Inspired by God, Herald Media Files Start-Up Paperwork Nov. 4

Two scriptures celebrating the blessings of spreading God’s Good News throughout the world were at the heart of the Nov. 4 meeting in which the West Brazos Herald’s parent nonprofit organization was born.

Founding board member Rick Hester, brought forth both scriptures at the request of Herald Media Founder Don Cudd.

“I’ve been asking the Lord to lead me to the perfect scripture for what we are planning to do today and, so far, He hasn’t highlighted anything in particular for me. So I’m thinking one of you has heard from Him about this,” Cudd said to his fellow board members.

Hester immediately grabbed a Bible and turned to Philippians 4:8 and then John 12:32

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Phil 4:8

And I, when I am lifted up^[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” — John 12:32

The Philippians verse, indeed, Biblicaly summarizes the God Given plans for the West Brazos Herald’s editorial content.

And the verse from John fortells the sort of Holy Spirit inspired reaction the Herald Media business plan anticipates will spring forth from the Herald’s content.

With those two verses, and then a bold and celebratory prayer, Herald Media was born over a Holy Spirit filled lunch at El Mezquite restaurant in Sweeny.

Cudd is listed on the paperwork filed with the Texas Secretary of State as Herald Media’s main legal spokesperson, also known as the organization’s registered agent. Until the company opens a formal office, Cudd’s residence will serve as the group’s headquarters. And Cudd has already been serving as the West Brazos Herald’s Founding Publisher since at least January 2019, when the Lord first began revealing His plan for the company.

Herald Media’s start-up mission will be to begin publishing The West Brazos Herald weekly in early 2020 and, once that publication is a stable, going concern, expand into other nearby regions of Brazoria County, the Brazosport Herald, the Mid-County Herald, and the North County Herald. All Herald Media publications will offer Bible-centered local news and features in newspapers distributed weekly to all residents in their coverage area. The West Brazos Herald will begin publishing online only with plans to begin producing a traditional printed newspaper in early 2020.

Shortly after the Certificate of Formation is official, the Founding Board of Directors plans to adopt its by-laws, name its officers, begin recruiting and adding more board members, and file for Federal tax exemption under the IRS Code 501c3. After the tax exempt status application is submitted, Herald Media plans to begin soliciting contributions for the West Brazos Herald Start-Up Fund. All donations received at that time would be tax deductable retroactively, assuming the 501c3 status is approved by the IRS within 27 months.

While waiting for official approval of its non-profit formation — usually a routine process that takes 15-20 business days –the West Brazos Herald is operating legally as a sole proprietorship under the name assumed by Cudd.

All members of the founding board of directors are among leadership of Father’s House Church in Jones Creek.

Hester, a well-established figure among local pastors and believers, founded Father’s House in Freeport in 1999 and moved the church to Jones Creek in 2013.

Edward Bess, whom Hester appointed as the Father’s House lead Pastor in January 2018, was the third founding board member to sign the founding paperwork.

Father’s House Associate Pastor Gary Baldridge was in attendance at the meeting and is, informally, a member of the founding board of directors. But, as state law only allows three people to sign as founding directors, he will be added to the founding board during the group’s first official meeting which will happen after the application is approved by the Texas Secretary of State’s office.

Cudd is not officially among the Father’s House leadership, but he is an active member and servant leader in that congregation.