The eyes of every departing worshiper are lifted to the great window, which dominates the east wall of the sanctuary. Having accepted Christ's invitation to "Come," the Christian is now challenged to "Go...and teach all nations."

This intricate window invites hours of study to see all the beauty and all of the meaning that have been incorporated in it. The large center figure is of course the Christ, giving his final "Great Commission" to the eleven faithful disciples, and one representative woman, who takes the place of Judas Iscariot. Directly above the figure of Jesus is the Lamb on the book of seven seals, described in the fifth chapter of Revelation. The Lamb holds the cruciform staff, symbolizing his death on the cross for the sins of mankind. He is crowed with a three-rayed nimbus, always signifying divinity. Above this figure in the same center panel is the seven raced dovee, representing the Holy Spirit descending with the seven gifts mentioned in Revelation: Power, Riches, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and, Blessing.

In the out left panel, above the figure of the disciples, are two crosses, the upper one the St. Andrew's cross, on which Andrew is said to have died after preaching from hours from it to the crowd gathered there. Below is Peter's symbol, the upside-down cross and the crossed keys. One key to heaven, one to earth. Tradition says that Peter asked to be crucified upside-down because he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

In the next panel are the symbols of John and James. The chalice and serpent derive from a story that John was about to drink poisoned wine when the Lord intervened to spare him. James is symbolized by three scalloped shells, symbolic of his missionary spirit, his courage and his forgiveness, and a sword, as he was beheaded by Herod.

The first panel to the rights of center contains the symbol of Paul above that of his early companion, Barnabas. Paul's symbol is the cross-hilted sword behind an open Bible inscribed with the words, Spiritus Gladius," Latin for "the sword of the spirit. Barnabas is represented by the open Book and three stones, symbolic of his work in spreading the word and of his death by stoning.

The lancet to the far right contains the symbols of Silas and Timothy. The symbol for Silas who was bishop, or pastor, of a church in Europe, is a bishop's miter and ribbons. The club and stones indicates the martyrdom of Timothy at Ephesus after his faithful service there.

Starting back in the first panel tot he left, below the large figures, we see symbolized "the breastplate of righteousness," from "the whole armor of God." In the next panel is "the shield of faith." On the right we see "the helmet of salvation" and "the sword of the spirit." Below the figure of Jesus is a symbol of the world wide nature of the cross, for "in Christ there is no east and west, in him no south and north, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth."

At the base of the panel are five small figure medallions. IN the center one we see Christ speaking to the children of all races. The others show groups of people of all nations coming to Him.

Below these figures are even smaller symbols, representing habits, vices and sines that Christians must strive to overcome. From left to right we see the flame of envy, mask of deceit, idol worship, the grasping hand of greed. Skipping the center panel, the next symbols are the peacock of pride, the pig of gluttony, the scrouge of brutality, and the flagin of drunkenness. In the panel where Jesus is represented are the symbols of peace and praise.

High in the very top of the two outer panels are the symbols Alpha and Omega, for "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come."

In the large tracery sections across the entire top of the window the symbols of the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, flank the center trifoil, which show the crown of victory.

There is much food for thought in the beautiful missionary window, aw well as beauty for the eye. It is a gift to the church from the Business and Professional Women's Sunday School class. dedicated to the propagation of the Gospel as commanded by our Lord when He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." It is when we keep His commandment that we can claim His promise to be with us always, "even unto the end of the world."

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Broadway Baptist Church, 305 W. Broadway, Ft. Worth, TX 76104