Most of life is rather routine, uneventful. But the past few weeks have been far from that for me and my heart is full. After years of prayer and months of planning we launched a second BPF campus in Mid County on April 1st, Easter Sunday. It was everything we hoped and prayed for, and much more. The greatest joy will come as we baptize those who have begun stepping over the line of faith there.
The weeks before and after Easter were also joyful because Kathy and I got to keep our 3 ½ year old grandson Haddon while his parents were in China. He wore us out in the best of ways. His favorite things were going to the beach with Kappy (aka Kathy) and trimming limbs with me in the back yard. He is Papa’s helper. It’s too quiet around the house now.
I left Kathy and Haddon for a few days to attend MLK50 – Gospel Reflections from the Mountaintop in Memphis, marking the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination there. It was the second event I’ve attended as a member of the 2018 Leadership Council of the ERLC (Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission). I never dreamed when I was a little boy hearing the news of Dr. King’s murder I would be standing in front of the Lorraine Motel 50 years later mourning his death, honoring his legacy of civil rights and racial reconciliation. I could write volumes about the worship experience with brothers and sisters of all races and the challenging messages I heard. In a small way I now can say I’ve been to the mountaintop. I’d like you to go there too. Watch the speakers and panels here. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/conference/mlk50/ . I promise you will hear and learn things you never knew. Your experience will likely be like mine; powerful and inspiring, but also challenging and perhaps even painful. Matt & Lindsey Hiatt from our church also attended MLK50. I’m sure they would love to share thoughts about it with you as well.
I returned to Texas the end of last week in time to meet my newest grandson, Liam Hudson Pickering at the airport in Austin. Liam is the reason Michael & Noelle left the country for two weeks. An orphan no more, this beautiful 18 month old boy from China is now a part of our forever family.
Now you know why my heart is full.
Live & love bold,
Greg
