Around the State: HPU choirs perform in Austria; new BSM director at UMHB

Members of Howard Payne University’s Concert Choir and University Singers recently performed in Austria with six other choral groups. The 23-member HPU contingent joined a mass choir, numbering almost 100 singers, and a chamber orchestra in a performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem” at the historic Votivkirche. Christopher Rosborough, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, led the trip.

Daniel McAfee was named director of Baptist Student Ministries at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor effective Aug. 5. McAfee earned his undergraduate degree from the Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie in 2009. He completed his Master of Divinity degree at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, and he is pursuing a Ph.D. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife, Meredith, and their 3-year-old son Kent are members of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco.

Baylor University President Linda Livingstone will welcome pastors and other religious leaders throughout Waco and Central Texas for an Aug. 13 community prayer breakfast on the Baylor campus. A continental breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. in the Paul and Katy Piper Great Hall at Truett Theological Seminary, followed by the community prayer service from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the Powell Chapel. After a welcome by Livingstone and a call to prayer by University Chaplain Burt Burleson, prayers for students, parents, teachers, administrators, community wellbeing and community ministers will be led by René Maciel, missions pastor at First Woodway Baptist Church; Jonathan Pokluda, lead pastor at Harris Creek Baptist Church; Jimmy Hunter, pastor of Toliver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church; Beth Allison Barr, associate dean for student and faculty development in the Baylor Graduate School; Glenn Robinson, president of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center–Hillcrest; and Angela Reed, associate professor of practical theology and director of spiritual formation at Truett Seminary. Ryan Richardson, associate chaplain and director of worship and chapel at Baylor, will lead the music. Camille Rybacki, a senior international studies major at Baylor, and Tyler Phillips, a master of divinity candidate at Truett Seminary, will read Scripture. Livingstone will offer closing remarks followed by the Lord’s Prayer. Parking will be available in the Dutton Avenue garage, next to the seminary at the intersection of I-35 and University Parks Drive.

Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary will mark its 25^th anniversary by returning to its birthplace, First Baptist Church in Waco, for its fall convocation on Aug. 27. The convocation begins at 11 a.m., followed by a lunch at the Baylor Club at 12:30 p.m. Cost for the lunch is $25. To register, click here.