Texas City Sun Article 1

TC spiritual leader moves on

TEXAS CITY: Rev. Wes Morgan leaving First Christian Church after 16 years of service to take Conroe job

By Reagan O’Hare
Texas City Sun

After 16 years serving as the pastor of First Christian Church, Rev. Wes Morgan will be leaving to accept the position as pastor at First Christian Church in Conroe.

Members of the congregation celebrate with him, yet say they’re sad to see him go.

Sandra Andoe, church member of 47 years, praised Morgan’s warm heart and compassion for people. "He really reached out to the congregation folks, visiting the sick, the grieving."

Even at first impression, Morgan had, shared an eagerness for a new challenge, said Andoe, a church elder and assistant director of the Children’s Corner. Coming from Maiyland, she said, "He was anxious to be a new Texan."

Rev. Wes Morgan dresses up as a Biblical character to bring life to his ministry. Morgan is leaving the church, after more than 16 years, and moving to Conroe.

She said Morgan has been a family friend. He Baptized her grandchildren and supported them through a tragic time.

Spiritually, Morgan has encouraged her to see the life of Christ in a whole new way.

"He’s always seeking new ways to present the message of Christ," she said. "He takes the Scripture and puts it in a way we (the congregation) can understand it."

Morgan has also become known for his creative way of ministry, such as dressing up like Biblical characters to make the Bible come to life, noted Charles Doyle, former Texas City mayor.

Doyle called Morgan "one-of-a kind."

"He’s very creative in how he gets across the story of Christ’s life. He’s kind of an actor himself. When they do their holiday programs. He is always very dramatic in the things he does."

Perhaps the most dramatic moment for church members was the church’s first impression of him.

Willie-Dee Criss, a member since 1945, remembers when Morgan first arrived from Maryland. Off from the plane came "a little man in plaid pants."

Since that day, the congregation has taken jabs at his fashion flare for plaid, but as Criss said, members see Morgan as a man of God. "He just accepts any challenge."

As of late August, Rev. Morgan will be accepting the challenge as senior pastor of First Christian church of Conroe.

Jenny Scoggins, a member of the church pastoral search committee, said Morgan was responding to a call to move on and simply following open doors.

"Our church will miss him and the community will miss him as well," Scoggins said. "He’s been so active in the community. Everyone I’ve talked with has just been saddened and shocked, but happy for him."

Within the community, Morgan has been involved in Habitat for Humanity, the Ministerial Alliance and other ministries.

Doyle said he was always reaching out and encouraging others to become involved. "Just like a doctor among members of the medical profession, he certainly was professional about it but he was also was sort of a cheerleader for the community."

Doyle said Morgan has dramatically affected the community. "He was always supportive of the different issues when we tried to improve the city. Some ministers just don’t get involved when it comes to things like that.

"He was very involved in not only taking care of his flock but also the community."

Wife of a former First Christian pastor and church member of 22 years, Doris Mills, said she was sad see Morgan go.

"Its a great loss to us but he really did feel a strong call to go there and its hard to argue with that. I think we’ve been blessed to have him."

The church plans to celebrate Rev. Morgan’s 16 years of service on Aug. 12. Scoggins hopes this will be a community event — a moment of expression of gratitude.

"The church and the community, everybody knows his energy and his gift for caring about people," she said. "Conroe will be blessed."