We started our “District Council Tour” with the North Texas District Council held at SAGU in Waxahachie, Texas. Immediately after the missions banquet we took off for Houston, Texas, where the new Texas Louisiana Hispanic District was being held in Clear Lake (next to NASA). We renewed acquaintances with pastors we had met at the greater New Orleans area Missions Convention and the World Missions Fly In held in Houston in March hosted by the District and coordinated by their District Superintendent J.R. Rodríguez.
When the council ended we drove through San Antonio to Uvalde and Crystal City for services and then to near the southern tip of Texas, Harlingen. We didn’t have time, of course, to visit South Padre Island – maybe some other time. The Texas Gulf Hispanic District Council was held in Harlingen, Texas, at the Abundant Life A/G pastored by Peter Piñón. Rev. Gary Jones, the last Superintendent of the Gulf Latin American District and Gregg Mundis, Director of AGWM, were the guest speakers at the first District Council of this brand new district. District Superintendent Dino Espinosa and Asst. Eddie de la Rosa went out of their way to make us welcome, even giving us a “window” in one of their business sessions and praying for us @ the missions service. We stayed till Sunday and preached at Abundant Life A/G where God richly blessed in both the Spanish and English services. Bro. & Sis. Piñon were excellent hosts. The congregation reflected the love and generous heart of their pastors.
After a wonderful lunch and fellowship with the pastors, we started our 645 mile drive to go to Lubbock, Texas, where the new West Texas & Plains District held their 1st District Council at the Holiday Inn conference center. On our trip there temperatures outside reached 109º F! Thank God for A/C. Superintendent “Zeke” Pecina and all the executives “knocked themselves out” helping us. I was honored to be the Missions Banquet speaker. We were greatly blessed by the teaching/speaking, the wonderful worship services, and the evening ministry of Rev. Daniel De Leon.
Tuesday morning I attended the funeral (held at 1st A/G church in Lubbock) of long-time friend Melvina Lakey, Tom Lakey’s wife, who passed away on Sunday. On Thursday morning Cyndie attended a pastor’s wives & women in ministry breakfast where the Holy Spirit blessed and the meeting extended through the business session.
We left for our 5th and last District Council traveling from Lubbock to Dallas for the new South Central Hispanic District’s first Council. Once again we were honored, given a table for display in a key location, and given a window at the Missions Banquet. The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God of Mexico was the evening speaker and brought a very powerful and anointed Word, exhorting us to lives of integrity, moral purity, and boldly standing for biblical truth in the face of popular heresies. Thank you Superintendent José Marines, Asst. Vincente Delgado, and Secty-Treas. Eddie Cantú for their terrific hosting and the success of their council. The Council ended on Saturday and Sunday morning we preached at New Life in DeSoto for Pastor Delgado on the final day of their Missions Convention and Faith Promise Sunday. Over 2,100 miles and 5 District Councils in 3 weeks. Each Council was uniquely blessed and memorable. We made many new friends and partners for our missions ministry.