August 17, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, August 17.
Seven years ago, I didn't know very much about Center, Texas. I was serving at a church near Texarkana, when I received a phone call from a man named Carl Smith. He was chairman of a committee at First Baptist that was searching for a Minister of Worship. At the end of that call, I still had lots of questions about Center, but I had a very positive impression... of Carl Smith!
You've heard the saying, 'You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression.' I became a friend of Carl Smith on that day, and that first impression blossomed into blessing after blessing. Bro. Carl served First Baptist as a minister and pastor for over 20 years, and for the last 20 years he has been our beloved pastor emeritus.
In the last seven years, I've met many other people here, and most of them have had a "Bro. Carl" story. Many of these friends will gather today at 2pm at First Baptist to celebrate a life of service, a life of faithfulness, a life well lived.
Thank you, Pastor!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
