Hello, Texas Baptists!
I was introduced to Santa Fe, N.M. through my visits to Glorieta for church leadership training, inspiration and fellowship. I loved Glorieta and still miss going there. I still believe Southern Baptists could have managed that entire matter much better and that Glorieta could have been saved.
I remember every Thursday evening of Texas Week, the cafeteria was closed, and visitors were free to visit and explore Santa Fe. Kathleen and I became enchanted with Santa Fe: the culture, the food, the climate, the food … New Mexico is, after all, “The Land of Enchantment.” Since that first visit, we returned many times.
The connection between Santa Fe and Texas
On June 16, I had the privilege of preaching the Sunday morning service at the First Baptist Church of Santa Fe. Reed Redus is the pastor and my friend. He’s been the pastor there only about two years, and the church has doubled in attendance. Really good work is being done in a really challenging place.
Listen to David Hardage’s sermon at First Baptist Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico using the player below or click here to open in a new window.
Redus grew up in Amarillo and the First Baptist Church there. He attended West Texas A&M in Canyon, where Texas Baptists have a strong Baptist Student Ministry led by Buddy Young. Buddy has directed the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Spring Break Beach Reach at South Padre Island for almost 40 years. After West Texas A&M, Redus earned his Doctor of Ministry degree at Baylor’s Truett Seminary.
I use this young pastor and the good work he’s doing in a unique location to remind us all that preparing the next generation of ministers and missionaries is something we take very seriously and, quite frankly, do a great job with.
Your connection to Santa Fe, Texas and beyond
When you give your gifts to your church, and your church sends a portion of those gifts to the BGCT, a sizable portion is used for scholarships in our Texas Baptist universities and seminaries.
The students we teach and train serve all over Texas, the United States and around the world. Thank you for helping us make a difference for the kingdom of God. Thank you for being connected. Great days are ahead.
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David Hardage is the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The BGCT and Baptist Standard are independently-related partners.
The photo accompanying this article is used by permission of the Santa Fe New Mexican.
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