Around the state

___ Paul Stripling, executive director of Waco Association for 19 years, received the honorary doctor of divinity degree at the December commencement at Dallas Baptist University. He also holds the doctor of theology degree from Southwestern Seminary.

THE Hardin-Simmons University Cowboy Band took part in the inaugural parade of President George W. Bush. It was the sixth presidential inauguration for the Cowboy Band to participate in since 1929, the inauguration of Herbert Hoover. (Roy Burroughs photo)

___ Ernest May has a website devoted to the study of the book of Revelation. The website address is www.jerusaleminrevelation.com.

___Anniversaries
___ Keith Brister, 5th, as pastor of First Church in Duncanville, Feb. 1.
___ Faith Temple Church in Irving, 45th, Feb. 4. A homecoming service will be held at 11 a.m. and will conclude with taking a church photograph. A covered-dish meal will follow. The Huckaba Family will present a music concert that afternoon. For more information, call (972) 253-5021. Lewis Cooper is pastor.
___ Robert Gibson, 5th, as associate pastor of Rush Creek Church in Arlington.
___ H.G. Holmes, 5th, as pastor of Magnet Church in Wharton.

___Deaths
___ Jim Ponder, 67, Jan. 17 in Orlando, Fla. Ponder served as director of evangelism for the Florida Baptist Convention from 1970 to 1981, but prior to that was pastor of Texas churches in Corsicana, Highlands and Fort Worth. The Fort Worth native also served as director of evangelism for the Illinois Baptist State Association from 1967 to 1970. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughter, Keli Clayton; son, Ken; a brother and sister; and two grandchildren.

___Licensed
___ Jason Hardy to the ministry at Indian Hills Church in Grand Prairie.

___Ordained
___ Neil Floyd to the ministry at First Church of Red Water. He is pastor of Bethlehem Church in Douglassville.
___ Ann Bell to the ministry at Woodland Church in San Antonio.
___ Tom Ansley, Kirk Havens, Stuart Matthews, Steve Sieben and Dusty Ward as deacons at First Church in Grand Prairie.

___Retiring
___ Francisco Almanza, as pastor of Iglesia Trinity in El Paso. He is available for supply and can be contacted at (915) 821-2681.
___

The Baptist Standard