Hello, Texas Baptists! First of all, I apologize for missing the deadline for my last column. I was out of town, attending the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Houston. I got busy and let the time get away from me. However, I am back, and here is a report on recent events.
David HardageOur Texas Baptist cooperation with Union Baptist Association and its Loving Houston effort, conducted prior to the SBC annual meeting, was a wonderful example of our good partnership with UBA. Thanks to Director of Missions Tom Billings for leading such a great effort in the most culturally diverse city in the United States, Houston.
Our first annual Texas Baptist Legacy Awards were presented on a wonderful day, and I am most appreciative of the wonderful hospitality of Pastor Phillip Hassell and the Independence Baptist Church family. And, again, congratulations to Bob Feather of Dallas and Wilma Reed of Cleburne, who were our first recipients.
Thanks to Pastor John Hall and Field Street Baptist Church in Cleburne for allowing me the opportunity to preach and enjoy great fellowship. Kathleen and I were both so blessed. Kathleen, being from Cleburne, really enjoyed seeing some lifelong friends.
I so enjoyed the worship service at First Baptist Church of Nederland recently. Pastor Jason Burden is doing good work there. Several years ago, my father, Bill Hardage, was pastor there, and I was blessed by being back in that good church.
Loving West was our Texas Baptist disaster recovery effort, held June 15-22. Marla Bearden and Gerald Davis lead our BGCT disaster recovery work. First Baptist Church of West and Pastor John Crowder were wonderful hosts and headquarters for the week. Six hundred volunteers from around the state came to help. I was honored to speak to the volunteers during the Wednesday night service.
Our own Texas Baptist annual meeting is coming up July 14-17 in San Antonio, and it is not too late for you to make some plans to join us. This will be a convention like we have never had before, and those who attend will be uniquely blessed. Kathleen and I look forward to seeing you there.
David Hardage is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.
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