Dear church family,
We had a wonderful weekend celebrating 150 years of ministry here at FBC, Brownwood. A huge thanks goes to Dr. & Mrs. Hines of Howard Payne University. Under their leadership HPU not only hosted our Saturday evening event on their campus, they also generously covered the cost of the meal as well. If you see them around, please express our tremendous gratitude.
Thanks to Dr. Julio Guarneri and Sergio Ramos of the Baptist General Convention of Texas for their presence, the presentation given, and for the ongoing partnership in cooperative Baptist work. I am grateful for Texas Baptists.
Thanks to our former pastors and staff who were able to join us over the weekend and to the following who spoke during the weekend: William Pherigo, Dr. Don Williford, Dr. Ron Cook, Dr. Rodney McGlothlin, and Dr. Mark Turman. We were sad Dr. Mark Towns had to miss due to an illness but were so glad to have his mom, his wife Amanda, and their youngest son with us for worship.
Thanks to the following members of the 150th Anniversary Committee: Mike & Anne Daub, Cindy Day, Doris Goacher, John & Nadean George, David & Wendy Grooms, Ann Harris, Mary Johnson, Kalie Lowery, Tom & Jennifer Vickers, along with staff members, Keith Platte & Amanda Ray. Thanks to Rebekah Sterling for designing the 150th Anniversary logo; to Kyle Mize for the professional pictures; and to Keith Platte & Wendy Grooms for their work arranging for the dinner.
Thanks to Anne Daub & Doris Goacher and their team for their diligent work on the historical displays; to Keith Platte, Zac Sterling, Amanda Ray, Sarah Young, and Kay Shields for their work portraying current ministries; to Keith Platte for editing the testimonies and all the video logistics; and to Caleb Shields for filming and edited of the former pastor video.
Thanks to Tom Vickers, Royce Rodgers, Bob Rodgers, Tom McClannahan, Jeff Lewis, Dave White, and David Grooms for serving as greeters; to Cindy Day, David & Wendy Grooms, and Jennifer Vickers for hosting during the receptions; to Pam Blake, Elaine McNeeley, & Wendy McNeely for helping with check-in at HPU; to Dave and Marci White and Damon and Emily Wilson for their work on Sunday morning breakfast; to Mary Johnson and her daughter Susie, Jenny Reid Allison, and Joe Sheppard for the beautiful table settings, decorations, & flowers; to Ann Harris for sprucing up the facilities and seeing to preparations for lunch with the help of Virginia Butler; to Bob & Kathy & Kevin Rodgers for painting in the basement, and to Kevin Rodgers for cleaning carpets.
Thanks to so many who helped move furniture (Jonathan & Jack Young, Jason Tyndol, Steve Ellis, Tom Vickers, Doug Chandler, Thomas & Byron Foster, Jeff Lewis, Jen Evetts, Sam Allen, and Bill Jones), set up tables & chairs (Rex & Laura Alexander, Hayden Barker, & David Grooms), and cleaned up after the meal (Linda Bessent, Pam Blake, Virginia Butler, John & Susan Gilger, Wendy Grooms, Bob Rodgers, Kay Shields, Tom Vickers, & Marcy White); and to Bill Jones, Kevin Rodgers and Keith Platte who addressed a plumbing issue in the basement during the service.
Thank you for the lovely times of worship together. I was blown away and exceedingly blessed by the music of 4xGrace, our musicians James and Brian, the anniversary choir, and the leadership of Dr. Jon Kraemer.
I know I am overlooking much that was done and many others who helped in countless other ways, but I am deeply grateful for each of you and for all who helped make it a wonderful celebration weekend.
May we maintain that spirit of cooperation and willingness to work together and to work hard for the good of the church and the glory of God. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.” (Psalms 67:1-2)
In Christ,
Jerry
