Forty years ago, the space shuttle Discovery had its first launch, Apple had introduced a new-fangled computer called the Macintosh, and the Rev. Donald A. Perkinson held the first official meeting of Blessed Hope Baptist Church.
Fast-forward 40 years and now private companies are blasting tourists into space and a cell phone that fits conveniently in a pocket is vastly more powerful than that clunky desktop computer. My, how some things change.
That initial gathering of 10 people in the living room of Perkinson’s cousin’s living room has blossomed into a vibrant congregation located on Dabney Road.
They celebrated Founder’s Day on Sunday at Blessed Hope, and in his message to the congregation and friends gathered, Perkinson said he continues to do all to the glory of God. “I give him all the glory and honor,” he said.
Those references to current events of 1984 were made by Clem Seifert, who also happens to be Perkinson’s son-in-law. Seifert spoke during the Sunday service and said some things in our lives are meant to change, but some things remain the same.
The people in the pews may change over the years, but “the Word of God never changes,” he said, adding that Perkinson and the people of Blessed Hope continue to do the work just as Paul instructed in his letter to Timothy.
Perkinson said he accompanied his father to a rest home to minister to its residents, and he believes it was then that he got that first nudge from God. Later, when he was teaching a Sunday School class for young married couples that he learned about expository preaching.
He moved his young family to Texas while he studied to be a preacher and came back home to Henderson in 1983, but he just couldn’t find the right church fit.
That’s when he felt he heard God say to him, “Why don’t you do what I’ve called you to do?” Perkinson recalled.
That was Feb. 5, 1984 – the day that would become Founder’s Day for Blessed Hope. That very morning, Perkinson held the first service in his cousin’s living room. Forty years later, some things have changed, but the message remains the same.
Listen to more of Perkinson’s and Seifert’s remarks at www.wizs.com and tune in to WIZS on Sundays at 5 p.m.
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