Criswell College celebrated its seventh annual W. A. Criswell Legacy Awards Gala Monday, October 13 at the Dallas Arboretum, honoring longtime pastor and Southern Baptist leader Dr. Jim Henry with the 2025 W. A. Criswell Legacy Award.
The Legacy Gala brought together hundreds of friends and supporters of the college, including many of Henry’s family members and former colleagues. The evening featured reflections on Henry’s decades of ministry and the faithful legacy of Dr. W. A. Criswell, whose vision for training men and women in biblical truth continues to shape Criswell College’s mission today.
Rob Collingsworth, who grew up under Henry’s pastoral leadership at First Baptist Church of Orlando, welcomed guests to the event and offered personal remarks about “Brother Jim,” recalling his example of integrity, humility, and Christlike leadership.
Henry served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Orlando for nearly three decades, following a decade at Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville. He is a past president of both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Florida Baptist Convention, and remains widely respected for his steady, gracious leadership and passion for evangelism.
“Few men have exhibited the longevity in ministry and integrity of heart that Jim Henry has. He is a true peacemaker and man of God,” Criswell president Barry Creamer said. “We are proud to call him a friend of Criswell College, a former trustee, and now a recipient of our highest honor in the Criswell Legacy Award.”
In Creamer’s address Monday night, he reminded attendees that the college remains committed to its core mission, to biblical inerrancy, and to producing students who are fully committed to the Bible and surrendered to the Lordship of Christ.
Creamer also took a moment to reflect on the legacy of Jack Pogue, the single largest benefactor to Criswell College over its 55-year history who died earlier this year. Pogue was best friends with college founder W. A. Criswell and remained committed to the college’s success throughout his life and was presented with the Criswell Legacy Award in 2021.
In addition to honoring Henry, the evening marked the public launch of Criswell College’s campaign to fund a $2.5 million endowment for its student Israel trips. When fully funded, the endowment will cover approximately 75% of each student’s cost for the college’s required Israel experience.
Attendees also viewed two special video presentations—one highlighting Criswell students and alumni describing the life-changing impact of their required trip to Israel, and another featuring tributes to Henry from friends and ministry partners across the country who were unable to attend in person.
“As a longtime supporter of Criswell College and now as Vice President of Advancement, our annual Legacy Gala is one of the highlights of the year,” said Lance Ouellette. “We were thrilled to have so many of our friends and supporters in one room not only to honor the legacy of Jim Henry, but to begin raising what we expect will be a substantial seed for the new Israel endowment—an initiative that will bless students for generations to come.”
Gala Committee Co-Chairman Clark Keator, a contractor in Orlando and longtime member of First Baptist, shared reflections on the impact Henry has had on his life before joining Creamer in presenting the award. Co-Chairman Larry Taylor, president of the Association of Christian Schools International, closed the evening by thanking attendees for their continued partnership in the mission of Criswell College.
