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History
The Texas Church Conference of the Blind was
established in 1951 by Rev. Edwin Wilson and
remained under his guidance until the 1980's,
previous to Rev. Wilson's promotion
to glory in 1991.
Out of Texas Church Conference of the Blind,
a
monthly Bible study was formed in Fort Worth
and
an annual retreat was created for individuals
who are blind and their sighted friends. Both the
Bible study
and the retreat have maintained their existence
ever since.
After the home going of Rev. Wilson,
Virginia Hale guided the study and aided in the
retreat program.
Rodger Dyer, from California, became
director of both programs in 1995.
The retreat has been in several locations
throughout Texas. This annual conference has
been
held at a university campus in Austin,
Baylor University in Waco; Camp
Hoblitzelle Retreat Center (owned by the
Salvation Army) in Midlothian; and since 2006,
we meet at Mount Lebanon Conference Center
(owned by the Dallas Baptist Association) in
Cedar Hill.
We have had such guest speakers as Rev.
Jack Kinley from Alabama; Rev. Ben
Watson from Georgia; Rev. Mike Smith
from W. Virginia; Evangelist Laurence
Williams from Oklahoma; Rev. John
McConnell from Washington and Bob Green from
Minnesota. Each of these leaders are pastors
or evangelists who are blind. Each of these
ministers has shared the love of Christ with us
all.
Former Speakers
Rodger Dyer, Director of BCOI and CEB
Rev. Jack Kinley, director of Vision Tape Ministries, which shares Christ-centered materials to Nigeria. 3
Rev. Mike Smith, Director for International Christian Braille Mission in
So. Charleston, W. Virginia
Rev. Ben Watson Director of African Ministries to the Blind,
a part of Heartland Ministries
Evangelist Laurence Williams, director of Handicapped for Christ and visiting preacher for the Nazarene Church.
Rev. John McConnell, Sunday school teacher in Seattle,
Washington and an employee of Alaska Airlines. Rev. McConnell
has also been an examiner with the IRS
Evangelist Bruce Roberts, training pastor at Dallas Baptist Theological Seminary.
Bob Green, Executive Director of Bartimaeus Library for the blind in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
Local Chapters
Dallas Chapter, run by Rhanda Hasley (our president)
Fort Worth Chapter, run by Steve Barker
Houston Chapter, run by Rehnee Aikens
Are you in an area where you and your friends
who have a
visual difficulty might be willing to start a local chapter?
Each chapter takes part in the annual
conference, shares how their
group's activities are progressing and how they are serving the Lord in their
local
church and communities.
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