Congratulations ot one of our own, Pastor Jason Burden of First Baptist Church in Nederland, Texas! He was named the community's citizen of year by Nederland Chamber of Commerce for his role in delivering help, hope and healing after Hurricane Harvey and more recently after Tropical Storm Imelda.
“After Harvey, (Burden) opened up his facilities and housed all the people that came through,” Diana LaBorde, president of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, said. “He let people stay at the church for months and months. He was physically doing work and when Imelda came, he did the same thing.
“He has also been a great partner to the chamber. We call on him often to be a volunteer. He is a great person and he stood out in our cache of people who all deserved the award. These people are about the community, and for the community.”
Under Burden's leadership, FIrst Baptist Church has been a key partner in TBM serving throughout Southeast Texas. The church campus has housed TBM volunteers and served as a base of deployment in the region. He often sweat alongside TBM volunteers from across the state cleaning out flooded homes.
He and his congregation also provide another important aspect to TBM ministry: A continued presence. The pastor and church members follow up on spiritual decisions that are made while TBM teams serve. They are a continued source of help and support after the immediate relief efforts.
Pastor Burden, you truly deserve this award. It's an honor to serve alongside you.