The Lake Granbury Ministerial Alliance

Begun about 1981, the Lake Granbury Ministerial Alliance has worked for the good of Hood County endeavoring to impact the local community with the truth of the Good News of Christ Jesus.

The Alliance was founded as a result of two identified essential needs in our community that developed as Granbury began to grow during the early 1980’s.

The first purpose that was identified by the founding members came as a response to a growing “needy” population.  Acting to provide a means to somehow minister to the needs of this community, the Alliance took the steps to set up an ongoing benevolent organization. That organization, People Helping People, although begun under the oversight of the local pastors through the Alliance’s efforts, grew until it became necessary for it to become an independent entity. PHP was set apart and established as its own agency about 1985.  At the same time that PHP was separated from the Alliance, the ministers felt that they should continue to assist with funding the organization.  Several of those in the Alliance suggested in 1984 that we begin an Easter Sunrise service, and a Thanksgiving Community service as a means of receiving offerings to support PHP efforts.  These special services have become an ongoing tradition in the history of Hood County since that time.

The second purpose that brought these men together was concern over the future of this county and a pending liquor referendum.  The ministers who led the spiritual life of this community at the time felt that Hood County did not need the introduction of liquor and its accompanying “ills” in this county. As I write this in 2000, it is somewhat saddening to admit that this particular issue has long since passed in our community, and its “ills” have come home to roost—from accidents (many fatal) to broken homes to multiple indecencies—and we can now see the wisdom of these men who committed themselves to come together to stave off some of the evils of a sinful lifestyle.

The founding members of the Alliance included:
Frankie Harris – Lake Granbury Christian Temple
Gene Hadley – First Baptist Church
Stuart Brassie – Our Savior Lutheran Church
Don Scott – Acton United Methodist Church
W. C. Taylor – First United Methodist Church
Jimmy Walker – First Christian Church
Glenn Ward – Acton Baptist Church

Between 1986-1989, another major project of the Alliance was undertaken. Bob Holloway, who had recently been assigned to Acton United Methodist Church, suggested to the other members that this community had another pressing need. The Hood Co. Hospital was in need of a chaplain’s program to minister to the needs of the patients—many did not have local pastors. The strongest proponents of that ongoing ministry, Frankie Harris and Bob Underwood, have been mainstays to keep the program staffed. Although begun with local ministers, since 1995 much of the work of the pastors has been delegated to volunteers for the Hospital.

By 1989, the Alliance had almost become a non-entity.  Although there were 4-6 pastors that regularly met, it was obvious that we lacked strong leadership.  In 1990, the quiet revolution began with the election of Glen Ward as President and a renewed commitment on the part of a number of the local pastors to become regular attendees. During the
ensuing years to the present, these pastors and their commitment have served to provide the Alliance with a solid base of support that has enabled us to move forward with some exciting new programs.

One day in 1990, in the latter part of the summer, several pastors were casually visiting when the conversation led to a discussion of the two community services sponsored by the Alliance—along with the Christian significance of each.  As the conversation centered around the upcoming Christmas season, it became obvious to all that although the Alliance focused on the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ with the Sunrise service—and celebrated the commemoration of Thanksgiving, we had taken no public stand for the birth of our Lord. After much further deliberation, it was determined that we would establish a new Christmas tradition. Since the community already had a large investment in the Candlelight Tour of historic homes, we settled, after consultation with some of the local merchants, in agreement that we would sponsor a nighttime lighted Christmas parade with the ongoing purpose of glorifying the Lord.  Although recognizing the importance of Santa Claus to many in their celebration of Christmas, it was determined that this parade would prohibit Santa Claus, or Mrs. Claus, or even elves depicted on floats or entries—reserving these for the final entry of the parade. That practice has historically been a part of community life.  The date for the parade was set for the Friday after Thanksgiving to hopefully assist local businessmen and women with a good kick-off to the Christmas season by bringing several hundred people to the square.  Since 1997, the Lake Granbury Historical Merchants Association has co-sponsored the event. The event has drawn as many as an estimated 7-9,000 spectators to the square.
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