I am in Houston, Texas. I arrived yesterday to speak for the African American Leadership Workshop, sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Dr. Charlie Singleton is the coordinator.

There are classes on various aspects of local church ministry, like children and youth ministry, Sunday school, prayer, worship and arts, women’s ministry, and technology ministry.

Last night, I attended the workshop for pastors and preachers, led by Dr. Cleophus LaRue. He was excellent. I arrived late. But as soon as I sat down, I was engrossed with the lecture. It took me twenty minutes to identify that their were handouts. I was too busy catching the pearls of wisdom he kept dropping along the way.

Unfortunately, I had to preach after Dr. LaRue’s lecture. I felt like I needed to work on my sermon another month, after his challenge to excellence in preaching. But the Lord helped me to preach.

The conference is being held on the campus of Houston Baptist University. It’s my first time visiting the campus, even though I have been to Houston quite a few times.

I am scheduled to speak at the closing session, around noon. A couple of hours later, I will be headed back to Jacksonville.

Tomorrow’s sermon: “Good Seed on Rocky Ground” (Matt. 12:5-6, 20-21)

Thanks for your prayers.