Around the State: Deneen lectures at DBU; Skaggs new VP at UMHB

Henry Deneen, executive director of the Center for Global Strategies, was featured speaker of the T.B. Maston Lecture Series at Dallas Baptist Union. DBU President Adam Wright welcomes Deneen and his wife, Celia, to the campus. (Photo/Brittni Bean)Henry Deneen, executive director of the Center for Global Strategies and former president of Greater Europe Mission, delivered the T.B. Maston Lectures at Dallas Baptist University. Founded in 1985 by the T.B. Maston Foundation, the lecture series provides opportunities for Baptist schools to hear leading Christian thinkers as they address various ethical issues from a Christ-centered perspective. Deneen discussed various aspects of the refugee crisis in Northern Africa and Europe. “While we tend to stray away from areas where we see pain and suffering, Jesus gives us the ultimate example of stepping into pain and suffering,” he said. “Our call is to love people in the name of Jesus and that means being willing to enter into the hard situations.” The Maston Lecture Series is named in memory of former Baptist seminary professor and Christian ethicist T.B. Maston, known particularly for his work in race relations, family life, character formation, church and state relations, and Christian vocation.

Brandon SkaggsThe University of Mary Hardin-Baylor named Brandon Skaggs vice president for student life, effective Jan. 2, 2017. Skaggs joined the UMHB administration in January as director of alumni relations. He succeeds Byron Weathersbee, who will leave the post at year’s end to serve with his wife, Carla, as executive directors at Summers Mill Retreat and Conference Center in Belton. Skaggs earned his undergraduate degree in business management and computer information systems at UMHB, a master of business degree in finance and management from Tarleton State University and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Dallas Baptist University. He served in a series of roles at DBU, including director of admissions and recruitment, international recruiter, graduate adviser, and assistant to the vice president and dean of the Gary Cook Graduate School of Leadership. At Oklahoma Baptist University, he was associate vice president for student development and dean of students. Skaggs and his wife, Sara, have four children—Sydney, Brady, Bennett and Beau. They are members of First Baptist Church in Belton.

Howard Payne University will host its 33rd annual Community Thanksgiving Feast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Mabee University Center. The meal—turkey, dressing and all the trimmings—is provided at no cost to guests. Local residents unable to attend can receive the meal by home delivery, coordinated by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, if they request the service by calling (325) 646-9535 before noon Nov. 21. The staff of HPU’s Sodexo Food Service prepare the meal, and volunteers from the campus and the community serve it. Last year, more than 1,800 meals were served on campus and through the home-delivery program. The program is made possible by financial contributions. Checks can be made payable to the “Community Thanksgiving Feast,” and mailed to Howard Payne University, Attn.: Bill Fishback, 1000 Fisk Street, Suite 210, Brownwood, TX 76801.

Sam DennisSam Dennis, senior pastor of Parkway Hills Baptist Church in Plano, delivered the keynote address at the East Texas Baptist University Calling Conference. Dennis reminded students of their opportunity to fulfill their calling to proclaim the gospel, beginning with their time as students. The conference included a panel discussion and breakout sessions designed to help participants clarify God’s calling on their lives.

Rachel Lamb

Rachel Lamb, a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, spoke during a Creation Care Week chapel service at Wayland Baptist University. Lamb’s research explores how climate change governance can reflect the complex and dynamic nature of social and ecological systems. Since Jesus is Lord of all, Lamb told the Wayland students, the Christian calling involves care for creation, as well as a responsibility to build the church and serve society. “We are tenants and stewards to whom God has entrusted this world. We cannot claim to love God while abusing his creation,” Lamb said.

Howard Payne University students and faculty who participated in a Mission Waco poverty simulation include (left to right) Dan Humeniuk, assistant professor of social work and chair of the department of criminal justice, social work and sociology; Maggie Van Nes, a junior from Keller; Sydney Spencer, a senior from Georgetown; Efrain Garces, a junior from Floresville; Millard Kimery, dean of the HPU School of Humanities and professor of English; Jaclyn Bonner, a senior from Lytle; Abbey Beardsley, a junior from Fort Worth; Brittiny Kelley, a junior from Brownwood; Jacey Martinez, a junior from San Saba; Sierra Spruill, a junior from Ranger; and Elijah Garces, a sophomore from Floresville. Nine Howard Payne University students and two faculty members from Howard Payne University recently participated in a Mission Waco poverty simulation. Mission Waco creates a safe, controlled weekend of experiences designed to increase empathy for people living in poverty in America. As a part of the weekend, the group attended a Church Under the Bridge worship service. Dan Humeniuk, assistant professor of social work and chair of the department of criminal justice, social work and sociology, participates in the simulation with his students each year.

At a Nov. 10 scholarship celebration dinner in Dallas, Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing recognized endowed scholarship donors Kari and Stephen Haywood of Dallas, Ellen Byrd of Dallas, Ben Thieme of Tyler, Mike and Pam Jones of Tyler, Stanford Brantley of Tyler, and Suzanne and Tom Martin of The Woodlands.

Ordinations

Brittany Caldwell to the gospel ministry at Lakeview Baptist Church in Waco, where is a part-time volunteer staff member.

Brian Dao to the gospel ministry at Christ the King Vietnamese Baptist Church in Hewitt, where he is a part-time volunteer staff member.