Hello, Texas Baptists! The first two weeks of June would fall into the category of "convention season," as I attended three. First, Kathleen and I were pleased to represent the Baptist General Convention of Texas at the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans. And while there, we attended a dinner, sponsored by the North American Mission Board and the African-American Fellowship celebrating the election of Fred Luter as SBC president. Also, we enjoyed a breakfast with other state executive directors presented by the International Mission Board. (Seems like we worked a meal into most of our meetings. That's the Baptist way!)
Fort Worth was my next stop, as I attended part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's general assembly. I left early in order to go to Huntsville to be support for our associate executive director, Steve Vernon, and his wife, Donna, at the visitation prior to the funeral of her father. Oh, and let me say a positive word about Richard Rogers, pastor of University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville, for doing such a great job ministering to this family. He serves on our Executive Board.
The last stop on my convention tour was San Antonio for the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas. This was my first time to attend Convencion, and it was a wonderful blessing! President Jesse Rincones of Alliance Church in Lubbock was re-elected. He is providing great leadership.
Now, in between those visits I had the wonderful privilege of preaching at Riverbend Baptist Church in Fulshear, near Katy. Thanks to pastor and Executive Board member John Crowe for the invitation. This church is doing great work in this rapidly expanding area west of Houston.
A special thanks to Bill Arnold, director of our Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, for arranging a great lunch in Tyler with some generous BGCT supporters. It is a blessing meeting people who are helping the cause of the kingdom with their resources. One of the things I am praying for is that a new spirit of generosity, in life and at death, would sweep through our people and churches. Do not hesitate to contact me if the Lord puts a cause on your heart or if you would like to talk about specific needs we have around our state.
Finally, thanks to First Baptist Church in Bryan for inviting me to fill their pulpit once again. I was blessed, and I hope they were as well.
More next time.
God bless you all.
David Hardage is executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.
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