Women from around Texas gathered March 25-26 at First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi for the Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas annual meeting and missions celebration to hear missionary testimonies and mark milestones in missions work. Participants heard from Sam G. and April Ott, representing the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board; Itamar Elizalde with the North American Mission Board; and Vanessa Lerma, who serves with Texas Baptists’ River Ministry. Attendees celebrated exceeding the $3.5 million giving goal for the 2021 Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions. Texas WMU elected as officers President Earl Ann Bumpus of Belton, Vice President Brenda Bourgeois of Lubbock and Recording Secretary Jackie Faughn of McKinney. The Texas WMU board of directors and staff recognized Tamiko Jones for five years of service as executive director-treasurer.
Six Howard Payne University students were named 2022 Currie-Strickland Scholars in Christian Ethics and Theology. Students honored were Christian Barnett of Friendswood, a senior majoring in Christian education who is the youth pastor at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church in Dripping Springs; Samuel Brown of May, a junior majoring in Bible who is worship leader at First Baptist Church in Brownwood; Jadin Heriford of Georgetown, a senior majoring in practical theology who is youth ministry intern at First Baptist Church in Brownwood; Jeremy Houston of Fredericksburg, a senior majoring in practical theology who is children and youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Mullin; Abigail Laubhan of Amarillo, a senior majoring in Christian education who is children’s ministry coordinator at First Baptist Church in Brownwood; and McKennah Randall of Lampasas, a senior majoring in youth ministry who is youth ministry intern at First Baptist Church in Early.
The Hope House, a nonprofit organization that works with Plainview’s homeless population, received a $5,000 grant through Wayland Baptist University’s NexGen Spark entrepreneurial competition. The third annual competition featured three student teams working with local entrepreneurs to present a comprehensive business plan to a panel of judges. Sponsored by the Plainview/Hale County Economic Development Corporation and Wayland, the competition awards a $5,000 grant to the winning team to be used by the business. Student team members receive $500 each. Hope House grew out of the vision of Chris and Sue Lewellen, to help those who are struggling with housing, food, mental health and emergency needs, as well as act as a centralized location for all the organizations and services in Plainview that assist people. Elisabeth Piroli, a Wayland graduate student from Brazil, led the student team, which included Nathanael Barnard, Deng Bol Yol and Damian Goode.
Kayleigh Hill of Whitehouse was recognized at East Texas Baptist University’s 75th annual Senior Girl Call-Out on April 21. Selected by a faculty and staff vote, the young woman “called out” each year is distinguished for exemplary Christian character, social consciousness, personal poise, academic achievement and spiritual vision. Hill is a senior elementary education major and is president of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She is on the Baptist Student Ministry leadership team, is a member of Student Foundation, currently is a second grade student teacher at Sam Houston Elementary, and is co-leader of the Kids Club ministry at a local apartment complex. She was a youth ministry intern at First Baptist Church in Longview and now works with youth at New Beginnings Church in Gilmer.
The Dallas Baptist University debate team earned several top honors at the recent International Public Debate Association National Championship Tournament at Abilene Christian University. In team competition, Joseph Alcazarand Greyson Goebel earned the First Place National Champions title. Katy Branch earned the Team IPDA National Champion Speaker title, and Luke Castle placed second. Overall, the DBU debate team finished with the Second Place National Scholastic Championship Award and the Third Place National Overall Sweepstakes Award among the 44 universities represented.
The Howard Payne University Women’s Club recognized Bertha Mieth of Glen Rose, Olivia Catlett of Alleyton and Jessica Phariss of Brownwood at this year’s Yellow Rose Scholarship Luncheon. Mieth received Yellow Rose Award, presented annually to a woman who embodies the university’s foundational values and beliefs. Catlett and Phariss each received the Yellow Rose Scholarship—the first time two students were named as scholarship recipients. Keynote speaker at the luncheon was Kari Dingler, who discussed her experience as an advocate for children and women nationwide and abroad.
East Texas Baptist University presented class rings to 171 graduating seniors during an April 20 “ring blessing” chapel service. Each ring features the ETBU seal, surrounded by the cornerstones of the university—Veritas, Moresand Scientia, Latin for truth, character and knowledge. Inscribed in the ring are significant icons of ETBU and the Christian faith, such as historic Marshall Hall, the Light on the Hill, Max Greiner’s Divine Servant Statue and the Bible.
Anniversary
40 years of preaching for Delvin Atchison and 35 years as a pastor. He has served three years as senior pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville.
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