HomeMy WebLinkAboutThirtyYearsHistory023$10,931, and missions $1,890. The denomination was building chapels
at nearly all of the army camps. The new church auditorium served well
in meeting the needs of the service men. All branches of the servicewere
located in the community and since the church building was new and
attractive, the men came to the services in large numbers. These young
mon seemed anxious to have a part in the services. A quartet composed
of men from every branch of the service served the church for several
months. It was revealed that they represented different denominations
and were soloists in their home churches before joining the military
service.
It soon developed that many of the men wanted to get married
before leaving for active duty. Nearly all of them wanted to be married
in the church. Therefore, Mrs. Brown soon found that they wanted her
to have the church decorated, play the organ and provide the refresh-
ments for the reception. There were so many, she made arrangements
with one of the local Florists to decorate the church on short notice for
a stated price. The pastor had as many as five marriage licenses on his
desk over a weekend. Mrs. Brown soon found that something should be
done to meet the social needs of the men. She, together with a few of
the local women, provided refreshments for a social at the church every
Saturday evening. They served as many as 150 on these evenings. They
also served a light supper to all who would come just before the BYPU
program. This met a need of the men and helped the church atten-
dance. The church could never have mel these needs without the new
auditorium.
The large number of service men offered an opportunity and a
challenge. The pastor never had a greater opportunity for personal
conferences which is a large part of the work of every pastor. Soon
after the beginning of World War II the pastor had an unusual
experience. The doorbell rang about two o'clock in the morning. When
the pastor opened the door, a young man entered and introduced
himself, stating that he had graduated from A & M and that while at A
& M he was a member of another church, but knowing something of
the Baptist pastor, he felt that he could get the desired help from him.
He stated that his college roommate, a pilot, had crashed and burned
up, that he had resigned his good position and his wife and child were
on their way to her mother's, that he came to A & M to gel clearance as
a pilot so he could take his buddy's place in the service, but he could
not go until he found the Lord. He said that he once could talk to I her
and he believed that he heard him but he had lost touch with Him.
After reading the Bible, talking and praying together for about two
hours, he stated that it was alright now and stepped out into the
darkness to face a new future.
The pastor faced his greatest challenge during the time the service
men were on the campus. The large church auditorium was filled at
every service with many men that would be leaving for military duty
the next week. This was the only opportunity the pastor would have to
present the Lord to them and urge the men to take Him with them as
they entered active duly. Many trusted the Lord at nearly every service.
The pastor continued to help in the denominational program. Many
campaigns were launched to try to enlist the churches and raise money.
The year 1945 was interesting in many respects. Of course, the State
BSU had wanted to have its annual convention on the college campus
but ordinarily this was impossible since more than 1,000 would attend
the meeting. However, the opportunity came in the fall of 1945. The
college was completing four large dormitories just about two blocks
from the church but could not get them ready for the fall semester. The
pastor secured the use of these buildings to house the students who
came to this convention. This made possible one of the very best BSU
conventions since all of the students ate together and attended the
services together. More than 1,000 attended a banquet in Duncan
Dining Hall and 1100, by actual count, attended the Sunday morning
worship service. All present agreed that this convention was different
and the best in BSU history.
The following program will give some idea of the highlights of the
occasion:
Program Features
Building the convention around the keynote,
"Christ, My imperative," the program committee has
provided a variety of features, all of which will can -
tribute to the prevailing theme. There will be ....
Inspirational Messages
Student -led Singing
Double -period Forums
Dramatizations of B S U
Techniques
A Campfire Service
A Morning Watch
A Regular Sunday School
Hour
A Formal Banquet - U. ...
Free Time for Relaxation narph Lady
A full list of speakers and forum leaders may be
found in the columns of the pre -convention issues of
the Baptist Standard and in bulletins sent to your
acme fru. the State BSU office. Keep posted on
the convention features! Keep talking abou4 it on
your campus! Keep praying for the greatest Texas
Baptist Student Convention in history!
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