Hello, Texas Baptists! The summer of 2013 is almost behind us, and I know for many it was a positive, life-changing summer.
David HardageI want to thank those of you who helped financially and spiritually support the work of our Baptist Student Ministries summer missionaries. They have served the Lord and Texas Baptists well. Now, join me in praying that this good work on our Texas college and university campuses continues strong during this fall semester.
I recently had the privilege of attending a gathering of the Korean Baptist Fellowship of Texas in Fort Worth. It was a delightful evening full of good food, great fellowship and powerful worship. I thank our own Patty Lane, director of intercultural ministry, for working so diligently with all of our wonderful cross-cultural communities and churches.
Congratulations to Steve Vernon, the associate executive director of the BGCT, for being awarded an honorary doctorate at the summer commencement at Dallas Baptist University. And speaking at this commencement ceremony was a former BGCT president, David Lowrie, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of El Paso. I appreciate President Gary Cook and DBU for honoring Steve Vernon.
I enjoyed my Sunday morning at First Baptist Church of Cuero recently. Pastor Glenn Robinson has now served there faithfully 20 years. Cuero is really in the “sweet spot” of the South Texas oil and gas boom, so let’s pray that this great church can continue responding to the growth of their community.
It was my honor to preach in the Sunday morning worship service of Richardson Vietnamese Baptist Church. They are meeting in the gymnasium of Arapaho Road Baptist Church but are looking to purchase their first facility. Pastor Chuyen Tran has served there since 2000. He was baptized in a creek in the Philippines in 1984. This great church is doing good work, and I ask you to pray for them as you read this column.
Finally, congratulations to my mother, Johnnie Hardage, a proud Hardin-Simmons University alum, on her 80th birthday celebration. My two brothers and my sister surprised her with a party. It was a great time!
More next time.
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David Hardage is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.
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