January 20, 2003
___ Ratliff honored by Turner. Joe Ratliff, pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston, has received the Spiritual Enlightenment Award from Turner Broadcasting. The award was presented to during the 11th annual Trumpet Awards Prayer Breakfast Jan. 4 at CNN Center in Atlanta. The awards celebrate the contributions of African-Americans w
ho have helped shape the nation. Ratliff has been pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church since 1980 and leads a congregation of more than 12,000 members. He has led his congregation to start 14 missions in the Houston area, all of which have become full-fledged churches. He is the first African-American pastor to lead Union Baptist Association.
___ HBU receives major gifts. Houston Baptist University has received a gift of $150,000 from Memorial Hermann Healthcare System to support two positions in the College of Nursing. McGinnis and Bette Clark also contributed $100,000 to establish their second scholarship, the McGinnis and Bette Clark Endowed Academic Scholarship.
___ Cowboy Band headed for Austin. Hardin-Simmons University's Cowboy Band and Six White Horses riding team will participate in the inaugural parade of Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in Austin Jan. 21. This will be the ninth appearance of the Cowboy Band in the Texas inaugural parade.
___ But will he call sinners off-sides? First Baptist Church of Carrollton kicked off a second location for Sunday morning worship and Bible study Jan. 12. The church offers a casual worship and study time at American Indoor Sports on Hebron Parkway. The church continues its regular worship hour at 9:40 on Sunday mornings, with Bible study classes offered before and after. At the satellite location, Bible study begins at 9:45 a.m., and worship begins at 11 a.m. Pastor Brent Taylor preaches both on the field and in the worship center.
___ Van's plan called to a halt. A federal district court in Tyler has ruled that the city of Van discriminated on the basis of religion when it refused requests to use city facilities for religious meetings. The city allowed non-religious groups to use the facilities. The case was brought by Charles and Michelle Moore, who wanted to use the Van Community Center for an event that would have included singing worship songs, praying and a religious message. They were denied access, even though the center continued to be available for Kiwanis Club, Super Bowl parties, family reunions and Scout events.
___ Dyer to lead Round Rock home. Keith Dyer, former residential care administrator at Texas Baptist Children's Home in Round Rock, has assumed the role of executive director at the children's home. Dyer succeeds Debbie Rippstein, who had worked for the agency for more than 17 years. Rippstein resigned her position to unite with her family in Portland.
___ TBC plans focus on missions and liberty. Texas Baptists Committed will focus its energy in 2003 on promoting missions and religious liberty, according to Executive Director David Currie. This will include promoting the Baptist General Convention of Texas' new world missions network. Clyde Glazener, pastor of Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth and past president of the BGCT, has been elected chairman of the TBC board. Houston attorney Jaclanel McFarland, a former BGCT vice president and current Baylor University regent, will serve as vice chair. Other officers include Ron Ellison of Beaumont, secretary, and John Cash Smith of Orange, treasurer.
___ Hershiser to speak at DBU. Former World Series MVP and current Texas Rangers pitching coach Orel Hershiser will speak at the Dallas Baptist University Baseball Banquet Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. He also will speak in a special chapel service at DBU Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. For ticketing information about the banquet, call (214) 333-5122.
___ Beebe named to new UMHB post. Betty Sue Beebe has been named director of alumni development at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She has served as director of alumni relations since 1981.
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