(EDITOR'S NOTE: David R. Currie served as executive director of Texas Baptists Committed from 1987-2009.)
Heaven is welcoming too many great Baptist leaders who
inspired me thoughout my ministry. I
guess it comes with getting older. To be honest, I do
not care for it.
We lost James Dunn, who I met before I met Phil Strickland,
Foy Valentine, or Jimmy Allen, all great mentors to me. I met James when I was a freshman at Howard
Payne; he became my friend for life.
Recently, we lost
Diana Garland, a precious gift to all Baptists. Diana and her husband David may
be the most influential married couple in Baptist history, as they accomplished
so many tremendous things, especially at Baylor University.
I could write much of my appreciation and love for these two
saints, but many others have already done so, and they have spoken well on
behalf of all who loved James and Diana.
However, I do want to say a word about two other great,
beautiful, tremendous Baptists we lost within the past month – Rudy Camacho and
Millie Bishop. If Baptists had saints, they would be so honored.
Both served on the TBC Board for many years. I know of no
one who did not love them, admire them, and treasure their counsel and
guidance. Both of them gave me their unconditional love. They believed in me,
supported me, loved me like a son, and I was honored they felt that way about
me.
Every experience of seeing them brought a smile to my face
and warmth to my heart. They were that special.
Rudy was a prince of a man. He was kind, caring, yet unwavering
in his commitment to historical Baptist principles. He was very influential in
the close relationship between the BGCT and Convención, the Hispanic Baptist
Convention. No other state has anything like the relationship between Hispanic
Baptists and our state convention, and I’m sorry that Rudy won’t be here to see
another wonderful Hispanic leader, René Maciel, elected president of the BGCT
this fall.
As Rudy was a prince, so was Millie a princess, yet strong
in her convictions. My mother, Mary Jim, loved Millie and her work with the
WMU. WMU leaders such as Millie, Joy Fenner, Ophelia Humphrey, and Mauriece
Johnston were vital to the success of TBC. I loved working with all of them. They
traveled and spoke with me all across Texas, and I treasure those memories.
I’m
the type of person who moves on from things pretty well. I love the life I lead
now – ranching, building houses, and developing land, as well as church and nonprofit
activities; but when these saints pass away, I am reminded of what a blessed
life I have had to know and work with people like Rudy Camacho and Millie Bishop.
They were true Texas Baptist giants.