Around the State: Miss Wayland came a long way in a year

When Kelsi Crawford of Ranger was crowned Wayland Baptist University’s Miss Wayland 2015 on Nov. 15, she couldn’t help but feel lucky and blessed, knowing she had come a long way from where she was exactly a year before – on an operating table. Doctors had diagnosed a birth defect in her spine that was causing her debilitating pain. “Finally, I realized that I don’t have control over this and the doctors don’t have control over this. Only God can fix it,” she said. “That’s when I finally let go and really let him take over.” Despite a difficult recovery, she was able to dance as her talent in the competition, and won the crown.

Philip Nation has joined Philip Nationthe Houston Baptist University faculty as assistant professor of leadership and biblical studies.

Budd Smith, B.H. Carroll Theological Institute’s senior fellow over the ministry and formation cluster, has announced his retirement. Smith was one of the four founders of the institute. Norma Hedin has been elected as the new senior fellow over the ministry and formation cluster.

Two members of the Howard Payne University art faculty have earned recognition for their professional accomplishments. David Harmon, professor of art and chair of the Department of Art, presented “Rialto Theatre,” a photograph by Howard Payne University professor Julie Mize, was accepted into an exhibit at Texas Tech University.his paper “The Art Canon: The Vital Role of Visual Art in the University” at the National Conference on Liberal Arts and the Education of Artists in New York City. Julie Mize, adjunct professor of photography at HPU, had her photograph “Rialto Theatre” accepted into High and Dry: A Photographic Exhibition of People and Places of the World’s Dry Lands, sponsored by the International Culture Center at Texas Tech University.

Anniversaries

Cowboy Church of San Patricio County in Sinton, fifth, Sept. 28. Don Parker is pastor.

Eddy Hallock, 10th, as minister of missions and evangelism at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston.

First Baptist Church in Nocona, 125th, Nov. 16. Gerald Marsh, pastor of the church from 1959 to 1964, preached the morning sermon. Dave Woodbury is pastor.

Bill Shockley, 25th, as pastor of Oak Ridge Baptist Church in San Antonio, Dec. 3.

Ordained

Randy Jackson to the ministry at First Baptist Church in Winters.

Chad Anderson to the ministry at Mercury Baptist Church in Mercury.

Jeff Parker to the ministry at First Baptist Church in La Vernia, Nov. 9.

Sarah Greenfield to the ministry at First Baptist Church in Abilene, Nov. 23.