Mission Resource Network honored the Golf Course Road Church of Christ last Friday with what they call the Antioch Award for Congregational Excellence in World Missions. The award recognizes the millions of dollars GCR has budgeted and spent on missions through the years, the money our church members give directly to missionaries and missions efforts outside the church budget, and our congregation’s overall commitment to missions, a culture of global awareness and compassion shaped by decades of Gospel-centered discipleship.

I was privileged to accept the award on behalf of our church at the MRN dinner in Dallas Friday, along with Dale and Rita Brown and Eric and April West. The award itself is a giant clock. So, of course, my opening line was something like, “Our elders at GCR have been on me for almost four years to put a big clock in our sanctuary. Thanks, Dan.”

I also just had an absolute blast hanging out with so many people I know and love. All my worlds were colliding as I ran into some of the finest people from the Legacy Church in N. Richland Hills and the Central Church in Amarillo. I can’t tell you how delighted I was to catch up with Mark and Leslie Speck and Matt and Sara Richardson, some of our first and best friends from Central. Plus, just so many wonderful followers of Jesus from so many churches and para-church organizations I’ve had the joy of knowing over the years. The banquet ended before 9pm, but I was still in the ballroom talking and laughing with old friends until after 10p.

Thank you to my good friend, Dan Bouchelle, the president of MRN and my predecessor at Central, for a truly great night. I thank the Lord for the privilege of being the preacher at a great church like Golf Course Road. And I praise him for reminding me of how many good people he’s put directly in my path over the years to love me, teach me, and encourage me in following our Lord Jesus.

Peace,

Allan