Volunteers from New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview delivered boxes of food and necessities to the doorsteps of families served by Buckner. Two Texas young women were named to the National Acteens Panel.

Two TBM disaster relief units in Central Texas recently donated about 300 boxes to the Capital Area Medical Operations Center in Austin to help facilitate the distribution of medical supplies in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

Hardin-Simmons University hosted a blood drive with Hendrick Regional Blood Center. The Mayborn College of Health Sciences at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor donated thousands of personal protective equipment items to the Baylor Scott & White Memorial Hospital.

Texas Baptist Men disaster relief emergency food-service and chainsaw volunteers were on the scene quickly after a tornado hit south of Graham, and they are providing for the needs of first responders during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Heights Church in Richardson received about 2,700 lbs. of nonperishable food and paper goods during a three-day collection to serve its community during the COVID-19 crisis. The Baptist General Convention of Texas has postponed all events for Texas Baptists through April 15. BaptistWay Press offers free downloadable Bible study resources.

Emily Smith, assistant professor of epidemiology at Baylor University and research scholar at the Duke Global Health Institute, delivered the Willson Lectures at Wayland Baptist University. The Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas received a $70,000 grant to support initiatives urging churches to ensure Hispanics are counted in the 2020 U.S. Census.

Astronaut Charlie Duke, one of only a dozen men to set foot on the moon, will be the featured speaker for the 2020 McLane Lecture at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Elona Prroj, vice president of the Evangelical Alliance of Albania, spoke in chapel at Dallas Baptist University. Baylor University has announced the slate of alumni-elected regent candidates presented for election this spring.

East Texas Baptist University’s School of Nursing was recently ranked as the No. 1 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program out of the 118 programs evaluated in Texas. Hardin-Simmons University welcomed Abilene-area young women in foster care to the annual Prom Party.

Buckner International and Howard Payne University launched a collaboration to provide volunteer and missions opportunities, humanitarian aid drives and enhanced experiential learning opportunities for students. Texas Baptists will accept nominations beginning April 1 for recipients of the inaugural BEST (Baptist Educators Serving Texans) Award.

Tim Smith from First Baptist Church in Hempstead received the Legion of Honor Award— the highest honor that can be bestowed in the area of Royal Ambassador work—from Texas Baptist Men. Beth Moore, author and Bible teacher, spoke at Truett Theological Seminary and signed copies of her new book.

Howard Payne University announced the construction of the Newbury Family Welcome Center and renovations to the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom building. TBM volunteer Rachel Schieck received the Distinguished Service Award from the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board.

Texas Baptists recognized Baylor University on Institutional Legacy Day for 175 years of exemplary Christian higher education. TBM volunteers distributed 1,750 boxes to people in an area damaged by an explosion at a Houston industrial site.