Around the State: Miss ETBU crowned; Chuck Norris to lecture at UMHB

Young women honored at the 60th Miss East Texas Baptist University Scholarship Pageant were (left to right) Heather McGowin, first runner-up; Miss ETBU 2016 Brittany Smith; Lauren McCollum, second runner-up; and Miss Congeniality Corrie Andrews. (Photo / Mike Midkiff) Brittany Smith, a sophomore nursing major from Los Angeles, Calif., was crowned Miss ETBU 2016 at the 60th Miss East Texas Baptist University Scholarship Pageant. After graduation, Smith hopes eventually to work in medical missions with children overseas. Hannah McGowin, a sophomore from Nederland, was selected first runner-up and winner of the talent award. Lauren McCollum, a sophomore from Midlothian, was selected second runner-up. Corrie Andrew, a junior from Cypress, was named Miss Congeniality.

Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau competed at the National Christian College Forensics Association Invitational National Championship.Howard Payne University’s Student Speaker Bureau competed at the National Christian College Forensics Association Invitational National Championships at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Calif. Braxton Clark, a junior from Southlake, was named second-place overall debate speaker at the tournament. In team competition, Clark and Isaac Sommers, a junior from Boerne, advanced to the quarterfinals round in open parliamentary debate. Sommers also advanced to semifinals in open extemporaneous speaking. Reagan Grisham, a sophomore from Arlington, was named sixth-place speaker in novice parliamentary debate. Christopher Freeland, a freshman from Bangs, advanced to semifinals in novice extemporaneous speaking.

Martial artist, actor and Christian activist Chuck Norris will deliver the 2016 McLane Lecture at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Norris, best known for his role in the Walker, Texas Ranger television series, will speak at 11 a.m., April 20, in the arena of the Frank and Sue Mayborn Campus Center. This is event is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary, and seating will be first-come, first-served.

In conjunction with the Youth Ministry Workshop at Howard Payne University, participants enjoyed an evening at the home of Gary Gramling, professor of Christian studies and director of HPU’s Christian studies graduate programs. Participants included (left to right) Gramling, Lubbock Roe, Joseph Flanigan, Ben Fountain, Cris Begay, Nate Rhodes, Andrew Overmiller, Anthony McCarson, Scott Turner, Chuck Gartman and Shawna Rains. (HPU Photo)Youth ministry students at Howard Payne University recently attended the university’s 46th annual Youth Ministry Workshop. Students participated in 15 sessions throughout the event, designed to strengthen their leadership skills and to help prepare them for ministry. Speakers included Gary Gramling, professor of Christian studies and director of HPU’s Christian studies graduate programs; Ricky Cavitt, youth minister at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood; Brad Echols, youth minister at First Baptist Church in Midland; Chuck Gartman, adjunct instructor of Christian studies at HPU and president Cleburne-based of Go To Youth Ministry; Jeff Howard, youth minister at First Baptist Church in Plano; Chris Hurt, student pastor at First Baptist Church in Frisco; Allen Jackson, pastor at Dunwoody Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga.; Randy Johnson, youth minister emeritus at First Baptist Church in Richardson; Daniel Morrow, student minister at Field Street Baptist Church in Cleburne; Candy Smith, retired minister of education at First Baptist Church in Richardson; Steve Stege, executive pastor at First Baptist Church in Frisco; Jimmy Storrie, executive director of Life Recovered in Denton; and Rusty Wheelington, associate professor of Christian studies at HPU.

Ordinations

Dylan Price to the gospel ministry at Belmont Baptist Church in Abilene, where he is minister to youth.