Around the State: Baylor University receives $2 million gift

A $2 million gift to Baylor University from alumnus Matthew B. Lindner of Cincinnati, Ohio, will support the university’s department of film and digital media develop and implement the Baylor in L.A. program. The Los Angeles-based program—currently in early planning stages—will offer a highly selective and competitive residential learning opportunity for students who desire a career in film and digital media in California. The Baylor in L.A. program will be an immersive educational experience providing students with the internship experiences and industry connections that will help advance their careers after graduation. “It hasn’t been a secret that we have long wanted to expand our presence to L.A. as we seek to provide opportunities for our students to establish themselves in the film and television industries there, and Mr. Lindner’s gift gives us the opportunity to do that in a way that allows all students equal access to internships and opportunities,” said Chris Hansen, chair of the department of film and digital media. The Lindner Endowment is the second such fund established to support efforts on the West Coast by Baylor’s department of film and digital media. In 2019, Kathy and Don Tinius established the Tinius Family Endowed Fund in Film and Digital Media for Baylor in L.A. to help advance institutional planning for the program and to encourage other donors in giving to the project, efforts that were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

East Texas Baptist University faculty, staff, donors and supporters gathered Oct. 15 to bless the foundation of the Great Commission Center. The ceremony included a time of prayer, worship and dedication for the learning facility and discipleship training center. Attendees wrote a Scripture of dedication or blessing on cards that were sealed into canisters and placed in the building site prior to the pouring of the foundation. The Great Commission Center will house the Great Commission Program, an institution-wide initiative which connects the ETBU community with service opportunities locally and globally, the Hale School of Business and the Career Development Center. Construction began with site development in August. The projected completion date for the Great Commission Center is spring 2023.

Luis C. Juarez was commissioned for his role as vice president of student affairs and dean of students at Criswell College during an Oct. 24 service at First Baptist Church in Kaufman. Brent Gentzel is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Kaufman, and Pablo Juarez is pastor of First Baptist Church Kaufman en Español. Barry Creamer, president of Criswell College, joined denominational leaders including Jesse Rincones, executive director of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas and Nora Lozano, executive director of the Christian Latina Leadership Institute as guest speakers at the commissioning service. Speakers noted Juarez—a native of Nicaragua—is among only a few Hispanics to serve in an executive leadership role at a Texas college or university. Juarez is a graduate of Baptist University of the Américas and Dallas Baptist University.

Wayland Baptist University has been awarded a grant of $299,956 by the Department of Justice to fund safety programs on the Plainview campus. The grant will be used as part of the Protecting Pioneers initiative, to increase safety measures and educate students on the dangers of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The project will increase training—including bystander intervention training—for all students, while developing local programs and enhancing security on the Plainview campus. The training also will educate students on the reporting process and protocols, and provide access to local and national resources for assistance. It will address topics such as filing local criminal charges, common myths about the causes of violence against women, how to support peers who are victims, and the benefits of reporting these crimes. The grant also will fund the installation of 23 surveillance cameras and 20 keyless entry systems on the Plainview campus, including electronic door locks on residence halls not already equipped with an advanced locking system. Wayland will form a coordinated community response team with participation from the Crisis Center and Plainview Police Department to increase information sharing and make services more efficient.

Dallas Baptist University faculty members Dave Arnott and Sergiy Saydometov, along with administrator Jeffrey Johnson, dean of the College of Business, have launched the Institute for Christian Economics. Their expressed goal is to help Christians engage the world of economics in a biblical manner. Arnott and Saydometov are authors of Biblical Economic Policy: Ten Scriptural Truths for Fiscal and Monetary Decision-Making. Arnott also produces a weekly podcast, “The Christian Economist.”

About 500 students, faculty and guests gathered on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus in Belton on Oct. 22 for the dedication of the McClinton Family Intramural Fields. Carol and Paul “Crunch” McClinton of Waco donated $1 million toward converting 2.6 acres of fields from natural grass to artificial turf. Other improvements include new field lighting, the Crunch Time Pavilion and permanent striping for the recreational sports played on these fields, including football, lacrosse, soccer and softball. National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan threw out a ceremonial first pitch at the dedication ceremony. “We are proud to have the McClinton name on this incredible facility at UMHB,” said UMHB President Randy O’Rear. “Our intramural fields are one of the busiest places on campus, and our students deserve this beautiful new space to gather and play.”

East Texas Baptist University hosted its seventh annual Calling Conference on Oct. 20. The event provided students who feel drawn to vocational ministry a deeper understanding of how to identify and pursue their callings with opportunities to learn from experienced ministry professionals. Guest speakers included Julio Guarneri, senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, and Christopher Dickey, chaplain and University of Notre Dame Army War College Fellow. The program also featured Baptist General Convention of Texas leaders Tom Tillman, director of music and worship; Cory Liebrum, youth and family ministry specialist; Jennifer Howington, childhood ministry specialist; and Erica Harnisch, assistant director for Go Now Missions.

The Brownsville Police Department and Buckner Children and Family Services announced a new collaboration to support vulnerable children and families in the Rio Grande Valley. Officers will distribute contact cards to youth and parents in at-risk situations, referring them to the Buckner Family and Youth Success program. The cards are printed in English and Spanish, and they include a QR code along with phone numbers and the website for the program. “This program allows officers to provide the best care and assistance for our community’s families when they are in crisis,” Brownsville Police Chief Felix Sauceda said. Buckner Family and Youth Success is designed to reduce family conflict, help with family support and skills, and prevent the problems of runaway, school attendance issues and delinquent behaviors. The free program helps youth and families resolve crises and establish and achieve goals that strengthen and promote healthy families. Services provided to the youth and families include screening/intake, crisis intervention, skills-based training, case management services, case follow-up and outreach.

Anniversary

10th for Milfred Minatrea as pastor of Grand View Baptist Church in Mesquite.

Retirement

John McCullough after 15 years as bivocational pastor of Berea Baptist Church in Big Spring and 52 years in ministry. Berea Baptist Church donated $30,000 to the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board and $27,000 to Send Relief in his honor.