In Touch: Encampments deserve our support

Hello, Texas Baptists! These last couple of weeks have been busy but good, and I’m delighted to share a brief report of my “comings and goings” among our Baptist General Convention of Texas family.

David HardageFirst of all, we hosted the managers of our Texas Baptist encampments and retreat centers here in your Baptist Building. It was good having them here, and I hope you’ll join me in praying for great summer experiences at all of these camps. These folks do good work and deserve our support!

Thanks to our Texas Baptist ministers of education for allowing me to speak at their annual retreat held at the T Bar M Retreat Center in New Braunfels. I do appreciate these ministers and their commitment to the Lord and his church.

I so enjoyed preaching at First Baptist Church in Lewisville,where Stephen Hatfield is the pastor. This is such a healthy church with two worship services and sweet spirit. And thanks to Southwest Airlines, that same Sunday I was able to attend the dedication service of the new building constructed for First Baptist Church in Pasadena, where Charles Redmond is the pastor. Their new facility is just amazing. If you happen to be in their area, please go by and visit the prayer room. You’ll think you’re in the Holy Land!

Thanks to Dallas Baptist University for hosting BGCT Day at their recent baseball game versus Baylor University. DBU was kind to give 50 tickets to your Baptist Building staff, and we are grateful.

Speaking of BGCT Day, President Paul Armes and the Wayland Baptist University family hosted several of us recently. I had the joy of speaking in their chapel service, and then we were able to talk more personally with a number of students preparing for the ministry. We were blessed!

President René Maciel was so kind to allow me to come to San Antonio and speak at the annual Baptist University of the Americas banquet. A crowd of 250 gathered in support of BUA and its mission for Texas Baptists. It was a great night.

Nick Howard is your Houston-area regional Baptist Student Ministries director. He was so gracious in allowing me the privilege of speaking at their 12th anniversary brunch. More than 200 gathered in support of the BSM work, and I’m so hopeful about their future.

Joe Bailey has been pastor of Speegleville Baptist Church 20 years, and I was most blessed by preaching in their morning worship service. His wife, Angela, is the administrative assistant for David Garland, dean of Truett Seminary.

God bless you all, and thanks for your support of our Mother’s Day Hunger Offering. You’ll make a difference in the lives of many!

David Hardage is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.