You Matter
Kenn L. Dixon
“It is time for some gumbo!” If you understand this statement, then you know it is a spicy dish comprised of assorted meats (in my case, vegetarian), veggies and creole seasoning served over rice.
I grew up in New Orleans, so gumbo with cornbread was one of my favorite dishes to enjoy on a cold evening. Served with an ice-cold Barq’s root beer and enough Louisiana Tabasco sauce to make my head sweat, gumbo always reminds me that a great dish needs different ingredients to become a mouthwatering masterpiece.
Since 1802, Louisiana’s gumbo has been made with multiple unique ingredients to produce a taste that I can only call “delicious.” I can’t imagine eating gumbo without onions, bell peppers, celery and, of course, roux or filé; this is the flavor of the dish.
Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is a place that reflects/adds to the many richly diverse cultures in the Lone Star State. When we work together to share the gospel to diverse communities, there is a need for unity in mission and love for one another.
You matter to the success of the Texas Conference in accomplishing its mission in the southwestern part of the United States. Everyone is needed, and everyone is valued.
Just as gumbo needs multiple ingredients to create something tasty, we need each other to make our churches palatable to those seeking Christ. In John 13:35, the apostle John, exiled on a barren island, said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The world is looking for something to enjoy that is truly satisfying; we are on our way to being tasty gumbo.
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Kenn L. Dixon is the vice president for Communication & Public Relations at the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Alvarado, Texas.
This article first appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists THE FLAME magazine. Find the entire issue online at issuu.com/texasadventist.
*If you are looking for a great recipe for vegetarian gumbo, watch https://youtu.be/hMCym_VLkt4 and enjoy.
Photo: Spark