GLORIETA, N.M. (BP)–Robert D. Hammond, retired minister of recreation at Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, was presented the 1999 Frank Hart Smith Lifetime Achievement Award during Rec Lab at Glorieta (N.M.) Conference Center, Feb. 14.
The award is named for the late Frank Hart “Pogo” Smith, a longtime Southern Baptist church recreation leader who taught the use of recreation as a tool for ministry and building relationships. The award, presented by the church recreation program of LifeWay Christian Resources, is given to individuals who have exhibited a lifetime of ministry excellence using recreation to impact their church and community.
At age 47, Hammond was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which led to his beginning a class for senior citizens and Parkinson’s rehabilitation as a part of the church recreation program.
Hammond took early retirement last year after 29 years on Broadway’s staff. Earlier, he spent six years on the staff of First Baptist Church, San Antonio.
Bill Chamblee, recreation minister at First Baptist Church, Denton, Texas, introduced Hammond at the award presentation, observing “he doesn’t give up. He has continued a diet and exercise program that has slowed the progression of Parkinson’s.”
Chamblee said Hammond has been an innovator, including development of a day camp curriculum later used at Ridgecrest (N.C.) and Glorieta (N.M.) conference centers.
A native of Oklahoma City, Hammond is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, and earned the master’s degree in kinesiological studies from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth.
He was among the founders of the Texas Baptist Recreation Association, begun in 1968, and has worked with all age groups in recreation ministry, encompassing camping and outdoor education, sports, social activities and physical fitness.
The church recreation program of LifeWay Christian Resources sponsored Rec Lab.
