The journey to the Office of President of Buckner International is a 36-year trek that started in April of 1974 at Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana of Corpus Christi, Texas (First Mexican Baptist Church). My pastor, the late Dr. Rudy Sanchez, received my response to what I understood to be the calling of God on my life for vocational ministry. I was a shy 15 year old with no aspiration for the limelight or center-stage. I was merely being obedient to what I understood the 'still small voice' of God saying to me at that time. Dr. Sanchez put me to work immediately to test out my calling. He assigned me the responsibility of leading the Children's worship time during Sunday morning worship services at Primera. The children of Primera became my first congregation and focus of ministry. By the time I was 18 years old, Dr. Sanchez led the church to license me to the Gospel Ministry and I was off to serve as a summer missionary of the Texas Baptist River Ministry in El Paso, Texas, the summer after high school graduation, to serve children and families along the U.S.-Mexico Border. And so, this is how the story begins. I have been preaching the Gospel and serving the Lord ever since.
Today, the Board of Trustees of Buckner International has elected me as the 6th President to serve Buckner in 131 years. To say that I am extremely humbled by this kind of affirmation and confidence is surely an understatement. I am overwhelmed by the grace and love of God and the great privilege the Buckner board has afforded me to serve in this role.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Ken Hall for his foresight, vision, legacy, and leadership at Buckner. I am only now beginning to really grasp his deep love for our ministry, especially for the children, orphans, and elders we serve. I have watched Dr. Hall, almost as if in slow motion, deliberately defy the natural tendency to hold on to influence and prestige by releasing the reigns of leadership and placing them into my hands. Bill Hybels describes this type of Kingdom movement in his book Descending into Greatness. Ken has an uncommon sense of vision and conviction that has served as a compass through this leadership transition. I am blessed with the privilege of working with and learning from him. Our prayer is that we bless others with our efforts at bridging the future for Buckner and those we serve.
Dr. Belinda Reyes, my wife and friend for 28 years, has been the wind behind my sails all these years. She was a brave 21 year-old Baylor student that accepted this preacher boy's proposal to marry her. She is the consummate partner and friend, and of course, a wonderful mother to our three boys: Joshua, David, and Thomas. My parents Agustin and Gloria Reyes taught me to love the Lord and serve him all the days of my life. My father-in-law, the late Rev. Baldemar Alvarado and his wife Elia, have been a wonderful set of second parents and grand-parents. They have believed in me from the very beginning. The Lord has blessed me with mentors and coaches along the way such as Charles Lee Williamson, Omar Pachecano, Thom Wolf, Faerie Pabich, Rudy Sanchez, Fortunato Gonzalez, Jonathan Hernandez, Daniel Sanchez, Lorenzo Peña, Tom Potter, Pastor Bill Thornton, Mayor Bill Thornton, James Adams, Charles Johnson, Erich Baumgartner, Shirley Freed, and Juan F. Martinez.
Number Six. What will my tenure mean for Buckner, and more importantly, for the children at risk, orphans, and elders we serve? Where will our aspirations lead us over the next five to fifteen years? Next week I will be writing about Buckner Aspirations. Stay tuned.
Today, the Board of Trustees of Buckner International has elected me as the 6th President to serve Buckner in 131 years. To say that I am extremely humbled by this kind of affirmation and confidence is surely an understatement. I am overwhelmed by the grace and love of God and the great privilege the Buckner board has afforded me to serve in this role.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Ken Hall for his foresight, vision, legacy, and leadership at Buckner. I am only now beginning to really grasp his deep love for our ministry, especially for the children, orphans, and elders we serve. I have watched Dr. Hall, almost as if in slow motion, deliberately defy the natural tendency to hold on to influence and prestige by releasing the reigns of leadership and placing them into my hands. Bill Hybels describes this type of Kingdom movement in his book Descending into Greatness. Ken has an uncommon sense of vision and conviction that has served as a compass through this leadership transition. I am blessed with the privilege of working with and learning from him. Our prayer is that we bless others with our efforts at bridging the future for Buckner and those we serve.
Dr. Belinda Reyes, my wife and friend for 28 years, has been the wind behind my sails all these years. She was a brave 21 year-old Baylor student that accepted this preacher boy's proposal to marry her. She is the consummate partner and friend, and of course, a wonderful mother to our three boys: Joshua, David, and Thomas. My parents Agustin and Gloria Reyes taught me to love the Lord and serve him all the days of my life. My father-in-law, the late Rev. Baldemar Alvarado and his wife Elia, have been a wonderful set of second parents and grand-parents. They have believed in me from the very beginning. The Lord has blessed me with mentors and coaches along the way such as Charles Lee Williamson, Omar Pachecano, Thom Wolf, Faerie Pabich, Rudy Sanchez, Fortunato Gonzalez, Jonathan Hernandez, Daniel Sanchez, Lorenzo Peña, Tom Potter, Pastor Bill Thornton, Mayor Bill Thornton, James Adams, Charles Johnson, Erich Baumgartner, Shirley Freed, and Juan F. Martinez.
Number Six. What will my tenure mean for Buckner, and more importantly, for the children at risk, orphans, and elders we serve? Where will our aspirations lead us over the next five to fifteen years? Next week I will be writing about Buckner Aspirations. Stay tuned.
Thanks bro. Potter. Please give my regard to Sister Jane.
Posted by: Albert Reyes | January 22, 2010 at 11:17 PM
We rejoice with you as God continues to use you in His work of ministry.
Posted by: Thomas Potter | January 22, 2010 at 07:42 PM