... there I was, against the whole church, against a church profoundly moved. There was not a dry eye in the house -- one of the supremely solemn hours in a church's life. I was thrown into the stream, and just had to swim. (Fant and Pinson, 1971:49).

After preaching occasionally in several local pulpits his obvious natural public speaking gifts attracted the attention of the dean of Baylor University in nearby Waco, Dr. B. H. Carroll. Truett entered their theological program while serving as the pastor of the East Waco Baptist Church. In four years that church membership doubled and a new building arose.

Invitations to fill other permanent pulpits came from all directions and were regularly refused. But First Baptist of Dallas persisted in approaching him about their vacant pastorate and then extended an official call despite his protests and refusals. At thirty years of age he finally reconsidered the $12,000 debt under which the 715 member church was laboring with no missions or benevolent budget and no provision for the debt retirement. Moved by the burden it imposed on their growth he finally agreed to serve them. But he made the condition that he could take special offerings for the need and balance these with an increased emphasis on missions and benevolence ministries to match.

The debt reduced quickly, the missionary outreach of the congregation gained new life, many found new Christian faith under his teaching, and the membership grew apace. During his 47 years of ministry at Dallas 7000 new members were brought in -- 5,050 by baptism, an average of 112 a year. They erected a new church campus, and Truett led them to give millions to missions. Early in his time with them came the bullet that broke his heart.

An Expanded Ministry

A ministry this effective could not long be restricted just to Dallas. In 1927 he served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and in 1934 President of the Baptist world Alliance then meeting in Berlin. He ministered to missionaries on the field in South America, and elsewhere. The First Baptist Church of Dallas generously released him for such external service from time to time and he continued to serve as their pastor until his death in 1944.

When he finally passed away, after 47 years in the Dallas pastorate, his funeral was the most widely-attended in the city's history. Flags all over town slipped to half-mast and the County ordering all government offices closed at three p. m. that so employees could attend the services. Most of the city businesses also closed at that same time in tribute to him.

Contemporary Applications

At least five significant values arise for us today when we consider Truett's life and ministry. These include:

1. The Power of Tenderness: His experience of personal suffering generated a deeper love for the Savior and a pastoral tenderness for the souls of men and women struggling against life's troubles. He answered pastoral calls in the late hours of the evening. At his invitation, his members poured into his study every afternoon for counsel.