Around the State: Black and white pastors discuss friendship

When two Houston pastors—one Black, one white—met on a Holy Land trip, they never expected to become hunting buddies or share the platform at the funeral of George Floyd, an African American murdered by a Minneapolis policer officer. Steve Wells, pastor of South Main Baptist Church, and Ralph West, founding pastor of Houston’s Church Without Walls, discussed their friendship during a session at a conference offered both online and at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, “Do you want to be healed? Racism in the White Church.” They cited two factors that contributed to their friendship. First, Todd Still, dean of Truett Theological Seminary, brought them together by inviting them on a trip to the Holy Land. Second, both pastors made it priority to spend time together.

National Woman’s Missionary Union named two Texas Baptist young women as 2022 National Acteens Panelists—Aileen Gregorio Mejia and Nievez Montañez, both from Freeman Heights Baptist Church in Garland. “We are excited to have these young women represent Acteens this year,” said Heather Keller, WMU ministry consultant for children and students. “The young women on this year’s panel are amazing examples of what Acteens is all about—making disciples of Jesus who live on mission.” Mejia is a cancer survivor who went through a year of medical treatment for leukemia. As a result of that experience, her goal is to become a nurse and for God to use her through her vocation to minister to others. Montañez, who professed faith in Christ during the summer of her sixth grade year at a Girls in Action camp, was the first member of her family to become a Christian. Since then, her sister, mother and father all have made faith commitments to Christ.

The U.S. Department of Education designated Baptist University of the Américas, Houston Baptist University, Howard Payne University and Wayland Baptist University as Hispanic Serving Institutions. In Hispanic Serving Institutions, Hispanics represent at least 25 percent of the undergraduate full-time student enrollment. The designation and associated grants are intended to expand and enhance the schools’ academic offerings, program quality and institutional stability. Baylor University, Dallas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor were designated as Emerging Hispanic Serving Institutions, a classification for schools with at least 15 percent Hispanic student enrollment but less than 25 percent.

Wayland Baptist University broke ground for construction of the Mabee Laboratory Sciences Building on Feb. 18. The groundbreaking ceremony also marked the naming of the Kenneth L. Mattox School of Mathematics and Science. Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox, a heart surgeon and longtime administrator at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston, is a 1960 graduate of Wayland. He provided the lead gift, and the Mabee Foundation provided a large portion of the funding for the new 9,600 square feet addition to the science building. The addition will contain two laboratory and lecture spaces, along with a chemical stock room with a chemical preparation area. The building will include a large open room that will serve as an instrument lab and collaborative space for upper-level courses, as well as a dedicated laboratory for undergraduate research. The building also will feature faculty offices, a large conference room that doubles as a classroom, and a commons area where student can gather.

A donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave $1 million to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to establish an endowed scholarship in honor of Julie O’Rear in recognition of her service to the university as first lady. O’Rear, a UMHB graduate, was a clinical research nurse at Scott & White Hospital in Temple until her husband Randy was elected president of UMHB in 2009. “In the same way I received scholarship assistance when I came to UMHB, this endowment is going to provide financial blessings to UMHB students now and into the future,” she said. “I am most excited because, for years to come, this endowment will help students afford to have the same UMHB experience I had—even long after I’m gone.”

Hardin-Simmons University named Travis Craver as associate vice president for spiritual formation. Craver, who serves on the Abilene City Council, worked five years as director for spiritual formation at HSU. Previously, he served as a minister to students at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene. He earned his undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in family ministry and counseling from HSU, and he earned a doctorate in spiritual formation and leadership from Baylor University. He and his wife Caroline have two children—Savannah and Linus.

At its regular quarterly meeting, the Baylor University board of regents voted to increase the total project cost of the Foster Pavilion—future home of Baylor’s men’s and women’s basketball teams—from the initial $185 million to $212.6 million. In December, the board announced a partnership with the City of Waco to construct the Foster Pavilion at the Baylor Riverfront-Cityside location, adjacent to the Clifton Robinson Tower on the west side of I-35. Since that time, the cost of construction materials and labor have increased significantly. The increased cost is expected to be offset by continued significant fundraising momentum on the heels of Baylor’s 2021 men’s basketball national championship. Construction of the Foster Pavilion is expected to begin in June 2022, with an early opening of the facility targeted for January 2024. The adjoining development center’s opening is anticipated in April 2024.

Buckner International named Andrea Sparks as director of government relations. Sparks worked in the office of Gov. Greg Abbott as founding director of the Governor’s Child Sex Trafficking Team for the past five and a half years. She earned her undergraduate degree from Tulane University and was an honors graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. She served as the executive director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Texas regional office, the director of public affairs for Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), and as a solo practitioner representing children and families in child protection, juvenile justice and adoption cases. “Andrea Sparks has an impressive record fighting to protect Texas children, and we are excited to have her join the Buckner team,” said Buckner President and CEO Albert Reyes. “Andrea’s guidance and leadership will help us work together with our elected officials to transform the lives of our most vulnerable people.”

The Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies at the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute is offering a free webinar for chaplains, ministers and students who work in secular institutions. The webinar, “Speaking Your Relevance in Your Institution’s Language,” is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 10. Panelists will discuss the importance of understanding the value and relevance of chaplain ministry and communicating the “return on investment” to a business or institution. To register, click here. For more information, email [email protected].