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With a rich heritage behind them, the Wicker family welcomes change …
As told by David Wicker III
“I was rocked in the cradle by Miss Bertha Mills back in 1930,” David Wicker said, recounting his early days at First Baptist Dallas. “Baptized by Dr. Truett in 1942.”
It was long before David came, however, that First Baptist Dallas knew the Wicker name. Both grandfathers, S.P. Rice and D.E. Wicker Sr., were actively involved.
“I remember going to the Baraca class’ Oyster suppers with my grandfathers and father,” David recounted, smiling. “The judges would figure out how many gallons we brought down there and divide it by how many people were there and say ‘Wow, y’all each ate 55 oysters today!’ It was good fun.”
That’s one thing about the church that hasn’t changed in the 90-plus years his family has been here, according to David – the sweet fellowship. And another thing David knows won’t change – the Gospel message on which this church stands firm.
“We will always be a church that believes in and preaches the Bible,” David said. “Our methods may change, but the message remains the same.”
One major change for the church that David refers to as a “must” is the construction of the new campus – a somewhat surprising conviction since one of the areas set to be demolished holds his family name – Wicker Gym.
“It doesn’t make any difference to us – it’s just the name up there,” David said. “We’ve got such an exciting opportunity with this new church campus to reach people that I wouldn’t let the Wicker name stand in the way of progress. If anyone says they’re unsure, I just tell them ‘change is good!’”
“People are attracted to new things,” David said. “It’s like when you were young and got a new toy at Christmas. You were excited about it and you told people about it – that’s how this church is going to be. People are going to be excited and we’re going to tell people, ‘come downtown to First Baptist Dallas and see what the Lord is doing!’”
David thinks back on the sacrifices his father and grandfathers made to get the church where it is today, and hopes to model that same kind of sacrifice for his children and grandchildren.
“They showed us the way and we want to show our children and grandchildren the way,” David said, exuding excitement about the future, proving that, to him, the blessing will far outweigh the sacrifice. “The first day in that new worship center, we’ll probably raise the roof!”
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