Celebrating the incredible legacy of a lifelong dedication to community service, pastoral ministry, public speaking, discipleship, evangelism, church planting and mentorship, Mission Centers of Houston was honored to offer our first annual Life Excellence Award to Dr. John Bisagno last week.Dr. David Self, the current executive pastor of Houston’s thriving First Baptist Church and a former mentee of Dr. John Bisagno, gave a stirring message entitled “What Makes a Life of Excellence and How the Life of Dr. Bisagno Meets the Criteria.” Although he alluded to the fact that Bisagno had authored over 25 books, acted as the former president of the Southern Baptist Pastors Conference, faithfully served as the pastor of Houston’s First Baptist for many years and supported many local churches and ministries (including Mission Centers of Houston), Self also relayed a series of humorous anecdotes and personal testimonies that clearly portrayed the humanity of the man behind the titles. Bisagno’s own words of acceptance after he accepted the award from Mission Centers of Houston’s executive director, Ginger Smith, were characteristically down-to-earth and full of grace. “You never know what impact you could have on just one life,” Bisagno stated in affirmation of the daily kingdom work being enacted at each of our three Centers, “and what that person will then go on to accomplish for the Lord.” Following his award acceptance, each guest was encouraged to honor the incredible commitment to Christ-centered service modeled through Dr. Bisagno’s life by offering a donation to Mission Centers of Houston on Bisagno’s behalf.

Champion Forest Baptist Church’s own executive pastor, Dr. Stephen Trammell, acted as a lively emcee throughout the evening’s events and a father-daughter musical duo, Michael Kay and Beth Mitchell, provided live entertainment.

Mission Centers of Houston is grateful for each of the friends, family, church members, former volunteers and board members who came out to celebrate Dr. Bisagno’s amazing life of faith, service and leadership as well as his invaluable support of our ongoing inner city ministry during the Life Excellence Award Banquet. A huge thanks always goes out to the gracious underwriters who made the evening’s success possible, Harold and Rose Jacobson, and to Northgate Country Club for being an excellent host.

If you would like to offer a personal donation to Mission Centers of Houston in honor of Dr. John Bisagno, please do so here: https://missioncenters.org/give.html.