My good friend Dr. David Crosby is celebrating 20 years as pastor of the First Baptist Church of New Orleans. Today, June 5, the church devoted the morning service to this, followed by a luncheon and a program consisting of a “roast,” with 6 speakers, of whom I was one.
What follows is my roast, with an explanation or two in italics along the way, followed by my “toast.”
Roasting….
“I’m honored today to stand before you to say a few words about a great American, a man beloved in New Orleans and elsewhere. A man of great popularity who is held in high esteem. He is a success any way you cut it. A man of movie star looks, with a beautiful wife.
“But–enough about Donald Trump. Let’s talk about David Crosby.
“David, you and I were both born on March 28. Thirteen years apart. No one looking at you today would ever believe you are that many years older than me. Janet is clearly taking good care of you.”
“In June of 1996, when you first arrived in New Orleans, I was pastoring the First Baptist Church of Kenner, and had just had surgery. Since the doctor ordered me to rest up for three weeks, I was able to hear your first three sermons–the first two on live TV and the third in person. I will never forget the subjects of your sermons.”