Recently I traveled more than 800 miles in one weekend to participate is special celebrations. Both were 50 year events. At Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, a time capsule, sealed 50 years ago, was opened and re-sealed with updated information.
Looking at the crowd, my heart was blessed to see many of the pioneers of the work in California. In an age when respectability and honor for senior adults has diminished, I reflected on the many who labored in California for Christ. It was a thrill to hear the stories of those early efforts to establish a learning institution to train pastors for the West. In the room were men and women of distinction! associational missionaries, pastors, church leaders, etc. who are the heroes of California Southern Baptist. Granted, many did not build mega churches, but thousands of souls were saved and communities transformed because of their faithfulness. They labored for extremely low wages, but with a passion to train and help leaders for our churches. How blessed we are!
Leaving the Seminary, Carmen and I drove to Solvang, a beautiful community in the Santa Ynez Valley. The rolling hills, beautiful scenery, blessed us.This was the weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of First Southern Baptist Church, Solvang. Ministering in this beautiful valley created a deep impression of God's awesome creation. It was a wonderful celebration.
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