Around the State: Maston scholars chosen

Seventeen students from Baptist General Convention of Texas-affiliated universities have been named Young Maston Scholars by the T. B. Maston Foundation. Students are nominated based on their faithfulness to the ethical example of Jesus; a commitment to Christian ethics lived out in theological inquiry and academic excellence; an established reputation among peers for ethical Christian T.B. Maston was a longtime of professor of Christian ethics.leadership; and a vocational calling to ministry. The award is named for T.B. Maston, longtime of professor of Christian ethics and author, known for his writing and teaching in the area of biblical ethics, race relations, family life, Christian life and vocation, church and state, and character formation. The scholars (pictured above) are Top Row: Jose Jimenez-Abrams (Mary Hardin-Baylor), Zachary Tharp (Howard Payne), Adam Chaney (Houston Baptist), Cullen Ware (Houston Baptist) Middle Top: John Bocko (Wayland), Bradley Varnell (Baylor) Middle Bottom: Don Williford (Dean, Logsdon Seminary and School of Theology), Jacob Winslager (Dallas Baptist), Michael Barnard (Baylor), Drew Doss (Hardin-Simmons), Sergio Buezo (Baptist University of the Americas), Phanuel Estinvil (Baptist University of the Americas) Bottom Row: Mary Vasquez (Howard-Payne), Will Raies (Dallas Baptist), Melinda Herning (Mary Hardin-Baylor), Rebekah Davidson (Hardin-Simmons), Kristian Barnaby (East Texas Baptist), Krystin Jurries (East Texas Baptist), Hulitt Gloer (2014 Maston Lecturer).

First Baptist Church in West will meet for worship at 10:15 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20, on the field across from Aderhold Funeral Home on S. Reagan St.—the same location where the church gathered the Sunday after a fertilizer plant exploded on April 17, 2013. Pastor John Crowder noted the church decided to establish as a tradition worshipping on that site each year on the Sunday following April 17.  “This outdoor service will not only establish a lasting tradition for us, but it will also be a loud and clear testimony that God is good and West blessed,” Crowder said. “We are especially excited about the fact that our first anniversary of the outdoor worship service will fall on Easter. We are going to celebrate life and renewal like never before.”

Howard Payne University will hold its annual Resurrection Week spring revival April 14-16. Dave Edwards is the featured speaker, and recording artist Jami Smith will lead worship. Services will be held at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tom Copeland, Hardin-Simmons University associate professor of psychology, will present a free community seminar on communication in marriage April 24 in Room 213 of the Johnson Building at 7 p.m. The seminar is part of the university’s recognition of national counseling month.

Dallas Baptist University will hold the 26th annual DBU-Oak Cliff Partnership Dinner May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Hillcrest Great Hall of the John G. Mahler Student Center on the DBU campus. The 2014 Good Samaritan Award recipients are Nancy Counts and Jim Gettman. For more information, call (214) 333-5811.

Buckner International will hold its first “Hope for Children” benefit featuring country music performer Jimmy Wayne with emcee Paige McCoy Smith of WFAA-TV’s Good Morning Texas at Dallas’ Omni Hotel May 8 at 7 p.m. Guests will share a meal, participate in a silent auction and enjoy music, as well as learn about the global ministry. For more information, call (800) 442-4800, ext. 8017.

Craig Keener, professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary, will be the featured speaker for B.H. Carroll Theological Institute’s spring colloquy May 19-20. The theme of the colloquy is “Jesus and Mighty Works.” It will consist of three plenary sessions on Jesus and his miracles. Monday’s sessions will begin at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday’s session will begin at 2 p.m. All will be held at the Wade Building, 300 S. Center, Suite 100, Arlington 76010.

The Texas Baptist Historical Museum will hold a rededication ceremony May 31 at 1 p.m. The museum is located at 10505 FM 50, Brenham 77833. A barbecue is a part of the event. Make reservations at (972) 331-2235.

Wayland Baptist University honored significant financial supporters of the university with a dinner hosted by President Paul Armes and his wife, Duanea. Receiving the first-ever President’s Awards were Harley and Wilda Redin and Sally Shaw. The Redins first made their impact on the university separately—he as the longtime coach of the Flying Queens basketball team and she was one-half of the Hutchersons, who flew the players to many games. After both their spouses died, they married, creating a joint legacy. The gymanasium at Wayland bears the Hutcherson name, and the court is named for the Redins, and the Athletic Hall of Honor also is named for the former coach. The two have supported scholarships, building projects and many other campaigns. Shaw has supported every initiative of the school for several decades and served on the board of trustees. Donors whose contributions to the university have reached $100,000 also were honored with Keeper of the Flame Awards. They are L.S. Foreman, Max and Marcheta Gabriel, Bruce and Jolene Julian, Ben and Bertha Mieth, Mark and Linda Murdock, and Robert and Sally Walker.

Israel Nandamudi, East Texas Baptist University professor of political science, delivered the keynote address at the International Conference on Gender Mainstreaming: Issues and Strategies for Empowerment. The two-day conference was held in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Anniversaries

Iglesia Vaquera Cowboy Church in Waxahachie, 10th, March 30. Ty Howard is pastor.

Carl Douglas, 10th, as pastor of Dixie Frontier Baptist Church in Whitesboro, April 4.

Event

Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington will not hold services April 27. Instead, an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 members will spread throughout the city to serve the community. Serve Arlington will meet needs by partnering with the city, school district, homeless shelter and crisis pregnancy center, as well as many individuals. Projects will include clean-ups, painting, school carnivals and more. Gary Smith is pastor.