Now Reading
The Winning Team: First Baptist Church of Denver pursuit of equality is still breathing life

The Winning Team: First Baptist Church of Denver pursuit of equality is still breathing life

Our lineup of winners for this year’s — as every year — Power Gala made of truly extraordinary people. Without giving too much away before the party, we decided to sit down and get to know the nominees on a more whimsical level. Enjoy! 

 First Baptist Church of Denver began in 1864. Two centuries later, FBCD’s steeple stands tall at the intersection of 14th Avenue and Grant Street directly across from the south steps of the State Capitol. Taller still is FBCD’s vision of being a center of activity for Capitol Hill, where people of all walks of life and systems of belief can experience conversations rooted in hope and filled with a passion to serve the needs of the broader community. Reflective of FBCD’s historic commitment to social justice and the pursuit of equality for all people, on April 16, 1962, the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., preached from FBCD’s pulpit. Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community is a vision for which FBCD’s members still strive.

When Morris Price and Brian Henderson came to us on Power Gala Interview Day, they were beaming. They stepped into a room with me and chose from a list of goofy questions that would tell us a little bit about themselves outside of what they’re being honored for, and the room echoed with laughter. They’ve got a great chemistry, a joy for living, and impart a relaxed and at-home feeling to those around them.

What’s the best part about your day?

Morris: The people I work with. I work with AmeriCorps volunteers, and 71 of them get to go into Denver Public Schools. As I say over and over, I have a job I get to go to; not a job I have to go to.

What keeps you busy when you’re not at work?

Morris: Volunteering and not being still.

What’re some of your pet peeves?

Morris: People who aren’t engaged. People who don’t care about something. Find something to care about and do something with it.

If you could give one piece of advice to the world, what would it be?

Morris: Love more.

Describe the best job you’ve ever had.

Brian: Being the minister of the First Baptist Church of Denver. It’s a community of people who allows each of us to be who we are. I love the fact that I get to be a minister and gay … and it’s ok.

What’s something you’re actively trying to get better at?

Morris: Being still! Not being involved.

What’s something in your house you can’t believe you paid that much for?

Brian: I have a set of Royal Doulton teacups and saucers. I found them in England, in a consignment shop, and I hemmed and hawed on whether I was going to spend £10 on them. I decided that I wasn’t going to, but before I left England, I had to get at least one teacup. I went to a mall and ended up paying £50 for a new teacup and saucer. The [thrift-store] collection was actually 10 cups and 10 saucers for £10. So by the time I got home, I thought, “I really messed this up.” I called a friend and asked her to get them for me. She went back to the consignment shop, paid admission, bought the set for me, then mailed it to me. In the end, it wound up costing me £150.

What’s something ridiculous you believed as a kid?

Brian: I believed I could be a Stormtrooper. I had a Stormtrooper costume and believed I was going to build a command center under my parents’ porch in the backyard. I also believed that I was going to grow up to be the Green Lantern.

What’s something weird or amazing that happened to you that nobody believes?

Brian: I was on a softball team and we were doing a fundraiser, so our team got to play with the New York Giants, back in the day of L.T., Lawrence Taylor. So the Giants arrived, and they were short one player. They asked my team’s coach if he could spare a player, so my coach looked and me and said, “Do you want to play with the Giants?” I said, “Absolutely.” So I shared the outfield with Lawrence Taylor. Into the second inning, there was a ball hit between L.T. and I, and we both start sprinting to get it. As the center-fielder, I’m saying, “I got it! I got it!” The last thing I remember hearing is [low voice], “No! I got it!” Boom! I spun in the air and was knocked out. But I can say that I was tackled by Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants and lived to tell about it. He missed the ball, by the way.

For 2016, OUT FRONT joined forces with the Denver Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for our annual Power Awards ceremony. Traditionally, we’ve called it our Power Party, but this year’s one-two combo makes it more of a gala, so we’re excited to announce a slight break in tradition to bring our community the Power Gala Awards! We’ll be holding the party at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in the grand ballroom. (We’re so stoked.) Our musical interludes are provided by none other than Ty Herndon, Alpha the Musical, and Spinphony.

Be sure to reserve your spot today, before all the seats are accounted for!

What's Your Reaction?
Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0
Scroll To Top