‘Here’s what I can bring’: Lubbock church ordains special friend as deacon

Bacon Heights Baptist Church member Victor Reta, who lives with “very severe” aphasia, a language disability that affects one’s ability to speak and understand what others say, serves in several capacities on Sunday mornings despite his disability.

“He loves [Bacon Heights],” said his mother, Rosie Rodriguez. “He's always around. I don't think there's one person in the whole church that doesn't know his name.”

In 2017, Bacon Heights’ previous pastor approached Rodriguez with a desire to honor her son, who is “always helping,” “always opening doors,” “always smiling,” and is an active participant in the congregation and the church’s special needs ministry. 

“Our pastor came, and he said the deacons want to do something for Victor… I thought, ‘Okay, they want to give him some chocolate, coupons or something [else], and he said, ‘The deacons have talked and they voted, and they would like to ordain him as a deacon,” said Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez said Reta’s desire to serve “came on its own,” so showing up to serve has “started growing him and blessing him in ways that we were not aware [of].” She said through the years, he has “gotten so many recognitions at church [and] at work” for his service. 

“I call him our Forrest Gump because all he does is show up, and he's Victor. He just does what Victor does. But then all these other blessings come his way without him even asking or knowing about it,” said Rodriguez. “God has really used him and we're really proud of him, but we know that it's God working in him.” 

As a deacon, Reta serves as a greeter and takes up the offering at the end of Sunday service, helps new members and guests get to the right places, and even helps out in Bacon Heights’ special needs ministry Sunday school class. He also volunteers during the week, helping facilities manager and “Victor's best friend,” John Kjosa, with building upkeep. 

Kjosa participated in Reta’s deacon ordination ceremony by washing his feet, “which [was] such a special thing for [him].” 

“Loving well” through special needs ministry

Bacon Heights Lead Pastor Sammy Elliott, who joined the church staff in 2021, said, “an exciting thing in the life of Bacon Heights is their emphasis and strategy of loving well… [and] that shows up in so many ways, [especially] with special friends.” 

The special needs ministry hosts a Sunday school class called “Aspire,” which gives special friends “learning opportunities and activities” during both service hours. Once a month, the special needs ministry also hosts “First Fridays,” a worship service specifically for special friends. 

“One of our pillars of our vision and mission is that we love as Jesus loved. And that's easy to see on paper, but we see that play out and fleshed out in all of our ministries, but especially our special friends ministries,” said Elliott. 

His service “removes excuses” 

Elliott said Reta “provides a light for us to follow” in serving in the church. 

“When you see somebody like Victor serve, it removes excuses,” said Elliott. 

Elliott said “[Victor’s] willingness to say ‘Here’s what I can bring,’” encourages the congregation to do the same.

“When he's up here, that's his offering to God… with that mindset [and] heart behind what he does, how can it not be encouraging to others to say, ‘Here's what I can bring,’” said Elliott.

In addition to serving as a deacon, Reta has also participated as a camper at the Texas Baptists Special Friends Retreat, a retreat for individuals aged 12 and older with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, for 25 years, since it began in West Texas. 

He said going to retreat every year reminds him of how deeply Jesus loves him. His favorite part of the weekend, he said, is getting to worship with his friends.

Special Friends Retreats are kicking off Oct. 3-4 at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Camp & Conference Center in Cedar Hill. Special Friend Retreat is scheduled for four different weekends and locations around the state, including at Bacon Heights on December 6. 

To find the dates and location of the Special Friends Retreat nearest to you, visit txb.org/specialfriends.