Hello,Texas Baptists! I am so grateful for our fellow Texas Baptists who willingly take time away from their homes, families and work to come and serve on our Executive Board. Your Executive Board met recently here in Dallas, and there was a sweet spirit among us as we took care of business matters, heard reports and planned for the future.
David HardageCongratulations to my friend Gene Wilkes, new president of the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. He was inaugurated Feb. 28 in a ceremony at First Baptist Church of Arlington. Please join me in praying for the Carroll Institute and for Gene Wilkes. I believe this institute is in good hands and has a bright future.
Thanks to Interim Pastor David Park for allowing me the wonderful privilege of preaching at First Baptist Church of Blanco not long ago. I so enjoyed being there, and the fellowship luncheon after church was just great. Now, it did take me almost nine hours to get back to Dallas due to the ice storm that came into Texas. But I was glad to go and grateful for safe travel.
We recently hosted, in spite of yet another ice storm, here in your Baptist Building the managers of all our Baptist camps around the state. These are great Christian ministers who love the Lord and who love seeing people come to know the Lord. I’m so proud of these camp leaders and hope and pray 2014 is their best summer yet.
Kathleen and I really enjoyed our morning at First Baptist Church of Duncanville March 9. Pastor Keith Brister has begun a six-week sabbatical, and I was honored to preach in his place. He has served there faithfully 18 years. This is a strong, healthy church and one that places great emphasis on the Cooperative Program unified budget. I’m praying more and more of our churches will grasp the power found in the practice of cooperation.
Please put our Texas Baptist for Hunger Offering on your church calendar for May 11, Mother’s Day. Let’s rally our forces and receive a great offering for a great cause this coming Mother’s Day. If you need more information, please contact Joyce Gilbreath.
That’s all for now. God bless.
David Hardage is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.
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