Stronger together at the Culp Banquet

On Monday evening, Texas Baptists African American Ministries presented the 25th Anniversary Culp Banquet, honoring the legacy of Dr. James W. Culp, Sr., who went to be with the Lord on July 22. Dr. Roy J. Cotton Sr., director of Texas Baptists African American Ministries, opened the program saying, “Dr. Culp began this ministry from nothing. Many in this room know what the struggle was, but here we are today, many years later, celebrating 25 years!”

Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Houston, presented a powerful message on Acts 3, livening the room with praises and shouts to God.

“Every one of us in the room should pay close attention to Paul and John when it comes to the people we serve,” Cosby said. “They know how to maintain an energy and effervescence when times get tough.”

He continued, “You and I need to make up in our minds today that we’re going to make prayer a priority, minister to people on the periphery and maximize our power to produce possibilities.”

Afterward, both Michelle and John Culp, daughter and son of Dr. Culp, spoke on behalf of their family, many of whom were in attendance. Both expressed a deep gratitude to their friends and family after the loss of their father.

Michelle spoke on unity, saying, “If we’re going to be unified, I submit we need to do three things: pray, love and build. Relationships are the framework of the Church, and we are stronger together building relationships.”

John followed, speaking specifically about his father. “My dad told me that sometimes you have to weep,” he said. “And though we want to look at that as a sign of weakness, it isn’t, because even Jesus wept.”

As the banquet ended, the crowd didn’t hesitate to weep alongside the family.