Hello, Texas Baptists. We have had some special guests recently in your Baptist Building. First, we welcomed Steve Davis, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Garland and now a vice president of the North American Mission Board. And at our April chapel service, we were delighted to have Bob McCartney, pastor of First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls preach for us. He did a great job. Bob is a good friend, and I appreciate the wonderful work he’s doing in Wichita Falls.
David HardageThanks to First Baptist Church in Bryan for allowing me the opportunity to speak to its deacons for a Saturday-morning training time. Our own Lynn Eckeberger is serving as their intentional interim and is doing good work there. This is a great church, and I was honored to be with them.
Kathleen and I were blessed by the 25th anniversary celebration of Gary Cook as president of Dallas Baptist University. Gary has served DBU and Texas Baptists well for these years. I encourage you to stop by DBU to see how beautiful the campus is. You certainly will sense the presence of Christ in that place.
On Sunday, April 7, Kathleen and I had the privilege of being special guests of Pastor Robert Jeffress and First Baptist Church in Dallas for the dedication of their new worship center. It was such a good day, and the facility is spectacular. The day was made even more special when we got to sit next to Dennis Swanberg.
Jeremy Everett, director of the Texas Hunger Initiative, was in Dallas to talk about the center’s work and to help us coordinate our Mother’s Day Hunger Offering. I encourage your church to receive a special offering, however you see fit, on Mother’s Day. This offering will help us alleviate the problems of hunger and poverty in Texas. Your gift will make a difference!
Many of you know Herb Pedersen, who directed the missions funding/church starting work for the Baptist General Convention of Texas for many years. He now is pastor of Longbranch Community Baptist Church and Mountain Peak Community Baptist Church in Midlothian. It was a special day for me to preach in both churches and then again in the constituting service of Mountain Peak. Herb is serving them well, and the churches are doing great. It was good to have Larry Johnson, director of missions for Ellis Baptist Association at the constituting service, too. The Ellis Christian Ministries disaster relief team provided the big tent for dinner on the ground that day. It was a special time, and I was honored to be a part.
Please make sure you have our Texas Baptist Family Gathering on your calendar for July 14-17 in San Antonio. Plan to bring your family and enjoy a great Texas Baptist experience.
God bless you, and thank you for allowing me the joy of serving with you. We are blessed.
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David Hardage is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.
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