Around the State: UMHB students present Easter pageant

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor presented its annual Easter Pageant on April 5. The Easter Pageant chronicles key events from the Gospels, including Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper and Jesus’ trial by Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death and resurrection. The student-led production features a cast of hundreds of students and children and grandchildren of university students, faculty and staff. Each year, UMHB President Randy O’Rearselects a student to direct the pageant and two students to play the key roles of Jesus and Mary, based on their strong Christian faith and character. Katy Melton, a junior Spanish and social work major from Katy, was this year’s pageant director. Nicholas McDaniel, a senior management major from Bryan, portrayed Jesus, and Ruth Lawson, a senior transformational development major from Belton, portrayed Mary. The annual Easter Pageant tradition at UMHB began in 1940.

Baylor University unveiled and dedicated statues honoring the university’s first Black graduates, Robert L. Gilbertand Barbara A. Walker. Created by sculptor Benjamin Victor, the more than 7-foot-tall bronze statues were installed on each side of the walkway leading into the Tidwell Bible Building, where Gilbert and Walker took their academic major classes in history and sociology, respectively. On June 2, 1967, the pair became the first Black students to earn undergraduate degrees from Baylor, receiving their diplomas in alphabetical order during the same commencement ceremony. Gilbert came to Baylor as a transfer student from Paul Quinn College. He earned his undergraduate degree in history, and three years later, he became the first Black student to enroll in Baylor’s graduate program in religion. Eventually going into ministry and despite severe health challenges, Gilbert served local churches as pastor and was the first Black Waco citizen elected to the board of the Waco Independent School District. He died in 1992 at age 50. Walker also transferred to Baylor from Paul Quinn. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Baylor then went on to establish a career that integrated her service to God with her work in the community. She spent 32 years playing a pivotal role in the California Department of Mental Health, helping patients receive assistance to transition back into jobs and the community. Like Gilbert, she saw her life’s work as a calling and ministry. She retired in 2001. In 2017, Walker received Baylor’s Medal of Service for Contributions to the Professions, Christian Ministry. The statues of Gilbert and Walker were a product of the report and recommendations by Baylor’s Commission on Historic Campus Representations.

Go Now Missions reported 854 college students from 38 Baptist Student Ministries participated in spring break mission trips. Serving in 11 locations, they presented the gospel 8,789 times and prayed with 6,150 people. They recorded 257 professions of faith in Christ and 80 Christian rededications.

The East Texas Baptist University men’s soccer team traveled to Spain and Portugal March 10-18 for the university’s 14th Tiger Athletic Mission Experience trip. The Tigers partnered with the International Sports Federation, served alongside Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board missionaries in Madrid, and worked directly with Cru in Lisbon. Half of the team worshipped at Nueva Esperanza Church in Madrid, while the other worshipped at Comunidad Moncloa. The entire group toured the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, home of the Real Madrid soccer club, and Civitas Metropolitan, the home stadium of Atlético de Madrid. The Tigers also competed against a team of semi-professional players from the area surrounding Madrid. In Lisbon, the Tigers visited Jorge Pena Academy, founded by former boxer Jorge Pena. The student-athletes and academy students rode a bus to Clube Oriental De Lisboa, a Division III professional team. The ETBU student athletes also watched the Real Madrid and Liverpool Champions League match and enjoyed dinner at Portuguese professional soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo’s restaurant. In Scavem, the Tigers competed against a professional division, Level Three club. Traveling to the coast of Lisbon, the Tigers spent time with IMB missionary Bethany Sharp from Minden, La., and helped distribute flyers and interact with community members at the local park to spread awareness of the church’s upcoming events. Since 2016, ETBU athletics has sponsored Tiger Athletic Mission Experience trips to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Serbia, Israel, Jamaica, Slovakia, France, Japan, Greece, Scotland and Australia.

After a four-year hiatus, the North Central chapter of the Singing Men of Texas once again will participate in an overseas mission trip to Europe with evangelist Michael Gott. The April 17-28 trip to Poland will be the first Eastern European trip for the Singing Men of Texas since they accompanied Gott to Hungary and Romania in 2019. They first served alongside Gott on a trip to Austria and Czech Republic in 2007, and they made five trips to Ukraine from 2010 to 2017. After traveling to concert venues in Olsztyn, Gdansk, Poznan, Lodz, Katowice, Auschwitz and Wroclaw, they will conclude with a concert in partnership with a Ukrainian church in Warsaw.

Fletcher Seminary named theological educator Fred Smith as its Houston regional director. Smith helped establish the Center for Leadership in Public Theology at Houston Graduate School of Theology. He is former associate director of the interfaith health program at the Carter Center. He was faith and health consultant and senior scholar for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System and educational consultant to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center FaithHealth Division. Smith earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Harvard University, a Master of Divinity degree from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and a Ph.D. in practical theology from Emory University.

Christopher Hammons, director of the Morris Family Center for Law and Liberty at Houston Christian University, formerly Houston Baptist University, received the Daughters of the American Revolution Mary Smith Lockwood Founders Medal for Education on March 17. In recommending Hammons, HCU President Robert Sloan described him as “an ideal candidate for the award because his unselfish and tireless efforts to teach American history and political science and promote our nation’s founding principles far exceed his work with students, extending to numerous members of the Houston community and beyond.”

Buckner Retirement Services has engaged renowned chef Stephan Pyles as chief culinary adviser for its senior living communities. Pyles, a Texas-based James Beard Award-winning chef, will help enhance culinary experiences for residents at Buckner Villas in Austin, Calder Woods in Beaumont, Parkway Place in Houston and Buckner Westminster Place in Longview, in addition to his established advisory role with Ventana by Buckner in Dallas.

Collin Baptist Association is hosting a Pastoral Tax Seminar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 12. Jerry Whitley, founder of Guardian Financial Group, will discuss revised tax law pertaining to ministers, recommended procedures for the upcoming year, the Top Five costly tax mistakes ministers make and ministerial financial planning. To register, click here.

Anniversaries

100th for Latham Springs Camp and Retreat Center in Aquilla on May 6. Mike Wilson is camp manager. The anniversary event includes an outdoor barbecue, corn hole tournament, fishing, wagon tour and other camp activities. Featured speakers are Christian humorist Dennis Swanberg, Shane Pruitt from the North American Mission Board and David Hardage, retired executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The Branded Duo band will lead in worship. To register, click here.

100th for First Baptist Church in College Station. Troy Allen is pastor.

25th for David McQueen as pastor of Beltway Park Baptist Church in Abilene.

5th for Brazilian American Baptist Church in Plano. Romney Santos is pastor.