tidbits_62303

Posted: 6/20/03

Texas Tidbits

Nominations accepted. The Texas Baptist Missions Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2003 Mission Service Awards through July 31. The foundation's board of advisers will select a winner for the Pioneer Award, which honors a longtime leader in missions or someone who played a key role in starting mission work; the Innovator Award, to a church or individual who provided a model of missions; and Adventurer Award, for outstanding financial support of leadership in ministry. Nominations may be sent to Bill Arnold at the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, 333 North Washington, Dallas 75246.

DBU prof wins writing award. Dallas Baptist University professor of philosophy David Naugle has received a 2003 book award from Christianity Today for his work, "Worldview: The History of a Concept." The awards are chosen by evangelical leaders in numerous disciplines including academia, the church and journalism. Among the 300 titles nominated, only 19 received honors, with Naugle's book chosen over 34 other books in the theology/ethics category. A member of the DBU faculty since 1990, Naugle also serves as chairman of the philosophy department.

HBTS honors Flores. Fermin Flores, religious education professor for 32 years at Hispanic Baptist Theological School in San Antonio, will retire Jan. 1. Because of his exemplary service to the school, the administration, faculty, staff and students have established the Fermin Flores Scholarship Fund. Dean of Academic Affairs Javier Elizondo is collecting appreciation letters to Flores. Letters may be mailed to Elizondo at 8019 South Pan Am Expressway, San Antonio 78224.

Pehl named nursing dean. Linda Pehl has been named dean of the Scott & White School of Nursing at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She has worked in the nursing profession nearly 40 years at both Scott & White Hospital in Temple and at the university. Her career started as head nurse at Scott & White in 1964. She received a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Mary Hardin-Baylor College in 1973, the master of science degree in nursing from the University of Texas in Austin in 1975, and a Ph.D. from UT-Austin in 1988.

Groundbreaking planned. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Frank and Sue Mayborn Campus Center at 10:30 a.m. June 25. The groundbreaking will take place on University Drive, adjacent to the Red Murff Baseball Field. The new center will provide program space for student health and recreation, the exercise and sport science academic program, collegiate basketball and volleyball games, concerts, convocations and special events for the university and the community. The facility will include a new arena, classrooms and laboratories for the academic programs, a utility/recreation gym, an exercise/fitness room, an aerobics room, dressing rooms, and faculty and coaches' offices.

Robuck to BGCT. The Baptist General Convention of Texas Church Starting Center recently named Tom Robuck as Central Texas consultant. Robuck will create and facilitate church-starting strategies for the region. A graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he earned the doctor of ministry in missions degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He has extensive ministerial experience, including pastorates at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Athens and the First Baptist churches of Barry, Streetman and Commerce. Recently he served as minister of missions at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have a 23-year-old son, Christopher.

Hospital births scholarship. King's Daughters Hospital of Temple has established a $30,000 endowed scholarship at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The scholarship recognizes the long-standing relationship the hospital has maintained with the university. The scholarship will be granted annually to a nursing major who meets financial need requirements.

Potter to new role. The Baptist General Convention of Texas Church Health & Growth section recently named Ivan Potter director of the office of capital funds and congregational stewardship. Potter will assist churches in fund-raising campaigns and budget education. He is the former president and chief executive officer of Texas Baptist Financial Services.

Family conference planned. Authors Les and Leslie Parrott will lead the third annual Blanche Davis Moore–South Texas Children's Home Family Conference July 19 in Corpus Christi's Selena Auditorium. Cost is $10 per person, which includes a copy of the Parrotts' book "Relationships 101." The conference, titled "Get a Love Life," will focus on strengthening marriages and relationships. For more information, call (361) 991-8680 or e-mail [email protected].

Hispanic church conference planned. A Hispanic Church Health and Growth Conference is scheduled for Aug. 9 at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen. Workshops will be offered in English and Spanish. Mike Gonzales, director of missions for Rio Grande Valley Baptist Association, and Ellis Orozco, pastor of the host church, are featured speakers. A $10 registration fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch at the event, sponsored by the Baptist General Convention of Texas Church Health & Growth Section and Rio Grande Valley Baptist Association. For more information, contact Frank Palos at (800) 231-5096 or [email protected].

HSU adds softball. Hardin-Simmons University will add women's softball to its athletic lineup, with play beginning next spring at a complex to be built on vacant university property. The new stadium will be completed in the fall and will include a field house. Rita Jordan, former Hawley head coach and Abilene Christian University assistant coach, has been named coach for the new program.