Around the State: Summit encourages women to develop gifts

Katie McCoy, director of Women’s Ministry with Texas Baptists

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Katie McCoy, director of Women’s Ministry with Texas Baptists, was the featured speaker at the 2022 Women’s Summit at East Texas Baptist University on March 14. The summit’s focus, “Knowing Him,” encouraged ETBU women to develop God’s gifts in fulfilling his purposes. “Whether you realize this or not, you have an aim right now. And it is the driving force of your life. It is the driving force propelling your soul, because whatever you’re aiming for, that is what you are depending on,” McCoy said. “If we have Christ, we already have found what is most worthy and worth living for.” McCoy encouraged women not only to consume discipleship content, but also to connect and contribute to it as well through relationships. “You may not think of yourselves as ministers in the church, but if you are in Christ, you are a minister,” McCoy said. “What are you going to contribute to other people in the church?”

Retired Lt. Gen. Terry Scott provided his perspective on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a presentation at Howard Payne University. (HPU Photo)

Retired Lt. Gen. Terry Scott provided his perspective on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a presentation sponsored by Howard Payne University’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and the Program for Civic Leadership and Public Policy. Speaking to about 80 faculty and students, Scott identified causes and potential consequences of the conflict. Prior to serving as the Honors Academy’s Brand Visiting Lecturer in political science from 2003 to 2020, Scott directed the national security programs at the Kennedy School at Harvard and taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He retired from active duty in 1996 after a 32-year career of military service.

Paul Haidostian, president of Haigazian University in Beirut, delivered the 2022 Gallup Distinguished Lecture Series at Dallas Baptist University. (DBU Photo)

Paul Haidostian, president of Haigazian University in Beirut, delivered the 2022 Gallup Distinguished Lecture Series at Dallas Baptist University. “I was 13 in 1975 when the war started, and I started seeing things as I traveled on my way and back to and from school—killings, explosions, our apartment was shelled twice, and so much more.” Even so, he insisted, while pain is part of Armenians’ past in Lebanon, his people move on by grace. “I am here from Beirut to tell you that looking for an easy life does not bring fulfillment. Looking for fulfillment in Christ alone does,” said Haidostian, chair of the Central Committee of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East.

Carol Lavender

Houston Baptist University named Carol Lavender dean of its School of Nursing and Allied Health. Lavender—who has been a professor and interim dean at HBU—received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Lamar University. She went on to earn master’s degrees in business administration and nursing leadership from HBU and the University of Texas Medical Branch, and she earned the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in executive nursing administration from the University of South Alabama. She owned and led her own health care consulting firm for 10 years, has held a variety of clinical and leadership roles in health care institutions and has extensive teaching experience at HBU and at Chamberlain University.

Stark College & Seminary will recognize Harry and Pam Williams for their lifetime of Christian service at the Hand and Dove Scholarship Banquet at 7 p.m. on April 14 at the Solomon P. Ortiz Center in Corpus Christi. The banquet celebrates Williams’ 38 years of faithful service as pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Corpus Christi and his decades of community involvement. Delvin Atchison, senior pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville, will be the keynote speaker. The event serves both as an awards ceremony and scholarship fund-raiser. The goal is to raise $100,000 for scholarships for Stark College and Seminary students from under-served communities. For more information or to make reservations, call (361) 991-9403 or email [email protected].


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