FIRST CHURCH IN JUSTIN held groundbreaking ceremonies for its new location Jan. 21, the 100th anniversary of the church. The church will reloate its facilities and build a 23,000-square-foot multi-purpose building on its 10 acres of land. The cost of the project is estimated to be $2.1 million. Scott Brown is pastor.

Around the State
___Retiring
___ Maurice Hill, Feb. 18, after 13 years as pastor of Trinity Church in Henderson. He has been in the ministry for more than 38 years, serving Spring Creek Church in Meridian, Liberty Hill Church in Moody, Martin Springs Church in Sulphur Springs, First Church in Royce City and McDonald Memorial Church in Orange. For the last eight yearshe also has been treasurer of Rusk-Panola Association. He and his wife, Mary Sue, will be honored with a reception at the church from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. that afternoon. For more information, call (903) 657-2873 or e-mail TBC2000@PeoplePC.com.
___ James Watson, July 31, after 19 years as director of missions for Frio River Association. Prior to that, he had served as a missionary in Portugal and as pastor of several churches. Watson also currently is interim pastor of First Church in Devine.

___Deaths
___ Joseph Powell, Jan. 29 in Abilene. Powell was vice president of business affairs at Hardin-Simmons University until his retirement in 1977. Powell served two South Carolina colleges prior to his Hardin-Simmons service and had a 22-year career in the Navy. Following his retirement, he and his wife, Frances, served as volunteer missionaries in Taiwan, the Philippines and Kenya. He was a deacon at First Church in Abilene. He is survived by his wife; daughters, Connie, Myra Jane, Susan and Carol; and son, Joseph III.

___Events
___ First Church in Ingram will hold a homecoming Feb. 25. Guest speakers will be former pastors Paul McClung and John Rodgers. A catered barbecue lunch will be served, and a gospel sing will be held. For more information, call (830) 367-5363. Jesse Leonard is interim pastor.

___Anniversaries
___ Eddy Curry, fifth, as minister of education at First Church in Levelland.
___ Lynn Tate, 15th, as minister of music at Emmanuel Church in Denison.
___ Chet Haney, fifth, as pastor of Parkside Church in Denison.
___ Hillcrest Church in Nederland, 50th, Feb. 4.
___ Joe Hooker, 50th, as a deacon. He currently is a deacon at First Church in Center.
___ Southeast Church in San Antonio, 40th, Feb. 25. Charles Price, director of missions for San Antonio Association, will preach the morning sermon. A lunch and groundbreaking ceremony will follow the service. Jerry Cosper is pastor.

___Ordained
___ David Rose to the ministry at First Church in Winnsboro.
___ Ramon Menchaca to the ministry at Templo Iglesia in Mineral Wells.
___ James VanWinkle as a deacon at First Church inWinnsboro.
___

The Baptist Standard