inspirational way and a hands-on way," said Charles Wade, executive director of the convention, which is based in Dallas and supports 5,600 congregations.

The convention's had rocky relations with the more conservative Southern Baptist Convention, to which Mr. Warren belongs.

But Mr. Warren criticized the Southern Baptist Convention for pulling out of the Baptist World Alliance over perceived liberalism. Mr. Warren argued that Baptists need to work together for evangelism and the combating of poverty, disease and inadequate education in developing countries.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas joined the Baptist World Alliance after the Southern Baptist Convention dropped out. Dr. Wade said the state convention's approach to missions mirrors Mr. Warren's.

He also noted that the state convention worked with Mr. Warren on relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.