Pass the Plate and Where Do I Sign?
5:30 P.M. TUESDAY, July 28, 2009
JERRY HILL (E-MAIL)

DALLAS - Since I've actually filled in at the pulpit a few times in my life, I know what it's like to be filled with the Spirit and just be passionate about what you're talking about.

But Alan Lefever and Jay Allison brought such a passion and excitement to the podium at today's Bear Blitz Caravan luncheon in Dallas that I was ready to pull out the checkbook and pass the plate. And the fact that their passion is so genuine just makes the message that much more powerful.

"It's time to stop talking about supporting Baylor athletics. And it's time to do," said Lefever, who was representing the Bear Foundation. "I've noticed that when people want to do something, they have all the money in the world to do it. That's why Starbucks is still crowded, no matter how bad the economy is."

Lefever encouraged the crowd of over 300 to join the Bear Foundation and the Linebacker Club and the other Excellence Funds "to make Baylor as good as we can in athletics. So that when people see and hear about Baylor, they don't talk about what we haven't done. They talk about what we're doing and what we're going to do."

Allison, a self-made man who has headed up Comstock Resources, Inc., since 1987, talked about his experience as a walk-on football player at Baylor and getting the chance to play in the Cotton Bowl as a freshman and eventually earning three degrees from the university.

"And then years and years and years and years later, through His blessings on my life, He provides Baylor University with an indoor practice facility," said Allison, who gave the lead gift for the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Football Practice Facility that's expected to be completed at the end of next week. "That wasn't me. That wasn't what I wanted. It's God's money. And he said, `You've been obedient, watch this.' And that's what I encourage each one of you to do. The world that we live in today, you cannot afford to be silent in supporting Baylor University."

Allison concluded by quoting the lines from one of his favorite movies, Kung Fu Panda:

"Yesterday's history. Tomorrow's a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why they call it the present," he said. "And thank goodness in the present that we have Coach (Art) Briles to lead us."

Amen, Brother!