FRESNO – “I had sensed God’s call for awhile, but my goal was to play football,” Don Hargis says.

In 2010, Don celebrated his 18th anniversary as Baptist men’s ministries specialist with the California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) missions advancement group.

“Playing football was all that I wanted to do,” Don continued. “Preaching did not fall into that. God did not let me know about Baylor or any other Southern Baptist school that had football programs. He knew that if I had gone there I might not have become a preacher.”

Born into a military family that included an older brother and younger sister, Don spent many childhood years in Okinawa; however, when Don was 14 years old, his father was transferred to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver.

After more than a year of attending church and seeking answers, 17-year-old Don accepted Christ as his Savior. He had a hunger to grow spiritually, and within several months he surrendered to God’s call to ministry. Following the godly example of his mentor and pastor, Carey J. Miller, Don felt led to preach. He majored in religion at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in Shawnee.

“I always tell people that I crammed four years into seven to get my college degree,” Don joked. “During those years, I became a husband and a father to two children. I enjoyed working at Pizza Hut and later at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. I enjoyed making money, and I enjoyed the luxuries that gave. Plus, I was pastoring the Etowah Baptist Church in Etowah, Oklahoma. So I was going to school part-time, pastoring a church part-time, and working full-time.”

Don left his position as pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in North Edwards to assume his role as Baptist men’s ministries specialist in March 1992. The managerial and administrative skills he learned at Pizza Hut and Coca-Cola uniquely prepared Don for his responsibilities with Baptist men.

Although 70 percent of his time is spent directing CSBC’s disaster relief efforts, Don also helps churches with missions education groups for men and boys such as Baptist Men on Mission, Challengers and Royal Ambassadors. He is responsible for coordinating a variety of events such as STRAM Camp, On Mission Celebrations and the Acts 1:8 Challenge. During his 18 years with CSBC Don has been interim pastor at 12 different churches.

“My greatest joy,” Don said, “is when someone comes to know Christ because of what we do. My greatest joy is when I see the eyes of a new volunteer open, and they have a vision for serving Jesus by helping others. My greatest joy is when I serve as an interim pastor and see the church turn around. My greatest joy is at STRAM Camp when I see the lives of youth and children change because of what they have learned at camp.”

Don earned a bachelor’s degree in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master of divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Shirley, have been married for 35 years and have three children and eight grandchildren.

Don still loves football. He’s been a loyal Denver Broncos fan since 1968.

Don’s message to California Southern Baptists:

“I cannot do my job without volunteers such as Chuck Erikson, Mike Studebaker, Doug Crowder, Chuck Clayton, Naomi Paget, Bob Lloyd, Dean and Geri Durbin, Renee and Clint McKinley, and many others. There is just no way. My job is too huge. The volunteers that partner with me through disaster relief and groups such as Baptist Builders and Campers On Mission work hard and make me look good.

“If it wasn’t for them, we could not do what we do in California to affect change in people’s lives. We are looking for volunteers who have a passion to serve the Father. If you want to serve, there is a place for you for as long as you are able to serve passionately.”

Don’s life Bible verse:
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5, KJV).

Don’s prayer requests:

• Pray that as government becomes more involved in disaster relief activities, they will call on us to help those in need.
• Pray that our Southern Baptist teams can establish Bible studies and church plants after disaster relief deployments and disaster rebuild opportunities.

Don’s praises:

• I praise the Lord for my family and for His continued watch over them.
• I praise the Lord for the many CSBC volunteers who have a passion to serve those in need.
• I praise the Lord for the way the disaster relief ministry has blossomed and for how we are beginning to see the effects of our work for the Father in our state.

Did you know?
Mountain STRAM is a tent camp for youth in grades 7-12. Daily activities include missionary moments, evening worship, white-water rafting, climbing/rapelling, adventure recreation, canoeing and map and compass activities.

Marine STRAM is a tent camp held twice each summer, once for youth and once for children. Campers receive daily spiritual guidance from the camp pastor and camp missionary. Recreational activities include a day at the beach, a day at San Diego Wild Animal Park, a day at Sea World and other events .

Contact information:
Don Hargis
678 E. Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710
559-229-9533, ext. 246
dhargis@csbc.com

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