Join Press Club of Southeast Texas on Thursday, February 18, for our regular monthly meeting.

Enjoy a great lunch and networking with other Press Club of Southeast Texas members.

Our topic of discussion will be Religion/State, and how our area has become a sort of ground zero for this debate.

Our guests are Pastor David Birdsong, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Port Neches, and Josh Hammers, a member of the Orange County Atheists.

Birdsong has been one of the supporters of the white cross movement, yet he’s been known to reach out to those who disagree and engage in respectful dialogue.

The same can be said of Hammers who has also been open to dialogue and has worked to change negative perceptions of atheists.

He’s been in the thick of things in Orange County, including the issue with the nativity displays in front of city hall and the county courthouse. His organization has also had an adopt-a-highway sign that’s been vandalized numerous times.

Both men will have 10 minutes to make a presentation, then they will answer questions.

We'll kick off the meeting with the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, who will let us know about their media lunch, which will be held the following day.

Nancy Correa, program director for the Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center, will discuss the center, plus talk about the Community Profile of Jefferson County, which will be released on February 23rd.

Arrive early to place your order and enjoy free chips & salsa!