Around the State: BWA leader delivers lecture at Wayland

Elijah Brown, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, delivered the McCoy Lecture Series at Wayland Baptist University. The series, sponsored by Wayland and First Baptist Church in Plainview, is named for a longtime Wayland math professor Dorothy McCoy. At Wayland’s chapel service, Brown addressed the student body, faculty and staff, drawing upon the martyrdom of Stephen in the New Testament to challenge students to live for God at all times. Stephen encountered opposition that led to false witnesses and false testimony against him, ultimately resulting in his execution by stoning. Baptists throughout the world face the same situations Stephen faced, Brown said, and must respond with a grace-filled “kingdom vision” in the face of violent opposition. “We are not called to live with an open hand or a closed hand. We are called to live with a crucified hand,” Brown said.

The Baylor University board of regents affirmed the framework for the next five years of the Illuminate strategic plan, including hiring 100 new faculty to move Baylor toward its goal of Research 1 status as the preeminent Christian research university. In addition to hiring 20 new faculty annually for the next five years, Baylor plans to complete the renovation of its residence halls and complete its $1.1 billion Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign. Regents approved the naming of the Fudge Football Operations Center in recognition of Kristy and Jeremy Fudge of Parker and approved $6 million to begin the first phase and design of the $65 million center. Regents also approved $1.2 million for additional design and pre-construction services of the basketball pavilion.

After suspending its annual Community Thanksgiving Feast last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Howard Payne University is resuming its longstanding tradition. Area residents and visitors are invited to HPU’s Mabee University Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, for a free meal of turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. For those unable to join friends and neighbors at HPU, volunteers will deliver meals in Brownwood and Early. In 2019, nearly 600 meals were served on campus and more than 1,700 meals were delivered to homes. Reservations for meals to be delivered can be made by calling the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at (325) 646-9535 by noon on Monday, Nov. 22. Volunteers are needed to serve food, package meals to go, deliver meals to homes and clean after the event. To support the event financially, make checks payable to the “Community Thanksgiving Feast,” and send them to Katrina Lynn, Howard Payne University, 1000 Fisk Street, Suite 210, Brownwood, Texas 76801. Monetary donations also will be accepted at the Mabee Center on Thanksgiving Day.

Buckner Children and Family Services will relocate its programs and services in Southeast Texas to reduce expenses associated with the ongoing maintenance of its current campus. The campus on Manion Drive in Beaumont, where Buckner has operated since 1979, will be for sale. The move to a new Beaumont-area location and campus sale are expected to happen the second half of 2022. Foster care and adoption, Project HOPES, Fatherhood Effect, Family and Youth Services, and transition programs will continue to be available through Buckner in Southeast Texas. Once the campus is sold next year, Buckner will cease its operation of the assessment center and campus cottages. “We believe this move fits our deeply held belief that children thrive and do better when they live in a family environment, such as loving foster homes in our community rather than in an institutional setting,” said Laura May, executive director for Buckner Southeast Texas.

Texas Baptist Men disaster relief volunteers completed work in Southeast Texas after a tornado hit the area in late October. TBM workers donated more than 1,400 volunteer hours, including 263 hours operating heavy equipment. They completed 25 chainsaw jobs, made 65 contacts and distributed 25 Bibles.

Howard Payne University recently hosted The ARK Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Shelter’s Candlelight Vigil honoring victims of domestic violence and raising awareness of prevention efforts. The event—sponsored by the HPU department of social work—was held in Grace Chapel and attended by HPU students and faculty, local law enforcement, social work personnel and other members of the community. It is held annually as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. The ARK’s “Empty Shoes” display is featured each year at the HPU-hosted event. The display consists of pairs of shoes representing individuals in Central Texas who have died as a result of domestic violence.

During a recent donor appreciation luncheon, Wayland Baptist University dedicated the Johnny and Aubrey Terra International Student Endowed Scholarship. Johnny Terra came to Wayland from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, to play basketball for the Pioneers. While at Wayland, he learned the English language, earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business. Aubrey Terra, originally from Canyon, was a member of the Flying Queens basketball program. She graduated from Wayland in 2014 with a degree in elementary education. The couple endowed a scholarship for international students as a way to express their gratitude to God and to Wayland for their experiences.