H.R. No. 714
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, David Nugent is retiring as senior pastor of
Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jasper on April 25, 2021, drawing to a
close nearly a half century of distinguished service in the
ministry; and
WHEREAS, Since assuming the pulpit of Hillcrest Baptist
Church in 1996, Pastor Nugent has demonstrated visionary leadership
in overseeing expansion projects, including the congregation's
relocation to a new campus in 1999 and the construction of its
7,200-square-foot Family Life Center and a recreational field in
2002; furthermore, in 2010, the church acquired an adjoining piece
of property, which is now known as Hillcrest-East, and it has
purchased two trailers for use in disaster relief efforts; and
WHEREAS, Hillcrest has seen a dramatic rise in membership and
Sunday school attendance under the direction of Pastor Nugent,
along with the growth of its ministerial and support staff, its
education and youth programs, and its bivocational music ministry;
during his tenure, Hillcrest has also led the Sabine Valley Baptist
Association in baptisms; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Nugent was licensed in the ministry in 1973,
and he was ordained on September 16, 1979, at Central Baptist Church
in Monroe, Louisiana, where he was associate pastor from 1977 to
1981; he went on to serve as pastor at First Baptist Church in Lone
Pine, Louisiana, New Zion Baptist Church in Oak Grove, Louisiana,
and First Baptist Church in Spurger, Texas, before moving to
Jasper; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Pastor Nugent has held leadership
roles with the Sabine Valley Baptist, New Bethel Baptist, Bayou
Macon-Madison Baptist, and Louisiana Baptist Associations; he
earned a speech education degree from Louisiana College and a
master's degree in theology from the Freelandia Institute; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his exemplary career, Pastor
David Nugent has tirelessly dedicated himself to the spiritual
well-being of his congregants, and he has earned the lasting
respect and admiration of all who know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate David Nugent on his retirement as
senior pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church and extend to him sincere
best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Pastor Nugent as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
White
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 714 was adopted by the House on April
23, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House