From the pastors of First Baptist Church of Texas City

First Baptist Church of Texas City
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During the past few weeks, I have often walked around our church building, reminiscing.
I have thought about our journey and all the changes and challenges along the way.
As I ponder on these things, I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude.
I thank God for allowing me to be part of helping position our church for a bright future.
I am grateful to the members of First Baptist Church Texas City for allowing Anne and I to serve here for 14 years.
We both agree that First Baptist Church has been our favorite church.
When I share with pastor friends and denominational leaders of all the changes we have been through in the past fourteen years, their first response has been,"And you’re still pastor there?" Most pastors don't have long tenures when leading churches to make these changes.
Thank you for being supportive and taking the journey with us!
While thinking about all of the changes we have made in locations, buildings, programs, worship, etc., I also thought about during my time as pastor that we have been through two hurricanes, an area school shooting that affected some of our people, and a pandemic.
In all these crisis events, our church was able to offer significant ministry to the communities we serve.
During the hurricanes, our church buildings were used by Baptist disaster relief to provide tens of thousands of meals as well as to clean out houses and help to rebuild some.
We had family members in our church who had children and grandchildren at Santa Fe High School.
Some were wounded.
One grandmother who came from out of state to help her daughter cope with the loss of her grandchild attended services every week. After one of our services, she told me, "My only hour of peace comes when I attend church here." During the Pandemic, we sought to keep a connection with our members through our online services.
Our online team did a terrific job bringing church services to our members' homes each week.
I appreciate how many members tuned into my "Coffee with the Pastor" online devotional each day. Though it was challenging, we stayed connected during the Pandemic.
We have had some difficult days during my fourteen-year tenure as pastor, but our church shined brightest in the tough times!
Several times, I have been asked, "What will you do in retirement?"
The first thing I am going to do is take a break. I have served Baptist churches for 44 years, and I have never had an extended sabbatical.
I plan to take one for a few months, concentrate on my physical conditioning, and study the original languages more deeply.
After a few months, I will pray about possibly serving as an interim pastor or maybe a part-time hospice chaplain.
​Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your pastor!