• Leland Ryken will address “The Bible as a Literary Classic” as the third installment of Houston Baptist University’s Dunham Museum lecture series Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

• “Religion, Politics and Society: The Baptist Contribution” will be the theme of Baylor University’s Pruit Memorial Symposium Oct. 1-3. Topics to be explored include historical Baptist stances on religious liberty, African-American contributions to the Baptist tradition and Baptist contributions to society. Papers will be presented on Baptists’ impact on historical social justice issues such as the temperance movement, the peacemakers’ movement and the social gospel. The opening session will be Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and conclude at noon Saturday. It will be held in the Cashion Academic Center. The event is free for Baylor students and faculty except for a $10 charge for dinner Friday night. Cost for non-Baylor participants is $65 for faculty members and $45 for students. Registration deadline is Sept. 25. For more information, call (254) 710-3362.

Tillie Burgin, founder and executive director of Mission Arlington, spoke to more than 100 Dallas Baptist University students gathered to serve at the agency. Mission Arlington was one of several ministry points for more than 400 DBU students the week before classes began. Students served at homeless shelters, outreach centers, inner-city churches, food banks and other ministries.

• The National Center for Church Architecture will hold a leadership seminar at Dallas Baptist University Oct 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to train church leaders to make wise and timely decisions when developing church property and buildings for ministry. Included will be guidelines for evalating property and facilities, developing a masterplan, working with architects and contractors, budgeting and scheduling projects and other topics. Keith Crouch and Russell Maddox will lead the seminar. The $200 cost includes lunch and syllabus. Before Oct. 2, registration is $150. Special rates for groups of three or more. Class size is limited to 30 people. For more information, call (817) 937-8292.

• East Texas Baptist University will hold a free preview event Oct. 10. For more information or to register, call (800) 804-ETBU.

• Don Williford has been named interim vice president for academic affairs at Hardin-Simmons University. Williford joined the HSU faculty in 1992, and he has been associate provost since 2006. He also has been a professor of New Testament.

• East Texas Baptist University has named eight new faculty members. They include Brenda Allums, instructor of communication; Elijah Brown, assistant professor of religion; Justin Hodges, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities; Marcus Holliday, instructor of kinesiology and associate athletic trainer; Wayne Johnson, professor of criminal justice; Traci Ledford, assistant professor of theater; Kathleen Mays, assistant professor of business administration; and Eric Thomas, assistant professor of music.

• Jeff Levin has accepted a distinguished chair at Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion, where he will serve as professor of epidemiology and population health. He also will serve as professor of medical humanities.

Anniversaries

• Leonardo Cantu, 25th, as pastor of Templo Emmanuel in Pawnee, Aug. 8.

• Jorge Ramirez, fifth, as pastor of Primera Iglesia in Gregory, Sept. 1.

• Calvary Church in Mineral Wells, 100th, Sept. 20. David Montoya is pastor.

• Rusty Maddox, 20th, as pastor of Harbor View Chapel in Corpus Christi.

• Ines Ramon Jr., 15th, as pastor of Northwest Church in Corpus Christi.

• Ann Ramon, 15th, as music minister of Northwest Church in Corpus Christi.

• Richard Ray, fifth, as pastor of First Church in Wink, Oct. 4.

Deaths

• William Cooksey, 100, Aug. 28 in Shreveport, La. As a young man, he was ordained as a deacon at Bethel Church in Houston and was a Texas schoolteacher 33 years. He served in the Army during World War II until battlefield injuries led to his being transferred to the Air Force, where he eventually became an assistant chaplain. He was awarded four Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and a World War II Victory Medal. After returning home, he earned a music degree and then attended Southwestern Seminary. After graduation, he served as minister of music and education at First Church in Harlingen and then at First Church in Lufkin. In recent years, he has been a member of the senior and bell choirs of Broadmoor Church in Shreve-port. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Robbie. He is survived by his wife, Louise; sister, Lucille Hudson; stepson, Richard Bell; and three step-grandchildren.

• Wesley Coffman, 82, Sept. 13 in Dallas. A music educator, he taught at Dallas Baptist University from 1968 to 1981. In 1981, he moved to Hardin-Simmons University, where he served from 1981 to 1995. He completed his service at HSU as dean of the School of Music. As part of his duties, he formulated the plans for a new music building and the complete renovation of an existing building. He retired before the project was complete, but was on hand for the opening of both buildings. He also began a foundation to support the School of Music. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elaine; son, Russell; daughters, Cathy Pulham and Rebecca Coffman; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Events

• Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall will hold “Unleashing the Power, A Conference for Mobilizing Your Church Through Prayer and Missions” Oct. 28. The conference will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m. Pastor Steve Stroope and Executive Pastor Carter Shotwell are the keynote speakers. Participants will have the opportunity to experience an interactive prayer room, a mission fair of more than 50 display booths and a small group leadership event. The cost is $39 before Oct. 1 and $49 thereafter. For more information, see www.lakepointe.org.

• First Church in Wylie will host members of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team as they present a “Sharing Hope in Crisis Seminar” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3. The seminar is designed to equip participants to respond effectively and appropriately to hurting people. The $25 registration fee includes materials and a box lunch. To register, e-mail Debra Tobolka at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ordained

• Jack Shuford to the ministry at Leesville Church in Leesville.

• Mike Alexander, Shannon Barry, Rob Chennault, Mike Collins, Josh Gentry, Darrin Hunt, Jason Jennings, Brandon Jones, Bert McJimsey, Brad Merritt, Alan Pigg, Clinton Pruitt, Mel Renfro, Todd Robertson and Chris Stewart as deacons at Green Acres Church in Tyler.

• Don Poenisch as a deacon at First Church in Taft.

Revival

• First Church, Jonestown; Sept. 27-30; evangelist, Robert Barge; pastor, O.B. Ramsey.

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