Who is My Neighbor?

Dr. Jimmy Pritchard

America has suffered over half a million COVID-related deaths – almost fifty thousand in the State of Texas alone. Dr. Jimmy Pritchard, past president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, represents one face behind the numbers. 

Attending his funeral, I reflected on Jimmy’s life and legacy, and God called to mind the parable of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10, Jesus offered this parable in response to two questions. The first, “Teacher – what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The second, “Who is my neighbor?” 

In 2011, a tornado severely damaged Jordan Missionary Baptist Church in Lancaster, Texas. Fortunately, the church was insured and received a settlement sufficient to rebuild. Unfortunately, an unethical contractor took their money, stripped them of their possessions, and borrowing from the imagery of the parable, “left them half-dead.” If time permits, listen to their story.

The Foundation’s ability to serve this church in need would not have been possible without Jimmy Pritchard. When I told Jimmy their story, he was moved with compassion. In the absence of compassion, there is indifference – an unwillingness to get involved, but true compassion always acts; it always meets a need for the benefit of others. 

Jimmy mobilized a group from FBC-Forney to devote their time, resources, and talents to address the needs of a church in crisis. Their willingness, availability, and action prompted by their pastor’s heart, represented the turning point. With a loan from the Foundation, this group’s generosity, and a Christian contractor who oversaw the completion of the project, God took a seemingly impossible situation and brought about a miraculous solution. The Foundation has approved over $85 million in church loans – not one of them is closer to my heart than the loan made to Jordan Missionary Baptist Church. 

Jimmy Pritchard has finished his race. He loved the Lord his God with all his heart, all his soul, all his strength, and he loved his neighbor as himself. 

May all of us who continue our race heed Jesus’ concluding words from this familiar parable, “Go and do the same.” 

Bart McDonald, SBTF Executive Director