FIRST BAPTIST DALLAS WIDOWS FELLOWSHIP Thou wilt show me the path of life. In Thy presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11 WINTER 2018 CHILD of the CHURCH By Ruth Quinn DR. JIM WICKER has been referred to fondly by Dr. W.A. Criswell as a child of the church. This expression was a term of endearment reserved for children or adults who grew up at FBCD, having been carefully taught by parents and the church to love and honor God s Word. As in Jim s case this was often a generational label passed on for the years to come. Jim praises his parents, David and Carolyn Wicker, for having a strong positive influence on his life and ministry. They continue to model what an active layperson in the church should do. He saw the importance of family, joy of tithing and priority of evangelism and missions, expressing gratitude to his Dad who passed along his wonderful sense of humor. Jim comes from a long line of Baylor graduates and that tradition has continued with his three children. He received a Masters of Divinity and PhD in New Testament from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Serving as a pastor for many years, he now teaches Sunday School and Wednesday evening Bible Study at FBC, serves as interim pastor when needed, leads annual trips to the Holy Land and Europe and has written many articles and books about his travels. Dr. Wicker is presently the Director of Web-Based Education and Professor of New Testament at SWBTS bringing to these classes his passion for creative communication. When asked about his call to the ministry at age eleven, he related his experience at Mt. Lebanon Junior Camp under the direction of Millie Kohn. He admitted his hesitation to answer the call fearing he might encounter a 20 ft. snake like the one in the missionary display or might end up in a cannibal s stew pot. Yet, he soon realized that wherever God sent him He would protect and bless the ministry. Two of the Christian entertainers who shared their talents with the youth at junior camp were Bunny Martin with his world-class yo-yo routines and Gospel illusions and James Jeffrey with his funny juggling, unicycling and Christian testimony. This interest in comedy and entertaining was heightened during a long recovery period from serious injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident his senior year in high school. This clearly showed how God can bring good out of bad circumstances. Jim and his friend, Jim Rumsfeld, wrote a comedy act which won four major talent shows, including State Fair of Texas and Key Club International. They performed at the dedication of FBC Ralph Baker Hall and worked one summer at Six Flags Over Georgia, speaking, singing, dancing (oops-he meant choreographing) and learning to read an audience. Some of these talents have been incorporated into his seminary teaching and youth presentations. He said that if the Lord had not called him into the ministry, he might have sought a career in entertainment. Isn t it wonderful that the Lord actually called him to both! Jim s serious commitment to be a positive role model made him anxious to credit several people who influenced his life in powerful ways. Dr. W.A. Criswell gave him a love of studying God s Word, expository-style preaching and the determination to earn a PhD in New Testament. Dr. Alton Reed, his Papaw, passed along a pastor s heart, sharing tips and examples in the early years of preparation and ministry. Working under Gil Stricklin at Super Summer of Evangelism, as well as Marketplace Ministry, will forever influence Jim s ministry. However, at the top of his list and the person of whom he is most proud is his wife, Dana. She earned her PhD in psychology and taught Christian counseling at SWBTS. She now teaches and leads a degree program at Dallas Baptist University, and together they serve as decision counselors and greeters. I quote Jim as saying, She has been a wonderful pastor s wife for all of our years together. We are a pairo-docs with three grown children all Baylor graduates and beginning their careers. The Wicker family has earned the title Children of the Church continuing their legacy as a valuable part of the service and leadership that makes this church strong.
THOUGHTS FROM JIM There are a number of activities that we are planning for 2018. I want to begin the year by giving you a brief overview of what you can look forward to, tell friends about, and pray about with us regarding these events. A trip is being planned to tour The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. We are also planning a trip to The Ark Encounter in Kentucky and the Creation Museum in Ohio. There will be other outings throughout the year, but these are the major adventures. Then right here at home we must not forget all of the festivities surrounding the 150th Anniversary of First Baptist Dallas on July 29th. I am looking forward to a great year with you! Blessings, Jim Real Friend Test A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest. A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps herself. A simple friend has never seen you cry. A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears. A simple friend doesn t know your children s first names. A real friend has their phone numbers in her address book. A simple friend brings a cake to your party. A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean. A simple friend hates it when you call after she has gone to bed. A real friend asks you why you took so long to call. A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems. A real friend seeks to help you with your problems. A simple friend wonders about your romantic history. A real friend could blackmail you with it. A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument. A real friend calls you after you had a fight. A simple friend expects you to always be there for them. A real friend expects to always be there for you!
JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE WORLD AND BACK A story by Rose-Mary Rumbley Ah! It s February! Love is in the air! And what better love story to tell than that of Robert and Amy Jeffress. Our pastor and his darling wife met when they were twelve years old in a math class. Naturally Amy needed help in math and to whom else would she turn, but to the smartest guy in the class, Robert Jeffress. Smart move on Amy s part! After graduation from high school, Robert and Amy chose different universities. Robert went to Baylor and Amy went to the University of Texas. But love conquered all, and they were married soon after graduation. Amy may have depended on Robert for some help in math, but Robert confesses he has always depended on the good judgement of Amy, when it came to choices in living. Recently Robert mentioned his pastorate in Eastland, Texas. It was Amy who encouraged him to accept the invitation to the First Baptist Church there in a town Robert considered The end of the world. Well, it all worked out for the Jeffress family as God had planned. I personally like Eastland. My college roommate, Pat Rushing, was from Eastland. She did well in marrying golfer Don January, who often went to Eastland to play his game. He loved the links there. Then, there is Old Rip, the horned toad that was accidentally sealed in the Eastland County Court House corner stone. He was sealed up in 1898 and when the corner stone was removed and opened in 1928, the people of Eastland were shocked to discover that the toad was still alive. He was immediately named Old Rip and he traveled the country, even meeting President Calvin Coolidge, before he was returned to Eastland where he died. Today he lies in a miniature coffin that is prominently displayed on the country courthouse steps. What other town can claim an embalmed horned toad! From Eastland, Robert was called to First Baptist, Wichita Falls, a metropolis. Amy approved. It was here that Robert became a part of the national arena fighting evil. A librarian told Robert of two books that were available for children dealing with same sex marriage--daddy S ROOMMATE and I HAVE TWO MOMMY S. Robert simply checked out the books and never returned them. That action brought attention to the National Networks and to Rush Limbaugh. Robert has been standing for the Bible and its teaching ever since. After Wichita Falls, Robert and Amy were called home to First Baptist Church and it s here they serve the Lord together. But I have a story about Wichita Falls I never thought I d ever tell. But I feel that it s appropriate that I tell it now. Robert thought that Eastland was the end of the world. Well, someone didn t think too much of Wichita Falls. Here s my story. After World War II was over, American families went on vacations. We had gasoline, tires and new cars and Dinah Shore singing, SEE THE USA IN YOUR CHEVROLET. My family chose to go to Yellowstone Park. I sat in the front seat with my father acting as the navigator. Mother was
JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE WORLD AND BACK (continuted) in the back seat-- backseat driving. We started off one beautiful morning from the southern part of the great state of Wyoming. Now, remember, not a lot of people live in Wyoming. Daddy mentioned that we needed gasoline. Let me know when we come to the next town. I ll fill up there. We rushed by a gas station. I told my father that I thought that the gas station was the town, Sinclair, Wyoming. My father was certain when he said, A gas station cannot be a town. I assured him that it was. We stopped and we had to wake up the man who was running the station. Banging on the door got his attention. He came out, obviously mad that he had been awakened. He did begin to fill up our tank looking at our license plates.. Oh, you re from Texas. We readily cheered, Yes, we are. Well, I was stationed in Texas during the war. I was stationed at Wichita Falls. It was all right. But there was nothing to do there. My mother exclaimed. Well, what do you do here? He glared at mother and we climbed in the car and rushed off. Wichita Falls was great for Robert. He had much to do there. This is where he began his fight for America! Photos from our last luncheon
Notes from Carol Dear Sweet Friends, Just this time: the February 17 luncheon will begin at 12:00 noon. Valet parking be available at 11:15am. Prayer is an amazing tool through prayer, we are closer to God. Prayer provides guidance to God s Will and an assurance of His comfort and instruction. Through prayer, we increase our compassion and understanding of others. I encourage you to pray for our Deacons and specifically for the Deacon who has been named for your care. Deacons have special responsibility and standards as outlined in scripture. One of the responsibilities is to Honor Widows. As part of the Widows Ministry mandate, our team strives to facilitate a process that connects a need with a provider. Your part in the process is to get to know your Deacon well enough that you are comfortable reaching out in time of need. We don t know when or if that moment will happen. Our hope and prayer is that God is able to use the gift of the Deacons in a mighty way. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday February 17 remember, we will begin at noon (rather than the usual 11:30). There is a fund raising race on the morning of February 17 and part of the route is on San Jacinto, so be mindful that we are sharing the street between the Ross Garage and the Criswell Center. Carol Ann Draper is our presenter on February 17. What a Blessing to welcome Carol Ann to our luncheon. We have a couple of surprises in store, so make your reservations. In His Will, Carol Cashman Widows LUNCHEON CAROL ANN DRAPER Today, Life is a Choice Saturday, February 17 12pm CenterStage For reservations or transportation requests, call 214.969.2466 by Monday, February 12. VALET PARKING AVAILABLE.