Around the State: Missions emphasis at UMHB; TBM gears up for rebuild

More than 40 missionaries representing 20-plus missions-sending agencies led seminars and other events at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor during its annual Missions Emphasis Week. The weeklong emphasis featured introductions to varied aspects of missions, along with opportunities for hands-on personal involvement. UMHB launched Missions Emphasis Week with a missions-oriented scavenger hunt. During the event, participants solved clues that directed them to locations around campus where they completed tasks related to missions before proceeding to the next puzzle.

Texas Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers completed mass feeding operations in the wake of Hurricane Harvey after preparing more than 1.5 million meals, but volunteers will continue to cook for volunteers—particularly as TBM launches a rebuilding emphasis in Katy, Houston and Orange in the weeks ahead. TBM disaster relief crews continue to work in Angleton, Liberty and Rockport. Through Oct. 29, TBM provided access to more than 24,000 showers, washed more than 14,000 loads of laundry and distributed more than 47,000 boxes to displaced people to enable them to store their belongings. TBM volunteers made more than 22,000 personal contacts with hurricane survivors, gave away more than 5,000 Bibles and recorded 220 professions of faith in Christ.

Bertrain Bailey, pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, was keynote speaker at the Calling Conference at Dallas Baptist University. “Pursue Your Call, Prepare to Serve in the Local Church” was the theme of the event, coordinated by DBU’s ministry student office. Breakout sessions focused on pastoral ministry, missions, college ministry and camp/sport leadership, spiritual formation leadership, business as mission, women in ministry and understanding God’s call. Cory Hines, vice president for enrollment at DBU, moderated a roundtable discussion featuring Brent Taylor, pastor of First Baptist Church in Carrollton and The Fields Church in Carrollton; Traci Alverson, preschool minister at The Avenue Church in Waxahachie; Jordan McKinney, student pastor at Highland Baptist Church in Waco; and Gary Singleton, senior pastor at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson.

East Texas Baptist University observed Oct. 17 as Louise Ornelas Appreciation Day, honoring the multiple contributions of Ornelas as philanthropist and trustee emeritus. The day included a celebration march led by Tiger Cheer, Tiger Pom and the ETBU Band, a luncheon, and the dedication and tour of the Louise Ornelas University Park. Ornelas has provided funding for various facilities on campus, including the spiritual life center, student center, gymnasium, stadium and residence hall that all bear her name.

Howard Payne University will sponsor its 34th annual Community Thanksgiving Feast Nov, 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at HPU’s Mabee University Center. Last year, more than 2,275 meals were served on campus and through the home-delivery program. HPU has never charged for the meals. For several years, the balance remaining in the donation account after Thanksgiving was enough to pay a large portion of the bill for the following year’s meal. However, about $6,500 still needs to be raised to pay for the food this year. To donate, make checks payable to the “Community Thanksgiving Feast” and mail them to Bill Fishback, associate vice president for business and human resources, at Howard Payne University, 1000 Fisk St., Suite 210, Brownwood, TX 76801.

East Texas Baptist University welcomed five donors into the ETBU Founders Society—Billy and Winky Foote of Gilmer, Jerry Hamilton of Huffman, and Hal and Joyce Cornish of Marshall. Membership in the ETBU Founders Society is reserved for donors who have contributed at least $100,000 to the university throughout their lifetime.