The Howard Payne University model United Nations students won five delegate awards in Rome, Italy, more than any other university participating. Caleb McConnell, Kerrie Ford, Cody Perrin and Elizabeth Rogers won best delegate awards, and Erik Swenson was named champion debater on the security council. The 12 students also visited the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, the Catacombs and other locations in the city.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Houston Baptist University President Robert Sloan and journalist Marvin Olasky will discuss “Faith and Freedom in the Public Square” May 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Morris Cultural Arts Center at HBU. Panelists will share thoughts about the role faith has played in their careers and discuss the state of religious freedom in America and abroad. Tickets are $20 for general admission seating and $100 for reserved seats that include a pre-event reception at 6:45 p.m. For tickets, click here.
Buckner Children and Family Services will present a free foster care and adoption information expo April 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5200 Buckner Boulevard in Dallas. Participants will receive an overview of foster care and adoption options in Texas, including foster-to-adopt, Waiting Texas Children, domestic infant adoption and international adoption programs. A guest panel of current and former foster families will present perspectives on their experiences. Other participating organizations are Hope CottageCovenant Kids, Circles of Care, Jonathan’s Place, Bair Foundation, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth, A World for Children, Pathways and Foster in Texas. For more information, click here.
Ernie Haase and Signature Sound—a Southern Gospel quartet—will perform at 7 p.m. May 9 in Wayland Baptist University’s Harral Auditorium. Wayland graduate Paul Harkey sings bass with the group. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the singers will meet the public at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students 17 and younger. All seats are general admission, and proceeds benefit Wayland scholarships. Tickets can be purchased here. Wayland’s Association of Former Students sponsors the event.
Sarah Alvis of Fort Worth was crowned Miss ETBU at 
Sarah Alvis of Fort Worth was crowned Miss ETBU.the East Texas Baptist University’s 58th annual pageant. Alvis is a sophomore nursing major. Jermaca Brown, a junior kinesiology major from Fairfield, was first runner up. Natalie Pippin of Marshall received the Miss Congeniality Award.
A Baptist General Convention of Texas team led by Phil Miller, director of Bible study/discipleship, and David Rangel, director of River Ministry and Mexico missions, traveled to Juarez, Mexico, to train 64 church leaders.
The South Texas School of Christian Studies held an open house at its McAllen campus to spotlight renovated facilities. With the aid of Texas Baptist Men Retiree Builders, the school made about $500,000 in improvements.
About 175 Hardin-Simmons University student athletes helped 
Hardin-Simmons University athletes helped local Special Olympians train for their district meet.93 Special Olympics participants prepare for their district track and field meet. Students from all the university’s teams ran the events, which included running, javelin, shot put, tennis ball and softball throws, standing long jump and running long jump.
Students in the Dallas Baptist University Graduate School of Ministry and the master of arts in communication program ministered to residents of the Dallas Life Foundation. The DBU team joined the residents for their evening meal, and they also led a worship service. Dallas Life Foundation is an outreach and advocacy ministry for the homeless of Dallas.
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Event
Volunteers from First Baptist Church in Longview helped build a home for a Beckville family whose house burned last year. Initially, the family started the rebuilding project themselves but had to stop due to health issues. 
Volunteers from First Baptist Church in Longview helped build a home for a Beckville family whose house burned last year. Volunteers from other churches who served with First Baptist on mission trips to Mexico joined in the effort, along with residents of an East Texas rehab facility. The family moved into their home before Easter.They sought help from Habitat for Humanity in Longview, but they lived outside the organization’s service area. So, a deacon at First Baptist Church coordinated the project, working in cooperation with Executive Pastor David English. Volunteers from other churches who had served with First Baptist on mission trips to Mexico joined in the effort, along with residents in an East Texas rehab facility. Students also participated during a DiscipleNow weekend. The family moved into their home before Easter. Cary Hilliard is pastor at First Baptist Church in Longview.
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