INDEPENDENCE—Texas Baptists will honor Sam Prestidge, founder of Singing Men of Texas, and Tillie Burgin, founder of Mission Arlington, with Legacy Awards June 5 at the historic Independence Baptist Church near Brenham.
Prestidge felt God’s call to ministry at age 14. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree in sacred music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Hardin-Simmons University awarded him an honorary doctorate.
Sam Prestidge After going to work in the church music department at the Baptist General Convention of Texas, his passion for music motivated him to establish the Singing Men of Texas in 1975. He went on to establish the Texas Baptist All-State Choir in 1976, All-State Band in 1978 and All-State Strings in 1994. In 1980, he founded the Texas MusiConference, an event that averaged more than 1,000 music leaders in attendance annually.
Prestidge retired from the BGCT in 1994 as director of church music after serving 34 years.
When asked what advice he would offer others to stay motivated in ministry, he responded: “Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul. Study God’s word. Pray and be faithful to your church. Get a good education, both college and seminary. And, by all means, love people.”
Burgin was born and raised in Arlington, the city where she dedicated much of her life and ministry. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas.
Tillie Burgin In 1966, she and her husband, Robert, accepted God’s call to serve as missionaries in South Korea with their two young sons, Jim and Rick.
After a decade on the international mission field, they returned to Arlington.
In August 1986, she founded Mission Arlington, which has touched countless lives for 30 years by assisting people with their physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs.
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Burgin received an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University and Arlington’s Martin Luther King Jr. Sharing the Dream Award for community service, and she was named Pastor of the Day for the Texas House of Representatives. The City of Arlington honored her with Tillie Burgin Day declarations in 2000, 2004 and 2006, and Gov. George W. Bush named her to the Texas Woman’s Hall of Fame in 2000.
Burgin offered this advice to others who serve God: “Stay constant in prayer and constant in your Bible readings, and learn to worship God wherever you are. Worship of God is what keeps us motivated. We walk and live to please him.”
The Legacy Awards will be presented during a 10 a.m. worship service June 5 at Independence Baptist Church, with lunch to follow. The public is invited, and reservations are requested for the meal. Contact Becky Brown at (214) 828-5301.
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