Gary Cook and Charles Wade honored at 2025 Texas Baptists Legacy Awards

Gary Cook, higher education leader, and Charles R. Wade, a longtime pastor and leader in Texas Baptist life, were recipients of the 2025 Texas Baptists Legacy Award. The awards were presented during a worship service on June 1 at Independence Baptist Church.

Stephen Stookey, director of Theological Education & Institutional Engagement at Texas Baptists, preached from 1 Peter 5:1-5 on legacy leadership. He pointed out to attendees that legacy leadership “emerges from a stance of humility” and “life together within God's kingdom is marked by humble submission and sacrificial service.” 

“When we take on the stance of releasing power and together as a corporate body, serving, when we share the responsibility, when we empower one another to use the gifts that God has given us; when we walk in a stance of humility, we see great success,” said Stookey.

He said the reason universities, churches or organizations such as Texas Baptists lead so well is because of leaders and members who “embrace this idea that leadership in the kingdom of God is marked by a stance of humility,” but also know that living and leading well in the kingdom is “marked by a stance of humble submission.” 

Referencing 1 Peter 4:10, Stookey reminds attendees that each one of them “should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards.” He called them to consider: “who’s next?”  

“What group of believers, individually sitting in pews or serving in nurseries, or out and about, is willing to set aside self and live a life of humble service in the name of Christ to those closest to them, and in radiating circles out to demonstrate the love of Christ, to serve and share well, to leave a legacy?” said Stookey. “May we take up the mantle of ‘next’ and walk together as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ to live and to serve well.” 

“Cultivating future Christian leaders”

Cook was introduced by Mary Nelson, director, Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and professor of English and Leadership at DBU. Nelson shared that she has known Cook since she was 11 years old and her father, Paul Stripling, was called to be the executive director emeritus of the Waco Baptist Association, and “they became fast friends.” In 2004, Cook “graciously invited” Nelson to serve on the faculty at Dallas Baptist University (DBU), where she still serves today.

“He has quite simply blessed my life beyond measure, and I'm thrilled to see him honored today with the Legacy Award,” said Nelson.

Nelson then told the congregation about Cook’s legacy in higher education.

Cook became president of DBU at 37 years old in 1988. Prior to taking this position, he served in various churches as a minister of senior adults and as a pastor. He then went on to serve in administration at Baylor University, first as the director of denominational and community relations and later as a special assistant to the president. 

Nelson said Cook’s arrival to DBU in 1988 was “a daunting one.” 

“Each piece of news from the campus seemed to bring with it another dire warning: financial debt, faculty unrest, overdue bills, accreditation concerns, external threats, payroll shortfalls, decaying buildings,” said Nelson. 

She said in the early days of Cook’s presidency, he “frequently felt led to reflect on 2 Chronicles,” specifically focusing on 2 Chronicles 20:12, “... we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 

Cook went on to serve as president for 28 years, until 2016, and has served as chancellor for the past nine. Throughout the years of his presidency, the international student population at DBU increased from 12 in 1988 to 500 in 2015, from “over 60 countries.” As chancellor, Nelson said Cook has continued to invest in kingdom work by “cultivating future Christian leaders around the globe,” including mentoring the presidents of “over half of the current Baptist universities in Texas:” Cory Hines at Howard Payne University, Eric Bruntmyer at Hardin Simmons University, J. Blair Blackburn at East Texas Baptist University and Adam Wright at DBU. 

Nelson also took a moment to honor Cook’s late wife, Sheila, as “this Legacy Award certainly honors her sacrificial leadership as well.” 

Nelson closed by sharing remarks Wright shared in celebration of Cook’s 35th anniversary at DBU. 

“Dr. Wright said, ‘Your life inspires us and points us towards a deeper love of God. May we all safeguard this sacred trust with the help of the Lord, as you so ably have these past 35 years,’” said Nelson. “Dr. Cook, congratulations… You have indeed left a legacy within Texas and far beyond its borders, contributing to the Kingdom in innumerable ways.”

Accepting the award, Cook said he is grateful that “the Lord prepared me for the job as president of Dallas Baptist University when I was 37 [and] through all of those different experiences.” 

“I'm so grateful, and it's been a real privilege to be there at DBU for all these years,” said Cook. “I'm so proud of Dr. Wright and the great job he's doing as president. I'm glad I can still stay and serve. I just want to say I've been blessed and God has been so good to me.”

A legacy of “relational congruence”

Wade was introduced by his son, Mark Wade, deacon at First Baptist Church Arlington. He opened by thanking his father for how he has loved and served the Lord. 

“Thank you for the way you've loved and served Texas Baptists, and the churches that you've pastored, and as executive director. We're all better people for that,” said Mark Wade. 

He then told the story of his father’s legacy by sharing words Charles Wade’s loved ones used to describe him. Among those words were “spirit-led,” “trusted friend,” “courageous pastor,” “encourager,” “faithful,” “steadfast,” and many qualities were repeated across Charles’ different circles. 

Mark Wade said from those words, the congregation could see the “relational congruence” in his father’s life. 

“My dad is the same person, and it doesn't matter who he's around. Who we saw at home was who we saw in the pulpit,” said Mark Wade. “I would submit to us that the width of that gap [between who we are privately and publicly] is the measure of our character, and when you've got a really narrow gap, you’ve got high character.” 

He closed by sharing scriptural examples of how he’s seen “the Word of God has come to life in [Charles’] life.” He listed Mark 12:30, John 13:34 and 2 Chronicles 31:21. 

“We have seen you seek after God with your whole heart in everything, and we have watched you work wholeheartedly… so you have thrived and you have flourished. And we're here today because of, at least, those two things,” said Mark Wade. “I love you, proud of you. [I’m] so grateful, beyond words.”

Accepting the award, Charles Wade encouraged attendees to “get your arms around the people who live near you and draw them close to Jesus.” 

“Texas Baptists, let's keep trying to hug Texas up close to our Lord,” said Charles Wade. “Let's set one another free, to preach and to witness and to care and never quit.” 

Legacies of humble and sacrificial service 

Cook and Wade were chosen by a selection committee for their lifelong Christian service. Pavers commemorating Cook and Wade were laid in the courtyard of Independence Baptist Church.

The historic church, organized in 1839, is the oldest continuously active Baptist church in Texas. The church annually hosts the Legacy Awards and is home to the Texas Baptist Historical Museum.

Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection (TBHC), shared about the TBHC and invited the congregation to join or make a gift in support of the 1839 Society. Jerry Carlisle, president of the Texas Baptist Mission Foundation, invited the congregation to give to Legacy Day and participate in the Legacy Society. Dylan Price, pastor of Independence Baptist and curator of the museum, welcomed Cook, Wade and the other visitors to the church’s Sunday service.

To make a gift in support of Legacy Day, click here. To nominate recipients for the 2025 Texas Baptists Legacy Award, email Becky Brown at becky.brown[at]txb.org.