BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION OF TEXAS 136TH ANNUAL
VOLUME 136, NO. 2 I GALVESTON I NOVEMBER 16, 2021
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF MINISTRY WITH DAVID HARDAGE By Bonnie Siess, News Manager
In a surprise ceremony at the end of the Monday evening worship session, Executive Director David Hardage was honored for 10 years of service with Texas Baptists. Executive Board Chairman Clint Davis presented Hardage with a crystal plaque in the shape of Texas. A video featuring past Texas Baptists executive directors and officers, current staff, and pastors and institutional presidents from around the state was shown to recognize Hardage’s contributions to the Convention.
“There’s a sweet spirit of unity and peace in the Convention right now,” Craig Christina, associate executive director of Texas Baptists, said. “Brothers and sisters, that doesn’t happen by accident. That happens because of the sagacious leadership of Dr. David Hardage, who is a true peacemaker. He has a big tent vision of leading the movement of God’s people that is Texas Baptists, and we would not be where we are today without his leadership.”
Convention President Jason Burden shared that within a few days of becoming executive director of Texas Baptists, Hardage made a 340 mile trip to Beaumont to meet with local pastors. “He didn’t go down to our area because he had to; he went because he wanted to,” Burden said. “That’s been not just my experience of David Hardage showing up in your field of mission, my field of mission. He goes because he desires to help Texas Baptists wherever they are. “Earlier tonight Dr. Hardage issued a lot of thank yous to all of us, but after 10 years of faithful, of fruitful ministry, of sacrificial giving and of servant leadership, we need our opportunity to tell David and Kathleen Hardage ‘thank you’ from all of our hearts.” Hardage’s children, John and Rebekah, surprised him by coming onstage during the recognition. Following the worship session, a dessert reception was held in Hardage’s honor. 1