Around the State: ETBU sponsors field day; TBM Rebuild planned in Nederland

Students from the East Texas Baptist University kinesiology department led field day activities at the Marshall Early Childhood Center. (ETBU Photo)

image_pdfimage_print
Children from the Marshall Early Childhood Center joined the East Texas Baptist University kinesiology department for field day on Oct. 30 for a variety of physical activities, ranging from parachute play and tricycle riding to obstacle course running. (ETBU Photo)

More than 350 pre-kindergarten students from the Marshall Early Childhood Center participated in a field day sponsored by the East Texas Baptist University kinesiology department on Oct. 30. ETBU students led the 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds in a variety of physical activities, ranging from parachute play and tricycle riding to obstacle course running. Prior to the event, the university students spend time developing lesson plans appropriate for the age range of children who attended the event. “ETBU students were able to gain practical experience in a physical activity-based environment at a fairly early stage in their own college careers,” said Will Walker, professor of kinesiology. “At the same time, we served the greater Marshall community through providing opportunities for the MECC students to enjoy games and play with ‘big kids,’ who happen to be dressed up as superheroes, sports stars, pandas, crayon boxes and a variety of other fun things.”

Texas Baptist Men volunteers hope to provide Nederland-area residents affected by Tropical Storm Imelda an extra reason to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. A TBM Rebuild is scheduled Nov. 10-22, focusing particularly on individuals and families with the highest needs, including the elderly and single parents. Volunteer teams will install drywall and make homes safe for residents. TBM will provide the materials for the projects, as well as providing volunteers lodging at a church, access to showers and meals. “Imelda devastated Southeast Texas,” said David Wells, TBM associate director of disaster relief. “As we responded with feeding and mud-out efforts, we identified significant needs that we believe we can meet. Together, we can make sure families have a safe, secure place to celebrate Thanksgiving.” For more information, click here.

Trinity Baptist Church in Kerrville and First Baptist Church in Center Point—together with Hosanna Lutheran and Impact Christian Fellowship in Kerrville—will host First Blessing events on Nov. 23 to provide free new shoes and socks to students in need from eight school districts. Calvary Baptist Church and Zion Lutheran Church in Kerrville and Amistad Community Church in Center Point also are participating. First Blessing is working with school districts in Kerrville, Center Point, Medina, Harper, Hunt, Bandera, Comfort and Ingram, along with Medina Children’s Home and Hill Country Youth Ranch. Students are required to register in advance with their school’s counselor to receive the shoes and socks, as well as a free breakfast. For more information, contact Kellee Parish, minister of children and families at Trinity Baptist Church, at (830) 895-0100 or [email protected].

Patty Villarreal

Patty Villarreal of San Antonio was honored during Howard Payne University homecoming as recipient of the José Rivas Distinguished Service Award. Villarreal graduated from HPU in 1976 with a degree in sociology and a minor in psychology. She earned her master’s degree from the Carver School of Social Work at Campbellsville University and was recognized by Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work as an honorary graduate alumna. Villarreal served on the Baptist General Convention of Texas staff as a community ministry consultant and with Buckner International as national director of church and community initiatives and as a social work consultant. She is an adjunct instructor at Baptist University of the Américas and is co-founder of the Latina Leadership Institute. She is a deacon at Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio. She is a board member of the Texas Christian Community Development Network and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Texas Council. She also is a trustee of the Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio.

Stephen Mansfield (center), CEO Emeritus of Methodist Health System of Dallas, was awarded the honorary doctorate of humanities by Dallas Baptist University. He is pictured with DBU President Adam Wright (left) and Chancellor Gary Cook. (DBU Photo)

At its fall convocation chapel service, Dallas Baptist University awarded Stephen Mansfield, CEO emeritus of Methodist Health System of Dallas, the honorary doctorate of humanities for demonstrating outstanding servant leadership in the healthcare industry at the helm of the hospital system for more than 10 years. The convocation also marked the 10th anniversary of the completion of Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel.

Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University hosted David Hardage, Steve Vernon and Chris Liebrum from the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board staff for BGCT Day on Oct. 24. They spent a few hours with students, educating them about the Cooperative Program, which provides scholarship funds to Texas Baptist ministerial students at 10 Texas Baptist colleges and universities, and pledging to help graduates find places to serve. Hardage exhorted scholarship recipients to “be good and faithful stewards” of what so many have invested in them. On Oct. 28-29, Logsdon held the annual George W. Knight Lectures. The lecture this year was titled “Women of the Old Testament” and—in honor of Knight, who died Nov. 3, 2018—featured students he taught.

Howard Payne University will host its inaugural Ministry Monday event on campus Nov. 11. (HPU Photo)

Howard Payne University will host its inaugural Ministry Monday event on campus Nov. 11. The school is inviting high school juniors and seniors interested in ministry to visit with faculty, staff and students in the HPU School of Christian Studies. Prospective students will be able to sit in on a class, tour the campus and enjoy a free meal. The event is free for prospective students and guests who accompany them. Register in advance online here or the day of the event during check-in from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in HPU’s Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center.

East Texas Baptist University hosted its fifth annual Calling Conference on Oct. 30. The conference provided students with a deeper understanding of specific callings and provided opportunities to learn from experienced ministry professionals. Keynote chapel speaker was Brent Gentzel, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Kaufman. He encouraged all students to pursue their vocational calling. “Whether you’re a plumber, carpenter, pastor or teacher, if God called you into that field, then you should serve because you believe God put you there to use you as part of his revolution,” Gentzel said. “Don’t make the mistake of settling for an occupation, something you do for a paycheck. Make the decision to do what God has called you to do.”

Anniversary

80th for Vanderbilt Baptist Church in Guadalupe Baptist Association on Nov. 10. Jack Hutson is pastor.


Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays



We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.

Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.

More from Baptist Standard